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
- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (1)
- (-) Cancer (16)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (1)
- Cancer: Prostate Cancer (1)
- Caregiving (1)
- Children/Adolescents (3)
- Clinician-Patient Communication (1)
- Communication (1)
- Critical Care (1)
- Decision Making (1)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (2)
- Disparities (1)
- Education: Patient and Caregiver (1)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (7)
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (1)
- Evidence-Based Practice (2)
- Healthcare Delivery (2)
- (-) Health Information Technology (HIT) (16)
- Health Status (1)
- Imaging (2)
- Implementation (1)
- Men's Health (1)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (4)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (2)
- Patient and Family Engagement (1)
- Patient Safety (1)
- Prevention (3)
- Primary Care (2)
- Provider (1)
- Provider: Clinician (1)
- Quality Improvement (1)
- Quality of Life (2)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (1)
- Registries (1)
- Risk (1)
- Screening (3)
- Telehealth (3)
- Transplantation (1)
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (1)
- Web-Based (1)
- Women (1)
- Workflow (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 16 of 16 Research Studies DisplayedMarchak JG, Cherven B, Williamson Lewis R
User-centered design and enhancement of an electronic personal health record to support survivors of pediatric cancers.
This article’s objective is to demonstrate how user-centered design theory and methods can be employed to develop and iteratively improve technologies to support childhood cancer survivors. A series of focus groups and structured interviews were conducted with young adult survivors of childhood cancer (n = 3), parents (n =11), and healthcare providers (n = 14) to understand their needs as potential users and the contexts in which they use an electronic personal health record (PHR) tool for survivors called Cancer SurvivorLink™. Usability evaluations were conducted to assess the functionality of the PHR. Three major themes were identified: “Learn” – education about the lifelong healthcare needs of pediatric cancer survivors; “Store” – secure electronic storage for healthcare documents to direct long-term care follow-up; and “Share” – communication functionality to allow sharing of health documents with healthcare providers.
AHRQ-funded; HS017831.
Citation: Marchak JG, Cherven B, Williamson Lewis R .
User-centered design and enhancement of an electronic personal health record to support survivors of pediatric cancers.
Support Care Cancer 2020 Aug;28(8):3905-14. doi: 10.1007/s00520-019-05199-w..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Cancer, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT)
Zhou Y, Abel GA, Hamilton W
Imaging activity possibly signalling missed diagnostic opportunities in bladder and kidney cancer: a longitudinal data-linkage study using primary care electronic health records.
Sub-optimal use or interpretation of imaging investigations prior to diagnosis of certain cancers may be associated with less timely diagnosis, but pre-diagnostic imaging activity for urological cancer is unknown. In this study, the investigators analysed linked data derived from primary and secondary care records and cancer registration to evaluate the use of clinically relevant imaging tests pre-diagnosis, in patients with bladder and kidney cancer diagnosed in 2012-15 in England.
AHRQ-funded; HS022087.
Citation: Zhou Y, Abel GA, Hamilton W .
Imaging activity possibly signalling missed diagnostic opportunities in bladder and kidney cancer: a longitudinal data-linkage study using primary care electronic health records.
Cancer Epidemiol 2020 Jun;66:101703. doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2020.101703..
Keywords: Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Imaging, Primary Care, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT)
Eden KB, Ivlev I, Bensching KL
Use of an online breast cancer risk assessment and patient decision aid in primary care practices.
A cross-sectional study evaluating a web-based breast cancer risk assessment and decision aid (MammoScreen) was conducted in an academic general internal medicine clinic. Breast cancer risk assessment and mammography screening decision support were efficiently implemented through a web-based tool for patients sent through an electronic patient portal. Findings indicated that integration of patient decision aids with risk algorithms in clinical practice may help support the implementation of USPSTF recommendations that include risk assessment and shared decision-making.
AHRQ-funded; HS026370.
Citation: Eden KB, Ivlev I, Bensching KL .
Use of an online breast cancer risk assessment and patient decision aid in primary care practices.
J Womens Health 2020 Jun;29(6):763-69. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2019.8143..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Decision Making, Risk, Health Information Technology (HIT), Prevention, Women
Penedo FJ, Oswald LB, Kronenfeld JP
The increasing value of eHealth in the delivery of patient-centred cancer care.
This paper is an appraisal of peer literature over the past 10 years on patient-centered eHealth to improve cancer care delivery. Uses of eHealth include the addressal of symptom management, health-related quality of life, and other patient-reported outcomes across cancer care. Challenges of, and opportunities for accessibility, scalability, and implementation of these technologies is also discussed.
AHRQ-funded; HS026170.
Citation: Penedo FJ, Oswald LB, Kronenfeld JP .
The increasing value of eHealth in the delivery of patient-centred cancer care.
Lancet Oncol 2020 May;21(5):e240-e51. doi: 10.1016/s1470-2045(20)30021-8.
.
.
