Erin E Krebs

Erin E. Krebs, MD, MPH is a Core Investigator at the Minneapolis VA Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota. She is a general internist with an active primary care practice and also serves as Women’s Health Medical Director for the Minneapolis VA. Her research focuses on chronic pain management in primary care and benefits and harms of opioid analgesics.

Current research funding

IIR 14-295 (VA HSR&D)                                          7/1/2015-6/31/2019

Effects of VHA Opioid Policy on Prescribing and Patient-Centered Outcomes

Prospective longitudinal study that will use nationally representative surveys of patients on long-term opioids, together with VHA data, to examine relationships between patient-reported outcomes and changes in opioid and other pain therapies

Role: PI

R01 AT008387 (NIH NCCIH)                                  9/1/2014-8/31/2018

Longitudinal Mixed Method Study of Chronic Pain, PTSD, & CAM in OEF/OIF Veterans         

Prospective observational study to understand the development of chronic pain, and utilization of CAM, other non-pharmacological approaches, and opioids for pain management.

Role: Co-PI (with Melissa Polusny, PhD)

IIR 11-125 (VA HSR&D)                                          9/1/2012 – 5/31/2017                         

Strategies for Prescribing Analgesics Comparative Effectiveness Trial (SPACE)

Randomized pragmatic trial comparing the effectiveness and harms over 12 months of opioid vs. non-opioid-based analgesic strategies for chronic musculoskeletal pain

Role: PI