Patient-Centered Care

Our team is committed to work that cares for the whole person and not just their diseases.

We strive to understand and address the multiple dimensions of suffering that patients and their loves ones go through as they deal with their disease journey. 

Highlighting the patient voice

• Patient perspectives about screening for esophageal cancer
  • Using an online survey, we found that patients at risk for esophageal cancer were not aware of their risk factors (heartburn, smoking, White race) and did not know that they should be screened.
  • Patient knowledge, risk perception, and barriers to Barrett's esophagus screening
  • PI: Dr. Jennifer M. Kolb
  • Sources of funding: NIH, American College of Gastroenterology 

Patient-doctor communication 

• Understanding patient and doctor discussions about prognosis and end of life for patients with liver disease
  • This study, which featured in-depth interviews with patients and liver transplant teams, found that, though patients with cirrhosis and their families often want to know their prognosis and what to expect, liver transplant teams have difficulties in conveying this information in ways that help patients feel prepared for what lies ahead.
  • Deficits in advance care planning for patients with decompensated cirrhosis at liver transplant centers
  • PI: Dr. Arpan A. Patel
  • Sources of funding: Ruth Kirschstein National Service Award, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, UCLA Specialty Training and Advanced Research Program