Brystana G. Kaufman | Scholars@Duke

Brystana G. Kaufman
Assistant Professor in Population Health Sciences

Areas of Expertise: Health Economics, Health Policy, and Health Services Research

Dr. Kaufman is a health services researcher focused on improving the value of care for older adults, particularly those with multiple chronic conditions. Balancing the costs, risks and benefits of interventions becomes more challenging as goals for care shift and costs escalate in the later stages of life. Her research evaluates patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness of value-based payment models and novel care strategies that impact seriously ill adults and their caregivers. Her expertise in quasi-experimental study designs and decision modeling are useful to mitigate selection bias in administrative data sources and to characterize uncertainty and heterogeneous effects in primary data.

Dr. Kaufman received her Master of Science in Public Health and PhD in Health Policy and Management from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Prior to joining the Department of Population Health Sciences, she completed a pre-doctoral fellowship at the Duke Clinical Research Institute and post-doctoral fellowship at the Margolis Center for Health Policy.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Assistant Professor in Population Health Sciences, Population Health Sciences, Basic Science Departments 2021
Core Faculty Member, Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke - Margolis Center For Health Policy, Initiatives 2020

Contact Information

brystana.kaufman@duke.edu

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill 2018
- M.P.H., University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill 2015
- B.A., Bowling Green State University 2003
Duke Appointment History
- Assistant Professor in Population Health Sciences, Population Health Sciences, Basic Science Departments 2020
- Instructor in the Department of Population Health Sciences, Population Health Sciences, Basic Science Departments 2020
Academic Positions Outside Duke
- Health Research Scientist, Career Development Awardee, Health Services Research & Development. 2021 - 2026
Recognition
In the News
- NOV 2, 2020 Popular Science
  
  When states mandate masks, fewer people catch COVID-19.
- OCT 1, 2019 U.S. News
  
  More Patients with Heart Disease Die at Home than in Hospital
- SEP 7, 2016 Kaiser Health News
  
