Overview
The research mission of the Department of Family and Community Medicine is to generate and disseminate knowledge through the conduct of high quality, timely and relevant research, especially that which enhances patient care and which impacts socially complex patients and communities. The department is committed to research as a component of the core functions of academic medicine.
This commitment benefits patients, families and communities; address health inequalities; and contributes to preparing current and future health professionals to meet the needs of the patients and populations they serve. Our signature research areas are: prevention and chronic disease management, cancer screening, palliative care, refugee health, integrated community health, and health professions education.
Research Overview
Our research program examines issues that impact the provision of comprehensive, population and evidence-based care and centers on issues of prevention and chronic disease management. In conjunction with community partners, we identify obstacles to the achievement of maximal health status of community residents and join in the planning, implementation and description of interventions that impact the health of these communities.
Our faculty have active research programs and projects in both clinical practice and medicine, and community medicine and health. Our core research areas are: cancer screening and prevention, refugee health program evaluation and epidemiology, geriatrics and palliative care research, patient-centered outcomes research, chronic care management implementation and evaluation, and community outreach and homelessness prevention. In addition to these core areas, faculty conduct research in sports medicine, LGBT health, and other areas.
We also have an active clinical trials group.
The Department received an Academic Adminstrative Unit grant from HRSA in 2011 which funds the 'Patient Centered Medical Home Research, Training and Dissemination Center' (The Jefferson Medical Home Academic Unit, or Jeff-MHAC).
Information for Learners
Students, residents and fellows are an integral part of the research mission of the department. Medical students may do summer research in the department through Jefferson’s summer research programs for undergraduates. We also have a Faculty Development Research Fellowship. Jefferson’s student research page is here.
Contact us for questions and/ or comments about research in the DFCM
2013 - Summer Research Program Information
The Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM) participates in Jefferson Medical College’s Summer Research Program. In order to be considered for a summer research position at the DFCM, you must apply through the JMC program, and choose the “Department of Family and Community Medicine’ option when asked. The DFCM program is competitive, and Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP) students are given preference. Students who are chosen will be informed by the department in the Spring, 2013.
If you are a College Within a College (CwiC) program student and you want to do a summer research experience, you can also apply through the JMC program application, and choose the ‘Center for Urban Health’ (CUH) option to be eligible for a CUH research project. These options are mutually exclusive, you will have to choose a site when completing your application. CUH students must be eligible for federal work study, so we recommend getting this process started early. Contact Atheia Mobley Atheia.Mobley@jefferson.edu to complete a Federal Work Study Application.
For questions about the application process, please contact Andrea Cherenack, Office of the Dean (Andrea.Cherenack@jefferson.edu or 215-503-6166). For specific questions about DFCM Summer Research, please contact Dr. Marnie LaNoue (Marianna.lanoue@jefferson.edu). For questions about Center for Urban Health Summer Research, please contact Abbie Santana (abbie.santana@jefferson.edu).
