National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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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
1 to 25 of 235 Research Studies DisplayedRome D, Sales A, Cornelius T
Impact of telemedicine modality on quality metrics in diverse settings: implementation science-informed retrospective cohort study.
The objective of this study was to assess telemedicine uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic and impact of visit modality on primary care quality metrics in diverse, low socioeconomic status settings. Research was informed by the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework. Researchers found that there were marginally better quality metrics for in-person care versus video and phone visits, and that de-adoption of telemedicine was marked within 2 years in the study population. They concluded that the impact of visit modality on quality outcomes, provider and patient preferences, and technological barriers in historically marginalized settings should be considered.
AHRQ-funded; HS025198.
Citation: Rome D, Sales A, Cornelius T .
Impact of telemedicine modality on quality metrics in diverse settings: implementation science-informed retrospective cohort study.
J Med Internet Res 2023 Jul 26; 25:e47670. doi: 10.2196/47670..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Implementation, Quality Measures, Quality of Care
Anderson NW, Halfon N, Eisenberg D
Mixed signals in child and adolescent mental health and well-being indicators in the United States: a call for improvements to population health monitoring.
The authors of this paper suggest that policies targeting social indicators of youth status may not have improved overall mental health and well-being. They contend this absence of impact is evidenced by the divergence between social indicators which are improving, such as high school graduation, food insecurity, and smoking, and those which are worsening, such as mental health and well-being. The researchers report that available data indicates that one or more common exposures may be to blame, including those inadequately captured by existing social indicators.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Anderson NW, Halfon N, Eisenberg D .
Mixed signals in child and adolescent mental health and well-being indicators in the United States: a call for improvements to population health monitoring.
Milbank Q 2023 Jun; 101(2):259-86. doi: 10.1111/1468-0009.12634..
Keywords: COVID-19, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Cardiovascular Conditions
Kimchi A, Aronow HU, Ni YM
Postdischarge noninvasive telemonitoring and nurse telephone coaching improve outcomes in heart failure patients with high burden of comorbidity.
The purpose of this study was to explore how comorbidity burden modulates the effectiveness of Noninvasive telemonitoring and nurse telephone coaching (NTM-NTC) and identify patients with HF who may benefit from postdischarge NTM-NTC based on their burden of comorbidity. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the Better Effectiveness After Transition - Heart Failure trial, patients hospitalized for acute decompensated HF were randomized to postdischarge NTM-NTC or usual care. In this secondary analysis of 1313 patients with complete data, comorbidity burden was assessed by scoring complication and coexisting diagnoses from index admissions. Clinical outcomes included 30-day and 180-day readmissions, mortality, days alive, and combined days alive and out of the hospital. Patients had a mean of 5.7 comorbidities and were stratified into low (0-2), moderate (3-8), and high comorbidity (≥9) subgroups. Increased comorbidity burden was associated with worse outcomes. NTM-NTC was not associated with readmission rates in any comorbidity subgroup. Among high comorbidity patients, NTM-NTC was associated with significantly lower mortality at 30 days (hazard ratio 0.25, 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.90) and 180 days (hazard ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.27-0.98), as well as more days alive (160.1 vs 140.3, P = .029) and days alive out of the hospital (152.0 vs 133.2, P = .044) compared with usual care. CONCLUSIONS: Postdischarge NTM-NTC improved survival among patients with HF with a high comorbidity burden. Comorbidity burden may be useful for identifying patients likely to benefit from this management strategy.
AHRQ-funded; HS019311.
Citation: Kimchi A, Aronow HU, Ni YM .
Postdischarge noninvasive telemonitoring and nurse telephone coaching improve outcomes in heart failure patients with high burden of comorbidity.
J Card Fail 2023 May; 29(5):774-83. doi: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2022.11.012..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospital Discharge
Cantor AG, Nelson HD, Pappas M
Telehealth for women's preventive services for reproductive health and intimate partner violence: a comparative effectiveness review.
