Christopher Ruser, MD

he/him/his

Associate Professor of Medicine (General Medicine); Chief of Primary Care, Primary Care; Co-Chair, National PACT Directive Revision Committee; Co-Chair, National PACT Optimization Sub-Council; Founder and Director, West Haven VA's Multi-disciplinary Weight Management Program; Associate Chief of Medicine , VACT Healthcare System

Research & Publications
Biography
News

Coauthors

Selected Publications

Development and Psychometric Assessment of the Weight and Eating Quality of Life (WE-QOL) Scale in US Military VeteransMasheb R, Snow J, Fenn L, Antoniadis N, Raffa S, Ruser C, Buta E. Development and Psychometric Assessment of the Weight and Eating Quality of Life (WE-QOL) Scale in US Military Veterans. Journal Of General Internal Medicine 2023, 38: 2076-2081. PMID: 36973571, PMCID: PMC10361921, DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08132-4.
Racial, Ethnic, and Rural Disparities in U.S. Veteran COVID-19 Vaccine RatesBernstein E, DeRycke E, Han L, Farmer M, Bastian L, Bean-Mayberry B, Bade B, Brandt C, Crothers K, Skanderson M, Ruser C, Spelman J, Bazan I, Justice A, Rentsch C, Akgün K. Racial, Ethnic, and Rural Disparities in U.S. Veteran COVID-19 Vaccine Rates. AJPM Focus 2023, 2: 100094. PMID: 37362395, PMCID: PMC10038675, DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2023.100094.
Racial and Rural Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake in a National Sample of VeteransBernstein E, DeRycke E, Han L, Bastian L, Bean-Mayberry B, Bade B, Brandt C, Farmer M, Crothers K, Skanderson M, Ruser C, Spelman J, Bazan I, Justice A, Rentsch C, Akgun K. Racial and Rural Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake in a National Sample of Veterans. 2022, a3695-a3695. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2022.205.1_meetingabstracts.a3695.
The Effect of Primary Care Visits on Total Patient Care Cost: Evidence From the Veterans Health AdministrationGao J, Moran E, Grimm R, Toporek A, Ruser C. The Effect of Primary Care Visits on Total Patient Care Cost: Evidence From the Veterans Health Administration. Journal Of Primary Care & Community Health 2022, 13: 21501319221141792. PMID: 36564889, PMCID: PMC9793026, DOI: 10.1177/21501319221141792.
ICD-10 Coding of Musculoskeletal Conditions in the Veterans Health Administration.Coleman BC, Goulet JL, Higgins DM, Bathulapalli H, Kawecki T, Ruser CB, Bastian LA, Martino S, Piette JD, Edmond SN, Heapy AA. ICD-10 Coding of Musculoskeletal Conditions in the Veterans Health Administration. Pain Medicine 2021, 22: 2597-2603. PMID: 33944953, PMCID: PMC8783617, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnab161.
Associations between adverse childhood experiences and weight, weight control behaviors and quality of life in Veterans seeking weight management servicesMasheb RM, Sala M, Marsh AG, Snow JL, Kutz AM, Ruser CB. Associations between adverse childhood experiences and weight, weight control behaviors and quality of life in Veterans seeking weight management services. Eating Behaviors 2020, 40: 101461. PMID: 33352386, DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2020.101461.
The Kidney Score Platform for Patient and Clinician Awareness, Communication, and Management of Kidney Disease: Protocol for a Mixed Methods StudyTuot DS, Crowley ST, Katz LA, Leung J, Alcantara-Cadillo DK, Ruser C, Talbot-Montgomery E, Vassalotti JA. The Kidney Score Platform for Patient and Clinician Awareness, Communication, and Management of Kidney Disease: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Research Protocols 2020, 9: e22024. PMID: 33074162, PMCID: PMC7605977, DOI: 10.2196/22024.
SARS-CoV-2 detection in setting of viral swabs scarcity: Are MRSA swabs and viral swabs equivalent?Federman DG, Gupta S, Stack G, Campbell SM, Peaper DR, Dembry LM, Fisher A, Tarabar AF, Kozal M, Ruser CB. SARS-CoV-2 detection in setting of viral swabs scarcity: Are MRSA swabs and viral swabs equivalent? PLOS ONE 2020, 15: e0237127. PMID: 32756602, PMCID: PMC7406068, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237127.
