August 2016 Edition
 
Building on an enduring framework

Many innovations in scholarship and collaboration have helped shape the field of health services research, and particularly the quality-of-care movement as we know it today. However, one framework published by a University of Michigan professor 50 years ago this summer stands out as one of the true pillars of this movement.

In 1965, Avedis Donabedian, then a professor of medical care organization in our School of Public Health, was commissioned by the U.S. Public Health Service to produce a review of the research to date on quality assessment, and to provide an outlook on its future direction. His work was published in The Milbank Quarterly in the summer of 1966, along with articles from many other pioneers across the budding field of health services research.

As Howard Markel and I note in our commentary reflecting on this seminal work (see "Noteworthy" below), Donabedian's piece established the structure-process-outcome framework that endures as the foundation of quality assessment, and it remains one of the most frequently cited articles in public health and health policy over the last half-century.

As an immigrant to the U.S., Donabedian had an outsider's perspective in his observations on the American healthcare system, and his emphasis on the necessity of metrics and sound evidence reminds us of the importance of subjecting both our research questions and our values and beliefs "to equally critical study," as he wrote.

Donabedian maintained that efforts to advance healthcare quality must always be rooted in genuine concern for the well-being of the individual patients who receive care within the systems we strive to endeavor to measure and improve.

I hope you enjoy the remaining days of summer and look forward to an exciting fall. Our monthly IHPI Research Seminar Series restarts next month, and we'll welcome our IHPI National Advisory Board members to U-M on September 23 for their second annual meeting.

John Z. Ayanian, M.D., M.P.P.
 
50 years ago this summer, a new era in health care dawned

It was July of 1966. Lyndon Johnson was in the White House, "You Can't Hurry Love" was on the radio, Billie Jean King had won her second Wimbledon title, and NASA had just launched its first moon-orbiting spacecraft.

But in health care, that month holds a different historical significance. The landmark event was quiet, but its impact lasts to this day, in the form of better health care for Americans of all ages.

This important milestone was a University of Michigan professor, Avedis Donabedian, M.D., M.P.H., publishing a research paper.


 
 
Joining 'The Conversation' on healthcare

In the last month, IHPI members have launched new discussions on everything from the ethical considerations around what happens to donated biobank samples, to the measures needed to reduce hospital infections, to the "public option" included in Hillary Clinton's healthcare proposals, to the effects of vicarious racism on children's wellbeing. They've even discussed the lessons about evaluating risks and benefits through the lens of public health messaging around eating raw cookie dough. These pieces ---- and many more ---- appear on The Conversation, a new web platform for research-based content. IHPI recently hosted a training session to guide members in writing these pieces, and plans are underway for a second such session. Watch future newsletters for details!
 
 
Student-run medical journal launches

Michigan Journal of Medicine (MJM) published its first issue in May. This peer-reviewed, open-access journal is run by fourth-year U-M Medical School students in the Medical Editing & Writing course organized by Michael Englesbe and Jasna Markovac. A number of IHPI members have been involved in supporting the course and MJM, including Justin Dimick, John Magee, Preeti Malani, and John Ayanian (pictured below with M4 students).


 
 
Wallner receives K07 award for breast cancer continuing care study

Lauren Wallner, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of internal medicine, was recently awarded a four-year, K07 career development grant from the National Cancer Institute for her project, "Patient-centered, team-based continuing care after breast cancer treatment." Wallner and her team will build a personalized, online navigation tool to support breast cancer patients transitioning from primary treatment to survivorship care. The tool will also help facilitate communication among patient care teams, including primary care doctors, to help reduce the burden of care coordination, and ensure patients are receiving comprehensive survivorship care.
 
 

Kazerooni appointed to national Medicare advisory committee

Ella Kazerooni, M.D., M.S., professor of radiology, has been named to the Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) panel, which provides independent guidance and advice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Kazerooni and her colleagues on the MEDCAC panel will review and evaluate medical literature and review technology assessments. The panel will also provide public testimony and examine data and information on the benefits, harms and appropriateness of medical items and services that are or may be eligible to be covered under Medicare.
 
