National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Latest available findings on quality of and access to health care
Data
- Data Infographics
- Data Visualizations
- Data Tools
- Data Innovations
- All-Payer Claims Database
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
- AHRQ Quality Indicator Tools for Data Analytics
- State Snapshots
- United States Health Information Knowledgebase (USHIK)
- Data Sources Available from AHRQ
Search All Research Studies
Topics
- Adverse Events (1)
- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (1)
- Brain Injury (1)
- Cancer (6)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (2)
- Cancer: Colorectal Cancer (1)
- Cancer: Lung Cancer (2)
- Cancer: Prostate Cancer (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (2)
- Case Study (1)
- Children/Adolescents (1)
- Clinical Decision Support (CDS) (2)
- Community-Based Practice (1)
- Comparative Effectiveness (4)
- Dementia (2)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (6)
- Digestive Disease and Health (1)
- Elderly (1)
- Emergency Department (1)
- (-) Evidence-Based Practice (18)
- Guidelines (6)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (1)
- Health Services Research (HSR) (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (2)
- (-) Imaging (18)
- Implementation (1)
- Low-Income (1)
- Medication (1)
- Men's Health (1)
- Neurological Disorders (2)
- Orthopedics (1)
- Outcomes (1)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (5)
- Patient Adherence/Compliance (2)
- Practice Patterns (1)
- Prevention (3)
- Provider (2)
- Provider: Clinician (1)
- Provider: Physician (2)
- Respiratory Conditions (1)
- Screening (8)
- Shared Decision Making (4)
- Surgery (1)
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (3)
- Vulnerable Populations (1)
- Women (4)
AHRQ Research Studies
Sign up: AHRQ Research Studies Email updates
Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 18 of 18 Research Studies DisplayedHolcomb J, Rajan SS, Ferguson GM
Implementation of an evidence-based intervention with safety net clinics to improve mammography appointment adherence among underserved women.
This study evaluated the implementation of an evidence-based intervention in safety-net clinics to improve mammography appointment adherence in underserved women called the Peace of Mind Program. The intervention was implemented in 19 Federally Qualified Health centers and charity care clinics within the Greater Houston area. Surveys were given prior to adoption and at eight weeks post implementation to assess Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research constructs. A total of 4402 women were surveyed (baseline period 2078, intervention period 2324). Women in the intervention period or who completed the intervention were more likely to attend or reschedule their mammography appointment than those who did not complete the intervention. A total of 15 clinics prior to adoption and eight clinics completed the survey post implementation.
AHRQ-funded; HS023255.
Citation: Holcomb J, Rajan SS, Ferguson GM .
Implementation of an evidence-based intervention with safety net clinics to improve mammography appointment adherence among underserved women.
J Cancer Educ 2023 Feb; 38(1):309-18. doi: 10.1007/s13187-021-02116-w..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Screening, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Imaging, Vulnerable Populations, Ambulatory Care and Surgery
Kim HS, Hernaez R, Sansgiry S
Comparative effectiveness of surveillance colonoscopy intervals on colorectal cancer outcomes in a national cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
The purpose of this study was to determine the comparative effectiveness of varying colonoscopy intervals on colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Data was from the National Veterans Health Administration. Findings showed that, in a national cohort of patients with CRC-IBD, colonoscopy within 3 years prior to CRC diagnosis was associated with early tumor stage at diagnosis, and colonoscopy within 1 year was associated with a reduced all-cause mortality compared with no colonoscopy, supporting colonoscopy intervals of 1 to 3 years in patients with IBD in order to reduce late-stage CRC and all-cause mortality.
AHRQ-funded; HS024122.
Citation: Kim HS, Hernaez R, Sansgiry S .
Comparative effectiveness of surveillance colonoscopy intervals on colorectal cancer outcomes in a national cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022 Dec;20(12):2848-57.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.02.048..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Digestive Disease and Health, Imaging, Screening, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Holcomb J, Ferguson GM, Sun J
Stakeholder engagement in adoption, implementation, and sustainment of an evidence-based intervention to increase mammography adherence among low-income women.
The purpose of this document review study was to create a conceptual framework to guide stakeholder engagement in an evidence-based intervention to increase mammography appointment adherence in underserved and low-income women. The document review results were aligned with the constructs of the conceptual framework and an application of stakeholder engagement in an evidence-based mammography intervention. The researchers concluded that both the conceptual framework constructs and the stakeholder engagement strategies can be utilized across a range of organizations, programs, and settings.