A Model for Rapid Transition to Virtual Care, VA Connecticut Primary Care Response to COVID-19Spelman JF, Brienza R, Walsh RF, Drost P, Schwartz AR, Kravetz JD, Pitkin P, Ruser C. A Model for Rapid Transition to Virtual Care, VA Connecticut Primary Care Response to COVID-19. Journal Of General Internal Medicine 2020, 35: 3073-3076. PMID: 32705471, PMCID: PMC7377306, DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06041-4.
Case-mix for assessing primary care value (CPCV)Gao J, Moran E, Schwartz A, Ruser C. Case-mix for assessing primary care value (CPCV). Health Services Management Research 2020, 33: 200-206. PMID: 32552065, DOI: 10.1177/0951484820931063.
A Model for Rapid Transition to Virtual Care, VA Connecticut Primary Care response to COVID-19.Spelman JF, Brienza R, Walsh RF, Drost P, Schwartz AR, Kravetz JD, Pitkin P, Ruser CB. A Model for Rapid Transition to Virtual Care, VA Connecticut Primary Care response to COVID-19. JGIM 2020; in press.
SA-ORS-CoV-2 detection in setting of viral swab scarcity: Are MRSA swabs and viral swabs equivalent?Federman DG, Gupta S, Stack G, Campbell SM, Peaper DR, Demby LM, Fisher A, Tarabar AF, Kozal M, Ruser CB. SAORS-CoV-2 detection in setting of viral swab scarcity: Are MRSA swabs and viral swabs equivalent? Plos One 2020; in press
Sequelae of an Evidence-based Approach to Management for Access to Care in the Veterans Health AdministrationKaboli PJ, Miake-Lye IM, Ruser C, Yano EM, Orshansky G, Rubenstein L, Curtis I, Kirsh S, Hempel S. Sequelae of an Evidence-based Approach to Management for Access to Care in the Veterans Health Administration. Medical Care 2019, 57: s213-s220. PMID: 31517790, PMCID: PMC6750154, DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001177.
“Making weight” during military service is related to binge eating and eating pathology for veterans later in lifeMasheb RM, Kutz AM, Marsh AG, Min KM, Ruser CB, Dorflinger LM. “Making weight” during military service is related to binge eating and eating pathology for veterans later in life. Eating And Weight Disorders - Studies On Anorexia, Bulimia And Obesity 2019, 24: 1063-1070. PMID: 31471885, DOI: 10.1007/s40519-019-00766-w.
Self-report versus objective measurement of weight history: implications for pre-treatment weight gainPhimphasone-Brady P, Dorflinger LM, Ruser C, Bullock A, Godfrey KM, Hernandez D, Min KM, Masheb RM. Self-report versus objective measurement of weight history: implications for pre-treatment weight gain. Journal Of Behavioral Medicine 2019, 42: 1142-1147. PMID: 31016640, DOI: 10.1007/s10865-019-00045-0.
Project STEP: Implementing the Veterans Health Administration's Stepped Care Model of Pain Management.Edmond SN, Moore BA, Dorflinger LM, Goulet JL, Becker WC, Heapy AA, Sellinger JJ, Lee AW, Levin FL, Ruser CB, Kerns RD. Project STEP: Implementing the Veterans Health Administration's Stepped Care Model of Pain Management. Pain Medicine 2018, 19: s30-s37. PMID: 30203015, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny094.
Opioid Use Among Veterans of Recent Wars Receiving Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Care.Lisi AJ, Corcoran KL, DeRycke EC, Bastian LA, Becker WC, Edmond SN, Goertz CM, Goulet JL, Haskell SG, Higgins DM, Kawecki T, Kerns RD, Mattocks K, Ramsey C, Ruser CB, Brandt CA. Opioid Use Among Veterans of Recent Wars Receiving Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Care. Pain Medicine 2018, 19: s54-s60. PMID: 30203014, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny114.
Pain and modifiable risk factors among weight loss seeking Veterans with overweightGodfrey KM, Bullock AJ, Dorflinger LM, Min KM, Ruser CB, Masheb RM. Pain and modifiable risk factors among weight loss seeking Veterans with overweight. Appetite 2018, 128: 100-105. PMID: 29885382, DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.06.010.
