Summaries of Independent Scientist (K) Awards

Persell, Stephen

Institution: Northwestern University
Grant Title: Tailored Communication to Reduce Cardiovascular Risk
Grant Number:  K08 HS15647
Duration: 5 years (2006-2011)
Total Award: $630,000

Project Description: This project has four main aims:

1. Evaluate the accuracy of automated assessments using the coded portions of an electronic medical record (EMR) compared with clinical chart review of the entire EMR for vardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
2. Determine primary care physicians' attitudes about the content and logistical elements of a direct-to-patient CV message system.
3. Develop tailored print messages that provide patients with individualized CV information.
4. Test the feasibility and efficacy of a direct-to-patient quality improvement system.

Career Goals: Dr. Persell is an Instructor in medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.  He received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School and his M.P.H. from Harvard School of Public Health.  He did his internship and residency in internal medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.  The grantee plans on becoming an independent health services researcher and expert in quality improvement for cardiovascular disease prevention and control in ambulatory care.

Progress to Date: Dr. Persell has completed the objectives of Phase 1 of the research protocol by comparing HER-based assessment with manual chart review to determine the accuracy of automated cardiac risk estimation and determination of candidates for antiplatelet or lipid-lowering interventions.  The research team is preparing protocols for the physician focus groups to determine primary care physicians' attitudes about the content and logistical elements of a direct-to-patient cardiovascular message system and the obstacles they perceive to implementing such a system into routine primary care.

Future Plans: The grantee will conduct and analyze results from the physician focus groups to determine the content for the physician survey.  He will continue his independent study of health communication as well as his small clinical commitment.

Highlights and Specific Accomplishments:

• Milton W. Hamolsky Junior Faculty Award, Society of General Internal Medicine, 2004.

K-Generated Publications: None thus far.

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