About

Dr. Ping-Hsin Chen is a professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. She holds a PhD and an M.A. from Rutgers University and a B.A. from National Taiwan University. Her extensive research and clinical work focus on intimate partner violence (IPV), including screening, long-term effects, and intervention strategies in healthcare settings. Dr. Chen has received funding from the National Institute of Health and other foundations to support studies on IPV, and she has contributed to national guidelines and educational resources, such as a four-part monograph for the American Academy of Family Physicians. She developed a new IPV clerkship curriculum for fourth-year medical students in 2012 and has collaborated with community domestic violence programs to train future physicians in domestic violence screening and intervention, including work with victims with disabilities. Her research also explores the health impacts of IPV, including its association with birth outcomes and childhood health, with findings indicating higher risks of preterm delivery, lower birth weight, and increased intensive care needs among infants of abused women. Dr. Chen's work aims to improve clinical practices and educational approaches to address IPV comprehensively.

Research topics

• Internal medicine
• Medicine
• Family medicine
• Emergency medicine
• Nursing
• Clinical psychology
• Environmental health

Selected publications

• Attitudes of Family Medicine Program Directors on Including Race in Clinical Presentations: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

  Cureus · 2026-01-04

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background and objectives Clinicians' implicit biases contribute to persistent healthcare disparities in the United States. Including patient race or ethnicity in the opening line of a clinical presentation (e.g., "A 40-year-old Black woman presents with…") reinforces the false notion of race as a biological construct and can trigger unconscious biases. This study surveyed U.S. Family Medicine Residency program directors (PDs) to assess attitudes toward this practice and to identify factors associated with support or opposition. Methods Study questions were included in the 2021 Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance (CERA) omnibus survey of all ACGME-accredited Family Medicine residency PDs, approved by the American Academy of Family Physicians Institutional Review Board in Leawood, Kansas, USA. The primary outcome was the PD's attitude toward including race or ethnicity in the opening line. Data analysis was performed at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, New Jersey, USA. Analyses examined associations with PD demographics, program characteristics, and participation in implicit bias training. Results Of 631 eligible PDs, 275 responded (response rate: 43.6%). Among the 260 respondents who answered the primary question, 35.8% opposed including race in the opening line, 45.8% supported its use in select circumstances, and 18.5% supported using it in all circumstances. Opposition was more common among PDs identifying as female and among those identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, or other race. Recent implicit bias training was associated with greater opposition, although not statistically significant. Conclusions Many PDs continue to support including race in opening clinical statements despite increased awareness of how such practices may contribute to bias. These findings highlight the need for clear guidance, faculty development, and equity-focused curricular strategies that promote thoughtful and evidence-based approaches to discussing patient identity in clinical education.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Novel Community Participatory Approach to Violence Intervention Program for Latino Youth

  The Columbia University Journal of Global Health · 2023-05-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Firearm violence is heavily prominent in large urban cities. Upon closer inspection, a pattern becomes evident whereby violence clusters in marginalized minority populations. In fact, gun violence is the leading cause of death of Hispanic youth aged 15 to 29 in the United States[6]. Unfortunately, many current, existing intervention programs lack the cultural competencies needed to engage directly with impacted communities. This article highlights a novel community participatory collaborative approach for violence intervention. Collaborating with an established program, the VOICE (Violence Outreach Intervention and Community Education) Program, youth from the greater Essex County area participated in gun violence awareness sessions. Activities included virtual education workshops, in-person teaching sessions, and local community engagement activities. The program shows how community engagement, meeting students at where they are, could help us create awareness in how to de-escalate violence. This participatory approach could be an innovative way to break the cycle of violence of our youth, especially Latinos.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Impact of COVID-19 on American Family Physicians’ Intent to Retreat from Clinical Care

  The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine · 2023 · 6 citations

  • Medicine
  • Family medicine
  • Nursing

  <h3>Purpose:</h3> This survey evaluated whether the COVID-19 pandemic was a traumatic stress event for family physicians associated with burnout, changes in life priorities, and intentions to retreat from clinical practice. <h3>Methods:</h3> We report on 683 clinically active family physicians surveyed through the Council of Academic Family Medicine’s Educational Research Alliance (CERA) in the fall of 2021. <h3>Results:</h3> Overall, 35.2% of family physicians experienced the pandemic as a traumatic stress like event. This was associated with changing life priorities (OR 2.6, CI 1.8-3.9), burnout (OR 1.6, CI 1.1 to 2.4), and withdrawal from clinical practice in various ways. Those who changed their priorities in life were more likely to restrict scope of practice (OR 3.9, CI 2.6-5.9), reduce clinical work effort (OR 3.4, 2.3 to 5.1), relocate (OR 3.1, CI 2.0 to 4.8), retire (OR 2.7, CI 1.4-4.9), reroute their career away from patient care (OR 2.1, CI 1.4-3.1) and less likely to avoid redesigning the practice to improve well-being (OR 0.3, CI 0.2-0.7). Those who experienced burnout were more likely to retire (OR 5.5, CI 2.8 to 10.5), reduce clinical work effort (OR 4.2, CI 2.9-6.1), reroute their career away from patient care (OR 3.9, CI 2.6-5.8), relocate (OR 3.8, CI 2.4 to 5.9), and restrict scope of practice (OR 3.3, CI 2.3 to 4.9). Overall, 48.5% of family physicians expressed some intention to retreat from clinical practice. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> The COVID-19 pandemic impacted family physician’s career plans. Remedying burnout is a high-yield opportunity for retaining clinically active family physicians. Physicians retreating from clinical medicine related to changing life’s priorities needs further exploration.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Telehealth to improve continuity for patients receiving buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder

