Colin P. West, M.D., Ph.D.

The research of Colin P. West, M.D., Ph.D., focuses primarily on physician well-being, evidence-based medicine and biostatistics, and medical education.

Each of Dr. West's projects involves collaboration with people and groups both within and outside Mayo Clinic, including Jeff A. Sloan, Ph.D., in the Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics and members of leadership in the American College of Physicians.

The work of Dr. West and his team has been published in multiple top-tier journals, including the Journal of the American Medicine Association, Annals of Internal Medicine and Archives of Internal Medicine.

Focus areas

• Mayo Internal Medicine Well-Being Study. Dr. West is currently involved in the Mayo Internal Medicine Well-Being Study (Mayo IMWELL Study). Initiated in 2003, this prospective longitudinal study looks at quality of life, burnout, empathy and other markers of personal well-being of Mayo internal medicine residents.
• Physician Well-Being Program. Dr. West partners with Tait D. Shanafelt, M.D., and Lotte N. Dyrbye, M.D., to direct the Mayo Clinic Department of Medicine Physician Well-Being Program. The program has published numerous reports on well-being and distress among medical students, residents and practicing physicians.
• Medical education. Dr. West has developed and evaluated a comprehensive evidence-based medicine curriculum for Mayo Medical School. Additionally, he has completed several projects involving internal medicine resident career plans, current education climate and well-being utilizing the national Internal Medicine In-Training Examination.

Significance to patient care

Dr. West's research aims to improve patient care by promoting physician well-being and reducing physician distress. Healthier physicians can provide better care and communicate more effectively.

By understanding the factors contributing to both well-being and distress, Dr. West's team hopes to improve health care delivery.

In addition, Dr. West's studies in medical education inform national policy decisions influencing physician training, which then directly impact the health care system and patient care.

Professional highlights

• Deputy Editor, Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2008-present
• Award of Excellence for Research, Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine (APDIM) Spring Meeting, 2011 and 2012