Jesus Diaz, OTD, OTR/L

Research Assistant Professor

Room: CHP 133
Phone: (323) 442-1827
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Biography

Jesus Diaz was born in Mexico City, Mexico, and was raised in Los Angeles. He completed his undergraduate, masters, and clinical doctorate degrees at the University of Southern California. He currently is serving as an Adjunct Research Assistant Professor with the Pressure Ulcer Prevention in Spinal Cord Injury Study. His roles in the study include overseeing recruitment, and developing and implementing a fidelity measurement for the intervention. Dr. Diaz also works as an occupational therapist providing early intervention services to children in their homes and in clinical settings.

Research Interests

Fidelity Measures, Spinal Cord Injury, Pressure Ulcers

Education

Doctor of Occupational Therapy
University of Southern California
2009

Master of Arts (MA) in Occupational Therapy
University of Southern California
2008

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology
University of Southern California
2005

Publications

Journal Articles

Pyatak, E. F., Blanche, E. J., Garber, S. L., Diaz, J., Blanchard, J., Florindez, L., & Clark, F. A. (2012). Conducting intervention research among underserved populations: Lessons learned and recommendations for researchers. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation [Epub ahead of print], 1242-1247. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2012.12.009. Abstract →← Abstract 

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard in research design for establishing treatment efficacy. However, the rigorous and highly controlled conditions of RCTs can be difficult to attain when conducting research among individuals living with a confluence of disability, low socioeconomic status, and being a member of a racial/ethnic minority group, who may be more likely to have unstable life circumstances. Research on effective interventions for these groups is urgently needed, as evidence regarding approaches to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes is lacking. In this methodological paper we discuss the challenges and lessons learned in implementing the Lifestyle Redesign® for Pressure Ulcer Prevention in Spinal Cord Injury (LR-PUPS) study among a highly disadvantaged population. These issues are discussed in terms of strategies to enhance recruitment, retention, and intervention relevance to the target population. Recommendations for researchers seeking to conduct RCTs among socioeconomically disadvantaged, ethnically diverse populations are provided.

Blanche, E. J., Fogelberg, D., Diaz, J., Carlson, M. E., & Clark, F. A. (2011). Manualization of occupational therapy interventions: Illustrations from the Pressure Ulcer Prevention Research Program. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65, 711-719. doi:10.5014/ajot.2011.001172. Abstract →← Abstract 

The manualization of a complex occupational therapy intervention is a crucial step in ensuring treatment fidelity for both clinical application and research purposes. Toward the latter end, intervention manuals are essential for ensuring trustworthiness and replicability of randomized controlled trials that aim to provide evidence of the effectiveness of occupational therapy. In this article, we review the literature on the process of intervention manualization. We then illustrate the prescribed steps through our experience in implementing the University of Southern California/Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center's collaborative Pressure Ulcer Prevention Project. In this research program, qualitative research provided the initial foundation for manualization of a multifaceted occupational therapy intervention designed to reduce the incidence of medically serious pressure ulcers in adults with spinal cord injury.