# Improving Biopsychosocial Outcomes of Older Adults Facing Fecal Ostomy Surgery

> **NIH NIH K76** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2024 · $243,000

## Abstract

Project Summary. In this K76 proposal, I outline a comprehensive 5-year training program that will support my
transition to independence as an emerging leader. The proposal focuses on development and rigorous testing of an
intervention to improve integration of geriatric principles into surgical care of older adults undergoing fecal ostomy
surgery. This significant and innovative plan is directly tied to my training and career development goals. Background:
Fecal ostomy surgery impacts biopsychosocial outcomes of older adults; however, surgeons are not trained to address
geriatric needs that exist among this growing surgical patient population. Developing interventions for surgical teams
(i.e., surgeons, nurses, and medical assistants) to address geriatric needs when facing fecal ostomy surgery is an
unexplored opportunity to improve biopsychosocial outcomes, including quality of life and functional independence, in
this growing patient population. Specific aims and research design: I aim to develop the first version of the Geriatric
Assessment Strategy for Ostomy Management and Adaptation (GA-STOMA) intervention and methodology through 1:1
interviews with older adults 30-90 days after fecal ostomy surgery and care-partners when available (up to N=30) (Aim
1a), with additional input from focus groups of key clinical stakeholders (surgeons, geriatricians, surgical nurses, ostomy
nurses, nutritionists, physical therapists, and social workers) (N=6 focus groups, up to n=24 participants) (Aim 1b). Next,
I will examine usability and acceptability of GA-STOMA via an open pilot (N=16 participants) with exit interviews and pre-
post assessments. GA-STOMA intervention and methodology will be refined (Aim 2). Finally, I will evaluate feasibility of
GA-STOMA in a single arm clinical trial (N=60 patients) at an outpatient surgical clinic following predetermined
benchmarks with a run-in historical control (Aim 3). These findings will inform a hybrid efficacy/effectiveness cluster
randomized clinical trial of GA-STOMA through the R01 mechanisms to determine intervention impact on patient quality
of life. Training: My aims are supported by training goals to develop expertise in: 1) clinical geriatrics; 2) mixed-methods
data integration to inform intervention development and refinement; 3) clinical trial methodology focusing on efficacy
and effectiveness trials; and 4) leadership training. These training goals are support by 1) my expert mentorship team
led by my primary mentor Dr. Christine Ritchie (a geriatrician and palliative care physician with expertise in mixed-
methods research and clinical trials), 2) a rich institutional environment (Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard
Medical School), and 3) targeted coursework, scientific meetings and planned publications. Relevance to NIA: This K76 is
in line with NIA’s 2020-2025 Strategic Directions for Research Goal C, to “develop effective interventions to maintain
health, well-being, and function and prev...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10953829
- **Project number:** 1K76AG088346-01
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Christy Elaine Cauley
- **Activity code:** K76 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $243,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2029-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10953829

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10953829, Improving Biopsychosocial Outcomes of Older Adults Facing Fecal Ostomy Surgery (1K76AG088346-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10953829. Licensed CC0.

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