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Matthew E. Hirschtritt, MD, MPH

Kaiser Permanente Researcher Profiles

Hirschtritt, Matthew

Matthew Hirschtritt, MD, MPH, is a physician-researcher with The Permanente Medical Group Delivery Science & Applied Research Physician Researcher Program. The overarching goals of his research include improving equitable access to, quality of, and cost-effectiveness of mental illness detection and treatment.

Dr. Hirschtritt’s investigative work has involved diverse mental health-related topics, including characteristics and treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette syndrome, adolescent depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and substance use disorders. His work has also examined the interrelationship between adolescent resiliency, peer victimization, and suicidal ideation. More recently, his work has focused on early identification and treatment of psychotic-spectrum disorders, including coordinated specialty care for early psychosis.

In addition to his research experience, Dr. Hirschtritt has worked in various clinical psychiatric settings, including inpatient units in a safety-net, academically affiliated, and private hospitals, psychiatric emergency services, and outpatient services (including interdisciplinary clinics focused on the needs of sexual minority adults and young adults with new- or recent-onset psychosis). He is an enthusiastic mentor to learners who are interested in developing research and academic writing skills.

Following completion of his undergraduate degree in psychology from Cornell University, Dr. Hirschtritt joined the National Institute of Mental Health as an Intramural Research Training Award recipient. He then completed his pre-medical, postbaccalaureate coursework at Johns Hopkins University, and, before beginning medical school, served as a research associate in the Yale Child Study Center. As a student in the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, a five-year program dedicated to training clinician-scientists, Dr. Hirschtritt completed additional coursework in public health, leading to an MPH degree. He completed residency training in adult psychiatry and fellowship training in forensic psychiatry at UCSF.

Current Positions

  • Adjunct Investigator, Division of Research
  • Physician Researcher, Delivery Science & Applied Research Physician Researcher Program, The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG)
  • Senior Physician, Kaiser Permanente East Bay Department of Psychiatry
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Institute for Medical Education
  • Volunteer Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco.

Section Affiliation

Primary Research Interests

  • Improving equitable access to mental illnes detection and treatment
  • Adolescent resiliency, peer victimization, and suicidal ideation
  • Early identification and treatment of psychotic-spectrum disorders

Studies

The impact of the elimination of the clozapine risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) program on clozapine prescribing patterns

This retrospective, data-only study will explore changes in new clozapine prescriptions, continuity of clozapine therapy, and patient characteristics in the 12 months prior to and following the elimination of the clozapine REMS registry, which mandated strict adherence to frequent blood draws before dispensation of clozapine.

Investigator: Hirschtritt, Matthew

Funder: Johns Hopkins and Kaiser Permanente Research Collaboration Pilot Awards

Health care service use, costs, and family functioning among family members of individuals engaged in coordinated specialty care for early psychosis

This prospective, two-year study will examine patterns of medical services use among family members of KPNC patients with early psychosis who receive Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) compared to those of family members of patients with early psychosis who do not receive CSC. We will also explore changes in measures of family functioning occurring during CSC enrollment.

Investigator: Hirschtritt, Matthew

Funder: TPMG Physician Researcher Program

Publications

Psychiatric comorbidity in functional tics: a scoping review

Authors: Nemeh MN;Tahir P;Hirschtritt ME;Kalapatapu RK

BMC Psychiatry. 2026 Mar 07.

PubMed abstract

Development and validation of a machine learning model to identify individuals at high risk for psychotic disorders using medical record data

Authors: Marafino BJ;Kline-Simon AH;Stavers-Sosa I;Cronkite DJ;Gerstley LD;Durojaiye C;Kelley A;Kiel L;Ramaprasan A;Carrell DS;Penfold RB;Hirschtritt ME

BMC Psychiatry. 2026 Feb 10.

PubMed abstract

Primary care-based alcohol screening and alcohol use among transgender and cisgender adults in an integrated health system

Authors: He S;Darby-McClure R;Hirschtritt ME;Sterling SA;Silverberg MJ;Leyden WA;Shu AH;Andrewson TS;Palzes VA

Am J Prev Med. 2025 Dec 23:108240.

PubMed abstract

Clozapine-Associated Neutropenia Prevalence in a Large, Integrated Healthcare System

Authors: Nofziger JL;Kline-Simon AH;Arnbrecht LM;Durojaiye C;Hirschtritt ME

Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2025 Nov;34(11):e70249.

PubMed abstract

Clinical setting of initial psychotic spectrum disorder diagnoses in an integrated health system

Authors: Haigler C;Kline-Simon AH;Hirschtritt ME;Stavers-Sosa I

Am J Manag Care. 2025 Nov 01;31(11):e313-e314. Epub 2025-11-01.

PubMed abstract

Virtual Progress, Real Inequities: An Uneven Digital Mental Health Revolution

Authors: McBain RK;Hirschtritt ME

Psychiatr Serv. 2025 Nov 01;76(11):940.

