Synthesizing and distilling evidence to shape clinical practice, inform health policy, and drive future research
Since 1997, when they were launched by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs) have produced original and update systematic reviews of the scientific evidence on a variety of health care and health policy topics, including prevention, screening, diagnostic testing, therapy, rehabilitation, counseling, and palliative care.
What our Evidence-based Practice Center focuses on
Based on systematic reviews and syntheses of the scientific evidence, our EPC prepares reports and technology assessments for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Effective Health Care (EHC) and Technology Assessment Programs, the Drug Effectiveness Review Project (DERP), the Washington State Health Technology Assessment (WA-HTA), and other public and private health care organizations.
Who we are
We are a multidisciplinary group of investigators with expertise in health care, health services research methods, critical appraisal of healthcare literature, and meta-analysis. Our EPC investigators at The Ohio State University collaborate with investigators from RTI International, UNC Chapel Hill, and elsewhere, drawing expertise from clinical and public health areas (including medicine, pharmacy, and public health).
We combine expertise in research and policy analysis with a depth of technical skills in quantitative, qualitative, and social sciences methodology. Our team members bring decades of experience in conducting systematic reviews using an interdisciplinary approach that allows for a thorough examination of topics from a broad perspective.
Meet our team
Dr. Jonas has served as co-Director of the EPC since 2012. He is a primary care physician and health services researcher.
Ms. Brouwer is a Research Administration Management Senior Analyst in the Division of General Internal Medicine at The Ohio State University. She has a background in nursing as well as dietetics, having worked several years in these fields prior to her current position. In her current role, Ms. Brouwer assists with management of coordination of various ongoing research projects within the Division of General Internal Medicine and participates in the development of research grant proposals. Currently, Ms. Brouwer is providing administrative support and project management for an EHC Program review on Tumor Cell-free DNA for Cancer Screening and an upcoming USPSTF review on Vision Screening in Children. She is also working as a project manager for two ongoing pragmatic trials (STop UNhealthy Alcohol Use Now [STUN I] and STop UNhealthy Substance Use Now [STUN II]), both funded by AHRQ R18 grants.
Mr. Riley is an implementation scientist at the Wexner Medical Center within the Division of General Internal Medicine (GIM) and a PhD student in Health Services Management and Policy in the College of Public Health. Beyond coordinating systematic reviews and meta-analyses for the US Preventive Services Task Force, Mr. Riley serves as research assistant on the STop UNhealthy (STUN) Alcohol Use Now and STop UNhealthy Substance Use Now (STUN-II) grants. Additionally, Mr. Riley provides support to quality improvement and implementation science projects across the department.
Mr. Riley’s research aims to advance the development and application of mixed methods economic evaluations, stated-preference techniques, and legal epidemiology within implementation science, with a particular focus on the role of policy. His areas of focus include advance care planning, organ donation, medical assistance in dying, and screening and treatment for substance use disorder.
Mr. Schwimmer is a Research Administration Management Analyst in the Division of General Internal Medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He has an extended background in AHRQ Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC)-funded systematic review and comparative effectiveness review research spanning over 13 years. Reports and manuscripts stemming from reviews he has contributed to have informed multiple U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) primary care practice guidelines, as well as guidelines issued by other entities, such as the American Psychological Association, PCORI, and Washington State Health Care Authority.
In his EPC role, Mr. Schwimmer has coordinated and participated in literature reviews, data abstraction, risk of bias assessment, and manuscript preparation as part of various multidisciplinary research teams. Currently, he is providing topic refinement support for an upcoming USPSTF evidence review about Vision Screening in Children. He will also serve as a practice facilitator for an ongoing pragmatic trial (STop UNhealthy Substance Use Now [STUN II]) funded by an AHRQ R18 grant. Outside of EPC project responsibilities, Mr. Schwimmer is engaged as a clinical trial coordinator and maternal health research center coordinator within the Wexner Medical Center.
Ms. Voisin is a Research Specialist within the Division of GIM. She provides general literature search support for the division and works closely with HOMES and recently joined CATALYST. She coordinates the Priority Aims and Testable Hypotheses (PATH4IR) implementation research review project and provides data abstraction, manuscript development, budgeting, and literature searching for the project. She also assists with the Multimodal Maternal Infant Perinatal Outpatient Delivery System (MOMI PODS) project by tracking finances and personnel appointments and providing literature searching to support evidence-based decision making within the project. She compiles and provides a monthly newsletter about health services and outcomes research funding opportunities broadly from a variety of sources. She will provide biannual presentations on library-oriented topics of interest to the division (e.g., searching PubMed, searching for literature for qualitative evidence synthesis, using citation managers, etc.). She advises on journal publishing and copyright issues.
