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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
76 to 100 of 120 Research Studies DisplayedXu X, Buta E, Anhang Price R
Methodological considerations when studying the association between patient-reported care experiences and mortality.
This study illustrated methodological considerations when assessing the relationship between patient care experiences and mortality. It found that the association between overall care experiences and mortality was significant for deaths not amenable to medical care and all-cause mortality, but not for amenable deaths.
AHRQ-funded; HS016980; HS016978.
Citation: Xu X, Buta E, Anhang Price R .
Methodological considerations when studying the association between patient-reported care experiences and mortality.
Health Serv Res 2015 Aug;50(4):1146-61. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12264..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Patient Experience, Mortality, Quality of Care, Research Methodologies
Linares-Perdomo O, East TD, Brower R
Standardizing predicted body weight equations for mechanical ventilation tidal volume settings.
Predicted body weight (PBW) equations use height, age, and sex as input variables. The researchers compared National Institutes of Health (NIH) ARDS Network (ARDSNet), actuarial table (ACTUARIAL), and Stewart (STEWART) PBW equations used in clinical trials, across physiologic ranges for age and height. They concluded that significant differences between PBW equations for both men and women could be important sources of interstudy variation. Studies should adopt a standard PBW equation.
AHRQ-funded; HS006594.
Citation: Linares-Perdomo O, East TD, Brower R .
Standardizing predicted body weight equations for mechanical ventilation tidal volume settings.
Chest 2015 Jul;148(1):73-8. doi: 10.1378/chest.14-2843..
Keywords: Research Methodologies, Respiratory Conditions, Quality of Care
Ross ME, Kreider AR, Huang YS
Propensity score methods for analyzing observational data like randomized experiments: challenges and solutions for rare outcomes and exposures.
The researchers expanded upon an approach to the analysis of observational data sets that mimics a sequence of randomized studies by implementing propensity score models within each trial to achieve covariate balance, using weighting and matching. Challenges included a rare outcome, a rare exposure, substantial and important differences between exposure groups, and a very large sample size.
AHRQ-funded; HS018550.
Citation: Ross ME, Kreider AR, Huang YS .
Propensity score methods for analyzing observational data like randomized experiments: challenges and solutions for rare outcomes and exposures.
Am J Epidemiol 2015 Jun 15;181(12):989-95. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwu469..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Data, Research Methodologies
Proctor E, Luke D, Calhoun A
Sustainability of evidence-based healthcare: research agenda, methodological advances, and infrastructure support.
This project identifies the challenges associated with sustainability research and generates recommendations for accelerating and strengthening this work. Its recommendations fell into three domains: (1) pursue high priority research questions as a unified agenda on sustainability; (2) advance methods for sustainability research; (3) advance infrastructure to support sustainability research.
AHRQ-funded; HS020775.
Citation: Proctor E, Luke D, Calhoun A .
Sustainability of evidence-based healthcare: research agenda, methodological advances, and infrastructure support.
Implement Sci 2015 Jun 11;10:88. doi: 10.1186/s13012-015-0274-5..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Healthcare Delivery, Implementation, Research Methodologies
Whicher D, Kass N, Faden R
Stakeholders' views of alternatives to prospective informed consent for minimal-risk pragmatic comparative effectiveness trials.
This paper reports on interviews with Institutional Review Board members and researchers and on focus groups with patients from Geisinger and Johns Hopkins health systems, with the objective of eliciting participants' views of the acceptability of four different disclosure and authorization models for low-risk pragmatic comparative effectiveness trials of widely-used therapies. Results suggested that many participants believed that it was acceptable to streamline information disclosure and to use an opt-out process for eligible individuals who would prefer not to participate.
AHRQ-funded; HS021064.
Citation: Whicher D, Kass N, Faden R .
Stakeholders' views of alternatives to prospective informed consent for minimal-risk pragmatic comparative effectiveness trials.
