Heidi L. Ekstrom, MA
Principal Research Project Manager
About
Research Interests:
  Clinical Decision Support
  Care Improvement
  Chronic Disease

Education: MA, St. Mary's University

Joined the Institute:  2003
Affiliation
positions
  • Principal Project Manager, Center for Chronic Care Innovation
    • Publications While At HealthPartners
    Highlights
    selected publications
    Journal Article
  • Attitudes towards different weight loss approaches among adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity. 
    Patient Education and Counseling. 2025
  • Cardiometabolic risk in pediatric patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 
    American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2025
  • Clinical Decision Support System for Primary Care of Opioid Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. 
    JAMA internal medicine. 2025
  • Clinical decision support and cardiometabolic medication adherence: a randomized clinical trial. 
    JAMA network open. 2025
  • Clinical decision support to improve primary care obesity management in adults with diabetes: clinic-randomized study design. 
    Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2025
  • Confidence in diagnosing and managing care for cognitive impairment in primary care: a survey comparing barriers by primary care clinician type. 
    Family Practice. 2024
  • Protocol of a patient randomized clinical trial to improve medication adherence in primary care. 
    Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2024
  • The impact of stimulant medications on blood pressure and body mass index in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. 
    Academic Pediatrics. 2024
  • Adapting a clinical decision support system to improve identification of pediatric hypertension in a rural health system: design of a pragmatic trial. 
    Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2023
  • Design of a pragmatic clinical trial to improve screening and treatment for opioid use disorder in primary care. 
    Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2023
  • Bolstering the business case for adoption of shared decision-making systems in primary care: randomized controlled trial. 
    JMIR formative research. 2022
  • Clinical decision support with or without shared decision making to improve preventive cancer care: a cluster-randomized trial. 
    Medical Decision Making. 2022
  • Human papillomavirus vaccination clinical decision support for young adults in an upper midwestern healthcare system: a clinic cluster-randomized control trial. 
    Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. 2022
  • Primary care clinicians' opinions before and after implementation of cancer screening and prevention clinical decision support in a clinic cluster-randomized control trial: a survey research study. 
    BMC Health Services Research. 2022
  • Design and rationale of an intervention to improve cancer prevention using clinical decision support and shared decision making: a clinic-randomized trial. 
    Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2021
  • Effect of clinical decision support on diagnostic imaging for pediatric appendicitis: a cluster randomized trial. 
    JAMA network open. 2021
  • Patient perceptions of using clinical decision support for cancer screening and prevention: "I wouldn't have thought about getting screened without it.". 
    Journal of patient-centered research and reviews. 2021
  • Pragmatic clinic randomized trial to improve chronic kidney disease care: design and adaptation due to COVID disruptions. 
    Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2021
  • The impact of personalized clinical decision support on primary care patients' views of cancer prevention and screening: a cross-sectional survey. 
    BMC Health Services Research. 2021
  • Clinical decision support for recognizing and managing hypertensive blood pressure in youth: no significant impact on medical costs. 
    Academic Pediatrics. 2020
  • Improving hypertension recognition in adolescents, a small but important first step in cardiovascular disease prevention. 
    Academic Pediatrics. 2020
  • Pre-implementation adaptation of primary care cancer prevention clinical decision support in a predominantly rural healthcare system. 
    BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making. 2020
  • Barriers and facilitators to implementing cancer prevention clinical decision support in primary care: a qualitative study. 
    BMC Health Services Research. 2019
  • Development of a clinical decision support system for pediatric abdominal pain in emergency department settings across two health systems within the HCSRN. 
    EGEMS (Washington, DC). 2019
  • Impact of updated pediatric hypertension guidelines on progression from elevated blood pressure to hypertension in a community-based primary care population. 
    Journal of Clinical Hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.). 2019
  • Understanding primary care providers' perceptions of cancer prevention and screening in a predominantly rural healthcare system in the upper Midwest. 
    BMC Health Services Research. 2019
  • Clinical decision support directed to primary care patients and providers reduces cardiovascular risk: a randomized trial. 
    Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. 2018
  • Clinical decision support for recognition and management of hypertension: a randomized trial. 
    Pediatrics. 2018
  • Evaluation of an electronic clinical decision support tool for incident elevated BP in adolescents. 
    Academic Pediatrics. 2018
  • Potential misclassification of blood pressure status in children and adolescents with short or tall stature. 
    American Journal of Epidemiology. 2016
  • Recidivism to uncontrolled blood pressure in patients with previously controlled hypertension. 
    American Heart Journal. 2015
  • TeenBP: development and piloting of an EHR-linked clinical decision support system to improve recognition of hypertension in adolescents. 
    EGEMS (Washington, DC). 2015
  • Educating resident physicians using virtual case-based simulation improves diabetes management: a randomized controlled trial. 