Keywords: Cancer, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Healthcare Delivery, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Quality of Life, Implementation
Hernandez-Boussard T, Blayney DW, Brooks JD
Leveraging digital data to inform and improve quality cancer care.
Efficient capture of routine clinical care and patient outcomes is needed at a population-level, as is evidence on important treatment-related side effects and their effect on well-being and clinical outcomes. The increasing availability of electronic health records (EHR) offers new opportunities to generate population-level patient-centered evidence on oncologic care that can better guide treatment decisions and patient-valued care. This study discussed how to leverage digital data to inform and improve quality cancer care.
AHRQ-funded; R01 HS024096.
Citation: Hernandez-Boussard T, Blayney DW, Brooks JD .
Leveraging digital data to inform and improve quality cancer care.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020 Apr;29(4):816-22. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.Epi-19-0873..
Keywords: Cancer, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Quality Improvement, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Senft N, Abrams J, Katz
eHealth activity among African American and white cancer survivors: a new application of theory.
eHealth is a promising resource for cancer survivors and may contribute to reducing racial disparities in cancer survivorship. This research applied the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to examine eHealth activity among African American (AfAm) and White cancer survivors.
AHRQ-funded; HS022955.
Citation: Senft N, Abrams J, Katz .
eHealth activity among African American and white cancer survivors: a new application of theory.
Health Commun 2020 Mar;35(3):350-55. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2018.1563031..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Cancer, Disparities, Health Status, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Ramsey WA, Heidelberg RE, Gilbert AM
eHealth and mHealth interventions in pediatric cancer: a systematic review of interventions across the cancer continuum.
The primary objectives of this study were to (a) identify current published research in electronic health (eHealth) and mobile health (mHealth) interventions for youth undergoing cancer treatment and child, adolescent, and young adult survivors of childhood cancer and (b) critically appraise the current scientific evidence on their effectiveness and efficacy. As an exploratory aim, the investigators identified pediatric cancer patients' and survivors' perceptions, attitudes, and concerns related to eHealth and mHealth interventions.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Ramsey WA, Heidelberg RE, Gilbert AM .
eHealth and mHealth interventions in pediatric cancer: a systematic review of interventions across the cancer continuum.
Psychooncology 2020 Jan;29(1):17-37. doi: 10.1002/pon.5280..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Cancer, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Healthcare Delivery, Patient-Centered Healthcare
Aneja S, Chang E, Omuro A
Applications of artificial intelligence in neuro-oncology.
This article explores the promise that artificial intelligence algorithms has for improving understanding of brain tumors and help drive future innovations in neuro-oncology.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Aneja S, Chang E, Omuro A .
Applications of artificial intelligence in neuro-oncology.
Curr Opin Neurol 2019 Dec;32(6):850-56. doi: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000761.
.
.
Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Imaging
Cedars B, Lisker S, Borno HT
An electronic registry to improve adherence to active surveillance monitoring among men with prostate cancer at a safety-net hospital: protocol for a pilot study.
The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy and feasibility of a health information technology registry for men on active surveillance at a safety-net hospital to ensure patients receive guideline-recommended care. Use of a customized electronic approach for monitoring men on active surveillance could improve patient outcomes. It may help reduce the number of men lost to follow-up and improve adherence to timely follow-up testing.
AHRQ-funded; HS023558.
Citation: Cedars B, Lisker S, Borno HT .
An electronic registry to improve adherence to active surveillance monitoring among men with prostate cancer at a safety-net hospital: protocol for a pilot study.
Pilot Feasibility Stud 2019 Aug 14;5:101. doi: 10.1186/s40814-019-0482-x..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Health Information Technology (HIT), Men's Health, Registries
Yanez B, Bouchard LC, Cella D
Patient-centered engagement and symptom/toxicity monitoring in the new era of tumor next-generation sequencing and immunotherapy: the OncoTool and OncoPRO platforms.
This paper describes the development of the OncoTool and OncoPRO platforms to help patients with late-stage cancer (stages III-IV) and their providers in providing patient-centered education and remote and routine monitoring of symptoms and toxicities after tumor next-generation sequencing testing and treatment. The OncoTool is a web-based educational resource tailored for people with advanced cancer. It aims to provide patients with easy-to-understand treatment options and associated toxicities as well as evidence-based strategies for managing symptoms and improving stress management. It is fully integrated with OncoPRO which provides feedback on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to clinicians. The data from the platform can be integrated with the patient’s electronic health record (HER) and can provide an alert message. These systems are currently being tested with 4 trials – 1 for OncoTool and the other 3 for OncoPRO.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Yanez B, Bouchard LC, Cella D .
Patient-centered engagement and symptom/toxicity monitoring in the new era of tumor next-generation sequencing and immunotherapy: the OncoTool and OncoPRO platforms.
Cancer 2019 Jul 15;125(14):2338-44. doi: 10.1002/cncr.32030..
Keywords: Cancer, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Evidence-Based Practice, Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Patient and Family Engagement
Patel MR, Friese CR, Mendelsohn-Victor K
Clinician perspectives on electronic health records, communication, and patient safety across diverse medical oncology practices.
