Kirsten Firminger
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kfirminger.bsky.social
Kirsten Firminger
@kfirminger.bsky.social
100 followers 140 following 35 posts
Social psychologist & health services researcher. Posts are mine and not my employer. Focused on how to do better research, measurement, and evaluation by centering people, community, & equity.
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Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
assumenormality.bsky.social
🚨HRSA's Area Health Resources Files webpage is now down.

Fortunately, I built an archive of data 2000-2023 for a previous project, which can be accessed without restriction here:

data.mendeley.com/datasets/dwf...
County-level data on U.S. opioid distributions, demographics, healthcare supply, and healthcare access
This repository includes data from the Health Resources & Services Administration's Area Health Resources Files (years 2000-2001, 2004-2022), CDC Wonder, National Conference of State Legislatures, and...
data.mendeley.com
February 1, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
debpearlstein.bsky.social
Is the "temporary pause" of disbursement of all federal grants/loans an unlawful impoundment? It almost certainly is. A brief 🧵
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Jan 27
NEW — OMB temporarily pauses all agency grants and loans programs.

Per copy of memo: "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve."
SUBJECT: Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance Programs 'The American people elected Donald J. Trump to be President of the United States and gave him a mandate to increase the impact of every federal taxpayer dollar. In Fiscal Year 2024. of the nearly $10 trillion that the Federal Government spent, more than $3 trillion was Federal financial assistance, such as grants and loans. Career and political appointees in the Executive Branch have a duty to align Federal spending and action with the will of the American people as expressed through Presidential priorities. Financial assistance should be dedicated to advancing Administration priorities, focusing taxpayer dollars to advance a stronger and safer America, eliminating the financial burden of inflation for citizens, unleashing American energy and manufacturing, ending wokeness" and the weaponization of government, promoting efficiency in government, and Making America Healthy Again. The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve. This memorandum requires Federal agencies to identify and review all Federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities consistent with the President's policies and requirements. For example, during the initial days of his Administration, President Donald J Trump issued a series of executive orders to protect the American people and safeguard valuable taxpayer resources, including Protecting the American People Against Invasion (Jan. 20, 2025). Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid (Jan 20, 2025), Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements (Jan. 20, 2025). Unleashing American Energy (Jan. 20. 2025). Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing (Jan. 20. ent these orders, each agency must complete a comprehensive analysis of all jal assistance programs to identify programs, projects, and activities that any of the President's executive orders. In the interian, to the extent applicable law, Federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency nay be implicated by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial surice tot foreign nongovernmental organizations, DEL woke gender ideology, and the pause will provide the Administration time to review agency programs of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the he temporary pause will become effective on January 28, 2025, at 5:00 rehensive analysis. Federal agencies must immediately deadlines for assistance programs arising while the les must report this information to OMB along with an directs Federal agencies to pause all activities associated conducting merit review panels No later than Febrar - 10. 2025, agencies shail submit to OMB detailed information on any programs projects or activities subject to this pause. Each agency must pause. (i) issuance of disbursement of Federal funds under all open awards, and (il) other relevant has reviewed provided guidance to your agency with respect to the information act recordin grant and ptions allowing Federal agencies to issue new awards or take other case basis. To the extent required by law, Federal agencies may continue nistrative actions. such as closeout of Federal awards (2 CFR 200.344), or expressly required by law
January 28, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
airinforms.bsky.social
What are the benefits of cash transfers? How can Medicare improve outcomes for kidney patients? Why did AAPI individuals receive markedly different care than other groups during COVID-19?

It's all in the latest AIR News → icont.ac/50WNV
January 23, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
helenbevan.bsky.social
Today, mitsmr.bsky.social published ten essential leadership tips for 2025 to "build your leadership skill set & solve tough challenges in the new year": sloanreview.mit.edu/article/10-e...
Interesting how many of them are so called "soft skills". Perspectives of leadership are changing.
1) Articulate your leadership values & hold yourself accountable 2) Delegate better: consider the level of trust in the process 3) Get honest input: empower people to stop self-censoring 4) Tap the power of mid level managers to strengthen culture 5) Develop more continuous learners in your organisation 6) Set better boundaries with your team 7) Energise team meetings: Make everyone feel heard 8) Stop exalting busyness 9) Be a manager — not a mouthpiece for higher-ups 10) Communicate more effectively about change
January 6, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
bermaninstitute.bsky.social
Building a Culture of Quality and Safety in Health Care—The Importance of Respect for Patients -- Somnath Saha, Mary Catherine Beach | Health Policy | JAMA Network Open jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Building a Culture of Quality and Safety in Health Care
Over the past several years, there has been increasing awareness that clinicians write language in medical records that stigmatizes patients,1 that the use of this language varies by patients’ race an...
jamanetwork.com
December 18, 2024 at 4:32 PM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
shematologist.medsky.social
We found that almost 40% of 12-21 year old females are iron deficient.

jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

I’ve been asked how this is possible evolutionarily.