PubMed abstract

Prevalence and Health Care Utilization of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Other Trauma-Related Mental Health Diagnoses in a Large, Integrated Health Care System

Authors: Vaughan BR;Lu Y;Slama NE;Does MB;Hirschtritt ME;Ridout KK;Koshy MT;Young-Wolff KC

Perm J. 2025 Sep 15;29(3):15-23. Epub 2025-05-22.

PubMed abstract

Expanding Access to Mental Health Services for Justice-Involved Youths

Authors: Shu AH;Hirschtritt ME

Psychiatr Serv. 2025 Aug 01;76(8):704-705.

PubMed abstract

Bridging the Gap From Efficacy to Effectiveness to Reduce Duration of Untreated Psychosis

Authors: Sanders MA;Hirschtritt ME

Psychiatr Serv. 2025 Jun 01;76(6):535-536.

PubMed abstract

Psychotic-Spectrum Disorders With Comorbid Anxiety are Predisposing Factors for Parkinson’s Disease in a Case-Control Study

Authors: Shvartsur, Anna;Peterman, Kelli;Ramalingam, Nirmala D;Eyal, Roy;Khandhar, Suketu;Medina, Michel;Hirschtritt, Matthew E

Perm J. 2025 Jan 12:1-6.

PubMed abstract

Four Tips for Improving Video Telehealth Patient-Clinician Communication

Authors: Hirschtritt, Matthew E;Kelly, Stephanie

JAMA. 2024 Sep 17;332(11):929-930.

PubMed abstract

Changes in Service Use After Participation in an Intensive Outpatient Program Among Adults With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Authors: Abeldt, Brittany M;Brown, Kathryn H;Wei, Julia;Ramalingam, Nirmala D;Hirschtritt, Matthew E

Perm J. 2024 Sep 16;28(3):76-83. Epub 2024-07-09.

PubMed abstract

Protocol for Designing a Model to Predict the Likelihood of Psychosis From Electronic Health Records Using Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning

Authors: Stavers-Sosa, Icelini;Cronkite, David J;Gerstley, Lawrence D;Kelley, Ann;Kiel, Linda;Kline-Simon, Andrea H;Marafino, Ben J;Ramaprasan, Arvind;Carrell, David S;Hirschtritt, Matthew E

Perm J. 2024 Sep 16;28(3):23-36. Epub 2024-09-02.

PubMed abstract

Insights from California on Involuntary Commitment for Substance Use

Authors: Weiner, Stephen L;Bal, Berneen;Hirschtritt, Matthew E;Barnard, Alex

J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 2024 Sep 03;52(3):338-346. Epub 2024-09-03.

PubMed abstract

Psychiatric Diagnoses, Medication, and Service Use Among Patients Who Receive Emergency Care for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Authors: He JZ;Hirschtritt ME;Wei J;Ramalingam ND;Kahane SM;Velayos FS;Hassid BG

Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2024 Sep 03;30(9):1619-1622. Epub 2023-09-04.

PubMed abstract

Reimbursement for a Broader Array of Services in Coordinated Specialty Care for Early Psychosis

Authors: Hirschtritt, Matthew E;Staglin, Brandon;Buttlaire, Stuart;Ahearn, Kerry;Oglesby, Sarada;Dixon, Lisa B;Shern, David;Ewing, Toby;Niendam, Tara A

Psychiatr Serv. 2024 Mar 27:appips20230551.

PubMed abstract

Fulfilling the Goals of 988 Through Crisis Stabilization Care

Authors: Hirschtritt ME;Howard CA;Simon GE

Psychiatr Serv. 2023 Aug 01;74(8):889-891. Epub 2023-01-31.

PubMed abstract

Experiences of transgender and gender diverse patients in emergency psychiatric settings: A scoping review

Authors: O'Brien M;Hirschtritt ME;Tahir P;Kalapatapu RK

J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open. 2023 Aug;4(4):e13018. Epub 2023-08-03.

PubMed abstract

Improving Internal Medicine Residents’ Comfort Managing Psychiatric Conditions Through an Interactive, Case-Based Workshop

Authors: Patel R;Ramalingam ND;Pal A;Tran HN;Hirschtritt ME

Acad Psychiatry. 2023 Aug;47(4):450-451. Epub 2023-05-18.

PubMed abstract

Burnout Among Psychiatry Residents and One Program’s Approach to Creating a Culture of Wellness

Authors: Brown KH;Bal B;Plauche JL;Sung D;Hirschtritt ME

Perm J. 2023 Jun 15;27(2):137-141. Epub 2023-05-22.

PubMed abstract

Exploring the Complex Associations Between Prenatal and Early-Life Infections and Obsessive-Compulsive and Tic-Related Disorders

Authors: Hirschtritt ME;Mathews CA

Biol Psychiatry. 2023 Jun 01;93(11):959-961.

PubMed abstract

Electroconvulsive Therapy Anesthetic Choice and Clinical Outcomes

Authors: Li KJ;Slama NE;Hirschtritt ME;Anshu P;Iturralde E

J ECT. 2023 Jun 01;39(2):102-105. Epub 2022-12-09.

