Constance M. Weisner, DrPH, MSW

Connie M. Weisner, DrPH, MSW Kaiser Permanente Division of Research
2000 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612

(510) 891-3599 (phone)
constance.weisner@kp.org

Connie M. Weisner, DrPH, MSW, is a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research; and professor at the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Weisner has a doctorate in public health from the University of California, Berkeley and a master’s in social work from the University of Minnesota. She directs a research program addressing access, treatment outcome, and cost-effectiveness of alcohol and drug treatment in public and private settings, including managed care. Dr. Weisner is a member of the National Advisory Council of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, International Expert Advisory Group on Alcohol and Drug Dependence of the World Health Organization, and MacArthur Network on Mental Health and the Law. She has also been a member of the National Advisory Council of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Dr. Weisner has participated on several Institute of Medicine committees, including the recent “Adapting ‘Crossing the Quality Chasm’ to Mental Health and Addictive Disorders.” Dr. Weisner's published work includes studies of epidemiology of alcohol and drug problems; the interaction among alcohol, drug, mental health and medical problems; and the outcomes and cost-effectiveness of treatment services. She is the principal investigator of NIAAA, NIDA, and RWJF research grants that study the cost and effectiveness of alcohol and drug treatment interventions. Her ongoing work focuses on the changing systems for receiving health, substance abuse and mental health services.

Current Positions:

Research Scientist III, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute, University of California, San Francisco

Primary Research Interests:

Drug and alcohol epidemiology
Treatment outcomes
Access and utilization of behavioral health care

Screening for Youth Alcohol and Drug Use: A Study of Primary Care

This study surveys pediatrician and adolescent medicine physicians on barriers and facilitators to screening for alcohol and drugs among adolescents.
Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Principal Investigator: Weisner, Constance

Family Members of Alcohol Patients: Utilization and Cost

This study investigates the health care utilization and costs for family members or persons who were admitted to a chemical dependency program.
Funder: Nat. Inst. of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Principal Investigator: Weisner, Constance

Courses of Problems in Adolescent Drug Treatment Intakes (Teen Study)

The study examines the three- and five-year course of problems in an “intent to treat” sample of 400 adolescent intakes in four managed care substance abuse treatment sites, and assesses the relationship of substance abuse problems and treatment to medical utilization and cost.
Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Principal Investigator: Weisner, Constance

Integrated Drug and Medical Care: Cost and Effectiveness

This is a randomized study of integrated medical and chemical dependency treatment vs. independent care among individuals entering chemical dependency treatment.
Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Principal Investigator: Weisner, Constance

Long-term Impact of Drug Treatment on Outcome and Cost

This study examines determinants of 11-year trajectories of treatment readmission, substance use, and medical services utilization and cost. Of particular interest is the stability of six- and 12-month, and five- and seven-year treatment outcomes.
Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Principal Investigator: Weisner, Constance

Kaiser Permanente Division of Research