  2022 · 6 citations

  • Medicine
  • Emergency medicine
  • Internal medicine

  Context: Buprenorphine is medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. It is a controlled substance and most states limit the dispensing to a 30-day supply. Patients with opioid use disorder often have social determinants of health barriers that make it difficult to engage with the health system to obtain a new supply of buprenorphine every month. Telehealth can be used to reduce barriers to accessing care and improve continuity of care for patients receiving buprenorphine treatment. Objective: To assess the rates of patient continuity for patients receiving buprenorphine treatment via tele-health versus in-person in a primary care outpatient setting. Study Design: Review of patients receiving buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder and rates of continuity by visit type during a 2-year time period May 2019-May 2021. Dataset: EPIC electronic medical records from an urban university-affiliated ambulatory primary care practice in New Jersey. Population Studied: Patients scheduled for a visit in the outpatient primary care clinic. Approximately 69% were African American, 22% Hispanic, and 9% other. The majority were enrolled in Medicaid. 80% of patients faced one or more barriers to social determinants of health including transportation, housing, and economic stability. Intervention: Establishment and implementation of HIPAA compliant tele-health following approved state guidelines for buprenorphine prescribing via tele-health. Appointments were scheduled in-person or tele-health by patients' preference. Outcome Measures: Rates of continuity by visit type for patients receiving buprenorphine treatment during the study time period compared by chi-square. Results: Of the 487 patients seen via tele-health, 297 (61%) continued to receive follow up care. Of the 811 patients seen in-person, 400 (49.3%) continued to receive follow up care, p<.0001. The patients who did not continue to receive follow up care were lost to follow up despite attempts to reach patients to re-engage in care. Conclusions: Our study shows that rates of continuity of care are higher using tele-health for patients receiving medication assisted therapy for opioid use disorder. In an urban underserved population, tele-health can result in improved continuity of care for patients with opioid use disorder. Telehealth may reduce barriers to accessing care including transportation, work schedule, childcare, and other competing demands.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Exploring risk factors for firearm death

  2022-04-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  <h3>Context:</h3> Firearm violence is a rising cause of death in the US. More than 38,000 individuals die annually from firearm violence. The estimated annual cost of firearm injuries were $174.1 billion. <h3>Objective:</h3> This study aimed to improve firearm injury surveillance by examining social determinants, circumstance factors, and clinical indicators among victims of firearm violence. <h3>Study Design and Dataset:</h3> We conducted secondary analysis on de-identified, multi-state, case-level data from the National Violent Death Reporting System Restricted Access Database (NVDRS-RAD). <h3>Population Studied:</h3> Firearm deaths in NJ from 2013-2017 were included in the study (N=2,441). <h3>Outcome Measures:</h3> Forms of firearm death include homicide, suicide, homicide-suicide, and other manners of death. <h3>Results:</h3> Most deaths were due to homicides (54%) or suicides (37.7%). Mean age was 40 and 24.1% of deaths were youth violence. Ninety percent were males, 39% white, and 47% African American. Most deaths were due to homicides (54%) or suicides (37.7%). Mean age was 40 and 24.1% of deaths were youth violence. Ninety percent were males, 39% white, and 47% African American. Approximately one-tenth of deaths were due to intimate partner violence (IPV) (11.8%) or crime-related activities (13.1%). The rates of mental health, substance, and alcohol problems were 19.3%, 8.9%, and 3.8%, respectively. Two fifths were in-hospital deaths (41.4%). Approximately 29.4% had multiple bullets and 40% had multiple wounds. Almost half of deaths were related to gunshot wounds to the head (48%). Caucasians, individuals with mental health issues, and alcohol users were at higher risk for suicide (p&lt;.001). Youths and African Americans had higher rates for homicide (p&lt;.001). Caucasians, women, and victims of IPV were at higher risk for homicide-suicide (p&lt;.001). <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Forms of firearm violence may be associated with various health related risk factors and consequences. Findings from NJ can inform NJ and other states of prevention and intervention initiatives that are locally relevant. By better understanding forms of firearm violence and their factors among various populations, we can develop tailored prevention and intervention strategies in clinical settings and communities. Clinical safety protocols are needed for individuals with risk factors, such as suicidal ideations, youth violence, and IPV.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Using community service learning to engage students in advocacy for violence intervention

