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
- Arthritis (2)
- Back Health and Pain (1)
- Blood Clots (1)
- Blood Thinners (1)
- Cancer (3)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (1)
- Cancer: Lung Cancer (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (1)
- Chronic Conditions (1)
- Comparative Effectiveness (12)
- Data (1)
- Elderly (2)
- Evidence-Based Practice (18)
- Guidelines (1)
- Healthcare Delivery (1)
- Health Services Research (HSR) (3)
- Heart Disease and Health (1)
- Implementation (1)
- Medication (1)
- Mortality (1)
- Outcomes (3)
- Pain (3)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (4)
- (-) Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (35)
- Patient and Family Engagement (2)
- Primary Care (1)
- Quality of Care (1)
- Quality of Life (1)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (1)
- (-) Research Methodologies (35)
- Shared Decision Making (1)
- Skin Conditions (1)
- Social Determinants of Health (1)
- Training (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 25 of 35 Research Studies DisplayedNayfe R, Chansard M, Hynan LS
Comparison of patient-reported outcomes measurement information system and legacy instruments in multiple domains among older veterans with chronic back pain.
This study evaluated construct (convergent and discriminant) validity and time to complete NIH's Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) as compared to legacy instruments. Results showed that, given time efficiency of using PROMIS, along with strong construct validity, PROMIS instruments are a practical choice for measuring multidimensional patient-reported outcomes in older Veterans with chronic low back pain for both research and clinical purposes.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Nayfe R, Chansard M, Hynan LS .
Comparison of patient-reported outcomes measurement information system and legacy instruments in multiple domains among older veterans with chronic back pain.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020 Sep 8;21(1):598. doi: 10.1186/s12891-020-03587-6..
Keywords: Elderly, Back Health and Pain, Pain, Chronic Conditions, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Cuthel A, Rogers E, Daniel F
Barriers and facilitators in the recruitment and retention of more than 250 small independent primary care practices for EvidenceNOW.
This study examined barriers and facilitators in the recruitment and retention of small independent practices (SIPs) to participate in research studies. The authors used qualitative data from the HealthyHearts New York City program, part of the EvidenceNOW initiative. This randomized controlled trial took place from 2015 through 2018 across 5 boroughs in NYC. A total of 257 SIPs (<5 full-time clinicians) were recruited originally. The three main factors that facilitated rapid recruitment were: 1) a prior well-established relationship with the local health department; 2) alignment of project goals with practice priorities, and 3) having appropriate monetary incentives. Specific strategies that enhance recruitment of SIPS and fills gaps in knowledge about factors that influence retention are identified.
AHRQ-funded; HS023922.
Citation: Cuthel A, Rogers E, Daniel F .
Barriers and facilitators in the recruitment and retention of more than 250 small independent primary care practices for EvidenceNOW.
Am J Med Qual 2020 Sep/Oct;35(5):388-96. doi: 10.1177/1062860619893422..
Keywords: Primary Care, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Silverberg JI, Lei D, Yousaf M
Comparison of Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure and Patient-Oriented Scoring Atopic Dermatitis vs Eczema Area and Severity Index and other measures of atopic dermatitis: a validation study.
Little is known about the measurement properties of Patient-Oriented Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (PO-SCORAD) in adults with atopic dermatitis (AD). Even less is known about how PO-SCORAD performs compared with the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM). The purpose of this study was to examine the measurement properties of PO-SCORAD and compare them with those of POEM. The investigators concluded that PO-SCORAD and POEM had good construct and cross-cultural validity, reliability, and responsiveness in adults with AD and were feasible for use in clinical trials and practice.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Silverberg JI, Lei D, Yousaf M .
Comparison of Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure and Patient-Oriented Scoring Atopic Dermatitis vs Eczema Area and Severity Index and other measures of atopic dermatitis: a validation study.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2020 Jul;125(1):78-83. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2020.03.006..
Keywords: Skin Conditions, Research Methodologies, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Utter GH, Dhillon TS, Danielsen BH
Use of statewide administrative data to assess clinical outcomes: a retrospective cohort study of therapeutic anticoagulation for isolated calf vein thrombosis.
