Bruce H. Fireman, MA

Bruce Fireman MA, is a Biostatistician and Research Scientist at the Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Northern California. He has conducted studies on the cost of medical care for cancer and the prevalence of clinically recognized mental disorders. Mr. Fireman is currently evaluating the effectiveness interdisciplinary teams in primary care. He has collaborated with many Kaiser Permanente clinicians and administrators in a variety of efforts to evaluate and improve health services.

Mr. Fireman’s research interests include assessment of the costs and outcomes of medical care, variations in the delivery and use of health services, vaccine efficacy and safety, and patient participation in medical decisions.

Current Research Positions:

Biostatistician, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Northern California

Primary Research Interests:

	Costs and outcomes of medical care
	Variations in the delivery and use of health services
	Vaccine efficacy and safety
	Patient participation in medical decisions.

Current Research Projects:

	Evaluation of Care Manager Programs for Four Chronic Conditions
	Impact of the Adult Primary Care Redesign in Northern California on Quality, Cost, Patient Satisfaction and Physician Satisfaction

Selected Publications:

	Fireman B, Gamson W, Rytina S. Mobilization in minature. Research in Social Movements, Conflict, and Change. JAI Press, 1979.
	Fireman B, Gamson W. Utilitarian logic in the resource mobilization perspective. The Dynamics of Social Movements. Winthrop Publications, 1979.
	Gamson W, Fireman BH. Encounters with unjust authority. The Dorsey Press, 1982.
	Friedman GD, Fireman BH, Petitti DB, Siegelaub AB. Psychological questionnaire score, cigarette smoking, and myocardial infarction: a continuing enigma. Prev Med 1983;12:533-40.
	Shearn MA, Fireman BH. Stress management and mutual support groups in rheumatoid arthritis. Am J Med 1985;78:771-5.
	Friedman GD, Collen MF, Fireman BH. Multiphasic health checkup evaluation: a 16-year follow-up. J Chronic Dis 1986;76:833-8.
	Hiatt RA, Fireman BH. Smoking, menopause, and breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 1986;76:833-8.
	Hiatt RA, Fireman BH. Serum cholesterol and the incidence of cancer in a large cohort. J Chronic Dis 1986;39:861-70 .
	Hiatt RA, Fireman BH. The possible effect of increased surveillance on the incidence of malignant melanoma. Prev Med 1986;15:652-60.
	Hiatt RA, Fireman BH. Serum uric acid unrelated to cancer incidence in humans. Cancer Res 1988;48:2916-8.
	Black SB, Shinefield HR, Hiatt RA, Fireman BH. Efficacy of haemophilus influenzae, type b, capsular polysaccharide vaccine. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1988;7:149-56.
	Hiatt RA, Fireman B, Quesenberry CP Jr, Selby J, et al. The impact of AIDS on the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program (Northern California Region). Health Program, Office of Technology Assessment, U.S. Congress. Wash., DC, 20510-8025, July 1988.
	Hiatt RA, Fireman BH. Serum cholesterol and the incidence of cervical cancer [Letter]. J Clin Epidemiol 1988;42:90.
	Rubinoff H, Fireman BH. Testing for recovery of thyroid function after withdrawal of long-term suppression therapy. J Clin Epidemiol 1989;42:417-20.
	Friedman GD, Raviola CA, Fireman B. Prognosis of gallstones with mild or no symptoms: 25 years of follow-up in a health maintenance organization. J Clin Epidemiol 1989;42:127-36.
	Quesenberry CP, Fireman B, Hiatt RA, Selby JV. A survival analysis of hospitalization among patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Am J Public Health 1989;79:1643-7.
	Selby JV, Friedman GD, Fireman BH. Screening prescription drugs for possible carcinogenicity: Eleven to fifteen years of follow-up. Cancer Res 1989;49:5736-47.
	Hiatt RA, Quesenberry CP Jr, Selby JV, Fireman BH, Knight A. The cost of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in Northern California: the experience of a large prepaid health plan. Arch Int Med 1990;150:833-8.
	Friedman GD, Fireman BH. Appendectomy, appendicitis, and large bowel cancer. Cancer Res 1990;50:7549-51.
