Justin Sewell, MD, PhD, MPH

Professor of Clinical Medicine

Gastroenterology

CLINICAL ACTIVITIES:
I provide clinical care at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, where I specialize in caring for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. I also see patients with any gastroenterological disease and perform endoscopic procedures, including upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Additionally, I am the Medical Director for the Gastroenterology Division at ZSFG.

RESEARCH INTERESTS:
I pursue educational research, specifically using Cognitive Load Theory to study procedural skills training using colonoscopy as an exemplar setting. I completed a PhD in Health Professions Education through a joint program between UCSF and Utrecht University, Netherlands. My thesis title was "Cognitive Load Theory: A Critical Lens for Examining Procedural Skills Training in the Health Professions (The Case of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy)". I have experience in quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as in systematic review techniques.

TEACHING:
I am an Element Director for the 1st-year medical student REGulatioN (Renal, Endocrine, Gastroenterology, and Nutrition) course, and I am heavily involved in leadership and administration in the UCSF Bridges Curriculum. I supervise and teach gastroenterology fellows, as well as medical and surgical residents, and medical students, as they rotate through the GI service at San Francisco General Hospital.

MENTORING:
I mentor multiple trainees and faculty, at UCSF and beyond, on their medical education research projects and career development, including current trainees in Masters and Doctoral Education programs,

EDUCATION LEADERSHIP:
I am the Director for the Foundations 1 (preclerkship) Curriculum at the UCSF School of Medicine.

Education
2020 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training, University of California, San Francisco
PhD, 2019 - Health Professions Education, Utrecht University
2013 - Teaching Scholars Program, University of California, San Francisco
Fellowship, 2011 - Gastroenterology, University of California, San Francisco
Residency, 2008 - Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
MD, 2005 - Medicine, University of Arizona
MPH, 2001 - Public Health, University of Arizona
BS, 1999 - Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Arizona
Honors and Awards
  • Cum Laude, Utrecht University, 2019
  • New Investigator Award, American Educational Research Association, 2017
  • Selected for membership in Academy of Medical Educators, UCSF, 2015
  • Invited fellowship (FACP), American College of Physicians, 2013
  • Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators Excellence in Teaching Award, UCSF, 2013
Publications

  1. Silverman AL, Bhasuran B, Mosenia A, Yasini F, Ramasamy G, Banerjee I, Gupta S, Mardirossian T, Narain R, Sewell J, Butte AJ, Rudrapatna VA. Accurate, Robust, and Scalable Machine Abstraction of Mayo Endoscopic Subscores From Colonoscopy Reports. Inflammatory bowel diseases 2024. PMID: 38533919


  2. Wang CW, Lees CR, Ko MS, Sewell JL, Kathpalia P. Implementation and Analysis of a 5-Year Online Esophageal Motility Curriculum for Gastroenterology Fellows. Digestive diseases and sciences 2024. PMID: 38507124


  3. Odufalu FD, Sewell JL, Rudrapatna V, Somsouk M, Mahadevan U. Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on IBD Outcomes Among Vulnerable Patient Populations in a Large Metropolitan Center. Inflammatory bowel diseases 2023. PMID: 36943305


  4. Patel S, Sewell JL, Bhuket T, Somsouk M. Delivering High-Quality, Efficient Gastroenterology Care to Vulnerable and Underserved Populations: Special Considerations and Possible Solutions. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association 2023. PMID: 37634855


  5. Sewell JL. A Practical Approach to Disseminating Gastroenterology Education Scholarship. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association 2023. PMID: 37429453


  6. Feuille C, Sewell JL. Senior trainee as endoscopy teacher: impact on trainee learning and attending experience. Frontline gastroenterology 2023. PMID: 38487568


  7. Tai AW, Sewell JL. How to effectively engage with preclinical medical learners. Gastroenterology 2023. PMID: 37209950


  8. Archibald D, Grant R, Tuot DS, Liddy C, Sewell JL, Price DW, Grad R, Shipman SA, Campbell C, Guglani S, Wood TJ, Keely E. Development of eConsult reflective learning tools for healthcare providers: a pragmatic mixed methods approach. BMC primary care 2023. PMID: 36647016


  9. Sewell JL, Joshi M, Thanh C, Apollon C, Austin E, Burke C, Cornes S, Davis JA, Hermiston M. Pre-clerkship Teaching and Learning in the Virtual Learning Environment: Lessons Learned and Future Directions. Medical Science Educator 2022. PMID: 36439405


  10. Cheng YW, McLean R, Sewell JL, Huang CY, Khalili M. Inflammatory bowel disease type influences development of elevated liver enzymes. JGH open : an open access journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 2022. PMID: 36514498


