Dr. Nutting studies various aspects of healthcare training and the well-being of physicians and their patients. He examines how resident doctors perceive trauma-informed care, especially related to adverse childhood experiences, highlighting the importance of screening for these factors to improve patient health. He also researches how to prepare family medicine residents to safely prescribe opioids for chronic pain management, ensuring that physicians feel confident about preventing misuse while still providing necessary relief to patients. Furthermore, Dr. Nutting investigates integrated behavioral health programs in primary care, which aim to support mental health needs alongside regular medical care. He additionally explores interventions like mindfulness and physical fitness programs to help doctors deal with burnout and improve their overall well-being.
Key findings
100% of physicians believe screening for adverse childhood experiences is crucial, but only 4% feel confident doing so.
After a training program, family medicine residents' confidence in opioid prescribing improved by 70%, knowledge by 22%, and concern about misuse by 38%.
Over 90% of family medicine physicians reported feeling more supported after integrated behavioral health services were implemented.
An 8-week mindfulness program significantly reduced anxiety and stress levels in family physicians during COVID-19, with improvements showing p-values of .004 and .001 respectively.
In 2019, 86% of family physicians did not recommend e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, up from 82% in 2016, reflecting growing concerns about their safety.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Nutting study trauma-informed care?
Yes, he examines how resident doctors view trauma-informed care and their ability to screen for adverse childhood experiences.
What treatments has Dr. Nutting researched?
He has researched safe opioid prescribing practices and how to improve confidence among new doctors to prevent misuse while providing pain relief.
Is Dr. Nutting's work relevant to family medicine residents?
Absolutely, his studies focus on improving training and support for family medicine residents, enhancing their ability to care for patients effectively.
How does Dr. Nutting help physicians deal with burnout?
He explores interventions like mindfulness programs and fitness curricula that help reduce stress and improve overall well-being among physicians.
What are Dr. Nutting's findings on electronic cigarettes?
His research shows that a majority of family physicians do not recommend e-cigarettes for quitting smoking, reflecting concerns about their effectiveness and safety.
Publications in plain English
Improving First-Year Family Medicine Residents' Confidence in Safe Opioid Prescribing Through a Multiactivity Educational Program.
2023
Family medicine
Ofei-Dodoo S, Beard S, Curry AE, Shin TR, Nutting R
Plain English The study looked at how a special training program for new family medicine doctors could help them feel more confident and knowledgeable about safely prescribing opioids to patients with chronic pain that isn’t caused by cancer. After participating in a 3-month program, the 72 doctors showed significant improvements in their comfort level, knowledge, and concerns about opioid prescribing, with scores increasing by 70% for comfort, 22% for knowledge, and 38% for concern six months later. This is important because it can help prevent misuse of opioids while ensuring patients still receive necessary pain relief.
Who this helps: This helps new doctors and their patients dealing with chronic noncancer pain.
Resident Physicians' Perceptions of Trauma Informed Care: Findings from a Small-scale Descriptive Study.
2023
Kansas journal of medicine
Nutting R, Nilsen K, Engle R, Wells K, Scoville H
Plain English This study looked at how resident doctors perceive trauma-informed care (TIC), particularly regarding adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The findings revealed that while 100% of the physicians believed screening for ACEs is important, only 4% felt confident in their ability to do it—citing barriers like lack of time and knowledge. This matters because properly addressing ACEs can improve patient health outcomes, and enhancing training for doctors could help bridge the gap in care.
Who this helps: This benefits patients, especially those with past traumas.
Brief Mindfulness Intervention for Emotional Distress, Resilience, and Compassion in Family Physicians During COVID-19: A Pilot Study.
2022
PRiMER (Leawood, Kan.)
Nutting R, Ofei-Dodoo S, Rose-Borcherding K, Strella G
Plain English This study looked at how a short mindfulness program could help family doctors deal with burnout and improve their overall well-being during the stressful COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-one family physicians completed an 8-week mindfulness program, and the results showed they experienced significant reductions in anxiety and stress, with improvements in their resilience and compassion levels. Specifically, their anxiety scores improved with a p-value of .004, and their stress levels improved with a p-value of .001, indicating strong benefits from the intervention.
