Dr. Damush is a research health psychologist specializing in the design and evaluation of patient centered programs that empower the patient to modify controllable factors that may improve health-related quality of life in both primary and specialty care practices. She conducts research in the VA HSR&D Center of Excellence on Implementing Evidence-Based Practice (CIEBP), the IU Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research, and the IU Center for Aging Research. She is an appointed Research Scientist with Regenstrief Institute, Inc. Dr. Damush is an expert on active implementation methodology and patient self-management. Nationally, Dr. Damush has served on the planning committees of the National HSR&D and Stroke Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) meetings and currently serves as a member of the VA HSR&D Scientific Member Review Board for Chronic Disease and Quality of Life Outcomes.

     As the Implementation Research Coordinator for the Stroke QUERI Center, Dr. Damush's research focuses on implementing evidence-based practices for stroke survivors and caregivers. She collaborates with colleagues on designing and evaluating system interventions in the delivery of evidence-based practices.  She has funding from of the Department of Veterans Affairs to adapt existing evidence-based tools for secondary stroke prevention from hospital discharge to the veterans' homes.  In addition, Dr. Damush continues to design and evaluate disease self-management programs for chronic medical conditions including musculoskeletal pain and stroke.

Active Projects

I. VA HSR&D                                       03/01/07 - 09/30/2011

"Adapting Tools to Implement Stroke Risk Management to Veterans" (PI)

The goal is to develop a tailored, stroke risk factor management program targeting clinical providers, system of care, and veterans after stroke and implement in two VA facilities.

II. VA QUERI                                       10/01/2008 - 09/30/2011

"Stroke Quality Improvement Decision Support System (SQUIDSS)" (PI: Kent)

The goal is to develop a CPRS-based tool to prompt best stroke practices, conduct usability testing, implement and document acute stroke care processes.

III. VA HSR&D QUERI                           02/15/2010 - 02/14/2013

"INtervention for Stroke imProvement using Redesign Engineering (INSPIRE)" (Co-PIs: Damush/Williams)

Collaborative multi-facility study to increase stroke quality improvement using Systems Redesign methodology.

1. Williams LS, Ofner S, Yu Z, Beyth R, Plue L, Damush T. Pre-post evaluation of automated reminders may improve detection and management of post-stroke depression. J Gen Intern Med 2011; 26(8):852–7.
2. Damush TM, Ofner S, Yu Z, Plue L, Nicholas G, Williams LS. Implementation of stroke self-management: A randomized controlled pilot study of veterans with stroke. Translational Behavioral Medicine. 2011;1(4):561-572.
3. Schmid AA, Andersen J, Kent T, Williams L, Damush T. Using intervention mapping to develop and adapt a secondary stroke prevention program in veterans health administration medical centers. Implementation Science, 2010 Dec 15;5:97.
4. Damush TM, Jackson G, Powers B, Bosworth H, Cheng E, Anderson J, Guihan M, LaVela S, Rajan S, Plue L. The implementation of patient self-management programs into the Veterans Health Administration: Scientific Challenges. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2010; 25:S68-71.
5. Damush TM, Wu J, Bair MJ, Sutherland J, Kroenke K. Self-management practices among primary care patients with musculoskeletal pain and depression. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 2008; 31(4):301-7. Epub June 14, 2008.
6. Bayliss EA, Bosworth HB, Noel PH, Wolff JL, Damush TM, McIver L. Supporting self-management for patients with complex medical needs: Recommendations of a working group. Chronic Illness, 2007;3(2):167-75.
7. Callahan CM, Boustani MA, Unverzagt FW, Austrom MG, Damush TM, Perkins AJ et al. Effectiveness of collaborative care for older adults with Alzheimer disease in primary care: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2006;295(18):2148-2157.
8. Damush TM, Perkins A, Miller KD.  Brief Report: The implementation of an oncologist referred, exercise self-management program for older breast cancer survivors. Psychooncology. 2006;15(10):884-890.
9. Austrom MG, Damush TM, Hartwell CW, Perkins AJ, Unverzagt F, Boustani M et al.   Development and implementation of nonpharmacologic protocols for the management of Alzheimer’s disease and their families in a multiracial primary care setting. The Gerontologist. 2004;44(4):548-53.
10. Damush TM, Weinberger M, Perkins SM, Rao JK, Tierney WM, Qi R et al. The long-term effects of a self-management program for inner-city, primary care patients with acute low back pain. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2003;163(21):2632-2638.