Research Methodology Group

About
We are researchers, methodologists, statisticians and consultants for study conceptualization and design, statistical analysis, and dissemination of findings. Our professional background includes biostatistics, epidemiology, quantitative psychology, health services research and demography. Our PhD- and master’s-level methodologists have study design, data source and statistical analysis expertise in areas including cluster randomized trials, causal inference, and simulation modeling.

Affiliation

people

Faculty Position
  • Asche, Stephen E., MA, Senior Research Investigator and Statistician
  • Chrenka, Ella A., Manager of Statistical Services and Biostatistician 2019 -
  • Crain, Lauren, PhD, Senior Research Investigator and Statistician
  • Gustafson, Sally K., MS, Biostatistician
  • Haapala, Jacob L., MPH, Senior Biostatistician

    • Publications While At HealthPartners

    selected publications

    Journal Article
  • Acupuncture treatment for chronic post-traumatic headache in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury: a pilot study. 
    Journal of Neurotrauma. 2025
  • Barriers to dental providers' use of a clinical decision support tool for pain management following tooth extractions. 
    Implement Res Pract. 2025
    Article has an altmetric score of 1  
  • Cardiometabolic risk in pediatric patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 
    American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2025
    Article has an altmetric score of 2  
  • Clinical decision support and cardiometabolic medication adherence: a randomized clinical trial. 
    JAMA network open. 2025
    Article has an altmetric score of 10  
  • Clinical decision support to improve primary care obesity management in adults with diabetes: clinic-randomized study design. 
    Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2025
    • Editorial Article
  • COVID-19 mRNA vaccines during pregnancy: new evidence to help address vaccine hesitancy [editorial]. 
    JAMA.  327. 2022
    Article has an altmetric score of 370  
  • Risk and benefit information and use of aspirin [editorial]. 
    JAMA internal medicine.  177. 2017
  • Self-reported diabetes is a valid outcome in pragmatic clinical trials and observational studies [editorial]. 
    Journal of Clinical Epidemiology.  66. 2013
    • Conference Paper
    *** hidden publications ***
  • The Pap Hub: Minnesota’s First Cervical Cancer Screening Coordination System
    2023
  • Comparison of pubic symphysis diastasis and regression: vaginal vs cesarean delivery
    2016
  • Cost-effectiveness of EMR-based clinical decision support [presentation
    2011
  • Changes in physical activity and nutrition in a behavioral intervention pilot study: Passport to Brain Wellness
    2010
  • Does comorbid bipolar condition affect diabetes quality of care measures?
    2007
    • Conference Poster
  • The Pap Hub: Minnesota’s first cervical cancer screening coordination system [poster]
    2023
  • Factors associated with Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) compliance and weight loss among low-income participants [poster]
    2019
  • Hearing the patient voice on pain management after dental extractions [poster]
    2019
  • Like pulling teeth: designing clinical decision support to improve tobacco cessation in dental practice [poster]
    2019
  • Highly motivated population provides two successful recruitment methods into the TMD self-care study and PACT program [poster]
    2018
    • Report
  • Comparing telehealth and clinic-based care for lowering uncontrolled high blood pressure
    2021
    • Review
  • Factors associated with increased health care utilization for patients with dementia with Lewy bodies: a narrative review [review]. 
    Journal of patient-centered research and reviews. 2024
    Article has an altmetric score of 7
  • Assessing the safety of influenza immunization during pregnancy: the Vaccine Safety Datalink [review]. 
    American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2012
    Article has an altmetric score of 6  
  • The effect of exercise during pregnancy on maternal outcomes: practical implications for practice [review]. 
    American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 2008
  • Weight-loss outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of weight-loss clinical trials with a minimum 1-year follow-up [review article] J Am Diet Assoc
    2007
    • Abstract
  • Assessing challenges to implementing tobacco cessation guidelines in dental offices [abstract]. 
    Journal of patient-centered research and reviews. 2021
    Article has an altmetric score of 199  
  • Comparing change in systolic blood pressure with clinic-based care versus telehealth care in a pragmatic cluster-randomized trial (Hyperlink 3) [abstract]. 
    Journal of patient-centered research and reviews. 2021
    Article has an altmetric score of 199  
  • Differences in chronic kidney disease management in patients with and without diabetes in a large care delivery system [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2020
  • Glycemic relapse: major threat to ongoing improvement in diabetes care [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2020
  • A web-based clinical decision support system (Wizard) increases appropriate cardiometabolic diagnostic coding at primary care visits [abstract]. 
    Journal of patient-centered research and reviews. 2019
    • Book
  • Two-dimensional scan statistics for assessing vaccine safety in pregnancy (PRISM)
    2016
    • Document
  • Community consultation and public disclosure: the ResQ Trial experience
    2007
  • Correlations of body mass index with the circadian mean and amplitude of endocrine and metabolic functions in the elderly
    2007
  • Depression diagnosis is related to number of outpatient visits in diabetes and non-diabetes patients
    2007
  • Diabetes care is no better in clinics that use electronic medical records (EMR)
    2007
  • Does diabetes double the risk of depression?
    2007

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