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AHRQ Research Studies
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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 DisplayedChisolm DJ, Dugan JA, Figueroa JF
Improving health equity through health care systems research.
This study’s objective was to describe health equity research priorities for health care delivery systems and delineate a research and action agenda that generates evidence-based solutions to persistent racial and ethnic inequities in health outcomes. This project was conducted as a component of the AHRQ stakeholder engaged process to develop an Equity Agenda and Action Plan to guide priority setting to advance health equity. The stakeholders included experts from academia, health care organizations, industry, and government. Five priority themes were derived iteratively through experts from academia, health care organizations, industry, and government. They identified six priority themes for research; (1) institutional leadership, culture, and workforce; (2) data-driven, culturally tailored care; (3) health equity targeted performance incentives; (4) health equity-informed approaches to health system consolidation and access; (5) whole person care; (6) and whole community investment. They also suggested cross-cutting themes regarding research workforce and research timelines.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Chisolm DJ, Dugan JA, Figueroa JF .
Improving health equity through health care systems research.
Health Serv Res 2023 Dec; 58(suppl 3):289-99. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.14192..
Keywords: Health Systems, Disparities, Social Determinants of Health, Healthcare Delivery
Bierman AS, Mistry KB
AHRQ Author: Bierman AS, Mistry KB
Commentary: Achieving health equity - the role of learning health systems.
The article discussed learning health systems and their role in achieving health equity. Issues considered were prioritization of health equity, development and implementation of models of care, partnerships with patients and communities, research on the effectiveness of interventions across diverse populations, integration strategies, and multisector collaborations to address social needs. The authors concluded that by considering these issues, learning health systems can play a pivotal role in eliminating health inequities.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Bierman AS, Mistry KB .
Commentary: Achieving health equity - the role of learning health systems.
Healthc Policy 2023 Nov; 19(2):21-27. doi: 10.12927/hcpol.2023.27236..
Keywords: Learning Health Systems, Health Systems, Disparities
Ganguli I, Mackwood MB, Yang CW
Racial differences in low value care among older adult Medicare patients in US health systems: retrospective cohort study.
The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to characterize racial differences in receipt of low-value care among older Medicare beneficiaries overall and within U.S. health systems. Medicare fee-for-service administrative data was used for Black and White Medicare patients who were at least 65 as of 2016. Findings showed that, of the 40 low value services examined, Black patients had a higher adjusted receipt of 9 services and lower receipt of 20 services than White patients. Differences were generally small and largely due to differential care within health systems, but the authors concluded that their findings suggested potential factors that researchers, policymakers, and health system leaders might investigate to improve health care quality and equity.
AHRQ-funded; HS024930.
Citation: Ganguli I, Mackwood MB, Yang CW .
Racial differences in low value care among older adult Medicare patients in US health systems: retrospective cohort study.
BMJ 2023 Oct 25; 383:e074908. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2023-074908..
Keywords: Elderly, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Medicare, Health Systems
Kim B, Cruden G, Crable EL
A structured approach to applying systems analysis methods for examining implementation mechanisms.
This article delineated a structured approach to applying systems analysis methods to examining implementation mechanisms. This approach included steps for selecting, tailoring, and evaluating an implementation strategy. The authors illustrated the approach by using an example case, then discussed the strengths and limitations of this approach, when each step might be appropriate. They suggested work that might extend systems analysis methods to the implementation mechanisms research.
AHRQ-funded; HS025632.
Citation: Kim B, Cruden G, Crable EL .
A structured approach to applying systems analysis methods for examining implementation mechanisms.
Implement Sci Commun 2023 Oct 19; 4(1):127. doi: 10.1186/s43058-023-00504-5..
Keywords: Implementation, Evidence-Based Practice, Health Systems
Simpson SA, Loh R, Elliott L
A mortality surveillance collaboration between a health system and public health department.
The authors described a collaboration between a health system and public health department to create a mortality surveillance system that enabled the health system to identify more than six times the number of deaths identified through local system medical records. They concluded that this epidemiological process that combined nuanced data captured through clinical care in health systems with subsequent data on mortality can be of particular benefit to underserved communities.
AHRQ-funded; HS027389.
Citation: Simpson SA, Loh R, Elliott L .
A mortality surveillance collaboration between a health system and public health department.