Does food addiction contribute to excess weight among clinic patients seeking weight reduction? Examination of the Modified Yale Food Addiction SurveyMasheb RM, Ruser CB, Min KM, Bullock AJ, Dorflinger LM. Does food addiction contribute to excess weight among clinic patients seeking weight reduction? Examination of the Modified Yale Food Addiction Survey. Comprehensive Psychiatry 2018, 84: 1-6. PMID: 29654930, DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.03.006.
Implementation of Shared Medical Appointments to Offer Battlefield Acupuncture Efficiently to Veterans with PainFederman DG, Poulin LM, Ruser CB, Kravetz JD. Implementation of Shared Medical Appointments to Offer Battlefield Acupuncture Efficiently to Veterans with Pain. Acupuncture In Medicine 2018, 36: 124-126. PMID: 28630048, DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2016-011315.
Night eating among veterans with obesityDorflinger LM, Ruser CB, Masheb RM. Night eating among veterans with obesity. Appetite 2017, 117: 330-334. PMID: 28711610, DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2017.07.011.
Pharmacotherapy for Weight Management in the VHA.Semla TP, Ruser C, Good CB, Yanovski SZ, Ames D, Copeland LA, Billington C, Ferguson UI, Aronne LJ, Wadden TA, Garvey WT, Apovian CM, Atkins D. Pharmacotherapy for Weight Management in the VHA. Journal Of General Internal Medicine 2017, 32: 70-73. PMID: 28271432, PMCID: PMC5359152, DOI: 10.1007/s11606-016-3949-y.
A brief screening measure for binge eating in primary careDorflinger LM, Ruser CB, Masheb RM. A brief screening measure for binge eating in primary care. Eating Behaviors 2017, 26: 163-166. PMID: 28402901, DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2017.03.009.
Modifying the Primary Care Exception Rule to Require Competency-Based AssessmentTobin DG, Doolittle BR, Ellman MS, Ruser CB, Brienza RS, Genao I. Modifying the Primary Care Exception Rule to Require Competency-Based Assessment. Academic Medicine 2017, 92: 331-334. PMID: 27355783, DOI: 10.1097/acm.0000000000001293.
A Case of Apples and OrangesRuser CB, Kravetz JD, Federman DG. A Case of Apples and Oranges. The American Journal Of Medicine 2016, 130: e125. PMID: 28340975, DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2016.08.037.
Weight Gain and Incident Diabetes Among HIV-Infected Veterans Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy Compared With Uninfected IndividualsHerrin M, Tate JP, Akgün KM, Butt AA, Crothers K, Freiberg MS, Gibert CL, Leaf DA, Rimland D, Rodriguez-Barradas MC, Ruser CB, Herold KC, Justice AC. Weight Gain and Incident Diabetes Among HIV-Infected Veterans Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy Compared With Uninfected Individuals. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2016, 73: 228-236. PMID: 27171741, PMCID: PMC5023454, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001071.
Now you see/C itDomingo AE, Ruser CB, Simone B, Federman DG. Now you see/C it. Postgraduate Medicine 2016, 128: 629-631. PMID: 27177185, DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2016.1189801.
Stepped care model of pain management and quality of pain care in long-term opioid therapyMoore BA, Anderson D, Dorflinger L, Zlateva I, Lee A, Gilliam W, Tian T, Khatri K, Ruser CB, Kerns RD. Stepped care model of pain management and quality of pain care in long-term opioid therapy. The Journal Of Rehabilitation Research And Development 2016, 53: 137-146. PMID: 27006068, DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2014.10.0254.
Prevalence and correlates of painful conditions and multimorbidity in national sample of overweight/obese VeteransHiggins DM, Buta E, Dorflinger L, Masheb RM, Ruser CB, Goulet JL, Heapy AA. Prevalence and correlates of painful conditions and multimorbidity in national sample of overweight/obese Veterans. The Journal Of Rehabilitation Research And Development 2016, 53: 71-82. PMID: 26933823, DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2014.10.0251.
