Bio: Sara Kreindler, D.Phil, a 2010-11 Canadian Harkness Associate, is a researcher in the research and evaluation unit at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and assistant professor in the department of community health sciences at the University of Manitoba. She has previously served as a research consultant for the Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety and as an instructor at the University of Manitoba as well as at Oxford University. Her research interests include evidence-based medicine and knowledge synthesis/systematic reviews. Kreindler has authored six peer-reviewed journals, including publications in Healthcare Quarterly and Healthcare Policy. She is recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship, and received her D.Phil in social psychology from Pembroke College, University of Oxford.
Mentors: Elliott Fisher, M.D., M.P.H., Professor and Director, Center for Health Policy Research, Dartmouth Medical School
Project: Interpretations of Integration in Early Accountable Care Organizations
Description: Kreindler's project examined and compared case studies of developing accountable care organizations (ACOs), particularly related to the role of social processes in supporting effective organizational change. In-depth qualitative case studies were carried out at four Brookings-Dartmouth ACO Pilot Sites: Monarch Healthcare, an independent practice association; HealthCare Partners, a combined group and independent practice association; Tucson Medical Center (TMC), a hospital engaging community physicians; and Norton Healthcare, an integrated delivery system. One-week site visits were conducted, with semi-structured interviews and/or focus groups with at least 20 to 30 informants (per site), including members of different stakeholder and staff groups.