Jean L. Freeman, Ph.D.
Research Interests:
Dr. Freeman has designed and directed studies in health services research for over 25 years. Since 1995 her work has focused on the use of large healthcare datasets (e.g. Medicare claims and tumor registry data) to assess the quality of cancer care nationally and the factors associated with quality care. Over the past twelve years she has had funding from the Department of Defense (DAMD 17-96-1-6215) and the National Cancer Institute (R01CA72076) to examine the use and outcomes of screening mammography services in older women. Of interest is the effectiveness of screening mammography, with a focus on the very old (75+) and disadvantaged populations. Also of interest is the extent to which older women are receiving appropriate care for breast cancer and how this affects health outcomes such as breast cancer mortality and survival.
She has recently expanded her cancer related health services research to include toxicities of treatment, particularly toxicities related to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In May 2008, she received funding from the National Cancer Institute (R01CA133069) to investigate toxicities associated with radiation therapy among older survivors of gynecologic cancers. The major aim of her population based cancer research is to investigate the extent to which disparities in health outcomes observed in older minority and economically disadvantaged populations can be explained by their lower use of screening, appropriate therapy and surveillance.
Dr. Freeman is also active in the development and direction of research training programs for junior faculty, post-doctoral fellows and graduate students. She serves as Program Director of the UTMB Women’s Health Research Scholar’s Program (K12HD052023; A. Berenson, PI), Associate Director of the Clinical Research Education Office, Co-Director of the K30 Clinical Research Scholars Program (K30RR022276; K. Anderson PI) and Curriculum Director of the Health Services Research Track within the Clinical Science Graduate Program.
