Science of Patient Engagement in Research
Engagement science systematically studies the methods and impact of involving patients in the entire research lifecycle. From 2021 to 2023, I was the Principal Investigator on a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) grant (EASC-COVID-#00339).
News Story
Publications and Presentations
Skubisz, C., Pacanowski, C. R., & Aimonetti, J. (forthcoming, 2026). Building capacity for a partnership between health communication researchers and essential patient support personnel: Successes, challenges, and lessons learned. In A. Duggan, M. Haverfield, & P. Dunne (Eds.), From transactional to transformational: Bridging theory and practice in health communication partnerships. Peter Lang.
Skubisz, C., DeRosa, S., & Pacanowski, C. R. (2025). Engaging essential patient support personnel in research as patient partners: A survey study. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 2025(18), 2529-2537. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S512398
Skubisz, C., Pacanowski, C. R., & DeRosa, S. (2025, May). Engaging essential patient support personnel in research as patient partners. Presented at the DC Health Communication Conference in Fairfax, VA.
Skubisz, C., & Pacanowski, C. R. (2023, July). Building capacity to understand COVID-19 vaccination decisions in essential patient support personnel. Presented at the International Society for Justice Research annual meeting in Munich, Germany.
News Story
Publications and Presentations
Skubisz, C., Pacanowski, C. R., & Aimonetti, J. (forthcoming, 2026). Building capacity for a partnership between health communication researchers and essential patient support personnel: Successes, challenges, and lessons learned. In A. Duggan, M. Haverfield, & P. Dunne (Eds.), From transactional to transformational: Bridging theory and practice in health communication partnerships. Peter Lang.
Skubisz, C., DeRosa, S., & Pacanowski, C. R. (2025). Engaging essential patient support personnel in research as patient partners: A survey study. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 2025(18), 2529-2537. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S512398
Skubisz, C., Pacanowski, C. R., & DeRosa, S. (2025, May). Engaging essential patient support personnel in research as patient partners. Presented at the DC Health Communication Conference in Fairfax, VA.
Skubisz, C., & Pacanowski, C. R. (2023, July). Building capacity to understand COVID-19 vaccination decisions in essential patient support personnel. Presented at the International Society for Justice Research annual meeting in Munich, Germany.
How Nutrition and Weight-Related Messages Shape Affective and Cognitive Responses
A randomized experiment compared changes in affect and heart rate variability between groups viewing one of two nutrition education interventions (weight-centric vs. intuitive eating).
Publications and Presentations
Skubisz, C., Vizthum, D., Katcher, J. A., & Pacanowski, C. R. (in press). Communicating about nutrition without causing disordered eating: The role of affect, worry, and heart rate variability. Journal of Communication in Healthcare.
Pacanowski, C. R., Vizthum, D., Cash, H., Katcher, J. A., & Skubisz, C. (2025). A weight-centric health message elicits higher body shame in those at risk for eating disorders. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 17(4). e70061. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.70061
Skubisz, C., Vizthum, D., Katcher, J. A., & Pacanowski, C. R. (2025, June). Communicating about nutrition without causing disordered eating: The role of affect, worry, and heart rate variability. Presented at the International Communication Association annual meeting in Denver, CO.
Skubisz, C., Vizthum, D., Katcher, J. A., & Pacanowski, C. R. (2023, June). Traditional nutrition education for weight management versus intuitive eating message videos: A randomized controlled trial examining affect, body shame, and heart rate variability. Presented International Conference for Eating Disorders in Washington, DC.
Skubisz, C., Vizthum, D., Katcher, J. A., & Pacanowski, C. R. (in press). Communicating about nutrition without causing disordered eating: The role of affect, worry, and heart rate variability. Journal of Communication in Healthcare.
Pacanowski, C. R., Vizthum, D., Cash, H., Katcher, J. A., & Skubisz, C. (2025). A weight-centric health message elicits higher body shame in those at risk for eating disorders. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 17(4). e70061. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.70061
Skubisz, C., Vizthum, D., Katcher, J. A., & Pacanowski, C. R. (2025, June). Communicating about nutrition without causing disordered eating: The role of affect, worry, and heart rate variability. Presented at the International Communication Association annual meeting in Denver, CO.
Skubisz, C., Vizthum, D., Katcher, J. A., & Pacanowski, C. R. (2023, June). Traditional nutrition education for weight management versus intuitive eating message videos: A randomized controlled trial examining affect, body shame, and heart rate variability. Presented International Conference for Eating Disorders in Washington, DC.