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HDRP Newsletter, August 2020
Message from the HDRP Associate Director
In the months since the last HDRP newsletter was sent, events in Minneapolis and elsewhere have brought attention to a number of issues, including the continuing problems of systemic racism and bias in American society. These events also underscore the importance of efforts to address health disparities, as well as the health effects of systemic racism. As a research community, we have an important role to play in advancing knowledge that promotes health equity and ensures that all members of society receive and benefit from care known to reduce cancer-related risk, incidence, poor quality of life, and death. A significant and growing portion of HDRP’s current grant portfolio is devoted to this topic. Even so, we are considering new topics in this area and new ways to support research to advance health equity.
When we sent the last HDRP newsletter in April, I did not expect to still be working from home. I know the pandemic has been a challenge for many of you personally and professionally. Despite the enormous challenges wrought by the pandemic, I am humbled by the dedication and creativity of the research community and by the ways in which many of you have quickly pivoted to examine new issues in health care delivery during this difficult time. In addition to providing valuable information about the impact of the pandemic on the delivery of cancer-related care, these efforts may suggest ways to resume previous forms of care once the current pandemic subsides. They may also identify changes to the delivery of care adopted during the pandemic that should be evaluated for continued use.
In this issue of the newsletter, we provide information about funding opportunities, upcoming events, and data resources supported by HDRP. We also provide links to COVID-19 initiatives at NIH and NCI and funding opportunities for COVID-19 research. I encourage you to reach out to me or any of our staff to learn more about these activities and funding opportunities. A full staff listing is available on our website.
COVID-19 Updates and Funding Opportunities
NIH is working to accelerate the development of therapeutic interventions, vaccines, and diagnostics for COVID-19. For more information, visit the latest research information from NIH
.
NCI is mobilizing its scientific experts and cutting-edge resources to conduct research on COVID-19. For information about ongoing research initiatives, visit NCI COVID-19 Research Initiatives.
NCI COVID-19 Funding Opportunities
Click the links below for information about these funding opportunities, eligibility, and the application and review process.
- NOT-OD-20-097 - Availability of Administrative Supplements and Urgent Competitive Revisions for Research on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus and the Behavioral and Social Sciences
- PA-20-172 - Long-Term Effects of Disasters on Health Care Systems Serving Health Disparity Populations (R01- Clinical Trial Optional)
For information about other funding opportunities at NCI visit NCI Funding Announcements and Notices for COVID-19.
For information about funding opportunities sponsored by other institutes and centers at NIH, visit the latest research information from NIH.
COVID-19 Information for NIH Applicants and Grant Recipients
NIH is deeply concerned for the health and safety of people involved in NIH research, and about the effects on the biomedical enterprise in the areas affected by the HHS declared public health emergency for COVID-19. Due to the potential exceptional impact, we want to assure our grant recipient community that NIH will be doing its part to help you continue your research.
View this video from NIH’s Office of Extramural Research Director, Mike Lauer, regarding information for applicants and recipients of NIH Funds on Flexibilities Needed for COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
For up-to-date information, guidance, and resources, visit the latest research information from NIH.
COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and NIH/NCI is committed to keeping you informed.
- What people with cancer should know: Coronavirus: What People with Cancer Should Know
- The latest public health information from CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Funding Opportunities
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, NCI remains committed to funding research that will improve the health and quality of life of people diagnosed with cancer. Please see a message from NCI Director, Ned Sharpless.
This section includes links to funding opportunities for healthcare delivery research.
NCI’s 2020 Provocative Questions (PQ) Round 2 Submissions
Provocative Questions (PQ) are intended to stimulate research in perplexing and underexplored areas identified by the cancer research community.
NCI has published notice of funding opportunities (NOFOs) as Request for Applications (RFAs) to solicit applications responding to the current nine PQ. This RFA utilizes the R01 and R21 activity codes.
Two PQs are directly relevant to HDRP:
- PQ7: What methods can be developed to integrate patient-generated health data into electronic health records?
- PQ8: What strategies improve and sustain the coordination of comprehensive healthcare for underserved cancer patients with comorbid conditions?