 

Dupree, Ellimoottil named to CMS expert panels on measure development

James Dupree, M.D., M.P.H., clinical assistant professor of urology, has been named to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) MACRA Episode-Based Measures Clinical Committee, which will provide guidance on defining episode triggers and windows and providing input on grouping algorithms and measure development. Meanwhile, Chad Ellimoottil, M.D., M.S., assistant professor of urology, has been selected to serve as a member of the CMS MACRA Episode-Based Resource Use Measures Technical Expert Panel, which will provide technical input on the development, selection, and maintenance of quality measures for which CMS contractors are responsible.
 
Dupree
Ellimoottil
 

Zivin to chair AcademyHealth interest group advisory committee

Kara Zivin, Ph.D., M.S., M.A., associate professor of psychiatry, will chair the advisory committee for AcademyHealth's Behavioral Health Services Research interest group for 2016 -- 17. Each interest group is governed by an advisory committee whose members are selected through an annual nomination process which begins immediately after the Annual Research Meeting (ARM). Learn more.
  Drs. Zivin
 
 

Membership has its privileges!

Are you taking full advantage of your IHPI membership? Learn more about some of your benefits here, or plan to attend the next Member Orientation Breakfast on Tuesday, October 25, 8:30 a.m. --- 9:30 a.m. RSVP will be required. Contact Stacy Trosell for more information.
 
 
 
Philip Zazove, M.D., M.M.
The George A. Dean, M.D., Chair of Family Medicine, and Professor of Family Medicine, Medical School

Most of my work has been in health services for people with hearing loss. Being deaf myself, I understand the communication barriers, and the effect it has on people's lives. But I also understand the impact it has on their healthcare, which we know is suboptimal for people with hearing loss.

VIEW VIDEO PROFILE
 
 
Karen Farris, Ph.D., M.P.A.
Charles R. Walgreen III Professor of Pharmacy Administration and Chair, Department of Clinical, Social, and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy

I think the most challenging issue in healthcare today lies in the care transitions that patients have to manage, particularly people with chronic or very severe conditions. My work focuses on medication adherence, which I view as just one of many pieces of the complex care transition problem we need to address.

VIEW VIDEO PROFILE
 
  EVENTS
 
 
Is all adherence created equal?
A study of the impact of direction of change in adherence to therapy and magnitude of comorbidity on medical spending in patients with three chronic conditions

Wednesday, August 24
12:00 p.m.--- 1:00 p.m.
NCRC, Building 10, South Atrium

Steven Kymes, Ph.D., M.H.A.
Director, Health Economics and Outcomes Research,
Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals ---- US
Adjunct Associate Professor of Ophthalmology,
Washington University School of Medicine

This talk will discuss a study examining the impact of change in adherence behavior over two consecutive years on medical spending in a cohort of commercially insured patients with 1) Diabetes; 2) Hypertension; or 3) Congestive heart failure.

Lunch is provided, but space is limited! RSVP required to Stacy Trosell.
 
 
Twitter 101

Tuesday, August 9, 2016
12:00 p.m.--- 1:00 p.m.
North Campus Research Complex (NCRC), Building 10
IHPI Collaboratory (Room G079)

Twitter is rolling out new changes that will make it easier to use and give you more room to express yourself as you connect with colleagues and peers around the world. Bring your laptop and mobile device, lunch, and questions for this informal workshop. If you don't yet have a Twitter account, come a little early.


Can't make this session? Additional sessions are offered on August 29 and September 30.
 
 
LinkedIn 101

Tuesday, August 9, 2016
1:00 p.m.--- 2:00 p.m.
North Campus Research Complex (NCRC), Building 10
IHPI Collaboratory (Room G079)

Join IHPI communicator Kara Gavin for the next LinkedIn 101 session for new and lapsed users. Bring your laptop and mobile device, lunch, and questions for this informal workshop. If you don't yet have a LinkedIn account, come a little early.


Can't make this session? An additional session is offered on August 29.
 
