Dr. Nelson is an internist and nationally recognized expert in evidence synthesis and development of clinical practice guidelines, particularly related to prevention and screening. Her work has led to national clinical recommendations, practice guidelines, and state-of-the-science reports for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, HRSA (Women’s Preventive Services Initiative), NIH, AHRQ, VA, National Academy of Medicine, WHO, and other partners. Dr. Nelson’s work focuses mainly on topics related to women’s health, such as breast cancer screening, prevention, and diagnosis; osteoporosis; contraception; intimate partner violence; and screening for anxiety; as well as interventions to reduce health disparities and the implementation of practice guidelines within health systems. In addition, she brings methodological expertise in clinical epidemiology and population health; systematic review and meta-analysis; analysis of large datasets; and the development and testing of surveys, patient decision aids, predictive models, and measures of outcomes and utilization. Major current projects include:
• Guidelines for Women’s Preventive Services: 1) Review and synthesize scientific evidence for women’s preventive services for the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative’s (WPSI) recommendations to HRSA for coverage under the Affordable Care Act; and 2) develop and execute a pilot program to assess practices and utilization of guidelines in clinical settings.
• Implementing USPSTF Recommendations for Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention by Integrating Clinical Decision Support Tools: Demonstrate the ability of the electronic health record to securely exchange information with MammoScreen, a patient risk assessment and decision support tool, using interoperable, standards-based approaches; provide meaningful and appropriate clinical and patient decision support at point of care; and evaluate its use among patients and clinicians.
• Systematic Review on Contraception Care: Review and synthesize research on the effectiveness and harms of contraceptive counseling and provision in clinical practice; the adverse effects of unintended pregnancy on maternal and infant health outcomes; and differences across various populations in the U.S.
• Risk Factors for Postpartum Breast Cancer: Developing a Model for Early Detection: Determine risk factors for postpartum breast cancer and develop a risk assessment model with the goal of identifying women with double the risk of breast cancer by age 50.