Joseph E. Glass, PhD, MSW

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“We need to increase the reach of addiction treatment within health care systems. Many more people could benefit from effective care.”

Joseph E. Glass, PhD, MSW

Associate Investigator, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute

Biography

Joe Glass, PhD, MSW, is an associate investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI). Before joining KPWHRI in July 2016, he was an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Social Work.

Dr. Glass’ research seeks to understand how effective health care interventions for unhealthy alcohol and drug use can reach more people. His research seeks to answer these questions:

  • Why do so few people receive help for their unhealthy drinking and drug use?
  • How can we change this?
  • How can health systems make better use of effective treatments?
  • In what ways could our current treatments for addiction be improved?
  • Is care for unhealthy alcohol use delivered equitably?

Much of Dr. Glass’ recent work, funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute on Drug Abuse, and Kaiser Permanente, is studying approaches for routinely using smartphone and web-based treatments for unhealthy alcohol and drug use in health care. After receiving an MSW from the University of Michigan, Dr. Glass spent three years as a social worker at the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System. As a licensed clinical social worker in a large mental health clinic, he developed expertise in social work case management and evidence-based treatments for anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. Much of his research is driven by his clinical experiences, considering the many people struggling with both mental health difficulties and unhealthy substance use who have yet to receive addiction treatment. 

Dr. Glass is an affiliate assistant professor of health services and of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, at the University of Washington.

Research interests and experience

Recent publications

Magill M, Maisto S, Borsari B, Glass JE, Hallgren K, Houck J, Kiluk B, Kuerbis A. Addictions treatment mechanisms of change science and implementation science: A critical review. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2023 Mar 13. doi: 10.1111/acer.15053. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed

Lee AK, Bobb JF, Richards JE, Achtmeyer CE, Ludman E, Oliver M, Caldeiro RM, Parrish R, Lozano PM, Lapham GT, Williams EC, Glass JE, Bradley KA. Integrating alcohol-related prevention and treatment into primary care: A cluster randomized implementation trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2023 Apr 1;183(4):e227083. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2022.7083. PubMed

Glass JE, Dorsey CN, Beatty T, Bobb JF, Wong ES, Palazzo L, King D, Mogk J, Stefanik-Guizlo K, Idu A, Key D, Fortney JC, Thomas R, McWethy AG, Caldeiro RM, Bradley KA. Study protocol for a factorial-randomized controlled trial evaluating the implementation, costs, effectiveness, and sustainment of digital therapeutics for substance use disorder in primary care (DIGITS Trial). Implement Sci. 2023 Feb 1;18(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s13012-022-01258-9. PubMed

Luderer H, Enman N, Gerwien R, Braun S, McStocker S, Xiong X, Koebele C, Cannon C, Glass J, Maricich Y. A prescription digital therapeutic to support unsupervised buprenorphine initiation for patients with opioid use disorder: Protocol for a proof-of-concept study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2023 Jan 20;12:e43122. doi: 10.2196/43122. PubMed

Frost MC, Hawkins EJ, Glass JE, Hallgren KA, Williams EC. Associations between distinct co-occurring substance use disorders and receipt of medications for opioid use disorder in the Veterans Health Administration. J Addict Med. 2022 Oct 18. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000001095. Online ahead of print. PubMed

 

Research

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Better care for patients who drink alcohol

A new primary care approach improves alcohol-related preventive care as well as care for alcohol use disorder.

healthy findings blog

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Partnering to advance lifesaving care

Amy Lee describes how the LHS Program is helping KP Washington track and improve treatment for opioid use disorder.

innovating care

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Asking patients about cannabis may benefit overall health

Drs. Lapham and Bradley find frequency of cannabis use can be tied to other behavioral health patterns and needs.