Single-center comparative effectiveness studies evaluating outcomes that can occur posthospitalization may become biased if outcomes diagnosed at other facilities are not ascertained. Administrative datasets that link patients' records across facilities may improve outcome ascertainment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether use of linked administrative data significantly augmented thromboembolic outcome ascertainment. The investigators concluded that use of linked hospital administrative data augmented detection of outcomes but imperfect linkage, nonspecific diagnoses, and documentation/coding errors introduced uncertainty regarding the accuracy of outcome ascertainment.
AHRQ-funded; HS022236.
Citation: Utter GH, Dhillon TS, Danielsen BH .
Use of statewide administrative data to assess clinical outcomes: a retrospective cohort study of therapeutic anticoagulation for isolated calf vein thrombosis.
Med Care 2020 Jul;58(7):658-62. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001347.
.
.
Keywords: Blood Clots, Blood Thinners, Medication, Research Methodologies, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Ahmad FS, Ricket IM, Hammill BG BG
Computable phenotype implementation for a national, multicenter pragmatic clinical trial: lessons learned from ADAPTABLE.
This methods paper provides an overview of the development and implementation of a computable phenotype in ADAPTABLE (Aspirin Dosing: a Patient-Centric Trial Assessing Benefits and Long-Term Effectiveness)--a pragmatic, randomized, open-label clinical trial testing the optimal dose of aspirin for secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. Lessons learned included the following: the accuracy and utility of a computable phenotype are dependent on the quality of the source data; local validation and modification were required based on site factors; and sustained collaboration among a diverse team of researchers is needed during development and implementation. The ADAPTABLE computable phenotype served as an efficient method to recruit patients in a multisite pragmatic clinical trial.
AHRQ-funded; HS026385.
Citation: Ahmad FS, Ricket IM, Hammill BG BG .
Computable phenotype implementation for a national, multicenter pragmatic clinical trial: lessons learned from ADAPTABLE.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2020 Jun;13(6):e006292. doi: 10.1161/circoutcomes.119.006292..
Keywords: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions
Tsou AY, Treadwell JR, Erinoff E
Machine learning for screening prioritization in systematic reviews: comparative performance of Abstrackr and EPPI-Reviewer.
Improving the speed of systematic review (SR) development is key to supporting evidence-based medicine. Machine learning tools which semi-automate citation screening might improve efficiency. Few studies have assessed use of screening prioritization functionality or compared two tools head to head. In this project, the investigators compared performance of two machine-learning tools for potential use in citation screening.
AHRQ-funded; HS025859.
Citation: Tsou AY, Treadwell JR, Erinoff E .
Machine learning for screening prioritization in systematic reviews: comparative performance of Abstrackr and EPPI-Reviewer.
Syst Rev 2020 Apr 2;9(1):73. doi: 10.1186/s13643-020-01324-7..
Keywords: Health Services Research (HSR), Research Methodologies, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Toh S
Analytic and data sharing options in real-world multi-database studies of comparative effectiveness and safety of medical products.
A wide range of analytic and data sharing options are available in non-experimental multi-database studies designed to assess the real-world benefits and risks of medical products. This article reviewed available analytic and data sharing options and discussed key scientific and practical considerations when choosing among these options in multi-database studies of comparative effectiveness and safety of medical products.
AHRQ-funded; HS026214.
Citation: Toh S .
Analytic and data sharing options in real-world multi-database studies of comparative effectiveness and safety of medical products.
Clin Pharmacol Ther 2020 Apr;107(4):834-42. doi: 10.1002/cpt.1754..
Keywords: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies, Comparative Effectiveness
Taft L, Shen C
A non-parametric statistical test of null treatment effect in sub-populations.
Randomized clinical trials are designed to estimate the average treatment effect (ATE). If heterogeneity of treatment effect exists, then it is possible that there may be subjects who derive a treatment effect different from the ATE. In this study, the investigators propose a method to test the hypothesis that there exist subjects who derive benefit (or harm) against the null hypothesis that the treatment has no benefit (or harm) on each of the smallest sub-populations defined by discrete baseline covariates.
AHRQ-funded; HS024520.
Citation: Taft L, Shen C .
A non-parametric statistical test of null treatment effect in sub-populations.
J Biopharm Stat 2020 Mar;30(2):277-93. doi: 10.1080/10543406.2019.1636810..
