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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 25 of 36 Research Studies DisplayedTyler A, Jolles M
Methodological progress note: implementation science contributions to healthcare research and practice.
Existing research reflects that specific populations such as senior citizens, minorities, and rural Americans have proportionally less access to telehealth when compared to the average American. The purpose of this study was to explore specific strategies for overcoming barriers to telehealth access through an evaluation of data collected by a medical student-run telehealth education program. During the study period the researchers contacted 47 patients by telephone through the GET (Geriatric Education On Telehealth) Access Program. The study found 4 main themes during the discussions with patients, including: completion of registration steps, familiarity with accessing and using video conferencing software, attainment of proxy access for parents of a pediatric patient, and resolution of miscellaneous technical queries.
AHRQ-funded; HS026512.
Citation: Tyler A, Jolles M .
Methodological progress note: implementation science contributions to healthcare research and practice.
J Hosp Med 2023 Oct; 18(10):920-25. doi: 10.1002/jhm.13147..
Keywords: Implementation, Health Services Research (HSR), Evidence-Based Practice
Tugwell P, Welch V, Magwood O
AHRQ Author: Chang C
Protocol for the development of guidance for collaborator and partner engagement in health care evidence syntheses.
The objectives of this protocol were to: Identify, map, and synthesize findings related to engagement in evidence syntheses; Explore how engagement in evidence synthesis promotes health equity; Develop equity-oriented guidance on methods for conducting, evaluating, and reporting engagement. The authors intended to use their findings to develop draft guidance checklists and assess agreement with each item through an international survey. The guidance checklists will be co-produced and after being finalized at a consensus meeting, an international team will develop guidance for collaborators and partner engagement. The authors concluded that incorporating partnership values and expectations may result in better uptake, potentially reducing health inequities.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Tugwell P, Welch V, Magwood O .
Protocol for the development of guidance for collaborator and partner engagement in health care evidence syntheses.
Syst Rev 2023 Aug 2; 12(1):134. doi: 10.1186/s13643-023-02279-1..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Health Services Research (HSR), Healthcare Delivery
Markham JL, Richardson T, Stephens JR
Essential concepts for reducing bias in observational studies.
This study discussed ways to reduce bias in pediatric observational studies, which may be used instead of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) due to barriers within pediatric populations, including lower disease prevalence, high costs, inadequate funding, and additional regulatory requirements. Observational studies do not involve randomization and thus have more potential for bias when compared with RCTs because of imbalances that can exist between comparison groups. The authors describe techniques to minimize bias by controlling for important measurable covariates within observational studies and discuss the challenges and opportunities in addressing specific variables.
AHRQ-funded; HS028845.
Citation: Markham JL, Richardson T, Stephens JR .
Essential concepts for reducing bias in observational studies.
Hosp Pediatr 2023 Aug; 13(8):e234-e39. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2023-007116..
Keywords: Research Methodologies, Health Services Research (HSR)
Strayer TE, Hollingsworth EK, Shah AS
Why do older adults decline participation in research? Results from two deprescribing clinical trials.
The objective of this study was to examine reasons why hospitalized older adults declined participation in two deprescribing clinical trials, Shed-MEDS (non-Veterans) and VA DROP (Veterans). The reasons given by participating patients were condensed into three themes: feeling overwhelmed by current health status; lack of interest or mistrust; hesitancy to participate. A greater proportion of Veterans expressed a lack of interest or, while more non-Veterans expressed feeling overwhelmed by their current health status. The authors concluded that understanding the reasons why older adults decline participation can inform future strategies to engage this multimorbid population.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Strayer TE, Hollingsworth EK, Shah AS .
Why do older adults decline participation in research? Results from two deprescribing clinical trials.
Trials 2023 Jul 18; 24(1):456. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07506-7..
Keywords: Elderly, Research Methodologies, Health Services Research (HSR)
Rees CA, Stewart AM, Portillo EN
Reporting of important social determinants of health in pediatric clinical trials.
