Researchers at Vanderbilt University are conducting a study to learn how telehealth is being used in nursing homes for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The investigators are interested in talking with medical directors, nursing directors, administrators, and other staff about their experience of telehealth, whether it is useful or not useful, and what makes it easier or harder to use telehealth. The researchers are especially interested in hearing from people working in rural nursing homes.
The study would involve a single interview lasting no more than 45 minutes, and the interview can be conducted in person, by telephone, or by teleconference. The research team will provide a $100 gift certificate to thank you for the SNF provider representative’s time.
If you would be interested in being interviewed or would t like to find out more about the study, please contact Dr. Jessica Ancker at 646-248-9281 or jessica.s.ancker@vumc.org.
The research team is recruiting for a paid interview study about the use of telehealth in nursing homes, especially for residents with cognitive impairment. The project is intended to help inform U.S. policy about telehealth. The researchers are seeking insights from AHCA that members might have experience with telehealth and be interested in this project.
Study Title: Telehealth Use in Nursing Homes and the Quality of Care for Long-stay Residents with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (Link)
Study leadership: Hye-Young Jung at Weill Cornell Medical College, with Jessica Ancker at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Study funder: National Institute on Aging (NIH)
Summary: In phase 1, we are interviewing nursing home leadership (medical directors, nursing directors, and administrators) about the use of telehealth in their facilities, with a special focus on how it is being used for patients with cognitive impairment. In a 45-minute remote interview, we will ask about how telehealth is being used, details about facilitators and barriers to use, and its impact on quality of care. We are interested in hearing about facilities that do use telehealth as well as those that do not. In phase 2, we will also interview family members and caregivers of nursing home residents about any experiences with telehealth.
Reimbursement: Interview participants will receive a $100 e-gift card in thanks.
Deadlines: We will be conducting interviews over the summer and fall of 2025. If you are unsure about whether we’re still interviewing, please reach out!
Interested? If you are interested, or if you’d just like to find out more, please reach out to Dr. Jessica Ancker, the team lead at Vanderbilt (jessica.s.ancker@vumc.org) or Mauli Shah, research analyst (mauli.shah@vumc.org), who can help schedule a convenient time for an interview.
Approvals: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Vanderbilt Institutional Review Board (protocol 240671)