  2022-04-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  <h3>Context:</h3> Women and children who are exposed to violence are at high risk for health problems. <h3>Objective:</h3> This study aimed to use community engaged service learning to train medical students for providing direct services to domestic violence survivors and their children. <h3>Study Design:</h3> Pre-post study conducted before the COVID pandemic. Medical students (N=25) underwent training by the faculty advisor and domestic violence specialists. Once trained, students visited clinical settings and local communities to provide screening, education, and intervention. <h3>Setting:</h3> An urban medical school and its surrounding communities. <h3>Population Studied:</h3> 664 adults and 61 children. <h3>Interventions:</h3> The 12 half-hour sessions for children assisted them in coping with the negative effects of abuse. Topics included healthy relationships, mental health, bullying, safety planning, media and violence, and topics raised by children. The weekly 1-hour sessions for adults provided a safe, supportive, and confidential environment for women to discuss challenges, exchange information, express their feelings, and share experiences. Topics included domestic violence intervention, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health, health disparity, women’s health, and strengthening relationships with children. <h3>Outcome Measures:</h3> Prevalence of violence, violence related health issues, and satisfaction with the program. <h3>Results:</h3> 28% of children reported witnessing adult physical violence, 47% reported witnessing adult psychological abuse, and 55% reported witnessing adult verbal abuse. 33% of adult victims had depression, 30% used tobacco, 15% had STDs, 15% experienced teen pregnancy, 11% were homeless, 7% had delayed prenatal care, 7% used illegal drugs, 7% were overweight, 4% had disability, and 4% committed suicide. More than 90% of children felt that they know better regarding what they can do when they see violence or feel unsafe. 104 of the adults actively participated in the weekly sessions (mean=3). All adult participants strongly agreed or agreed that the program was helpful and would benefit the community. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> A tailored training program for future physicians can increase screening and intervention of violence. Community engaged service learning can enhance collaboration among health care professionals and community violence intervention programs.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Development of a Virtual Training Program to Reduce Gun Violence Amidst the Covid-19 Era

  Journal of Education and Training Studies · 2021-02-07

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Firearm deaths and related health issues have increased and disproportionately affected minorities in the COVID-19 era. We developed an accessible virtual training program, including topics on gun violence epidemiology, depression, substance use, intimate partner violence (IPV), intervention resources, safety planning, and COVID-19-related issues. The training program was distributed to participants from the Northeast region, particularly New Jersey, through text, email, and social media. Among the 202 survey responses from the participants, the mean age was 22.6, 50% were male, and 84.4% were minorities. Only 49.5% of participants were familiar with the related topics before the program, with participants having the least knowledge in gun violence epidemiology (9.5%). The mean test score for knowledge on all related topics after the training was 98.0 out of 100. Most participants were satisfied with the training program (92.1%), felt comfortable seeking help (86.1%), and would promote the program (83.7%). The participants were least comfortable seeking help for depression, particularly among non-African and non-Hispanic minority groups. We concluded that brief online interventions can improve community health outreach, knowledge, awareness, and likelihood of help-seeking and treatment. Tailored training programs are needed to target various populations for prevention and intervention.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• An interprofessional collaboration of care to improve clinical outcomes for patients with diabetes

  Journal of Interprofessional Care · 2019-08-08 · 30 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  This project addressed interprofessional team-based care to improve management and outcomes of complex patients with diabetes. A collaborative model between Family Medicine and Nursing was developed to determine if having nursing students as case managers would improve the quality of care. From 2015–2016, patients with diabetes at greatest risk for poor outcomes (N = 58) received an intervention from senior nursing students (N = 6) at a Family Practice Center. Nursing students shared responsibilities with physicians, medical students, and medical assistants to deliver high quality care. For the intervention, nursing students reviewed charts, called patients for follow-up visits, and facilitated patients’ adherence to providers’ recommendations. Students also conducted group education sessions on nutrition, medication adherence, obesity, and exercise for patients. The control group included 61 randomly selected patients with diabetes who did not receive the intervention during the same period of time. Compared to the control group, the intervention group showed significantly improved outcomes in HgA1C levels (66% vs. 40.8%; p = .009), blood pressure control (61.1% vs. 36.8%; p = .009), and urine microalbumin test completion (87.5% vs. 48.3%; p< .0001). Outpatient practices offer an optimal opportunity for nursing students to practice case management. This team-based care approach suggests better outcomes for patients with diabetes.

  PublisherDOI

• Birth Outcomes in Relation to Intimate Partner Violence

  Journal of the National Medical Association · 2017-01-01 · 20 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Training future physicians to screen for and intervene with domestic violence

  Medical Education · 2016-04-13 · 4 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant R03HD058249

  NIH · $155k · 2011

Frequent coauthors

• Christopher P. Morley

  16 shared

• Chantal M. L. R. Brazeau

  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

  16 shared

• Kristine Olson

  Yale New Haven Health System

  16 shared

• Abbie Jacobs

  12 shared

• Jeanne M. Ferrante

  Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

  10 shared

• Sue Rovi

  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

  8 shared

• Marielos Vega

  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

  7 shared

• Susan L D Rovi

  6 shared

Education

• Ph.D.

  Rutgers University

  2001

• M.A.

  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

  1997

• B.A.

  National Taiwan University

  1989