    Academic Medicine. 2014
  • Personalised physician learning intervention to improve hypertension and lipid control: randomised trial comparing two methods of physician profiling. 
    BMJ quality & safety. 2014
  • Using simulation technology to teach diabetes care management skills to resident physicians. 
    Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2013
  • Cost-effectiveness of an electronic medical record based clinical decision support system. 
    Health Services Research. 2012
  • Impact of electronic health record clinical decision support on diabetes care: a randomized trial. 
    Annals of Family Medicine. 2011
  • Long-term effects of intensive glucose lowering on cardiovascular outcomes. 
    New England Journal of Medicine. 2011
  • Outpatient EHR-based diabetes clinical decision support that works: lessons learned from implementing Diabetes Wizard. 
    Diabetes Spectrum. 2010
  • Simulated physician learning program improves glucose control in adults with diabetes. 
    Diabetes care. 2010
  • Effects of intensive glucose lowering in type 2 diabetes. 
    New England Journal of Medicine. 2008
    • Conference Paper
  • Cost-effectiveness of EMR-based clinical decision support [presentation
    2011
    • Conference Poster
  • A clinical decision support system promotes shared decision-making and cardiovascular risk factor management [poster]
    2017
  • Aspirin for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: challenges to appropriate use [poster]
    2017
  • Can prioritized clinical decision support in primary care reduce cardiovascular risk? [poster]
    2017
  • Clinical decision support impact on overuse and underuse of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events [poster]
    2017
  • Development and validation of a risk equation for appendicitis in children presenting with abdominal pain [poster]
    2017
  • Impact of improving diabetes care on Quality adjusted Life Expectancy (QALE) and costs: a 40-year perspective [poster]
    2017
  • Primary care provider use rates of a clinical decision support tool and change in diabetes performance measures [poster]
    2017
  • Results of a cluster-randomized trial testing the effects of TeenBP, an EHR-based clinical decision support tool, on recognition of adolescent hypertension [poster]
    2017
  • Using EMR-linked data for passive patient safety reporting in pragmatic clinical trials [poster]
    2017
  • Correlation between provider use rates of a clinical decision support tool and diabetes performance measures [e-poster 1266-P]. 
    Diabetes. 2016
  • Improving population health: predictors of recidivism to uncontrolled hypertension in patients with previously well-controlled hypertension [poster]
    2015
  • Passive safety monitoring using electronic medical records data for pragmatic cardiovascular clinical trials [poster]
    2015
  • Personalized physician learning intervention to improve hypertension control: randomized trial comparing two methods of physician profiling [poster]
    2014
  • Frequency of CV Wizard use and gender disparity [poster]
    2013
  • Personalized physician learning intervention to improve hypertension control: randomized trial comparing two methods of physician profiling [poster]
    2013
  • Aspirin decision support using data-driven treatment algorithms [poster]
    2012
  • From research innovation to broader public use: the SimCare story [poster]
    2012
  • Simulated provider training improves diabetes management [poster]
    2012
  • Testing a clinical decision support process to lower cardiovascular risk of patients [poster]
    2012
  • A simulated diabetes learning intervention improves provider knowledge and confidence in managing diabetes [poster]
    2011
  • Designing a patient interface for shared decision support [poster]
    2011
  • Provider satisfaction with a simulated learning approach to diabetes management [poster]
    2011
  • Use of Diabetes Wizard EMR-based clinical decision support system [poster]
    2011
  • Cost effectiveness of an EMR-based clinical decision support system [poster]
    2010
  • EHR-based clinical decision support for assessing cardiovascular risk [poster]
    2010
  • Are diabetes patients with depression more likely to get routine care process measures [poster]?
    2008
  • How do the best physicians get diabetes patients to glycemic goals [poster]
    2008
  • Identifying depression among diabetes patients using natural language processing (NLP) of office notes [poster]
    2008
  • Reasons for diabetes clinical inertia in primary care practice [poster]
    2008
  • Using EMR (electronic medical record) data for passive patient safety surveillance in clinical trials [poster]
    2008
    • Abstract
  • Maximizing use of chronic disease clinical decision support in primary care clinics: lessons learned from randomized trials [abstract]. 
    Journal of patient-centered research and reviews. 2021
  • Better care strategies are necessary to address poor medication adherence [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2020
  • A web-based clinical decision support system (Wizard) increases appropriate cardiometabolic diagnostic coding at primary care visits [abstract]. 
    Journal of patient-centered research and reviews. 2019
  • Dissemination and sustained use of an outpatient clinical decision system with high use rates, high clinician satisfaction, and positive impact on quality of care [abstract]. 
    Journal of patient-centered research and reviews. 2019
  • A clinical decision support system promotes shared decision-making and cardiovascular risk factor management [abstract]. 
