The University of Nebraska Medical Center will host a series
of speakers whose presentations will focus on outcomes research,
a method by which the effectiveness of health-care delivery
systems can be measured in terms of cost-effectiveness.
The lectures will be held on UNMC’s Omaha campus and
broadcast live to sites in Lincoln, Grand Island, Kearney and
Scottsbluff.
Outcomes research includes measuring the effectiveness of a
new treatment for kidney disease, said Keith Mueller, Ph.D.,
professor and chief of preventive and societal medicine. For
example, the new treatment would be measured by the health of the
patient, then compared with an existing treatment. The cost of
the new treatment would also be analyzed to determine whether or
not it represents a worthy investment.
The following is a list of the speakers:
• March 5 — Robert Kane, M.D., professor,
division of health services research and policy, and director of
the Clinical Outcomes Research Center at the University of
Minnesota. Dr. Kane’s presentation is titled, "The
Design of Effective Outcomes Research."
• March 31 — Deborah Freund, Ph.D., vice
chancellor for academic affairs and director of the Bowen
Research Center at the University of Indiana. Dr. Freund’s
presentation is titled, "Outcomes Research: Experiences of a
Patient Outcomes Research Team."
• April 7 — Mark Chassin, M.D., chair, department
of health policy, senior vice president
for clinical quality at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
Dr. Chassin’s presentation is titled, "Quality
Improvement and Outcomes Research: Making a Difference in
Clinical Practice."
• Sept. 15 — David Nash, M.D., director of the
offi ce of health policy and clinical outcomes at Thomas
Jefferson University Hospital, and associate dean for health
policy at Jefferson Medical College. Dr. Nash’s presentation
is titled, "Maintaining a Successful Outcomes Assessment and
Research Program."
• Oct. 20 — Brent James, M.D., executive director
for the Institute for Health Care Delivery Research at
InterMountain Health Care. Dr. James’ presentation is
titled, "Using Clinical Evidence to Establish and Follow
Best Practices."
The speakers will present in UNMC’s Eppley Science Hall
Amphitheater in Omaha at noon. In addition, the sessions will be
broadcast live at noon in Lincoln, Grand Island, Kearney and in
Scottsbluff at 11 a.m. The presentations will be broadcast to the
following locations:
Lincoln — Noon, UN-L Campus Television, Channel 3;
Noon, Nebraska State Government Television System, Channel 4;
Noon, UNMC College of Dentistry, Room 11;
Kearney — Noon, Rural Health Education Distance
Learning Center at UNK, Room 101;
Grand Island — Noon, College Park;
Scottsbluff — 11 a.m., Panhandle Education Center,
Room 205.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the
state. Through its commitment to research, education and patient
care, UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading
centers for cancer research and treatment and solid organ
transplantation. More than $25 million in research grants and
contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually. In addition,
UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more
health care professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other
institution.