About
Dr. Susan Buchholz’s observations in clinical practice led her to become one of the few researchers questioning the value of one-size-fits-all physical activity interventions. She has conducted pioneering work looking at the performance of individual physical activity components with the goal of developing their optimal sequencing based on individual response.
In her preliminary research, she conducted a national survey of nurse practitioners to explore their practices of physical activity counseling and physical fitness assessment. She then implemented a physical activity intervention for medically uninsured adults receiving care from nurse practitioners. Following that, she served as a co-investigator on a National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)-funded R01 grant that sought to improve physical activity in community-based African American women. This led to mHealth research, where she successfully developed, tested, and published a bank of motivational physical activity text messages called Text4Walking, freely available to researchers and the public in English and Spanish.
As principal investigator, she is the first researcher funded by NINR to use the sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) design that aims to tailor physical activity among low physically active women. This recently completed four-year clinical trial used cutting-edge methodology to test adaptive interventions to improve physical activity for sedentary women ages 18-70. On this SMART design, her work employed mHealth technology and biomarkers, including the use of Fitbits and ActiGraphs in adults, assessing steps and level of intensity of physical activity.
As an internationally trained systematic reviewer, she has been part of teams that have contributed literature reviews to the scientific body of knowledge. She is the lead author of the award-winning book titled “Literature Review and Synthesis: A Guide for Nurses and Other Healthcare Professionals”.
As a long-time nurse practitioner and educator, she has invested in the next generation of nurse scientists examining aspects of NP education. Her philosophy is that “all nurses need to have the opportunity to promote their research and scholarship.”
Buchholz is committed to health equity and improving the care of all adults, the underserved, and those at risk for cardiovascular disease. Guided by her clinical work as a nurse practitioner, she has conducted health promotion research for nearly two decades. She appreciates having the opportunity to be a part of nursing research during this critical time for our nation and world.