	Black SB, Shinefield HR, Lampert D, Fireman BH, Hiatt RA, Polen M, Vittinghoff E. Safety and immunogenicity of oligosaccharide conjugate Haemophilus influenza type b (HbOC) vaccine in infancy. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1991;10:92-6.
	Black SB, Shinefield HR, Fireman BH, Hiatt RA, Polen M, Vittinghoff E. Efficacy in infancy of oligosaccharide conjugate Haemophilus influenza type b (HbOC) vaccine in a United States population of 61,080 children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1991;10:97-104.
	Le CT, Freeman DW, Fireman BH. Evaluation of ventilating tubes and myringotomy in the treatment of recurrent or persistent otitis media. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1991;10:2-11.
	Goldhaber MK, Fireman BH. The fetal life table revisited: spontaneous abortion rates in three Kaiser Permanente cohorts. Epidemiol 1991;2:33-9.
	Likosky WH, Fireman BH, Elmore R, Eno G, et al. Intense immunosuppression in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis: the Kaiser study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1991;54:1055-60.
	Fireman BH, Goldhaber, MK. Maternal transfers and hospital perinatal mortality rates [Letter]. Am J Public Health 1991;81:1075-6.
	Black SB, Cherry JD, Shinefield HR, Fireman BH, et al. Apparent decreased risk of invasive bacterial disease after heterologous childhood immunization. Am J Dis Child 1991;145:746-9.
	Friedman GD, Fireman BH. The leukocyte count and cancer mortality. Am J Epidemiol 1991;133:376-80.
	Black SB, Shinefield HR, Fireman B, Hiatt R. Safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy in infancy of oligosacchardie conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine in a United States population: possible implications for optimal use. J Infect Dis 1992;165 Suppl 1:S139-43.
	Soghikian K, Casper SM, Fireman BH, Hunkeler MA, Hurley LB, Tekawa IS, Vogt TM. Home blood pressure monitoring: effect on use of medical services and medical care costs. Med Care 1992;9:855-65.
	Ordonez JD, Hiatt RA, Killebrew E, Fireman BH. The increased risk of coronary heart disease associated with nephrotic syndrome. Kidney Int 1993;44:638-42.
	Black SB, Shinefield HR, Ray P, Lewis EM, Fireman B, et al. Safety of combined oligosaccharide conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b (HbOC) and whole cell diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-petussis vaccine in infancy. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1993;12:981-5.
	Miller MG, Miller LS, Fireman B, Black SB. Variation in practice for discretionary admissions. Impact on estimates of quality of hospital care. JAMA 1994;271:1493-8.
	Brown ML, Fireman B. Evaluation of direct medical costs related to cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 1995;87:399-400.
	Cherpitel CJ, Hurley LB, Fireman BH, Soghikian K. Alcohol use and medical care utilization among health maintenance organization patients in the emergency department. Acad Emerg Med 1996;3:106-13.
	Selby JV, Fireman BH, Swain BE. Effect of a copayment on use of the emergency department in a health maintenance organization. N Engl J Med 1996;334:635-41.
	Nennig NE, Shinefield HR, Edwards KM, Black SB, Fireman BH. Prevalence and incidence of adult pertussis in an urban population. JAMA 1996;275:1672-4.
	Haan MN, Selby JV, Rice DP, Quesenberry CP Jr, Schofield KA, Liu J, Fireman BH. Trends in cardiovascular disease incidence and survival in the elderly. Ann Epidemiol 1996;6:348-56.
	Leon AC, Olfson M, Weissman MM, Portera L, Fireman BH, Blacklow RS, Hoven C, Broadhead WE. Brief screens for mental disorders in primary care. J Gen Intern Med 1996;11:426-30.
	Selby JV, Fireman BH, Lundstrom RJ, Swain BE, Truman AF, Wong CC, Froelicher ES, Barron HV, Hlatky MA. Variation among hospitals in coronary-angiography practices and outcomes after myocardial infarction in a large health maintenance organization. N Engl J Med 1996;335:1888-96.
	Lieu TA, Lundstrom RJ, Ray GT, Fireman BH, Gurley RJ, Parmley WW. The initial cost of primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction. J Am Coll Cardiol 1996;28:882-9.