 
Call for Proposals and Save the Date: 15th Annual U-M Depression on College Campuses Conference

Proposals Submission Deadline: September 3, 2016

Proposals are now being accepted for the 15th annual University of Michigan Depression on College Campuses Conference, which will take place March 20--- 21, 2017 in Ann Arbor. You are invited to submit proposals for workshops, concurrent sessions, and poster displays relating to the conference theme of "Best Practices and Innovative Strategies after 15 years of Progress" (working title).

 
 
Ann Arbor Health Services Research Symposium

Dates: September 19 --- 20, 2016
Location: NCRC Dining Hall, Building 18

This year's theme is "Defining Excellence: Performance Measurement in Healthcare," and the agenda focuses on measuring and reporting clinician performance as it relates to quality, costs and appropriateness.

Sponsored by the Dow Division of Health Services Research in the Department of Urology and IHPI.

 
 
4th annual symposium on Healthcare Engineering and Patient Safety

September 26, 2016
5:00 p.m.--- 7:30 p.m.
Robert H. Lurie Engineering Center,
1221 Beal Ave., 3rd and 4th Floors

Learn how the Center for Healthcare Engineering and Patient Safety (CHEPS) is helping to improve the safety and quality of healthcare delivery by identifying, fostering, and promoting collaborative projects across the University.

Come enjoy refreshments, networking with colleagues and potential collaborators, posters and mini-presentations on cutting-edge healthcare research, and the opportunity to learn about current activities at CHEPS.
 
 
Call for papers: Conference and special issue of Marketing Science on Health

Conference: November 11 --- 12, 2016
Location: Olin School, Washington University in St. Louis

Conference Submission Deadline: September 15, 2016
Manuscript Submission Deadline: March 31, 2017

The goal of this conference and special issue is to encourage more research on topics related to consumer wellness, public health, and the business of healthcare; convene and curate a set of high-quality papers that showcase the multi-faceted relevance of marketing science to this important part of the global economy; and to increase the visibility and impact of this research not just for marketers and consumers but also for the healthcare industry and policy makers. Theoretical and empirical papers are welcome. Empirical papers can be based on natural/field experiments, various types of econometric analyses, or "big data" approaches.
 
 
 
 
 
2017 IHPI R01 Boot Camp: Applications Open Soon

IHPI is once again sponsoring a R01 Boot Camp program in conjunction with the Medical School's Mentored Research Academy: R01 Boot Camp. The IHPI Boot Camp will accommodate 8 --- 10 early career faculty and will be open to all assistant professors who are IHPI members, regardless of the school or college in which they are appointed. The application will be available in mid-August and will be open through mid-October. Visit the IHPI Boot Camp webpage for the latest information and for the direct application link when it becomes available. Contact Jason Wolfe for more information.
 
 
Urological Epidemiology (UroEPI) Institutional Research Career Development Program (K12)---- accepting applications

The newly funded U-M Urological Epidemiology (UroEPI) Institutional Research Career Development Program (K12) is now accepting applications. This fellowship is supported by the NIDDK K12 program and provides two years of post-residency/graduate training to acquire the necessary skills for the conduct of high quality epidemiologic research. Year 1 consists of coursework towards a master's degree in Public Health/Epidemiology for clinicians or a postdoctoral certificate in Translational Research for Ph.D.s; all tuition is paid. Fellows have access to all necessary support staff and mentors. Clinical applicants should have completed an ACGME-approved residency by the time they start. Ph.D. applicants should have completed their doctoral program in the health sciences.

For more information, contact Aruna Sarma, Ph.D., or Quentin Clemens, M.D.
To apply, contact Laura Woodman, (734) 615-3040
 
 
2017 APHA Public Health Fellowship in Government

Deadline: August 15, 2016

Candidates must have strong public health credentials and be able to spend one year in Washington, D.C. The fellow will have the option of working in the House or Senate on legislative and policy issues such as creating healthy communities, improving health equity, addressing environmental health concerns, population health or the social determinants of health. Applications, additional information and brief articles from the previous fellows are available on APHA's website.
 