  Lack Of Medicaid Expansion Hurts Rural Hospitals More Than Urban Facilities
Expertise
Subject Headings
Research
Selected Grants
- EXpanding Technology-Enabled, Nurse-Delivered Chronic Disease Care (EXTEND) awarded by National Institutes of Health 2021 - 2025
- Improving the lives of persons living with dementia and their families through person-centered measurement of home time awarded by National Institutes of Health 2021 - 2024
- Informing Policy Options to Integrate Care for Dual Eligible North Carolinians awarded by Arnold Ventures 2021 - 2022
- Technology-enhanced Transitional Palliative Care for Family Caregivers in Rural Settings awarded by Mayo Clinic - Rochester 2021 - 2022
- Power of Bayesian Methods, RCTs, and Decision Models to Inform CRT Uncertainties awarded by National Institutes of Health 2016 - 2021
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Rebecca Whitaker, Nirosha Mahendraratnam, Sophie Hurewitz, Jeremy Yi, Valerie A. Smith, and Mark McClellan. “State variation in effects of state social distancing policies on COVID-19 cases.” Bmc Public Health 21, no. 1 (June 28, 2021): 1239. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11236-3.
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  - Miller, Katherine E. M., Kyle L. Miller, Kathleen Knocke, George H. Pink, G Mark Holmes, and Brystana G. Kaufman. “Access to outpatient services in rural communities changes after hospital closure.” Health Serv Res, June 25, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.13694.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Bradi B. Granger, Jie-Lena Sun, Gillian Sanders, Donald H. Taylor, Daniel B. Mark, Haider Warraich, et al. “The Cost-Effectiveness of Palliative Care: Insights from the PAL-HF Trial.” J Card Fail 27, no. 6 (June 2021): 662–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cardfail.2021.02.019.
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  - Langan, Erica, Arif H. Kamal, Katherine E. M. Miller, and Brystana G. Kaufman. “Comparing Palliative Care Knowledge in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas of the United States: Results from a National Survey.” J Palliat Med, May 28, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2021.0114.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., David Anderson, William K. Bleser, David B. Muhlestein, Nathan Smith, Jeffrey Clough, Mark B. McClellan, and Robert Saunders. “Association of ACO Shared Savings Success and Serious Illness Spending.” J Healthc Manag 66, no. 3 (May 2021): 227–40. https://doi.org/10.1097/JHM-D-20-00155.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Courtney H. Van Houtven, Melissa A. Greiner, Bradley G. Hammill, Matthew Harker, David Anderson, Sarah Petry, Janet Bull, and Donald H. Taylor. “Selection Bias in Observational Studies of Palliative Care: Lessons Learned.” Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 61, no. 5 (May 2021): 1002-1011.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.09.011.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Nirosha Mahendraratnam, Thuy-Vi Nguyen, Laura Benzing, Jessica Beliveau, Christina Silcox, and Charlene A. Wong. “Factors Associated with Initial Public School Reopening Plans During the US COVID-19 Pandemic: a Retrospective Study.” J Gen Intern Med 36, no. 3 (March 2021): 852–54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-020-06470-1.
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  - Cross, Sarah H., Brystana G. Kaufman, Tammie E. Quest, and Haider J. Warraich. “National Trends in Hospice Facility Deaths in the United States, 2003-2017.” J Pain Symptom Manage 61, no. 2 (February 2021): 350–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.08.026.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Rebecca Whitaker, Nirosha Mahendraratnam, Valerie A. Smith, and Mark B. McClellan. “Comparing Associations of State Reopening Strategies with COVID-19 Burden.” J Gen Intern Med 35, no. 12 (December 2020): 3627–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-020-06277-0.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Shreyansh Shah, Anne S. Hellkamp, Barbara L. Lytle, Gregg C. Fonarow, Lee H. Schwamm, Eva Lesén, et al. “Disease Burden Following Non-Cardioembolic Minor Ischemic Stroke or High-Risk TIA: A GWTG-Stroke Study.” Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases : The Official Journal of National Stroke Association 29, no. 12 (December 2020): 105399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105399.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., William K. Bleser, Robert Saunders, David Anderson, Courtney H. Van Houtven, David B. Muhlestein, Jeffrey Clough, and Mark B. McClellan. “Prospective or retrospective ACO attribution matters for seriously ill patients.” Am J Manag Care 26, no. 12 (December 2020): 534–40. https://doi.org/10.37765/ajmc.2020.88541.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Rebecca Whitaker, Nirosha Mahendraratnam, Valerie A. Smith, and Mark B. McClellan. “Correction to: Comparing Associations of State Reopening Strategies with COVID-19 Burden.” J Gen Intern Med, November 9, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-020-06337-5.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Rebecca Whitaker, George Pink, and G Mark Holmes. “Half of Rural Residents at High Risk of Serious Illness Due to COVID-19, Creating Stress on Rural Hospitals.” J Rural Health 36, no. 4 (September 2020): 584–90. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12481.