Ms. Voisin was previously Associate Director for Information and Library Services at The Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), co-PI for the database contract for the HSRProj database. She has been the lead librarian for the Research Triangle International-University of North Carolina Evidence-based Practice Center (RTI-UNC EPC) since 2009 and is currently coordinating peer review of searches for EPC librarians and participating in a project with other EPC librarians to develop search filters for Black persons living in the United States. She was recently PI at Ohio State for strategic planning and literature search support for MITRE on the topic of broadband internet access as a social determinant of health. Her work has been supported by AHRQ, the Drug Effectiveness Review Project, MITRE, PCORI, and the National Library of Medicine. Since 2021, she has provided contingent consultant literature search support to the Kaiser Permanente Care Management Institute. Ms. Voisin has also provided contract literature search support for projects funded by the State of Maryland, Washington State’s Health Care Authority, and the FDA.
Selected Projects and Publications from our Evidence-based Practice Center investigators
Gartlehner G, Patel SV, Reddy S, Rains C, Schwimmer M, Kahwati L. Hormone Therapy for the Primary Prevention of Chronic Conditions in Postmenopausal Persons: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2022 Nov 1;328(17):1747-1765. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.18324. PMID: 36318128.
Gartlehner G, Patel SV, Reddy S, Rains C, Coker-Schwimmer M, Kahwati L. Hormone Therapy for the Primary Prevention of Chronic Conditions in Postmenopausal Persons: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2022 Nov. Report No.: 22-05294-EF-1. PMID: 36413605.
McPheeters M, O'Connor EA, Riley S, Kennedy SM, Voisin C, Kuznacic K, Coffey CP, Edlund MD, Bobashev G, Jonas DE. Pharmacotherapy for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA. 2023 Nov 7;330(17):1653-1665. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.19761. Erratum in: JAMA. 2024 Oct 2. doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.11331. PMID: 37934220; PMCID: PMC10630900.
McPheeters M, O’Connor EA, Riley S, Kennedy SM, Voisin C, Kuznacic K, Coffey CP, Edlund M, Bobashev G, Jonas DE. Pharmacotherapy for Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder in Outpatient Settings: Systematic Review. Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 262. (Prepared by the RTI International–University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 75Q80120D00007.) AHRQ Publication No. 23(24)-EHC011. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; November 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23970/AHRQEPCCER262.
Viswanathan M, Rains C, Hart LC, Doran E, Sathe N, Hudson K, Ali R, Jonas DE, Chou R, Zolotor AJ. Primary Care Interventions to Prevent Child Maltreatment: Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2024 Mar 19;331(11):959-971. doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.0276. PMID: 38502070.
Viswanathan M, Rains C, Hart LC, Doran E, Sathe N, Hudson K, Ali R, Jonas DE, Chou R, Zolotor AJ. Primary Care Interventions to Prevent Child Maltreatment: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2024 Mar. Report No.: 23-05307-EF-1. PMID: 38574188.
Kahwati LC, Asher GN, Kadro ZO, Keen S, Ali R, Coker-Schwimmer E, Jonas DE. Screening for Atrial Fibrillation: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2022 Jan 25;327(4):368-383. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.21811. PMID: 35076660.
Kahwati L, Asher GN, Kadro ZO, Keen S, Ali R, Coker-Schwimmer E, Jonas DE. Screening for Atrial Fibrillation: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Evidence Synthesis No. 208. AHRQ Publication No. 21-05277-EF-1. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2022 January.
Feltner C, Peat C, Reddy S, Riley S, Berkman N, Middleton JC, Balio C, Coker-Schwimmer M, Jonas DE. Screening for Eating Disorders in Adolescents and Adults: Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2022 Mar 15;327(11):1068-1082. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.1807. PMID: 35289875.
Feltner C, Peat C, Reddy S, Riley S, Berkman N, Middleton JC, Balio C, Coker-Schwimmer M, Jonas DE. Screening for Eating Disorders in Adolescents and Adults: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2022 Mar. Report No. 21-05284-EF-1. PMID: 35344311.
