Research
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Current Projects
Proactive Risk Assessment in Primary Care of the Elderly
Funding Agency: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Principal Investigator(s): Ben-Tzion Karsh, PhD (PI); John Beasley, MD (Co-PI)
Project Summary: This study uses proactive risk assessment methods to identify hazards and model their risk in the primary care of elderly patients. Physicians and patients participate in observation and focus groups.
Problem Density, Mental Workload and Medical Error in Primary Care Practice
Funding Agency: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Principal Investigator(s): Jonathan L. Temte, MD, PhD (PI); Beth E. Potter, MD, Paul D. Smith, MD, and Ben-Tzion Karsh, PhD (co-PIs)
Project Summary: Thirty clinicians are enrolling 600 patients to investigate the relationship between the number of medical problems per hour (problem density) and the likelihood of medical error.
Educating Physicians and Patients in the Value and Use of Body Mass Index to Reduce Overweight and Obesity-Phase 2
Funding Agency: WellPoint Foundation
Principal Investigator(s): Paul D. Smith, MD (PI); Leon J. Radant, MD (co-PI)
Project Summary: This project is conducting a one-year follow-up survey of Wisconsin family physicians about use of and attitudes towards Body Mass Index as a tool to diagnosis and manage obesity. The next phase of the project will investigate the feasibility of and correlation between three measures for managing obesity in primary care practices: (1) self-reported activity; (2) pedometer measurement; and (3) accelerometer measurement.
AZMATICS: AzithroMycin/Asthma: Trial in Community Settings
Funding Agencies: Pfizer, Inc., and the Joint Grants Awards Program of the American Academy of Family Physicians/AAFP Foundation
Principal Investigator(s): David L. Hahn, MD (PI); Michael E. Grasmick, PhD (co-PI)
Project Summary: This pilot project, conducted in collaboration with six other practice-based research networks, is a double-blind randomized controlled trial of the treatment of adult asthma with azithromycin.
Quality Improvement/Practice-Based Research Pilot Project
Funding Agency: University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine
Principal Investigator(s): Paul D. Smith, MD (PI)
Project Summary: This project is investigating the feasibility of dedicated, paid part-time clinical support staff and a paid research specialist facilitator to conduct quality improvement (QI) activities at two family medicine residency practices. Its goal is to develop the staff infrastructure necessary for successful QI and practice-based research projects and to define the financial impact on the practice. If this project is successful, we will seek funding sources to expand it to all Department of Family Medicine and WREN practices.
What are Important Health Issues For Low Literate Adults? A Focus Group Evaluation of Health Literacy Issues
Funding Agency: American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation
Principal Investigator(s): Paul D. Smith, MD (PI)
Project Summary: In collaboration with Wisconsin Literacy, Inc., and three community-based Wisconsin literacy councils, this project is conducting six focus groups of low literate adults to explore how low literacy impacts their health and health care.
Wisconsin Initiative on Promoting Healthy Lifestyles (WIPHL)
Funding Agency: US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Principal Investigator(s): Richard L. Brown, MD, MPH (PI)
Project Summary: The WIPHL project is enhancing delivery of substance abuse screening, intervention, and referral and treatment services (SBIRT) in 22 practices affiliated with UW Health, Aurora Health Care, Wisconsin Research and Education Network, Wisconsin Primary Healthcare Association, and the Polk County Health Department. Clinic leaders are guiding their teams in implementing and improving SBIRT services in monthly plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles. WIPHL staff are supporting clinical site efforts with monthly conference calls, semi-annual meetings, and site visits.
Quality of Life and Depression as Determinants of Treatment Adherence in Hypertensive Patients
Funding Agency: American Heart Association
Principal Investigator(s): Leonelo Bautista, PhD (PI)
Project Summary: This study is evaluating 280 patients newly diagnosed with hypertension who are starting antihypertensive medications to determine the relationship between medication compliance, depression, and quality of life. Patients complete a series of self-administered questionnaires about quality of life and depression over a one-year period. At least four WREN practices are participating in this project.
Completed Projects
WREN has participated in or supported more than 40 completed research projects, which have resulted in more than 28 publications.
In the last five years, WREN has also implemented three grants funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and eight non-federally funded projects.
