Denys Lau, Ph.D., is a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor at Northwestern University's Buehler Center on Aging. His long-term career goal is to become a funded, independent investigator in health services research that focuses on quality and safety of medication use among vulnerable and seriously-ill older adults. To achieve that goal, he seeks the Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) to expand his existing knowledge in two substantive areas (palliative and hospice care treatment approaches, and family studies in the aging population) and two methodological areas (original data collection using qualitative and quantitative research techniques). This project, incorporating a tailored curriculum and mentored field experience, will generate the necessary experience and resources for Dr. Lau to submit future awardable R-01 applications. An extension of Dr. Lau's prior research on inappropriate medication use among elderly patients, the current study aims to better understand the skills necessary for effective management of medication regimens, including opioid analgesics, among informal caregivers of hospice patients living at home. Specifically, the study will: (1) develop the concept of caregiving skills in effective medication management, including a conceptual framework describing its domains and relationships with patient health status and caregiver confidence;(2) develop, refine, and validate an instrument to measure caregiving skills in effective medication management (CG-SEMM instrument);and (3) examine the relationships among caregiving skills in effective medication management, patient health status, and caregiver confidence. This career development research proposal will involve primary data collection using three techniques (focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and longitudinal survey study), and employ a mixed-method approach combining complementary qualitative and quantitative research procedures. Ensuring the appropriate use of medications among older adults is a well-recognized, important public health concern. For those older adults who rely on family members for medication assistance, a validated assessment of the skills necessary for effective medication management will help healthcare providers to screen for family members who will need further training. With family members taking on more responsibilities in caring for their loved ones, the significance of this study will be profound in improving not only the proper use of drugs for older-adult patients, but also the confidence of family members.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
5K01AG027295-04
Application #
7841915
Study Section
National Institute on Aging Initial Review Group (NIA)
Program Officer
Spotts, Erica L
Project Start
2007-05-01
Project End
2010-11-16
Budget Start
2010-05-15
Budget End
2010-11-16
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$67,732
Indirect Cost
Name
Northwestern University at Chicago
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005436803
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60611
Joyce, Brian T; Berman, Rebecca; Lau, Denys T (2014) Formal and informal support of family caregivers managing medications for patients who receive end-of-life care at home: a cross-sectional survey of caregivers. Palliat Med 28:1146-55
Sayegh, Philip; Knight, Bob G (2014) Functional assessment and neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaires: measurement invariance across hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. Gerontologist 54:375-86
Mez, Jesse; Cosentino, Stephanie; Brickman, Adam M et al. (2013) Faster cognitive and functional decline in Dysexecutive versus amnestic Alzheimer's subgroups: a longitudinal analysis of the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) database. PLoS One 8:e65246
Kalapatapu, Raj K; Delucchi, Kevin L (2013) APOE e4 genotype and cigarette smoking in adults with normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment: a retrospective baseline analysis of a national dataset. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 39:219-26
Joyce, Brian T; Lau, Denys T (2013) Hospice experiences and approaches to support and assess family caregivers in managing medications for home hospice patients: a providers survey. Palliat Med 27:329-38
Shega, Joseph W; Andrew, Melissa; Kotwal, Ashwin et al. (2013) Relationship between persistent pain and 5-year mortality: a population-based prospective cohort study. J Am Geriatr Soc 61:2135-41
Mez, Jesse; Cosentino, Stephanie; Brickman, Adam M et al. (2013) Dysexecutive versus amnestic Alzheimer disease subgroups: analysis of demographic, genetic, and vascular factors. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 27:218-25
Lau, Denys T; Machizawa, Sayaka; Demonte, William et al. (2013) Colorectal cancer knowledge, attitudes, screening, and intergenerational communication among Japanese American families: an exploratory, community-based participatory study. J Cross Cult Gerontol 28:89-101
Stubbings, JoAnn; Lau, Denys T (2013) Medicare Part D research highlights and policy updates, 2013: impact and insights. Clin Ther 35:402-12
Lau, Denys T; Joyce, Brian; Clayman, Marla L et al. (2012) Hospice providers' key approaches to support informal caregivers in managing medications for patients in private residences. J Pain Symptom Manage 43:1060-71

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