Dr. Jan D. Hirsch: Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research

Research Summary: Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research

Dr. Hirsch's research interests are focused in the areas of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research. Specifically, i) assessing the full value (economic, clinical and humanistic) of pharmacy services and pharmaceuticals in clinical trials or observational studies across therapeutic areas and ii) integrating patient reported outcomes (PRO's) (e.g. burden elements, Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL), satisfaction) into pharmaceutical and medical practice to improve patient management.

Dr. Hirsch has been the Principal Investigator (P.I.) for sequential studies which resulted in the creation and validation of a disease-specific instrument to assess the impact of gout symptoms on patient HRQOL; the Gout Impact Scale (GIS). The GIS is an important contribution to clinical practice and research since the prevalence of gout is increasing and assessment of HRQOL using a disease specific instrument is prevalent for other diseases within rheumatology (e.g. arthritis), but no such instrument existed for gout - until the GIS.

She has also served as PI or Co-PI for several studies evaluating the clinical, economic and humanistic outcomes for patients receiving novel pharmacy services; mental health, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and immunizations. She is currently PI for a NIH funded project examining the comparative effectiveness of pharmacist-provided medication therapy management (MTM) services within medical group practices.

Academic Achievements

Education: B.S. in Pharmacy (1980) M.S. (1982) and PhD (1986) in Pharmacy Administration, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy.

Awards and Honors: Excellence in Teaching Award, UCSD (2004); Distinguished Alumni Award, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy (2002); Outstanding Young Women of America (1984).

Leadership Experience: Director of three outcomes research departments; Glaxo Group Research (UK 1993-94), Allergan (US 1997-2002) and Prescription Solutions (US 2002-2004).

Teaching

• Pharmacy: Applied Pharmacoeconomics (SSPPS 209).
• Introduction to Health Care Systems and Policy (SSPPS 207).
• Medicine: Intro to the Health Care System: Social & Behavioral Science (SOM 202D).
• Modern Health Care Organizations (LHCO 205).

Key Contributions to Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Developed disease-specific instrument to assess the impact of gout symptoms on patient HRQOL; the Gout Impact Scale (GIS).
• Founding member and coordinator of the Applied Pharmacoeconomic and Outcomes Research Forum, a bi-annual meeting of healthcare system stakeholders in Southern California.
• Conduct clinical and outcomes research focused on the value of pharmacy services and pharmaceuticals in diabetes, gout, mental health, HIV/AIDS, and gout.

Selected Recent Publications

Hirsch et al. (2008). Evaluation of an Instrument Assessing Gout Impact on Health-Related Quality of Life. Journal of Rheumatology, 35:2406-2414.

Hirsch et al. (2009). Evaluation of the first year of a pilot program in community pharmacy: HIV/AIDS medication therapy management for Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy, 15:32-41.

Hirsch et al. (2009). Patient request for pharmacist counseling and satisfaction: Automated prescription delivery system vs. regular pick-up counter. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 49:73-77.

Potential Collaborative Programs with the Pharmaceutical Industry

• Developing and validating PRO instruments, assessing outcomes status in patient populations, and identifying patients who will likely benefit most (i.e. realize greatest value) from interventions.
• Developing and evaluating novel pharmacy practice models that will improve outcomes of patients within medical care systems.