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David Bruce Matchar

Professor of Medicine
Medicine, General Internal Medicine
Box 102811, DUMC, Durham, NC 27705
Erwin Terrace II, Box 16, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


My research relates to clinical practice improvement - from the development of clinical policies to their implementation in real world clinical settings. Most recently my major content focus has been cerebrovascular disease. Other major clinical areas in which I work include the range of disabling neurological conditions, cardiovascular disease, and cancer prevention.
Notable features of my work are: (1) reliance on analytic strategies such as meta-analysis, simulation, decision analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis; (2) a balancing of methodological rigor the needs of medical professionals; and (3) dependence on interdisciplinary groups of experts.
This approach is best illustrated by the Stroke Prevention Patient Outcome Research Team (PORT), for which I served as principal investigator. Funded by the AHCPR, the PORT involved 35 investigators at 13 institutions. The Stroke PORT has been highly productive and has led to a stroke prevention project funded as a public/private partnership by the AHCPR and DuPont Pharma, the Managing Anticoagulation Services Trial (MAST). MAST is a practice improvement trial in 6 managed care organizations, focussing on optimizing anticoagulation for individuals with atrial fibrillation.
I serve as consultant in the general area of analytic strategies for clinical policy development, as well as for specific projects related to stroke (e.g., acute stroke treatment, management of atrial fibrillation, and use of carotid endarterectomy.) I have worked with AHCPR (now AHRQ), ACP, AHA, AAN, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, NSA, WHO, and several pharmaceutical companies.
Key Words: clinical policy, disease management, stroke, decision analysis, clinical guidelines

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Medicine · 1999 - Present Medicine, General Internal Medicine, Medicine
Director of the Center for Clinical Health Policy Research · 1988 - Present Institutes and Centers, School of Medicine
Professor of Pathology · 2009 - Present Pathology, Clinical Science Departments
Affiliate, Duke Global Health Institute · 2009 - Present Duke Global Health Institute, University Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published January 12, 2016
Study: Mental health of stroke survivors and their family caregivers interrelated

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Recent Publications


Public health insights of patients with asthma receiving primary, specialist or mixed care in Singapore using data from the SDG-CARE Asthma Registry.

Journal Article Respir Med · October 2025 PURPOSE: The prevalence and economic burden of asthma across the public healthcare landscape in Singapore is substantial, where the asthma patient journey often transitions between primary care (PC) and specialty care (SC) settings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: T ... Full text Link to item Cite

Environmental sustainability in asthma: reducing carbon footprint and medication wastage.

Journal Article Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol · September 29, 2025 INTRODUCTION: Asthma inhalers are significant contributors of greenhouse gas emissions. However, less is known about the potentially avoidable carbon footprint i.e. medication wastage and oversupply. We aimed to analyse dispensing patterns and carbon footp ... Full text Link to item Cite

Ageing well in the urban environment: meeting the health and social needs of older Adults - study protocol for a prospective, longitudinal mixed-methods study.

Journal Article BMC geriatrics · August 2025 BackgroundUrbanisation and ageing populations are global challenges for ageing well. This mixed-methods study examines the health and social needs of older adults in urban areas in Berlin, Germany and in Singapore, focusing on three key dimensions ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Expanding Quality Care for Glaucoma through a Provider-Patient Partnership

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2007 - 2013

Thrombosis and Hemostasis Centers Research and Prevention Network

ResearchConsultant · Awarded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · 2002 - 2013

EPC Project: Medical Test Guides - training modules

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality · 2011 - 2012

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Maryland, College Park · 1980 M.D.