This comparative effectiveness review was conducted on the effectiveness and harms of telehealth interventions for women's reproductive health and intimate partner violence (IPV) services. A literature search was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies of telehealth strategies for women's reproductive health and IPV versus usual care for the period July 2016 to May 2022. Eight RCTs, 1 nonrandomized trial, and 7 observational studies were included (7 studies of contraceptive care and 9 of IPV services). Telehealth services demonstrated similar care as usual care for contraceptive use, sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy (low strength of evidence [SOE]). Evidence on abortion was insufficient. Outcomes were also similar between telehealth and usual care interventions to replace or supplement IPV services and comparators for repeat IPV, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, fear of partner, coercive control, self-efficacy, and safety behaviors (low SOE). Telehealth barriers identified included limited internet access, digital literacy, technical challenges, and confidentiality concerns. Safety strategies increased telehealth use for IPV services. Evidence lacked on access, health equity, or harms.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00006.
Citation: Cantor AG, Nelson HD, Pappas M .
Telehealth for women's preventive services for reproductive health and intimate partner violence: a comparative effectiveness review.
J Gen Intern Med 2023 May; 38(7):1735-43. doi: 10.1007/s11606-023-08033-6..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Women, Prevention, Domestic Violence, Evidence-Based Practice, Maternal Care, Sexual Health, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Comparative Effectiveness
Steeves-Reece AL, Davis MM, Hiebert Larson J
Patients' willingness to accept social needs navigation after in-person versus remote screening.
The authors conducted a cross-sectional study in order to assess possible adverse effects of screening patients remotely on patient engagement and interest in accepting social needs navigation. Participants were Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in the Oregon Accountable Health Communities (AHC) model. The results indicated that over 70% of participants were willing to accept help with social needs; neither the mode of screening nor interaction term were significantly associated with willingness to accept navigation assistance. The authors concluded remote screening may not adversely affect patient willingness to accept health care-based navigation for social needs.
AHRQ-funded; HS027707.
Citation: Steeves-Reece AL, Davis MM, Hiebert Larson J .
Patients' willingness to accept social needs navigation after in-person versus remote screening.
J Am Board Fam Med 2023 Apr 3;36(2):229-39. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2022.220259R1.
Keywords: Telehealth, Screening, Health Information Technology (HIT), Social Determinants of Health
Giardina TD, Woodard LD, Singh H
Advancing diagnostic equity through clinician engagement, community partnerships, and connected care.
This article explores the persistent disparities in healthcare, particularly in the diagnostic process, which have been further exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors highlight the higher rates of infection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 among Black, Hispanic, and Asian patients, who are also less likely to be tested for the virus. Similar disparities are noted in cardiac testing, mental health diagnoses, appendicitis diagnosis, and receipt of diagnostic imaging in the Emergency Department. The authors propose a three-pronged approach to address these disparities: clinician engagement, community partnerships, and connected care. Clinician engagement involves fostering critical consciousness among healthcare providers to recognize and address systemic inequities. Community partnerships with Community Health Workers (CHWs) can help fill gaps in the diagnostic process. Lastly, connected care through telehealth can potentially eliminate traditional barriers to care, although disparities in access to technology and digital literacy remain a challenge. The authors call for further research and initiatives to address these disparities and promote diagnostic equity.
AHRQ-funded; HSP233201500022I; HS025474
Citation: Giardina TD, Woodard LD, Singh H .
Advancing diagnostic equity through clinician engagement, community partnerships, and connected care.
J Gen Intern Med 2023 Apr; 38(5):1293-95. doi: 10.1007/s11606-022-07966-8..
Keywords: Community Partnerships, Disparities, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)
AA Payán, DD Brown, TT
AHRQ Author: Tierney
Telehealth use, care continuity, and quality: diabetes and hypertension care in community health centers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a cohort study, researchers examined the association of care continuity with diabetes and hypertension care quality in community health centers (CHCs) before and during COVID-19, and the mediating effect of telehealth. Patients with diabetes and/or hypertension with at least 2 encounters per year during 2019 and 2020 were identified via electronic health record data from 166 CHCs; multivariable logistic regression models estimated the association of care continuity with telehealth use and care processes. The results showed that higher care continuity was associated with telehealth use and A1c testing, and lower A1c and blood pressure. The researchers concluded that care continuity might facilitate telehealth use and resilient performance on process measures.
