Richard M. Frankel, PhD

Contact : rfrankel@iu.edu

Medicine is fundamentally a human enterprise that is still practiced one conversation at a time. Our challenge is to find the best ways to incorporate computers to support care in the examination room without losing the heart and soul of medicine – the physician-patient relationship.

Initiatives

Care Delivery

Research Scientist, William M. Tierney Center for Health Services Research, Regenstrief Institute
Core Investigator, VA HSR&D Center for Health Information and Communication
Professor of Medicine and Geriatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine

Dr. Rich Frankel’s research is focused on clinician- patient communication and its effects on quality and safety, the effects of exam room computing on physician patient communication and effective organizational change strategies. Since joining Regenstrief Institute in 2002, he has devoted his career to nurturing the social and emotional contexts of the doctor-patient relationship, and the researchers who study it, to improve medical care and outcomes.

Dr. Frankel’s authorship spans more than 280 research and review articles, books, and book chapters and he has received both the American Academy on Physician and Patient’s George Engel Award and the Lynn Payer Award for his contributions. He serves on a number of editorial boards including the Journal of General Internal Medicine, The Permanente Journal, BMC Education, and Communication and Medicine.

He currently leads the Advanced Scholars Program for Internists in Research and Education (ASPIRE) and has been a senior mentor for more than 35 research fellows and more than 15 junior faculty in medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN and family medicine.

In 2018 the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Research Institute created the Richard Frankel Award for Creating a Loving Community, in recognition of the contributions and achievements of Dr. Frankel, who is internationally respected for his contributions and achievements in fostering humanism in medical education, practice and research.

Featured Projects

Opening the Black Box of Cultural Competence

(VA HSR&D)

Role: Co-Investigator

The goal of this project is to understand differences in the way providers with high vs. low levels of “cultural competence” interact with patients, through direct observation of patient-provider communication and interviews with patients.

ASPIRE: Advanced Scholarship Program for Internists in Research and Education

(IU School of Medicine)

Role: Primary Investigator)

This mentored faculty development program is designed to help junior clinician educators master the research skills necessary for career development including promotion and regional or national recognition in their chosen area of interest. It is also designed to promote a sense of belonging to a vibrant community of practice growth.

Improving Patient Care & Physician Resilience Through Effective Patient-Centered Communication & Documentation Practices

(VA HSR&D)

Role: Primary Investigator

This project explores aspects of electronic medical record documentation that enhance or impede physician resilience. Preparation for visits, the enactment of the encounter, and post-visit documentation practices will be studied. A novel curriculum in exam room computing will be tested for its effectiveness on physician resilience.

Highlighted Publications

May 2020

Blame and its consequences for healthcare professionals: response to Tigard

Publication: Journal of Medical Ethics

DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2019-105525

Authors: Duthie EA, Fischer IC, Frankel RM

Feb 1, 2020

Consulting "Dr. YouTube": an objective evaluation of hypospadias videos on a popular video-sharing website

Publication: Journal of Pediatric Urology

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2019.11.011

Authors: Salama A, Panoch J, Bandali E, Carroll A, Wiehe S, Downs S, Cain MP, Frankel R, Chan KH

May 22, 2020

Making the most of the first prenatal visit: The challenge of expanding prenatal genetic testing options and limited clinical encounter time

Publication: Prenatal Diagnosis

DOI: 10.1002/pd.5752

Authors: Farrell RM, Pierce M, Collart C, Edmonds BT, Chien E, Coleridge M, Rose SL, Perni U, Frankel R

Oct 1, 2020

User-centered development of a hypospadias decision aid prototype

Publication: Journal of Pediatric Urology

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2020.07.047

Authors: Chan KH, Misseri R, Carroll A, Frankel R, Moore CM, Cockrum B, Wiehe SE

Sep 16, 2020

"Won't You Be My Doctor?": Four Keys to a Satisfying Relationship in an Increasingly Virtual World

Publication: Journal of Patient Experience

DOI: 10.1177/2374373520957184

Authors: Frankel RM, Beckman H

Oct 6, 2020

"If your feelings were hurt, I'm sorry…": How Third-Year Medical Students Observe, Learn From, and Engage in Apologies

Publication: Journal of General Internal Medicine

DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06263-6

Authors: Fischer IC, Frankel RM

Sep 1, 2021

In Search of Medical Professionalism Research: Preliminary Results from a Review of Widely Read Medical Journals

Publication: Permanente Journal

DOI: 10.7812/TPP/20.223

Authors: Isaacson JH, Ziring D, Hafferty F, Kalet A, Littleton D, Frankel RM

Jun 2021

The Art of Effective Handoff Communication Among Medical and Surgery Residents

Publication: Journal of Cognitive Engineering and Decision Making

doi: 10.1177%2F15553434211018296

Authors: Rattray N, Flanagan M, Militello L, Barach P, Frankel R

In The News

Influence

Featured Fellowship

People

VideoDr. Cary: Open surgery improves long-term outcomes for testicular cancer patients

NewsStudy finds traditional open surgery for lymph node removal remains gold standard for testicular cancer

InfluenceRegenstrief president participates in media panel with national experts

InfluenceLong-term outcomes after treatment of delirium during critical illness with antipsychotics (MIND-USA): a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial

InfluenceScreening for Breast Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

Study finds traditional open surgery for lymph...

Richard M. Frankel, PhD

Featured Projects

Highlighted Publications