Research Initiatives
Research activities within the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health have achieved national recognition related to:
- the needs and health service use patterns of women and children;
- homeless families;
- clinical prevention and screening approaches;
- youth access to tobacco and nicotine dependence;
- international health medical education;
- work-related health and safety;
- health outcomes and disability;
- health policy;
- chronic pain;
- correctional health;
- mental health services;
- behavioral medicine; and
- physician-patient relationships/communication
The research program is built around a team of experienced, motivated researchers working on common themes running throughout the department's clinical and teaching activities. Their work is supported by the department's research infrastructure and their mentorship encourages others to develop and utilize new research skills. Educational opportunities for research mentorship currently exist at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as for junior faculty in the department.
The department is currently expanding research and scholarly activities by strengthening the research infrastructure, increasing the number of research faculty, and enhancing collaborations with other academic departments and institutions. The department's ongoing commitment to program enrichment will further enhance efforts to improve the health status of our patients and communities and strengthen our clinical and educational programs.