The purpose of this study was to assess the rates and trends in the reporting of sexual orientation, gender identity, preferred language, and socioeconomic factors in published pediatric clinical trials. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study of pediatric clinical trials in the United States published from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2020 in 5 general pediatric and 5 general medical journals with the highest impact factor in their respective fields. Outcomes included reporting of sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic factors, and preferred language. The study found that in 612 trials, 29.6% reported preferred language. Among these, 64.6% exclusively enrolled participants whose preferred language was English. From 2011 to 2020, there was a relative increase in the reporting of preferred language. Socioeconomic factors were reported in 47.9% of trials. There was no significant change in the reporting of socioeconomic factors of published trial results among adolescent participants reported any measure of sexual orientation, and 1.1% reported gender identity. The researchers concluded that despite sexual orientation, gender identity, preferred language, and socioeconomic factors being increasingly recognized as social determinants of health these variables were infrequently included in pediatric clinical trial results reporting.
AHRQ-funded; HS026503.
Citation: Rees CA, Stewart AM, Portillo EN .
Reporting of important social determinants of health in pediatric clinical trials.
Am J Prev Med 2023 Jun; 64(6):918-26. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.12.004..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Social Determinants of Health, Health Services Research (HSR)
Huo T, Glueck DH, Shenkman EA
Stratified split sampling of electronic health records
Data extracted from electronic health records may require very different approaches for model building and analysis than data from clinical research. Because electronic health record data is designed for clinical use, researchers need to engage in the iterative process of defining and provide clear definitions of outcome and predictor variables and assessing associations. This process can increase Type I error rates and decrease the chance of replicability. Failure to consider subgroups may mask heterogeneous relationships between predictor and outcome by subgroups, thus decreasing the generalizability of the findings. To improve the likelihood of both replicability and generalizability, the researchers recommended utilizing a stratified split sample approach for studies using electronic health records. The researchers illustrate the approach through an electronic health record study of the relationships between socio-demographic factors and uptake of hepatic cancer screening, and potential heterogeneity of association in subgroups defined by gender, self-identified race and ethnicity, census-tract level poverty and insurance type.
AHRQ-funded; HS028283.
Citation: Huo T, Glueck DH, Shenkman EA .
Stratified split sampling of electronic health records
BMC Med Res Methodol 2023 May 25; 23(1):128. doi: 10.1186/s12874-023-01938-0..
Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Research Methodologies, Health Services Research (HSR)
Jaramillo ET, Willging CE, Saldana L
Barriers and facilitators to implementing evidence-based interventions in the context of a randomized clinical trial in the United States: a qualitative study.
This study examined factors that facilitate or impede success in the implementation of evidence-based interventions in a clinical trial. This study utilized the clinical trial SafeCare®, a child maltreatment intervention. Qualitative data were obtained between May and October 2017 as part of a larger mixed-methods study involving a cluster randomized trial comparing SafeCare to usual services for caregivers within nine child welfare agencies across four states. Individual interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 21 child welfare administrators and 24 supervisors, and 19 focus groups were conducted with 84 providers. Facilitators and barriers were determined with facilitators including: 1) Benefits afforded through RCT participation; (2) Shared vision and sustained buy-in across system and organizational levels; and (3) Ongoing leadership support for SafeCare and the RCT. The three barriers identified that hindered SafeCare were: (1) Insufficient preparation to incorporate SafeCare into services; (2) Perceived lack of fit, leading to mixed support for SafeCare and the RCT; and (3) Requirements of RCT participation at the provider level.
AHRQ-funded; HS023370.
Citation: Jaramillo ET, Willging CE, Saldana L .
Barriers and facilitators to implementing evidence-based interventions in the context of a randomized clinical trial in the United States: a qualitative study.
BMC Health Serv Res 2023 Jan 26; 23(1):88. doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-09079-2..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Health Services Research (HSR)
Russo E, Sittig DF, Murphy DR
Challenges in patient safety improvement research in the era of electronic health records.
The researchers used a case study involving a project on missed or delayed follow-up of test results to discuss real-world challenges in using electronic health records data for patient safety research. They suggested that many current data access and security policies and procedures must be rewritten and standardized across health care organization sin order to advance progress toward safer health care.
