- Email:
- abmcguir@iupui.edu
Education
- 2008 Ph.D. in Clinical Rehabilitation Psychology, Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
- 2005 M.S. in Clinical Rehabilitation Psychology, Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
- 2002 B.A. in Psychology, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH
Bio
Alan is a Core Investigator at the Center for Health Information and Communication (CHIC) at the Indianapolis VA Medical Center. In addition, he is an Associate Research Professor at the Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Department of Psychology and Clinical Research Scientist for the ACT Center of Indiana—a statewide training and technical assistance center. He received his Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2002 and his Master of Science in 2005 and Ph.D. in 2008, both from IUPUI.
Alan conducts research on the dissemination and implementation of psychosocial interventions for chronic conditions. Additionally, he is a licensed psychologist, providing both individual and group therapy to Veterans at the Indianapolis VAMC. Alan leads the CHIC’s focus on knowledge translation, including designing for dissemination, and is Co-Director of the Clinical Translational Science Institute’s Dissemination and Implementation Science Core.
Research
I study the dissemination and implementation of psychosocial interventions for people with chronic conditions such as mental illness, substance dependence, and chronic pain. In other words, I am interested in how we can get practices that we know work to the people who need them. In my upcoming work, I will be studying the implementation of recovery-oriented acute inpatient mental healthcare in the national VA system. Specific questions include: How successful have VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) been in implementing recovery-oriented, evidence-based programming? What process have VAMCs used to implement these services? What effect have they had on Veteran outcomes? In a separate project, I plan to study how VA therapists have used cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain. In particular, how have they modified the official curriculum and what effects these modifications have had on CBT-CP’s implementation and effectiveness. Finally, I am currently a co-investigator on several projects, including projects focused on an emergency department based intervention for opioid overdose, a cognitive-behavioral approach to work reintegration for people with mental health conditions, and a peer-provided pain self-management program.