	Escobar GJ, Gardner MN, Chellino M, Fireman B, Verdi J, Yanover M. Identification of neonatal deaths in a large managed care organization. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 1997;11:93-104.
	Batchelder TJ, Fireman B, Friedman GD, Matas BR, Wong IG, Barricks ME, Burke S, Beasley L. The value of routine dilated pupil screening examination. Arch Ophthalmol 1997;115:1179-84.
	Black SB, Shinefield HR, Bergen R, Hart C, Kremers R, Lavetter A, LeMesurier J, Morozumi P, Ray P, Lewis EM, Fireman BH, Schwalbe J, Hallam P, Shandling M, Dekker C, Granoff D, Izu A, Podda A. Safety and immunogenicity of chiron/biocine recombinant aPDT vaccine in infants and toddlers. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1997;16:53-8.
	Haan MN, Selby JV, Quesenberry CP Jr, Schmittdiel JA, Fireman BH, Rice DP. The impact of aging and chronic disease on use of hospital and outpatient services in a large HMO: 1971-1991. J Am Geriatr Soc 1997;45:667-74.
	Fireman BH, Quesenberry CP Jr, Somkin CP, Jacobson AS, Baer D, West D, Potosky AL, Brown ML. Cost of care for cancer in a health maintenance organization. Health Care Financing Review 1997;18:51-76.
	Olfson M, Fireman B, Weissman MM, Leon AC, Sheehan DV, Kathol RG, Hoven C, Farber L. Mental disorders and disability among patients in a primary care group practice. Am J Psychiatry 1997;154;1734-40.
	Lieu TA, Gurley RJ, Lundstrom RJ, Ray GT, Fireman BH, Weinstein MC, Parmley WW. The projected cost-effectiveness of primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction. J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;87:1349-51.
	Fordyce M, Bardole D, Romer L, Soghikian K, Fireman B. Senior Team Assessment and Referral Program - STAR. J Am Board Fam Pract 1997;10:398-406.
	Potosky AL, Merrill RM, Riley GF, Taplin SH, Barlow W, Fireman BH, Ballard-Barbash R. Breast cancer survival and treatment in health maintenance organization and fee-for-service settings. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1997 Nov 19;89(22):1683-91
	Weissman MM, Broadhead WE, Olfson M, Sheehan DV, Hoven C, Conolly P, Fireman BH, Farber L, Blacklow RS, Higgins ES, Leon AC. A diagnostic aid for detecting (DSM-IV) mental disorders in primary care. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 1998 Jan;20(1):1-11.
	Merrill RM, Brown ML, Potosky AL, Riley G, Taplin SH, Barlow W, Fireman BH. Survival and treatment for colorectal cancer Medicare patients in two groups/staff health maintenance orginizations and the fee-for-service setting. Med Care Res Rev 1999;56:177-96.
	Potosky AL, Merrill RM, Riley GF, Taplin SH, Barlow W, Fireman BH, et al. Prostate cancer treatment and ten-year survival among group/staff HMO and fee-for-service Medicare patients. Health Serv Res 1999;34:525-46.
	Shinefield HR, Black S, Ray P, Chang I, Lewis N, Fireman B, Hackell J, Paradiso PR, Siber G, Kohberger R, Madore DV, Malinowski FJ, Kimura A, Le C, Landaw I, Aguilar J, Hansen J. Safety and immunogenicity of heptavalent pneumococcal CRM197 conjugate vaccine in infants and toddlers. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1999 Sep;18(9):757-63.
	Alexander M, Tekawa I, Hunkeler E, Fireman B, Rowell R, Selby JV, Massie BM, Cooper W. Evaluating hypertension control in a managed care setting. Arch Intern Med 1999 Dec 13-27;159(22):2673-7.
	Fireman BH, Fehrenbacher L, Gruskin EP, Ray GT. Cost of care for patients in cancer clinical trials. J Natl Cancer Inst 2000 Jan 19;92(2):136-42.
	Weisner C, Conell C, Hunkeler E, Rice D, McLellan AT, Hu TW, Moore C. Drinking patterns and problems of the ‘stably insured”: a study of the membership of a health maintenance organization. J Stud Alcohol 2000;61:121-9.
	Black S, Shinefield H, Fireman B, Lewis E, Ray P, Hansen JR, Elvin L, Ensor KM, Hackell J, Siber G, Malinoski F, Madore D, Chang I, Kohberger R, Watson W, Austrian R, Edwards K. Efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in children. Northern California Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center Group. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2000;19:187-95.