AHRQ-funded; HS022241.
Citation: AA Payán, DD Brown, TT .
Telehealth use, care continuity, and quality: diabetes and hypertension care in community health centers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Med Care 2023 Apr 1;61(Suppl 1):S62-s69. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001811.
Keywords: COVID-19, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Community-Based Practice, Public Health
Roddy MK, Chen P, Jeffery AD
Telemental health in emergency care settings: a qualitative analysis of considerations for sustainability and spread.
The purpose of this study was to explore barriers and facilitators for the spread and sustainability of telemental health video (TMH-V) as precaution policies from the pandemic declined. The researchers conducted a qualitative study using semistructured interviews and observations guided by RE-AIM. Local clinicians, facility leadership, Veterans, and external partners were asked about barriers and facilitators impacting patient willingness to engage in telemental health video (TMH-V) (reach), quality of care (effectiveness), barriers and facilitators impacting provider uptake (adoption), possible adaptations to TMH-V (implementation), and possibilities for long-term use of TMH-V (maintenance). The researchers also observed TMH-V encounters in one emergency department (ED) and one urgent care (UC) to understand how clinicians and Veterans engaged with the technology. The study found that in 10 observations, all interviewees were satisfied with the TMH-V program, and interviewees emphasized greater comfort discussing difficult topics for Veterans (reach). Clinicians indicated that TMH-V provided cross-coverage across sites as well as greater safety and flexibility for clinicians (adoption). Opportunities for improvement include reducing technological responsibilities for on-site staff, electronic health record (EHR) adaptations to correctly depict workload and modality (telehealth vs. in-person), and standardizing protocols to improve efficiency in communication between on-site and remote clinical staff (implementation). Participants supported its dissemination to other sites (maintenance) and indicated there was significant possibility for expanding the service.
AHRQ-funded; HS026395.
Citation: Roddy MK, Chen P, Jeffery AD .
Telemental health in emergency care settings: a qualitative analysis of considerations for sustainability and spread.
Acad Emerg Med 2023 Apr; 30(4):368-78. doi: 10.1111/acem.14682..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Lane S, Fitzsimmons E, Zelefsky A
Assessing electronic health literacy at an urban academic hospital.
The purpose of this study was to explore electronic health literacy (EHL) in patients at an urban, academic hospital in the Bronx, and evaluate for relationships between EHL levels and different demographic variables. The researchers designed a cross-sectional, observational study in adults 18 years or more who presented for services at the Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care (MECCC) Department of Radiation Oncology or the Montefiore Department of Medicine in the Bronx. The study evaluated EHL using the existing, validated eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) survey and the researchers’ newly developed eHealth Literacy Objective Scale-Scenario Based (eHeLiOS-SB) tool. The study found that there was a statistically significant relationship between age and EHL as evaluated by both eHEALS and eHeLiOS-SB, with lower EHL scores for older adults. A specific question designed to evaluate attitudes toward digital health technologies revealed that the majority of participants held a positive attitude toward those types of applications.
AHRQ-funded; HS025645.
Citation: Lane S, Fitzsimmons E, Zelefsky A .
Assessing electronic health literacy at an urban academic hospital.
Appl Clin Inform 2023 Mar; 14(2):365-73. doi: 10.1055/a-2041-4500..
Keywords: Health Literacy, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Jones SA, Van Driest S, Sommer EC
Direct-to-patient telehealth equity: Reaching diverse pediatric populations in primary care.
This study’s goal was to assess disparities in direct-to-patient (DTP) telehealth experience for pediatric patients. The authors examined DTP telehealth for low-income pediatric patient-families and compared the experience of English and non-English speakers. Providers completed an electronic survey with patient feedback about the telehealth experience and their own providers for visits from April 2020 to May 2020 at a pediatric primary care clinic (80% Medicaid-insured, 40% non-English-speaking). The majority of telehealth visits were in English and English speakers had a positive experience overall. Non-English speakers had more barriers, although most telehealth visits were rated as satisfactory.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Jones SA, Van Driest S, Sommer EC .