 
Upcoming Partnership in Implementation and Evaluation (PIE) Lab

Date: Second Tuesday of each month
Time: 11:00 a.m. --- 12:00 noon
Location: NCRC, Building 16, Conference Room 368C

The VA Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR) conducts the Partnerships in Implementation and Evaluation (PIE) Lab to provide expert and peer support in implementation and evaluation research. This is an informal opportunity to discuss and brainstorm ideas around partnerships, implementation, and evaluation, both within and outside the VA. Contact Claire Robinson if you are interested in attending or have something you'd like to present.

Upcoming Labs
September 13, 11:00 a.m. --- 12:00 noon
Michelle Hilgeman, Ph.D.: Adapting Montessori Activity Programming
for Veterans Living in Community Living Centers
 
 
K Award Writing Workshops through MICHR/IHPI

Date: November 9 and 30, and December 14, 2016
Time: 5:30 p.m. --- 8:00 p.m.
Registration required by October 23

This structured, three-part workshop is designed to assist early career faculty and fellows who are preparing competitive career development grant applications (NIH K and VA CDA) for a 2017 submission. As a participant, you will exchange drafts of sections of your proposal and receive peer critique and feedback from senior faculty experienced in NIH study section thinking.

IHPI faculty will lead health services-focused breakout sessions. Space is limited, and registration is required by October 23.
 
 

Dates: November 9, 10, and 11
Time: 8:00 a.m. --- 5:00 p.m.
Location: NCRC Building 110, Rooms G063 and G604.
  • Work on your mixed methods proposal, research study or manuscript
  • Improve your mixed methods project with rigorous methodology using an interactive-­-participatory format
  • Refine your project through individual consultation with leading methodologists and group feedback
Presented by the Michigan Mixed Methods Research and Scholarship Program (M3RSP), and sponsored by: M3RSP, IHPI, Department of Family Medicine, U-M Medical School, and VA-CCMR.

Find out more and register at: www.mixedmethods.org
Inquiries: Satoko Motohara (734) 998-7120 ext. 328 or smotohar@umich.edu
 
 
MLibrary@NCRC 

Highlighted Resource: FierceHealthcare Newsletter

FierceHealthcare provides quick briefs on providers, Healthcare Reform, ACA, Medicare/Medicaid, and more. While geared towards healthcare executives, the content can help keep you current by pointing you to top articles on topics ranging from regulatory issues and population health to ambulatory care. Additional newsletters provide information focused on Healthcare IT, finance, and payment.

We look forward to working with you! Contact MLibrary to learn more.
Visit: Building 18, Room G018
View Health Management and Policy Guide.
 
 
Scientific Methods for Health Sciences: New graduate course series

UMHS faculty have developed and implemented a new and innovative graduate methods and analytics course series, Scientific Methods for Health Sciences (SMHS): HS851, HS852, HS853. These Rackham-approved courses will be offered in a sequence, Fall 2016, Winter 2017, Fall 2017, respectively. Complete details, materials, resources, and learning modules are available online.
 
 
Providing Better Health Care through Systems Engineering: Seminars and Discussions

This course (IOE 813) provides an introduction to the challenges of today's health care system through the eyes of leading providers and engineers. Focused around weekly seminars by leading scholars in this important area, the course provides a broad overview to the ways systems engineering can improve the delivery of healthcare: improving outcomes, decreasing costs, reducing error and developing innovations. Download this flyer for more information.
 
 
 
What will it take to reduce infections in the hospital?

In a piece for The Conversation, Sanjay Saint, M.D., M.P.H., professor of internal medicine, outlines causes and steps healthcare practitioners can take to reduce infections. "Preventing infection is a team sport," he writes. "Cooperation ---- among doctors, nurses, microbiologists, public health officials and patients ---- will be required to control the spread of Zika. Such teamwork is required to prevent more mundane infections as well."

READ MORE
 
Social media use and breast cancer treatment decisions

Women who engaged on social media after a breast cancer diagnosis expressed more deliberation about their treatment decisions and more satisfaction with the paths they chose, a new study finds. Still, the researchers found significant barriers to social media for some women, particularly older women, those with less education and some minorities. "Our findings highlight an unmet need in patients for decisional support when they are going through breast cancer treatment," says lead study author Lauren Wallner, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of general medicine

READ MORE
 
 

 
Water might be a secret weapon for dieters, research involving nearly 10,000 adults suggests. "Those who were inadequately hydrated had higher body mass indexes (BMIs) than those who were adequately hydrated," said study lead Tammy Chang, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., an assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School. The study received wide media coverage, including NPR, CNN, Today, and Spanish language outlets such as Univision.

