Literacy, Equity, and Implementation Lab
Dr. Housten’s research focuses on supporting screening and treatment decision-making to reduce health disparities and to address challenges associated with health literacy in diverse populations. Specifically, she is interested in the dissemination and implementation of decision support strategies to improve health behaviors and outcomes, particularly in populations that experience health inequity. With a focus on how people evaluate and apply health information, her research uses qualitative and mixed-methods to identify challenges and opportunities to strengthen patient-provider engagement in health-related decision-making.
- Developing and evaluating decision support tools via user-centered design
- Dissemination and implementation of decision support interventions to address health inequity
- Working closely with clinical collaborators to improve health communication among those with limited health literacy
General Description of Student Activities
Students will have the opportunity to learn and engage in a research lab collecting primary data for qualitative and mixed-methods analyses. Students will be expected to work with other lab members to complete one hypothesis driven research project in addition to participating in other lab research opportunities. Data are collected primarily at the Taylor Avenue Building (TAB; 600 S. Taylor on Washington University’s Medical Campus). Some studies may include evening or weekend data collection.
Examples of Projects
- Qualitative analysis of racially/ethnically diverse women’s priorities and values related to the initiation, frequency, and discontinuation of cancer screening
- Early stage breast cancer treatment decision-making for older adults with multiple comorbidities
- Systematic review of health literacy interventions in the context of cancer screening
- Needs assessment to identify gaps in knowledge and opportunities for implementation
- Cognitive interviews with participants testing decision aids during the user-centered design process