# Roybal Center for Behavioral Interventions in Aging

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2020 · $297,662

## Abstract

Abstract
The Pilot Core for the Roybal Center for Behavioral Interventions in Aging will develop and test
interventions based on insights from behavioral science to promote healthy aging. The specific
aims of the Center are to: (1) Recruit and develop a diverse set of senior and junior researchers
to initiate and support pilot projects in our focus area to better understand the consequences of
current patterns of practice and interventions that will improve care delivery, the quality of care,
and its value to aging adults; (2) Conduct pilot research in accordance with the NIH stage model
to facilitate development and use of the most effective interventions and (3) Report and
disseminate findings to health systems and government organizations who can benefit from the
results of the research. The Pilot Core will support projects that span the NIH Five Stage Model
for behavioral interventions. Two pilot studies are proposed in Year 1 both relating to the opioids
crisis in the US. The first builds on our previous work in informing physicians of their patient’s
fatal overdose comparing two differently framed letters in a randomized trial consistent with
Stage IV research. The second is a feasibility study (Stage I) to evaluate what nudges are likely
to improve physician uptake of buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. Pathways toward
advancing the stages of these two projects are discussed as are solicitations for new pilots in
out-years. All pilots funded at the Center will address the theme of behavioral economics to
improve quality of care. We encourage adoption of evidence-based care and de-implementation
of low-value and harmful practices. The impact of potential pilot studies is informed by
simulation results that follow from the Roybal Center resources developed from our previous
awards. During the course of the award, the Pilot Core will support research studies conducting
behavioral interventions to encourage appropriate use of medical treatments: Opioid
prescribing, polypharmacy, antibiotic prescribing, clinical inertia in medication assisted therapy
for addiction, and other areas of care where medical decisions are discordant with guidelines
and are having a negative impact on population health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10018629
- **Project number:** 5P30AG024968-18
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** JASON N. DOCTOR
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $297,662
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2004-09-30 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10018629

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10018629, Roybal Center for Behavioral Interventions in Aging (5P30AG024968-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10018629. Licensed CC0.

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