 
 
MORE NEWS


Personality Change May Be Early Sign of Dementia, Experts Say
(New York Times---- Langa)
Hospitals that send the most heart patients to the ICU get the worst results
(U-M Health System News---- Valley, Sjoding, Cooke)
Hospital data helps predict risk of pneumonia after heart surgery
(Science Daily---- Likosky)
A rising, but uneven, tide of in-home care for seniors with disabilities
(U-M Health System News---- Ankuda, Levine)
Struggling To Stabilize: 3Rs Litigation And The Future Of The ACA Exchanges
(Health Affairs---- Bagley)
Imaging after thyroid cancer treatment may not bolster outcomes
(U-M Health System News---- Haymart, Banerjee)
Treating pain without feeding addiction: Study shows promise of non-drug pain management (U-M Health System News---- Ilgen, Blow, Bohnert, Chermack)
There's Hope for fMRI Despite Major Software Flaws (NOVA---- Dinov)
Rethinking the challenges of health care: Time to cultivate more tri-sector leaders
(NEJM Catalyst---- Ibrahim)
 
  FUNDING
 
 
MICHR Translational Research pilot grants

Deadline: September 12, 2016

MICHR's pilot grant program supports all translational and clinical researchers, and they encourage applicants to identify collaborations that will most effectively bridge the gap to translation.
  • Investigator-Initiated Research: Maximum of $25,000. A minimum 1:1 match is required and may be secured from a single source or multiple sources.
  • Collaborative Research: Maximum of $25,000. A minimum 1:1 match is required and may be secured from a single source or multiple sources.
  • Community-Based Participatory Research: Maximum of $30,000 for projects with one partner and a maximum of $40,000 for projects with two or more partners. Cost-share is not required; however, academic applicants are encouraged to explore the potential for securing additional funding support.
 
 
Life sciences innovation funding available through MTRAC

The new  Michigan Translation and Commercialization (MTRAC) for Life Sciences Hub is a statewide program supporting translational research projects in life sciences with high commercial potential, with the ultimate goal of positively impacting human health.
Innovators from all schools at U-M, other institutions of higher education, non-profit research centers, and hospital systems across Michigan are eligible to submit projects for funding consideration. The program offers early-stage funding opportunities through Mi-Kickstart (Dec. 31, 2016 application deadline), and Mi-TRAC (Sept. 26, 2016 application deadline) is the funding program for mid-stage commercialization projects. READ MORE.
 
 
Michigan Mental Health Integration Partnership: An Opportunity for Matched Funding 

Are you interested in receiving matched funding? Do you have a project that focuses on physical and/or mental health services of individuals receiving mental health services, or integrated mental health services across traditionally underserved settings? If so, you may be eligible for matched funding through the Michigan Mental Health Integration Partnership (MIP) . Please read this article for more information about the program , which is accepting applications for integrated care projects from U-M investigators for its next round of Medicaid match funding eligibility through  October 1, 2016 .
 
 
ABOUT IHPI
The Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation is committed to improving the quality, safety, equity, and affordability of healthcare services

To carry out our ambitious mission, our efforts are focused in four areas:
  • Evaluating the impact of healthcare reforms
  • Improving the health of communities
  • Promoting greater value in healthcare
  • Innovating in IT and healthcare delivery

SUPPORT IHPI
If you are interested in supporting health services and health policy research at the University of Michigan, click here

IHPI Informs is published monthly by the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation.
 
CONTACT US
U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation
North Campus Research Complex (NCRC)
2800 Plymouth Road, Building 16
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Christina Camilli-Whisenhunt
IHPI Communications Manager
camillic@umich.edu

Kara Gavin
IHPI Research & Policy Media Relations Manager
 
Lauren Hutchens
IHPI Communications Specialist

Mark Lubin
IHPI Communications Coordinator