Institute on Healthcare Systems

Research

IHS probes key questions facing today's health systems on topics ranging from healthcare financing, provider interactions, workforce trends, and more. Below, find a selection of recent and ongoing work from our researchers. 

Older Adults

Supporting Practices in Respecting Elders (SPIRE) Comparative Effectiveness Trial

An evaluation of two models of primary care for older adults with complex health needs.

Our Team: Jennifer Perloff (Dual Principal Investigator), Karen Donelan (Co-Investigator), Mike Vetter (Project Director), Carie Michael (Project Manager),  Kathy Cook (Program Administrator), Benjamin Koethe (Research Assistant)

Colleagues: Christine Ritchie (Dual Principal Investigator), Steve Bartels (Co-Investigator), Jocelyn Carter (Co-Investigator), Kathryn Corelli (Co-Investigator), and team.

Partners: Massachusetts General Brigham, AtriumHealth Wake Forest Baptist, BaylorScott & White, Griffin Health, Indiana University, Vanderbilt University

Contract awarded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

Evaluating Novel Healthcare Approaches to Nurturing and Caring for Hospitalized Elders (ENHANCE) Comparative Effectiveness Trial

A stepped wedge comparison of delirium prevention protocols among hospitalized older adults.

Our Team: Karen Donelan (Stakeholder Engagement Core Leader), Carie Michael (Project Director), Bella Cameron (Research Assistant)

Colleagues: Sharon Inouye (Dual Principal Investigator), Phil Vlisides (Dual Principal Investigator), Eva Schmitt (Overall Project Director), and team.

Partners: Hebrew SeniorLife Marcus Institute For Aging Research, Allegheny General Hospital, Maine Medical Center, Saddleback Memorial Hospital, Meriter Hospital, University of Michigan Hospital, Hospital of the University of Pensylvania, University of Utah Hospital

Contract Awarded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

Advancing Gender and Income Equity in Long-Term Services and Supports

An examination of gendered barriers to healthy aging in the US.

Related events include the Brandeis Forum on Long Term Services and Supports: Personal Crises, Private Payments, Social Policy.

Our Team: Christine Bishop, Karen Donelan, Jennifer Perloff, Melissa Brown

Grant awarded by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation.

Social Drivers of Healthcare Outcomes

Growth and Decline in SNAP Generosity: Outcome and Equity Implications

An investigation into the health and health equity impacts of fluctuating SNAP benefits resulting from the implementation and rollback of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Our Team: Rajan Sonik (Principal Investigator).

Partners: Altamed Health Services Corporation.

Grant awarded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.

Effects of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program On Racial/Ethnic and Disability Based Healthcare Disparities

An inquiry into the connection between SNAP access, health outcomes, and patterns of healthcare utilization with an eye toward racial, ethnic, and disability equity. 

Our Team: Rajan Sonik (Principal Investigator).

Partners: Altamed Health Services Corporation.

Grant awarded by the National Institutes of Health.

Eliciting Patient Past Experiences of Healthcare Discrimination as a Potential Pathway to Reduce Health Disparities: A Qualitative Study of Primary Care Staff

A study of primary care providers' perceptions of and openness to engaging patients around past experiences of bias and discrimination in healthcare settings.

Our Team: Rajan Sonik

Colleagues: Dharma Cortes, Ana Progovac, Frederick Lu, Esther Lee and team.

Partners: Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Health Alliance Health Equity Lab, Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, and team.

Contract awarded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

Published in Health Services Research.

 Legal Aid Is Essential to Effective Social Care Integration

An analysis of the role of legal aid organizations in identifying health-related social needs.

Our Team: Rajan Sonik

Colleagues: Breena Taira, Sorto Gerson.

Partners: UCLA Medical Center; Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County.

Grants awarded by California Health Care Foundation, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, and National Institute of Nursing Research.

Published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Workforce

Reducing NP Barriers to Value-Based Care

A pilot of risk readiness tools in primary care offices owned by nurse practitioners.

Transitions Out Of Health Sector Employment For Low-Preparation Workers, 2017–2022

Survey research offering insight into employee turnover in roles requiring minimal formal education.

Relational Coordination Collaborative (RCC)

A research community promoting relationship-based task integration. RCC programs include Relating Across Difference, a coaching protocol for clinical units.

 

Changes in Mental Health Services Use Under the ACA in One State: Role of Mental Health Provider Shortages

A study examining how mental health care use changed under Affordable Care Act provisions in the state of California.

 

How Can We Grow The Nurse Supply?

An assessment of a federal incentive program addressing healthcare professional shortage areas.

Burnout to Balance

A comparative effectiveness study of two models to reduce turnover and enhance resilience in the group home workforce.

Economic Evaluations

Cost-Effectiveness of Case Management and Financial Incentives to Increase Participation in Cardiac Rehabilitation

A comparison of approaches to increasing utilization of cost-effective cardiac care.

Our Team: Donald Shapard, Jiaye Shen.

Colleagues: Blair Yant, Deborah Denkmann, Patrick Savage, Robin Collier,  Bryan Katz, Philip Ades, Diann Gaalema.

Primary Partner: University of Vermont

Additional Partner: University of Texas Medical Branch

Grant awarded by National Institutes of Health.

Published in Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention

Economic Evaluation of Wolbachia Deployment in Colombia: A Modeling Study

A cost-effectiveness study of dengue fever prevention in 11 target cities in Colombia.

Our Team: Donald Shepard (Principal Investigator), Yara A. Halasa-Rappel, Samantha R. Lee.

Colleagues:  Carlos William Rincon Perez, Arturo Harker Roa.

Partners: University of the Andes.

Funded by Wellcome Trust via Monash University's World Mosquito Program; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Published in PLos One.

Cost-Effectiveness of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Adolescent Girls in Moscow, Russia

An examination of the economic and health implications of expanding HPV vaccination coverage in Russia.

Our Team: Daria Nefedova, Shiji Valsan, Donald Shepard.

Published in Public Health Challenges.

Finance and Payment

Hospital–Skilled Nursing Facility Integration and Participation in a Bundled Payment Initiative

An original investigation into whether hospitals integrated with skilled nursing facilities are more likely to adopt Medicare bundled payment initiatives.