Patrick Dideum, MD

General Preventive Medicine  |  Johns Hopkins University

Preventive Medicine residency brings the opportunity to bring my early career of database administration and data analysis with my current career as an Air Force pediatrician. Through pursuit of the Public Health Informatics certificate, I want to hone my previous information systems training with my medical training to develop, deploy, test, and monitor data-driven solutions to positively affect the health of populations.

I pursued a rotation at AHRQ to gain experience at a federal, non-military agency and understand the roles of the many other agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services. As one of these agencies, AHRQ provided a superb environment to understand how evidence-based recommendations are generated starting with thoughtful research plans through final recommendations. I was able to observe the operations of several subcommittees working to refine the USPSTF approaches and methodologies which furthered my appreciation and understanding of the recommendation process. I plan to use this experience to guide my future Preventive Medicine practice and will be an advocate for the efforts within AHRQ and a promoter of USPSTF recommendations.

Afua Takyi, MD, MS, MPH
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Preventive Medicine Residency Program

I chose Preventive Medicine because of my passion for public health and desire to guide awareness and change at a population-based level while focusing on maternal health, racial and health disparities in underserved communities, education, patient advocacy, clinical prevention, and research. My unique training allows me to practice full-scope public health and clinical medicine.

The APTR-AHRQ/USPSTF rotation was an invaluable experience and an excellent opportunity to learn the rigorous methodology of developing the USPSTF recommendation statements. I have a much deeper appreciation and understanding of this comprehensive process. During my rotation, I was involved in several projects, including drafting presentation slides to support AHRQ leadership in a national meeting, critically appraising literature and presenting on a randomized controlled trial to AHRQ medical officers to inform USPSTF recommendations, and completing several fact-checks to ensure the accuracy of the evidence in draft recommendation statements during the development process. I gained in-depth knowledge of the diverse draft prevention topics. During resident rounds, my AHRQ preceptor and the other medical officers provided great mentorship on synthesizing evidence accurately and critically when evaluating recommendation statements. I am very thankful to have worked with such an incredible and collaborative team that significantly supports the US Preventive Services Task Force's work.

I was fortunate to participate in the USPSTF meeting calls and gain insight into how the evidence is judiciously evaluated, reviewed, and prioritized for draft recommendations. It was also a remarkable experience to attend the USPSTF meeting in-person and witness firsthand the tremendous preparation and dedication that goes into each recommendation statement serving our nation and guiding clinicians!

Learn more about the APTR-AHRQ Preventive Medicine Residency Program

Michael Harding, MD

Johns Hopkins University General Preventive Medicine Residency

I chose to pursue a combined family medicine and preventive medicine residency program because as a medical officer in the Indian Health Service, I am charged with the health of both individuals and populations. I wanted a training program that would prepare me to understand the individual and systems level factors that impact the health of AI/AN communities. AHRQ provided an ideal setting for me to experience clinical preventive medicine. Attending the USPSTF meeting highlighted how deliberate each of the decisions of TF really is, and how the TF uses evidence to arrive at their conclusions. As a rotating resident, I was able to participate in a number of different projects and initiatives for the Agency, When I use the TF recommendations in my clinical practice, I can have confidence in the process and rest assured that TF recommendations are predicated upon the best available evidence. 

AHRQ Residency Tasks Completed:

• Verified accuracy of data and citations for a draft recommendation statement prior to posting for public comment. 
• Reviewed, summarized, and provided disposition to address public comments before finalizing a recommendation statement. 
• Co-authored a Putting Prevention into Practice case study based on a recently published USPSTF recommendation. The case study is scheduled for publication in the American Academy of Family Physicians' scientific journal. 
• Provided consultation on current and relevant USPSTF recommendations for policies and communication products for CCHQ Medical Affairs Branch and DHHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. 
• Prepared presentation slides for USPSTF members to present at an upcoming partner meeting. 
• Attended USPSTF deliberation meetings during recommendation development. 
  
• Participated in didactic lessons describing core preventive medicine topics, and the USPSTF methodology and processes for developing evidence-based guidelines.
• Critically appraised evidence and presented findings to AHRQ medical officers to inform USPSTF recommendations.

Learn more about the APTR-AHRQ Preventive Medicine Residency Program

Sayuri Inoue, MD, MPP

Stony Brook General Preventive Medicine Residency Program

During my rotation, I had the opportunity to observe and assist with a variety of tasks to support the work of the United States Preventive Task Force (USPSTF).
The projects I assisted with included fact-checking recommendation statements and drafting the feature titled “Putting Prevention into Practice” (PPIP) to be
published in the American Family Physician journal. In addition, I had the opportunity to review a draft report.

I gained a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the USPSTF recommendations. In addition, I had the opportunity to practice a variety of skills and receive valuable feedback in many areas, such as critical review of a journal article, presentation, peer review of a journal article, and drafting questions for PPIP. I chose preventive medicine because it can create a positive impact for a population on a large scale, and address health disparities. I was grateful to be part of the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) USPSTF team and I am inspired by their work.

Learn more about the APTR-AHRQ Preventive Medicine Residency Program

Jarett Beaudoin, MD

Johns Hopkins University |  Preventive Medicine Residency

While at the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), I had the opportunity to participate in and contribute to the work of the United States Preventive Task Force (USPSTF). There are many steps in the creation of a USPSTF recommendation, all the way from selecting topics for review to developing communication strategies for newly minted recommendations. My projects included fact-checking draft or final recommendations, assisting with reports to Congress on research gaps, and writing articles for medical journals discussing new recommendations. The breadth of these responsibilities truly helps Preventive Residents understand the vital process to create a USPSTF recommendation.

This rotation further cemented my interest in how evidence becomes policy. I chose the AHRQ rotation because they are one of the few organizations that actually has the breadth of knowledge and regulatory power to create such policies. In just over a year, a topic becomes a systematic review, then is translated into a recommendation that impacts the care of millions. The ability to have this large of an impact is why I went into Preventive Medicine. Our specialty is the only residency in which physicians learn to treat populations, not just individuals, and I hope to take the important lessons from my rotation at AHRQ to continue to provide this type of care.

How has your experience at AHRQ Impacted your career path and goals?
Seeing how evidence becomes policy has continued to increase my interest in policy research. I have become more interested in government service, and was able to see roles in the Federal government where original research is created.