REMINDERS:
- Application due date: November 17, 2020 (Letter of Interest is strongly encouraged to ensure responsiveness).
- Additional information defining the research scope for responsive projects is provided in the NOFOs and posted at Provocative Questions.
- Provocative Question #7: For questions, contact Roxanne Jensen.
- Provocative Question #8: For questions, contact Erica S. Breslau.
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI):
NOSI: NCI’s Interest in Research to Improve Interprofessional Teamwork and Coordination During Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, NOT-CA-19-059
Contact: Sallie Weaver
Expiration Date: January 8, 2022
View the archived webinar.NOSI: De-implementation of Ineffective or Low-value Clinical Practices along the Cancer Care Continuum, NOT-CA-20-021
Contact: Erica Breslau
Expiration Date: May 10, 2022
View the archived webinar.NOSI: Health Services Research on Minority Health and Health Disparities, NOT-MD-20-011
Contact: Brenda Adjei
Expiration Date: September 8, 2022NOSI: Research on Oral Anticancer Agents in the Contexts of Utilization, Adherence, and Health Care Delivery, NOT-CA-20-026
Contact: Kate Castro
Expiration Date: May 8, 2023
Other Funding Opportunities:
SBIR Contracts
Contact: ncioasbir@mail.nih.gov
Expiration Date: October 26, 2020Investigator-initiated Research on Genetic Counseling Processes and Practices (R21 Clinical Trial Optional), RFA-HG-20-049
(R01)Contact: Erica Breslau
Expiration Date: October 28, 2020Multilevel Interventions in Cancer Care Delivery: Follow-up to Abnormal Screening Tests, PA-17-495
(R01)Contact: Erica Breslau
Expiration Date: January 8, 2021Using Information Technology to Support Systematic Screening and Treatment of Depression in Cancer, PA-18-493
(R01), PA-18-492 (R21)Contact: Gurvaneet Randhawa
Expiration Date: May 8, 2021Linking the Provider Recommendation to Adolescent HPV Vaccine Uptake, PAR-19-360
(R01), PAR-19-358 (R21), PAR-19-359 (R03)Contact: Veronica Chollette
Expiration Date: September 8, 2022 (R01 and R21); July 17, 2022 (R03)
View the archived webinar.End-of-Life and Palliative Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Serious Illnesses, PAR-19-136
(R01), PAR-19-153 (R21)Contact: Ashley Wilder Smith
Expiration Date: January 8, 2022Increasing Uptake of Evidence-Based Screening in Diverse Adult Populations, PA-18-932
(R01)Contact: Erica Breslau
Expiration Date: January 8, 2022Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health, PAR-19-274
(R01), PAR-19-275 (R21), PAR-19-276 (R03)Contact: Gila Neta, Wynne E. Norton, and David Chambers (DCCPS Implementation Science Team)
Expiration Date: May 8, 2022Surgical Disparities Research, PAR-20-079
(R01)Contact: Brenda Adjei
Expiration Date: July 6, 2022Intervening with Cancer Caregivers to Improve Patient Health Outcomes and Optimize Health Care Utilization, PAR-19-352
(R01), PAR-19-355 (R21)Contact: Michelle Mollica
Expiration Date: September 8, 2022
View the archived webinar.
For more information about funding including additional Notice of Funding Opportunities, please visit our Funding page.
Grants Announcements
NIH Expanding Usage of Notices of Special Interest (NOT-OD-19-107)
This Notice informs the extramural community that NIH is expanding and formalizing the use of Notices of Special Interest (NOSI) posted in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts to announce interest in specific scientific research topics.
How Does a NOSI Work?
A NOSI is a standard, formal format for NIH institutes to share and update their research priorities. A NOSI describes specific topics of interest and will direct applicants to one or more active notice of funding opportunities for application submission. A NOSI is not a NOFO and is listed as a notice in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. Applicants should read NOSIs carefully for any special requirements related to that specific announcement.
HDRP currently sponsors two NOSIs. For more information, visit HDRP’s website and read more in our Funding Opportunities section of this newsletter.
