Dr. Dugan studies several areas including public health, environmental safety, and pediatric healthcare. He has a strong focus on improving the administration of vaccinations, particularly the HPV vaccine, to reduce cancer rates among adolescents. His research on contaminated sites involves using a product called RemBind® to clean up harmful chemicals in soil, which helps protect groundwater and public health. Additionally, he investigates the screening and identification of obstructive sleep apnea in children, ensuring that more young patients receive appropriate care. His work also extends to the training of child and adolescent psychiatrists, aiming to elevate the quality of mental health care for young patients.
Key findings
Using RemBind® for soil cleanup reduced PFAS chemicals leaching into groundwater by at least 95% over 19 months.
In a trial, 75.9% of patients who received vaccination reminders got their HPV shots, compared to 64.7% with standard care, indicating a positive trend.
Detailed reminder prompts led to a 62% HPV vaccination rate in preteens, significantly higher than the 45% rate from usual practices.
Only 20% of 1,086 children suspected to have obstructive sleep apnea were identified, showing significant variation in screening practices among clinics.
Research into biglycan's role revealed that its absence leads to significant drops in muscle development proteins in young animals, crucial for understanding muscular dystrophies.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Dugan study vaccinations?
Yes, Dr. Dugan focuses on improving HPV vaccination rates among adolescents to help reduce cancer cases.
What type of environmental research does Dr. Dugan conduct?
He studies methods to clean up contaminated soil, specifically focusing on reducing harmful chemicals like PFAS through innovative products.
Is Dr. Dugan's work relevant to children with sleep apnea?
Absolutely, his research highlights the need for better screening practices for obstructive sleep apnea in children to ensure they receive necessary treatment.
How does Dr. Dugan contribute to child psychiatry training?
Dr. Dugan's work helps establish important competencies for training child and adolescent psychiatrists, ensuring they provide effective care for young patients.
What are PFAS and why are they important in Dr. Dugan's research?
PFAS are harmful chemicals found in some contaminated soils. Dr. Dugan's research aims to reduce these pollutants, protecting both the environment and public health.
Publications in plain English
Field demonstration of in situ stabilization (ISS) of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in soil with remBind®.
Plain English Researchers studied a method to clean up contaminated soil at a former burn pit in North Dakota. They used a product called RemBind® to significantly reduce harmful chemicals known as PFAS, which includes substances like PFOS and PFOA. They found that this method lowered the amount of PFAS leaching into groundwater by at least 95% over 19 months, making the soil safer according to environmental standards.
Who this helps: This benefits communities near contaminated sites and environmental cleanup professionals.
Physician clinical decision support system prompts and administration of subsequent doses of HPV vaccine: A randomized clinical trial.
2019
Vaccine
Wilkinson TA, Dixon BE, Xiao S, Tu W, Lindsay B +5 more
Plain English This study looked at how using automatic reminders for doctors might help ensure teens receive their second and third doses of the HPV vaccine, which protects against certain cancers and genital warts. Among the 1,285 visits observed, 75.9% of patients who received reminders were vaccinated compared to 64.7% in the standard care group, but the difference was not statistically significant. This matters because boosting HPV vaccination rates can lead to fewer cancer cases in the long run.
Who this helps: This helps patients, especially adolescents, by increasing their chances of completing the HPV vaccination series.
Unexplained Practice Variation in Primary Care Providers' Concern for Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
2018
Academic pediatrics
Honaker SM, Dugan T, Daftary A, Davis S, Saha C +3 more
Plain English This study looked at how primary care doctors in urban clinics screen for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in snoring children aged 1 to 11. Out of 1,086 children studied, only 20% were suspected to have OSA, with the likelihood of concern varying from 6% to 28% across different clinics and even reaching 63% among some doctors. This inconsistency means many children who might have OSA are likely going unnoticed, highlighting the need for better tools to help doctors identify this condition.
Who this helps: This benefits pediatric patients and their families by improving the identification and treatment of sleep-related breathing issues.
Simple and Elaborated Clinician Reminder Prompts for Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
2018
Academic pediatrics
Zimet G, Dixon BE, Xiao S, Tu W, Kulkarni A +3 more
Plain English This study looked at how different types of reminders for healthcare providers could influence the rates of HPV vaccinations among preteens aged 11 to 13 who had not yet received the vaccine. Researchers tested three groups: one with usual practices, one with a simple reminder, and one with a more detailed reminder that included suggested wording for encouraging vaccination. They found that the detailed reminders led to a 62% vaccination rate compared to 45% for the usual practice group, showing that giving specific recommendations can effectively boost HPV vaccination rates.
Who this helps: This helps healthcare providers and patients, particularly preteens and their parents.
Biglycan binds to alpha- and gamma-sarcoglycan and regulates their expression during development.
2006
Journal of cellular physiology
Rafii MS, Hagiwara H, Mercado ML, Seo NS, Xu T +6 more
Plain English This study looked at a protein called biglycan and its interaction with two other proteins, alpha-sarcoglycan and gamma-sarcoglycan, which are important for muscle health. The researchers found that biglycan helps control the levels of these proteins in young animals, showing that when biglycan is missing, the levels of alpha and gamma-sarcoglycan drop significantly in young muscle but stay stable in adults. This finding is important because it helps us understand how muscle proteins develop and could lead to better treatments for muscular dystrophies.
Who this helps: This helps patients with muscular dystrophies and the doctors who treat them.
Assessment of competency in child and adolescent psychiatry training.
2004
Academic psychiatry : the journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry
Sargent J, Sexson S, Cuffe S, Drell M, Dugan T +5 more
Plain English This research focused on how to evaluate the skills of doctors in training to become child and adolescent psychiatrists. The findings emphasize that these doctors should take an active role in their assessments and that multiple evaluators should be involved to ensure a fair evaluation process. The goal is for all trainees to meet essential skill standards, using a variety of assessment methods.
Who this helps: This benefits patients and families seeking effective mental health care for children and teens.
Sample Core Competencies in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Training: A Starting Point.
2001
Academic psychiatry : the journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry
Sexson S, Sargent J, Zima B, Beresin E, Cuffe S +7 more
Plain English This study focused on the training of child and adolescent psychiatry residents to ensure they are well-prepared to meet healthcare needs. The researchers created sample competencies in six key areas, including patient care and communication skills, which programs can adapt to their specific situations. This is important because it sets a standard for training that can ultimately lead to better care for young patients.
Who this helps: This benefits young patients and the psychiatrists who care for them.
Cutaneous involvement by an ovarian serous tumor of low malignant potential.
1991
Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica
Dugan T, Balsara G, Dunton CJ, Hernandez E
Plain English This study looks at a 67-year-old woman who developed skin issues linked to a specific type of low-risk ovarian tumor. This case is unique because it’s the first documented instance of this skin condition arising without any prior abdominal surgery. Understanding how the skin became involved could help explain the behavior of this type of tumor.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with ovarian tumors and their doctors, offering insights into rare cases.