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
AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Behavioral Health (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (2)
- Children/Adolescents (2)
- Clinician-Patient Communication (1)
- Communication (1)
- Critical Care (1)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (2)
- Disparities (1)
- (-) Education: Continuing Medical Education (13)
- Education: Curriculum (2)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (1)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (1)
- Kidney Disease and Health (1)
- Maternal Care (1)
- Newborns/Infants (1)
- Prevention (1)
- Primary Care (1)
- Provider: Clinician (1)
- Provider: Physician (4)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (2)
- Simulation (3)
- Stroke (1)
- Surgery (2)
- Teams (1)
- Training (7)
- Women (1)
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 13 of 13 Research Studies DisplayedShields AD, Vidosh J, Thomson BA
Validation of a simulation-based resuscitation curriculum for maternal cardiac arrest.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy of health care participants completing a simulation-based blended learning training curriculum on managing maternal medical emergencies and maternal cardiac arrest. The study included a formative assessment of the Obstetric Life Support curriculum. The training consisted of self-guided pre-course work and an instructor-led simulation course using a customized low-fidelity simulator. Eighty-five participants consented to participation in the training (out of 88 invited); 77 participants completed the training over eight sessions. The study found that at baseline, less than 50% of participants were able to achieve a passing score on the cognitive assessment. After the course, mean cognitive assessment scores improved by 13 points, from 69.4% at baseline to 82.4% after the course. The researchers observed significant improvements in participant self-efficacy, and 92.6% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the course met its educational objectives.
AHRQ-funded; HS026169.
Citation: Shields AD, Vidosh J, Thomson BA .
Validation of a simulation-based resuscitation curriculum for maternal cardiac arrest.
Obstet Gynecol 2023 Nov 1; 142(5):1189-98. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005349..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Maternal Care, Simulation, Training, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Women
Pillado EB, Li RD, Eng JS
Defining sources and ramifications of mistreatment among female vascular surgery trainees.
This study examined mistreatment that occurred during training of vascular surgeon trainees and categorizes and identifies the sources. This cross-sectional study was an anonymous survey administered after the 2021 Vascular Surgery In-Training Examination. The survey represented all 125 vascular surgery training programs with 510 trainees (66.9% male) participating in the survey (83.6% response rate). Mistreatment was reported by 54.8% of trainees, with twice as many women reporting as men (82.3% vs 41.0%). Women reported higher rates of being shouted at (44.1% vs 21.1%); repeatedly reminded of errors (24.3% vs 16.1%); ignored/treated hostilely (28.9% vs 10.5%); subjected to crude/sexually demeaning remarks, stories, or jokes (19.2% vs 2.1%); evaluated by different standards (29.3% vs 2.1%); and mistaken for a non-physician (75.2% vs 3.5%). Patients and their families were given as the most common source of sexual harassment (66.7%), gender discrimination (90.4%), and racial discrimination (74.4%). Compared with men, women more frequently felt unprepared to respond to the behavior in the moment (10.4% vs 4.6%), did not know how to report mistreatment at their institution (7.6% vs 3.2%), and did not believe that their institution would take their mistreatment report seriously (9.0% vs 3.9%).
AHRQ-funded; HS024516.
Citation: Pillado EB, Li RD, Eng JS .
Defining sources and ramifications of mistreatment among female vascular surgery trainees.
J Vasc Surg 2023 Sep; 78(3):797-804. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2023.03.504..
Keywords: Provider: Physician, Education: Continuing Medical Education
Tarnutzer AA, Gold D, Wang Z
Impact of clinician training background and stroke location on bedside diagnostic test accuracy in the acute vestibular syndrome - a meta-analysis.
Researchers conducted a systematic review to assess the accuracy of bedside diagnosis of acute dizziness/vertigo to differentiate peripheral vestibular from central neurologic causes. Their review indicated that the Head Impulse, Nystagmus, Test of Skew (HINTS) examination by trained clinicians can differentiate peripheral from central causes and show higher diagnostic accuracy for stroke in the first 24-48 hours than MRI diffusion-weighted imaging. They concluded that these techniques should be disseminated to clinicians evaluating dizziness/vertigo.
