Health Information Technology to Prevent Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Health Information Technology to Prevent Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
The State of Michigan's comprehensive background check program is designed to promote and protect the health and safety of Michigan's vulnerable populations. It uses an online system to assist in determining suitability of employment of prospective employees, independent contractors, or individuals seeking clinical privileges in long-term care settings. A team of MSU and Yale researchers received funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), through the State of Michigan to develop the Michigan Workforce Background Check system. In addition to creating the background checks web-based application, MSU and Yale researchers are studying the effectiveness of background checks in preventing abuse, as well as their effect on job creation in Michigan. The Michigan Workforce Background Check system, launched in 2006, remained active after the pilot phase under a contract from the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) to Michigan State University, and is currently under a contract from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
Principal Investigators
• Sarah J. Swierenga, PhD (Director, Usability/Accessibility Research and Consulting, Michigan State University)
• Fuad Abujarad, PhD (Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University)
Collaborators
Sarah J. Swierenga, PhD, CPE
Director, Usability/Accessibility Research and Consulting (UARC)
Dr. Swierenga has extensive research experience and expertise in health information technology, user interface evaluation methodologies, and accessible electronic voting systems. As director of UARC (https://uarc.msu.edu/), she is responsible for developing and disseminating innovations in theory building, research methodologies, and technologies to enhance usability and accessibility in web and information technology contexts for users with and without disabilities. Dr. Swierenga will lead the mobile usability and accessibility evaluation studies for the IMPART Alliance project, and provide user interface design and health information technology expertise to address the research questions. She will also provide her research expertise in studying technology use and the impacts of technology on health and social relationships among older adults, qualitative and quantitative research methodology, and dissemination efforts.