This Project Grant award from the National Institute on Aging (CFDA 93.866 - Aging Research program) provides $170,593 to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic to develop and pilot test an online platform called IPATH*D. The objective is to improve screening and access to treatment for depression among care partners of people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
The study has two specific aims: 1) Optimize and assess the feasibility and acceptability of a pathway to identify at-risk care partners and connect them to the IPATHD application; and 2) Determine the feasibility, acceptability, usability, and preliminary impact of implementing IPATHD on mental health literacy, screening rates, and treatment access for the care partners. The project will conduct participatory design activities with 15 care partners to co-design IPATH*D and then evaluate its usability in a pilot study with 15 care partners screening positive for depression. The award period is from August 2024 to July 2026.
Dartmouth-Hitchcock is collaborating with Trustees of Dartmouth College as a sub-awardee on this project to develop the IPATH*D pathway and conduct the pilot evaluation.