Determining role of psychiatric conditions on non-adherence to medical treatment among youths
Name:
Dr. Young Jo
Email
joy1@ufl.edu
Phone
(305) 505-6537
Faculty Department/Division
Psychiatry
This project is primarily:
Case Review
Research Project Description:
Psychiatric comorbidities is often found in youths with chronic illnesses. through this retrospective cohort study of patients within the UF health system, we hope to find a link between presence and treatment of psychiatric comorbidities and overall favorable clinical outcome. Chronic medical conditions we plan on targeting include type I diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and solid organ transplant recipients.
Does this project have an international component or travel?
No
Pediatrics Exercise Group-: A Non-Pharmacologic Approach to Improve Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms
Name:
Dr. Jeena Kar
Email
Jeena.kar5@ufl.edu
Phone
(407) 739-5104
Faculty Department/Division
Psychiatry
This project is primarily:
CQI
Research Project Description:
This is a Lifestyle Psychiatry project. We are implementing an exercise group (virtual) for pediatric patients and tracking depression and anxiety outcomes following in addition of movement/exercise in addition to pharmacotherapy. This is offered free of charge to patients. Responsibilities will include tracking data, disseminating information to patients, attending meetings about methodology of project as we discuss a possible switch from QIPR (quality improvement project) to IRB if we expand to further research, brainstorming ways to increase patient access and motivation for participation, help with literature review and writeup of data, and possible presentation at local conferences (Gainesville, Orlando) on preliminary data and design. If participant cannot travel, they can help with creation and preparation of the presentation.
Does this project have an international component or travel?
No
Wellbeing Among Medical Trainees in Florida
Name:
Dr. Lisa Merlo
Email
lmerlo@ufl.edu
Phone
(352) 294-4932
Faculty Department/Division
Psychiatry
This project is primarily:
Translational
Research Project Description:
Clinician wellbeing is a key contributor to both professional fulfillment and quality of patient care. However, medical training is aperiod marked by high rates of burnout and psychological distress. In order to better understand factors currently affectingwellbeing among medical trainees (i.e., medical students, PA students, and resident physicians) in the State of Florida, this projectsurveyed trainees across the 10 medical schools in the state.
Survey items assessed mental and emotional wellbeing, burnout, stress, exposure to harassment/discrimination/bullying, copingstrategies, substance use, institutional supports, etc. The MSRP student(s) will assist with analysis of the survey findings, and willcontribute to preparation of abstracts for conference presentation. It is expected that the student(s) will have the opportunity forauthorship on a peer-reviewed scientific publication.
Does this project have an international component or travel?
No
Characterization of an exonic variant associated with intellectual developmental disorder
Name:
Paola Giusti-Rodriguez
Email
giustirodriguezp@ufl.edu
Phone
(352) 294-4925
Faculty Department/Division
Psychiatry
This project is primarily:
Translational
Research Project Description:
The CACNA1E (Calcium Voltage-Gated Channel Subunit Alpha1 E) gene encodes a subunit of the voltage-sensitive R-type calcium channel. De novo variants in CACNA1E have been associated with several disorders, including developmental and epileptic encephalopathy and Van Der Woude syndrome. We recently identified a patient with intellectual developmental disorder (IDD) and a novel exonic variant that has not been previously described. We are currently generating induced pluripotent stem cells from this patient and aim to differentiate these into relevant neuronal subtypes and brain organoids. We will characterize these using multiple techniques, including transcriptomics to examine gene expression, electrophysiology to examine neuronal activity, and proteomics to examine the downstream impact of this novel variant. Ultimately, we aim to advance our understanding of the underlying biology connecting this novel CACNA1E exonic variant and IDD and to identify potential therapeutic approaches.
Does this project have an international component or travel?
No
Emergency Department Utilization Due to Challenging Behavior in Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Replication in the Southeastern United States
Name:
Dr. Clare Liddon
Email
cliddon@ufl.edu
Phone
(325) 273-7529
Faculty Department/Division
Psychiatry
This project is primarily:
Clinical
Research Project Description:
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a higher rate of co-occurring psychiatric conditions than the general population. Previous research out of the midwestern United States has demonstrated that, when individuals on the autism spectrum present to the emergency department, ~75% of cases are due to experiencing a behavioral crisis (acute aggression, self-injury, etc.). This presentation is often followed by recidivism and may be because there are limited mental health services for these patients. Service are often limited by restrictive admission criteria for mental health units and a dearth of adequate physician training in how to support patients with ASD during a crisis. To build capacity and increase the likelihood that access to mental health services will change, we must first understand the prevalence of patients with these needs across the country, as it is this type of data that can be used to advocate for change. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the extent to which individuals with ASD present to the emergency department in our system for behavior challenges and what occurs once they arrive. This will expand on current literature surrounding prevalence of ASD and behavior challenges in emergency departments in the mid-west.