PubMed abstract

Patient and Visit Characteristics Associated With Physical Restraint Use in the Emergency Department

Authors: Walia H;Tucker LS;Manickam RN;Kene MV;Sharp AL;Berdahl CT;Hirschtritt ME

Perm J. 2023 Mar 15;27(1):94-102. Epub 2022-12-04.

PubMed abstract

What Will It Take to Meet Adolescents’ Mental Health Needs?

Authors: Hirschtritt ME;Rodgers CRR

J Adolesc Health. 2023 Feb;72(2):175-176.

PubMed abstract

A Brief Course on Forensic Psychiatry Principles

Authors: Weiner S;Lingafelter N;Ali M;Wu J;Walia H;Wasser T;Hirschtritt ME

Acad Psychiatry. 2023 Feb;47(1):107-108. Epub 2022-07-19.

PubMed abstract

Walking the Benzodiazepine High Wire

Authors: Kroenke K;Hirschtritt ME

Psychiatr Serv. 2023 Jan 01;74(1):73-75. Epub 2022-11-02.

PubMed abstract

A Novel Introduction to Transgender and Nonbinary Mental Health

Authors: Frawley EM;Norris R;Chen IL;Hirschtritt ME

Acad Psychiatry. 2022 Dec;46(6):787-788. Epub 2022-05-03.

PubMed abstract

Cost-Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing to Reduce Alcohol and Cannabis Use Among Patients With Depression

Authors: Satre DD;Parthasarathy S;Young-Wolff KC;Meacham MC;Borsari B;Hirschtritt ME;Van Dyke L;Sterling SA

J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2022 Sep;83(5):662-671.

PubMed abstract

Association Between Prenatal Cannabis Use and Psychotropic Medication Use in Pregnant Patients With Depression and Anxiety

Authors: Hirschtritt ME;Avalos LA;Sarovar V;Ridout KK;Goler NC;Ansley DR;Satre DD;Young-Wolff KC

J Addict Med. 2022 Jul-Aug 01;16(4):e269-e273. Epub 2022-01-11.

PubMed abstract

Agreement between Youth Self-Report and Biospecimen-Confirmed Substance Use: A Systematic Review

Authors: Folk JB;Hirschtritt ME;McCrary QD;Kalapatapu RK

Subst Use Misuse. 2022;57(4):531-538. Epub 2022-01-04.

PubMed abstract

Psychotropic medication prescribing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors: Hirschtritt ME;Slama N;Sterling SA;Olfson M;Iturralde E

Medicine (Baltimore). 2021 Oct 29;100(43):e27664.

PubMed abstract

Trends in Ethnicity, Race, and Sex Among Psychiatry and Non-psychiatry Residency Applicants, 2008-2019

Authors: Chen IL;Koleilat I;Choinski K;Phair J;Hirschtritt ME

Acad Psychiatry. 2021 Aug;45(4):445-450. Epub 2021-04-06.

PubMed abstract

Cannabis Use Among Patients With Psychotic Disorders

Authors: Hirschtritt ME;Young-Wolff KC;Mathalon DH;Satre DD

Perm J. 2021 05 12;25. Epub 2021-05-12.

PubMed abstract

Mental Health Services in a U.S. Prison During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors: Burton PRS;Morris NP;Hirschtritt ME

Psychiatr Serv. 2021 04 01;72(4):458-460. Epub 2021-01-05.

PubMed abstract

Telepsychiatry, Hospitals, and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors: Morris NP;Hirschtritt ME

Psychiatr Serv. 2020 12 01;71(12):1309-1312. Epub 2020-09-16.

PubMed abstract

Are Substance Use and Bullying Perpetration Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Authors: Hirschtritt ME

J Adolesc Health. 2020 09;67(3):311-312.

PubMed abstract

The Kaiser Permanente Northern California Adult Alcohol Registry, an Electronic Health Records-Based Registry of Patients With Alcohol Problems: Development and Implementation

Authors: Palzes VA;Weisner C;Chi FW;Kline-Simon AH;Satre DD;Hirschtritt ME;Ghadiali M;Sterling S

JMIR Med Inform. 2020 Jul 22;8(7):e19081. Epub 2020-07-22.

PubMed abstract

Addressing Problems With Alcohol and Other Substances Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors: Satre DD;Hirschtritt ME;Silverberg MJ;Sterling SA

Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2020 07;28(7):780-783. Epub 2020-04-22.

PubMed abstract

Drug Formularies in Correctional Settings

Authors: Morris NP;Hirschtritt ME;Tamburello AC

J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 2020 03;48(1):2-6.

PubMed abstract

Benzodiazepine and unhealthy alcohol use among adult outpatients

Authors: Hirschtritt ME;Palzes VA;Kline-Simon AH;Kroenke K;Campbell CI;Sterling SA

Am J Manag Care. 2019 12 01;25(12):e358-e365. Epub 2019-12-01.

PubMed abstract

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