Patient-Oriented and Population Sciences Shared Resource Facility (POP SRF)
POP SRF Overview
The Patient-Oriented and Population Sciences Shared Resource Facility (POP SRF) plays a key role in helping Markey Cancer Center (MCC) clinician-scientists and researchers conduct research on the psychosocial, behavioral, and epidemiologic aspects of cancer prevention and control. Other cancer-related research areas in which the POP Sciences SRF is well equipped to contribute include implementation science, health services, and community-based interventions. The POP Sciences SRF facilitates research in partnership with Kentucky Cancer Program, Kentucky Cancer Consortium, MCC Community Impact Office (CIO), MCC Research and Affiliate Networks plus other established clinics and community partners.
This SRF is focused on helping UK and MCC investigators with 1) psychosocial and behavioral studies with cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, or providers and 2) studies with the general population that investigate topics pertinent to cancer, such as smoking, HPV vaccination, or obesity. The POP Sciences SRF is adept at the conduct of both observational studies and clinical trials and has immense experience conducting research in Markey’s clinics and catchment area communities, including Appalachian Kentucky.
Investigators are encouraged to reach out to the POP Sciences SRF early when developing a study protocol or grant application. This allows the Director and Manager time to brainstorm with you and plan for the best use of our services.
The POP Sciences SRF can assist with:
- Study design and outcome measurement
- Participant recruitment, enrollment, and retention
- Survey data collection in clinic and community settings
- Key informant interviews and focus groups
- Qualitative research including transcription and thematic analysis
- Data management and sharing with other SRFs
- Identification of clinical collaborators
- Dissemination of supported studies through collaborative presentations and manuscripts
Specific Aims
- Streamline methods for participant accrual and retention.
- Collect patient-reported outcomes and other survey data for epidemiological and other observational studies and non-therapeutic clinical trials.
- Facilitate rigorous qualitative research as part of observational studies, clinical trials and dissemination and implementation studies.
- Coordinate behavioral, psychosocial and epidemiologic studies to accelerate cancer research findings and their dissemination.
RESEARCH
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the POP SRF?
Pre-award: Consulting, Developing, and Planning
The Director offers thoughtful, study-specific consultation on “best practices” for research methods in which POP Sciences excels and can help identify suitable partners collaborators, and other MCC SRFs that will enhance the rigor and impact of a given study. Pre-award consultation services could include the following:
- Selecting reliable and valid patient-reported outcomes (e.g., pain, distress)
- Measuring health behavior and change processes (e.g., tobacco use, physical activity)
- Choosing the best platform for data collection (e.g., in-person interview, REDCap or Qualtrics online survey)
- Modifying recruitment strategies and informed consent procedures to streamline enrollment
- Refining a study design to capitalize on MCC, institutional, and community resources
- Linking investigators with MCC clinics, other SRFs, and relevant campus resources
- Fostering collaborations within and across MCC Research Programs
Post-award: Study Implementation
Post-award services are provided by the staff within the POP Sciences SRF. The POP Sciences SRF conducts a wide range of services from study preparation to participant retention efforts and qualitative data analysis. Some of the services offered include:
- Recruiting participants and screening for eligibility
- Accruing participants into observational studies and clinical trials
- Facilitating retention in longitudinal studies
- Collecting data via survey and/or qualitative research methods
- Contributing to qualitative data analysis
- Coordinating with investigative team members, MCC clinics and providers, community partners, and other SRFs
You may request services by submitting a consultation form.
Laurie McLouth, PhD
POP SRF Director
Dr. McLouth is an Assistant Professor in the College of Medicine's Department of Behavioral Science and the Center for Health Equity Transformation. As a clinical psychologist, Dr. McLouth specializes in cancer survivorship, multilevel interventions, palliative care, and implementation science. Dr. McLouth has extensive leadership experience designing and testing survivorship and supportive oncology interventions and consulting on patient-reported outcomes for therapeutic trials.
Vilma Bursac, MS
Manager
Vilma Bursac is the Manager of the POP SRF, overseeing daily research operations for active and prospective cancer studies. Ms. Bursac holds a Master’s in Kinesiology and Health Promotion and is currently completing a PhD in Health Services research at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, focusing on health outcomes. Her research interests center on addressing health disparities. Ms. Bursac has extensive experience in clinical trial protocol development, patient recruitment and retention, complex study implementation (e.g., multisite trials, intensive longitudinal designs), electronic health record screening, and data management.