We will conduct a retrospective chart review across records within our UF Health EPIC system. We will use coding to identify patient age, sex, race, arrival time, disposition, co-occurring diagnosis, problem behavior presence, challenging behavior type (if present), use of non-violent or violent restraints, and location. We will then quantitatively evaluate the data to accurately describe the prevalence of patients with needs in our region.
Does this project have an international component or travel?
No
Adapting the Decide tool for individuals with intellectual and developmental disorders
Name:
Dr. Takahiro Soda
Email
takahirosoda@ufl.edu
Phone
(352) 265-4946
Faculty Department/Division
Psychiatry
This project is primarily:
Translational
Research Project Description:
Genome sequencing is recommended for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, and intellectual developmental disorder due to the impacts on further medical care. Though guidelines have recommended this for well over a decade the actual completion rates for these tests remain low.
One particular population that has not gotten access to this recommended evaluation are adults with autism spectrum disorder/intellectual developmental disorder, as much of the technology to identify genetic etiologies were not available at the time they were initially diagnosed.
The DECIDE tool is a clinical online integrated e-learning and decision support tool designed to help people who are making choices about whether to have genome-wide sequencing (GWS; exome sequencing (ES) or genome sequencing (GS)). https://www.bcchr.ca/GenCOUNSEL/decide
The tool has been validated on its efficacy to improve knowledge about genome-wide sequencing and has been translated into Mandarin Chinese and Punjabi; however, there is little/no information about its efficacy to communicate this to individuals with intellectual developmental disorder nor individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
This project seeks to trial the use of this tool in individuals with IDD, as well as those with ASD without IDD, and obtain feedback on the types of modifications that would be required to communicate the needed information for individuals to provide consent, or, in the case of those with guardians, to provide assent.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34211152/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30033481/
Does this project have an international component or travel?
No
What’s in the Box? From Guesswork to Confident Action
Name:
Sarah Vas, MD
Email
sarah.vas@ufl.edu
Phone
(352) 265-4357
Faculty Department/Division
Psychiatry
This project is primarily:
CQI
Research Project Description:
This project examines whether students and staff understand the purpose and contents of the naloxone boxes placed across campus and whether bystanders know how to respond to an opioid overdose, grounding its rationale in evidence that many students nationwide lack the skills to administer naloxone effectively. Some students may be aware that naloxone is available, many may not know what is inside the boxes installed around campus, nor how to use those supplies in a real emergency. The project uses an anonymous survey to assess students’ awareness of box locations, their assumptions about the contents, and their knowledge of overdose recognition and response steps, followed by an opportunity to attend a hands‑on workshop where participants can learn and practice safe overdose response using training devices. We will have a descriptive and comparative analysis of survey responses, with workshop participation tracked separately to preserve anonymity. You (the MSRP student) will lead the day‑to‑day project operations, including designing and conducting the survey, analyzing data, and translating findings into campus harm‑reduction recommendations.
This project will be co-mentored by Dr. Joel Rowe, Emergency Medicine/EMS Physician and Co-Medical Director of the Bystander Overdose Action Team (BOAT@UF).
Freibott CE, Vest N, Stein MD, Lipson SK. Opioid Overdose Knowledge Among Adolescents and Young Adults. JAMA Pediatr. 2024;178(6):618–620. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.0561
Does this project have an international component or travel?
No
A Three‑Digit Choice: Who Do We Call and Why?
Name:
Sarah Vas, MD
Email
sarah.vas@ufl.edu
Phone
(352) 265-4357
Faculty Department/Division
Psychiatry
This project is primarily:
Translational
Research Project Description:
During an emergency, we have been taught to call 911. However, national reports estimate that 20–40% of 911 calls are due to mental‑health or substance‑related concerns. When experiencing a crisis that does not require fire, police or EMS response, many people are not aware about, nor utilize other numbers like 988 and 211. The project’s hypothesis is that community members often choose 911 because they are unaware of 988 and 211, unclear about what each system provides, or uncertain which number fits their situation. You, (the MSRP student) will lead survey development, community outreach, and data analysis. The goal of this project is to understand how each participant chooses which number to dial when in crisis and to identify what factors lead people to use one system when the other would be more appropriate. By increasing education and awareness, this project has the potential to help those in need get connected to the community resources more effectively.
This project will be co-mentored by Dr. Joel Rowe, Emergency Medicine/EMS Physician and Co-Medical Director of the Bystander Overdose Action Team (BOAT@UF).
https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/988-timeline.pdf
https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/n11_nationally_assigned_3digit_numbers.pdf
Does this project have an international component or travel?
No