Weight Change After Antiretroviral Therapy and MortalityYuh B, Tate J, Butt AA, Crothers K, Freiberg M, Leaf D, Logeais M, Rimland D, Rodriguez-Barradas MC, Ruser C, Justice AC. Weight Change After Antiretroviral Therapy and Mortality. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2015, 60: 1852-1859. PMID: 25761868, PMCID: PMC4542664, DOI: 10.1093/cid/civ192.
Implementing the patient-centered medical home in residency educationDoolittle BR, Tobin D, Genao I, Ellman M, Ruser C, Brienza R. Implementing the patient-centered medical home in residency education. Education For Health 2015, 28: 74-78. PMID: 26261119, DOI: 10.4103/1357-6283.161916.
Integrating Interdisciplinary Pain Management into Primary Care: Development and Implementation of a Novel Clinical ProgramDorflinger LM, Ruser C, Sellinger J, Edens EL, Kerns RD, Becker WC. Integrating Interdisciplinary Pain Management into Primary Care: Development and Implementation of a Novel Clinical Program. Pain Medicine 2014, 15: 2046-2054. PMID: 25234837, DOI: 10.1111/pme.12554.
Psychometric properties of a MOVE!23 subscale: Perceived Contributors to Weight Change in a national sample of veteransHiggins DM, Buta E, Dorflinger L, Heapy AA, Ruser CB, Goulet JL, Masheb RM. Psychometric properties of a MOVE!23 subscale: Perceived Contributors to Weight Change in a national sample of veterans. Journal Of Health Psychology 2014, 21: 1394-1403. PMID: 25293969, DOI: 10.1177/1359105314554530.
Implementation of an Electronic Clinical Reminder to Improve Rates of Lung Cancer ScreeningFederman DG, Kravetz JD, Lerz KA, Akgǖn K, Ruser C, Cain H, Anderson EF, Taylor C. Implementation of an Electronic Clinical Reminder to Improve Rates of Lung Cancer Screening. The American Journal Of Medicine 2014, 127: 813-816. PMID: 24769298, DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2014.04.010.
Binge eating behavior among a national sample of overweight and obese veteransHiggins DM, Dorflinger L, MacGregor KL, Heapy AA, Goulet JL, Ruser C. Binge eating behavior among a national sample of overweight and obese veterans. Obesity 2013, 21: 900-903. PMID: 23784891, DOI: 10.1002/oby.20160.
MOVE! multidisciplinary programs: Challenges and resources for weight management treatment in VHARosenberger PH, Ruser C, Kashaf S. MOVE! multidisciplinary programs: Challenges and resources for weight management treatment in VHA. Translational Behavioral Medicine 2011, 1: 629-634. PMID: 24073087, PMCID: PMC3717680, DOI: 10.1007/s13142-011-0092-5.
Beyond MOVE!: Specialty Treatment of Complex Obese VeteransRosenberger PH, Kashaf SS, and Ruser CB. Beyond MOVE!: Specialty Treatment of Complex Obese Veterans. Translational Behavioral Medicine TBM 2011; 1:629-634.
A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to the Management of Obesity.Ruser CB, Sellinger J, Kashaf SS, Carbone V, Bucci L, Hay S, Heapy AA, Frantsve LE, McKinnon J, Samuel VT, Dallas MI, Rosenberger PH. A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to the Management of Obesity. Federal Practitioner 2009; 25-32.
LossRuser CB. Loss. Ann Int Med. 2007; 147:440.
Lipoprotein and preretinal membrane.Ruser CB. Lipoprotein and preretinal membrane. Cortlandt Forum. 2006;19(7):30
What to do about too much fibrinogen.Ruser CB. What to do about too much fibrinogen. Cortlandt Forum. 2006; 19(7):25-26.
Halting urine leakage?Ruser CB. Halting urine leakage? Cortlandt Forum. 2006;19(6):24-27
Temperature-depression-thyroid link?Ruser CB. Temperature-depression-thyroid link? Cortlandt Forum. 2006;19(6):23
Alendronate and calcium scoresRuser CB. Alendronate and calcium scores. Cortlandt Forum. 2006;19(5):26-29
Isolated elevated wbc countRuser CB. Isolated elevated wbc count. Cortlandt Forum. 2006;19(45):29
