Author Archives: Lisa Lines, Michelle Mollica, Michael Halpern, Susan Buckenmaier, Justin Kirschner, Ashley Wilder Smith

About Lisa Lines, Michelle Mollica, Michael Halpern, Susan Buckenmaier, Justin Kirschner, Ashley Wilder Smith

Michael T. Halpern, MD, PhD, MPH, is a Medical Officer in the Healthcare Delivery Research Program of the National Cancer Institute. His work focuses on health services and outcomes research, including access to care, quality of care, disparities, costs and cost-effectiveness, and patient-reported outcomes across the cancer care continuum. Research by Dr. Halpern includes examining patterns of care, quality of care, costs, and clinical outcomes using large medical claims databases, registries, and health care surveys; evaluating health and economic impacts of programs designed to address social determinants of health and improve population health; collaborating with FQHCs and health departments to improve care processes and outcomes; exploring shortages among the health care workforce; and assessing patient symptoms, experience of care, and quality of life. Dr. Halpern serves on the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) Education Committee and is Chair of the Program Committee for the American Public Health Association's Cancer Forum.

Care experiences among Medicare beneficiaries with cancer: A cross-study overview of published results to date from SEER-CAHPS

By | February 5, 2020
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Medicare beneficiaries who have cancer are a growing population with unique care needs. Population-based research examining relationships between cancer patient experiences, health care utilization, and subsequent patient health outcomes is lacking. A recently updated data resource called SEER-CAHPS links cancer registry data with Medicare information and patient surveys. It provides a comprehensive, nationally representative source… Read More »

End-of-Life Care and the Opioid Crisis: Potential Implications and Unintended Consequences

By | May 9, 2018
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Reactions to the opioid crisis are affecting patients in need of hospice and end-of-life care in the United States. Hospice providers have been largely exempt from the increasing regulation of opioid and narcotic prescriptions, as most recent laws and regulations affecting opioid prescribing specifically exempt individuals receiving cancer treatment, palliative care, or those nearing their end-of-life. However,… Read More »

An exercise in frustration: Barriers to obtaining healthcare information online

By | August 30, 2018
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In a graduate course this semester (at the Temple University College of Public Health) on Healthcare Quality and Safety, one of the assignments is to explore the internet to learn about how consumers/patients without specific healthcare knowledge might get information on quality of care.  When students enter “consumer healthcare information” in Google, the first result… Read More »