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- Judy C. Chang, MD, MPH
Judy C. Chang, MD, MPH
Professor with Tenure, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Internal Medicine, and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute; Assistant Dean of Medical Student Research; Director, Clinical Scientist Training Program, Director of the Mock Grant Review Program for the Institute of Clinical Research Education, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
I believe that communication between patients and their clinicians is central to providing appropriate quality medical care and promoting wellness and healing. My research focuses on identifying how to improve this communication, particularly regarding addressing social determinants of health and sensitive topics such as substance use and domestic violence.
Judy C. Chang, MD, MPH
Research in Brief
Dr. Chang studies how communication between doctors and patients affects outcomes in women’s health. Whether addressing domestic violence, substance use, or pregnancy wellness, she aims to find the best ways for providers to talk with and support women—so lives and families are healthier and safer.
Current Projects
- Baby Steps III: A randomized controlled trial testing a tailored, web-based communication training intervention to improve OB clinicians’ smoking cessation counseling. (MPI Pollak/Chang)
- Talking to Pregnant Patients: Analyzing patient-clinician substance use communication during first obstetric visits. (PI Chang)
- Young Moms: An observational study of adolescent and young pregnant patients’ use of tobacco and cannabis. (PI De Genna)
- Doula-Thrive: A randomized controlled trial testing an IPV-trained doula intervention to improve safety and health outcomes for pregnant patients experiencing IPV (MPI Mendez/Ragavan)
Selected Publications
- Chang JC, Tarr JA, Holland CL, De Genna NM, Richardson GA, Rodriguez KL, Sheeder J, Kraemer KL, Day NL, Rubio D, Jarlenski M. Beliefs and attitudes regarding prenatal marijuana use: perspectives of pregnant women who report use. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2019 Mar 1;196:14-20. PMCID: PMC6756431
- Chang JC, Alexander SC, Holland CL, Arnold RA, Landsittel D, Tulsky J, Pollak K. Smoking is Bad for Babies: Obstetric Care Providers’ Use of Best Practice Smoking Cessation Counseling Techniques, Am J Health Promot. 2013; Jan-Feb;27(3): 170-6. PMID: 23286593. NIHMSID: NIHMS467543. PMCID: PMC3733346
- Holland CL, Nkumsah MA, Morrison P, Tarr JA, Rubio D, Rodriguez KL, Kraemer KL, Day N, Arnold RM, Chang JC. “Anything above marijuana takes priority”: Obstetric providers’ attitudes and counseling strategies regarding perinatal marijuana use. Patient Educ Couns. 2016 Sep;99(9):1446-51 2016 June 4. [Epub ahead of print]* PMID: 27316326. NIHMSID: NIHMS795874. PMCID: PMC5007170
- Chang JC, Decker M, Moracco KE, Martin SL, Petersen R, Frasier PY. Asking about intimate partner violence: advice from female survivors to health care providers. Patient Education and Counseling, 2005; 59(2): pp 141-147. PMID: 16257618
- Chang JC, Dado D, Ashton S, Hawker L, Cluss PA, Buranosky R, Scholle SH. Understanding Behavior Change for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence: Mapping the Ups and Downs Using the Stages of Change. Patient Education and Counseling, 2006; 62 (2006) 330–339. PMID: 16860522.
- Olaniyan A, Hawk M, Mendez DD, Albert SM, Jarlenski M, Chang JC. Racial Inequities in Drug Tests Ordered by Clinicians for Pregnant People Who Disclose Prenatal Substance Use. Obstet Gynecol 2023;142(5):1169-1178. (In eng). DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005385
For additional publications, visit Pubmed.
Research Group
Walitta Abdulla