Wenhao David Huang, professor and associate head, EPOL, has received funding for two research projects from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Huang will serve as co-PI on both projects.
One, funded at nearly $2.1 million, is focused on engagement methods for underrepresented communities in mental health research partnerships. Karen Tabb Dina of the School of Social Work and Beckman Institute is the PI on both grants.
From the project summary: "This study will develop a conceptual framework for engagement methods for communities underrepresented in research partnership and related reporting guidelines to inform future studies. Researchers will also develop a "menu of engagement methods" that will summarize each engagement method, including definition(s), barrier(s) to engagement targeted, fidelity measures available (if any) and synopsis of data available on effectiveness."
The other study, with over $20 million in funding, examines what happens when healthcare- and community-based teams partner to deliver care for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The group aims to ensure that researchers engage with obstetric practices that are in greatest need, test the effectiveness of the partnership, and spread the outcomes to other practices.
From the project summary: "The study is designed to answer the question, "Should we put our resources into a healthcare system approach or a healthcare-community partnership approach to mental health care?" The results of this study will help states and healthcare systems decide how to develop pathways for increasing access to mental health care for pregnant and postpartum women."