AHRQ-funded; HS023255.
Citation: Holcomb J, Ferguson GM, Sun J .
Stakeholder engagement in adoption, implementation, and sustainment of an evidence-based intervention to increase mammography adherence among low-income women.
J Cancer Educ 2022 Oct;37(5):1486-95. doi: 10.1007/s13187-021-01988-2..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Screening, Imaging, Women, Low-Income, Patient Adherence/Compliance
Holcomb J, Ferguson G, Roth I
Adoption of an evidence-based intervention for mammography screening adherence in safety net clinics.
This paper describes an evidence-based intervention that was created to reduce mammography appointment no-show rates in underserved women at safety net clinics. An academic-community partnership was used to implement four strategies to improve the adoption and scale-up of the interventions with Federally Qualified Health Centers and charity care clinics. The interventions implemented were: (1) an outreach email blast targeting the community partner member clinics to increase program awareness, (2) an adoption video encouraging enrollment in the program, (3) an outreach webinar educating the community partner member clinics about the program, encouraging enrollment and outlining adoption steps, and (4) an adoption survey adapted from Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research constructs from the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network for cancer control interventions with Federally Qualified Health Centers.
AHRQ-funded; HS023255.
Citation: Holcomb J, Ferguson G, Roth I .
Adoption of an evidence-based intervention for mammography screening adherence in safety net clinics.
Front Public Health 2021 Nov 4;9:748361. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.748361..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Imaging, Screening, Women, Community-Based Practice
Marin JR, Rodean J, Mannix RC
Association of clinical guidelines and decision support with CT use in pediatric mild traumatic brain injury.
The objective of this study was to examine whether the presence of clinical guidelines and clinical decision support (CDS) for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) were associated with lower head computed tomography (CT) use. The investigators concluded that clinical guidelines for mTBI, and particularly CDS, were associated with lower rates of head CT use without adverse clinical outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS026006.
Citation: Marin JR, Rodean J, Mannix RC .
Association of clinical guidelines and decision support with CT use in pediatric mild traumatic brain injury.
J Pediatr 2021 Aug;235:178-83.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.04.026..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Shared Decision Making, Health Information Technology (HIT), Brain Injury, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice, Imaging
Meza R, Jeon J, Toumazis I
Evaluation of the benefits and harms of lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography: modeling study for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The purpose of this study was to inform the USPSTF guidelines by estimating the benefits and harms associated with various low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening strategies. Microsimulation modeling studies suggested that LDCT screening for lung cancer compared with no screening may increase lung cancer deaths averted and life-years gained when optimally targeted and implemented. Screening individuals at aged 50 or 55 years through aged 80 years with 20 pack-years or more of smoking exposure was estimated to result in more benefits than the 2013 USPSTF-recommended criteria and less disparity in screening eligibility by sex and race/ethnicity.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500011I.
Citation: Meza R, Jeon J, Toumazis I .
Evaluation of the benefits and harms of lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography: modeling study for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2021 Mar 9;325(10):988-97. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.1077..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Cancer: Lung Cancer, Cancer, Imaging, Screening, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines
Jonas DE, Reuland DS, Reddy SM
Screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The purpose of this study was to review the evidence on screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) to inform the USPSTF. Findings showed that screening high-risk persons with LDCT can reduce lung cancer mortality but can also cause false-positive results leading to unnecessary tests and invasive procedures, overdiagnosis, incidental findings, increases in distress, and, rarely, radiation-induced cancers.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500011I.
Citation: Jonas DE, Reuland DS, Reddy SM .
Screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2021 Mar 9;325(10):971-87. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.0377..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Cancer: Lung Cancer, Cancer, Imaging, Screening, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice
Stillman AE, Gatsonis C, Lima JAC
Coronary computed tomography angiography compared with single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging as a guide to optimal medical therapy in patients presenting with stable angina: the RESCUE trial.
Coronary computed tomography angiography compared with single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging as a guide to optimal medical therapy in patients presenting with stable angina: the RESCUE trial.
AHRQ-funded; HS019403.
Citation: Stillman AE, Gatsonis C, Lima JAC .
