Elizabeth A. Schlenk, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Department of Health and Community Systems

School of Nursing
415 Victoria Building
3500 Victoria Street
Pittsburgh, PA15261

E-mail: els100@pitt.edu
Fax:      412-383-7293
Phone: 412-624-4103

Research Abstracts

RESEARCH:
My research is focused on adherence to chronic disorder regimens, with a particular focus on adherence to exercise regimen. I am interested in predictors of adherence, measurement of adherence behavior, and interventions to improve adherence. I have conducted observational and intervention studies with colleagues from across several disciplines. The chronic disorder populations that I have studied are type 2 diabetes, hypertension, Raynaud's disease, fibromyalgia syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. I have received a grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research to test a self-efficacy based intervention to improve physical activity and fitness in older adults who are overweight or obese and have osteoarthritis of the knee. I have received funding from the Pittsburgh Older Americans Independence Center to conduct a descriptive methodologic study of six methods of assessing physical activity in older adults.

TEACHING:
I am the Director of the Masters Program in Advanced Specialty Roles—Nursing Research. I teach NUR 0067 Introduction to Nursing Research, NUR 2007 Research for Evidence-Based Practice II, NUR 2800/2801 Coordinating Clinical Trials/Practicum, and NUR 3042 Research Emphasis Seminar: Chronic Disorders. I serve on dissertation committees as a chair or member. I serve as a preceptor for NUR 2002 Research Practicum and the doctoral practica on Grant Writing (NUR 3050), Pilot Study (NUR 3051), and Manuscript Preparation (NUR 3052).

SERVICE:
At the national level, I am member of the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP) Committee on Education. At the Health Sciences Division level, I am a member of the Montefiore University Hospital Clinical and Translational Research Center Scientific Advisory Committee. At the School level, I am a member of the Research Course Revisions Task Force and serve as the representative to the Greater Pittsburgh Annual Nursing Research Conference Planning Committee. I am also a member of the Western Pennsylvania Chapter, Arthritis Foundation, Allied Health Professionals, which plans local conferences for rheumatology health professionals.