	Ray GT, Collin F, Lieu TA, Fireman BH, Colby CJ, Quesenberry CP, Van Den Eeden SK, Selby JV. The cost of health conditions in a health maintenance organization. Med Care Res Rev 2000;57:92-109.
	Ray GT, Lieu TA, Weinick RM, Cohen JW, Fireman B, Newacheck P. Comparing the medical expenses of children with Medicaid and commercial insurance in an HMO. Am J Manag Care 2000;6:753-60.
	Rice D, Connell C, Hunkeler E, Weisner C, Fireman B, Hu TW. Alcohol drinking patterns and medical care use in an HMO setting. J Behav Health Serv Res 2000; 27(1):3-16.
	Fireman B, Fehrenbacher L, Ray GT. RESPONSE: Patient Cost on Clinical Trials. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2000; 92(17):1442-1443.
	Goldhaber MK, Fireman BH. Estimates of the annual number of clinically recognixed pregnancies in the United States, 1981-1991. Am J Epidemiol 2000; 152(3):287-9.
	Hunkeler EM, Meresman JF, Hargreaves WA, Fireman B, Berman WH, Kirsch AJ, Groebe J, Hurt SW, Braden P, Getzell M, Feigenbaum PA, Peng T, Salzer M. Efficacy of nurse telehealth care and peer support in augmenting treatment of depression in primary care. Arch Fam Med 2000; 9(8):700-8.
	Koran LM, Leventhal JL, Fireman B, Jacobson A. Pharmacotherapy of obsessive-compulsive disorder in a health maintenance organization. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2000 Mov 1;57(21):1972-8.
	Fireman B, Koran LM, Leventhal JL, Jacobson A. The prevalence of clinically
	recognized obsessive-compulsive disorder in a large health maintenance organization. Am J Psychiatry 2001;158(11):1904-10.
	Barrett PH, Beck A, Schmid K, Fireman B, Brown JB. Treatment decisions about
	lumbar herniated disk in a shared decision-making program. Jt Comm J Qual Improv
	2002;28(5):211-9.
	Ray GT, Butler JC, Lieu TA, Black SB, Shinefield HR, Fireman BH, Lieu TA. Observed costs and health care use of children in a randomized controlled trial of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Pediatr Inf Dis J 2002;21(5):361-5.
	Fireman B, Black SB, Shinefield HR, Lee J, Lewis E, Ray P. Impact of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on otitis media. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2003 Jan;22(1):10-6.
	Hsu J, Schmittdiel J, Krupat E, Stein T, Thom D, Fireman B, Selby J. Patient choice: a randomized controlled trial of provider selection. J Gen Intern Med 2003;18:319-25.
	Hunkeler EM, Spector WD, Fireman B, Rice DP, Weisner C. Psychiatric symptoms, impaired function, and medical care costs in an HMO setting. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2003;25:178-84.
	Black SB, Shinefield HR, France EK, Fireman BH, Platt ST, Shay D. Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccine during Pregnancy in Preventing Hospitalizations and Outpatient Visits for Respiratory Illness in Pregnant Women and Their Infants. Am J Perinatol. 2004 Aug;21(6):333-9.
	Hu XH, Bull SA, Hunkeler EM, Ming E, Lee JY, Fireman B, Markson LE. Incidence and duration of side effects and those rated as bothersome with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment for depression: patient report versus physician estimate. J Clin Psychiatry. 2004 Jul;65 (7):959-65.
	Fireman B, Bartlett J, and Selby J. Can disease management reduce health care costs by improving quality? Health Aff 2004;23:63-75.
	Conolly P, Levine L, Amaral DJ, Fireman BH, Driscoll T. TPMG Northern California appointments and advice call center. J Med Syst. 2005 Aug;29(4):325-33.
	Arnow BA, Hunkeler EM, Blasey CM, Lee J, Constantino MJ, Fireman B, Kraemer HC, Dea R, Robinson R, Hayward C. Comorbid depression, chronic pain, and disability in primary care. Psychosom Med. 2006 Mar-Apr;68(2):262-8.
	Fung V, Ortiz E, Huang J, Fireman B, Miller R, Selby JV, Hsu J. Early experiences with e-health services (1999-2002): promise, reality, and implications. Med Care 2006;44:491-6.
	Arnow BA, Hunkeler EM, Blasey CM, Lee J, Constantino MJ, Fireman B, Kraemer HC, Dea R, Robinson R, Hayward C. Comorbid depression, chronic pain, and disability in primary care. Psychosom Med 2006;68:262-8.