Coronary computed tomography angiography compared with single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging as a guide to optimal medical therapy in patients presenting with stable angina: the RESCUE trial.
J Am Heart Assoc 2020 Dec 15;9(24):e017993. doi: 10.1161/jaha.120.017993..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Imaging, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice
Chen DW, Reyes-Gastelum D, Radhakrishnan A
Physician-reported misuse of thyroid ultrasonography.
The authors explored physician-reported use of thyroid ultrasonography. They found that a substantial number of physicians endorsed the use of ultrasonography for reasons not supported by clinical guidelines and in conflict with the Choosing Wisely recommendations. They concluded that their study highlights the need for focused physician education on clinically supported and unsupported indications for use of thyroid ultrasonography, with potential roles for future clinical practice guidelines, patient decision-making aids, and clinical decision-making support tools.
AHRQ-funded; HS024512.
Citation: Chen DW, Reyes-Gastelum D, Radhakrishnan A .
Physician-reported misuse of thyroid ultrasonography.
JAMA Surg 2020 Oct;155(10):984-86. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2020.2507..
Keywords: Imaging, Shared Decision Making, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice
Lowry KP, Coley RY, Miglioretti DL
Screening performance of digital breast tomosynthesis vs digital mammography in community practice by patient age, screening round, and breast density.
The purpose of this study was to compare digital mammography (DM) vs digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) performance by age, baseline vs subsequent screening round, and breast density category. Information was taken from screening examinations at participating Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium facilities of 1.5 million women aged 40 to 79 with no prior history of breast cancer. Findings showed that improvements in recall and cancer detection rates with DBT were greatest on baseline mammograms. On subsequent screening mammograms, the benefits of DBT varied by age and breast density, and women with extremely dense breasts did not benefit from improved recall or cancer detection with DBT on subsequent screening rounds.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Lowry KP, Coley RY, Miglioretti DL .
Screening performance of digital breast tomosynthesis vs digital mammography in community practice by patient age, screening round, and breast density.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Jul;3(7):e2011792. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.11792..
Keywords: Imaging, Screening, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women, Evidence-Based Practice, Comparative Effectiveness, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Westafer LM, Kunz A, Bugajska P
Provider perspectives on the use of evidence-based risk stratification tools in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism: a qualitative study.
Providers often pursue imaging in patients at low risk of pulmonary embolism (PE), resulting in imaging yields <10% and false-positive imaging rates of 10% to 25%. Attempts to curb overtesting have had only modest success and no interventions have used implementation science frameworks. The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators to the adoption of evidence-based diagnostic testing for PE.
AHRQ-funded; HS025701.
Citation: Westafer LM, Kunz A, Bugajska P .
Provider perspectives on the use of evidence-based risk stratification tools in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism: a qualitative study.
Acad Emerg Med 2020 Jun;27(6):447-56. doi: 10.1111/acem.13908..
Keywords: Respiratory Conditions, Evidence-Based Practice, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Imaging, Shared Decision Making, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Practice Patterns, Provider: Physician, Provider: Clinician, Provider
Fink HA, Linskens EJ, Silverman PC
Accuracy of biomarker testing for neuropathologically defined Alzheimer disease in older adults with dementia
This study is a systematic review of biomarker and test accuracy for identification of Alzheimer Disease (AD) in older adults. Studies with low or medium risk of bias were analyzed, and two reviewers rated risk of bias. Fifteen brain imaging studies and 9 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies met analysis criteria and were included. The meta-analysis found that in methodologically heterogeneous studies of uncertain applicability to typical clinical settings, the biomarkers amyloid PET, 18F-FDG proton emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were highly sensitive for neuropathologic AD. Single studies suggested that adding amyloid PET, 18F-FDG PET, and CSF test combinations may add accuracy to clinical evaluation.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500008I.
Citation: Fink HA, Linskens EJ, Silverman PC .
Accuracy of biomarker testing for neuropathologically defined Alzheimer disease in older adults with dementia
Ann Intern Med 2020 May 19;172(10):669-77. doi: 10.7326/m19-3888..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Armstrong MJ, Gronseth GS, Day GS
Patient stakeholder versus physician preferences regarding amyloid PET testing.
