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Project NameProject DescriptionLead Faculty (and email address)
Project Status
Student Support Opportunity
Funding Source
Date Last Updated
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We have data from phone surveys of low-income Hispanic people in LA using navigation services to improve access to care. Variables include ethnicity, language, insurance, some chronic disease information (hypertention, depression, daibetes), barriers to care as well as health care utilization data. Can discuss analysis ideas. Ability to use SAS or STATA will help but is not entirely necessary.Sonali Saluja (Sonali.Saluja@med.usc.edu)Data available to analyzeAvailableDecember 7, 2020
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Examining changes in access to care and unmet needs using the LA county Health SurveyWrite a proposal and analysis plan to examine access and unmet medical needs before and after the ACA using the LA County Health Survey.Sonali Saluja (Sonali.Saluja@med.usc.edu)Not StartedAvailableDecember 7, 2020
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LA County COVID SurveySurvey of LA County residents to examine disparities in access to COVID 19 testing and routine care. Also will have availble some data on food insecurity, vaccine hesitancy and political preferencesSonali Saluja (Sonali.Saluja@med.usc.edu) and Cameron Kaplan (kaplanc@usc.edu)Started and data will be availble to analalyzeAvailableKeck FoundationDecember 7, 2020
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Blog WritingThe Gehr Center edits and produces blogs (e.g.: http://gehrcenter.usc.edu/programs/gehr-center-blog-series/) published for MedPage Today, the Center for Health Journalism, and other publications.Michael Hochman (Michael.Hochman@med.usc.edu)On Going
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 CRC screening & patient navigation at KeckWorking with multi-disciplinary initiative to improve CRC screening at Keck, which is at suboptimal rates. Current efforts are to : 1) codify an evidence based clinical algorithm for CRC screening options for average risk patients 2) develop a mixed method analysis of the stakeholders in the HCC2 Family Medicine clinic regarding CRC at Keck 3) improve logistical barriers to FIT/FOBT card processing in pathology 4) create a plan of care both VBSO and Keck patients more broadly over the next year to transition towards population health. Related projects that are on the shelf are the following. First is a qualitative survey of Keck patients regarding knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of the the multitude modalities of CRC screening, specifically of prep based modalities. Second is a mobile app tutorial that can guide patients through shared decision making the optimal CRC screening test for them. Current screening rates are suboptimal and patients suffer from numerous barriers including literacy, fear of procedure and cancer diagnosis, transportation challenges, perceived cost, lack of trust in healthcare system among others.  We are developing a data analytic flow to find the bottle necks in the screening process and devising QI interventions to address these challenges. California came up with this new pilot program. I could analyze how exactly the new payment reform as being paid on a monthly scale made a difference in the quality of care that was delivered. If yes then look into maybe exactly how this payment reform was executed?Rusha Modi (Modi.Rushabh@med.usc.edu) and Veronica Pagan (Veronica.Pagan@med.usc.edu)
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Developing a strategy for alternative payment systems among safety net providers in Los Angeles and CaliforniaTo develop a plan for improving the capacity for payment reform in safety net systems (Public hospitals and FQHCs)Michael R Cousineau (cousinea@med.usc.edu) Student project could focus on one or more aspects of payment reform including quality measures, non FQHC Medi-Cal providers The California Endowment
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Health care for the homeless: engage and refer or street medicineTo develop an evidence-based commentary piece on efficacy of these two approaches to responding to homelessness.Michael R Cousineau (cousinea@med.usc.edu)Up to two students will conduct an exhaustive literature review and guided interviews, and organizational review looking at both approaches and develop a paper with recommendations for local public policies.