Direct-to-patient telehealth equity: Reaching diverse pediatric populations in primary care.
Fam Syst Health 2023 Mar;41(1):61-67. doi: 10.1037/fsh0000685.
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Disparities
Wirth AN, Cushman NA, Reilley BA
Evaluation of treatment access and scope of a multistate hepatitis C virus Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes telehealth service in the US Indian Health System, 2017-2021.
Researchers evaluated the extent to which Indian Country Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) telehealth clinics increase access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment and serve American Indians/Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients holistically. They conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis of Indian Country ECHO treatment recommendations from 2017 to 2021. Most patients received recommendations for HCV treatment by their primary care providers, along with recommendations beyond the scope of HCV. The researchers concluded that Indian Country ECHO telehealth clinic provided comprehensive recommendations to effectively integrate evidence-based HCV treatment with holistic care at the primary care level.
AHRQ-funded; HS026370.
Citation: Wirth AN, Cushman NA, Reilley BA .
Evaluation of treatment access and scope of a multistate hepatitis C virus Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes telehealth service in the US Indian Health System, 2017-2021.
J Rural Health 2023 Mar;39(2):358-66. doi: 10.1111/jrh.12733.
Keywords: Hepatitis, Access to Care, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Community-Based Practice, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Chronic Conditions
Schnall R, Sanabria G, Jia R, Sanabria G, Jia H
Efficacy of an mHealth self-management intervention for persons living with HIV: the WiseApp randomized clinical trial.
This study’s objective was to determine the efficacy of WiseApp, a user-centered design mHealth intervention to improve antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and viral suppression in persons living with HIV (PLWH). This randomized case-control trial had two study arms: a randomized controlled efficacy trial arm (n = 99) and an attention control intervention arm (n = 101) among PLWH living in New York City. The authors found a significant improvement in ART adherence in the intervention arm compared to the attention control arm from day 1 (69.7% vs 48.3%) to day 59 (51.2% vs 37.2%) of the study period. From day 60 to 120, the intervention had higher but not statistically significant adherence rates. Secondary analyses showed no difference in change from baseline to 3 or 6 months between the 2 study arms.
AHRQ-funded; HS025071.
Citation: Schnall R, Sanabria G, Jia R, Sanabria G, Jia H .
Efficacy of an mHealth self-management intervention for persons living with HIV: the WiseApp randomized clinical trial.
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2023 Feb 16; 30(3):418-26. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocac233..
Keywords: Telehealth, Patient Self-Management, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Chronic Conditions, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Konnyu KJ, Danilack VA, Adam GP
Changes to prenatal care visit frequency and telehealth: a systematic review of qualitative evidence.
This study systematically reviewed patient, partner or family, and clinician perspectives, preferences, and experiences related to prenatal care visit schedules and televisits for routine prenatal care. This review is a subset of a larger review on both the qualitative experiences and quantitative benefits and harms of reduced prenatal care visit schedules and televisits for routine prenatal care that was produced by the Brown Evidence-based Practice Center for AHRQ. The authors synthesized barriers and facilitators to the implementation of reduced care visits or of televisits into 1 of 14 domains defined by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and a Best Fit Framework approach and summarized themes within TDF domains. They assessed their confidence in the summary statements using the GRADE-CERQual (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation-Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research) tool. They found four studies that addressed the number of scheduled routine prenatal visits, and five studies that addressed televisits. These studies found that health care professionals believed fewer routine visits may be more convenient for patients and may increase clinic capacity to provide additional care for patients with high-risk pregnancies. But both patients and clinicians had concerns about potential lesser care with fewer visits, including concerns about quality of care and challenges with implementing new delivery-of-care models.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500002I.
Citation: Konnyu KJ, Danilack VA, Adam GP .
Changes to prenatal care visit frequency and telehealth: a systematic review of qualitative evidence.
