Research study participation, 8/23/25

Research study participation, 8/23/25

1. Hospice Training Survey. The Hospice Medical Director Certification Board [HMDCB] in partnership with AAHPM are reviewing gaps in training knowledge and preparation for physicians entering hospice care. We are seeking to better assess the experience of hospice physicians and the larger impact of training on the field. The [online] survey is completely anonymous and will take less than 10 minutes to complete. If you have any questions, feel free to contact HMDCB staff at info@hmdcb.org or call 847-375-6740.
2. Perspectives of healthcare and long-term care professionals regarding MAID in dementia. The purpose of this research study is to obtain information from healthcare providers regarding their perspectives regarding medical aid in dying (MAID). This [online] survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete... The topic of whether MAID and VSED should be allowed in persons with a primary diagnosis of dementia is a growing clinical, research, and policy issue... If you have questions about this study, contact Dr. Kara Dassel (801-646-4667; kara.dassel@nurs.utah.edu).
3. High-quality hospice care for all patients. Shannon Walsh, a doctoral researcher at the RAND Corporation and the RAND Graduate School of Public Policy, is conducting a study on how hospice ownership structures impact the delivery of care for patients, with particular examination of how care differs for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). The study uses Medicare data and interviews with informal caregivers to explore care quality, caregiver experience, and access to services – particularly within for-profit hospices, including those affiliated with private equity firms. For-profit hospice organizations are invited to participate and will be asked to help connect Ms. Walsh with bereaved family caregivers of patients who received hospice care in the past two years. Once the hospice identifies potential caregivers, Ms. Walsh will present the study to them and ask caregivers to participate in a confidential, one-hour phone interview.
4. Hospice Research in Nursing Homes: RAND is applying for a research grant to study how patient outcomes in nursing homes are affected by both resident and hospice characteristics—such as cognitive status, race/ethnicity, rural location, and ownership type. The project will use Medicare hospice claims and other data to look at  hospice enrollment and care quality over time. If you are interested in being a clinical partner to the research, please reach out to RAND; a committed partner is needed by early July.