I have a few thoughts. 🧵
Prevalence of Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anemia in US Females Aged 12-21 Years, 2003-2020
This study examines prevalence of iron deficiency among females aged 12 to 21 years to inform future screening strategies for iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia.
jamanetwork.com
December 18, 2024 at 3:07 PM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
shematologist.medsky.social
Motion to ban the term hysterical from ever being used in reference to female patients or the issues that affect them.
December 13, 2024 at 9:39 PM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
airinforms.bsky.social
As 2024 comes to a close, we're reflecting on AIR projects and initiatives that exemplify the vital interplay between research and lived experience,
www.air.org/air-2024-hig...
A group of people in blue shirts, embracing and standing in a circle in a sunny park, symbolizing teamwork and unity.
December 12, 2024 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
patientled.bsky.social
We're hiring 2 new roles! These are 6-month contracts with possible extension, and can be between 25-40 hrs/week. Deadline Dec 31!

1) Partnerships & Advocacy Coordinator
2) Fundraising & Operations Manager

Please share widely!
patientresearchcovid19.com/job-opportun...
#LongCovid #neisvoid #pwme
Job Opportunities – Patient Led Research Collaborative
patientresearchcovid19.com
December 11, 2024 at 9:08 PM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
kfirminger.bsky.social
PCORI Project by Dr. Talal & team: Using Telehealth to Improve Access to Hepatitis C Virus Treatment for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder -- The TEAM-C Study 6/ #publichealth www.pcori.org/research-res...
What was the research about? Opioid use disorder, or OUD, occurs when a pattern of using opioids, such as prescription medicines or heroin, leads to dependence or distress. People with OUD have a high risk for becoming infected with the hepatitis C virus, or HCV. Without treatment, HCV can lead to liver failure, liver cancer, or death. Opioid treatment programs, or OTPs, can help people with OUD using medicine and behavioral therapy. However, many OTPs don’t provide on-site treatment for HCV. In this study, the research team compared two ways to provide HCV care to patients in OTPs: Usual care. OTPs provided care for patients’ OUD. For HCV care, patients received a referral to an off-site HCV specialist. Supported telehealth. OTPs provided care for patients’ OUD. For HCV care, a case manager helped patients connect with an off-site HCV specialist in a telehealth appointment. Telehealth is a way to provide care to patients remotely using video and audio. Patients then received HCV medicine in person from a nurse at the OTP. The research team wanted to learn if the supported telehealth approach increased the number of people whose HCV was cured compared with usual care. What were the results? Three months after completing treatment, 90 percent of patients with HCV who received treatment through supported telehealth had their HCV cured compared with 39 percent of patients who received usual care. The two approaches didn’t differ in patient-reported satisfaction with care.
December 11, 2024 at 2:56 PM
kfirminger.bsky.social
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funds clinical research that compares two or more medical treatments, services, or health practices to help patients and others make better-informed decisions. Since 2010, they have funded $4.5 billion to more than 2,400 research projects 1/
December 11, 2024 at 2:49 PM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
glaucomflecken.bsky.social
A real, actual thing BCBS is doing youtube.com/shorts/vWA2a...
No More General Anesthesia
YouTube video by Dr. Glaucomflecken
youtube.com
December 4, 2024 at 2:11 PM
kfirminger.bsky.social
As a hockey fan and a health researcher, I find these results very scary. The NHL needs to address this ASAP.
December 5, 2024 at 4:14 PM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
airinforms.bsky.social
Get to know the people and places that shape AIR's global #giving community, and learn how our staff are taking action for #climate resilience this #GivingTuesday:
American Institutes for Research Staff Direct $25,000 in Charitable Support to Organizations Growing Climate Resilience | American Institutes for Research
Colleagues across AIR took part in the organization’s fourth-annual Giving Tuesday community project, choosing five charities to receive a total of $25,000 in support from AIR. The selected recipients...
www.air.org
December 3, 2024 at 6:43 PM
kfirminger.bsky.social
This important work to center people and communities when working across systems is built upon our initial RWJF funded work to align systems to improve equity using shared measurement.
December 5, 2024 at 3:19 PM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
pronounced-ing.bsky.social
As with improv, social medial works a lot better when you have a “yes, and…” mentality. Twitter trained a lot of people into “no, but…” and that is just going to catch you a lot of blocks here. 💁🏻‍♀️
November 25, 2024 at 3:57 PM
kfirminger.bsky.social
AIR Health Division is hiring for a Principal Researcher to lead projects and business development about Healthcare Quality Improvement and Learning Systems! Come work with me at AIR!
jobs-airdc.icims.com/jobs/13223/p...
Build a Career at AIR
AIR’s mission is to generate and use rigorous evidence that contributes to a better, more equitable world. AIR offers an innovative, collaborative environment where people can build successful careers...
jobs-airdc.icims.com
November 25, 2024 at 5:20 PM
kfirminger.bsky.social
PCORI had a great session on Achieving Patient-Centeredness in Artificial Intelligence(AI) at their annual meeting. I continue to refer back to it. Available online (freel here www.pcori.org/events/2024/...
#healthservices #healthcare
Patient-centered Al Patient-centered Al engages patients as partners throughout the entire Al life cycle, from problem formulation, to design and implementation of Al services that enable patients to make informed healthcare decisions and contribute to improvements in healthcare delivery and outcomes Achieving this aim requires that Al solutions are designed, used, and optimized in a way that: Is fair, secure, transparent, and reliable; Demonstrates responsiveness to real-world needs of engaged patients and communities; Is aligned with patient values and preferences. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Human-Centered Al Health Informatics Digital Health Algorithmic Life Cycle Phase 1- Problem formulation Phase 2 - Data selection, assessment and management Phase 3 - Algorithm development, training and validation Phase 4 - Deployment and integration of algorithms in intended settings Phase 5 - Algorithm monitoring, maintenance, updating or de-implementation Need for authentic engagement of patients and communities in each phase!
November 25, 2024 at 1:41 PM
kfirminger.bsky.social
Tressie McMillan Cottom's new column with post-election analysis - How an Empty Internet Gave Us Tradwives and Trump www.nytimes.com/2024/11/21/o...
There is no better indicator of how important the wellness left-right configuration mattered to this election than Trump's pick of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy embodies incoherent ideas of a social- media-driven iteration of white nationalist ideas about health, such as touting raw milk and junk science about Covid-19 vaccines
November 22, 2024 at 1:02 PM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
ivacheung.com
HeartLife Foundation, Transform HF, and Canadian Heart Function Alliance are hosting a free webinar on compensation for patient partners in research on Thursday, November 28, 9–10 am Pacific. #PatientEngagement & #POR folks—please share with your networks! www.eventbrite.ca/e/patient-pa...
Patient Partner Compensation Webinar for Researchers
Join us to learn everything you need to know about compensating your patient partners for their participation in your research.
www.eventbrite.ca
November 21, 2024 at 7:48 PM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
caro-icu.bsky.social
“Learning CPR on manikins without breasts puts women’s lives at risk, study finds”

