About

Dr. Vineet Arora is the Herbert T. Abelson Professor of Medicine and Dean for Medical Education at The University of Chicago Medicine, Pritzker School of Medicine. In her role as Dean, she oversees undergraduate medical education, graduate medical education, and continuing medical education, while providing leadership for simulation-based training programs. Her work focuses on improving care and learning in teaching hospitals, with significant contributions to enhancing sleep, reducing fatigue, and improving handoffs for residents, which has been influential in improving working conditions. Dr. Arora is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and has been recognized for her efforts to promote equity and opportunity in academic medicine, particularly advocating for women in medicine and leading NIH-funded initiatives to improve mentoring for diverse future physician scientists. She has served on the Board of Directors for the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a current member of the Board of the Joint Commission. Her expertise encompasses healthcare workforce issues, medical education, patient safety, gender equity, and hospital medicine.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Computer Science
• Political Science
• Medical education
• Psychology
• Internal medicine
• Sociology
• Economics
• Family medicine
• Social psychology
• Applied psychology
• Pedagogy
• Pathology
• Intensive care medicine
• Psychiatry
• Pediatrics
• Gastroenterology
• Virology
• Engineering
• Economic growth
• Physical therapy
• Public relations

Selected publications

• Bringing New Tools to Resident Training: Integrating Lessons From Science Communication and Real-World Practice

  Journal of Graduate Medical Education · 2026-04-01

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Hospitalized Patients with Non-English Language Preference Experience Fewer Room Visits

  Journal of General Internal Medicine · 2026-01-13

  article
  PublisherDOI

• A Stepped-Wedge Social Media Training Intervention for Community Health Workers In Spanish-Speaking Communities: A Study Protocol for Dime La VerDAD

  Research Square · 2026-05-07

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• An Uncommon Presentation of Histoplasmosis in India: Pancytopenia and Massive Splenomegaly in an Immunocompetent Patient

  Journal of Clinical Infectious Disease Society · 2025-01-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Histoplasmosis is a systemic fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum . It typically remains asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals but can progress to life-threatening disease in immunocompromised patients. Here, we present an interesting case involving a 52-year-old immunocompetent patient in India who presented with a high-grade fever, accompanied by chills, mild cough, and generalized weakness persisting for over a week. Further investigations revealed severe pancytopenia and massive splenomegaly. After excluding common infectious causes, a bone marrow aspiration was performed, revealing intra and extracellular small, oval yeast-like cells suggestive of histoplasmosis. These findings were confirmed by a positive urinary Histoplasma antigen test and a bone marrow biopsy showing uniform budding yeasts within histiocytes. Treatment was initiated with liposomal amphotericin B, the first-line therapy for histoplasmosis; however, the patient experienced nephrotoxicity with this drug. Subsequently, the patient was treated with long-term oral itraconazole therapy.

  PublisherDOI

• Telehealth Education Leveraging Electronic Transitions Of Care for COPD Patients (TELE-TOC): a study protocol for a type II hybrid effectiveness-implementation randomised, pragmatic clinical trial of a pharmacist-led intervention

  BMJ Open · 2025-11-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  INTRODUCTION: Transitions of care (TOC) between hospital, ambulatory and home settings for high-risk adults with chronic diseases are complex, costly and often result in poor health outcomes. Suboptimal care transitions lead to medication errors, non-adherence, decreased self-management skills and inadequate follow-up, all of which contribute to readmissions or emergency department visits. The Transitional Care Model aims to address these challenges through patient-centred, in-home interventions. We propose to implement and evaluate TELE-TOC: Telehealth Education Leveraging Electronic Transitions Of Care for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients. This study will evaluate the added value of a virtual, pharmacy-based intervention integrated into an existing COPD TOC program within a single healthcare system. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Informed by the Proctor Framework implementation, service and health outcome domains, we will conduct a randomised controlled trial comparing the addition of at-home pharmacy team-based virtual visits to the standard of care (ie, our existing COPD TOC programme). Adult patients hospitalised for a COPD exacerbation will be randomised to receive the standard COPD TOC programme alone or the standard programme plus TELE-TOC virtual at-home pharmacy visits. We will use a pragmatic type II hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. The primary effectiveness outcome is inhaler technique at 30 days postdischarge, and the primary implementation outcome is the proportion of patients receiving the intervention. Intention-to-treat analysis will be applied to all outcomes with χ² and logistic regression models adjusting for demographic factors. Treatment effects through 30 days will be assessed with generalised estimating equations and generalised linear mixed models. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study, the waiver of consent and the opt-out flyer were approved by the University of Chicago Institutional Review Board (23-0934). Dissemination of the findings is planned for up to 4 years of completion of the study to local, regional and national conferences and peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05897125.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Student and Physician Views of How the Dobbs Decision Affects Training and Practice Location Preferences: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study