Feltner C, Wallace IF, Kistler CE, Coker-Schwimmer M, Jonas DE. Screening for Hearing Loss in Older Adults: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2021 Mar 23;325(12):1202-1215. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.24855. PMID: 33755082.
Feltner C, Wallace I, Kistler C, Coker-Schwimmer M, Jonas DE, Middleton JC. Screening for Hearing Loss in Older Adults: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 200. AHRQ Publication No. 20-05269-EF-1. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2021.
Jonas DE, Riley SR, Lee LC, Coffey CP, Wang S, Asher GN, Berry AM, Williams N, Balio C, Voisin CE, Kahwati LC. Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. May 2, 2023
Jonas DE, Riley S, Lee L, Coffey C, Wang SH, Asher G, Berry A, Williams N, Balio C, Voisin CE, Kahwati L. Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Evidence Synthesis No. 226. AHRQ Publication No. 22-05298-EF-1. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2023.
Jonas DE, Reuland DS, Reddy SM, Nagle M, Clark SD, Weber RP, Enyioha C, Malo TL, Brenner AT, Armstrong C, Coker-Schwimmer M, Middleton JC, Voisin C, Harris RP. Screening for Lung Cancer With Low-Dose Computed Tomography: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2021 Mar 9;325(10):971-987. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.0377. PMID: 33687468.
Jonas DE, Reuland DS, Reddy SM, Nagle M, Clark SD, Weber RP, Enyioha C, Malo TL, Brenner AT, Armstrong C, Coker-Schwimmer M, Middleton JC, Voisin C, Harris RP. Screening for Lung Cancer with Low-Dose Computed Tomography: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2021 Mar. Report No.: 20-05266-EF-1. PMID: 33750087.
Meza R, Jeon J, Toumazis I, ten Haaf K, Cao P, Bastani M, Han SS, Blom EF, Jonas D, Feuer EJ, Plevritis SK, de Koning HJ, Kong CY. Evaluation of the Benefits and Harms of Lung Cancer Screening With Low-Dose Computed Tomography: A Collaborative Modeling Study for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2021 Mar. Report No.: 20-05266-EF-2. PMID: 33750088.
Feltner C, Wallace IF, Aymes S, Cook Middleton J, Hicks KL, Schwimmer M, Baker C, Balio CP, Moore D, Voisin CE, Jonas DE. Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2022 Nov 15;328(19):1951-1971. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.18357. PMID: 36378203.
Feltner C, Wallace IF, Aymes S, Middleton JC, Hicks KL, Schwimmer M, Baker C; Balio CP, Moore D, Voisin CE, Jonas DE. Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Evidence Synthesis No. 222. AHRQ Publication No. 22-05294-EF-1. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2022.
Jonas DE, Crotty K, Yun JDY, Middleton JC, Feltner C, Taylor-Phillips S, Barclay C, Dotson A, Baker C, Balio CP, Voisin CE, Harris RP. Screening for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2021 Aug 24;326(8):744-760. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.10403. PMID: 34427595.
Jonas DE, Crotty K, Yun JDY, Feltner C, Taylor-Phillips S, Middleton JC, Barclay C, Dotson A, Baker C, Balio CP, Voisin C, Harris RP. Screening for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2021 Aug. Report No.: 21-05276-EF-1. PMID: 34554661.
Jonas DE, Vander Schaaf EB, Riley S, Allison BA, Middleton JC, Baker C, Ali R, Voisin CE, LeBlanc ES. Screening for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents: Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2022 Sep 13;328(10):968-979. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.7957. PMID: 36098720.
Jonas DE, Vander Schaaf EB, Riley S, Allison BA, Middleton JC, Baker C, Ali R, Voisin CE, LeBlanc ES. Screening for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Children and Adolescents: An Evidence Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Evidence Synthesis No. 216. AHRQ Publication No. 21-05288-EF-1. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2022 September.
Asher GN, Feltner C, Harrison WN, Schwimmer E, Rains C, Jonas DE. Serologic Screening for Genital Herpes: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2023 Feb 14;329(6):510-512. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.20356. PMID: 36786798; PMCID: PMC9929693.
Asher GN, Feltner C, Harrison WN, Schwimmer M, Rains C, Jonas DE. Serological Screening for Genital Herpes: A Reaffirmation Evidence Update for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Evidence Synthesis No. 224. AHRQ Publication No. 22-05296-EF-1. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2023.