David C. Musch, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Research Projects
Patient-oriented clinical research at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center is thriving and active, with multiple clinical studies in the planning stage, in progress, or nearing completion at any time. In order to yield findings that are scientifically valid, these studies must be based on an appropriate design and rely on valid methods. Dr. David Musch, an epidemiologist, advises both clinicians and basic scientists about constructing research proposals, designing valid studies, and collecting outcome data. Once the data have been gathered, Dr. Musch is involved with data analysis and preparation of the study's results.
His own research addresses treatment effectiveness, multicenter clinical trial coordination, variation in measurement and diagnostic abilities, and medical outcomes. From 1993 to 2004, Dr. Musch directed the Coordinating Center for the NIH-funded Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study. His multicenter clinical trial involvement and methodological expertise has also led to teaching courses on clinical trial principles and methods in the US and internationally, and current involvement in Data and Safety Monitoring Boards for clinical trials of proposed new treatments for neovascular age-related macular degeneration, uveitis, macular telangiectasia type 2, telemedicine for retinopathy of prematurity, longitudinal studies of ocular complications of AIDS, and corneal transplantation outcomes after using older donor tissue.
Dr. Musch participates in research with colleagues in other departments in the Medical School, the School of Public Health, and other institutions. He is collaborating with Dr. Nancy Janz (School of Public Health) to study how vision care practitioners interact with elderly patients who are active drivers. The goal is to improve safe driving among older adults by enhancing the interaction they have with their eye doctors. He is also collaborating with Dr. Steven Kymes of Washington University to develop and validate economic models of the cost of visual field progression in glaucoma.
