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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 3 of 3 Research Studies DisplayedOdeh Couvertier V, Patterson Patterson, Zayas-Cabán G
Association between advanced image ordered in the emergency department on subsequent imaging for abdominal pain patients.
The purpose of this retrospective, observational study was to evaluate abdominal pain patients discharged from the ED to determine the association between advanced emergency department (ED) imaging on subsequent outpatient imaging and on revisits. The researchers utilized the electronic health records of Medicare patients who presented with a complaint of abdominal pain at a United States academic emergency department. The study found that participants who were not imaged at the ED had significantly higher adjusted odds of being imaged outside of the ED within 7, 14, and 28 days of being discharged, and had a significantly higher adjusted odds of returning to the study ED and visiting any ED within 30 days of being discharged. The study concluded that receiving abdominal imaging services in the ED was related with significantly lower imaging use after discharge.
AHRQ-funded; HS024558.
Citation: Odeh Couvertier V, Patterson Patterson, Zayas-Cabán G .
Association between advanced image ordered in the emergency department on subsequent imaging for abdominal pain patients.
Acad Emerg Med 2022 Sep;29(9):1078-83. doi: 10.1111/acem.14541..
Keywords: Imaging, Emergency Department, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Hospital Readmissions
Doty AM, Rising KL, Hsiao T
"Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for you": how resident physicians communicate diagnostic uncertainty to patients during emergency department discharge.
This study’s objective was to describe how emergency medicine resident physicians discuss diagnostic uncertainty during a simulated emergency department (ED) discharge discussion. Most residents in the simulation explained the evaluation revealed no cause for symptoms, noted concerning diagnoses that were excluded, and acknowledged both symptoms and patients’ feelings. However, 28% of residents did not discuss diagnostic uncertainty in any form. All residents were reassuring. Those who did discuss diagnostic uncertainty used explicit and implicit language with similar frequency.
AHRQ-funded; HS025651.
Citation: Doty AM, Rising KL, Hsiao T .
"Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for you": how resident physicians communicate diagnostic uncertainty to patients during emergency department discharge.
Patient Educ Couns 2022 Jul;105(7):2053-57. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.12.002..
Keywords: Clinician-Patient Communication, Emergency Department, Communication, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Marchese AL, Fine AM, Levy JA
Physician risk perception and testing behaviors for children with fever.
This study sought to determine whether physician risk perception was associated with the decision to obtain blood or imaging tests among children who present to the emergency department with fever. A retrospective, cross-section study was conducted at the Boston Children’s Hospital emergency department. Children aged 6 months to 18 years who presented with a fever from May 2014 to April 2019 were included. The authors assessed risk perception using 3 scales: the Risk Tolerance Scale (RTS), Stress from Uncertainty Scale (SUS), and Malpractice Fear Scale (MFS). Across 55 pediatric emergency physicians, there was no association found between risk perception and blood/imaging testing in febrile children for any of those scales.
AHRQ-funded; HS026503.
Citation: Marchese AL, Fine AM, Levy JA .
Physician risk perception and testing behaviors for children with fever.
Pediatr Emerg Care 2022 Feb;38(2):e805-e10. doi: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002413..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Provider: Physician, Emergency Department, Diagnostic Safety and Quality