SUMMARY
Alanna M. Chamberlain, Ph.D., is an epidemiologist whose research focuses on the determinants and outcomes of cardiovascular disease and aging. She has conducted extensive research on the epidemiology of atrial fibrillation. This includes studies on the incidence, management and outcomes of atrial fibrillation, including recent studies on management and outcomes of postoperative atrial fibrillation after noncardiac surgery. She also has conducted population-based studies on multimorbidity, functional status and frailty in patients with cardiovascular disease, as well as the general population.
In addition, Dr. Chamberlain has extensive experience with multicenter studies. This work includes comparative effectiveness research studies using electronic health record data. It also involves surveillance of health conditions in large datasets, including health systems in Minnesota or across the United States. Dr. Chamberlain also collaborates on large multicenter pragmatic clinical trials.
Dr. Chamberlain is the Mayo Clinic site principal investigator for two large, distributed research networks:
- Science, Technology, And Research (STAR) partnership. A member of PCORnet, the STAR Clinical Research Network supports comparative effectiveness research, pragmatic clinical trials and health system innovation.
- Minnesota Electronic Health Record Consortium. This network is a collaboration between several of the largest health systems in Minnesota and public health agencies including the Minnesota Department of Health. The consortium's goal is to inform health policy and practice through comprehensive data and collaboration.
Focus areas
- Statin drug trial. Dr. Chamberlain is collaborating on the largest pragmatic clinical trial conducted in the United States in patients 75 years of age and older. The PRagmatic EValuation of evENTs And Benefits of Lipid-lowering in oldEr adults (PREVENTABLE) trial seeks to determine whether taking a statin can help older adults live well longer by preventing dementia, disability and cardiovascular disease.
- Disparities research. Dr. Chamberlain is tracking COVID-19 infections and vaccinations, as well as a large number of chronic, behavioral and mental health conditions across the state of Minnesota. These studies include identifying disparities by sociodemographic characteristics, geographic area and among vulnerable populations, including those experiencing homelessness and incarceration.
- Atrial fibrillation. Dr. Chamberlain is evaluating the impact of postoperative atrial fibrillation on the risk of subsequent atrial fibrillation and other outcomes including stroke. She is testing existing clinical risk scores and artificial intelligence tools for finding subsequent atrial fibrillation in this patient population. She also is developing new tools to identify patients who have atrial fibrillation after surgery and are most at risk of developing subsequent atrial fibrillation.
- Blood pressure control. Dr. Chamberlain is using data from health systems in PCORnet to track and compare blood pressure outcomes. She is focused on outcomes after patients are monitored with standard versus Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure cuffs.
- Chronic conditions. Dr. Chamberlain and colleagues are studying clustering of chronic conditions. They are assessing the impact of multimorbidity on outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease compared with the general population.
Significance to patient care
Using large, population-based research studies, Dr. Chamberlain aims to provide a better understanding of cardiovascular disease causes and results. This research is intended to inform models of patient-centered care. It may be used to design more-effective interventions for patients with cardiovascular disease and improve outcomes in these patients.
Professional highlights
- President, Executive committee, Minnesota Electronic Health Record Consortium, 2024-present.
- Associate program director, Population Health Science Scholars Program, Mayo Clinic, 2022-present.
- Rochester Epidemiology Project:
- Chair, Research Review Committee, 2022-present.
- Scientific manager, 2012-present.
- American Heart Association:
- Fellow, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, 2017-present.
- Member, Committee for Scientific Sessions Planning, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, 2021-2022.
- Member, Epidemiology and Big Data Community, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, 2021-2022.
- Member, Precision Medicine Community, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, 2021-2022.
- Peer reviewer, Fellowship Human Studies 1, 2021-2022.
- Member, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, 2016-2020.
- Peer reviewer, Innovative Research Grant, Clinical and Population Science, 2014-2015.
- Member, Institutional Review Board, Olmsted Medical Center, 2014-2022.
- Academic editor, PLOS ONE, 2014-2020.