Research Projects
Our research interests are focused on understanding Value in Neurology, a ratio of quality or outcomes over cost.
We began with the application and/or the validation of health care quality measures. We hope to contribute to the re-design of healthcare delivery systems, when health care systems reward the value of the care rather than the volume of care provided (i.e. amount of clinical visits).
Another important current research focus is on designing and testing patient-reporting tools for outcome measurement. We aim to increase the efficiency of patient/physician interaction, increase time for patient education, reduce the time and cost of documentation, retain clinical information in an analyzable form and to have longitudinal data that allows for the critical review of outcomes of competing treatments.
These studies should have a positive impact on the health of patients with neurological conditions.
Adherence to Quality Measures
As we begin to move away from this fee-for-service payment method towards a system where the quality of care given is stressed, measures of quality are becoming increasingly important.
We are trying to look at how we provide care to patients with chronic neurological conditions and how to better evaluate physicians’ performance.
Disparities in neurology care
Our goal is to assess the differences in the quality of care experienced by individuals who have private medical coverage to the individuals who receive public medical coverage. This project stems from the concern that although the Medicaid expansion has increased access to care, there is still a lack of research investigating whether or not the people receiving this new affordable care are improving in health.
Associations between Quality and Outcomes
Some examples of quality measures in epilepsy are: checking the number of seizures and the amount of issues because of medications. It is expected that the adherence to these quality measures leads to benefits to patients with epilepsy. This project looks at whether or not these quality measures lead to benefits that matter to patients such as fewer convulsions and a better quality of life.
Patient-reported Outcomes in the Neurology Outpatient Setting
Outcomes directly reported by patients are the most efficient, reliable, and valid assessment of health and delivered care. We aim to develop feasible ways to collect and characterize self-reported patient outcomes in the general neurology clinic population. Examples of the measures include socio-demographic information, current medication list and active mental and physical problems.
Epilepsy Surgery Long-Term Outcomes
This project represents the analysis of the MGH Epilepsy Service surgical data repository. We investigate for trends in seizure outcomes and their relation to basic demographic data and other pertinent clinical data.
The Geriatric Epilepsy Research program
This program focuses on the clinical care of vulnerable elderly patients with multiple neurological problems. We combine granular clinical data to large datasets to assess care quality, safety and efficiency in the care of this special cohort of patients.
Quality of neurological care in the Intensive Care Unit
In the Neuro-ICU, utilization of continuous EEG has significantly expanded over the past several years. We aim to understand the application, utilization and safety of continuous EEG monitoring in the Neuro ICU.
Other projects
In several ways, we work in collaboration with other laboratories.
Our rich ongoing academic partnerships nourish our aims to integrate medical education, clinical care and research.