Recent News Coverage of the Psycho-Oncology Research Program

Distributing High-Quality Masks During the Omicron BA.1 Surge:
We distributed 2,500 N95 masks to the New Orleans community during the height of the COVID-19 Omicron BA.1 surge, before the federal N95 distribution program began. Covered by WDSU (1/18/21)
Supporting High-risk People During the COVID-19 Pandemic:
We received funding to support high-risk people in the local community and responding to the pandemic. Press release in Tulane Today (10/29/21)
Immediate Impact of the Pandemic on Mental Health:
We leveraged data from Google searches to examine how the pandemic increased symptoms of panic attacks and generalized anxiety in the weeks following the pandemic declaration. The research has been covered by the Tulane News (09/22/20), Newswise (09/22/20), World Economic Forum (09/24/20), Medical News Today (09/27/20), South Florida Reporter (09/27/20), Fox News (10/01/20), NY Post (10/02/20), Radio.com (10/05/20), and others
Grant from the American Cancer Society:
Our team at Tulane University and the University Medical Center of New Orleans has received a competitive award to conduct a randomized clinical trial to increase understanding and access to palliative cancer care. The award is the 3rd largest all-time of over 100 received by Tulane University. The award has been covered by the Tulane News (06/29/20) and the Louisiana News Break (06/30/20)
Palliative Care and Prolonged Survival:
Our Tulane-based team conducted a meta-analysis of high-quality RCTs of outpatient palliative cancer care. We found that in addition to reducing emotional and physical suffering, palliative care was associated with a 4.5-month increase in survival duration. Findings were covered by Cancer Today (10/25/19), the American Association of Universities (11/27/19), NOLA.com (11/29/18), Health Line (12/9/18), and the ASCO Daily News (5/1/19)
Palliative Care Gender Gap:
Dr. Hoerger and colleagues at the University of Rochester and UC Davis found that men with advanced cancer are less likely than women to desire palliative care. Findings were covered by CancerNetwork (7/10/18)
Palliative Care Syringe:
Dr. Hoerger, Ms. Perry, and colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital identify the key "ingredients" in the so-called palliative care syringe, covered by Medscape (10/31/17)

NIH Internship:
Mr. Rogers completed an undergraduate research internship at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Neuro-Oncology Branch studying rare cancers, covered by NewWave (8/22/17)
Project EMPOWER:
Dr. Hoerger and Ms. Perry's research found that informed patients are less afraid and more likely to seek palliative care. Findings were covered by New Wave (3/13/17), Oncology Nursing News (4/11/17), Inroads (4/11/17), Healio (4/12/17), the Center to Advance Palliative Care (4/14/17), OncLive (7/3/17)
The VOICE Study:
Dr. Hoerger's research with the University of Rochester and UC Davis on an intervention to improve communication among oncologists, patients, and caregivers was covered in a JAMA Editorial (7/14/16), with continuing reporting from the United Press International (9/9/16) and Medscape (3/2/17)
Visiting Scholar:
Dr. Hoerger's Visiting Scholar experience conducting research on palliative cancer care at Massachusetts General Hospital at the Harvard School of Medicine received attention from the Psychology Times (6/20/16)
Personality and Healthcare Utilization:
Ms. Barkan's research from our lab on personality and health service utilization triggered a JACM press release (5/3/16)