The aim of the project is to conduct a pragmatic pilot trial of a CIH-based stepped care approach v. treatment as usual in two primary care settings (one rural and one urban). The pilot trial will focus on feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness for providers and patients (e.g., randomization, retention, and treatment satisfaction) of the stepped care approach versus usual care (n=30 per site, N=60 total). Primary clinical outcomes are pain interference and PTSD symptoms at 6-months.
Geographic Area: WWAMI Region
Behaviors and Executive Skills in T21 (BEST21)
We are conducting a study to understand the role of problem-solving in challenging behaviors for children with Down syndrome so that we can better understand the development of and treat these behaviors. If you agree to participate, this study will involve questionnaires, some of which may be completed at home. You would also attend an in-person visit that involves measuring your child’s naturally-occurring brain activity with EEG as well as cognitive assessments. We would schedule your visit around your schedule to the best of our ability and we can schedule this visit in a location that is convenient for you (UW, home visits, etc.). Participants will receive an $80 gift card to thank them for their time.
Developing a hospital-based treatment engagement program for Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) frequently results in serious illness, injuries, and hospitalizations. Surviving illness or injuries related to alcohol use can motivate behavior change that could be harnessed through treatment engagement for AUD in the hospital; however, in general hospital settings, patients are rarely presented with more than a piece of paper with phone numbers to call for help with their drinking. This project is focused on designing and evaluating a shared decision making approach for AUD treatment in hospitalized patients. We are interviewing people who are hospitalized with complications of AUD to better understand their unique needs and preferences. We are using the knowledge gained from interviews with patients to adapt a paper-based decision aid that was originally designed to help clinic patients think about changing their drinking, and creating an interactive web-based interface, tailored to hospitalized patients. We will then evaluate the use and effectiveness of this new online decision aid for engaging hospitalized patients in AUD treatment. The overarching goal of this research is to more effectively use hospitalizations to bridge individuals to long-term, potentially lifesaving AUD care.
Identifying and treating loneliness in young adults in primary care
Loneliness, defined as the feeling of insufficient personal relationships, affects over 20% of young adults. Those with loneliness are more depressed and anxious and have poorer educational outcomes. Cognitive behavioral therapy and social navigation can successfully treat loneliness but previous studies have mostly looked at older adults.
The objective of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of identifying and alleviating loneliness in young adults identified in primary care practices. This project will screen young adults ages 18-25 presenting in primary care for loneliness and pilot the interventions of cognitive behavioral therapy and social navigation for those who test positive for loneliness.
Workforce Innovation and Leadership in Forensic Mental Health
The Center for Mental Health, Policy, and the Law (CMHPL), through an operations grant, is developing programming in Workforce Innovation and Leadership in Forensic Mental Health to address the forensic mental health workforce shortage.
The CMHPL anticipates the programming will have a direct impact on recruitment and retention of mental health professionals who work in forensic settings, as well as other public sector and psychiatric leadership roles. Through development of high-quality training, mentorship, consultation, and leadership development programming, the CMHPL is growing the number of clinicians with knowledge and aptitude to work with persons involved in the criminal justice system. In turn, this will engender high-quality patient services to improve access and care delivery to persons involved with the justice system and reduce the risk of prolonged or repeated cycles through the system.
Suicide risk screening in acute and intensive care at a Level 1 Trauma Center
Patients hospitalized for medical, surgical, or traumatic injury reasons at Harborview Medical Center are universally screened for suicide risk. The present research will advance knowledge about the practices occurring at this large healthcare institution serving the public and social safety net population and set the groundwork necessary for conducting future research designed to improve services not only at Harborview but at similar institutions across the U.S. A team led by Doyanne Darnell, PhD, and Imara West (Research Scientist at Data Quest) will capture population-level electronic health record (EHR) data on suicide screening rates and outcomes among medically hospitalized patients for a 1-year period and gain insight into the context of the data captured through focus groups with acute/intensive care nurses.
The UW Medical Student Addiction Research (MedStAR) program to address substance use disorders in urban and rural communities in five western states
This project will create a mentored research training program for University of Washington medical students to engage in substance use disorder-focused research and clinical practice during their medical school training.
Patient-centered team-based primary care to treat opioid use disorder, depression, and other conditions (PC2Too)
This project will develop a telephonic collaborative care model for opioid use disorder and depression and then conduct a pragmatic trial to test the model of care management primary care clinics in Washington state and Indiana.
Project WISE (Workplace Integrated Support & Education)
The overarching purpose of the research is to adapt and pilot test a technology-enhanced training for hospital nurses in the delivery of a suicide prevention intervention with patients hospitalized for medical reasons.
Rural Mental Health Integration Initiative (RMHII)
The RMHII is a partnership between the AIMS Center and Premera Blue Cross to expand access to evidence-based mental health treatment in rural areas. The AIMS Center will lead clinic selection, training, technical assistance, and practice coaching for up to 30 primary care clinics in rural Washington and Alaska.