Keywords: Research Methodologies, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Byham-Gray LD, Peters EN, Rothpletz-Puglia P
Patient-centered model for protein-energy wasting: stakeholder deliberative panels.
Integrating the patient's voice into research prioritization is essential for solving problems that patients care the most about in terms of health, symptom management, and survival. In this study, the investigators used deliberative processes for adapting the existing model of protein-energy wasting (PEW) to one that included stakeholder priorities, addressing gaps from the initial concept.
AHRQ-funded; HS023434.
Citation: Byham-Gray LD, Peters EN, Rothpletz-Puglia P .
Patient-centered model for protein-energy wasting: stakeholder deliberative panels.
J Ren Nutr 2020 Mar;30(2):137-44. doi: 10.1053/j.jrn.2019.06.001..
Keywords: Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient and Family Engagement, Research Methodologies
Reimer T, Lee SJC, Garcia S
Cancer center clinic and research team perceptions of identity and interactions.
The purpose of this study was to determine perceptions of roles of cancer center clinic and research teams. The researchers developed and administered survey to research and clinic staff at a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. Although there are many similarities between clinic and research teams, the researchers also identified key differences, including perceptions of goal clarity and sharing, understanding and alignment with cancer center goals, and importance of outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Reimer T, Lee SJC, Garcia S .
Cancer center clinic and research team perceptions of identity and interactions.
J Oncol Pract 2017 Dec;13(12):e1021-e29. doi: 10.1200/jop.2017.024349..
Keywords: Cancer, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Heerman WJ, Jackson N, Roumie CL
Recruitment methods for survey research: findings from the Mid-South Clinical Data Research Network.
The objective of this study was to report survey response rates and demographic characteristics of eight recruitment approaches to determine acceptability and effectiveness of large-scale patient recruitment among various populations. The study concluded that technology-enabled recruitment approaches such as registries and emails are effective for recruiting but may yield less racial/ethnic diversity compared to traditional, more time-intensive approaches.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Heerman WJ, Jackson N, Roumie CL .
Recruitment methods for survey research: findings from the Mid-South Clinical Data Research Network.
Contemp Clin Trials 2017 Nov;62:50-55. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2017.08.006..
Keywords: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health
Kelly G, Wang SY, Lucas G
Facilitating meaningful engagement on community advisory committees in patient-centered outcome research.
In this study, the investigators conducted a process evaluation of ongoing activities of a Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) formed around the development of an individualized decision aid for older women with early stage breast cancer. They indicated that their results suggested that engaging committee members in a process of evaluation and collective reflection during a research collaboration can break down barriers to collaboration, build relationships, create opportunities for co-learning and strengthen researchers' capacity to engage meaningfully with stakeholders.
AHRQ-funded; HS023900.
Citation: Kelly G, Wang SY, Lucas G .
Facilitating meaningful engagement on community advisory committees in patient-centered outcome research.
Prog Community Health Partnersh 2017;11(3):243-51. doi: 10.1353/cpr.2017.0029..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Angraal S, Ross JS, Dhruva SS
Merits of data sharing: The Digitalis Investigation Group Trial.
This letter discusses the merits of data sharing, such as its importance in maximizing what can be learned from clinical trials. The letter describes The DIG (Digitalis Investigation Group) trial as an ideal o assess the effects of data sharing.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Angraal S, Ross JS, Dhruva SS .
Merits of data sharing: The Digitalis Investigation Group Trial.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2017 Oct 3;70(14):1825-27. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2017.07.786..
Keywords: Data, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Butler M, Epstein RA, Totten A
AHRQ series on complex intervention systematic reviews-paper 3: adapting frameworks to develop protocols.
This article identifies and describes elements of frameworks and how they can be adapted to inform the protocol and conduct of systematic reviews of complex interventions. Possible approaches to analytic frameworks for complex interventions that illustrate causal and associative linkages are outlined, including time elements, which systematic reviews of complex interventions may need to address.
AHRQ-funded; 290201200004C; 290201500008I; 290201500005I; 290201500006I; 290201500010I.
Citation: Butler M, Epstein RA, Totten A .
AHRQ series on complex intervention systematic reviews-paper 3: adapting frameworks to develop protocols.
