Practice Based Research
Practice-based research (PBR) focuses on improving clinical practice and patient outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of clinical questions and issues that arise in the context of real-world clinical practice, with the aim of generating knowledge that can be used to inform and improve healthcare practice. Practice-based research typically involves collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and patients, and may use a variety of research methods, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, to gather data and answer research questions.
PBR, supported by the UM Osher Center for Integrative Health, utilizes data generated by clinical interventions, programs, and services. PBR permits the study of the effects of these interventions on a wide range of health conditions. This data is collected as a part of patient care and addresses patient outcomes in the context of their existing care. PBR can therefore address patient care in the “real world.”
Integrative Health Medical Education Research
Our goal is to perform quantitative and qualitative research to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of integrative health education at the University of Miami and beyond. Our research includes studies on integrative health curriculum design, teaching methods, assessment strategies, faculty development, student learning outcomes, and the impact of integrative health educational interventions on patient care and outcomes.
- Integrative health (IH) medical student four-week rotation research. The IH rotation provides didactic and experiential education in integrative health, bringing conventional and complementary approaches together with a goal of optimal patient health and healing. This IRB approved study performs focus groups and survey assessments with medical student rotation attendees to measure feasibility, acceptability, impact, and student well-being (Karen Koffler, M.D.; Teresa Glynn, PT, DPT, MBA; Anisha Durve, DOM; Laura Redwine, Ph.D.).
- Cooking Up Health: culinary medicine series research. The Osher Center for IH is partnering with “Common Threads” (a nonprofit) to provide a culinary medicine educational opportunity for medical students, physical therapy students, and residents. The three-class series will include chef led instruction in cooking skills, and a didactic curriculum on nutrition and health. Additionally, attendees will go into Miami public schools to teach middle school children about nutrition. We will assess series attendees for improvements in nutrition knowledge and patient dietary counseling (Teresa Glynn, PT, DPT, MBA; Karen Koffler, M.D.; Laura Redwine, Ph.D.).