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Health and mental health integrationTo develop an assessment of current policies and programs towards the integration of behavioral health systems into primary care practicesMichael R Cousineau (cousinea@med.usc.edu)Up to 2 Students will do a policy analysis if current efforts to integrate these services.  This will include mental health and substance abuse treatment services
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Tobacco Premium Rating in the Affordable Care Act ExchangesThe purpose of this project is to evaluate the impact of tobacco surcharges (up to 50% higher premiums for tobacco users) in the ACA on enrollment and plan choice, and to examine whether people are honest about tobacco use during enrollment.Cameron Kaplan (kaplanc@usc.edu)Students can participate in developing a survey, analyzing data, or developing new, related paper ideas related to the funded project.American Cancer Society
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Medicare Part D, the Donut Hole closure, and prescription drug utilizationThis project examines the impact of the closure of the Medicare prescription drug donut hole on utilization of prescription drugs, health outcomes, and health disparities. A subproject focuses specifically on the cost of insulin.Cameron Kaplan (kaplanc@usc.edu)Students can participate in researching drug patent expirations and clinical efficacy in order to develop research projects relating prescription drug adherence, cost, and health outcomes.National Institutes of Health
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Impact of Medicare Value Programs on Inpatient Quality Indicators and Patient Safety IndicatorsThis project examines Medicare value-based penalties for hospitals (e.g. readmission penalties, hospital acquired conditions) and the impact on quality, safety, and unintended consequencesLed by Cameron Kaplan (kaplanc@usc.edu) and Teresa Waters (University of Kentucky)Depending on the need of the lead PI, students may be able to participate in data analysis and developing new manuscript ideas related to the topic. AHRQ
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Examining racial/ethnic disparities in patient experiences with medical care and colorectal cancer diagnosis and mortalityThis project examines whether there are disparities in patient experiences with cancer care and whether these disparities are associated with later stage at diagnosis and mortality.Albert J Farias (albertfa@usc.edu)Students can participate in data analysis and manuscript writing
Zumberge Award
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Qualitative study exploring quality of cancer care among african american/black cancer patients. We have completed 15 interviews with black cancer patients asking them about the quality of cancer care that they received during cancer diagnosis and initial treatment. We are currently developing a qualitative code book to analyze the data for a manuscript.Albert J Farias (albertfa@usc.edu)Student can participate in qualitative data analysis and manuscript writing. 
Zumberge Award
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Evidence-Based Quality ImprovementThe project provides the Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation & Policy (CSHIIP) at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) with a Scoping Review on the use of Evidence-Based Quality Improvement (EBQI) as an implementation strategy for evidence-based practices.Susanne Hempel (susanneh@usc.edu)OngoingStudents can participate in data collection, analysis, and manuscript writingDepartment of Veterans Affairs
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High Utilizers of Health CareThe project will prepare an Expert Panel, a Landscape Review, and a Journal Manuscript on High Utilizers of Health Care. How high utilizers are defined and consequently identified and addressed is a key decisional dilemma for healthcare delivery organizations. The project aims to provide a conceptual underpinning of high utilization to outline the complexity of the topic and to map implicit distinctions between avoidable and unavoidable high utilization.Susanne Hempel (susanneh@usc.edu)OngoingStudents can participate in data collection, analysis, and manuscript writingDepartment of Veterans Affairs
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HIV StigmaThe project will conduct a systematic review of stigma frameworks, stigma measures, and evidence of stigma in healthcare and law.Susanne Hempel (susanneh@usc.edu)OngoingStudents can participate in data collection, analysis, and manuscript writingInternational AIDS Society
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Provider-to-provider supportThe project is conducting a scoping review of conceptual papers of peer-to-peer support in professional environments, an evidence map of peer-to-peer support in the workplace, and a systematic review of healthcare provider-to-provider interventions.Susanne Hempel (susanneh@usc.edu)OngoingStudents can participate in data collection, analysis, and manuscript writingOffice of the Secretary of Defence
