Special Programs
DOM and KFF Offer Residents New Opportunity
This fall, 2nd year residents Sumbul Desai, MD, and Jessica Zhou, MD, will be the first to participate in a new health policy research elective. The 3 month program is a collaboration between the Department of Medicine and the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), a non-profit organization and leader in the analysis of public health policy and dissemination of health information to the public.
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The new program will provide residents access to KFF resources, and direct supervision from a foundation scholar to carry out an individual research project. Tim Meyer MD, was the original the Stanford faculty coordinator. “With proposals to alter American health care on the table, it’s a great opportunity for residents to study with scholars at an organization that advises policy makers and increases awareness in the media and throughout the community.”
The elective is now managed by Residency Associate Program Director Neera Ahuja, MD.
Studies Target Key Topics
Sumbul Desai proposes to examine the relationship between media and health care. She’ll combine medicine and her previous experience in broadcast news to explore issues such as: the effect television, internet and print media has on the health care consumption and health habits of the elderly. Her research will look to highlight the impact these mediums have on the geriatric population and how these mediums can be more effectively utilized to promote positive health changes.
Jessica Zhou is interested in women’s health policy, in particular, the access, coverage, and financing of primary and secondary prevention. She will compare the efficacy of smoking cessation treatments. Her research will also explore the economic feasibility in coverage of smoking cessation by major health insurance plans.
Upon completion, the results of each resident’s project will be shared in a report or journal article. According to Department Chair Ralph Horwitz,MD, the experience is valuable preparation for physicians who will use evidence from policy-based research to make decisions for health care systems.