Research Project
Black Lung Data and Resource Center
Increasing quality and efficiency of patient level data collection and analysis for Black Lung Clinic Programs
- Principal Investigator
- Almberg, Kirsten Staggs
- Research Area(s)
- Health Data & Informatics
- Underserved Workers
- Workplace Health
- Funding Source
- HRSA U3ARH54844
Abstract
Since 2014, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and National Jewish Health (NJH) have partnered to improve data collection and analysis as well as enhance the quality and breadth of services provided by Black Lung Clinic Programs (BLCP), first as the Black Lung Center of Excellence (2014-2020) and then as the Black Lung Data and Resource Center (2020-2025). For the next five year cycle of the BLDRC, we aim to: (1) improve the accuracy and consistency of patient level data (PLD) collection across BLCP recipients; (2) analyze high-quality PLD to monitor trends in coal mine dust lung diseases among active and former miners seen by BLCP clinics; (3) provide programmatic assistance and resources to help BLCP recipients use their clinic data to better understand the health status and needs of the U.S. coal miners they screen and/or treat; and (4) continue to share clinical and technical expertise with and among BLCP recipients to improve health care delivery in rural areas using a variety of modalities such as continuing medical education conferences, web-based training, conference calls, and in-person mentoring.