AHRQ-funded; HS029350.
Citation: Tarnutzer AA, Gold D, Wang Z .
Impact of clinician training background and stroke location on bedside diagnostic test accuracy in the acute vestibular syndrome - a meta-analysis.
Ann Neurol 2023 Aug; 94(2):295-308. doi: 10.1002/ana.26661..
Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Training, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Provider: Clinician, Stroke, Cardiovascular Conditions
Katzman JG, Balbus J, Herring D
AHRQ Author: Bole A
Clinician education on climate change and health: virtual learning community models.
The Climate Change and Human Health Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes program (Climate ECHO) is a weekly virtual mentoring program for health-care and public health professionals addressing foundational climate and health educational needs for clinicians. The program includes three objectives: 1) to increase knowledge and self-efficacy of climate change; 2) to improve communication among clinicians, community health workers, and patients regarding the health-related effects of climate change; and 3) to advance knowledge on environmental justice and health equity to reduce health disparities. In February 2021 Climate ECHO introduced a pilot program, with contributions from the United Systems Global Change Research Program’s Interagency Crosscutting Group on Climate Change and Human Health. Project ECHO has participants from over 190 countries and builds virtual communities of practice, where peer participants meet consistently to learn from each other and subject matter experts. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Climate Change and Health Equity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Climate and Health, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Program Office, the National Park Service’s One Health Program, and other non-governmental organizations partnered to support the development of multiple programs focused on climate change and health. The first 8-week pilot program included 625 participants from 45 U.S. states and 25 countries. Most participants were health professionals. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the program, indicating increased climate-related knowledge and improved communication skills. After the sessions, participants report a greater likelihood of communicating about climate effects with colleagues and patients.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Katzman JG, Balbus J, Herring D .
Clinician education on climate change and health: virtual learning community models.
Lancet Planet Health 2023 Jun; 7(6):e444-e46. doi: 10.1016/s2542-5196(23)00087-6..
Keywords: Education: Continuing Medical Education, Training
Sullivan CE, Weber LS, Lamas PV
Expanding APHON's Pediatric Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Provider and Instructor program to Spanish-speaking countries: pilot series development and evaluation.
This article described the process of adapting and implementing Provider and Instructor program courses for standardized, comprehensive pediatric chemotherapy/biotherapy education in Latin American and Caribbean countries, culturally adapted and translated to Spanish by the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON). The Spanish APHON Provider program was piloted four times and the Instructor program twice with nurses from Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and Spain. Statistical analysis identified factors associated with pass rates. The Spanish APHON program was deemed appropriate for nurses' education and practice levels in Latin American and Caribbean countries.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Sullivan CE, Weber LS, Lamas PV .
Expanding APHON's Pediatric Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Provider and Instructor program to Spanish-speaking countries: pilot series development and evaluation.
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol Nurs 2023 Mar-Apr; 40(2):119-32. doi: 10.1177/27527530221121729..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Training
Purnell TS, Bignall ONR, Norris KC
Centering anti-racism and social justice in nephrology education to advance kidney health equity.
This article discusses actions necessary to effectively prepare a new generation of nephrology thought leaders who understand the roles of structural racism and social determinants of health (SDOH) in continuing racial disparities as critical issues in efforts that promote kidney health equity. The authors provide their recommendations for centering antiracism and social justice in nephrology education to advance kidney health equity, including: 1 Acknowledging and adopting evidence-based strategies to address implicit biases and explicit acts of interpersonal racism in healthcare encounters that may perpetuate kidney health disparities; 2) Strive to remove structural racism at the societal and health system levels that systematically introduce inequities in kidney care; 3) incorporate research training inclusive of methodologic and content areas that are vital to health equity; 4) foster role modeling within nephrology education through faculty mentorship and professional networking opportunities. The authors conclude that to effectively advance kidney research and practice, sustainable solutions to eradicate disparities must be developed and a prepared nephrology workforce must be trained, one that centers antiracism and social justice in sustained efforts to advance kidney health equity.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600.
