Under the direction of Rhonda Cady, PhD, the Health Services Research Program focuses on improving patient- and family-centered care delivery and health outcomes for individuals with medical complexity through research and continuous evaluation. We design studies to evaluate evidence-based models translated to clinical care or to test novel approaches to care delivery.
The approach is diverse and multidisciplinary. It is grounded in a Family Engagement in Research model and inclusive of patient and family lived experience partners, healthcare providers, and scientists, with internal, local, and national collaborations. Outcomes are grounded in the Quadruple Aim, capturing the value of care delivery from the patient, family, clinician and payer perspectives.
Areas of Current Health Services Research
Our areas of current research include the following:
Evaluating the role of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in assessing value of care delivery and care coordination
Assessing impact of best practice care delivery and care coordination on child and family health
Investigating the relationship between social determinants of health for children with medical complexity and health outcomes
Designing health care transition strategies for youth with medical complexity
Understanding risk factors contributing to hospital acquired conditions and proactive care delivery interventions that mitigate these risk factors
Capturing longitudinal health outcomes to improve care for persons with spina bifida
Analyzing care delivery processes to inform the development of interventions aimed at improving the quality-of-care delivery by minimizing care variation
Health Services Research Team
- Matthew Witham, PhD, Director, Child and Family Services
- Andrea Bushaw, PhD, APRN, CPNP, Director of Clinical Transformation
- Megan Munger, PhD, MPH, Director, Outcomes
- Megan Lutz, Clinical Research Coordinator