Who this helps: This research benefits family physicians struggling with burnout, especially during challenging times.
Assessing Family Medicine Physicians' Perceptions of Integrated Behavioral Health in a Primary Care Residency.
2022
Family medicine
Nutting R, Ofei-Dodoo S, Wipperman J, Allen AD
Plain English This study looked at how family medicine doctors view integrated behavioral health (IBH) programs in their training. After these programs were put in place, doctor satisfaction with access to and quality of behavioral health services increased significantly—over 90% of physicians reported feeling more supported in managing their patients' mental health needs. The study emphasizes the importance of training doctors in collaborating with behavioral health professionals to improve patient care.
Who this helps: This helps family medicine residents and their patients.
Origin Storytelling in Faculty Well-being: A Pilot Study.
2021
PRiMER (Leawood, Kan.)
Nutting R, Nilsen K, Walling A, Level E
Plain English This study looked at how sharing personal stories can help family medicine faculty feel less isolated and improve their well-being. Out of 24 invited faculty members, 12 participated in an 8-week storytelling group, and many reported positive changes that continued even a year later. This matters because addressing burnout among doctors can lead to better relationships and overall mental health, which is crucial for patient care.
Who this helps: This helps family medicine faculty, particularly those experiencing burnout.
Increasing Resident Physician Well-Being through a Motivational Fitness Curriculum: A Pilot Study.
2020
Kansas journal of medicine
Nutting R, Grant JT, Ofei-Dodoo S, Runde MS, Staab KA +1 more
Plain English This study examined how a short fitness program could improve the well-being of resident physicians, who often struggle to find time for exercise. Thirteen family medicine residents participated in a 10-month program and showed improvements in mental health, with better scores in depression, anxiety, and stress. Specifically, there was a notable decrease in emotional exhaustion among participants. This is important because supporting resident physicians' health can lead to better patient care and overall job satisfaction.
Who this helps: This helps resident physicians and the healthcare system by promoting their mental and physical well-being.
Changes in Family Physicians' Perceptions of Electronic Cigarettes in Tobacco Use Counseling Between 2016 and 2019.
2020
Kansas journal of medicine
Ofei-Dodoo S, Wipperman J, Nutting R, Gilchrist K, Kellerman R
Plain English This study looked at how family doctors' views on using e-cigarettes to help patients quit smoking changed between 2016 and 2019. It found that in 2019, 86% of doctors did not recommend e-cigarettes for quitting smoking, which is an increase from 82% in 2016. The study highlights the growing concern among doctors about the safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes, particularly after reports of serious health issues related to their use.
Who this helps: This helps patients trying to quit smoking and their healthcare providers.
Implications of parents' work travel on youth adjustment.
2018
Community, work & family
Wheeler LA, Zvonkovic AM, Swenson AR, Faas C, Borowski S +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how a parent's work travel affects their children's behavior and adjustment. Researchers found that when mothers traveled more, they were less knowledgeable about their children's lives, which contributed to more problematic behaviors in kids, particularly boys. Specifically, children exhibited more behavioral issues when mothers traveled, while fathers' travel influenced children's mood and anxiety levels. This research highlights the importance of parental involvement, especially for families with frequent travel demands.
Who this helps: This helps parents and mental health professionals understand the impact of work travel on children's well-being.
Family Physicians' Perceptions of Electronic Cigarettes in Tobacco Use Counseling.
2017
Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM
Ofei-Dodoo S, Kellerman R, Nilsen K, Nutting R, Lewis D
Plain English This study looked at how family doctors view e-cigarettes as a way to help patients quit smoking. Out of 154 surveyed doctors in Kansas, 117 responded, and 76% of them expressed negative opinions about recommending e-cigarettes to their patients. They were particularly worried about whether e-cigarettes work well for quitting smoking and have lasting safety issues, leading most of them not to recommend them as an option.
Who this helps: This information benefits patients trying to quit smoking and healthcare providers looking for effective cessation strategies.