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Care System CoordinationThe project will prepare an Expert Panel, a Landscape Review, and a Journal Manuscript on care coordination between providers that work in different healthcare systems (e.g., VHA and community care). Susanne Hempel (susanneh@usc.edu)OngoingStudents can participate in data collection, analysis, and manuscript writingDepartment of Veterans Affairs
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Evaluation of pulmonary nodulesThe project is supporting a clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and managment of patients with suspected or confirmed pulmonary nodules.Susanne Hempel (susanneh@usc.edu)OngoingStudents can participate in data collection, analysis, and manuscript writingCHEST
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Radation therapy for brain metastasesThe project is conducting a systematic review of radiation therapy for brain metastases.Susanne Hempel (susanneh@usc.edu)OngoingStudents can participate in data collection, analysis, and manuscript writingAHRQ
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Disparities in survivorship care of childhood cancer survivorsThe project conducted a scoping review to identify research in disparities and barriers to care for survivors of childhood cancerSusanne Hempel (susanneh@usc.edu)OngoingStudents can participate in data collection, analysis, and manuscript writingAHRQ
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Primary care productivityThe project conducted a stakeholder panel and a scoping review on primary care productivity to identify definitions and measures of input, output, and productivity in primary care practices.Susanne Hempel (susanneh@usc.edu)OngoingStudents can participate in data collection, analysis, and manuscript writingDepartment of Veterans Affairs
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Medication and depressionThis systematic review is in need of updating but we have many years of research covered.Susanne Hempel (susanneh@usc.edu)OngoingStudents can lead the publication of a journal manuscript updating the data.Office of the Secretary of Defence
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Chronic Disease Management Safety NetThis is a 5-year grant to develop approaches to help safety-net primary care clinics deliver better chronic disease care (e.g. for hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia) through technical support and community care management programs.Michael Hochman (Michael.Hochman@med.usc.edu)activeThere are a variety of ways students could become involved and develop a scholarly project as part of this initiative.LA County Department of Public Health
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Dementia Care at AltaMed Health Services:AltaMed is the state’s largest community health center with 42 sites throughout Southern California. The Gehr Center has a grant to evaluate an intervention aimed at supporting caretakers of low-income Latino patients with dementia.Michael Hochman (Michael.Hochman@med.usc.edu)activeA student could help analyze the dataACL
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The Financial Burden of Home DialysisTo investigate the burden of financial hardship on home dialysis (and vice versa). The project will survey patients undergoing dialysis to explore how financial hardship impacts their ability to perform home dialysis. We will also measure the burden of home dialysis on patients’ financial well-being and the burden placed on caregivers.Eugene Lin (Eugene.Lin@med.usc.edu)Not startedA student project could involve survey development and contacting and surveying patients (Project likely not available for summer)None12/3/2020
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Financial Relationships between Nephrologists and Dialysis FacilitiesTo investigate how medical directorships and joint ventures influence nephrologists’ referral patterns. Dialysis is a “safe harbor” from Stark Laws’ prohibition against self-referral. The project will assess whether nephrologists’ financial relationships with dialysis facilities lead to adverse prescribing / referring behavior.Eugene Lin (Eugene.Lin@med.usc.edu)OngoingA student project could involve collection of data (e.g., identifying active medical directorships), analytic design, and analysisSchaeffer Center, part of the Value of Life Sciences Innovation Project12/3/2020
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Dialysis Facility Specialization and its Impact on Home Dialysis SuccessTo investigate whether Medicare payment reform led to a restructuring of dialysis facilities (specifically specialization in home dialysis services) and whether such specialization improves patient outcomesEugene Lin (Eugene.Lin@med.usc.edu)OngoingA student project could involve analytic design, analysis, and writing up of results.Funder: NIDDK (K08 award)12/3/2020
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Helping End All Loneliness (HEAL): A Human-Centered Design Approach to Addressing Social Isolation at LAC + USCOur aim is to understand the characteristics of social isolation and loneliness among hospitalized patients and the resources needed to address it. Chase Coffey (CCoffeyJr@dhs.lacounty.gov)PausedA student project could involve survey dissemination, data collection, qualitative and quantitative analysis, measuring follow-up from the e-referral process and identifying additional community-based resources to connect patients to. 
