University of Colorado Denver:

Department of Family Medicine

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Considering an MSA Project with DFM?

Research in primary care most often incorporates two fundamental strategies:

  1. Improving how our health care is rendered through health care services research and health policy development.
  2. Improving quality of care and outcomes by conducting studies in the practice setting through practice-based research networks.

To view specific research project opportunities within the Department of Family Medicine, please view our current MSA Project Options list.

 


Research Opportunities in Family Medicine

Practice-Based Research Networks
Effectiveness and Outcomes Research
Healthcare Informatics
Health Policy
Family Physicians Inquiries Network (FPIN)

Practice-Based Research Networks

  • High Plains Research Network (HPRN) focuses on providing excellent rural health care
  • Colorado Research Network (CaReNet) seeks to improve health care of disadvantaged populations
  • Building Investigative Practices for Better Health Outcomes (BIGHORN) seeks to enhance the quality, safety, efficiency, and accessibility of health care
  • These networks emphasize patient safety, practice redesign, and practice behavior change.

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Effectiveness and Outcomes Research

  • Colorado Health Outcomes program (COHO) conducts and evaluates interventions that improve population health and the overall quality of health.
  • Compare costs and effectiveness associated with pharmaceuticals and devices.

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Healthcare Informatics

  • Study health information exchange.
  • DARTNet - the Distributed Network for Ambulatory Research in Therapeutics - examines innovative uses for electronic health records to advance primary care and for research and surveillance.

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Health Policy

  • Study public health. For example, help with an annual assessment of the performance of a state tobacco control program.
  • Community research: work with communities (such as the Greater Stapleton area) to improve population health with community leaders and residents
  • Examine health behavior counseling costs and reimbursement.

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Family Physicians Inquiries Network (FPIN)

  • Help develop resources unique to the needs of family physicians.
  • Co-author a PEPID answer through a critical appraisal of literature.
  • Work with FPIN authors and editors to keep medical content up to date.
  • Contribute to Palm or Pocket PC tools for primary care physicians for point-of-care use.

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Learn More About DFM Research

Review our list of recent publications.