Jennifer McClure, PhD,
Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute Director of Research, Faculty, & Development
From decisions about diet and exercise to medication use and smoking, your behavior influences your health. Indeed, if you’re like most people, your health depends more on what you do every day than on what your health care provider can do for you.
But changing behavior can be challenging, especially in the long run. That’s why Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) researchers are helping providers support people in making healthy lifestyle choices.
“Changing unhealthy habits or breaking an addiction can be very difficult,” says Jennifer B. McClure, PhD, KPWHRI senior investigator and director of research, faculty, & development. “Our goal is to make these changes easier for people, so they can live longer and healthier lives. As scientists and clinicians, we want to empower people to take control of their health and well-being. We also want to change the health care system to better support patients’ needs. Ultimately, our aim is to prevent disease, not just treat it.”
KPWHRI’s behavioral medicine research includes:
”Historically our work has tested new forms of counseling, phone-based coaching, and self-help materials,” says Dr. McClure. “With the rise in use of smartphones, we are focusing more on developing mobile Health (mHealth) tools, like smartphone apps, and other technology-based strategies to help people set and achieve their health goals. It’s an exciting time to be a researcher in this field.”
“Our goal in behavioral medicine research is to help patients develop lifelong habits that keep them healthy,” says Senior Investigator Katharine A. Bradley, MD, MPH, who studies alcohol misuse.
Von Korff M, Walker RL, Saunders K, Shortreed SM, Thakral M, Parchman M, Hansen RN, Ludman E, Sherman KJ, Dublin S. Prevalence of prescription opioid use disorder among chronic opioid therapy patients after health plan opioid dose and risk reduction initiatives. Int J Drug Policy. 2017 Jun 27;46:90-98. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.05.053 [Epub ahead of print] PubMed
Bradley KA, Ludman EJ, Chavez LJ, Bobb JF, Ruedebusch SJ, Achtmeyer CE, Merrill JO, Saxon AJ, Caldeiro RM, Greenberg DM, Lee AK, Richards JE, Thomas RM, Matson TE, Williams EC, Hawkins E, Lapham G, Kivlahan DR. Patient-centered primary care for adults at high risk for AUDs: the Choosing Healthier Drinking Options In primary CarE (CHOICE) trial. Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2017 May 17;12(1):15. doi: 10.1186/s13722-017-0080-2. PubMed
Williams EC, Lapham GT, Bobb JF, Rubinsky AD, Catz SL, Shortreed SM, Bensley KM, Bradley KA. Documented brief intervention not associated with resolution of unhealthy alcohol use one year later among VA patients living with HIV. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2017 Jul;78:8-14. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2017.04.006. Epub 2017 Apr 13. PubMed
Campbell CI, Kline-Simon AH, Von Korff M, Saunders KW, Weisner C. Alcohol and drug use and aberrant drug-related behavior among patients on chronic opioid therapy. Subst Use Misuse. 2017 Mar 27:1-9. doi: 10.1080/10826084.2016.1276189. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Watson NL, Heffner JL, McClure JB, Mull KE, Bricker JB. Differential prevalence of established risk factors for poor cessation outcomes among smokers by level of social anxiety. Am J Addict. 2017 Feb 13. doi: 10.1111/ajad.12509. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
 Katharine A. Bradley, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
 Paula Lozano, MD, MPHSr Investigator, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute; Associate Medical Director for Research and Translation & Physician, Pediatrics, Washington Permanente Medical Group |
 Jennifer B. McClure, PhDDirector of Research, Faculty, & Development; Senior Investigator |
 Dori E. Rosenberg, PhD, MPHAssistant Investigator |
 Paul A. Fishman, PhDSenior Investigator |
 Elizabeth H. Lin, MD, MPHAdjunct Researcher, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute; Physician, Washington Permanente Medical Group |
 James D. Ralston, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
 Michael R. Von Korff, ScDSenior Investigator |
 Andrea Hartzler, PhDAssistant Investigator |
 Evette J. Ludman, PhDSenior Research Associate |
 Nora Henrikson, PhD, MPHResearch Associate |
 Judith Schaefer, MPHResearch Associate |
 Ben Balderson, PhDResearch Associate |
 Gwen Lapham, PhD, MPH, MSWResearch Associate |
 Melissa L. Anderson, MSSenior Biostatistician |
 Nicole Van Borkulo, M EdResearch Associate |
 Paula R. Blasi, MPHResearch Associate |
 Leah Tuzzio, MPHResearch Associate |
 Cara C. Lewis, PhD, HSPPAssociate Investigator |
 Joseph E. Glass, PhDAssistant Scientific Investigator |
 Beverly B. Green, MD, MPHAssociate Investigator |
 Julie E. Richards, MPHResearch Associate II |
Sheryl L. Catz, PhD
Professor, Health Care Innovation and Technology, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing
University of California–Davis
Elizabeth Lin, MD, MPH
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington Family Practice;
Kaiser Permanente Washington Research Institute
Sue McCurry, PhD
University of Washington (UW) Department of Psychosocial and Community Health
Emily Williams, PhD, MPH
UW Department of Health Services; VA Health Services Research & Development Center of Excellence
A new senior investigator brings expertise in chronic pain treatment, behavior change, and clinical trials in Kaiser Permanente health systems.
Read about it in News and Events.
Medical Assistant Santino Telles describes an initiative that’s improving patients’ lives — while increasing his joy and pride in his work.
Read it in Healthy Findings.
With funding from the Partnership for Innovation, KPWHRI is evaluating a new technology-based lifestyle program designed by Group Health bariatric surgeons.
Read about it in News and Events.
Medical News Today, June 16, 2014