J Law Med Ethics 2015 Summer;43(2):397-409. doi: 10.1111/jlme.12256.
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Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Brouwer ES, Napravnik S, Eron JJ, Jr.
Validation of Medicaid claims-based diagnosis of myocardial infarction using an HIV clinical cohort.
The investigators aimed to validate claims-based myocardial infarction (MI) algorithms in a Medicaid population using an HIV clinical cohort as the gold standard. Studying 1063 individuals over 2.5 years, 17 had an MI. Specificity ranged from 0.979 to 0.993 with the highest specificity obtained using the ICD-9 code 410.xx in the primary or secondary position and a length of stay greater than 3 days. Sensitivity of MI ascertainment varied from 0.588 to 0.824 depending on algorithm. They recommended that the type of algorithm used be prioritized based on study question and maximization of specific validation parameters that will minimize bias while also considering precision.
AHRQ-funded; HS018731.
Citation: Brouwer ES, Napravnik S, Eron JJ, Jr. .
Validation of Medicaid claims-based diagnosis of myocardial infarction using an HIV clinical cohort.
Med Care 2015 Jun;53(6):e41-8. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0b013e318287d6fd.
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Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Medicaid, Heart Disease and Health, Research Methodologies
Carman KL, Mallery C, Maurer M
Effectiveness of public deliberation methods for gathering input on issues in healthcare: results from a randomized trial.
The researchers conducted a 5-arm randomized controlled trial, assigning participants to one of four deliberative methods or to a reading materials only control group. They found that participating in deliberation increased participants' knowledge of evidence and comparative effectiveness research and shifted participants' attitudes regarding the role of evidence in decision-making.
AHRQ-funded; 290201000005C.
Citation: Carman KL, Mallery C, Maurer M .
Effectiveness of public deliberation methods for gathering input on issues in healthcare: results from a randomized trial.
Soc Sci Med 2015 May;133:11-20. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.03.024..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methodologies, Decision Making
Featherstone RM, Dryden DM, Foisy M
Advancing knowledge of rapid reviews: an analysis of results, conclusions and recommendations from published review articles examining rapid reviews.
This paper summarizes results, conclusions, and recommendations from published review articles examining rapid reviews (RRs). RR definitions, methods, and applications vary substantially. Published review articles suggest that RRs should not be viewed as a substitute for a standard review, although they have unique value for decision-makers. Recommendations for RR producers include transparency of methods used and the development of reporting standards.
AHRQ-funded; 290201200004C; 290201200010I; 290201200011I; 290201200013I; 290201200015I.
Citation: Featherstone RM, Dryden DM, Foisy M .
Advancing knowledge of rapid reviews: an analysis of results, conclusions and recommendations from published review articles examining rapid reviews.
Syst Rev 2015 Apr 17;4:50. doi: 10.1186/s13643-015-0040-4.
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Keywords: Research Methodologies, Evidence-Based Practice, Decision Making
Cottrell EK, Whitlock EP, Kato E
AHRQ Author: Kato E
Defining the benefits and challenges of stakeholder engagement in systematic reviews.
The researchers examined the following questions: 1) what are the expected benefits of involving stakeholders in systematic reviews, and 2) what are the perceived challenges of involving stakeholders in systematic reviews? Using a literature scan and series of key informant interviews, they identified expected benefits such as establishing credibility and anticipating controversy. Challenges included time, training, resources and finding the right people.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 290201200004C
Citation: Cottrell EK, Whitlock EP, Kato E .
Defining the benefits and challenges of stakeholder engagement in systematic reviews.
Comp Eff Rev. 2015 Apr;5:13-19..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Whicher D, Kass N, Saghai Y
The views of quality improvement professionals and comparative effectiveness researchers on ethics, IRBs, and oversight.