This study examined the effects of electronic health records (EHRs) on communication and patient safety in oncology practices. The authors conducted a survey of 297 oncology nurses and prescribers in a statewide collaborative. They found there was an inverse relationship between reliance on EHRs and safety.
AHRQ-funded; HS024914.
Citation: Patel MR, Friese CR, Mendelsohn-Victor K .
Clinician perspectives on electronic health records, communication, and patient safety across diverse medical oncology practices.
J Oncol Pract 2019 Jun;15(6):e529-e36. doi: 10.1200/jop.18.00507..
Keywords: Cancer, Communication, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient Safety, Provider, Provider: Clinician
Fauer AJ, Hoodin F, Lalonde E
Impact of a health information technology tool addressing information needs of caregivers of adult and pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients.
The authors of this article developed BMT Roadmap, a health information technology application on a tablet, to address caregivers' unmet needs with patient-specific information from the electronic health record. They conducted a preliminary feasibility study of BMT Roadmap in caregivers of adult and pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients and registered the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. They found that BMT Roadmap was a feasible intervention to implement in HSCT caregivers, associated with increased activation and decreased burden; quality of life, however, was lowered across hospitalization. The authors conclude that their findings support the need for further development of caregiver-specific self-directed resources and provision for both inpatient and outpatient across the HSCT trajectory.
AHRQ-funded; HS023613.
Citation: Fauer AJ, Hoodin F, Lalonde E .
Impact of a health information technology tool addressing information needs of caregivers of adult and pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients.
Support Care Cancer 2019 Jun;27(6):2103-12. doi: 10.1007/s00520-018-4450-4..
Keywords: Cancer, Caregiving, Children/Adolescents, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Quality of Life, Transplantation
Gerber DE, Laccetti AL, Chen B
Predictors and intensity of online access to electronic medical records among patients with cancer.
This study set out to determine predictors and patterns of use of a Web-based portal for accessing PHRs and communicating with health providers among patients with cancer. It found that among patients with cancer, PHR portal use is frequent and increasing. Younger patients, white patients, and patients with upper aerodigestive malignancies exhibit the heaviest portal use.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Gerber DE, Laccetti AL, Chen B .
Predictors and intensity of online access to electronic medical records among patients with cancer.
J Oncol Pract 2014 Sep;10(5):e307-12. doi: 10.1200/jop.2013.001347..
Keywords: Cancer, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Clinician-Patient Communication, Web-Based
Berner ES, Ray MN, Panjamapirom A
Exploration of an automated approach for receiving patient feedback after outpatient acute care visits.
The authors' objective was to provide post-visit feedback to physicians on patient outcomes following acute care visits. They found that many patients who do not improve as expected do not take action to further address unresolved problems. They suggested that systematic follow-up/feedback mechanisms can potentially identify and connect such patients to needed care.
AHRQ-funded; HS017060.
Citation: Berner ES, Ray MN, Panjamapirom A .
Exploration of an automated approach for receiving patient feedback after outpatient acute care visits.
J Gen Intern Med 2014 Aug;29(8):1105-12. doi: 10.1007/s11606-014-2783-3.
.
.
Keywords: Critical Care, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Health Information Technology (HIT), Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Cancer
Atlas SJ, Zai AH, Ashburner JM
Non-visit-based cancer screening using a novel population management system.
The authors evaluated whether involving primary care providers (PCPs) in a visit-independent population management IT application led to more effective cancer screening. They found that involving PCPs in a visit-independent population management IT application resulted in similar cancer screening rates compared with an automated reminder system, but fewer patients were sent reminder letters, suggesting that PCPs were able to identify and exclude from contact patients who would have received automated reminder letters but not undergone screening.
AHRQ-funded; HS018161.
Citation: Atlas SJ, Zai AH, Ashburner JM .
Non-visit-based cancer screening using a novel population management system.
J Am Board Fam Med 2014 Jul-Aug;27(4):474-85. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2014.04.130319.
.
.
Keywords: Cancer, Health Information Technology (HIT), Prevention, Primary Care, Screening
Zai AH, Kim S, Kamis A
Applying operations research to optimize a novel population management system for cancer screening.
The objective of this paper is to optimize a new visit-independent, population-based cancer screening system (TopCare) by using operations research techniques to simulate changes in patient outreach staffing levels (delegates, navigators), modifications to user workflow within the information technology (IT) system, and changes in cancer screening recommendations. Results showed that simulating the impact of changes in staffing, system parameters, and clinical inputs on the effectiveness and efficiency of care can inform the allocation of limited resources in population management.
AHRQ-funded; HS018161.
Citation: Zai AH, Kim S, Kamis A .
Applying operations research to optimize a novel population management system for cancer screening.
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2014 Feb;21(e1):e129-35. doi: 10.1136/amiajnl-2013-001681.
.
.
Keywords: Cancer, Health Information Technology (HIT), Prevention, Screening, Workflow