Nursing Program Receives Funding From NIH for Acute Mental Illness Study Relating to Ethnic Groups

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Robert Anders, 956-8744
School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
Posted: Oct 5, 2001

Dr. Robert L. Anders, Interim Associate Dean and Professor with UH Manoa‘s School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, has acquired funding for a developmental project entitled "Assessment of Acutely Mentally Ill Patient Outcomes: Is there a Difference Between Ethnic Groups." The project will be made possible by funding from the National Institutes of Health through a larger proposal awarded to the UH John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). The larger project, "Hawaii Minority Research Infrastructure Support Program," is funded to JABSOM Dean Edwin Cadman, and will run from Dec. 1, 2001, through Nov. 30, 2004.

The specific aim of the investigation is to determine if differences exist between Caucasians, Asians and Pacific Islanders who are hospitalized for an acute mental illness. Results will be interpreted with the intent of achieving a better understanding of how sensitivity to ethnicity and culture may improve response to treatment and prevention interventions. The amount proposed for this project is $108,491 for a total of two years.

Dr. Anders‘ project team includes other UH School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene faculty members. Dr. Thomas Olson, Associate Professor, will serve as the project manager with major responsibilities for clinical oversight and methodology implementation. Dr. Lon White, Professor, who holds a joint appointment to JABSOM, will provide primary statistical and methodological input.

The UH Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene‘s faculty are clinicians and scholars who conduct and report research about domestic violence, substance abuse, culturally sensitive health outreach programs, community based education, alternative healing methods, diabetes management and care of the elderly.