The authors conducted a series of semi-structured focus groups with quality improvement (QI) and comparative effectiveness research (CER) professionals to understand their experiences and views of the ethical and regulatory challenges that exist. They found that most participants have experienced challenges related to the ethical oversight of QI and CER activities, and many believe that current regulatory criteria for distinguishing clinical practice from clinical research requiring ethical oversight are confusing.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Whicher D, Kass N, Saghai Y .
The views of quality improvement professionals and comparative effectiveness researchers on ethics, IRBs, and oversight.
J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics 2015 Apr;10(2):132-44. doi: 10.1177/1556264615571558.
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Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Healthcare Delivery, Quality Improvement, Research Methodologies
Holzer J, Kass N
Understanding the supports of and challenges to community engagement in the CTSAs.
The researchers sought to understand the supports and challenges experienced by multiple Clinical and Translational Science Awards programs as they pursued community engagement. The interviews identified three support themes, including: funding, existing relationships with communities, and leadership and a partnership approach at the institution. Six challenge themes arose: need for capacity development, lack of positive relationships with communities, lack of leadership, funding constraints, time and staff constraints, and unsustainable models.
AHRQ-funded; HS017589.
Citation: Holzer J, Kass N .
Understanding the supports of and challenges to community engagement in the CTSAs.
Clin Transl Sci 2015 Apr;8(2):116-22. doi: 10.1111/cts.12205..
Keywords: Community Partnerships, Community-Based Practice, Health Services Research (HSR), Research Methodologies
Heerman WJ, White RO, Barkin SL
Advancing informed consent for vulnerable populations.
The authors suggest an innovative approach that uses low health-literacy communication strategies and visual aids to augment and potentially replace the traditional approach to informed consent. This approach involves: (1) the use of effective health communication and low-literacy techniques, (2) the use of visual aids and graphics to promote understanding and guide the reader toward key study concepts, and (3) careful attention to child dissenting behaviors.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Heerman WJ, White RO, Barkin SL .
Advancing informed consent for vulnerable populations.
Pediatrics 2015 Mar;135(3):e562-4. doi: 10.1542/peds.2014-3041..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Communication, Health Literacy, Obesity, Research Methodologies
Brouwer ES, Moga DC, Eron JJ
Evaluating the incident user design in the HIV population: incident use versus naive?
Through linkage to a comprehensive HIV clinical cohort, the researchers aimed to quantify and describe the truly naïve patients in an incident use population identified in Medicaid administrative claims. In their sample, they found that 34 percent of the Medicaid incident users were naïve based on medical record abstraction of antiretroviral use.
AHRQ-funded; HS018731.
Citation: Brouwer ES, Moga DC, Eron JJ .
Evaluating the incident user design in the HIV population: incident use versus naive?
Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2015 Mar;24(3):297-300. doi: 10.1002/pds.3705..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Research Methodologies, Comparative Effectiveness, Data, Medicaid
Neugebauer R, Schmittdiel JA, Zhu Z
High-dimensional propensity score algorithm in comparative effectiveness research with time-varying interventions.
The authors described the application and performance of the hdPS algorithm to improve covariate selection in CER with time-varying interventions based on inverse probability weighting estimation and explored stabilization of the resulting estimates using Super Learning. Their evaluation was based on both the analysis of electronic health records data in a real-world CER study of adults with type 2 diabetes and a simulation study.
AHRQ-funded; 29020050016I.
Citation: Neugebauer R, Schmittdiel JA, Zhu Z .
High-dimensional propensity score algorithm in comparative effectiveness research with time-varying interventions.
Stat Med 2015 Feb 28;34(5):753-81. doi: 10.1002/sim.6377..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Data, Research Methodologies
Li T, Vedula SS, Hadar N
Innovations in data collection, management, and archiving for systematic reviews.
The authors provide a step-by-step tutorial for collecting, managing, and archiving data for systematic reviews and suggest steps for developing rigorous data collection forms in the Systematic Review Data Repository to facilitate implementation of the methodological standards and expectations of the Institute of Medicine and other organizations.