Patient and caregiver perspectives on amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) use are largely unexplored, particularly as compared with clinician views. In this study, the investigators surveyed clinicians, patients, caregivers, and dementia advocates on topics relating to an evidence-based guideline on amyloid PET use. They found that patients and caregivers emphasized the importance of having a dementia diagnosis and placed more value on testing and outcomes for asymptomatic populations than clinicians.
AHRQ-funded; HS024159.
Citation: Armstrong MJ, Gronseth GS, Day GS .
Patient stakeholder versus physician preferences regarding amyloid PET testing.
Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2019 Jul-Sep;33(3):246-53. doi: 10.1097/wad.0000000000000311..
Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Dementia, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Imaging, Neurological Disorders, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Provider, Provider: Physician
Perez FA, Quinet S, Jarvik JG
Lumbar spinal stenosis severity by CT or MRI does not predict response to epidural corticosteroid versus lidocaine injections.
This study compared the results of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis injected epidurally with corticosteroids and lidocaine, or lidocaine alone. A prospective, double-blind study was conducted on 350 patients who were then evaluated for qualitative or quantitative MR imaging or CT measures of lumbar spinal stenosis. There were no differences in improvement of disability or leg pain scores at 3 weeks between the two subgroups.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222; HS022972.
Citation: Perez FA, Quinet S, Jarvik JG .
Lumbar spinal stenosis severity by CT or MRI does not predict response to epidural corticosteroid versus lidocaine injections.
AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2019 May;40(5):908-15. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A6050..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Imaging, Medication, Orthopedics, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Crawford ED, Koo PJ, Shore N
A clinician's guide to next generation imaging in patients with advanced prostate cancer (RADAR III).
This paper reports on the convening of the Radiographic Assessments for Detection of Advanced Recurrence (RADAR III) Group to offer guidance on the use of next generation imaging to stage prostate cancer based on available data and clinical experience. The RADAR III Group recommends next generation imaging techniques in select patients in whom disease progression is suspected based on biomarker values, comorbidities and symptoms.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Crawford ED, Koo PJ, Shore N .
A clinician's guide to next generation imaging in patients with advanced prostate cancer (RADAR III).
J Urol 2019 Apr;201(4):682-92. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.164..
Keywords: Men's Health, Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Imaging, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines
Bravo PE, Bergmark BA, Vita T
Diagnostic and prognostic value of myocardial blood flow quantification as non-invasive indicator of cardiac allograft vasculopathy.
Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a leading cause of death in orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) survivors. Effective non-invasive screening methods are needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the added diagnostic and prognostic value of myocardial blood flow (MBF) to standard myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with positron emission tomography (PET) for CAV detection.
AHRQ-funded; HS022998.
Citation: Bravo PE, Bergmark BA, Vita T .
Diagnostic and prognostic value of myocardial blood flow quantification as non-invasive indicator of cardiac allograft vasculopathy.
Eur Heart J 2018 Jan 21;39(4):316-23. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehx683..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Cardiovascular Conditions, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Evidence-Based Practice, Heart Disease and Health, Imaging, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Surgery
Croswell J, Owings J
Screening for breast cancer.
This case study involves a 47-year-old woman who presents to your office for a well-woman visit. She is healthy, takes no medications, and has no health concerns. She has never been diagnosed with breast cancer, nor have any of her first-degree relatives. Her digital mammography two years ago was negative, and she asks whether she should be screened again this year. The study poses three multiple choice questions together with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations and related background information.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Croswell J, Owings J .
Screening for breast cancer.
Am Fam Physician 2016 Jul 15;94(2):143-4.
.
.
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice, Women, Imaging, Case Study
Probst MA, Dayan PS, Raja AS
Knowledge translation and barriers to imaging optimization in the emergency department: a research agenda.
This article outlines a research agenda to promote the dissemination and implementation (also known as knowledge translation) of evidence-based interventions for emergency department (ED) imaging, i.e., clinical pathways, clinical decision instruments, and clinical practice guidelines. A multidisciplinary group of stakeholders held online and telephone discussions over a 6-month period culminating at the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference. They were able to identify four overarching research questions.
AHRQ-funded; HS023498.
Citation: Probst MA, Dayan PS, Raja AS .
Knowledge translation and barriers to imaging optimization in the emergency department: a research agenda.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Dec;22(12):1455-64. doi: 10.1111/acem.12830.
.
.
Keywords: Emergency Department, Evidence-Based Practice, Health Services Research (HSR), Guidelines, Imaging, Implementation