Rising Research

Rising KL, Kemp M, Gerolamo A, Diamond N, Ostroff P, Malone S, Alexander K, Powell R. Beyond the Check Box: Development of the Nutrition Health Related Social Need Assessment and Referral Tool (N-HART). JGIM. 2025. DOI: 10.1007/s11606-025-10048-0

We developed the Nutrition Health Related Social Need Assessment and Referral Tool (N-HART), a 13-item dual-function tool that screens for food and nutrition needs and recommends a best fit food resource type (e.g., medically tailored meals, non-tailored prepared meals, food pantry) based on an individual’s needs. With health systems focusing on Health Related Social Needs, the N-HART may provide a strategy for informing more individualized nutrition referrals using a structured approach.    

McCarthy DM, Malone S, Papanagnou D, Leiby BE, Doty AMB, Watts P, Yadav R, Pugliese JK, Woodworth J, Camacho TE, Kean E, Rising KL. Targeted EHR-based communication of diagnostic uncertainty (TECU) in the emergency department: Protocol for an effectiveness implementation trial. Contemp Clin Trials. 2025 Apr 7:107910. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2025.107910. PMID: 40204252.

This trial builds on previous research to establish a communication strategy that equips patients with essential information for safe transitions home after receiving diagnostic uncertainty at an ED visit. The electronic health record-based strategy seeks to standardize communication and minimize bias and variation. 

Martin Gonzalez K, Gentsch AT, Torres C, Borne E, Hendry J, Pappaterra L, Salib M, Worster B, Gravier-Leon S, Rising KL. Addressing Barriers to Digital Health Readiness among a Latino Population. Patient Education and Counseling Innovation. 2024. 5:100336. doi.org/10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100336.

In this qualitative study, we partnered with Esperanza Health Center to explore barriers to digital readiness among the Latino population served by Esperanza Health Center. Barriers to using health technology included forgetting passwords, platforms not being available in multiple languages, and lacking digital skills. Findings suggest an interest in receiving support to develop technological skills needed to access health information and digital health services.

Rising KL, Guth A, Gentsch AT, Gonzalez KM, Hass R, Shughart L, Gelfer A, McVane M, Worster B, Leader AE. Development and preliminary validation of the Digital Health Readiness Screener. JAMA Network Open. 2024;7(9):e2432718

We developed and tested a screener for digital health readiness. The final screener consists of 24 items that comprise two factors, one with 18 items (technical readiness) and the other with 6 items (quality-of-care concerns). Preliminary psychometric analyses of the digital tool suggests construct validity and utility.

Beachy S, Rising KL, Hass RW, Hyslop T, Muti I, Kemp M, Powell RE, Martino C, Yehia BR, Cacchione JG, Henwood P. Validation of the Jefferson health-related social needs screener. Front. Health Serv. 2025. 5:1658661.

We assessed the Jefferson HRSN screener and found that it provides a valid approach for HRSN screening across healthcare settings. This retrospective cross-sectional psychometric study included HRSN assessments conducted across inpatient and outpatient settings with adult patients from March 2023 to May 2024.