Grant Program: PERC Opportunity Grant

This project aimed to improve the care of Wisconsin residents living with dementia by increasing primary care provider and trainees’ knowledge and skills related to dementia diagnosis and management of the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Alzheimer’s disease currently affects 110,000 Wisconsinites and the number is expected to increase to 130,000 by 2025. About 90 percent of individuals with dementia experience BPSD, which includes depression, physical aggression, wandering and sleep disturbance, among others. As a result, there is a need to train future and practicing primary care clinicians in the identification and management of BPSD to help caregivers manage these behaviors in the home setting, potentially preventing crisis escalation and unnecessary institutionalization. The project successfully increased medical trainees’ and primary care providers’ knowledge and skills in dementia diagnosis and BPSD management. A web-based curriculum for third- and fourth-year medical students at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health improved students’ self-reported attitudes towards dementia care and informed the design of a new Dementia and Public Health elective that began in 2023. Additionally, academic detailing sessions for primary care providers at Richland Center Hospital and Milwaukee Health Services resulted in significant knowledge gains and improved confidence in managing BPSD. Lastly, the DICE Approach was used to train social workers, nurses, medical assistants and assisted living and nursing home frontline staff and led to increased knowledge, self-efficacy and comfort in managing BPSD.

This project, Stroke Prevention in the Wisconsin Native American Population, aimed to establish a stroke prevention program for Wisconsin’s Native American population as this community faces higher rates of stroke, coronary artery disease, and associated risk factors compared to other racial groups. Despite challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers successfully engaged the Native American community with web-based education and a wellness coach who was based on the reservation. Preliminary data showed a greater need for stroke prevention than initially expected, with approximately 80 percent of tribe elders at increased risk for stroke and 50 percent having diabetes. The project has received bridge funding to support their work while seeking additional funding for the long-term continuation of the stroke prevention program.

This project sought to develop the Surgical Collaborative of Wisconsin (SCW), a cost-efficient statewide collaborative to improve the quality of surgical care. The interest and engagement of surgeons and hospitals has surpassed the initial goal of involving 24 hospitals in the initiatives. SCW engaged 85 hospitals, where nearly 75 percent of breast and colorectal procedures are performed. There has been a significant reduction in reoperations in SCW participating vs non-participating hospitals. This project was also successful in establishing new partnerships, new initiatives, and supporting quality improvement in surgical care.