J Clin Epidemiol 2017 Oct;90:19-27. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2017.06.013.
.
.
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Guise JM, Butler ME, Chang C
AHRQ series on complex intervention systematic reviews-paper 6: PRISMA-CI extension statement and checklist.
This paper provides a stand-alone extension to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting tool for complex interventions-PRISMA-CI-to help authors, publishers, and readers understand and apply to systematic reviews of complex interventions. PRISMA-CI development followed the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research Network guidance for extensions and focused on adding or modifying only essential items.
AHRQ-funded; 290201200004C; 290201200016I; 290201500011I.
Citation: Guise JM, Butler ME, Chang C .
AHRQ series on complex intervention systematic reviews-paper 6: PRISMA-CI extension statement and checklist.
J Clin Epidemiol 2017 Oct;90:43-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2017.06.016.
.
.
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Braun D, Gorfine M, Parmigiani G
Propensity scores with misclassified treatment assignment: a likelihood-based adjustment.
The researchers show that misclassification of treatment assignment can impact three distinct stages of a propensity score analysis. They examine how error in the treatment assignment impacts each stage in the context of three common propensity score implementations: subclassification, matching, and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). They propose a two-step likelihood-based approach which fully adjusts for treatment misclassification bias under subclassification
AHRQ-funded; HS021991.
Citation: Braun D, Gorfine M, Parmigiani G .
Propensity scores with misclassified treatment assignment: a likelihood-based adjustment.
Biostatistics 2017 Oct 1;18(4):695-710. doi: 10.1093/biostatistics/kxx014.
.
.
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Landsittel DP, Kessler L, Schmid CH
Training in patient-centered outcomes research for specific researcher communities.
A number of publications have discussed approaches to training the scientific workforce in comparative effectiveness research (CER) and patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR). To extend these efforts into specific researcher communities, the AHRQ developed a Funding Opportunity Announcement that called for training for a specific researcher community in collaboration with associated program partners. This paper describes the strategies developed by the 5 subsequently funded programs, and the challenges associated with developing in-person and online programs.
AHRQ-funded; HS023214; HS023199; HS023299; HS023207; HS023185.
Citation: Landsittel DP, Kessler L, Schmid CH .
Training in patient-centered outcomes research for specific researcher communities.
J Clin Transl Sci 2017 Oct;1(5):278-84. doi: 10.1017/cts.2017.307.
.
.
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies, Training
Kim MO, Wang X, Liu C
Random-effects meta-analysis for systematic reviews of phase I clinical trials: rare events and missing data.
The researchers use a systematic review of pediatric phase I oncology trials to illustrate the utility of advanced Bayesian analysis. Outcomes are rarely entirely missing in clinical trials. They utilize available information and conduct Bayesian incomplete data analysis. Their advanced Bayesian analyses, although illustrated with the specific example, are generally applicable.
AHRQ-funded; HS022437.
Citation: Kim MO, Wang X, Liu C .
Random-effects meta-analysis for systematic reviews of phase I clinical trials: rare events and missing data.
Res Synth Methods 2017 Jun;8(2):124-35. doi: 10.1002/jrsm.1209.
.
.
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Ray KN, Miller E
Strengthening stakeholder-engaged research and research on stakeholder engagement.
The proposed exploratory framework highlights contexts and processes to be addressed in planning stakeholder engagement, and potential immediate, intermediate and long-term outcomes that warrant evaluation. The authors use this framework to illustrate both the minimum information needed for reporting stakeholder-engaged research and the comprehensive detail needed for reporting research on stakeholder engagement.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Ray KN, Miller E .
Strengthening stakeholder-engaged research and research on stakeholder engagement.
J Comp Eff Res 2017 Jun;6(4):375-89. doi: 10.2217/cer-2016-0096.
.
.
Keywords: Patient and Family Engagement, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Pruitt SL, Laccetti AL, Xuan L
Revisiting a longstanding clinical trial exclusion criterion: impact of prior cancer in early-stage lung cancer.
The researchers examined the prevalence and prognostic impact of a prior cancer diagnosis among patients with early-stage lung cancer. They found no difference in all-cause survival between patients with and without prior cancer. Lung cancer specific survival was improved among patients with prior cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Pruitt SL, Laccetti AL, Xuan L .
