Health Services Research

Health Services Research addresses important issues about access to health care, quality and cost, and utilization of health services. This multidisciplinary field of research studies how social factors, financing systems, technologies, organizational structures and processes, and personal behaviors contribute to health and well-being. Research studies often include patients, clinicians, policymakers and the community to innovate and inform health care. Many researchers explore why-if guidelines exist, or interventions were implemented—the problem still exists. Health services research fills the key gap between cures and care.

Health Services Journal Club

SMHS is launching a new, monthly journal club featuring recent health services research publications from top faculty. You’ll keep up with the latest GW research and find new ways to translate knowledge to enhance your clinical practice. Your in-person attendance is highly encouraged.

All are welcome! Come join your colleagues for a lively discussion on today’s most compelling topics.

Health Sciences Research Journal Club Flyer

Where: April 14th, 10-11 am, SMHS Ross Hall, Room #737

Selected Paper:
Hiser SL, Casey K, Nydahl P, Hodgson CL, Needham DM. Intensive care unit acquired weakness and physical rehabilitation in the ICU. BMJ. 2025 Jan 27;388:e077292. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2023-077292. PMID: 39870417.

Speaker(s):
Stephanie Hiser, PT, DPT, PhD, Assistant Professor
Department of Health, Human Function & Rehabilitation Sciences
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine

Contact:
Aiste Gulla, MD, PhD
a.gulla@gwu.edu

View Journal Club Calendar Download Event Flyer

Introduction to Health Services Research Course/ Badge

8 week, self paced, online course starts October 14th, 2024!

For clinicians interested in skills for Health Services Research (HSR)

  • Conceptual models in a learning health system
  • Quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method methodologies
  • Community-based research strategies
  • Utilization of big data/EMR
  • Funding Mechanisms... and more
Introduction to health Services research flyer with information on the course dates and objectives

An Introduction to Health Services Research has been designed for clinicians interested in developing the skills necessary to engage in health services research (HSR). Learners will be introduced to HSR conceptual models in a learning health system, designing a research trajectory, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method methodologies, community-based research strategies, ethical considerations in HSR, utilization of big data/EMR, funding mechanisms as well as writing and dissemination.  Each of the nine modules incorporates case studies, lectures, readings, and discussions with experts. Upon course completion, learners will have the knowledge and skills to begin their personal health services research line of inquiry.

Next Steps:

  1. Register before October 4
  2. Apply for tuition remission as GW faculty/staff

Questions? Contact: Leslie Davidson, PhD, Program Director, ldavidson@gwu.edu

View HSR Course Overview  Download Course Flyer

Health Services Resources
Journal Club Previous articles
March 2025:

Selected Paper:
Borden WB, Wang J, Jones P, et al. Reducing Cardiovascular Risk in the Medicare Million Hearts Risk Reduction Model: Insights From the National Cardiovascular Data Registry PINNACLE Registry. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2022;15(4):e007908. doi:10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.121.007908

Speaker(s):
William Borden, MD, FACC, FAHA
Professor of Medicine and Health Policy, GW SMHS
Chief Quality and Population Health Officer at GW Medical Faculty Associates

February 2025:

Selected Paper:
Cheng Y, Poon AN, Ling Y, Wu WC, Ahmed A, Vasaitis TS, Panjrath G, Edberg M, Gomberg-Maitland M, Yin Y, Nelson SJ, Zeng-Treitler Q. Heart Failure Among Asian American Subpopulations. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Sep 3;7(9):e2435672. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.35672. PMID: 39325451; PMCID: PMC11428018.

Nelson SJ, Yin Y, Trujillo Rivera EA, Shao Y, Ma P, Tuttle MS, Garvin J, Zeng-Treitler Q. Are ICD codes reliable for observational studies? Assessing coding consistency for data quality. Digit Health. 2024 Oct 29;10:20552076241297056. doi: 10.1177/20552076241297056. PMID: 39493629; PMCID: PMC11528819.

Speakers:
Qing Zeng, PhD
Director of Biomedical Informatics Center, Professor, Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, GW SMHS

Stuart Nelson, MD
Clinical Professor, Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, GW SMHS

January 2025:

Selected Paper:
Figueiredo, S., Koch, U., Oliveira, E., & Ennis-Durstine, K. (2023). Implementing complex interventions to mitigate burnout among qualified healthcare professionals: a realist review protocol. BMJ open, 13(1), e067577. 

Speaker:
Sabrina Figueiredo, PhD
Program Director for Health Care Quality, Assistant Professor of Clinical Research and Leadership
School of Medicine and Health Sciences

December 2024:

Selected Paper:
Competency-based training and supervision: development of the WHO-UNICEF Ensuring Quality in Psychosocial and Mental Health Care (EQUIP) initiative. Lancet Psychiatry. 2024 Sep 6:S2215-0366(24)00183-4.

Speaker:
Brandon A. Kohrt, MD, PhD
Charles and Sonia Akman Professor of Global Psychiatry, Director of the Center for Global Mental Health Equity
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences

November 2024:

Selected Paper:
"Initial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physician Assistant Education." J Physician Assist Educ. 2022 Jun 1;33(2):78-86.

Speaker:
Mary Warner, DBH, PA-C
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Physician Assistant Studies
School of Medicine and Health Sciences

October 2024:

Selected Paper:
"Remote Patient Monitoring for Hypertension: Feasibility and Outcomes of a Clinic-Based Pilot in a Minority Population": J Prim Care Community Health. 2023 Jan.

Speaker:
Colton Hood, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine
School of Medicine and Health Sciences

September 2024:

Selected Paper:
Overcoming structural barriers to diffusion of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis

Speaker:
Manya Magnus, M.P.H., Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Epidemiology
Milken Institute School of Public Health