Am J Public Health 2023 Sep; 113(9):943-46. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2023.307335..
Keywords: Public Health, Health Systems
Johnson PT, Conway SJ, Berkowitz SA
Transforming health care from volume to value: a health system implementation road map.
The mission of the High Value Practice Academic Alliance is to 1) rapidly disseminate effective value-based performance improvement processes to safely decrease the cost of care for patients, and 2) train the next generation of physicians in principles of high value practice. The organization convened 100 academic medical center partners, and after 5 years of practice, opened membership to any medical center and became the High Value Practice Alliance. In 2021 and 2022, directors of the alliance devoted educational programs of the annual conference to developing a care delivery roadmap identifying the strategies and programs required to maximize resource use, clinical effectiveness, and care coordination. The group is now publishing the “playbook” as a series of focused articles, a comprehensive framework to improve the health care value in a delivery system. This playbook includes 3 performance improvement approaches: 1) resource focused, 2) infrastructure focused, and 3) condition focused. The Transforming Healthcare from Volume to Value: a Health System Implementation RoadMap manuscript series will address each of the strategies and relevant programs.
AHRQ-funded; HS029151; HS026350.
Citation: Johnson PT, Conway SJ, Berkowitz SA .
Transforming health care from volume to value: a health system implementation road map.
Am J Med 2023 Aug; 136(8):763-67. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.04.030..
Keywords: Health Systems, Implementation, Healthcare Delivery
Ong T, Albon D, Amin RS
Establishing a Cystic Fibrosis Learning Network: interventions to promote collaboration and data-driven improvement at scale.
This paper describes the Cystic Fibrosis Learning Network (CFLN), which was designed to improve medical outcomes and quality of life through an intentional focus on achieving reliable evidence-based chronic care delivery and creating a system for data-driven collaborative learning. The authors described the development and growth of the CFLN considering six domains of a Network Maturity Grid: system leadership; governance and policy management; quality improvement (QI); engagement and community building; data and analytics; and research. The CFLN represents 36 accredited care centers in the CF Foundation Care Center Network caring for over 6300 patients, with 77% of 6779 patient clinical care visits/quarter entering into the Registry within 30 days. Almost all CFLN teams (94%) have a patient/family partner (PFP), and 74% of PFPs indicate they are actively participating, taking ownership of, or leading QI initiatives with the interdisciplinary care team. In 2022, most (97%) centers reported completing 1-13 improvement cycles per month, and 82% contributed to monthly QI progress reports to share learning.
AHRQ-funded; HS02639.
Citation: Ong T, Albon D, Amin RS .
Establishing a Cystic Fibrosis Learning Network: interventions to promote collaboration and data-driven improvement at scale.
Learn Health Syst 2023 Jul; 7(3):e10354. doi: 10.1002/lrh2.10354..
Keywords: Learning Health Systems, Health Systems
Harrison MI, Borsky AE
AHRQ Author: Harrison MI
How alignment between health systems and their embedded research units contributes to system learning.
This AHRQ-authored paper examined the organization of learning health system (LHS) research units and conditions affecting their contributions to system improvement and learning. The authors conducted 12 key-informant and 44 semi-structured interviews in six delivery systems engaged in LHS research. Using rapid qualitative analysis, they identified themes and compared successful versus challenging projects; LHS units and other research units in the same system; and LHS units in different systems. They found that LHS units operate both independently and as subunits within larger research centers. Key alignment factors identified were availability of internal (system) funding directing researchers' work toward system priorities; researchers' skills and experiences that fit a system's operational needs; LHS unit subculture supporting system improvement and collaboration with clinicians and other internal stakeholders; applications of external funding to system priorities; and executive leadership for system-wide learning. Direct consultation between LHS unit leaders and system executives and engagement of researchers in clinical and operational activities fostered mutual understanding and collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and leaders.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Harrison MI, Borsky AE .
How alignment between health systems and their embedded research units contributes to system learning.
Healthc 2023 Jun; 11(2):100688. doi: 10.1016/j.hjdsi.2023.100688..
Keywords: Health Systems, Learning Health Systems
Beaulieu ND, Chernew ME, McWilliams JM
Organization and performance of US health systems.