Citation: Purnell TS, Bignall ONR, Norris KC .
Centering anti-racism and social justice in nephrology education to advance kidney health equity.
J Am Soc Nephrol 2022 Nov;33(11):1981-84. doi: 10.1681/asn.2022040432..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Kidney Disease and Health, Disparities, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Education: Curriculum
Cohen TN, Anger JT, Kanji FF
A novel approach for engagement in team training in high-technology surgery: the Robotic-Assisted Surgery Olympics.
The purpose of this study was to develop the “Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) Olympics,” a “serious game”-based educational competition to improve the skills required to successfully perform RAS. The pilot study was conducted at an academic medical center in Southern California. Sixteen operating room members participated in the event, reporting that they preferred the RAS Olympics to traditional training, enjoyed the activity, would recommend all staff participate, felt that it was relevant to their work, and believed that they practiced and learned new techniques that would improve their practice. The participants’ confidence in their skills did not change. The researchers concluded that new information was gained about new possibilities for simultaneously engaging and training surgical staff while emphasizing RAS safety and efficiency.
AHRQ-funded; HS026491.
Citation: Cohen TN, Anger JT, Kanji FF .
A novel approach for engagement in team training in high-technology surgery: the Robotic-Assisted Surgery Olympics.
J Patient Saf 2022 Sep 1;18(6):570-77. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000001056..
Keywords: Surgery, Training, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Simulation, Teams
Laverriere EK, Fiadjoe JE, McGowan N
A prospective observational study of video laryngoscopy-guided coaching in the pediatric intensive care unit.
The primary goal of this study was to evaluate whether implementation of video laryngoscopy-guided coaching for tracheal intubation in pediatric patients is feasible with a high level of compliance and associated with a reduction in adverse tracheal intubation-associated events. Findings showed that implementation of video laryngoscopy as a supervising device with standardized coaching language was feasible with a high level of adherence, yet was not associated with an increased occurrence of any adverse tracheal intubation-associated events and oxygen desaturation.
AHRQ-funded; HS024511; HS021583; HS022464.
Citation: Laverriere EK, Fiadjoe JE, McGowan N .
A prospective observational study of video laryngoscopy-guided coaching in the pediatric intensive care unit.
Paediatr Anaesth 2022 Sep;32(9):1015-23. doi: 10.1111/pan.14505..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Critical Care, Education: Continuing Medical Education
Cross WF, West JC, Crean HF
Measurement of primary care providers' suicide prevention skills following didactic education.
This study’s objective was to determine if didactic training by medical residents and nurse practitioner (NP) trainees increased their skills to assess and manage patients’ suicidal ideation, intent, and behaviors. Online didactic training was provided to 127 medical resident and NP trainees followed by a standardized patient interaction conducted to assess demonstrated suicide prevention skills (i.e., assessment of risk factors, protective factors, suicidal ideation and behavior, safety planning). Participants demonstrated only about half of the possible total skills in most domains and were least competent in assessing potential risk for suicide. Residents were rated significantly higher than NPs on observed skills.
AHRQ-funded; HS024224.
Citation: Cross WF, West JC, Crean HF .
Measurement of primary care providers' suicide prevention skills following didactic education.
Suicide Life Threat Behav 2022 Jun;52(3):373-82. doi: 10.1111/sltb.12827..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Primary Care, Prevention, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Provider: Physician, Training
McCarthy DM, Formella KT, Ou EZ
There's an app for that: teaching residents to communicate diagnostic uncertainty through a mobile gaming application.
