Virtual Research Office

For Medical Center Investigators

Jiaxiao Shi, Biostatistics Manager; Nirupa Ghai, Research Navigator; and Stephanie Tovar, Program Manager

Jiaxiao Shi, Biostatistics Manager; Nirupa Ghai, Research Navigator; and Stephanie Tovar, Program Manager

The Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) supports clinicians interested in conducting research with several programs.

Priority is given to projects that are aligned with Kaiser Permanente’s mission and strategic priorities as articulated and communicated by our senior SCPMG leaders and can have important impacts on our clinical operations or improve our members’ lives.

If you’re a physician, nurse, pharmacist, anesthesiologist, health educator, or other Kaiser Permanente Southern California clinician who’s interested in conducting research, the information and resources below will help you get started.

QUICK LINKS

Interested researchers, please see these quick links and general information below about research opportunities, how to do a research projects, applying for funding, and frequently asked questions.

  • Submit a request to set up a consultation. From outside the Kaiser Permanente network, you’ll need to click the access link and may need to use your PingID.

Research opportunities for Kaiser Permanente clinicians

  • Some of the best research opportunities are available via collaboration with one of the full-time research scientists in the Department of Research & Evaluation (R&E). You’ll find scientists’ areas of expertise in their online profiles.
  • Clinician-led projects are also encouraged. Education Time (ET one-half day) is part of the SCPMG benefit that allows physicians to conduct research.
  • Internal or external funding sources generally support programming/analytic time, research project manager, research associate time, and often physician time, especially for large-scale projects.
  • Information about resident and fellow research is available on the Graduate Medical Education website.
  • Clinical trials: KPSC clinicians can learn more about clinical trials here.

Outside activity opportunities for SCPMG physicians

  • Outside Activity Approval Process for SCPMG Physicians Who Participate in Research information is available by visiting inside the Kaiser Permanente network and clicking here.

Competitive sources of internal (KPSC) funding include:

  • The Regional Research Committee (RRC, led by Bechien Wu, MD) provides grants from $8,000 to $55,000 for 1-year physician-initiated projects. Applications are received and reviewed 2 times per year. The RRC solicits letters of intent and provides consultation services to applicants regarding their research projects. Proposals are reviewed by content experts as well as the committee. Proposals are assigned priority scores based on clinical significance, innovation, and feasibility. Critical feedback is provided to all applicants regardless of funding status. Physicians are encouraged to discuss potential projects with their local area research chair prior to submission.
  • Care Improvement Research Team (CIRT, co-led by Huong Nguyen, PhD, RN, and Bechien Wu, MD, MPH) provides grants from $20,000 to $100,000 for 1-year projects with aims to improve access, quality, and affordability of care delivery and the health of patients, families, and communities. The annual funding cycle includes letters of intent and proposals submitted during the summer and fall, with funding granted in November for the following year. Additional projects may be funded at other times during the year for work supported by senior leadership.
  • Clinician Investigator Program (CIP, led by Bechien Wu, MD) provides a more formal career path for physicians with prior research experience wanting to make research an integral part of their careers.
  • The Garfield Memorial Fund (GMF) provides financial support for research and demonstration projects within Kaiser Permanente, with an emphasis on efforts in support of Kaiser Permanente’s National Clinical Quality Strategy – provision of new services to members, optimization of existing services, analyses of members’ needs, and innovation in meeting those needs. The GMF accepts applications in response to themed calls for applications as well as investigator-initiated proposals.

External funding is available via federal (e.g., NIH, AHRQ, PCORI), private (e.g., foundations, professional societies), and local (e.g., city, state, industry) agencies. R&E is available to facilitate the preparation, development, and submission of proposals. R&E also negotiates and executes contracts, provides post award stewardship, provides the necessary staffing to carry out the aims of a research project.

Support for unfunded projects available to all physicians includes:

  • R2S2 (Regional Research Statistical Services) Team within R&E (led by Jiaxiao Shi, PhD) provides up to 100 hours of programming and analytic time to interested medical center researchers for projects of limited scope that can be accomplished primarily using existing data. Investigators may have only one active project at a time supported by R2S2. To access these services, submit a request here inside the Kaiser Permanente network.

 

Click here to download a PDF of the roadmap.