The objectives of this evidence review were to identify and describe health systems in the US, to assess differences between physicians and hospitals in and outside of health systems, and to compare quality and cost of care delivered by physicians and hospitals in and outside of health systems. A total of 580 health systems in a great variety of sizes were identified; prices for physician, hospital services, and total spending were assessed in 2018 commercial claims data. Health system physicians and hospitals were shown to deliver a large portion of medical services. Clinical quality performance and patient experience measures were slightly better in systems; however, spending and prices were significantly higher, especially in small practices. The authors concluded that slight quality differentials in combination with large price differentials suggested that health systems have not realized their potential for better care at equal or lower cost.
AHRQ-funded; HS024072.
Citation: Beaulieu ND, Chernew ME, McWilliams JM .
Organization and performance of US health systems.
JAMA 2023 Jan 24; 329(4):325-35. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.24032..
Keywords: Health Systems, Healthcare Delivery, Provider Performance, Quality Measures, Quality of Care, Hospitals
Sirkin JT, Flanagan E, Tong ST
AHRQ Author: Tong ST, McNellis RJ, Bierman AS
Primary care's challenges and responses in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from AHRQ's learning community.
The purpose of this paper was to review the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) learning community organized to engage and support primary care in responding to COVID-19 and provide an opportunity for participants to communicate learning and peer support, improve understanding of the stressors and challenges faced by practices, determine needs, and identify possible solutions to challenges of the pandemic. The researchers identified challenges, responses, and innovations that occurred through the engagement and information sharing of the learning community and categorized them across 5 domains, including: patient-centeredness, clinician and practice, systems and infrastructure, community and public health; and health equity which cut across each of the other domains. The authors concluded that the learning community provided valuable insights for future research and policy, primary care delivery improvement, and ensuring greater preparedness for future challenges.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Sirkin JT, Flanagan E, Tong ST .
Primary care's challenges and responses in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from AHRQ's learning community.
Ann Fam Med 2023 Jan-Feb; 21(1):76-82. doi: 10.1370/afm.2904..
Keywords: COVID-19, Primary Care, Learning Health Systems, Health Systems, Evidence-Based Practice, Public Health
Fleming C, Rich E, DesRoches C
Measuring changes in the economics of medical practice.
This paper explores current issues relevant to defining and measuring the inputs and outputs of physician practice. It reviews practice inputs and outputs as typically described in the literature on the economics of medical practice, and identifies the conceptual challenges for defining these inputs and outputs in a complex and evolving health care system.
AHRQ-funded; 23320095642WC; 23337033T.
Citation: Fleming C, Rich E, DesRoches C .
Measuring changes in the economics of medical practice.
J Gen Intern Med 2015 Aug;30 Suppl 3:S562-7. doi: 10.1007/s11606-015-3368-5..
Keywords: Healthcare Delivery, Health Systems, Practice Patterns, Data
van Weel C, Turnbull D, Whitehead E
AHRQ Author: Meyers D
International collaboration in innovating health systems.
A pre-conference workshop was organized at the 2014 North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) conference to explore international aspects of innovating health systems. Shifting to primary health care asks for a redirection of research towards the community setting. Four funding agencies, including AHRQ, presented their approaches towards innovation and translation support. Innovative approaches included trained implementation experts serving as change agents. Next steps included promotion of participatory research methodology as a meaningful tool for engagement with stakeholders and promotion of the value of international comparative outcome research for health systems’ innovation.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: van Weel C, Turnbull D, Whitehead E .
International collaboration in innovating health systems.
Ann Fam Med 2015 Jan-Feb;13(1):86-7. doi: 10.1370/afm.1751.
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Keywords: Healthcare Delivery, Health Systems, Primary Care
Xie A, Carayon P, Cartmill R
Multi-stakeholder collaboration in the redesign of family-centered rounds process.
This study explores the experience of multiple stakeholders with collaboration in a healthcare system redesign project. A model of collaborative healthcare system redesign was developed, which defined four phases (i.e., setup of the redesign team, preparation for meetings, collaboration in meetings, follow-up after meetings) and two outcomes (i.e., team outcomes, redesign outcomes) of the collaborative process.
AHRQ-funded; HS018680.
Citation: Xie A, Carayon P, Cartmill R .
Multi-stakeholder collaboration in the redesign of family-centered rounds process.
Appl Ergon 2015 Jan;46 Pt A:115-23. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2014.07.011..
Keywords: System Design, Health Systems, Healthcare Delivery