Robin K. Matsuyama, PhD, Assistant Professor

EDUCATION

Boston University, Boston, MA, BA 1977, English
Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, Med 1979, Counseling Psychology
Saybrook Graduate School, San Francisco, CA, PhD 2004, Psychology
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 2004 – 2006, Postdoctoral training Cancer Control

POSITIONS AND HONORS

1979-1981 - Staff Psychologist, Wrentham State School, Wrentham, MA
1981-1983 - Assistant Director, Waltham Committee, Waltham, MA
1983-1986 - Staff Psychologist, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA
1986-1990 - Partner, Kiyo Company, Wrentham, MA
1990-1997 - Research Analyst and Research Manager, Bay State Gas, Westboro, MA
1997-2003 - Research Consultant, Self Employed, Sharon, MA
2003-2004 - Psychosocial Researcher, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
2004-2006 - Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Cancer Control and Prevention Program, Massey Cancer Center and Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
2006-2007 - Instructor, Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University
(beginning 7/1/2007)

HONORS

2007 - Visiting Fellow, Health Literacy and Issues of Informed Consent, Harris Manchester College Summer Institute, Oxford University, England

Selected peer-reviewed publications (in chronological order)

Papers published or in press:
Matsuyama RK. Physicians’ experiences with patients’ deaths: Meaning and connection. San Francisco: Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center. Dissertation 2004.

Matsuyama RK. Genuine encounters: Responses to death. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23(7):1583-1584.

Matsuyama RK, Reddy S, & Smith TJ. Why do patients choose chemotherapy near the end of life? A review of the perspective of those facing death from cancer. J Clin Oncol.2006;24(21):3490-3496.

Kracen AC, Matsuyama RK, Reddy S, & Smith TJ. Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Patient’s End of Life Decision to Pursue Chemotherapy. Am Jnl Hem Oncol. 2006;5(11):2-5.

Sullivan AM, Lakoma MD, Matsuyama RK, Rosenblatt L, Arnold R, & Block SD. Diagnosing and discussing imminent death in the hospital: A secondary analysis of physician interviews. (in press J Pall Med).

Grange C, Matsuyama RK, Ingram K, Lyckholm LJ, & Smith TJ. Identifying supportive and unsupportive responses of others: Perspectives of African-American and Caucasian cancer patients (in press J Psychosoc Oncol).

Lee SJ, Sullivan AM, Tulsky JA, Goldman RE, Stewart S, Matsuyama RK, Alexander SC, Block SD, Weeks JC, & Back AL. Physician-patient communication about prognosis. (in press J Clin Oncol).

RESEARCH

COMPLETED

Cultural Perceptions, Expectations, and Beliefs of Low-Income African-Americans and Caucasians Related to Cancer Care and Palliative Care.
Massey Cancer Center Smith & Matsuyama (Co-PI)
NIH/NCI - This was an exploratory study using focus groups to identify cultural perceptions, expectations, and beliefs of African Americans and Caucasians related to cancer treatment and care.
Role: Co-PI

Comparison between African-American and Caucasian female cancer patients’ information needs and sources.
Massey Cancer Center Matsuyama (PI)
This study examined information needs related to cancer care and preferred information sources across ethnicities. A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted with a random sample of 107 African-American and Caucasian female cancer patients from a university-affiliated cancer clinic.
Role: PI

Awareness of hospice care and palliative care by cancer patients and their family/friends
Thomas Palliative Care Award Matsuyama (PI)
This study examined awareness of hospice care and palliative care across ethnicities, using an anonymous survey conducted with cancer patients and their family and friends in the waiting room of a university-affiliated oncology clinic on different days of the week over a period of three months (n=206).
Role: PI

Physician-Patient Communication
5R01CA098486-03 Lee (PI)
NIH/NCI - This study assesses communication between physicians and patients with hematologic malignancies at the time of new patient consultations.
Role: Site PI 08/15/05 – 07/31/07

Diagnosing and Discussing Imminent Death: A Secondary Analysis of Clinicians' Descriptions of Care for Patients Who Die in the Hospital
Harvard Excellence Award Sullivan (PI)
NIH/NINR - The study uses qualitative and quantitative methods to identify systematic and modifiable factors that are associated with recognizing and communicating (with patients, families, and the medical team) imminent patient death, and then developing and testing interventions that improve patient care.
Role: Co-Investigator