AHRQ-funded; 290200710055I; 290201200012I.
Citation: Li T, Vedula SS, Hadar N .
Innovations in data collection, management, and archiving for systematic reviews.
Ann Intern Med. 2015 Feb 17;162(4):287-94. doi: 10.7326/M14-1603..
Keywords: Data, Comparative Effectiveness, Outcomes, Research Methodologies
Chen Y, Hong C, Riley RD
An alternative pseudolikelihood method for multivariate random-effects meta-analysis.
This paper describes the standard likelihood inferences for multivariate meta-analysis (MMA) and the proposed pseudolikelihood method. The authors next extend the proposed method to the missing data situation where only a proportion of studies have all outcomes reported. They then conduct simulation studies to compare the proposed method with the current methods and investigate the prevalence of singular covariance matrix problems, bias, coverage probability (CP), and relative efficiency (RE). Finally, they apply the proposed method to three meta-analyses.
AHRQ-funded; HS022900.
Citation: Chen Y, Hong C, Riley RD .
An alternative pseudolikelihood method for multivariate random-effects meta-analysis.
Stat Med 2015 Feb 10;34(3):361-80. doi: 10.1002/sim.6350..
Keywords: Research Methodologies, Health Services Research (HSR)
DeFrank JT, Barclay C, Sheridan S
The psychological harms of screening: the evidence we have versus the evidence we need.
The study’s purpose was to understand the extent of evidence on psychological harms. The researchers reviewed 68 studies and developed an evidence map that quantifies the distribution of evidence on psychological harms for five adult screening services. They found that the evidence for psychological harms of screening is inadequate in number of studies and in research design and measures.
AHRQ-funded; HS021133.
Citation: DeFrank JT, Barclay C, Sheridan S .
The psychological harms of screening: the evidence we have versus the evidence we need.
J Gen Intern Med 2015 Feb;30(2):242-8. doi: 10.1007/s11606-014-2996-5..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Screening, Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methodologies
Shamseer L, Moher D, Clarke M
Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015: elaboration and explanation.
The PRISMA-P checklist contains 17 items considered to be essential and minimum components of a systematic review or meta-analysis protocol. This PRISMA-P 2015 Explanation and Elaboration paper provides readers with a full understanding of and evidence about the necessity of each item as well as a model example from an existing published protocol. This paper should be read together with the PRISMA-P 2015 statement.
AHRQ-funded; 290200710059I.
Citation: Shamseer L, Moher D, Clarke M .
Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015: elaboration and explanation.
BMJ 2015 Jan 2;349:g7647. doi: 10.1136/bmj.g7647..
Keywords: Research Methodologies, Health Services Research (HSR), Evidence-Based Practice
Abramson RG, Burton KR, Yu JP
Methods and challenges in quantitative imaging biomarker development.
In this article, the Association of University Radiologists Radiology Research Alliance Quantitative Imaging Task Force reviews current issues in quantitative imaging (QI) biomarker research, discusses motivations for advancing QI, defines key terms, presents a framework for QI biomarker research, and outlines challenges in QI biomarker development.
AHRQ-funded; 290201200007I.
Citation: Abramson RG, Burton KR, Yu JP .
Methods and challenges in quantitative imaging biomarker development.
Acad Radiol 2015 Jan;22(1):25-32. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2014.09.001.
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Keywords: Imaging, Quality Improvement, Research Methodologies
Moher D, Shamseer L, Clarke M
Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement.
The aim of PRISMA-P 2015 is to improve the quality of systematic review protocols, similar to the impact achieved by other reporting guidelines. PRISMA-P consists of a 17-item checklist intended to facilitate the preparation and reporting of a robust protocol for the systematic review. This Statement paper summarizes the development of the guideline and presents the PRISMA-P checklist.
AHRQ-funded; 290200710059I.
Citation: Moher D, Shamseer L, Clarke M .
Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement.