Dr Rebecca Szabo et al
@inquisitivegyn.bsky.social
Research 🔗: academic.oup.com/heapro/artic...
#ResusSky
November 22, 2024 at 12:28 AM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
mcbridetd.bsky.social
Georgia Dismissed All Members of Maternal Mortality Committee After ProPublica Obtained Internal Details of Two Deaths

State’s public health commissioner said action was taken because “confidential information..was inappropriately shared with outside individuals.”
www.propublica.org/article/geor...
Georgia Dismissed All Members of Maternal Mortality Committee After ProPublica Obtained Internal Details of Two Deaths
In a letter, the state’s public health commissioner said the action was taken because “confidential information provided to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee was inappropriately shared with outs...
www.propublica.org
November 22, 2024 at 1:56 AM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
robinr.bsky.social
Medicaid work requirements are expected to be back on the agenda - our new brief recaps the landscape of work requirement approvals and pending requests at the end of President Trump’s first term and examines recent state activity. www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
Medicaid Work Requirements: Current Waiver and Legislative Activity | KFF
With Donald Trump returning to the presidency and Republican control of the Senate and House, work requirements are likely to be back on the agenda—through federal legislation or Medicaid waivers. Thi...
www.kff.org
November 22, 2024 at 1:52 AM
Reposted by Kirsten Firminger
blackinneuro.bsky.social
Our organizers have been in Vox, Nature, and Science the past couple days! Check it out 👇🏽

@kssphd.bsky.social in Vox: www.vox.com/future-perfe...

@clionamurray.com in Nature: www.nature.com/articles/d41...

@shaine.bsky.social in Science: www.science.org/content/arti...

#BlackSky #Neuroscience 🧪
Only 1 percent of neuroscience faculty is Black. Kaela Singleton hopes to change that.
Whatever you do, don’t call the Black in Neuro founder “resilient.”
www.vox.com
November 21, 2024 at 10:53 PM