Current projects
Global Integrated Health Care Fall 2023 Conference
Global Integrated Health Care Fall 2023 Conference
We are experiencing a global syndemic, defined as a synergistic interaction between biological and socioecological factors that adversely impact populations, especially those affected by health inequalities. The interaction of COVID-19, the rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases, increasing unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, psychological distress and harmful substance use is a syndemic.
Global warming and air pollution are rising and are adversely impacting our health. There is a lack of evidence-based research on how to systematically address these interrelated problems with public health, integrated health care strategies and techniques.
This conference addressed this gap by answering the questions: What is the nature of interactions between COVID-19, NCD’s, lifestyle behaviors, psychological distress and harmful substance use? Which sub-populations are more adversely impacted by this syndemic? What can we do to improve noncommunicable diseases, lifestyle health behaviors, harmful substance use, global warming and pollution?
Integrated health care workforce education for social work interns in India
Dr. O’Donnell is delivering online education to social work internship students from CSIBER University School of Social Work in India. The education platform includes content on the five A’s (assess, advise, agree, assist and arrange), motivational interviewing, how to conduct a health risk assessment, behavioral activation for depression, habit change for unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, and mindfulness for stress. Doctor of Behavioral Health students Andrea Barnes, Elreacy Dock, Jessica Hernandez and Obonganwan Umanabh are using this project to complete their internship and doctoral thesis projects on this project.
An integrated health care curriculum for social workers in Vietnam
Dr. O’Donnell is primary investigator on this ASU Institute for Social Science Research seed grant to develop a curriculum for social work students in at University of Labour and Social Affairs, School of Social Work in Hanoi, Vietnam. The curriculum includes the role of the social worker in integrated care, integrated health screening, assessment, and population health, behavioral interventions for unhealthy lifestyle problems, psychiatric and substance use disorders, follow up and documentation. Dr. O’Donnell led a team of DBH graduate Dr. Jessica Hogan and DBH student Elreacy Dock to write a companion textbook for the course that was published in Vietnam in fall 2023.
Validation of the practice integration profile in Asia
College of Health Solutions JumpStart Grant led by primary investigator Dr. O’Donnell focused on the validation of a measure of level of integrated care in a clinic, the Practice Integration Profile 2.0 (PIP 2.0) in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. The PIP is designed to measure five domains of integrated care is validated and widely used in the U.S. The U.S. PIP team consulted with global partners on the translation and adaptation of the PIP for each country. Each country evaluated PIP with experts and focus groups, then administered PIP in local clinics. Partners: University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Chiang Mai University Faculty of Nursing, Cambodia Ministry of Health.
Student involvement
Integrated health care research team
Dr. O’Donnell leads a group of Health Solutions students, graduates and faculty who share a common interest in global integrated health consulting, education and research. The team includes over 60 members and meets monthly. Meetings are monthly and students volunteer to assist on projects such as workforce education and join sub-groups to work on targeted projects. Group members contribute as co-authors to research publications.
Community partners
Dr. O’Donnell has developed a network of global partners interested in the development, implementation and evaluation of sustainable integrated health programs. These partners represent researchers and faculty in universities, hospital and community clinic leaders, and government or nongovernmental organization colleagues. These partners have applied for numerous National Institutes of Health, U.S. Agency for International Development and Fogarty International Center grants over the years. Our strategy is to use this network within the Global Engagement Affinity Network as partners in consulting, education and research projects for faculty and student members.