AHRQ-funded; HS022901.
Citation: Russo E, Sittig DF, Murphy DR .
Challenges in patient safety improvement research in the era of electronic health records.
Healthc 2016 Dec;4(4):285-90. doi: 10.1016/j.hjdsi.2016.06.005.
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Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Services Research (HSR), Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient Safety, Quality Improvement
Dodd KW, Berman A, Brown J
Funding research in emergency department shared decision making: a summary of the 2016 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference Panel Discussion.
This article summarizes a panel discussion of funding priorities and examples of successfully funded projects related to shared decision making in emergency medicine. The discussion was part of the 2016 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference, "Shared Decision Making in the Emergency Department: Development of a Policy-relevant Patient-centered Research Agenda."
AHRQ-funded; HS024172.
Citation: Dodd KW, Berman A, Brown J .
Funding research in emergency department shared decision making: a summary of the 2016 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference Panel Discussion.
Acad Emerg Med 2016 Dec;23(12):1340-45. doi: 10.1111/acem.13063.
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Keywords: Emergency Department, Shared Decision Making, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Health Services Research (HSR)
Mueller LR, Donnelly JP, Jacobson KE
National characteristics of emergency medical services in frontier and remote areas.
This study sought to describe the national characteristics and outcomes of EMS care provided in frontier and remote (FAR) areas in the continental United States (US). It found that FAR responses were more likely to be of American Indian or Alaska Native race. Age, ethnicity, location type, and clinical impressions were similar between FAR and non-FAR responses. On-scene death was more likely in FAR than non-FAR responses.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Mueller LR, Donnelly JP, Jacobson KE .
National characteristics of emergency medical services in frontier and remote areas.
Prehosp Emerg Care 2016;20(2):191-9. doi: 10.3109/10903127.2015.1086846.
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Keywords: Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Rural Health, Provider: Health Personnel, Health Services Research (HSR), Outcomes
Kasiske BL, Salkowski N, Wey A
Potential implications of recent and proposed changes in the regulatory oversight of solid organ transplantation in the United States.
The authors reviewed the details and implications of changes in transplant program oversight.
AHRQ-funded; HS024527.
Citation: Kasiske BL, Salkowski N, Wey A .
Potential implications of recent and proposed changes in the regulatory oversight of solid organ transplantation in the United States.
Am J Transplant 2016 Dec;16(12):3371-77. doi: 10.1111/ajt.13955.
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Keywords: Health Services Research (HSR), Policy, Registries, Policy, Transplantation
Sockolow P, Dowding D, Randell R
Using mixed methods in health information technology evaluation.
The authors illustrated some of the benefits and challenges of using mixed methods in evaluation. The diversity of the informatics scholars' research experience provides a broad overview of approaches in combining robust analysis of outcome data with qualitative methods that provide an understanding of the processes through which, and the contexts in which, those outcomes are achieved.
AHRQ-funded; HS021008.
Citation: Sockolow P, Dowding D, Randell R .
Using mixed methods in health information technology evaluation.
Stud Health Technol Inform 2016;225:83-7.
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Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Health Services Research (HSR), Research Methodologies
Harrison KL, Taylor HA
Healthcare resource allocation decisions affecting uninsured services.
The authors described resource allocation and policy decisions related to providing health services for the uninsured. They recommend that how healthcare decisions are actually made can be matched with literature that describes how healthcare resource decisions ought to be made, in order to provide a normative grounding for future decisions.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Harrison KL, Taylor HA .
Healthcare resource allocation decisions affecting uninsured services.
J Health Organ Manag 2016 Nov 21;30(8):1162-82. doi: 10.1108/jhom-01-2016-0003.
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Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Health Services Research (HSR), Policy, Uninsured
Groeneveld PW, Rumsfeld JS
Can big data fulfill its promise?
This article discusses the pros and cons of using big data analytics in healthcare. The authors note that the rise of big data analytics in health care settings has promise. However, they assert that it is critical to recognize that the fundamental pitfalls of observational data analysis cannot be ignored, and in fact the risks of such pitfalls demand rigorous scientific testing and novel methods for peer review of big data analytic models.
