Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) covers many fields, but much of what we do is health services research. That means we’re studying what really works — and what doesn't — in health care, with a focus on achieving aims including better population health, improved patient experience, and lower health care costs.
It all starts with Kaiser Permanente Washington’s learning health system, where research and practice work side by side to inform and improve each other. Researchers benefit from Kaiser Permanente Washington’s comprehensive capture of rich information about patients’ health, use of health care, and costs. Clinical leaders benefit from rigorous evaluations of novel innovations in care delivery and provider reimbursement.
“Together, we are learning what it takes to quickly translate what works into our health system — and track the long-term effects on outcomes that matter to patients, clinicians, and policymakers,” said David Arterburn, MD, MPH, a senior investigator. Here are just a few examples:
The impact of our health services research is extensive. Being part of the Kaiser Permanente system, along with our membership in the Health Care Systems Research Network, the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium, and other national and international collaborations increases the size and diversity of our study populations. These connections also help KPWHRI shape care and policy beyond the Kaiser Permanente Washington system.
Henrikson NB, Lau RW, Tuzzio L, Christianson M, Phan TH, Chen E. Treatment prices at the point of care in a clinical oncology service: pilot project. J Oncol Pract. 2016 Oct;12(10):e957-e963. PubMed
Henrikson NB. Experiences of social scientists in health research settings: SBM Leadership Institute. Transl Behav Med. 2020;10(4):902-904. doi: 10.1093/tbm/ibaa065. PubMed
Hernandez Avila M, Walker AM, Romieu I, Spiegelman DL, Perera DR, Jick H. Choice of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in persons treated for dyspepsia. Lancet. 1988;2(8610):556-9. PubMed
Hernandez SE, Taylor L, Grembowski D, Reid RJ, Wong E, Nelson KM, Liu CF, Fihn SD, Hebert PL. A first look at PCMH implementation for minority veterans: room for improvement. Med Care. 2016;54(3):253-61. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000000512. PubMed
Herrman H, Patrick DL, Diehr P, Martin ML, Fleck M, Simon GE, Buesching DP. Longitudinal investigation of depression outcomes in primary care in six countries: the LIDO study. Functional status, health service use and treatment of people with depressive symptoms. Psychol Med. 2002;32(5):889-902. PubMed
David E. Arterburn, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
Rita Mangione-Smith, MD, MPHExecutive Director and Senior Investigator, KPWHRI; Vice President for Research and Health Care Innovation, Kaiser Permanente Washington |
Robert Penfold, PhDSenior Investigator |
James D. Ralston, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
Katie Coleman, MSPHDirector, ACT Center |
Katharine A. Bradley, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
Paula Lozano, MD, MPHSenior Investigator; Director, ACT Center |
Jessica Chubak, PhDSenior Investigator |
Karen Wernli, PhDSenior Investigator |
Erin J. Bowles, MPHDirector, Collaborative Science |
Gwen Lapham, PhD, MPH, MSWAssistant Investigator |
Melissa L. Anderson, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
Eric Johnson, MSSenior Collaborative Biostatistician |
Lorella Palazzo, PhDSenior Collaborative Scientist |
Paula R. Blasi, MPHCollaborative Scientist |
Yates Coley, PhDAssociate Biostatistics Investigator |
Joseph E. Glass, PhD, MSWAssociate Investigator |
Paige D. Wartko, PhD, MPHSenior Collaborative Scientist |
Leah K. Hamilton, PhDSenior Collaborative Scientist |
Chloe Krakauer, PhDCollaborative Biostatistician |
Claire Allen, MPHManager, Collaborative Science |
Theresa E. Matson, PhD, MPHCollaborative Scientist |
Nora Henrikson, PhD, MPHAssociate Investigator |
Douglas A. Conrad, PhD, MBA, MHA
Health Services and Dental Public Health Sciences
Center for Health Management Research
Finance and Business Economics
University of Washington (UW)
David Grembowski, PhD
Health Services and Dental Public Health Sciences
Adjunct Professor, Sociology, UW
Larry Kessler, ScD
UW Department of Health Services
Emily Williams, PhD, MPH
UW Department of Health Services; VA Health Services Research & Development Center of Excellence