# Population Management for Hereditary Cancer Prevention: Implementation, Effectiveness, and Acceptability within a Learning Health System.

> **NIH NIH K08** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2021 · $135,928

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The objective of this Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) is to provide Dr.
Sarah Knerr with training, mentoring, research experience, and protected time to transition her career into
genomic medicine and develop into an independent academic researcher. Dr. Knerr has an MPH in public
health genetics and a PhD in health services research. She is currently Acting Assistant Professor, University
of Washington Department of Health Services. Her career goals include: (1) conducting health services
research that increases the generalizability and relevance of the genomic medicine literature, (2) becoming an
expert in evaluating genomic health care delivery interventions, (3) using implementation science tools to
accelerate genomic translation, and (4) obtaining funding to support an interdisciplinary research career. The
didactic and experiential training activities outlined in this three-year K08 award will thus provide her with
essential skills in leading pragmatic research within learning health care systems, evaluating health care
programs using quasi-experimental designs, applying implementation science theories and methods to
genomic health care delivery, and developing competitive grant applications. The complementary research
project leverages the launch of a hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) population management
program within the Kaiser Permanente Washington (KPWA) health system. Building on Dr. Knerr’s prior work
studying BRCA test utilization trends within KPWA, and through the following specific aims, the proposed study
will generate novel data about the implementation, effectiveness, and acceptability of population-focused
health care delivery programs in hereditary cancer genomics. Aim 1 will identify program implementation
barriers and facilitators using ethnographic observation, document review, and key informant interviews. Aim 2
will use interviews to investigate patient experiences, satisfaction, and informational needs in the context of a
clinical HBOC population management program. Aim 3 will determine program effects on genetic counseling
referral and genetic services utilization within the KPWA population using routinely collected administrative
data and an interrupted time series study design. This work supports current national priorities in genomic
medicine and hereditary cancer prevention and control. Study findings can inform the implementation of
genomic screening programs across disease areas, developing the clinical infrastructure needed to translate
genomic advances into population-level health improvements. An outstanding team of mentors and advisors
with expertise in genomic medicine, cancer prevention and control, implementation science, health program
evaluation, and interrupted time series analysis will support Dr. Knerr in her training and research goals. The
K08 activities lay the foundation for future R-level applications focused on refining and...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10163248
- **Project number:** 5K08HG010488-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Sarah Knerr
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $135,928
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2023-05-09

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10163248

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10163248, Population Management for Hereditary Cancer Prevention: Implementation, Effectiveness, and Acceptability within a Learning Health System. (5K08HG010488-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10163248. Licensed CC0.

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