Dr. Judith Tsui’s research focuses on the intersection of opioid use disorders, pain, and related co-morbidities (hepatitis C and HIV). Dr. Tsui is an internist who is also board certified in Addiction Medicine through the American Board of Addiction Medicine since 2013. As a clinician investigator, she seeks to elucidate complex relationships between substance use disorders and co-morbidities and to develop and test novel interventions to improve the lives of patients with addictions. Dr. Tsui also publishes in peer-reviewed journals and contributes to the popular press. View her full CV.
Current Projects
Development and Evaluation of Effectiveness of Video-Based Directly Observed Therapy for Office-Based Treatment of Opioid Use Disorders with Buprenorphine
The goal of this project is to develop and pilot test a mobile phone application for video-based directly observed therapy of buprenorphine for patients who are treated for opioid use disorders in office-based settings in order to improve treatment outcomes and keep patients engaged in treatment.
Pilot Study of Opioid-Receptor Antagonists to Reduce Pain and Inflammation among HIV-Infected Persons with Alcohol
This study conducted in St. Petersburg, Russia will pilot test novel pharmacotherapies (opioid receptor antagonists) to improve chronic pain among HIV-infected unhealthy drinkers and will explore whether the mechanism of action is through decreased inflammation. The overarching goal of the research is to develop novel non-opioid pharmacotherapies for persons with HIV and chronic pain.
University of Washington Provider’s Clinical Support System – Universities
The UW-PCSS-U project will provide DATA waiver training to medical students and residents with the goal of encouraging fledgling physicians to utilize buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). To accomplish this goal, the project builds on the institution’s existing curriculum that addresses pain and addiction, including pre-clinical and clinical experiences. The program will include an evaluation of provider outcomes (achieving waivers and prescribing).
Patient-Centered Models of HCV Care for People who Inject Drugs
This study aims to explore the best model of care for treating hepatitis C (HCV) in people who inject drugs. This research will compare methods of HCV treatment (directly-observed therapy to patient navigator). Outcomes to be evaluated will include treatment effectiveness (cure) and reinfection rates. This is a national study involving eight US cities (New York, Baltimore, Providence, Boston, Cincinnati, Seattle, San Francisco, and Albuquerque) and up to 1,000 subjects recruited from methadone clinics and community health centers.
Improving Physician Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain in HIV-Infected Persons
The objective of this multisite randomized controlled trial is to test whether a collaborative care intervention for physicians can improve the delivery of chronic opioid therapy for HIV-infected persons by increasing physician adherence to opioid prescribing guidelines, increasing physician satisfaction and confidence in prescribing chronic opioid therapy, and reducing prescription opioid misuse.
Recent Projects
SAMHSA Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
The MAT Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction project provides clinical services centered around buprenorphine treatment through the Adult Medicine Clinic at Harborview Medical Center for patients suffering from opioid use disorders. The program is based on a collaborative care model driven by a nurse care manager that optimizes physician effort.
Advancing Clinical Research Training within Addiction Residency Programs
The RAMS Program enhances research capacity among trainees in the new medical specialty of Addiction Medicine. This program seeks to improve patient care by expanding knowledge about effective prevention and treatment in order to reduce the medical, social, and financial burden of drug abuse and addiction.
View selected publications and contributions to the popular press.