Dr. O'Brien is a Developmental Psychologist working with the VA’s Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D). Within the overall HSR&D mission of supporting health services research that underscores all aspects of VA healthcare (patient care delivery, health outcomes, cost, and quality), he is responsible for overseeing projects in HSR&D’s Mental and Behavioral Health portfolio and TBI portfolio of projects. This work includes studies of PTSD, depression, substance use (including opioid misuse), Veteran homelessness, and suicide prevention. Dr O'Brien has been in this role with the VA for 7 years; prior to that he studied child and family health while on the research faculty at Georgetown University School of Medicine and as a federal contractor. He has work on more than a dozen health-focused national research studies and technical assistance projects for various federal agencies, primarily within the Department of Health and Human Services.
Involvement with AcademyHealth:
- Committee Member - 2018 Annual Research Meeting