Addressing the chronic pain epidemic among older adults in underserved community center; The GetActive+ study (McDermott-Career Enhancement Supplement)

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract The purpose of this career enhancement supplement is to provide training to Dr. Katherine McDermott as she pursues a career as a clinical pain researcher developing and implementing psychological pain interventions for older adults in community settings. This administrative supplement, in response to NOT-NS-22-087 “Notice of Special Interest: Encourage Eligible NIH HEAL Initiative Awardees to Apply for Administrative Supplements to Support Career Enhancement Related to Clinical Research on Pain” and PA-20-272: “Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)” will complement the parent project, “Addressing the chronic pain epidemic among older adults in underserved community center; The GetActive+ study,” an R61/R33 funded by NIA/NINDS (PIs: Ana-Maria Vranceanu and Christine Ritchie). This supplement will provide support to Dr. McDermott as she pursues critical training in qualitative and community-engaged research methods, as well as professional development. The first aim of the proposed research will involve qualitative analysis of secondary data from the parent project implementing a mind-body pain intervention for older adults in a community setting. In this aim, Dr. McDermott will utilize the socioecological model to evaluate the individual, interpersonal, community, and systemic factors impacting the experience of chronic pain for older adults in an underserved clinic. She will gain training in qualitative data analysis, including coding and interpretation of results. This aim will provide her with the knowledge of the unique needs to be addressed both in this parent intervention and in her future research implementing pain interventions in community settings. To facilitate community engagement over the course of the parent project and to provide a thorough foundation of knowledge to support Dr. McDermott’s future research, she will additionally conduct a narrative literature review of community-engaged research methods, including best practices for ensuring continued community engagement. She will evaluate methods and feasibility for establishing a community advisory board for the parent project. Throughout the award period, Dr. McDermott will complete activities of professional development, including the completion of a K23 career development award submission. Across all activities, she will achieve her training goals by utilizing mentorship from the Principal Investigator, Dr. Ana-Maria Vranceanu with support from co-PI Dr. Christine Ritchie, as well as didactic trainings and experiential engagement with the parent project. The activities supported by this career enhancement supplement will allow Dr. McDermott to develop into an independent clinical pain researcher conducting high-impact intervention research with older adults in community settings.