Faculty

faculty photo
Susan C. Hedrick
Professor
I am excited about the opportunities we have to use the tools of health services research to develop health care and living arrangements that better meet the needs of those with chronic illnesses and disabilities while preserving autonomy and quality of life.
PhD  
Michigan State University, 1982
Health Services
MA  
Michigan State University, 1975
Psychology
BA  
Kalamazoo College, 1970
Psychology

Department of Health Services Program Affiliations:
  -  Social and Behavioral Sciences Track, (MPH program)
  -  Health Care and Population Health Research Track, (MPH program)
  -  PhD program in Health Services

Susan Hedrick's research focus is the cost-effectiveness of interventions to improve care for persons with chronic illnesses. She is PI of an evaluation of Washington's community-based residential care programs and the evaluation of the VA Pilot Program in Assisted Living. She is Associate Director of the Northwest Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System.

Contact Information
VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Building 1, Room 424
1660 S. Columbian Way
Box:  358280 (152)
Seattle, WA 98108
(voice)  206-764-2085     (fax)  206-764-2935
susan.hedrick@med.va.gov
Teaching Interests
chronic illness & disability, long-term care
  • HSERV 580
    Society, Chronic Illness and Disability
Research Interests
Cost-effectiveness of community-based long-term care
Projects
Community Residential Care In Washington State, Predictors of Health Status, Service Use and Costs
This is a study of 349 clients receiving State-funded care in three community residential settings: adult family homes, adult residential care, and assisted living. The objectives are: 1) to describe the characteristics of clients entering each of the three types of community residential care settings; 2) to identify outcomes and costs of care for persons in these settings; 3) to identify factors predicting differences in outcomes and costs of care.
Evaluation Of Assisted Living Pilot Program
The study objectives are to: 1) describe the number and characteristics of all veterans enrolled in the VA Assisted Living Pilot Program (ALPP) and ALPP vendors in a four state area; 2) assess the satisfaction of veterans and their families, the use and cost of health care services; and 3) assess satisfaction with the program for the vendors and involved VA staff.
The Northwest Center for Outcomes Reseaerch in Older Adults: A Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence
The goals of this Center are to perform state-of-the-art research, generate new knowledge and research methods, provide high caliber training in health services research, and assist VA policy makers in a rapidly changing health care environment. The Center presently has 18 core and 27 affiliate investigators who conduct a extensive program of health services research funded by a combination of VA and non-VA sources. I have been Associate Director of this Center since 1993.
External Funding (sampling of current and past involvement)
Senior Coordinated Referral (SCORE) Study.
VA Puget Sound Health Care System
PI:   Hedrick           Dates:    07/2007 - 06/2010


Assessing Practice Variation in Long Term Care Referrals.
VA Puget Sound Health Care System
PI:   Hedrick           Dates:    07/2004 - 06/2006


Evaluation of Pilot Program in Assisted Living.
VA Puget Sound Health Care System
PI:   Hedrick           Dates:    07/2001 - 06/2005


Community Residential Settings in the State of Washington: Predictors of Health Status, Satisfaction, Service Use and Costs.
John A. Hartford Foundation
PI:   Hedrick           Dates:    07/1997 - 06/2003


Treatment of Depression in Primary Care: A Randomized Trial of Team Care.
VA Puget Sound Health Care System - HSR&D
PI:   Hedrick           Dates:    07/1997 - 06/2001



Selected Publications

Yueh B, Collins MP, Souza PE, Heagerty PJ, Liu C, Boyko EJ, Loovis CF, Fausti SA, Hedrick SC. Screening for Auditory Impairment - Which Hearing Assessment Test (SAI-WHAT): RCT Design and Baseline Characteristics. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 2007; 28, 303-315.

Lakey SL, Gray SL, Sales AEB, Sullivan J, Hedrick SC. Psychotropic Use in Community Residential Care Facilities: A Prospective Cohort Study. American Journal of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy, 2006; 4(3):227-235.

Gray S, Odegard P, Sales AEB, Young HM, Sullivan JH, Hedrick SC. Quality of Medication Records and Use of Pharmacy Services in Community Residential Care Facilities. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 2006; 40: 894-9.

Hedrick SC, Guihan M, Chapko M, Manheim L, Sullivan J, Thomas M, Barry S, Zhou A. Characteristics of Residents and Providers in the Assisted Living Pilot Program. The Gerontologist, in press.

Dissertation, Thesis and Capstone Committees (recent graduates)
2005
Chair, thesis committee for Ya-Mei Chen
A pilot evaluation of the family caregiver support program