Section of Decision Sciences

Research

Research conducted by SDS faculty members involves observational cohort studies, qualitative and mixed-methods research, behavioral experimentation, clinical trials, and modeling such as agent-based modeling, equation-based dynamic modeling, and Markov cohort decision analysis. Examples of past and current projects by our faculty include:

Chung-Chou H. (Joyce) Chang, PhD

• Cardiovascular disease mechanisms in HIV infected and uninfected veterans
• Improve outcomes in HIV/AIDS, alcohol, aging, and multi-substance use
• A prospective study on mild cognitive impairment
• Understand race and culture in living donor kidney
• Pediatric acute liver failure studies
• Temporally oriented subjective well-being across transitions—resources and outcomes
• Role of physician networks in the adoption on new prescription drugs
• Modeling strategies for observational CER
• Procalcitonin antibiotic consensus trial
• Late cardiovascular consequences of septic shock

Janel Hanmer, MD, PhD

• Creation of a health utility score for PROMIS
• Validation of health utility scores for population health management using social determinants of health
• Quality adjusted life expectancy estimates for the US general population
• Crosswalks between health utility scores
• Estimating the impact of chronic health conditions in the US general population

Kevin L. Kraemer, MD, MSc

• Cost-effectiveness of screening and brief intervention for unhealthy alcohol use in medical settings
• Health utility ratings for alcohol- and drug-related health states
• Cost-effectiveness of screening for unhealthy alcohol use with % carbohydrate deficient transferrin
• Applying the payoff time framework to carotid artery disease management
• Comparative effectiveness of alcohol and drug treatment in HIV-infected Veterans
• Cost-effectiveness of oral vs. injection naltrexone in the hospital for alcoholism
• Cost-effectiveness of connect-to-quit tobacco intervention among low-income veterans

Tamar Krishnamurti, PhD

• Minimizing adverse pregnancy outcomes using a smartphone app-based behavioral tool
• Creating and evaluating patient-centered informed consent delivery for clinical trial participants
• Synthesizing and communicating quality of scientific evidence
• Motivators and obstacles for delivering pre-exposure prophylaxis to young African women
• Spending choices of participants in a contingency management program in S. Africa

Kenneth J. Smith, MD, MS

• Future of influenza vaccine strategies given interference and choice
• Analyzing adult pneumococcal vaccination implementation in the underserved
• Pragmatic trial of behavioral interventions for insomnia in hypertensive patients
• Mobility and Vitality Lifestyle Program (MOVE UP) for older adults with overweight and obesity
• Cluster randomized trial of a primary palliative care intervention (CONNECT) in advanced cancer
• Alternative strategies for adult pneumococcal vaccination
• Virtual continuity and its impact on complex hospitalized patient care
• Optimal strategies for pelvic inflammatory disease prevention and management
• Enhancing the effectiveness of physical therapy for individuals with knee osteoarthritis
• Diabetes cost-effectiveness core
• Quality of life utility values for erectile dysfunction

Search NIH RePORTER by faculty name for up-to-date information about our NIH-funded projects.