Syst Rev 2015 Jan 1;4:1. doi: 10.1186/2046-4053-4-1..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methodologies, Guidelines
Roberts AW, Dusetzina SB, Farley JF
Revisiting the washout period in the incident user study design: why 6-12 months may not be sufficient.
The purpose of this study was to describe how washout period duration affects the size and accuracy of retrospective incident user cohorts. It found that the 6- and 12-month washouts excluded 75 and 85% of the samples, respectively. Half of subjects in the 6-month washout cohorts were actually prevalent users, and the 12-month washout period resulted in 30% misclassified.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Roberts AW, Dusetzina SB, Farley JF .
Revisiting the washout period in the incident user study design: why 6-12 months may not be sufficient.
J Comp Eff Res 2015 Jan;4(1):27-35. doi: 10.2217/cer.14.53..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methodologies
Gerber DE, Pruitt SL, Halm EA
Should criteria for inclusion in cancer clinical trials be expanded?
The authors argue that the time is right to take a more evidence-based approach to assessing the validity of many traditional exclusion criteria for cancer clinical trials. Furthermore, for investigators, it is critically important that their selection of inclusion and exclusion criteria be thoughtful, deliberate and justified. To accomplish this, they will need to use an array of methodological approaches to assess their validity and impact.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Gerber DE, Pruitt SL, Halm EA .
Should criteria for inclusion in cancer clinical trials be expanded?
J Comp Eff Res 2015;4(4):289-91. doi: 10.2217/cer.15.27..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methodologies, Cancer, Comparative Effectiveness, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Fleurence R, Whicher D, Dunham K
The Patient-centered Outcomes Research Institute's role in advancing methods for Patient-centered Outcomes Research.
The authors described PCORI’s legislatively mandated Methodology Committee and its Methodology Report; discussed PCORI’s current slate of CER methods projects; and shared some initial thoughts about future areas where further methods development is needed.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Fleurence R, Whicher D, Dunham K .
The Patient-centered Outcomes Research Institute's role in advancing methods for Patient-centered Outcomes Research.
Med Care 2015 Jan;53(1):2-8. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000244.
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Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Grijalva CG, Roumie CL, Murff HJ
The role of matching when adjusting for baseline differences in the outcome variable of comparative effectiveness studies.
The aim of this study was to evaluate performance of analytical strategies commonly used to adjust for baseline differences in continuous outcome variables for comparative effectiveness studies. It found that with increasing HbA1c baseline differences between groups, bias in effect estimates and suboptimal confidence interval coverage probabilities increased in all approaches. These issues were further compounded by measurement error. Matching on baseline HbA1c, substantially mitigated these issues.
AHRQ-funded; 2902010000161.
Citation: Grijalva CG, Roumie CL, Murff HJ .
The role of matching when adjusting for baseline differences in the outcome variable of comparative effectiveness studies.
J Comp Eff Res 2015;4(4):341-9. doi: 10.2217/cer.15.16..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Research Methodologies, Diabetes
Kozlowski SWJ, Chao GT, Chang C-H
https://www.routledge.com/Big-Data-at-Work-The-Data-Science-Revolution-and-Organizational-Psychology/Tonidandel-King-Cortina/p/book/9781848725829
Using big data to advance the science of team effectiveness.
The authors discuss the longstanding treatment of team processes as static constructs rather than as dynamic processes per se. They then highlight research design issues that need to be considered in any effort to directly observe, assess, and capture teamwork process dynamics. Finally, they explain how researchers can directly assess and capture team process dynamics using illustrations from three ongoing projects.
AHRQ-funded; HS020295; HS022458.
Citation: Kozlowski SWJ, Chao GT, Chang C-H .
Using big data to advance the science of team effectiveness.
In: Tonidandel S, King E, Cortina J, editors. Big Data at Work: The Data Science Revolution and Organizational Psychology. New York: Routledge; 2015. p. 272-309, chapter 10..
Keywords: Teams, Research Methodologies, Data