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  - Fudim, Marat, Frederik Dalgaard, Sana M. Al-Khatib, Daniel J Friedman, Kathryn Lallinger, William T. Abraham, John G. F. Cleland, et al. “Future research prioritization in cardiac resynchronization therapy.” Am Heart J 223 (May 2020): 48–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2020.02.011.
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  - Check, Devon K., Brystana G. Kaufman, Arif H. Kamal, and David J. Casarett. “Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Integrating Population Health Principles into Practice.” J Palliat Med 23, no. 4 (April 2020): 568–72. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2020.0100.
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  - Cross, Sarah H., Brystana G. Kaufman, Donald H. Taylor, Arif H. Kamal, and Haider J. Warraich. “Trends and Factors Associated with Place of Death for Individuals with Dementia in the United States.” J Am Geriatr Soc 68, no. 2 (February 2020): 250–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16200.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., David Klemish, Andrew Olson, Cordt T. Kassner, Jerome P. Reiter, Matthew Harker, Laura Sheble, Benjamin A. Goldstein, Donald H. Taylor, and Nrupen A. Bhavsar. “Use of Hospital Referral Regions in Evaluating End-of-Life Care.” J Palliat Med 23, no. 1 (January 2020): 90–96. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2019.0056.
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  - Shepherd-Banigan, Megan, Brystana G. Kaufman, Kasey Decosimo, Joshua Dadolf, Nathan A. Boucher, Elizabeth P. Mahanna, Rebecca Bruening, et al. “Adaptation and Implementation of a Family Caregiver Skills Training Program: From Single Site RCT to Multisite Pragmatic Intervention.” Journal of Nursing Scholarship : An Official Publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing 52, no. 1 (January 2020): 23–33. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12511.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Emily C. O’Brien, Sally C. Stearns, Roland Matsouaka, G Mark Holmes, Morris Weinberger, Paula H. Song, et al. “The Medicare Shared Savings Program and Outcomes for Ischemic Stroke Patients: a Retrospective Cohort Study.” J Gen Intern Med 34, no. 12 (December 2019): 2740–48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-019-05283-1.
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  - Cross, Sarah H., Brystana G. Kaufman, and Haider Warraich. “TRENDS AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PLACE OF DEATH AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN THE UNITED STATES.” Innovation in Aging 3, no. Supplement_1 (November 8, 2019): S132–33. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.482.
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  - Cross, Sarah H., Brystana G. Kaufman, and Haider J. Warraich. “Trends in Location of Death for Individuals With Cerebrovascular Disease in the United States.” Jama Neurol 76, no. 11 (November 1, 2019): 1399–1401. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.2566.
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  - Cross, Sarah H., Brystana G. Kaufman, Robert J. Mentz, Arif H. Kamal, Donald H. Taylor, and Haider J. Warraich. “Trends in Place of Death for Individuals With Cardiovascular Disease in the United States.” J Am Coll Cardiol 74, no. 15 (October 15, 2019): 1943–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2019.08.1015.
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  - Taylor, Donald H., Brystana G. Kaufman, Andrew Olson, Matthew Harker, David Anderson, Sarah H. Cross, Lindsay Bonsignore, and Janet Bull. “Paying for Palliative Care in Medicare: Evidence From the Four Seasons/Duke CMMI Demonstration.” J Pain Symptom Manage 58, no. 4 (October 2019): 654-661.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.06.019.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Emily C. O’Brien, Sally C. Stearns, Roland A. Matsouaka, G Mark Holmes, Morris Weinberger, Lee H. Schwamm, et al. “Medicare Shared Savings ACOs and Hospice Care for Ischemic Stroke Patients.” J Am Geriatr Soc 67, no. 7 (July 2019): 1402–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15852.
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  - Bleser, William K., Robert S. Saunders, Lia Winfield, Mark Japinga, Nathan Smith, Brystana G. Kaufman, Hannah L. Crook, David B. Muhlestein, and Mark McClellan. “ACO Serious Illness Care: Survey And Case Studies Depict Current Challenges And Future Opportunities.” Health Aff (Millwood) 38, no. 6 (June 2019): 1011–20. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00013.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., B Steven Spivack, Sally C. Stearns, Paula H. Song, and Emily C. O’Brien. “Impact of Accountable Care Organizations on Utilization, Care, and Outcomes: A Systematic Review.” Med Care Res Rev 76, no. 3 (June 2019): 255–90. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077558717745916.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Anna Kucharska-Newton, and Janet Prvu Bettger. “Health Services Research.” Stroke 50, no. 5 (May 2019): e121–24. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.024093.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., David Klemish, Cordt T. Kassner, Jerome P. Reiter, Fan Li, Matthew Harker, Emily C. O’Brien, Donald H. Taylor, and Nrupen A. Bhavsar. “Predicting Length of Hospice Stay: An Application of Quantile Regression.” J Palliat Med 21, no. 8 (August 2018): 1131–36. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2018.0039.
