Jennifer Gierisch, PhD
For this week’s Faculty Spotlight, we talk to behavioral scientist and health services researcher Jennifer Gierisch, PhD, MPH. Gierisch talks to us about working as a systematic reviewer at the Durham VA-Evidence-based Synthesis Program (ESP), current gaps in disparities health research, and other topics. She also offers some evidence-based tips for busy GIM faculty looking to make or maintain their own healthy behaviors.
How long have you been at Duke? How long have you been at the division of General Internal Medicine?
I came to Duke and the Division in 2008 when I accepted an AHRQ postdoctoral fellowship in health services research. I joined the faculty in 2011.
What does a typical workday for you look like?
As a behavioral scientist and health services researcher, my days are really varied. Some days I’m working on grant proposals. Other days I’m designing components of behavioral interventions or working on engaging diverse stakeholders on research. I’m also a systematic reviewer and spend considerable time designing and implementing evidence synthesis on key health and healthcare topics to enhance uptake of evidence-based interventions to improve patient outcomes. No two days are exactly the same and that is such a great part of doing this work.
Earlier this year, you took on the role of associate director of the Durham VA Evidence-based Synthesis Program. Can you tell me more about that work?
This is a wonderful program led by Dr. John Williams. The Durham ESP was formed in 2008 to support high-quality, rapid turnaround evidence syntheses to inform VA clinical policy. It is one of only four VA ESP Centers. I have been involved with the Durham ESP since 2009 and in 2014, I was named the inaugural Associate Director of the Durham VA Evidence Synthesis Program.
In this role, I help direct our evidence synthesis core which produces a minimum of three evidence synthesis studies a year and advises faculty and fellows who wish to conduct their own systematic reviews. I have led numerous reviews that focus on synthesizing the evidence around behavior change strategies or women’s health topics. Currently, I am leading a review on impact of wearable motion sensing technologies on physical activity and advising on another review focused on mapping the epidemiology of the evidence for a broad range of interventions that may be used for selected high-impact conditions in women veterans. Our work has been disseminated though high-impact journal articles, national meetings and cyber seminars, and policy briefings.
One of your areas of expertise and interest is the maintenance of behavior change. Do you have any tips for GIM faculty or staff looking to maintain their own healthy behaviors?
Goal setting and self-monitoring are two strategies that produce results when trying to maintain your own health behaviors. You may need to do these less frequently after you have reached a certain initial goal or threshold. Persistence also plays a part and we advise folks in our studies not to see a lapse in new healthy habits as gateway to a full relapse. Occasional slips will happen; tomorrow is a new day to rededicate yourself to a healthier you. Seek support from friends and family and share you success and struggles with them as you try to maintain your behaviors. Plan ahead for times when you know your new healthy behaviors may be threatened so you will have a game plan for how to face that challenging situation before you are faced with it.
You were the lead author of a recent systematic review of disparities in health care received by adults with mental illness. What were the major findings of this study?
This review focused on differences in preventive care services and screening, and differences in management of chronic conditions among those with mental health diagnoses compared to those without, and whether any observed disparities varied based on race/ethnicity, geographic location, sex, or sexual orientation. This review found weak signals to suggest disparities in care for those with mental health diagnosis; however, results were generally inconsistent.
Moreover, beyond diabetes care, the existing literature was sparse. Thus, gaps in the current state of the evidence warrant future investigation. There is limited evidence for people with PTSD. Also, no studies described the sexual orientation of samples. We also found inconsistent or insufficient comparative evidence for ischemic heart disease care, screening and treatment for smoking cessation, immunizations, and hypertension. Further research is needed on the interaction of sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and geography with a mental health diagnosis on process of healthcare indicators
What passions or hobbies do you have outside of the division?
I love gardening and wish I had more time to devote to this. I love learning about and working with native plants. Much of my current garden is shady so I have also developed a passion for hostas and other shade-loving plants. I also love spending time with my husband, Greg, and our energetic, funny, boisterous son, Quincy, (especially when I can trick them into working in the garden with me).
Dr. Gierisch enjoys some time off with her son, Quincy in Mount Mitchell State Park.
