Karla Washington, PhD

Karla Washington

Researcher Background

Primary Academic Title

Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine

Training

  • 2009 - 2013: Assistant Professor , University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work
  • 2013 - 2019: Assistant Professor , University of Missouri School of Medicine Department of Family and Community Medicine
  • 2019 - Present: Assistant Professor with Tenure, University of Missouri School of Medicine Department of Family and Community Medicine

Education

  • 2000: MSW, University of Missouri School of Social Work
  • 2009: PhD, University of Missouri School of Social Work

Research & Selected Publications

Research Interest

Psychosocial oncology, family caregiving, intervention research, interdisciplinary collaboration, hospice and palliative care

Factors associated with lymphedema therapist willingness to refer to surgery.
Authors:

Stolker S, Pitzer KA, Mwobobia JM, Washington KT

Journal & Year:

Support Care Cancer • 2026

Defining Family-Centered Cancer Care: A Group Concept Mapping Study.
Authors:

Washington KT, Rolbiecki AJ, Becker TD, one or more additional authors omitted Oliver DP

Journal & Year:

Psychooncology • 2025

Does Family Functioning Matter? Understanding the Relationship Between Family Interactions and Depressive Symptoms for Caregivers of Cancer Patients.
Authors:

White Makinde K, Pitzer KA, Benson JJ, one or more additional authors omitted Washington KT

Journal & Year:

Am J Hosp Palliat Care • 2025

Emotional ecosystems: Understanding the relationship between family interactions and anxiety among cancer caregivers.
Authors:

Makinde KW, Benson JJ, Pitzer KA, one or more additional authors omitted Washington KT

Journal & Year:

Palliat Support Care • 2025

Relationship between problem solving dimensions and psychological distress among cancer caregivers.
Authors:

Stolker S, Pitzer KA, Koplitz C, one or more additional authors omitted Washington KT

Journal & Year:

J Psychosoc Oncol • 2025

A qualitative exploration of factors influencing healthcare utilization among rural Missourians: "We have to be bleeding, broken".
Authors:

Kukulka K, Benson JJ, Landon OJ, one or more additional authors omitted Washington KT

Journal & Year:

Health Place • 2024

Loneliness, psychological distress, and the moderating effect of positive aspects of caregiving among cancer caregivers.
Authors:

Jabbari J, Pitzer KA, White Makinde K, one or more additional authors omitted Washington KT

Journal & Year:

Support Care Cancer • 2024

Accessibility, Relevance, and Impact of a Symptom Monitoring Tool for Home Hospice Care: Theory Elaboration and Qualitative Assessment.
Authors:

Washington KT, Oliver DP, Donehower AK, one or more additional authors omitted Demiris G

Journal & Year:

JMIR Hum Factors • 2024