  11. Zaidi Z, Sewell JL, Schumacher D, Sukhera J, Hunderfund ANL, Balmer DF, Park YS, Kulasegaram K, Young ME, Fung CC, LaDonna KA. Can I Ask a Question About URiM Awards That I Don't Know the Answer to? Designing an Award for Underrepresented Medical Education Researchers. Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges 2022. PMID: 35947477


  12. Kumar NL, Sewell JL. Endoscopy Teaching Competencies for Junior Faculty: Outstanding Endoscopy Teaching Is Within Your SCOPE. TO REMOVE 2021. PMID: 35134008


  13. Fulton TB, Rolón L, Bindman J, Sewell JL. Supporting anti-oppressive education using Zoom chat during lecture: One tool in the toolbox. TO REMOVE 2021. PMID: 34761417


  14. Young JQ, Friedman KA, Sewell JL, Thakker K, John M, van Merrienboer JJG, O'Sullivan PS. Influence of Emotion on Cognitive Load Experienced by Trainees While Performing Patient Handoffs. TO REMOVE 2021. PMID: 34705724


  15. Fulton TB, Rolón L, Bindman J, Sewell JL. Supporting anti-oppressive education using Zoom chat during lecture. Medical education 2021. PMID: 34455617


  16. Young JQ, Thakker K, John M, Friedman K, Sugarman R, van Merriënboer JJG, Sewell JL, O'Sullivan PS. Exploring the relationship between emotion and cognitive load types during patient handovers. Advances in health sciences education : theory and practice 2021. PMID: 34037906


  17. Sewell JL. Going with the cognitive (load theory) flow. Medical education 2021. PMID: 33786868


  18. Fuchs M, Sewell JL, Kumar NL. Best practices in teaching endoscopy according to a Delphi survey of gastroenterology trainees. TO REMOVE 2021. PMID: 34925859


  19. Sewell JL, Hunderfund ANL, Schumacher DJ, Zaidi Z. The Hiker's Guide to the RIME Supplement: Choosing Directions in Research. Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges 2020. PMID: 32769471


  20. Venkat MV, O'Sullivan PS, Young JQ, Sewell JL. Using Cognitive Load Theory to Improve Teaching in the Clinical Workplace. MedEdPORTAL : the journal of teaching and learning resources 2020. PMID: 33083535


  21. Young JQ, John M, Thakker K, Friedman K, Sugarman R, Sewell JL, O'Sullivan PS. Evidence for Validity for the Cognitive Load Inventory for Handoffs. Medical education 2020. PMID: 32668076


  22. Sewell JL, Santhosh L, O'Sullivan PS. How do attending physicians describe cognitive overload among their workplace learners? Medical education 2020. PMID: 32628785


  23. Santhosh L, Sewell J. Hospitalist and Intensivist Experiences of the "Open" Intensive Care Unit Environment: a Qualitative Exploration. Journal of general internal medicine 2020. PMID: 32462568


  24. Sewell JL, Bowen JL, Ten Cate O, O'Sullivan PS, Shah B, Boscardin CK. Learning Challenges, Teaching Strategies, and Cognitive Load: Insights From the Experience of Seasoned Endoscopy Teachers. Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges 2019. PMID: 31425188


  25. Sewell JL, Young JQ, Boscardin CK, Ten Cate O, O'Sullivan PS. Trainee perception of cognitive load during observed faculty staff teaching of procedural skills. Medical education 2019. PMID: 31179594


  26. Kumar NL, Smith BN, Lee LS, Sewell JL. Best Practices in Teaching Endoscopy Based on a Delphi Survey of Gastroenterology Program Directors and Experts in Endoscopy Education. Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association 2019. PMID: 31125782


  27. Kraft C, Kathpalia P, Baumgardner JM, Pandolfino JE, Sewell JL. How to Incorporate Esophageal Manometry Teaching in Your Fellowship Program. Gastroenterology 2019. PMID: 31028777


  28. Sewell JL, Maggio LA, Ten Cate O, van Gog T, Young JQ, O'Sullivan PS. Cognitive load theory for training health professionals in the workplace: A BEME review of studies among diverse professions: BEME Guide No. 53. Medical teacher 2018. PMID: 30328761


  29. Lee B, Holt EW, Wong RJ, Sewell JL, Somsouk M, Khalili M, Maher JJ, Tana MM. Race/ethnicity is an independent risk factor for autoimmune hepatitis among the San Francisco underserved. Autoimmunity 2018. PMID: 29890851


  30. Pourmand K, Sewell JL, Shah BJ. What Makes a Good Endoscopic Teacher: A Qualitative Analysis. Journal of surgical education 2018. PMID: 29574017


