The next Cancer Researcher in Focus is Craig Pollack, MD, MHS. His research focuses on the organization of cancer care, cancer disparities, and the social determinants of health. Dr. Pollack’s primary appointment is in the Division of General Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins; he is the co-director of the GIM Fellowship Program at Hopkins.
In 2011, a paper of his and colleagues showed that the treatment for localized prostate cancer varied according to the racial composition of the hospital where the treatment took place.
Dr. Pollack’s later work has used network analysis, by identifying the relationship between variation of prostate cancer care and subgroups of urologists who share many of the same patients. Such studies show the usefulness of provider relationships as a means to understanding variation in cancer care.
Most recently, Dr. Pollack has - among other things - examined the responses of primary care providers to the new (2012) recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force regarding prostate cancer screening, and the variation of care for prostate cancer in different settings.
In his research, clinical practice, and involvement in education, Dr. Pollack is working towards a comprehensive understanding of the delivery, disparities, and variations of cancer care.