Upcoming Events
Webinar: Healthcare Teams Cyber Discussion Series: Current Approaches for Addressing Medical Financial Hardship During Cancer Care Delivery – August 27, 2020
More information, including the registration link, is available on our News & Events page.
Webinar: Multimorbidity Notice of Funding Opportunities Technical Assistance Webinar – September 1, 2020
More information, including the registration link, is available on our News & Events page.
Telehealth Cyber Discussion Webinar Series
- TBD (October 2020) - COVID19 Pandemic: Natural Experiment in Rural Cancer Care Telemedicine Capacity Building, Dr. Anna Tosteson, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Registration information available soon.
- February 4, 2021 - SymptomCare@Home: Deconstructing an Effective, Technology Assisted, Symptom Management Intervention, Dr. Kathleen Mooney, University of Utah College of Nursing. Register here.
- June 11, 2021 - Enhancing Cancer Care of Rural Dwellers Through Telehealth and Engagement, Dr. Debra Friedman, Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Register here.
- TBD - Optimizing Telehealth Across the Cancer Care Continuum During the COVID 19 National Emergency, Dr. Ana Maria Lopez, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson.
- TBD (October 2020) - COVID19 Pandemic: Natural Experiment in Rural Cancer Care Telemedicine Capacity Building, Dr. Anna Tosteson
For other upcoming events please check our News & Events page. Events are updated regularly. To view our archived events, check our Events page.
Data and Resources
National Health Interview Survey (NHIS):
The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) anticipates release of the 2019 NHIS data files and supporting documentation in fall 2020. The 2019 NHIS includes a 5-minute Cancer Control Supplement (CCS) that focused on colorectal, breast, cervical, and prostate cancer screening. The CCS was developed by NCI’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. Additionally, the 2020 CCS, currently being fielded, was adapted as of July 2020 to include specific questions about how COVID-19 has impacted individuals’ cancer treatment experiences. For more information, visit NHIS.
SEER-Medicare, SEER-Medicaid, SEER-CAHPS, SEER-MHOS:
HDRP has developed a new video for the SEER linkages (SEER-MHOS, SEER-CAHPS, and SEER-Medicare), explaining the distinctions between these important data resources! Watch the video
and for more information, visit SEER-Medicare, SEER-CAHPS, SEER-MHOS.HealthMeasures
HealthMeasures is an online measurement resource that provides four precise and flexible measurement tools for the assessment of physical, mental, and social health, as well as performance measures of cognition, motor, and sensory function. These tools were developed for use across a range of chronic diseases as well as the general population. They provide clinicians, researchers, health care administrators, and policy makers with efficient, precise, valid, and responsive measures of symptoms, functional abilities, and general health perceptions surrounding life quality and satisfaction. For more information, visit HealthMeasures.
- HealthMeasures Transition to Independence: 2020 marks the historic transition from an NIH-funded resource to a sustainable extramural resource. At the end of 2019, the NIH grant supporting HealthMeasures completed, and HealthMeasures is expected to continue to be available to the research community at little or no cost. Robust assessment of patient health directly from patients can strongly influence the quality and effectiveness of data collected in a research study. We encourage the NIH scientific community grantees to continue using these comprehensive, flexible measurement tools in research and clinical practice.
MEPS Experiences with Cancer Survivorship Supplement
The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) cancer working group has begun discussing a new Experience with Cancer supplemental questionnaire for a future MEPS. New questions on this supplement may include use of navigation services, participation in survivorship care programs, chronic/long-term symptoms, social isolation, and conversations with health care providers about clinical trial participation. For more information, visit MEPS.
Availability of a PRO-CTCAE™ Module for Child Reporting of Symptomatic Toxicity
The National Cancer Institute’s Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE™) is a patient-reported outcomes (PRO) measurement system developed to capture symptomatic toxicity in cancer clinical trials. A new module of items is now available to permit self-reporting by children and adolescents ages 7-17 (Ped-PRO-CTCAE™), or proxy reporting by a caregiver for children younger than 7 years of age (Ped-PRO-CTCAE™ [Caregiver]). For more information, visit the PRO-CTCAE.