Collaborations & Projects
CONVERGE: Addressing Wicked Health System Challenges: A New Framework for International
Collaboration
The Qualitative Research lab has collaborated with Provost Neil MacKinnon and his
research team to help understand, identify, and describe the factors that influence
engagement and progress in international rural health issues through the CONVERGE symposium. This collaboration includes conducting interviews and focus groups with
leaderships and participants in the symposium. Findings for this work are currently
under review for publication and will be presented at the 2023 American Public Health Association and 2023 Georgia Public Health Association annual conferences.
Pediatric Pathways Program (PPP)
The QRL is collaborating with Dr. April Hartman to develop a training program for
middle school and medical school students with the goal of developing the skills needed
to get an accurate history of mental and/or behavioral health concerns, asking about
substance use, and addressing social determinants of health in a way that is culturally
sensitive and compassionate. QRL affiliate Dr. Darla Linville will conduct focus groups with middle school and medical school students regarding
their experiences with the PPP program in order to improve its efficacy. Dr. Melanie O’Meara and theater students are heading the training efforts using a theater model. The
pilot program takes place June 2023 on the Summerville Campus and includes faculty
from across the campuses.
Influence of Social Media on Anesthesiology Residency Decisions
Dr. Angela Bratton has collaborated with Dr. Caryl Bailey, Assistant Professor Anesthesiology,
and students Amelia Vu and Andy Nguyen in their research on recruitment barriers in
the field of anesthesiology. Their work is to be presented at the American Society
of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting in San Francisco and will be submitted for publication.
Foster Care Transition into Higher Education
The QRL has teamed with Dr. Stacie Pettit and her research team focusing on understanding
educational experiences of children raised in foster care. This collaboration includes
training and conducting analysis of focus groups.
Are Health Benefits of School Based Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Interventions
in Childhood Carried Forward into Young Adulthood
Dr. Julie Zadinsky has joined a team of faculty from the Georgia Preventative Institute,
headed by Director, Dr. Yanbin Dong, to assess the long-term health and social benefits
of an after-school program in young adulthood. Services provided include research
design consultation, focus groups, and analysis.
Exploring Maternal and Child Health Through Systematic Braiding
The QRL is teaming with Dr. Ashwini Tiwari and team to assess the acceptability and
feasibility of a breastfeeding peer support education program. Dr. Angela Bratton
will training graduate assistants in the areas of interview techniques and data analysis.
