Faculty

faculty photo
Branko Kopjar
Associate Professor
PhD  
University of Oslo (Norway), 1996
Epidemiology
MS  
University of Zagreb (Yugoslavia), 1991
Biostatistics
MD  
University of Zagreb (Yugoslavia), 1987
Internal Medicine

Department of Health Services Program Affiliations:
  -  Master of Health Administration Program
  -  Health Care and Population Health Research Track, (MPH program)
  -  PhD program in Health Services
  -  Center for Cost and Outcomes Research

Dr. Kopjar's training focuses on epidemiology and evidence-based health policy. His research interests include outcomes research, prevention effectiveness, international health, and effectiveness of health care reforms. Dr Kopjar is a co-director of the Center for Cost and Outcome Research.

Contact Information
4333 Brooklyn Ave NE, Rm 14-315
Box:  359455
Seattle, WA 98195-9455
(voice)  206-221-3349     (fax)  206-543-3964
brankok@u.washington.edu

VA HSR&D
1100 Olive Way, Suite 1400
Seattle, WA 98101
(voice)  206-277-4727
brankok@u.washington.edu
Teaching Interests
Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Evidence-Based Medicine, Evidence-Based Health Policy
  • HSMGMT 501   (Executive MHA Program)
    Epidemiology/Critical Evidence Appraisal
  • HSMGMT 501
    Epidemiology/Critical Evidence Appraisal
  • HSMGMT 502
    Evidence-Based Health Care Planning
Research Interests
prevention effectiveness, outcomes research, international health, health care reforms, quality of care
Projects
Evaluation of Prospective Hospital Reimbursement in Croatia (2001-2002)
Principal Investigator, The Ministry of Health in Croatia is implementing system-wide changes in health delivery system. Among those is implementation of prospective case-based payment system for acute hospital care. The goal of this research project is to evaluate effects of these changes on financial, activity and patient outcomes.
Evaluation of Workplace Drug-Free Program (1999-2001)
Investigator, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant to evaluate drug-free workplace program administered by Washington State Departments of Social and Health Services and Labor and Industries
Outcomes of Shoulder Surgery (2000-2001)
Investigator, The purpose of this project is to evaluate patient outcomes of total shoulder arthoplasty and to identify factors affecting the outcomes.
External Funding (sampling of current and past involvement)
Surgical vs Conservative Treatment for Metastatic Epidural Spinal Cord Compression
AOSpine North America
PI:   Kopjar           Dates:    04/2007 - 03/2012
The aim of this trial is to evaluate functional and quality of life outcomes of surgical vs. conservative treatment for metastatic epidural spinal cord compression.

Education and Research Center
Centers for Disease Control
PI:   Seixas           Dates:    07/2005 - 06/2010
The Northwest center is a multidisciplinary training program in occupational safety and health whose primary focus is graduate student training with a strong emphasis in research-based education.

AO Clinical Information and Documentation
AO Clinical Information and Documentation
PI:   Kopjar           Dates:    01/2006 - 12/2009
Dr. Kopjar will provide support to AOCID in Switzerland in the conduct of two clinical studies.

Project NIPH - Croatia
Norwegian Institute of Public Health
PI:   Kopjar           Dates:    11/2006 - 10/2008
The content of this contract is scientific and professional support by Dr. Kopjar for three bilateral projects that NIPH is running in Croatia.

NIAMS Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center
National Institutes of Health
PI:   Deyo           Dates:    02/2002 - 12/2006
To develop a Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center devoted to the study of spine and upper extremity disorders.

Croatian Telemedicine Evaluation
Norwegian Institute of Public Health
PI:   Wickizer           Dates:    07/2005 - 12/2006
The goal of this project is to conduct a performance evaluation of a telemedicine system in Republic of Croatia.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome: Diagnosis and Treatment Trial
National Institutes of Health
PI:   Jarvik           Dates:    01/2002 - 12/2005
Major goals are to determine 1) if early surgery compared with conservative therapy benefits patients with early, mild or moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, and 2) if MR neurographic imaging (MRNI) can identify patients for whom early surgery might be more efficacious than conservative therapy

Evaluation of AO Clinical Information and Documentation
AO Clinical Information and Documentation
PI:   Kopjar           Dates:    02/2005 - 12/2005
Dr. Kopjar will provide professional evaluation of AO Clinical Information and Documentation (AOCID), the development of a publication strategy for AOCID, general study consulting for ongoing studies, and recommendations for enhanced impact of AOCID on the orthopedic community.

Croatia Ministry of Health
Croatia Ministry of Health
PI:   Kopjar           Dates:    06/2001 - 06/2003
The primary goal of this project is to design a monitoring system and develop a model of potential effects for reform in the Croatian health care system.

Croatia Ministry of Health - II
Croatia Ministry of Health
PI:   Kopjar           Dates:    12/2001 - 06/2002
The primary goal of this project is to continue the work of a previous agreement with the Croatian Ministry of Health and design a monitoring system and develop a model of potential effects for reform in the Croatian health care system


Selected Publications
Selected Dissertation, Thesis and Capstone Committees (recent graduates)
2006
Member, thesis committee for Margaret Lentell
Effect of a patient reminder system on preventive health care use by medically underserved persons

2005
Member, thesis committee for D Duff
The Evolution of Medicine: Transitioning from Tertiary to Secondary Screening for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip at Women's Hospital in British Columbia


Links
Health Care Reform in Croatia
The Government of Croatia is conducting a wider reform of the health care system in order to improve effectiveness and efficiency of system operations.
http://www.miz.hr/