AHRQ-funded; HS023615.
Citation: Groeneveld PW, Rumsfeld JS .
Can big data fulfill its promise?
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2016 Nov;9(6):679-82. doi: 10.1161/circoutcomes.116.003097..
Keywords: Data, Health Services Research (HSR)
Ferrante JM, Friedman A, Shaw EK
Lessons learned designing and using an online discussion forum for care coordinators in primary care.
In this paper, the authors comprehensively describe their experiences, from start to finish, of designing and using an asynchronous online discussion forum for collecting and analyzing information elicited from care coordinators in Patient-Centered Medical Homes across the United States. They conclude that an asynchronous online discussion forum is a feasible, efficient, and effective method to conduct a qualitative study, particularly when subjects are health professionals.
AHRQ-funded; HS020682.
Citation: Ferrante JM, Friedman A, Shaw EK .
Lessons learned designing and using an online discussion forum for care coordinators in primary care.
Qual Health Res 2016 Nov;26(13):1851-61. doi: 10.1177/1049732315609567..
Keywords: Care Coordination, Health Services Research (HSR), Patient-Centered Healthcare, Primary Care, Research Methodologies
Ray KN, Mehrotra A
Trends in access to primary care for children in the United States, 2002-2013.
Using MEPS data, the authors described how access to primary care has changed over the last decade for children. They found no change in the proportion of children with a usual source of care (USC). Other measures improved, but out-of-pocket costs increased among privately insured children. Results suggested that after-hours accommodation within the USC is worsening, despite the promotion of patient-centered medical home initiatives. All measures of acceptability improved, consistent with a growing focus on family-centeredness of care.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Ray KN, Mehrotra A .
Trends in access to primary care for children in the United States, 2002-2013.
JAMA Pediatr 2016 Oct;170(10):1023-25. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.0985.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Children/Adolescents, Health Services Research (HSR), Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Primary Care
Gaglioti AH, Werner JJ, Rust G
Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) bridging the gaps between communities, funders, and policymakers.
In this commentary, the authors propose that practice-based research networks (PBRNs) engage with funders and policymakers by applying the same engagement strategies they have successfully used to build relationships with community stakeholders. A community engagement approach to achieve new funding streams for PBRNs should include a strategy to engage key stakeholders from the communities of funders, thought leaders, and policymakers using collaborative principles and methods.
AHRQ-funded; HS021639; HS021641; HS021648.
Citation: Gaglioti AH, Werner JJ, Rust G .
Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) bridging the gaps between communities, funders, and policymakers.
J Am Board Fam Med 2016 Sep-Oct;29(5):630-5. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2016.05.160080.
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Keywords: Health Services Research (HSR), Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN), Primary Care, Policy
Brand SR, Pickard L, Mack JW
What adult cancer care can learn from pediatrics.
However, pediatric cancer centers follow three core principles that enhance their patients’ overall care experience. This article discusses those principles, with the aim of helping adult cancer centers learn from what pediatric centers do well.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Brand SR, Pickard L, Mack JW .
What adult cancer care can learn from pediatrics.
J Oncol Pract 2016 Sep;12(9):765-7. doi: 10.1200/jop.2016.015057..
Keywords: Cancer, Children/Adolescents, Health Services Research (HSR), Healthcare Delivery, Patient Experience, Children/Adolescents
Haidari LA, Brown ST, Constenla D
The economic value of increasing geospatial access to tetanus toxoid immunization in Mozambique.
The researchers assessed how well tetanus toxoid (TT) immunization locations meet population demand in Mozambique. They found that TT immunization locations are not geographically accessible by a significant proportion of pregnant women, resulting in substantial healthcare and productivity costs that could potentially be averted by adding or reconfiguring TT immunization locations.
AHRQ-funded; HS023317.
Citation: Haidari LA, Brown ST, Constenla D .
The economic value of increasing geospatial access to tetanus toxoid immunization in Mozambique.
