Research

The Department of Family Medicine-Research advances primary care through innovative research, quality improvement and community partnerships. Our physician-scientists and research teams address a broad spectrum of health issues, striving to improve patient outcomes, enhance care delivery and promote health equity.

All our research studies are reviewed for safety and ethical issues by the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board (IRB), which meets the highest U.S. standards for research review and oversight.

Clinical research

Our physician-scientists conduct clinical research to understand disease mechanisms and identify effective methods of prevention and treatment. Our research covers a broad range of medical issues focused on family and community medicine, including headache, depression, calcium and vitamin D nutrition, obesity, women's health and global health.

Our research is often epidemiological. This involves reviewing medical records with patient consent and adherence to Mayo Clinic's privacy and ethical standards.

Recent and ongoing studies reflect our commitment to advancing patient care and medical knowledge:

  • Cardiovascular and metabolic health. Evaluating self-measured blood pressure for hypertension control and investigating time-restricted eating for obesity management.
  • Genetics and population health. Assessing hemoglobinopathy risk detection models in diverse populations and implementing pharmacogenetic panels to prevent adverse drug reactions in primary care.
  • Women's health and cancer prevention. Innovating cervical cancer screening through human papillomavirus (HPV) self-collection and improving screening among populations with health disparities.
  • Innovative diagnostics. Integrating into clinical practice ultrasound imaging for pediatric bone health and electrocardiogram clinical decision support software powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

Quality and practice improvement research

Quality improvement research in the Department of Family Medicine-Research is dedicated to enhancing the delivery, safety and value of healthcare. Our initiatives align with Mayo Clinic's commitment to patient-centered care, innovation and health equity.

Key focus areas include:

  • Access and triage. Optimizing patient access and timely care delivery.
  • Screening and compliance. Improving cervical cancer screening and Pap test utilization, with a focus on guideline adherence and reducing disparities.
  • Patient engagement. Enhancing patient involvement and communication, including tools for patients with language barriers.
  • Care models and virtual health. Advancing new models of care, virtual consultations and team-based approaches with nurse care managers and midlevel healthcare professionals.
  • Reducing readmissions. Implementing strategies to lower hospital readmission rates and improve care transitions.

Our research leverages digital health, data analytics and collaboration with the Healthcare Delivery Innovation Laboratory (iLab) to drive measurable improvements in quality and practice. Recent projects include improving screening among populations with health disparities, optimizing care team workflows, and developing AI-supported tools for triage and patient communication.

Innovation and technology through iLab

The Healthcare Delivery Innovation Laboratory (iLab) is a core initiative within the Department of Family Medicine-Research. The iLab is dedicated to transforming primary care through rapid implementation, evaluation and dissemination of evidence-based innovations. It brings together multidisciplinary teams of clinicians, researchers, data scientists and operational leaders to pilot and scale new models of care, digital health solutions and AI applications.

Key focus areas include:

  • Developing and testing innovative care delivery models.
  • Integrating digital health and telemedicine into clinical workflows.
  • Leveraging data analytics and AI to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
  • Supporting continuous quality improvement and practice transformation.

Projects in the iLab are designed to align with Mayo Clinic's strategic priorities, fostering a culture of collaboration, learning and measurable impact in family medicine.

Community engagement and health equity

Another core research priority is addressing disparities and promoting inclusive care for diverse populations. Our research efforts are strengthened through collaboration with the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS). Together, we partner with communities to advance health equity, reduce disparities and foster meaningful engagement in research.