GRECC Investigator part of group awarded " Best of " at International Meeting
On July 8, 2008 in Paris, GRECC Investigator, Ted Johnson, MD, MPH,
was a second author on a presentation that was awarded Best of
Awarded Presentations sponsored by Novartis/Procter & Gamble.
The award was given as part of the 4th International Consultation
on Incontinence (ICI), a World Health Organization sponsored
consensus conference.
Lead author Mathias Pfisterer of Germany presented the abstract “Urinary
incontinence treatment preferences of geriatric patients: A study in
hospitalized cognitively competent older adults 80 years and Older” to
the Consultation. Eliciting preferences for urinary incontinence treatments
is an agreed upon initial aspect of the work up for urinary incontinence, yet
it is not performed as often as it should be. There is very little published on
the topic of treatment preferences particularly among older, frail adults.
The objectives of the study were to elicit preferences for differenturinary
incontinence (UI) treatments, to contrast these answers with answers
from potential health proxies and providers, and to understand how select
demographic factors might explain differences in patients' preferences. Six
forced-choice paired comparisons of four UI treatments (diapers, catheters,
medications, toileting assistance) were offered to respondents. One hundred
seventeen patients (mean age 85), 72 staff members, and 71 family members
participated.The work demonstrated several important findings. In general,
treatment of UI through use of an indwelling urinary catheter was not a
favored treatment by patients, providers, or their family members. Although
some treatments (such as catheters) might be considered unpopular, they
are preferred by some patients. These first two findings reinforced findings
from demonstrated in U.S. nursing homes and published in 2001.
The study design allowed additional questions to be addressed. Patient’s
preferences were not predicted well by others who might serve as proxy
decision makers (except spouses), emphasizing the importance of asking
the patient. Finally, the work showed that having had a treatment in the
past increased the likelihood of preferring that treatment in the future.
Dr. Pfisterer had traveled to Atlanta to meet with Dr. Joseph Ouslander at
the VA as part of a career development activity. The full work is published
in article form in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Vol 55,
pages 2016-22.
Veterans Affairs and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Collaborate to
Bolster Availability of Top Caliber Physician Researchers
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced
a collaborative agreement with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF),
the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health
care for all Americans, for a mentoring program designed to bolster the
availability of top caliber physician researchers.
Under the agreement, five VA senior investigators from the VA’s Research
and Development program will serve on the RWJF Physician Faculty Scholars
national advisory committee, acting as mentors to VA and non-VA Physician
Faculty Scholars and participating in the general oversight and direction of the
Physician Faculty Scholars program. One of the five physicians is Mary K.
Goldstein, M.D., M.S. in HSR, Director, Geriatrics Research Education
and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System.
In addition, five outstanding junior faculty who are selected for the VA Research
Career Development Program will be eligible to participate in the RWJF’s Physician
Faculty Scholars program. The first group of VA Scholars will be selected for the
three-year Physician Faculty Scholars program in March 2009, with appointments
beginning July 1, 2009.
“This collaborative agreement will combine experience and ingenuity to further
advance the knowledge of investigators, ultimately leading to advancements in
health care for veterans and for all Americans,” said Joel Kupersmith, M.D., VA
research and development chief operating officer.
There is a growing demand for physicians who have the knowledge and research
experience necessary to shorten the time between research advances and their
effective application in treating patients. The VA and RWJF have a long history
of fostering top investigators to meet the demand. In the VA alone, there have
been three Nobel Laureates and six Lasker award recipients.
“This joint mentoring program will help to ensure the availability of top quality
investigators for the nation at large,” said Jeane Ann Grisso, M.D., senior program
officer for the RWJF Physician Faculty Scholars program. “The VA Scholars’ focus on
veteran health care issues will bring a new dimension to the Physician Faculty
Scholars program.”
VA’s Research Career Development Program was established to provide mentoring
for junior VA researchers so that they can learn from renowned, experienced VA
researchers. Under the program, awardees have 75 percent of the time covered
for five years to do research, and may receive additional research funds.
Researchers who have completed the Career Development Program (CDP) have
gone on to make significant contributions to VA health care in areas such as
racial disparities in health outcomes, medical decision-making, and effective
screening for HIV. Graduates of the CDP have become national and international
leaders in their research fields.
The RWJF Physician Faculty Scholars program is designed to strengthen the
leadership and academic productivity of junior medical faculty who are dedicated
to improving health and health care. Scholars receive funds to support a research
project; at least 50 percent protected timed for three years to do their research;
active mentorship by nationally recognized leaders; and the opportunity to work
with other scholars. Candidates are nominated by the deans of their universities.
The appointees to the RWJF Physician Faculty Scholars national advisory committee
are: Steven M. Asch, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Associate Chief of Staff (ACOS) for
Health Services Research and Development, VA Greater Los Angeles Health
System, Los Angeles,CA; Leonard E. Egede M.D., M.S., Director, Charleston VA
TREP:Understanding Health Disparities, Ralph H. Johnson VAMC, Charleston, SC;
Seth Eisen, M.D., VA Research and Development Office, Director, Health Services
Research and Development,Washington, DC; Mary K. Goldstein, M.D., M.S. in HSR,
Director, Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Palo Alto
Health Care System, Palo Alto,CA; and Laura A.Petersen, M.D., M.P.H., Associate
Professor of Medicine, Principal Investigator, Houston Center for Quality of Care
and Utilization Studies, a VA Health Services Research and Development Center
of Excellence, Houston, TX.
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