Research
Members of our division are actively involved in research in health care outcomes, diversity and medical errors.With regards to improving patient safety, we are collaborating with a research group in Boston to determine whether there are ethnic/racial, socioeconomic, linguistic, or educational disparities in rates of medication errors, near misses, and preventable ADEs in the pediatric ambulatory care setting. This is part of a larger study of pediatric outpatient medication errors that involves a survey and evaluates the use of computer-based provider order-entry (CPOE) and electronic medical records (EMRs) in this setting.
Additionally, we are conducting two pilot studies, both in the ambulatory clinic and in the community that will identify barriers that families with children may have in obtaining or keeping their child's health insurance plan. Our long-term goal is to improve access to existing services for all children, especially for high-risk children, through effective coordination and use of existing resources.
We are working in collaboration with the American Ballroom Theater and New York City Public Schools in order to determine the impact of participation in a ballroom dance program (as featured in the documentary Mad Hot Ballroom) on the physical activity level, activity patterns, and perceived exertion of school-aged children. In addition, the impact of a combined program of dance and nutrition within the school on behavior choices and body composition will be investigated.
In a multifaceted school health program, a number of outcomes research projects are ongoing. These include (1) the effect of an on site insurance enroller on acquisition and maintenance of health insurance coverage for families in two schools in East Harlem and (2) the assessment of barriers to consumption of school breakfast in two elementary schools in East Harlem.
