The Department of Health Services Research conducts behavioral studies that influence medical care in two distinct but important ways.

First, the department studies why people engage in high-risk behavior and how to channel them in healthier directions. Why, for example, do some patients fail to properly take medications that can prevent asthma symptoms? Could allowing them to participate more actively in their health care decisions improve adherence to treatment?

Second, researchers study how to motivate physicians and other care providers to try new approaches to patient care despite deeply ingrained practice patterns - advancing patient care by changing the behavior of those who provide it. Department researchers currently focus their efforts in two primary areas: advancing asthma care and preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

They also help conduct projects in PAMF's clinics and throughout Sutter Health designed to improve care and outcomes for conditions such as prostate cancer and asthma.

Researchers and Staff

• Sandra R. Wilson, Ph.D., Chair, Senior Staff Scientist
  
• Jun Ma, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Staff Scientist
  
• Sarah Knowles, Ph.D., Research & Publications Coordinator
  
• Qiwen Huang, M.S., Research Analyst
  
• Veronica Luna, B.A., Research Assistant II
  
• Debbie Schide, Research Assistant II
  
• Kathy Stamm, B.S., Department Manager

Back to top