The purpose of this study was to improve doctor-patient communication by assessing the utilization of a mobile application (app) for teaching physician communication skills about diagnostic uncertainty, obtaining feedback on app utilization, and evaluating the association between app use and mastery of skills. Emergency medicine resident physicians were randomized to receive immediate or delayed access to an educational curriculum focused on diagnostic uncertainty which included a web-based interactive model and an app. Only 31.2% of the 109 participants used the app, with senior residents more likely to use the app than junior residents. Researchers report that of those who used the app, reviews were positive, with 76% indicating the app facilitated their learning. The study found that in the trial there was no significant correlation between the utilization of the app and mastery of the communication skill. The researchers concluded that without mandated use and evidence of effectiveness, apps should not be offered to physicians as an educational option and training opportunity for improving communication skills.
AHRQ-funded; HS025651.
Citation: McCarthy DM, Formella KT, Ou EZ .
There's an app for that: teaching residents to communicate diagnostic uncertainty through a mobile gaming application.
Patient Educ Couns 2022 Jun;105(6):1463-69. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.09.038..
Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Jindal M, Mistry KB, McRae A
AHRQ Author: Mistry KB,
"It makes me a better person and doctor": a qualitative study of residents' perceptions of a curriculum addressing racism.
The purpose of this study was to explore how pediatric residents perceive the impact of a curriculum addressing racism on their knowledge, motivation, skills and behaviors and investigate the contextual factors that promote or impede the curriculum's effectiveness. Semi structured interviews were conducted at two academic medical centers among pediatric residents. Findings showed that medical education addressing racism can facilitate the perceived acquisition of foundational knowledge regarding race and racism, motivation and skill-building to combat racism, and action planning aimed at improving patient care.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Jindal M, Mistry KB, McRae A .
"It makes me a better person and doctor": a qualitative study of residents' perceptions of a curriculum addressing racism.
Acad Pediatr 2022 Mar;22(2):332-41. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2021.12.012..
Keywords: Education: Curriculum, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Provider: Physician
Heiderscheit EA, Schlick CJR, Ellis RJ
Experiences of LGBTQ+ residents in US general surgery training programs.
The purpose of this study was to determine the national prevalence of mistreatment and poor well-being for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) surgery residents compared with their non-LGBTQ+ peers. A voluntary, anonymous survey was conducted for clinically active general surgery residents training in accredited general surgery programs following their American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination. Findings showed that mistreatment was a common experience for LGBTQ+ surgery residents, with attending surgeons being the most common overall source. Increased suicidality among LGBTQ+ surgery residents was associated with this mistreatment. Recommendations included multifaceted interventions to develop safer and more inclusive learning environments.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Heiderscheit EA, Schlick CJR, Ellis RJ .
Experiences of LGBTQ+ residents in US general surgery training programs.
JAMA Surg 2022 Jan;157(1):23-32. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2021.5246..
Keywords: Provider: Physician, Surgery, Training, Education: Continuing Medical Education
Kuijpers L, Binkhorst M, Yamada NK
Validation of an instrument for real-time assessment of neonatal intubation skills: a randomized controlled simulation study.
This study’s aim was to evaluate the construct validity and reliability of real-time assessment of a previously developed neonatal intubation scoring instrument (NIST). This randomized controlled simulation study was performed at a simulation-based research and training facility. Twenty-four experienced clinicians and 11 medical students performed two identical elective intubations on a neonatal patient simulation. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, who received predefined feedback between the two intubations, or the control group who received no feedback. There was a statistically significant different median change in percentage scores between the intervention and control groups between the first and second intubations. Construct validity was proven for the neonatal scoring instrument.
AHRQ-funded; HS023506.
Citation: Kuijpers L, Binkhorst M, Yamada NK .
Validation of an instrument for real-time assessment of neonatal intubation skills: a randomized controlled simulation study.
Am J Perinatol 2022 Jan;39(2):195-203. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1715530..
Keywords: Newborns/Infants, Simulation, Education: Continuing Medical Education