Revisiting a longstanding clinical trial exclusion criterion: impact of prior cancer in early-stage lung cancer.
Br J Cancer 2017 Mar 14;116(6):717-25. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2017.27.
.
.
Keywords: Research Methodologies, Cancer: Lung Cancer, Elderly, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Mortality
McCarthy IM
Putting the patient in patient reported outcomes: a robust methodology for health outcomes assessment.
Through a series of Monte Carlo simulations, this paper illustrates that reliance solely on the summary score may lead to biased estimates of incremental effects, and proposes a novel two-stage approach that allows for unbiased estimation of incremental effects. The proposed methodology essentially reverses the order of the analysis, from one of 'aggregate, then estimate' to one of 'estimate, then aggregate'.
AHRQ-funded; HS022431.
Citation: McCarthy IM .
Putting the patient in patient reported outcomes: a robust methodology for health outcomes assessment.
Health Econ 2015 Dec;24(12):1588-603. doi: 10.1002/hec.3113.
.
.
Keywords: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Quality of Life, Research Methodologies
Berkman ND, Lohr KN, Ansari MT
Grading the strength of a body of evidence when assessing health care interventions: an EPC update.
The authors discussed the state of revision of 2010 guidance on grading the strength of evidence (SOE) of the effectiveness of drugs, devices, and other preventive and therapeutic interventions in systematic reviews produced by AHRQ's Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) program. They concluded that EPC working groups will consider ongoing challenges and modify guidance as needed, on issues such as combining trials and observational studies in bodies of evidence, weighting domains, and combining qualitative and quantitative syntheses.
AHRQ-funded; 290200710056I.
Citation: Berkman ND, Lohr KN, Ansari MT .
Grading the strength of a body of evidence when assessing health care interventions: an EPC update.
J Clin Epidemiol 2015 Nov;68(11):1312-24. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2014.11.023.
.
.
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Quality of Care, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Christensen R, Maxwell LJ, Juni P
Consensus on the need for a hierarchical list of patient-reported pain Outcomes for Metaanalyses of Knee Osteoarthritis Trials: An OMERACT Objective.
A group of international experts convened to address issues regarding the need to develop hierarchical lists of outcome measurement instruments for a particular outcome for metaanalyses. After discussions, most participants agreed that there is a need to develop a methodology for generation of hierarchical lists of outcome measurement instruments to guide metaanalyses.
AHRQ-funded; HS021110.
Citation: Christensen R, Maxwell LJ, Juni P .
Consensus on the need for a hierarchical list of patient-reported pain Outcomes for Metaanalyses of Knee Osteoarthritis Trials: An OMERACT Objective.
J Rheumatol 2015 Oct;42(10):1971-75. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.141384..
Keywords: Research Methodologies, Arthritis, Pain, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Dusetzina SB, Brookhart MA, Maciejewski ML
Control outcomes and exposures for improving internal validity of nonrandomized studies.
The authors review examples of control outcomes and exposures from prior studies and provide recommendations for conducting and reporting these analyses. They found that there is inconsistent terminology for these concepts, making study identification challenging. They recommend that the rigor of nonrandomized studies can be improved with inclusion of control outcomes and exposures for bias detection.
AHRQ-funded; HS023099; HS023085.
Citation: Dusetzina SB, Brookhart MA, Maciejewski ML .
Control outcomes and exposures for improving internal validity of nonrandomized studies.
Health Serv Res 2015 Oct;50(5):1432-51. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12279..
Keywords: Research Methodologies, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes
Whicher DM, Miller JE, Dunham KM
Gatekeepers for pragmatic clinical trials.
The authors provided a framework to help guide gatekeepers' decision-making related to the use of resources for pragmatic clinical trials. They stated that recognition of the complex set of considerations that should inform decision-making will guide gatekeepers in making justifiable choices regarding the use of limited and valuable resources.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Whicher DM, Miller JE, Dunham KM .
Gatekeepers for pragmatic clinical trials.
Clin Trials 2015 Oct;12(5):442-8. doi: 10.1177/1740774515597699.
.
.
Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Evidence-Based Practice, Comparative Effectiveness, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies