Thomas H. Gallagher, MD

Dr. Gallagher's research explores the interfaces between healthcare quality, accountability, and communication. Over the last twenty years, he has led a variety of qualitative and quantitive research projects addressing the optimal response to adverse events and errors in healthcare, work that has supported the development of what are known as Communication and Resolution Programs (CRPs). CRPs are comprehensive, principled, and systematic programs for preventing and responding to harm events in healthcare. This body of research was recognized in 2017 with the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award for Individual Achievement, presented by the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commission. Dr. Gallagher recently received a 4-year, $4 million grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to partner with the Brigham and Women’s Hospital on an ambitious research project to detect cases of delayed diagnosis of cancer in real time and respond to these situations with patient support and learning. His research also seeks to promote more effective approaches to professionalism and self-regulation, specifically addressing the challenges of ensuring the safe practice of physicians as they age.  

In addition to this scholarship, Dr. Gallagher built and leads a national program to advance the implementation of highly reliable CRPs, the Collaborative for Accountability and Improvement [4] (CAI). The CAI supports a variety of initiatives to support healthcare organizations with their work on CRPs; promotes CRP-related policy at the federal, state, and local levels; and drives CRP innovation. 

Research Interests

Ethical and communication issues in conflicts of interest
Research ethics
Disclosure of medical errors and adverse events