Research at the School of Medicine

Family Medicine Research

Led by Professor and Chair Michelle A. Bholat, MD, MPH, the Department of Family Medicine at UC Riverside is a leader in evidence-based, culturally aware, and patient-centered care. Faculty conduct studies across clinical care topics. This work also includes studies of graduate medical education, specifically on the evaluation of international residents in this program.

Research in Family Medicine is currently supported by internal funding, with strategic planning for extramural funding. Though partnerships with the UC Office of the President, other SOM departments, and other universities Family Medicine generates impactful knowledge and expands access to care for underserved communities, contributing to improved health outcomes in the Inland Empire.

Publications

UCLA International Medical Graduate Pathway to Family Medicine Board Certification and Underserved Practice

The UCLA IMG program was effective at preparing program graduates that were fluent in Spanish and bicultural to match in a California family medicine residency program and subsequently practice family medicine in underserved areas. Future studies will examine long-term practice outcomes, predictors of success, and participant perspectives on the program.

Bholat M, Hernandez AM, Campos B, Antillon R, Dowling PT, Moreno G.

Fam Med. 2025;57(5):355-363. doi: 10.22454/FamMed.2025.344685

Winner: 2026 Achievement in Clinical Research Award

Screening for Toxic Stress Response and Buffering Factors: A Case-Based, Trauma-Informed Approach to Health Equity

Implementing this case-based curriculum in trauma-informed patient care helped increase opportunities for equitable health in patient encounters by providing students with the skills to screen for toxic stress, buffering, and brief in-clinic resiliency-fostering tools. Such skills will become even more impactful as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Osei A, Paz CG, Stuparich M, Racataian-Gavan R, Nelms L, Suliman Y, Smith A, Bajwa M. 

MedEdPORTAL. 2022;18:11224. Epub 20220304. doi: 10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11224. PubMed PMID: 35321319; PMCID: PMC8894523.
 

Unpacking the link between substance use disorders and 30-day unplanned readmission

In the United States, hospital patients with substance use disorder diagnoses appear to have a higher risk of 30-day unplanned readmission to hospital and account for a disproportionate share of patients who have multiple unplanned readmissions than hospital patients without substance use disorder diagnoses.

Rosen AD, Takada S, Juillard C, Fernandez Montero YL, Richards AM, Ngekeng S, Shoptaw SJ, Bholat MA. 

Addiction. 2025. Epub 20250723. doi: 10.1111/add.70136. PubMed PMID: 40698401.
 

Baseline characteristics of survivors, primary care clinicians, and oncologists in a randomized trial of a shared care, self-management intervention for cancer survivors

Berkeley M, Urman H, Lee J, Xiao Y, Ferrell B, Reb A, Debay M, Miller S, Lucero L, Hudley AC, Sun V. 

Support Care Cancer. 2025;33(8):745. Epub 20250802. doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09774-2. PubMed PMID: 40753136; PMCID: PMC12317913.
 

Sexual-orientation disparities in whole person health: age- and gender-stratified analysis of patients in a safety-net system

The WPHS tool highlighted substantial disparities in mental health, substance use, and economic challenges among LGB+ individuals, emphasizing the importance of tailored interventions. Our findings advocate for the routine collection of SOGI data and integrating social and non-medical needs in patient care to effectively address these disparities.

Khurana D, Garner M, Bass B, Sasininia B, Leung G, Firek A.

Int J Equity Health. 2025;24(1):310. Epub 20251113. doi: 10.1186/s12939-025-02672-3. PubMed PMID: 41233865; PMCID: PMC12617001.