Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) covers many fields, but much of what we do is health services research. That means we’re studying what really works — and what doesn't — in health care, with a focus on achieving aims including better population health, improved patient experience, and lower health care costs.
It all starts with Kaiser Permanente Washington’s learning health system, where research and practice work side by side to inform and improve each other. Researchers benefit from Kaiser Permanente Washington’s comprehensive capture of rich information about patients’ health, use of health care, and costs. Clinical leaders benefit from rigorous evaluations of novel innovations in care delivery and provider reimbursement.
“Together, we are learning what it takes to quickly translate what works into our health system — and track the long-term effects on outcomes that matter to patients, clinicians, and policymakers,” said David Arterburn, MD, MPH, a senior investigator. Here are just a few examples:
The impact of our health services research is extensive. Being part of the Kaiser Permanente system, along with our membership in the Health Care Systems Research Network, the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium, and other national and international collaborations increases the size and diversity of our study populations. These connections also help KPWHRI shape care and policy beyond the Kaiser Permanente Washington system.
Mafi JN, Parchman M. Low-value care: an intractable global problem with no quick fix. BMJ Qual Saf. 2018 May;27(5):333-336. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2017-007477. Epub 2018 Jan 13. PubMed
Babington JR, Edwards A, Wright A, Dykstra T, Friedman AS, Sethi RK. Patient-reported outcome measures: utility for predicting spinal surgery in an integrated spine practice. PM R. 2017 Dec 26. pii: S1934-1482(16)31066-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2017.12.004. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
Toh S, Rasmussen-Torvik LJ, Harmata EE, Pardee R, Saizan R, Malanga E, Sturtevant JL, Horgan CE, Anau J, Janning CD, Wellman RD, Coley RY, Cook AJ, Courcoulas AP, Coleman KJ, Williams NA, McTigue KM, Arterburn D, McClay J for the PCORnet Bariatric Study Collaborative. The national Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) bariatric study cohort: rationale, methods, and baseline characteristics. JMIR Res Protoc. 2017 Dec 5;6(12):e222. doi: 10.2196/resprot.8323. PubMed
Lapham GT, Lee AK, Caldeiro RM, McCarty D, Browne KC, Walker DD, Kivlahan DR, Bradley KA. Frequency of cannabis use among primary care patients in Washington state. J Am Board Fam Med. 2017 Nov-Dec;30(6):795-805. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2017.06.170062. PubMed
Darnell D, Dorsey CN, Melvin A, Chi J, Lyon AR, Lewis CC. A content analysis of dissemination and implementation science resource initiatives: what types of resources do they offer to advance the field? Implement Sci. 2017;12(1):137. doi: 10.1186/s13012-017-0673-x. PubMed
![]() David E. Arterburn, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
![]() Rita Mangione-Smith, MD, MPHExecutive Director and Senior Investigator, KPWHRI; Vice President for Research and Health Care Innovation, Kaiser Permanente Washington |
![]() Robert Penfold, PhDSenior Investigator |
![]() James D. Ralston, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
![]() Katie Coleman, MSPHDirector, ACT Center |
![]() Katharine A. Bradley, MD, MPHSenior Investigator |
![]() Paula Lozano, MD, MPHSenior Investigator; Director, ACT Center |
![]() Jessica Chubak, PhDSenior Investigator |
![]() Karen Wernli, PhDSenior Investigator |
![]() Erin J. Bowles, MPHDirector, Collaborative Science |
![]() Gwen Lapham, PhD, MPH, MSWAssistant Investigator |
![]() Melissa L. Anderson, MSPrincipal Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Eric Johnson, MSSenior Collaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Lorella Palazzo, PhDSenior Collaborative Scientist |
![]() Paula R. Blasi, MPHCollaborative Scientist |
![]() Yates Coley, PhDAssociate Biostatistics Investigator |
![]() Joseph E. Glass, PhD, MSWAssociate Investigator |
![]() Paige D. Wartko, PhD, MPHSenior Collaborative Scientist |
![]() Leah K. Hamilton, PhDSenior Collaborative Scientist |
![]() Chloe Krakauer, PhDCollaborative Biostatistician |
![]() Claire Allen, MPHManager, Collaborative Science |
![]() Theresa E. Matson, PhD, MPHCollaborative Scientist |
![]() Nora Henrikson, PhD, MPHAssociate Investigator |
Douglas A. Conrad, PhD, MBA, MHA
Health Services and Dental Public Health Sciences
Center for Health Management Research
Finance and Business Economics
University of Washington (UW)
David Grembowski, PhD
Health Services and Dental Public Health Sciences
Adjunct Professor, Sociology, UW
Larry Kessler, ScD
UW Department of Health Services
Emily Williams, PhD, MPH
UW Department of Health Services; VA Health Services Research & Development Center of Excellence