Jean Edward, PhD
Faculty Lead
Qualitative Data Services
Dr. Edward is an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing. Her expertise lies in qualitative research methods, mixed-methods, health services research and evaluation, and social determinants of health. Dr. Edward provides comprehensive pre- and post-award consultation on studies utilizing qualitative methods, offering guidance on study design, conduct, and the collection and analysis of qualitative data.
Courtney Blair, MSM
Senior Research Associate
Courtney Blair, MSM, is a Senior Research Associate at the POP SRF with extensive experience in participant recruitment and retention in both clinical and non-clinical settings. She excels at survey and study material development, REDCap® project management, and maintaining study documentation and data entry. A trained Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Ms. Blair specializes in studies focused on tobacco-related malignancies. She is adept at implementing study protocols across the cancer control continuum.
Amy Christian, MSPH
Senior Research Associate
Amy Christian, MSPH is a Senior Research Associate at the POP SRF, specializing in survey design, REDCap® project development, and participant enrollment across various study modalities. She excels in data collection, study management support, prescreening participants for eligibility in the electronic health record, implementing clinical research protocols to understand and support the needs of patients and families facing cancer, and cancer registry-based protocols.
Sandi Haddix, MA
Senior Research Associate
Sandi Haddix, MA, is a Senior Research Associate at the POP SRF with extensive experience in implementation science, qualitative methods, and community-based research. She specializes in design of qualitative data collection methods, implementing mixed-methods studies, and collecting, managing, and analyzing qualitative data. Sandi is well-versed in multiple qualitative data analyses methods, including thematic analysis, narrative analysis, and discourse analysis.
The Patient-Oriented and Population Sciences Shared Resource Facility (POP SRF)
Vilma Bursac, MS
POP SRF Manager
vilma.bursac@uky.edu
Combs Research Building, Room 235
800 Rose St., Lexington KY 40536-0293
859-218-6222
POP Staff Services: POP staff service fees are charged either as percentage effort or hourly rates. Unfunded pilot projects and internal pilot grants that are a year or less are billed at a rate of $40/hr. Markey members receive a 33% subsidy for hourly staff rates! Funded projects and grants that are more than a year use an effort-based approach to billing to better serve the needs of longer projects. Percentage effort is determined by the scope of services and estimated effort required to fulfill study needs.
POP Qualitative Faculty Lead Services: POP qualitative services provided by Dr. Edward are offered at a rate of $80/hr., regardless of funding mechanism, duration of project, or occurrence at pre- or post-award.
POP GRA Services: For Markey investigator projects supported by POP SRF, investigators may utilize GRA services to support manuscript and presentation development at no cost.
POP Consultation with Director: POP’s Director provides consultation on study design and implementation at no cost.
POP Manager Consultation and Services: POP’s Manager provides general consultation on study design and implementation with the Director at no cost. Staff services provided by the Manager (e.g., REDCap programming, study coordination) are billed at the POP staff rate.
Why should I use POP Sciences for participant recruitment?
The POP SRF staff are very experienced in both in-person and remote recruitment, informed consent procedures, and Oncore protocol management. Due to the institutional knowledge of POP SRF staff, clinician-scientists and researchers who utilize this SRF benefit from years of experience and strong collaborations on and off the UK campus.
What technical resources do you have available for data collection and analysis?
The POP SRF maintains a library of iPads and digital voice recorders for the purpose of data collection; these tools are available for MCC members to check out free of charge. The POP SRF staff are also very familiar with the “ins and outs” of Zoom-based survey and interview data collection. Finally, NVivo is available for POP SRF staff to use to aid qualitative data analysis.
What form of participant incentive do you recommend?
There are several factors to consider when determining the amount and form of participant incentive to use in a study. We recommend thinking about the study needs and population preferences in addition to consulting with the business office in your department prior to making a final decision. We are also happy to discuss different approaches that have been utilized in studies we have supported and the pros/cons of each option.
Acknowledge the POP SRF
Investigators are required to acknowledge the Markey Cancer Center Patient-Oriented and Population Sciences Shared Resource Facility (POP SRF) in any publications that result from the use of POP SRF or information received through the MCC POP SRF. Please use the following statement to acknowledge the POP SRF.
“This research was supported by the Patient-Oriented and Population Sciences Shared Resource Facility of the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center (P30CA177558).”