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Diabetes and chronic disease prevention at the LAC-USC Wellness CenterLAC-Wellness Center is an organization with 16 community-based regional, state and national organizations which address the local patient community’s wellness through prevention, chronic illness management and social determinants of health. The KSOM primary program medical students run a 12 week Fall and Spring semester patient nutrition program to teach nutrition, wellness and cooking for chronic disease management at the Wellness Center.Jo Marie Reilly (jmreilly@usc.edu)ongoing Student needed to sort quantitative and qualitative student and patient data to analyze the effectiveness of the intervention on both (1)patient’s knowledge and perceived behavior change post classes and (2)primary care medical students understanding, knowledge, and confidence teaching patient’s the role of nutrition in primary care disease management prevention. Anticipated paper/poster/peer reviewed journal submission from this work.none
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Exercise and chronic disease improvement at the LAC-USC Wellness CenterLAC-Wellness Center is an organization with 16 community-based regional, state and national organizations which address the local patient community’s wellness through prevention, chronic illness management and social determinants of health. The KSOM primary program students run a 10 week Fall and Spring semester patient exercise program to teach strength training and exercise to LAC-USC patients/staff  as a means of chronic disease management and prevention.Jo Marie Reilly (jmreilly@usc.edu)ongoing Student needed to sort quantitative and qualitative student and patient data to analyze the effectiveness of the intervention on both (1) patient’s knowledge and perceived behavior change post classes and (2) primary care students understanding, knowledge, and confidence teaching patients exercise for primary care disease management and prevention. Anticipated paper/poster/peer reviewed journal submission from this work.
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Understanding Diabetes Diagnosis Status among Patients at FQHC ClinicsGoal: This is a secondary data analysis, using de-identified clinical data (N=6,702 patients with diabetes and about= 2,968 patients with uncontrolled diabetes (A1c ≥ 9%) or (44.3%)) , to describe trends on minor and adult patient diabetes rates and predictors of poor health outcomes across a network of 25 clinics belonging to a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The goals of the study are to: 1) describe the socio-demographics characteristics of patients at high versus low controlled diabetes status and, 2) examine variation in diabetes rates based on clinician and site characteristics.Monica Perez Jolles, PhD (mjolles@usc.edu)In the last phase - Data reporting and plans for PCORI application in the summer for next phaseChristian Hong (student) involved on each aspect of the projectnone12/15/2020
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Staff benefits of implementing a “No One Dies Alone (NODA)” program - reducing RN stress and burnout.More info on the NODA program: https://www.crescentavalleyweekly.com/between-friends/08/22/2019/no-one-dies-alone-noda-compassionate-companions-usc-vhh/Jennifer Boozer, D.O. (jennifer.boozer@med.usc.edu)Project not yet startedup to 2 students will develop a survey to rate shift stress, support, engagement, etc. between nurses with patients enrolled in the NODA program vs those not.none3/9/2021
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What does aging and end-of-life look like for persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness?Qualitative interviews on aging, illness, and dying among 30 persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness and cared for by the USC street medicine team. Alexis Coulourides Kogan, (acoulour@usc.edu)Data collection phase (interviews in progress)Assist with qualitative data analysis, manuscript development, developing interview protocol for stakeholders, conducting stakeholder interviewsnone/HRSA12/02/2020
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Qualitative study of mental health care during COVID Interviews of Keck psychatrists and psychologist about experiences during COVIDBarbara J Turner (turnerb@med.usc.edu)
in progress but might be updated next summer
conducting interviews none3/24/21
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Evaluate medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in Indian Health ProgramsAssist with gathering qualitative data at IHPs. analyze data, and develop statewide department and community reports, with the potential to co-author a manuscriptBarbara J Turner (turnerb@med.usc.edu)underway qualitative and quantitative data analysis none3/24/21
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Assessment of trends among asylum seekers using the Keck Human Rights DatabaseDescriptive anaylsis of cases within the Keck Human Rights Clinic database covering cases from 2017-present to understand policy changes and their effects on asylum seekers' healthTodd Schneberk (todd.schneberk@med.usc.edu)not startedData abstraction and secondary analysis of cases within the KHRC databasenone
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Literature review of community violence and hospital based violence intervention programsComprehensive literature review of hospital based programs to prevent and treat community violenceTodd Schneberk (todd.schneberk@med.usc.edu)not startedassisting with literature review and investigation of qi metrics for HBVIP programsnone
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