Vaccine 2016 Jul 29;34(35):4161-65. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.06.065.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Healthcare Costs, Health Services Research (HSR), Pregnancy, Vaccination
Mueller LE, Haidari LA, Wateska AR
The impact of implementing a demand forecasting system into a low-income country's supply chain.
The authors evaluated the potential impact and value of applications of data from demand forecasting systems implemented in a lower-income country's vaccine supply chain with different levels of population change to urban areas. They used their HERMES software to study Niger's entire vaccine supply chain and found that demand forecasting systems have the potential to greatly improve vaccine demand fulfilment, and decrease logistics cost/dose, when implemented with storage and transportation increases.
AHRQ-funded; HS023317.
Citation: Mueller LE, Haidari LA, Wateska AR .
The impact of implementing a demand forecasting system into a low-income country's supply chain.
Vaccine 2016 Jul 12;34(32):3663-9. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.05.027.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Health Services Research (HSR), Low-Income, Medication, Vaccination
Wang SY, Aldridge MD, Gross CP
End-of-life care intensity and hospice use: a regional-level analysis.
The authors sought to examine regional variation in intensive end-of-life care and determine its associations with hospice use patterns. They concluded that at the regional level, increased end-of-life care intensity was consistently associated with very short hospice use.
AHRQ-funded; HS023900.
Citation: Wang SY, Aldridge MD, Gross CP .
End-of-life care intensity and hospice use: a regional-level analysis.
Med Care 2016 Jul;54(7):672-8. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000547.
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Keywords: Elderly, Healthcare Utilization, Health Services Research (HSR)
Luff D, Allair B, Litterer K
Parent and teen engagement in pediatric health services research training.
The Harvard-wide Pediatric Health Services Research (HSR) Fellowship Program is a multidisciplinary program that has trained child health researchers for over 20 years. In 2013, it set out to engage patients and families in the redesign of its research training activities. The authors concluded that the benefits from including parents and teens in our program exceeded their expectations. Patients and parents of children with chronic illness came to understand how research informs the care they receive.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Luff D, Allair B, Litterer K .
Parent and teen engagement in pediatric health services research training.
Acad Pediatr 2016 Jul;16(5):496-98. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2016.02.004.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Health Services Research (HSR), Health Services Research (HSR), Patient and Family Engagement, Children/Adolescents
Bishai D, Xu J, Sherry M
Strengthening the efferent arm in public health.
The purpose of the efferent arm in public health is to convene, coordinate, and shepherd the energy and resources of a community into collectively addressing shared health problems. The authors argue that the secret of an effective efferent arm is to focus on convening and communicating clearly the public health burdens and threats as widely as possible and to speak with authority about the evidence base of proven approaches.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Bishai D, Xu J, Sherry M .
Strengthening the efferent arm in public health.
Am J Public Health 2016 Jul;106(7):1196-7. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2016.303216.
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Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Health Services Research (HSR), Public Health
McConnochie KM, Wood NE, Alarie C
Care offered by an information-rich pediatric acute illness connected care model.
The authors described care provided over a 12-year period by Health-e-Access, an evidence-based, information-rich, connected care model designed to serve children with acute illness. They demonstrated the broad clinical capacity of this care model and key components imparting this capacity. They concluded that Health-e-Access included technology essential for establishing diagnoses, ruling out more serious conditions, and identifying problems beyond its scope.
AHRQ-funded; HS018912; HS016871; HS015165.
Citation: McConnochie KM, Wood NE, Alarie C .
Care offered by an information-rich pediatric acute illness connected care model.
Telemed J E Health 2016 Jun;22(6):465-72. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2015.0161.
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Keywords: Critical Care, Children/Adolescents, Health Services Research (HSR), Children/Adolescents, Telehealth
Terza JV
Inference using sample means of parametric nonlinear data transformations.
AHRQ-funded; HS017434.
Citation: Terza JV .
Inference using sample means of parametric nonlinear data transformations.
Health Serv Res 2016 Jun;51(3):1109-13. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12494.
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Keywords: Research Methodologies, Health Services Research (HSR), Data