RESEARCH BRIEFS

Welch Receives NIH Grant to Use Information Technology to Manage Chronic Diseases

Garry W. Welch, PhD, Baystate’s Director of Behavioral Medicine Research, and his team will develop computerized case management tools to increase clinicians’ effectiveness in counseling patients with chronic conditions, with the goal of improving medical care and quality of life, while lowering the cost of their care.

Using a patient-centered approach called motivational interviewing, the team created a comprehensive tool for diabetes management that incorporates new behavior change strategies along with the typical clinical practice guidelines. Using this existing tool, they plan to develop similar tools for renal failure and bariatric surgery.

Welch’s research group is also exploring ways to collect patient data from home, including digital wireless home monitoring devices that measure blood pressure, blood glucose and weight and transmit data via phone or cable, and an automated phone assessment system that flows their answers into the case management tool.

Researchers at Baystate Awarded Grants from Tufts' Innovations in Education Program

For the second consecutive year, two groups of researchers at Baystate Medical Center have received two of the four grants from Tufts’ new program to foster innovation in medical education.

Mihaela Stefan, MD and Michael Picchioni, MD -  Department of Medicine and Gladys Fernandez, MD and David Page, MD - Department of Surgery
Simulation based Training for Third-year Medical Students – a Combined Medical and Surgical Effort to Link Theory With Practice.
This project will develop simulator-based modules for didactic training of
third year medical students. The partnership between the Medicine and Surgery departments will result in a consistent, combined curriculum that decreases the variability of standard clinical teaching and improves overall clinical performance. Simulation-based training offers students an opportunity to engage in active learning and helps them develop critical thinking, decision-making skills and professional demeanor.

Michael Rosenblum, MD - Department of Medicine
Educational/Career Innovations Curriculum for TUSM Students.
Focusing on team-based care and development of communication skills, the curriculum will include 3 elements: 1) Survival Skills Toolkit that builds skills needed to flourish during clinical rotations; 2) a longitudinal and multi-disciplinary Mentorship/Career Guidance program to create a unique mentoring relationship for each full year TUSM student at Baystate Medical Center; and 3) Multi-disciplinary Clinical Conference series.