  Interactive Journal of Medical Research · 2025-01-07 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  BACKGROUND: By allowing for abortion bans and restrictions to take effect in the majority of US states, the 2022 Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization decision portends to have lasting impacts on patient care and the physician workforce. Notably, it is already beginning to impact practice location preferences of US health care workers, evidenced by declining application rates to residency programs in abortion-restrictive states since 2022. Yet, there remains a gap in the literature regarding why this trend exists. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe what factors are driving the practice location preferences of medical students and physicians after the Dobbs decision. METHODS: This study analyzes qualitative data from a web-based, cross-sectional study. In August 2022, a nonprobabilistic sample of physicians and medical students were surveyed on social media about the impact of overturning Roe v Wade on practice location preferences, which included the free-text question "Please share your thoughts about the overturning of Roe v Wade and how it will affect your decision about your (residency/job or fellowship) programs." A total of 3 independent team members completed an inductive thematic analysis of 524 free responses, resolving differences by discussion. RESULTS: Approximately 1 in 4 survey respondents also completed the free-response item (524/2063, 25.4%); a total of 219 were medical students, 129 were residents and fellows, and 176 were practicing physicians. Of them, approximately half (261/524, 50.5%) resided in states where abortion bans were in place or anticipated. Those who answered the free-response item were relatively more likely to hail from states with restrictive abortion bans (P<.001) compared to those who did not, with other demographic characteristics being largely similar between the groups. Inductive thematic analysis yielded 2 broad thematic categories: patient-related and workforce-related factors influencing practice decision preferences. The 3 most common themes overall were respondent concerns regarding their patient's access to care (249/524, 47.5%), their desire not to practice or train in a state with abortion restrictions regardless of current residence (249/524, 47.5%), and their personal belief that abortion bans are human rights and/or body autonomy violation (197/524, 37.6%). Some respondents stated that the Dobbs decision would not impact their choice of practice location (41/524, 7.8%), and some supported it (35/594, 6.7%). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that abortion restrictions are having an impact on the practice location preferences of the physician workforce due to both patient care and personal factors. It is important that state policy makers and others who are considering abortion restrictions also consider how to address these concerns of physicians and medical students, to avoid worsening geographic maldistribution of physicians and worsening access to care from physicians for their citizens.

  PublisherDOI

• Disparities in Physical Function and Rehabilitation Utilization: A Cross-sectional Study of Patients Hospitalized for Acute Medical Illness

  Journal of General Internal Medicine · 2025-09-18

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Black patients have poorer physical function and mobility compared to White patients but utilize physical rehabilitation services less. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether racial differences exist in physical function and post-acute care facility utilization and whether neighborhood social disadvantage influences these differences. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of hospitalized patients at a large urban academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS: We included self-identified Black or White adults who were hospitalized between January 2018 and May 2022. MAIN MEASURES: The main exposure was self-identified race. The exposure in our secondary aim was neighborhood social disadvantage measured by the Area Deprivation Index. Neighborhood disadvantage was categorized as "more" (deciles 6-10) vs. "less" (deciles 1-5). Primary outcomes included inpatient functional measures, inpatient and post-acute physical therapy referral, and discharge location. KEY RESULTS: Compared to White patients, Black patients had more functional impairment on admission [OR 1.52; 95% CI (1.37, 1.69)], poorer mobility change [β-0.83; 95% CI (- 1.16, 0.50)], more mobility loss [OR 1.25; 95% CI (1.12, 1.41)], but no statistically significant difference in inpatient PT referrals after adjusting for physical function. Most differences in function persisted when stratified by neighborhood disadvantage. Despite similar odds of recommendation for discharge to a PAC facility, Black patients had significantly lower odds of discharge to a facility [OR 0.53; 95% CI (0.42, 0.68). This difference persisted when stratified by more neighborhood disadvantage [OR 0.60; 95% CI (0.43, 0.85)] and less neighborhood disadvantage [OR 0.43; 95% CI (0.31, 0.61)]. CONCLUSION: In this study of patients hospitalized at a large urban academic medical center, Black patients had poorer functional outcomes yet nearly half the likelihood of discharging to a post-acute care facility compared to White patients. Race was a more consistent driver of disparities than neighborhood disadvantage. Hospital, healthcare system, and public policy changes are needed to improve discharge location appropriateness and recovery after hospitalization for vulnerable patients.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Differential Professional and Personal Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Early Career Researchers

  Academic Medicine · 2025-02-26 · 3 citations

  article

  PURPOSE: Early career researchers (ECRs) are crucial to scientific advancement, but ECRs, particularly those from underrepresented groups, face unique challenges as they establish careers. Given the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aimed to identify the pandemic's professional and personal impacts on ECRs. METHOD: This national cross-sectional survey study assessed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among ECRs by gender, sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity. Between September and December 2021, the authors invited the 4,440 ECRs with National Institutes of Health training awards in 2020 to complete an online survey with measures assessing career, personal life, and demographics. RESULTS: Of 4,440 eligible ECRs, 1,524 (34.3%) completed the survey and 1,458 (32.8%) met inclusion criteria. Most respondents reported negative impacts to in-person conference cancellations (1,355 [93.1%]), research productivity (K award, 1,148 [87.4%]; overall, 1,192 [81.8%]), career trajectory (891 [61.2%]), and mental health (1,189 [88.1%]). Respondents with childcare responsibilities commonly reported negative impacts (801 [80.1%]). On average, respondents reporting negative impacts identified with more underrepresented groups than those reporting nonnegative impacts for certain measures, such as research productivity (K award, 0.92 vs 0.73, P < .001; overall, 0.92 vs 0.79, P = .01) and mental health (0.92 vs 0.81, P = .03). In free responses, respondents expressed stress as they balanced overwhelming demands of emerging careers and personal lives. Despite setbacks, many respondents cited new opportunities, including new projects (1,156 [79.3%]), new collaborators (926 [63.5%]), and increased flexibility (894 [61.3%]). CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic had significant, largely negative, and unequal impacts on ECRs. Underrepresented ECRs were particularly susceptible to pandemic disruptions, potentially exacerbating existing challenges. Individual- and organizational-level interventions are critical to rejuvenate and sustain the early career research pathway. These interventions will foster the success of the next generation of biomedical scientists and the future of scientific advancement.

