NCI Investigator Gives Keynote at Recent Research Conference

At a multi-institutional research conference hosted by the Kelsey Research Foundation Nov. 14, Dr. Martin L. Brown of the National Cancer Institute presented the keynote address titled "The Health Services Research Agenda at the National Cancer Institute: An Example of Jeffersonian Science."

The theme at this year’s Houston Area Health Services and Outcomes Research Conference was "Health Services Research in Prevention, Acute Care and Chronic Disease Management." Objectives were to provide an overview of current health services research studies conducted in Southeast Texas, foster collaborative health services research projects among research and medical care institutions in Southeast Texas, and demonstrate the application of health services research findings in clinical practice.

Dr. Brown, who is chief of the Health Services and Economics Branch at the NCI, said the organization’s research model is Jeffersonian in nature because, similar to the Louisiana Purchase, it is charting unknown territory.

This unknown territory includes investing in cancer research by studying emerging trends in cancer, quality of cancer care, and reducing cancer-related health disparities. Vehicles used to explore this unknown territory include organizational structures such as the NCI’s Health Services and Economics and Outcomes Research Branches; research resources like national surveys, databases, and research methods and tools; research networks; interagency and public-private partnerships; and funding mechanisms such as requests for applications and program announcements.

In addition to Dr. Brown’s address, representatives from various Texas Medical Center institutions presented their own outcomes research projects and led "Meet the Experts" workshops. Represented TMC institutions included Baylor College of Medicine, the Houston VA Medical Center, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Other represented institutions included Texas A&M University, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic.

During the day, poster presentations were also judged. The event culminated with a networking session. Continuing education credit was available for physicians, nurses and pharmacists who attended the all-day conference.

The conference was sponsored by Pfizer pharmaceuticals.

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