  31. Selvig D, Sewell JL, Tuot DS, Day LW. Gastroenterologist and primary care perspectives on a post-endoscopy discharge policy: impact on clinic wait times, provider satisfaction and provider workload. Volume 18 of Issue 1. BMC health services research 2018. PMID: 29321069


  32. Sewell JL, Boscardin CK, Young JQ, Ten Cate O, O'Sullivan PS. Learner, Patient, and Supervisor Features Are Associated With Different Types of Cognitive Load During Procedural Skills Training: Implications for Teaching and Instructional Design. Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges 2017. PMID: 28445213


  33. Baumgardner JM, Sewell JL, Day LW. Assessment of quality indicators among nurse practitioners performing upper endoscopy. Volume 5 of Issue 9. Endoscopy international open 2017. PMID: 28879227


  34. Dilly CK, Sewell JL. How to Give Feedback During Endoscopy Training. Gastroenterology 2017. PMID: 28757268


  35. Day LW, Cohen J, Greenwald D, Petersen BT, Schlossberg NS, Vicari JJ, Calderwood AH, Chapman FJ, Cohen LB, Eisen G, Gerstenberger PD, Hambrick RD, Inadomi JM, MacIntosh D, Sewell JL, Valori R. Quality indicators for gastrointestinal endoscopy units. VideoGIE : an official video journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2017. PMID: 29905282


  36. Kouanda AM, Somsouk M, Sewell JL, Day LW. Urgent colonoscopy in patients with lower GI bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Volume 86 of Issue 1. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2017. PMID: 28174123


  37. Young JQ, Boscardin CK, van Dijk SM, Abdullah R, Irby DM, Sewell JL, Ten Cate O, O'Sullivan PS. Performance of a cognitive load inventory during simulated handoffs: Evidence for validity. SAGE open medicine 2016. PMID: 28348737


  38. Sewell JL, Maggio LA, Artino AR. Planning the Literature Review. Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges 2016. PMID: 27384108


  39. Hassid BG, Day LW, Awad MA, Sewell JL, Osterberg EC, Breyer BN. Using Search Engine Query Data to Explore the Epidemiology of Common Gastrointestinal Symptoms. Digestive diseases and sciences 2016. PMID: 27878646


  40. Price EL, Sewell JL, Chen AH, Sarkar U. Minding the Gaps: Assessing Communication Outcomes of Electronic Preconsultation Exchange. Volume 42 of Issue 8. Joint Commission journal on quality and patient safety 2016. PMID: 27456415


  41. Maggio LA, Sewell JL, Artino AR. The Literature Review: A Foundation for High-Quality Medical Education Research. Journal of graduate medical education 2016. PMID: 27413425


  42. Cohan JN, Ozanne EM, Sewell JL, Hofer RK, Mahadevan U, Varma MG, Finlayson E. A Novel Decision Aid for Surgical Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: Results of a Pilot Study. Volume 59 of Issue 6. Diseases of the colon and rectum 2016. PMID: 27145309


  43. Sewell JL, Boscardin CK, Young JQ, Ten Cate O, O'Sullivan PS. Measuring cognitive load during procedural skills training with colonoscopy as an exemplar. Medical education 2016. PMID: 27170086


  44. Chang JT, Sewell JL, Day LW. Prevalence and predictors of patient no-shows to outpatient endoscopic procedures scheduled with anesthesia. BMC gastroenterology 2015. PMID: 26423366


  45. Young JQ, Sewell JL. Applying cognitive load theory to medical education: construct and measurement challenges. Perspectives on medical education 2015. PMID: 26016430


  46. Macdonald B, Sewell JL, Harper AM, Roberts JP, Yao FY. Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: analysis of factors predicting outcome in 1074 patients in OPTN Region 5. Clinical transplantation 2015. PMID: 25777321


  47. Day LW, Nazareth M, Sewell JL, Williams JL, Lieberman DA. Practice variation in PEG tube placement: trends and predictors among providers in the United States. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2015. PMID: 25845635


  48. Sewell JL, Telischak KS, Day LW, Kirschner N, Weissman A. Preconsultation exchange in the United States: use, awareness, and attitudes. The American journal of managed care 2014. PMID: 25741872


  49. Sewell JL, Telischak KS, Day LW, Kirschner N, Weissman A. Preconsultation exchange in the United States: use, awareness, and attitudes. The American journal of managed care 2014. PMID: 25665191


  50. Tuot DS, Sewell JL, Day L, Leeds K, Chen AH. Increasing access to specialty care: patient discharges from a gastroenterology clinic. Volume 20 of Issue 10. The American journal of managed care 2014. PMID: 25365684


