Our Research

The U.S. healthcare system has evolved from focusing on delivering services to focusing on improving individual patients' health. Our research focuses on identifying and implementing strategies to deliver high quality care, based on an individual patient's values and preferences. 

The "Why" behind our Research:

At the VOICES Health Policy Research Center, our research is patient-focused and patient-driven. We envision a health care system where patients and their unique perspectives and values are at the heart of every decision. 

Our aim is to create tools 1) that empower patients to make healthcare decisions that align with their values, 2) inform measurement tools to assess the quality of care for an individual patient, and 3) improve outcomes that are important to patients.

 To learn more about our Global Health research, please visit our website: Sustainable Global Surgery.

 

Shared Decision Making


Engaging patients in the decision-making process can improve patient outcomes. Our research focuses on analyzing the shared decision- making process to improve its implementation and efficacy.

Example research questions:

What is the best way to assess the shared decision-making process?

What are the barriers to implementing shared decision making in orthopaedic surgery?

How do physicians best elicit what is most important to patients when making a decision?

Definitions of Quality


The measurement tools to assess “quality” of care have historically been defined by health systems and physicians – not patients. We aim to change that.

Example research questions:

How do patients define quality of care?

What are patient-centered quality measures?

Value and Cost in Healthcare


Healthcare spending in the U.S. continues to grow, especially in the field of orthopaedics. Patients are often left out of the discussion of cost of care and “value.” We engage patients to ensure their perspective is heard and understood to inform health policy.

Example research questions:

Which treatment is most cost effective?

Which treatment is cheaper in the setting of treatment equipoise?

Patient Reported Outcome Measures


Assessing the outcome of a healthcare intervention from the patient perspective makes sense. The best method to do this, however, is not understood. Often times patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are used.

Example research questions:

Do PROMs accurately reflect the patient experience or what’s most important?

How do physicians use PROMs in real time?