    Journal of patient-centered research and reviews. 2016
  • Comparative effectiveness of two diabetes clinical decision support systems on cardiometabolic outcomes and CV risk: randomized trial [abstract 2304-PUB]. 
    Diabetes. 2016
  • Design features of successful outpatient chronic disease care clinical decision support systems [abstract]. 
    Journal of patient-centered research and reviews. 2016
  • Eliciting patient treatment preferences using a clinical decision support system [abstract 1252-P]. 
    Diabetes. 2016
  • Overuse and underuse of acetyl-salicylic acid for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes [abstract]. 
    Diabetologia. 2016
  • Overuse and underuse of aspirin for primary prevention [abstract 1225-P]. 
    Diabetes. 2016
  • Overuse and underuse of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events in primary care [abstract]. 
    Journal of patient-centered research and reviews. 2016
  • Randomised trial of a diabetes clinical decision support system: use rates, provider satisfaction, and impact on clinical outcomes [abstract]. 
    Diabetologia. 2016
  • Disseminating web-based EHR-linked diabetes clinical decision support system from one medical group to another: case study [abstract 1377-P]. 
    Diabetes. 2015
  • Evaluation of provider experience with an EHR-based clinical decision support tool [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2015
  • Sustained use of a diabetes clinical decision support tool in primary care practices [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2015
  • Educating resident physicians using virtual case-based simulation improves diabetes management--a randomized, controlled trial [abstract 322-OR]. 
    Diabetes. 2014
  • Aspirin decision support using data-driven treatment algorithms [abstract]. 
    Clinical Medicine & Research. 2013
  • Recidivism to uncontrolled BP levels in previously controlled hypertension patients [abstract]. 
    Clinical Medicine & Research. 2013
  • Testing a clinical decision support process to lower cardiovascular risk of patients [abstract]. 
    Clinical Medicine & Research. 2013
  • Virtual diabetes education improves resident physician knowledge and performance: a cluster randomized trial [abstract]. 
    Clinical Medicine & Research. 2013
  • Virtual diabetes education improves resident physician knowledge and performance: a cluster-randomized trial [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2013
  • A simulated diabetes learning intervention improves provider knowledge and confidence in managing diabetes [abstract]. 
    Clinical Medicine & Research. 2012
  • Experiences in designing a simple education interface for shared decision support for cardiovascular risk [abstract]. 
    Clinical Medicine & Research. 2012
  • Primary care residents highly rate simulated diabetes training [abstract]. 
    Clinical Medicine & Research. 2012
  • Simulated diabetes training helps providers bring patients to goals: a cluster randomized trial [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2012
  • Simulated training improves provider knowledge and confidence in managing diabetes [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2012
  • A diabetes simulated physician learning program improved glucose control and is highly cost-effective [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2010
  • A new approach to CME? A simulated physician learning program improves glucose control in adults with diabetes [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2010
  • Cost-effectiveness of an EMR-based diabetes clinical decision support system [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2010
  • EMR-based clinical decision support system improved glucose and blood pressure control in adults with diabetes [abstract]. 
    Clinical Medicine & Research. 2010
  • How do the best physicians get diabetes patients to glycemic goals [abstract]?. 
    Clinical Medicine & Research. 2010
  • Hypertension treatment intensification and BP control in adults with and without diabetes [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2010
  • Personalized learning intervention to enhance hypertension care skills of physicians and extended-care providers [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2010
  • Personalized physician learning intervention improved glucose control in adults with diabetes [abstract]. 
    Clinical Medicine & Research. 2010
  • Strategies used by physicians to treat hypertension [abstract]. 
    Clinical Medicine & Research. 2010
  • Clinical decision support delivered through EMRs improved glucose and blood pressure control in adults with diabetes [abstract]. 
    Diabetologia. 2009
  • EMR-based clinical decision support system improved glucose and blood pressure control in adults with diabetes [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2009
  • How do the best physicians get diabetes patients to glycemic goals [abstract]?. 
    Diabetes. 2009
  • Personalized physician learning intervention improved glucose control in adults with diabetes [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2009
  • Are diabetes patients with depression more likely to get routine care process measures [abstract]?. 
    Diabetes. 2008
  • How do the best physicians get diabetes patients to glycemic goals [abstract]?. 
    Diabetes. 2008
  • Implementation of electronic decision support for providers to improve diabetes care [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2008
  • Reasons for diabetes clinical inertia in primary care practice [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2008
  • The anatomy of clinical inertia: using EMR-derived data to profile 21 physician-specific medication treatment strategies in diabetes care [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2008
  • Using EMR (electronic medical record) data for passive patient safety surveillance in clinical trials [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2008
  • Using natural language processing (NLP) to identify depression in diabetes patients [abstract]. 
