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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 7 of 7 Research Studies DisplayedTarnutzer 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
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)
Sheehan FH, McConnaughey S, Freeman R
Formative assessment of performance in diagnostic ultrasound using simulation and quantitative and objective metrics.
The authors of this article describe how they developed simulator-based tools for assessing provider competence in transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and vascular duplex scanning. Psychomotor skill in TTE image acquisition was calculated using the deviation angle of an acquired image from the anatomically correct view, and this skill metric applied for formative assessment to evaluate curricula and provide feedback to learners. Psychomotor skill in vascular ultrasound was measured in terms of dexterity and image plane location. The skill metric in the TTE simulator enabled immediate feedback, as well as formative assessment of curriculum efficacy and a comparison of curriculum outcomes. The vascular duplex ultrasound simulator also provided feedback. The authors conclude that skill in acquiring diagnostic ultrasound images of organs and vessels can be measured using simulation in an objective, quantitative, and standardized manner. Simulator-based metrics might also be applied to summative assessment.
AHRQ-funded; HS024219.
Citation: Sheehan FH, McConnaughey S, Freeman R .
Formative assessment of performance in diagnostic ultrasound using simulation and quantitative and objective metrics.
Mil Med 2019 Mar 1;184(Supplement_1):386-91. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usy388.
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Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Imaging, Provider Performance, Training
Chopra V, Harrod M, Winter S
Focused ethnography of diagnosis in academic medical centers.
J Hosp Med 2018 Oct;13(10):668-72. doi: 10.12788/jhm.2966.
This ethnographic study focused on the progress of teaching diagnosis to trainees in academic teaching hospitals. Trainees at 2 academic medical centers were observed to understand the barriers and facilitators to diagnosis. A total of 4 teaching teams between January and May 2016 were observed. Four key themes were identified and can be used to inform future interventions.
This ethnographic study focused on the progress of teaching diagnosis to trainees in academic teaching hospitals. Trainees at 2 academic medical centers were observed to understand the barriers and facilitators to diagnosis. A total of 4 teaching teams between January and May 2016 were observed. Four key themes were identified and can be used to inform future interventions.
AHRQ-funded; HS024385; HS022835.
Citation: Chopra V, Harrod M, Winter S .
Focused ethnography of diagnosis in academic medical centers.
J Hosp Med 2018 Oct;13(10):668-72. doi: 10.12788/jhm.2966..
Keywords: Education: Continuing Medical Education, Education: Academic, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Cultural Competence
Gillespie EF, Panjwani N, Golden DW
Multi-institutional randomized trial testing the utility of an interactive three-dimensional contouring atlas among radiation oncology residents.
The present study reports on the efficacy and usability of a web-based contouring atlas compared with those of existing contouring resources in a randomized trial. Compared with the residents using currently available resources, the residents using eContour had improved contour agreement with both the consensus and the expert contours for the high-risk clinical target volume and greater agreement with the expert contour for the contralateral parotid gland.
AHRQ-funded; HS024321.
Citation: Gillespie EF, Panjwani N, Golden DW .
Multi-institutional randomized trial testing the utility of an interactive three-dimensional contouring atlas among radiation oncology residents.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2017 Jul 1;98(3):547-54. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2016.11.050.
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Keywords: Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Imaging, Web-Based
Vaughn VM, Chopra V
Revisiting the panculture.
In this paper, the authors discuss the term the ‘panculture’ – microbiological culture of blood, urine, sputum or stool in search of an offending pathogen- as well as the pros and cons of the practice.
AHRQ-funded; HS022835.
Citation: Vaughn VM, Chopra V .
Revisiting the panculture.
BMJ Qual Saf 2017 Mar;26(3):236-39. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2015-004821..
Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Education: Continuing Medical Education
Thomas GW, Rojas-Murillo S, Hanley JM
Skill assessment in the interpretation of 3D fracture patterns from radiographs.
The researchers determined if 3D radiographic image interpretation can be reliably assessed, and whether this assessment varies by level of training. They concluded that the interpretation of radiographs to discern 3D information is a promising and a relatively unexplored area for surgical skill education and assessment.
AHRQ-funded; HS022077.
Citation: Thomas GW, Rojas-Murillo S, Hanley JM .
Skill assessment in the interpretation of 3D fracture patterns from radiographs.
Iowa Orthop J 2016;36:1-6.
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Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Injuries and Wounds, Imaging, Training