Internal Medicine, Northwest Permanente, KPNW
Affiliate Investigator
Dr. Elder's research focuses on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), specializing in Ayurvedic medicine. Dr. Elder was the principal investigator for a pilot study evaluating the feasibility of two Chinese medicine-based mind-body interventions for weight loss maintenance in overweight and obese adults. His research examined using qigong and Tapas Acupressure Technique® in a behavioral weight-loss program. Based on the results from that study, he is now conducting a phase-3 study evaluating the efficacy of Tapas Acupressure techniques for weight loss maintenance. In addition to this area of research, he has also examined patient-centered measures for outcomes of CAM therapies and the clinical impact of a whole-system, Ayurvedic intervention for newly diagnosed people with type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Elder’s research combines his clinical practice expertise with his interest in applying alternative medicine to mainstream medical care. He is a Northwest Permanente physician, who is board-certified in internal medicine. Dr. Elder came to Permanente Medical Group in 1991. He practices at Division Medical Office and is affiliated with Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center.
In addition to his research and practice, he is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. In 2002, Dr. Elder was elected a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He has also been an Associate Editor for The Permanente Journal and a Trustee for the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine since 2006. He received his medical degree Boston University School of Medicine and his training in internal medicine from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
E-mail: Charles.Elder@kpchr.org