Structure and Divisions

Division of Outcomes, Clinical Epidemiology, and Health Services Research

Division of Outcomes, Clinical Epidemiology, and Health Services Research will focus on the step of disseminating clinical trial results into actual practice and improvements in population health. In some ways, this work is analogous to Phase IV or post-approval studies. This division will be headed by Dr. Sean Sullivan, Professor of Pharmacy and of Health Services. Dr. Fred Rivara, Vice-Chair of Pediatrics, will be the Co-Director.

The Center for Cost and Outcomes Research

Projects include randomized trials, observational outcomes and epidemiologic studies, and cost-effectiveness research. The Center is jointly sponsored by the Schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Pharmacy.This Center conducts cost-effectiveness and outcomes studies that are enhanced by the collaboration of experts from multiple disciplines. Disciplines include clinical specialties, biostatistics, economics, epidemiology, health behavior, health status measurement and health services. (Richard Deyo, MD, MPH, Medicine and Health Services, Director)

The Health Promotion Research Center

Funded in 1986, the HPRC is one of 28 CDC-funded prevention research centers in the U.S. Current projects are focused on exercise promotion, cancer screening and prevention, oral health, and a community depression intervention for seniors. The Center has collaborative ties with the Schools of Nursing and Public Health; the Group Health Center for Health Studies, local and state Health Departments, and Senior services agencies. (James Logerfo MD, MPH, Medicine and Health Services, Director)

Group Health Cooperative's Center for Health Studies

CHS conducts clinical trials, epidemiologic, outcomes and health services research, with most funding from extramural grants and contracts. Investigators have access to decades of longitudinal clinical, health services and administrative data on the GHC population, making it a unique resource for Clinical Research Scholars. (Eric Larson, MD, MPH, Director)

Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research and Policy Program

Consists of 15 full-time faculty and staff conducting clinical research on pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, devices, procedures and other medical technologies. Also supports a full-time graduate program.Recent projects include evaluation of implantable defibrillators (AVID trial), economic evaluation of lung volume reduction surgery (NETT Trial), inhaled corticosteroids for mild asthma (START Trial), and epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (Global HBV Study). (Sean Sullivan, Pharmacy and Health Services, Director)

Child Health Institute

Multidisciplinary research effort with faculty and staff from the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, and Public Health. One of the few research centers in the U.S. devoted exclusively to studying access, cost-effectiveness, quality and outcomes of health care for children. Recent studies include a randomized trial of Echinacea for URI in children, an epidemiologic study of seizure risk after routine vaccinations, improving childhood asthma care, and preventive care during well-child visits. (Dimitri Christakis, MD, MPH, Pediatrics; Fred Zimmerman, PhD, Health Services, Directors)

Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence

Includes 24 core and 21 affiliate investigators supported by approximately 60 research and administrative staff. Hosts predoctoral Health Services trainees and postdoctoral fellows in ambulatory care, health services research, medical informatics, and women's health. Funding has averaged $10 million annually, including grants from VA and other federal sources, foundations, and industry. Major research emphases are primary care management of chronic diseases (diabetes, depression, alcohol abuse, heart disease), preserving independence in older adults, and evaluating health care quality and efficiency. (Stephan Fihn, MD, MPH, Medicine, Director)

A second major VA resource is the Epidemiology Research and Information Center (ERIC), headed by Edward Boyko, MD, MPH. One of three such centers in the VA system, it receives over $3 million of support for projects on spine imaging, nosocomial bacteremia, cancer screening, prevalence of Hepatitis C, and effects of health insurance on diabetes care.

Surgical Outcomes And Research (SOAR) group

Investigators from multiple surgical and procedural-based specialties interested in the methods of surgical outcomes research. The group meets monthly for research presentations and functions as a forum for feedback on research design among surgical investigators. SOAR has fostered grant development, resulting in two newly funded surgical investigators working in the Center for Cost and Outcomes Research. (Bevan Yueh, MD, MPH, Director)

The School of Nursing's Center for Women's Health & Gender Research

Facilitates basic and clinical interdisciplinary research related to women's health across the lifespan; biobehavioral studies; study of culturally diverse populations of women and development of community partnerships for research; dissemination of scientific information related to women's health; and research training in women's health. (Dr. Margaret Heitkemper, Director)

The Center for Advancement of Health Disparities Research

Collaboration between the UW and the University of Hawaii at Manoa Schools of Nursing. Promotes research-based innovations that will reduce health disparities among and within population groups. The Center is mentoring nurse researchers through learning institutes, guided research studies, and dissemination of new knowledge. (Dr. Bobbie Berkowitz, Director)

The WWAMI Rural Health Research Center

One of six rural research centers funded by Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. This center works closely with the Programs for Healthy Communities, other departments, schools, the State Department of Health, and Area Health Education Centers in the five WWAMI states. Major areas of research are: training and supply of rural health care providers; outcomes of the care they provide; availability and quality of care for rural women and children; and access to high-quality care for vulnerable and minority rural populations. (Gary Hart, Ph.D., Director)

Public Agencies collaborating in Clinical Research

Seattle-King County Health Department

This department has strong ties with the UW Schools of Medicine and Public Health and offers important opportunities for community-based research. James Krieger, MD, MPH, is Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and of Health Services, and is Chief of Epidemiology Planning and Evaluation for the Health Department. He heads Seattle Partners for Healthy Communities, a multidisciplinary collaboration that receives CDC funding for interventions addressing social determinants of health. Other opportunities are in chronic disease control (diabetes and asthma); HIV prevention; infant mortality; racial, ethnic, and economic health disparities; and refugee health. (Alonzo Plough, PhD, MPH, Director)

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries

This agency provides workers' compensation coverage to all but the largest employers in the state (which are self-insured). The Medical Director is Gary Franklin, MD, MPH, a neurologist who is also Research Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health and of Neurology at the UW. The agency has had extensive interactions with the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences (School of Public Health ) and with the Center for Cost and Outcomes Research. It has supported clinical research at the UW for common disabling conditions, and has collaborated with UW researchers in analyzing its extensive claims data.