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  - Tran, Richard H., Ahmed Aldemerdash, Patricia Chang, Carla A. Sueta, Brystana Kaufman, Josephine Asafu-Adjei, Orly Vardeny, et al. “Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy and Survival Following Hospitalization in Patients with Heart Failure.” Pharmacotherapy 38, no. 4 (April 2018): 406–16. https://doi.org/10.1002/phar.2091.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Sunghee Kim, Karen Pieper, Larry A. Allen, Bernard J. Gersh, Gerald V. Naccarelli, Michael D. Ezekowitz, et al. “Disease understanding in patients newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.” Heart 104, no. 6 (March 2018): 494–501. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2017-311800.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Carla A. Sueta, Cathy Chen, B Gwen Windham, and Sally C. Stearns. “Are Trends in Hospitalization Prior to Hospice Use Associated With Hospice Episode Characteristics?” Am J Hosp Palliat Care 34, no. 9 (November 2017): 860–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049909116659049.
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  - Holmes, George M., Brystana G. Kaufman, and George H. Pink. “Predicting Financial Distress and Closure in Rural Hospitals.” J Rural Health 33, no. 3 (June 2017): 239–49. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12187.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Kristin L. Reiter, George H. Pink, and George M. Holmes. “Medicaid Expansion Affects Rural And Urban Hospitals Differently.” Health Aff (Millwood) 35, no. 9 (September 1, 2016): 1665–72. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0357.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Sharita R. Thomas, Randy K. Randolph, Julie R. Perry, Kristie W. Thompson, George M. Holmes, and George H. Pink. “The Rising Rate of Rural Hospital Closures.” J Rural Health 32, no. 1 (2016): 35–43. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12128.
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- Conference Papers
  - Shah, S., B. Kaufman, A. Hellkamp, G. Fonarow, L. Schwamm, E. Lesen, J. Hedberg, et al. “BURDEN OF ILLNESS FOR UNITED STATES MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES WITH NON-CARDIOEMBOLIC MINOR ISCHEMIC STROKE OR HIGH RISK TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS.” In International Journal of Stroke, 15:124–124, 2020.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana, Melissa Greiner, Matthew Harker, Sarah Cross, Sarah Petry, David Anderson, Janet Bull, and Courtney Van Houtven. “Compared to What? Comparing Counterfactuals in an Observational Study of Palliative Care.” In Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 60:230–31, 2020.
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  - Kaufman, B., K. D. Allen, C. J. Coffman, S. Woolson, D. Bongiorni, K. Caves, K. S. Hall, et al. “COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF THE STEPPED EXERCISE PROGRAM FOR PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS (STEP-KOA) TRIAL.” In Value in Health, 23:S2–S2, 2020.
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  - Cross, Sarah, Brystana Kaufman, Donald Taylor, Arif Kamal, and Haider Warraich. “Trends and Factors Associated with Place of Death for Individuals with Dementia in the United States from 2003 to 2017.” In Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 59:529–529, 2020.
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  - Kaufman, Brystana G., Bradi Granger, Jie-Lena Sun, Gillian D. Sanders, Donald Taylor, Joseph Rogers, James Tulsky, Daniel Mark, and Robert Mentz. “COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PALLIATIVE CARE IN HEART FAILURE TRIAL.” In Medical Decision Making, 40:E358–59. SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC, 2020.
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  - Kaufman, B. “Predicting Hospice Length of Use: An Application of Quantile Regression.” In Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 66:S321–22, 2018.
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  - Kaufman, B., C. A. Sueta, C. Chen, B. Windham, and S. Stearns. “ARE TRENDS IN HOSPITALIZATION PRIOR TO HOSPICE USE ASSOCIATED WITH HOSPICE EPISODE CHARACTERISTICS?” In Gerontologist, 56:78–78, 2016.
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  - Tran, Richard, Ahmed Aldemerdash, Patricia Chang, Carla Sueta, Brystana Kaufman, Josephine Asafu-Adjei, Orly Vardeny, et al. “MORTALITY FOLLOWING INITIATION OR DISCONTINUATION OF GUIDELINE DIRECTED MEDICAL THERAPIES IN HOSPITALIZED HEART FAILURE PATIENTS IN THE ATHEROSCLEROSIS RISK IN COMMUNITIES STUDY.” In Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 67:1549–1549. Elsevier BV, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0735-1097(16)31550-9.
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Teaching & Mentoring
Teaching Activities
- PHS 922 Analytic Methods III: Advanced Regression Methods (Fall 2022)
Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
Service to the Profession
- Participant. Faculty Curriculum on Anti-Racism. Duke Office of Faculty Advancement. January 11, 2021 - January 14, 2021 2021

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Education, Training, & Certifications

Duke Appointment History

Academic Positions Outside Duke

In the News

Subject Headings

Selected Grants

Selected Publications

Academic Articles

Conference Papers

Teaching Activities

Service to the Profession