  51. McGeady JB, Blaschko SD, Brajtbord JS, Sewell JL, Chen AH, Breyer BN. Electronic Preconsultation as a Method of Quality Improvement for Urological Referrals. Urology Practice 2014. PMID: 37525449


  52. Hines JZ, Sewell JL, Sehgal NL, Moriates C, Horton CK, Chen AH. "Choosing wisely" in an academic department of medicine. American journal of medical quality : the official journal of the American College of Medical Quality 2014. PMID: 24970279


  53. Siao D, Sewell JL, Day LW. Assessment of delivery methods used in the informed consent process at a safety-net hospital. Gastrointestinal endoscopy 2014. PMID: 24518119


  54. Sewell JL, Shah SC. Letter: Treatment for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth--where are we now? Authors' reply. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 2014. PMID: 24447317


  55. Sewell JL, Somsouk M, Shah SC, Day LW. Commentary: Towards an effective and safe treatment of small intestine bacterial overgrowth - Authors' reply. Volume 38 of Issue 11-12. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 2013. PMID: 24206377


  56. Lin KK, Sewell JL. The effects of race and socioeconomic status on immunomodulator and anti-tumor necrosis factor use among ambulatory patients with inflammatory bowel disease in the United States. The American journal of gastroenterology 2013. PMID: 24300857


  57. Shah SC, Day LW, Somsouk M, Sewell JL. Meta-analysis: antibiotic therapy for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Volume 38 of Issue 8. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 2013. PMID: 24004101


  58. Sewell JL, Day LW, Tuot DS, Alvarez R, Yu A, Chen AH. A brief, low-cost intervention improves the quality of ambulatory gastroenterology consultation notes. Volume 126 of Issue 8. The American journal of medicine 2013. PMID: 23791206


  59. Sewell JL, Guy J, Kwon A, Chen AH, Yee HF. Preconsultation exchange for ambulatory hepatology consultations. Volume 126 of Issue 6. The American journal of medicine 2013. PMID: 23597797


  60. Sewell JL, Velayos FS. Systematic review: The role of race and socioeconomic factors on IBD healthcare delivery and effectiveness. Inflammatory bowel diseases 2013. PMID: 22623078


  61. Day LW, Nazareth M, Sewell JL. Open Journal of Gastroenterology Patient preferences and factors related to the pre-procedure process at a large, urban county hospital 2013. PMID:


  62. Sewell JL, Yee HF. 13-year mortality trends among hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Volume 12. BMC gastroenterology 2012. PMID: 22734919


  63. Sewell JL, Inadomi JM, Yee HF. Race and inflammatory bowel disease in an urban healthcare system. Volume 55 of Issue 12. Digestive diseases and sciences 2010. PMID: 20936350


  64. Sewell JL, Yee HF, Inadomi JM. Hospitalizations are increasing among minority patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Volume 16 of Issue 2. Inflammatory bowel diseases 2010. PMID: 19575353


  65. Sewell JL, Mahadevan U. Of blemishes and bowels: isotretinoin and inflammatory bowel disease. Gastroenterology 2009. PMID: 19932213


  66. Sewell JL, Kushel MB, Inadomi JM, Yee HF. Non-English speakers attend gastroenterology clinic appointments at higher rates than English speakers in a vulnerable patient population. Volume 43 of Issue 7. Journal of clinical gastroenterology 2009. PMID: 19169147


  67. Sewell JL, Mahadevan U. A new answer to an old question: azathioprine withdrawal in quiescent Crohn's disease. Gastroenterology 2009. PMID: 19482103


  68. Sewell JL, Stick KM, Monto A. Hepatocellular carcinoma after sustained virologic response in hepatitis C patients without cirrhosis on a pretreatment liver biopsy. Volume 21 of Issue 2. European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology 2009. PMID: 19212213


  69. Sewell JL, Mahadevan U. Infliximab and surgical complications: truth or perception? Gastroenterology 2008. PMID: 19059260


  70. Dickman R, Emmons S, Cui H, Sewell J, Hernández D, Esquivel RF, Fass R. The effect of a therapeutic trial of high-dose rabeprazole on symptom response of patients with non-cardiac chest pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 2005. PMID: 16167971


  71. Fass R, Shapiro M, Dekel R, Sewell J. Systematic review: proton-pump inhibitor failure in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease--where next? Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 2005. PMID: 16011666


  72. Sewell JL, Malasky BR, Gedney CL, Gerber TM, Brody EA, Pacheco EA, Yost D, Masden BR, Galloway JM. The increasing incidence of coronary artery disease and cardiovascular risk factors among a Southwest Native American tribe: the White Mountain Apache Heart Study. Archives of internal medicine 2002. PMID: 12076235