Prohpylactic gallbladder therapyRuser CB. Prohpylactic gallbladder therapy. Cortlandt Forum. 2006;19(4):29
Lowering carb absorption in diabeticsRuser CB. Lowering carb absorption in diabetics. Cortlandt Forum. 2006;19(4):22-23.
Disparate diabetes findingsRuser CB. Disparate diabetes findings. Cortlandt Forum. 2006;19(3):17.
Auscultation techniquesRuser CB. Auscultation techniques. Cortlandt Forum. 2006; 19(2):35.
Pre-venipuncture topical nitroRuser CB. Pre-venipuncture topical nitro. Cortlandt Forum. 2006;19(2):26
BRIEF REPORT: Identification and Management of Overweight and Obesity by Internal Medicine ResidentsRuser CB, Sanders L, Brescia GR, Talbot M, Hartman K, Vivieros K, Bravata DM. BRIEF REPORT: Identification and Management of Overweight and Obesity by Internal Medicine Residents. Journal Of General Internal Medicine 2005, 20: 1139-1141. PMID: 16423105, PMCID: PMC1490269, DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0263.x.
Upright rowing for muscle tensionRuser CB. Upright rowing for muscle tension. Corltandt Forum. 2005;18(11):76.
Alternative drug for bipolar disorderRuser CB. Alternative drug for bipolar disorderCortlandt Forum. 2005;18(11):72.
What phlegm can tell youRuser CB. What phlegm can tell you. Cortlandt Forum. 2005;18(11):69
Cardiac anomalies found during sports physicalsRuser CB. Cardiac anomalies found during sports physicals. Cortlandt Forum. 2005;18(11):61-65.
How might antacids quell hunger pain?Ruser CB. How might antacids quell hunger pain? Cortlandt Forum. 2005;18(10):69.
Can ACE Inhibitors and Magnesium be used together?Ruser CB. Can ACE Inhibitors and Magnesium be used together? Cortlandt Forum. 2005;18(10)66.
Working up the patient with proteinuriaRuser CB. Working up the patient with proteinuria. Cortlandt Forum. 2005;18(10):64
Easing fatigueRuser CB. Easing fatigue. Cortlandt Forum. 2005;18(9):58
Putting a trace on "trace" proteinRuser CB. Putting a trace on "trace" protein. Cortlandt Forum. 2005;18(9):45
Clean hair equals less allergyRuser CB. Clean hair equals less allergy. Cortlandt Forum. 2004;18(8)48.
Lidocaine patches for back pain?Ruser CB. Lidocaine patches for back pain? Cortlandt Forum. 2005;18(8):45.
Splitting pills to save moneyRuser CB. Splitting pills to save money. Cortlandt Forum. 2005;18(8):48.
An Unusual Neurologic CombinationRuser CB. An Unusual Neurologic Combination. Cortlandt Forum. 2005;18(7):50.
Do seeds and nuts add to diverticulosis woes?Ruser CB. Do seeds and nuts add to diverticulosis woes? Cortlandt Forum. 2005;18(6):47
Workup for mild hyperkalemiaRuser CB. Workup for mild hyperkalemia. Cortlandt Forum. 2005;18(5):51.
Meds in the post-nephropathy patientRuser CB. Meds in the post-nephropathy patient. Cortlandt Forum. 2005; 18(4)51.
Optimal scheduling for coumadin dosesRuser CB. Optimal scheduling for coumadin doses. Cortlandt Forum. 2005;18(3):54.
Peripheral arterial diseaseFederman DG, Kravetz JD, Ruser C. Peripheral arterial disease. In Wound Healing. Falaballa AF, Kirsner RS Eds. Marcel Dekkar Inc 2005.
Whittling away at obesity and overweightRuser CB, Federman DG, Kashaf SS. Whittling away at obesity and overweight. Postgraduate Medicine 2005, 117: 31-40. PMID: 15672889, DOI: 10.3810/pgm.2005.01.1568.
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome and Ulcerative ColitisFederman DG, Kravetz JD, Ruser CB, Judson PH, Kirsner RS. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome and Ulcerative Colitis. Southern Medical Journal 2004, 97: 169-171. PMID: 14982267, DOI: 10.1097/01.smj.0000100263.99708.10.
Seronegative SpnodyloarthropathiesRuser, CB. Seronegative Spondyloarthropathies. Field Guide to Internal Medicine. Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkinson 2004

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Christopher Ruser, MD

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Research & Publications

Biography

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Selected Publications