The Kaiser Permanente Division of Research conducts, publishes, and disseminates epidemiologic and health services research to improve the health and medical care of Kaiser Permanente members and society at large. We seek to understand the determinants of illness and well-being and to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of health care. DOR’s 600-plus staff is currently working on more than 580 epidemiological and health services research projects. Read our story or watch our video of how it all began and learn even more from our interactive anniversary timeline.
New radiology reporting system decreased time to pancreatic cancer diagnoses
April 27, 2022
A new Kaiser Permanente study shows that having radiologists use standardized terms and hashtags to describe what they see creates a clearer path for physician follow-up that can lead to earlier detection of pancreatic cancer.
Heart bypass surgery may be best treatment after heart attack for some older adults
April 21, 2022
A new Kaiser Permanente study suggests that for many seniors bypass surgery may lead to better long-term outcomes than stenting.
New, innovative support for people with serious mental illness
April 20, 2022
An innovative telehealth program at Kaiser Permanente Northern California has added psychiatric clinical pharmacists to the care teams treating people with serious, persistent mental illness.
Heart attacks increased in days after 2020 election
April 20, 2022
New Kaiser Permanente study conducted in Northern and Southern California finds more hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and heart failure in the 5 days following the election.
National recognition for Kaiser Permanente early alert system
April 19, 2022
Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s life-saving Advance Alert Monitor (AAM) program — an early detection system that helps care teams predict when hospitalized patients are at risk for clinical deterioration — has been recognized by The Joint Commission and National Quality Forum.
Autistic people join autism project – as research partners
April 19, 2022
A group of Kaiser Permanente investigators is inviting their study subjects — autistic people — to participate as research partners, providing their own unique perspective on being autistic. Their initial focus is on gender, sexuality, and reproductive health in autism, but once trained, the advisers could help shape any future research project.
Medical assistants help close virtual visit digital divide
April 11, 2022
Patients participating in video visits with their primary care doctors in fall 2020 benefited from having a medical assistant help connect the call, particularly if they needed language interpretation or lived in a low-socioeconomic-status neighborhood, according to new Kaiser Permanente research.
Breast cancer treatment linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease
April 6, 2022
Kaiser Permanente study suggests women receiving certain common therapies for breast cancer may be at increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and other types of cardiovascular disease.
No difference found in infant outcomes between glyburide and insulin for gestational diabetes
March 31, 2022
A study of 11,321 patients treated for gestational diabetes with insulin or the medication glyburide did not find a difference in cesarean section rates or outcomes for the patients’ infants, suggesting many people with gestational diabetes could forego insulin injections in favor of taking a pill.
Gene tied to breast cancer treatment outcomes identified
March 24, 2022
Study led by Kaiser Permanente research scientist Lawrence H. Kushi, ScD, will help advance precision cancer care.