  PublisherDOI

• Abstract 4364099: Electronic Health Literacy Influences Chronic Disease Self-Management among Adults

  Circulation · 2025-11-03

  article

  Background: Inadequate self-management behaviors (e.g., not taking medications as prescribed) result in poor patient outcomes. eHealth literacy—the digital skills needed to seek and use health information from electronic sources—is critical for interacting with digital health technologies in a meaningful way to effectively manage chronic disease. Yet little is known about how eHealth literacy impacts self-management of chronic disease (e.g., heart disease), especially in minority populations. Methods: Using a cross-sectional observational design and convenience sampling, we enrolled 1259 English-speaking hospitalized patients ≥18 years of age at University of Chicago Medicine. Self-management was measured by a single question: "How well do you manage your illness at home (e.g., adhere to medication, keep track of symptoms)?” Participants responded on a five-point scale ranging from “not at all” (1) to “completely well” (5) (adequate self-management: ≥4; inadequate self-management: &lt;3). eHealth literacy was measured with a validated eight-item questionnaire (composite score: 8–40; low literacy: &lt;24; adequate literacy: ≥24). Associations between eHealth literacy and self-management adequacy were assessed using chi-square tests and logistic regression models, adjusting for age, gender, race, income, and education. Results: The sample was on average 54 (± 17.3) years old and mostly Black (73%), female (53%), and single/widowed/divorced (70%), and reported at least some college education (54%). 54% had hypertension, 29% had diabetes, 27% had heart disease; 54% were hospitalized in the last 12 months excluding current hospitalization. eHealth literacy showed a significant association with self-management adequacy (χ square = 8.2, p = 0.004; effect size = 0.225). Adequate eHealth literacy was linked to greater odds of reporting adequate self-management (OR = 3.62, 95% CI: 1.54–8.78, p = 0.003). After adjusting for covariates, the relationship was attenuated and non-significant (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 0.34–6.74, p = 0.6), while higher age (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02–1.12, p = 0.009) and female gender (OR = 3.71, 95% CI: 1.05–14.7, p = 0.048) were independently associated with greater self-management adequacy. Conclusion: Interventions to improve digital health skills may enhance patients' ability to effectively manage their chronic illness. Additionally, demographic factors should be considered when designing interventions to improve self-management of chronic disease.

  PublisherDOI

• The Role of Spirituality in Remote Workers’ Well-Being and Quiet Quitting Behaviors

  Academy of Management Proceedings · 2025-07-01

  article1st authorCorresponding

  This paper investigates the role of spirituality in shaping two critical outcomes within the context of remote work: the well-being of remote workers and their engagement in quiet quitting behaviors. Grounded in self-determination theory and the broaden-and-build theory, we propose that spirituality enhances intrinsic motivation and psychological capital, both of which are vital for improving remote workers’ well-being and reducing tendencies toward quiet quitting. Using partial least squares structural equation modelling, applied to a time-lagged survey of remote workers, the findings highlight psychological capital as a mediator between spirituality and remote workers’ well-being, as well as between spirituality and quiet quitting. Additionally, the results support several other hypothesized relationships. The study concludes with theoretical and practical implications, offering valuable insights for researchers, organizational psychologists, and human resource practitioners.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Mentoring Patient-Oriented Research: Sleep & Health During & After Hospital Stay

  NIH · $572k · 2017–2023

• NIH Grant R03HS018278

  NIH · $98k · 2011

• NIH Grant R25HL116372

  NIH · $977k · 2019

• Short Term Aging-Related Research Program

  NIH · $1.3M · 2008–2028

• NIH Grant U01FD005485

  NIH · $750k · 2019

Frequent coauthors

• Jeanne M. Farnan

  155 shared

• David O. Meltzer

  University of Chicago

  126 shared

• Holly J. Humphrey

  Josiah Macy Jr Foundation

  85 shared

• Saima Chaudhry

  University of Health Sciences Lahore

  74 shared

• Furman S. McDonald

  American Board of Internal Medicine

  74 shared

• Karen M. Chacko

  University of Colorado Denver

  70 shared

• Lisa L. Willett

  University of Alabama at Birmingham

  70 shared

• Michael Adams

  University of Ulster

  69 shared

Awards & honors

• Elected member of the National Academy of Medicine