James Ralston MD, MPH, is an internal medicine physician and senior investigator in health services and health informatics. His research mission is improving the health and care of patients living with common ongoing illnesses. His current areas of emphasis include understanding and honoring the priorities of patients living with multiple chronic conditions.
Dr. Ralston’s research focuses on developing and evaluating communication technologies that foster continuous care and a closer connection between patients and primary care teams. His commitment to finding effective ways to redesign care spans all stages of research, from project development to complete translation of results into clinical practice.
Examples of Dr. Ralston’s research projects include:
Dr. Ralston is also a University of Washington affiliate professor in health services and biomedical informatics, where he serves on the committees of PhD and master’s degree students.
eHealth; hypertension; diabetes
Health informatics; hypertension; diabetes; health behaviors; multiple chronic conditions
Self-management support
Health care disparities
Frederickson R, Crane PK, Tufano J, Ralston J, Schmidt S, Brown T, Layman D, Harrington RD, Dhanireddy S, Stone T, Lober W, Kitahata MM, Crane HM. Integrating a web-based, patient-administered assessment into primary care for HIV-infected adults. J AIDS HIV Res. 2012;4(2):47-55. PubMed
Walker J, Leveille SG, Ngo L, Vodicka E, Darer JD, Dhanireddy S, Elmore JG, Feldman HJ, Lichtenfeld MJ, Oster N, Ralston JD, Ross SE, Delbanco T. Inviting patients to read their doctors' notes: patients and doctors look ahead: patient and physician surveys. Ann Intern Med. 2011;155(12):811-9. PubMed
Jackson GL, Krein SL, Alverson DC, Darkins AW, Gunnar W, Harada ND, Helfrich CD, Houston TK, Klobucar TF, Nazi KM, Poropatich RK, Ralston JD, Bosworth HB. Defining core issues in utilizing information technology to improve access: evaluation and research agenda. J Gen Intern Med. 2011;26 Suppl 2:623-7. PubMed
Fishman PA, Anderson ML, Cook AJ, Ralston JD, Catz SL, Carlson J, Larson EB, Green BB. Accuracy of blood pressure measurements reported in an electronic medical record during routine primary care visits. J Clin Hypertens. 2011;13(11):821-8. PubMed
Green B, Anderson M, Catz S, Ralston J. Self-reported use of home blood pressure monitoring does not predict improved hypertension control. Clin Med Res. 2011;9(3-4):152-3. PubMed
Simon GE, Ralston JD, Savarino J, Pabiniak C, Wentzel C, Operskalski BH. Randomized trial of depression follow-up care by online messaging. J Gen Intern Med. 2011 Jul;26(7):698-704. Epub 2011 Mar 8. PubMed
Lyles CR, Harris LT, Le T, Flowers J, Tufano J, Britt D, Hoath J, Hirsch IB, Goldberg HI, Ralston JD. Qualitative evaluation of a mobile phone and web-based collaborative care intervention for patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2011 May;13(5):563-9. Epub 2011 Mar 15. PubMed
Green BB, Anderson ML, Ralston JD, Catz S, Fishman PA, Cook AJ. Patient ability and willingness to participate in a web-based intervention to improve hypertension control. J Med Internet Res. 2011 Jan 20;13(1):e1. PubMed
McCarrier KP, Zimmerman FJ, Ralston JD, Martin DP. Associations between minimum wage policy and access to health care: evidence from the behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 1996-2007. Am J Public Health. 2011 Feb;101(2):359-67. Epub 2010 Dec 16. PubMed
Harris LT, Tufano J, Le T, Rees C, Lewis GA, Evert AB, Flowers J, Collins C, Hoath J, Hirsch IB, Goldberg HI, Ralston JD. Designing mobile support for glycemic control in patients with diabetes. J Biomed Inform. 2010;43(5 Suppl):S37-40. PubMed
Kaiser Permanente researchers develop predictive model to help adults with multiple health conditions.
Newly funded center will elevate equity and community in learning health system research.
Community circulation of ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli increased after 6-year reduction in antibiotic prescriptions
A new study aims to understand trends in digital care communication among teens.
A new federal rule requiring physicians to give patients access to their notes may be easier to follow than physicians expected.