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
- (-) Cancer (9)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (3)
- Children/Adolescents (1)
- Clinician-Patient Communication (1)
- Communication (2)
- Decision Making (3)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (1)
- Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- Healthcare Delivery (3)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (3)
- Implementation (1)
- Palliative Care (1)
- (-) Patient-Centered Healthcare (9)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (3)
- Patient and Family Engagement (2)
- Prevention (1)
- Quality Improvement (1)
- Quality of Life (1)
- Screening (1)
- Surgery (1)
- Telehealth (2)
- Women (2)
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 9 of 9 Research Studies DisplayedSchumacher JR, Zahrieh D, Chow S
Increasing socioeconomically disadvantaged patients' engagement in breast cancer surgery decision-making through a shared decision-making intervention (A231701CD): protocol for a cluster randomised clinical trial.
This paper describes the protocol for a multisite randomized trial to test the impact of a newly developed decision aid to increase socioeconomically disadvantaged patients' engagement in breast cancer surgery decision-making. The study will be conducted through 10 surgical clinics within the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). A stepped-wedge design with clinics will be randomized to the time of transition from usual care to the decision aid arm. Study participants will be female, aged ≥18 years, with newly diagnosed stage 0-III breast cancer who are planning breast surgery. Data collection will include a baseline surgeon survey, baseline patient survey, audio-recording of the surgeon-patient consultation, a follow-up patient survey and medical record data review. A subset of patients, surgeons, and clinic stakeholders will participate in interviews and focus groups.
AHRQ-funded; HS025194.
Citation: Schumacher JR, Zahrieh D, Chow S .
Increasing socioeconomically disadvantaged patients' engagement in breast cancer surgery decision-making through a shared decision-making intervention (A231701CD): protocol for a cluster randomised clinical trial.
BMJ Open 2022 Nov 17;12(11):e063895. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063895..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Patient and Family Engagement, Decision Making, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Surgery, Women
Loo S, Mullikin K, Robbins C
Patient navigator team perceptions on the implementation of a citywide breast cancer patient navigation protocol: a qualitative study.
This study’s goal was to assess the implementation of the 2018 Translating Research Into Practice (TRIP), an evidence-based patient navigation intervention aimed at addressing breast cancer care disparities, across six Boston hospitals. Patient navigator team member perspectives regarding implementation barriers and facilitators one-year post-study implementation were assessed. Seventeen interviews were conducted with patient navigators, patient navigator supervisors, and designated clinical champions. The following benefits were identified by participants: 1) increased networking and connections for navigators across clinical sites (Cosmopolitanism), 2) formalization of the patient navigation process (Goals and Purpose, Access to Knowledge and Information, and Relative Advantage), and 3) flexibility within the TRIP intervention that allowed for diversity in implementation and use of TRIP components across sites (Adaptability). Barriers included documentation requirements and the structured patient follow up guidelines that did not always align with the timeline of existing site navigation processes.
AHRQ-funded; HS022242.
Citation: Loo S, Mullikin K, Robbins C .
Patient navigator team perceptions on the implementation of a citywide breast cancer patient navigation protocol: a qualitative study.
BMC Health Serv Res 2022 May 21;22(1):683. doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-08090-3..
Keywords: Patient-Centered Healthcare, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Rosenberg SM, Gierisch JM, Revette AC
"Is it cancer or not?" A qualitative exploration of survivor concerns surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ.
This study investigated the impact of a ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) diagnosis by engaging self-identified patients regarding their experience. Findings showed that, in a large, national sample, participants with a history of DCIS reported confusion and concern about the diagnosis and treatment, which caused worry and significant uncertainty.
AHRQ-funded; HS023680.
Citation: Rosenberg SM, Gierisch JM, Revette AC .
"Is it cancer or not?" A qualitative exploration of survivor concerns surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ.
Cancer 2022 Apr 15;128(8):1676-83. doi: 10.1002/cncr.34126..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Decision Making, Women, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Clinician-Patient Communication, Patient and Family Engagement, Communication
Chen MM, Hughes TM, Dossett LA
Peace of mind: a role in unnecessary care?
This article discusses the role peace of mind plays in unnecessary cancer preventative care, including unnecessary screenings and surgeries. For example, shared-decision making is recommended by the USPSTF for PSA-based screening but if the decision to screen is emotion-based, then shared decision-making guidelines may not be effective. A number of studies have shown that peace of mind has been implicated as a key patient-centered outcome driving the increased utilization of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM). Overdiagnosis and overtreating of thyroid cancer have resulted in an accelerating rate of total thyroidectomies relative to lobectomies for small papillary cancers in the past decade even though there is no evidence showing better survival rates. Quality-of-life studies have not shown better outcomes to patients who do chose the more radical treatment. The authors recommend that clinicians undergo training in cognitive debiasing strategies and more training in empathic communication and risk communication techniques to decrease the potential negative influence of peace of mind.
AHRQ-funded; HS026030.
Citation: Chen MM, Hughes TM, Dossett LA .
Peace of mind: a role in unnecessary care?
J Clin Oncol 2022 Feb 10;40(5):433-37. doi: 10.1200/jco.21.01895..
Keywords: Patient-Centered Healthcare, Decision Making, Cancer
Kranz AM, Ryan J, Mahmud A, AM, Ryan J, Mahmud A
Association of primary and specialty care integration on physician communication and cancer screening in safety-net clinics.
Lack of cancer screenings are more common in community health centers (CHCs) which provide primary care to disadvantaged populations due to difficulty accessing specialty care for their patients. This study’s objective was to describe CHCs use to integrate care with specialists and examine whether strongly integrated CHCs have higher rates of screening colorectal and cervical cancers. A 2017 survey of CHCs in 12 states and the District of Columbia was used to estimate the association between a composite measure of CHC/specialist integration and cancer screening rates and 4 measures of CHC/specialist communication using multivariate regression models. More integrated CHCs had higher screening rates of colorectal and cervical cancer and had significantly higher rates of knowing that specialist visits happened, knowing visit outcomes, receiving information after visits, and timely receipt of information.
AHRQ-funded; HS024067.
Citation: Kranz AM, Ryan J, Mahmud A, AM, Ryan J, Mahmud A .
Association of primary and specialty care integration on physician communication and cancer screening in safety-net clinics.
Prev Chronic Dis 2020 Oct 29;17:E134. doi: 10.5888/pcd17.200025..
Keywords: Cancer, Screening, Communication, Prevention, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Healthcare Delivery
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
Kamal AH, Bausewein C, Casarett DJ
Standards, guidelines, and quality measures for successful specialty palliative care integration into oncology: current approaches and future directions.
This review paper discusses the need to integrate specialty palliative care into oncology and that there is robust evidence that it improves patient and health system outcomes. Three of the most cited standards/guidelines are discussed as well as quality measures related to integrated palliative and oncology care. They also recommend changes to the quality measurement framework for palliative care and a new way to match palliative care services to patients with advanced cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS023681.
Citation: Kamal AH, Bausewein C, Casarett DJ .
Standards, guidelines, and quality measures for successful specialty palliative care integration into oncology: current approaches and future directions.
J Clin Oncol 2020 Mar 20;38(9):987-94. doi: 10.1200/jco.18.02440..
Keywords: Palliative Care, Cancer, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
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