    Diabetes. 2008
    • presentations
    Presentation
  • A diabetes simulated physician learning program improved glucose control and is cost-effective [presentation], CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Diabetes Translation Conference 2011 - Changing the Course of Diabetes: Optimizing Health for All
  • A diabetes simulated physician learning program improved glucose control and is highly cost-effective [presentation], Minnesota Health Services Research 15th Annual Conference
  • Cost effectiveness of a simulated physician learning program to improve glucose control in adults with diabetes [presentation], NIH 5th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation
  • Cost-effectiveness of a simulated physician learning program improved glucose control in adults with diabetes [presentation], HMO Research Network 16th Annual Conference: Emerging Frontiers in Healthcare Research and Delivery
  • Cost-effectiveness of an EMR-based diabetes clinical decision support system [presentation], Minnesota Health Services Research 15th Annual Conference
  • Developing and deploying evidence-based clinical decision support (CDS) for aspirin use at the point-of-care [presentation], Minnesota Health Services Research 17th Annual Conference
  • EMR-based clinical decision support system improved glucose and blood pressure control in adults with diabetes [presentation], HMO Research Network (HMORN) 15th Annual Conference: Clinical Effectiveness: Leadership in Comparative Effectiveness and Translational Research
  • Evaluation of provider experience with an electronic health record-based clinical decision support tool [presentation], HMO Research Network (HMORN) 21st Annual Conference: Care Improvement Research: Partnering with Patients, Providers and Operational Leaders
  • Health informatics technology in diabetes care [presentation], Diabetes Translation Research -NIH/NIDDK
  • How do the best physicians get diabetes patients to glycemic goals [presentation], Minnesota Health Services Research 12th Annual Conference
  • How do the best physicians get diabetes patients to glycemic goals [presentation]?, HMO Research Network (HMORN) 15th Annual Conference: Clinical Effectiveness: Leadership in Comparative Effectiveness and Translational Research
  • Hypertension treatment intensification and BP control in adults with and without diabetes [presentation], Minnesota Health Services Research 15th Annual Conference
  • Hypertension treatment intensification and blood pressure control in adults with and without diabetes [presentation], CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Diabetes Translation Conference 2011 - Changing the Course of Diabetes: Optimizing Health for All
  • Implementing advanced decision support for providers to improve diabetes care [presentation], Minnesota Health Services Research 12th Annual Conference
  • Implementing advanced decision support for providers to improve diabetes care [presentation], HMO Research Network 14th Annual Conference: Partnerships in Translation: Advancing Research and Clinical Care
  • Online consenting in the simulated diabetes training (SDT) for resident physicians study [presentation], HMO Research Network 16th Annual Conference: Emerging Frontiers in Healthcare Research and Delivery
  • Passive safety surveillance to monitor study subject safety in research projects [presentation], Minnesota Health Services Research 12th Annual Conference
  • Physiology of a patient simulation: a systems approach [presentation], HMO Research Network (HMORN) 16th Annual Conference: Emerging Frontiers in Healthcare Research and Delivery
  • Point-of-care prioritized clinical decision support reduces cardiovascular risk in adults with elevated cardiovascular risk: randomized trial [presentation], Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health, 10th Annual
  • Practical realities of using electronic medical/health records (EMR/EHR) for clinical management, research, and surveillance [presentation], CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Diabetes Translation Conference 2011 - Changing the Course of Diabetes: Optimizing Health for All
  • Provider treatment profiles correlate with improved glycemic, blood pressure, and lipid actions at diabetes visits [presentation], Minnesota Health Services Research 12th Annual Conference
  • Recidivism to uncontrolled blood pressure levels in patients with previously controlled hypertension [presentation], Minnesota Health Services Research 17th Annual Conference
  • Root causes of clinical inertia in diabetes care [presentation], International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 20th World Diabetes Congress
  • Sustaining use of a clinical decision support tool for primary care providers [presentation], HMO Research Network (HMORN) 21st Annual Conference: Care Improvement Research: Partnering with Patients, Providers and Operational Leaders
  • The need for new care strategies to prevent A1c relapse [presentation], HMO Research Network (HMORN) 21st Annual Conference: Care Improvement Research: Partnering with Patients, Providers and Operational Leaders
  • Use of electronic clinical decision support to improve clinical recognition of incident elevated blood pressure and return for repeat measurement [presentation], Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting
  • Virtual diabetes education improves resident physician knowledge and performance: a cluster-randomized trial [presentation], Minnesota Health Services Research 17th Annual Conference
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    full name
  • Heidi L. Ekstrom, MA
    • Quick Info
    Publications
    Publications in the past 10 years based solely on publications while at HealthPartners. Publications in prior years appear in grey.
    Collaboration