Obstet Gynecol 2023 Feb;141(2):299-323. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005046.
Keywords: Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Women, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Hsueh L, Huang J, Millman AK
Cross-sectional association of patient language and patient-provider language concordance with video telemedicine use among patients with limited English proficiency.
The surge in telemedicine use during the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need to address gaps in patient care, particularly for individuals with limited English proficiency. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between patient language, patient-provider language alignment, and the type of telemedicine visit (video or phone consultation). The researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis using automated data from primary care telemedicine appointments scheduled between March 16, 2020, and October 31, 2020 within a comprehensive healthcare delivery system in Northern California. A total of 22,427 completed primary care telemedicine visits booked by 13,764 patients with limited English proficiency through the patient portal. The study examined the cross-sectional link between electronic health record-documented patient language (with Spanish as the reference) and patient-provider language concordance, considering patient demographics, technology access, and technology familiarity. RESULTS: The study found that among all scheduled appointments, 34.5% (n=7747) were video consultations. The three most common patient languages were Spanish (42.4%), Cantonese (16.9%), and Mandarin (10.3%). After adjusting for demographic and technology factors, video visit usage was higher for patients speaking Cantonese, Mandarin, or Vietnamese, compared to Spanish-speaking patients, but lower for those who spoke Punjabi. Language concordance was linked to decreased video visit utilization and influenced the relationship between speaking Spanish, Cantonese, and Korean with video visit usage. Furthermore, for all language groups, patients with prior video visit experience were more likely to use video visits again.
AHRQ-funded; HS025189
Citation: Hsueh L, Huang J, Millman AK .
Cross-sectional association of patient language and patient-provider language concordance with video telemedicine use among patients with limited English proficiency.
J Gen Intern Med 2023 Feb;38(3):633-40. doi: 10.1007/s11606-022-07887-6.
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Cultural Competence, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Healthcare Delivery, COVID-19
Barton AJ, Amura CR, Willems EL
Patient and provider perceptions of COVID-19-driven telehealth use from nurse-led care models in rural, frontier, and urban Colorado communities.
The aim of this study was to describe the patient and provider encounter in the unexpected telehealth application that took place with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and providers from 3 nurse-led models of care (federally qualified health centers, nurse midwifery practices, and the Nurse-Family partnership program) in Colorado were surveyed. Data from the Patient Attitude toward Telehealth survey and Provider Perceptions about Telehealth were collected. Patients who resided in urban areas utilized telehealth with greater frequency than in rural or frontier areas. Across each of the 5 domains assessed, rural/frontier patients had significantly lower attitude scores than urban patients. The mode of Telehealth employed differed across location, with video calls utilized more frequently by urban providers, and phone calls utilized by rural/frontier providers.
AHRQ-funded; HS028085.
Citation: Barton AJ, Amura CR, Willems EL .
Patient and provider perceptions of COVID-19-driven telehealth use from nurse-led care models in rural, frontier, and urban Colorado communities.
J Patient Exp 2023 Jan 25; 10:23743735231151546. doi: 10.1177/23743735231151546..
Keywords: COVID-19, Telehealth, Primary Care, Patient Experience, Rural Health, Urban Health, Vulnerable Populations, Provider: Nurse
Fareed N, Swoboda C, Singh P
Developing and testing an integrated patient mHealth and provider dashboard application system for type 2 diabetes management among Medicaid-enrolled pregnant individuals based on a user-centered approach: mixed-methods study.
The objective of this study was to develop user specifications for a tailored and integrated technology, patient application (mHealth) and provider dashboard, that provides a complete view of Medicaid-enrolled patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) during pregnancy and to develop prototypes based on users’ needs. Participating patients and providers stated a core set of expectations for the mHealth and dashboard applications. Participants then provided feedback to improve these applications. The authors concluded that digital health tools could transform health care among Medicaid-enrolled patients with T2D during pregnancy, with the goal of managing their blood glucose levels. Refining the stated needs and preferences of patients and providers to develop applications holds potential for tackling complicated health care issues.
AHRQ-funded; HS028822.
Citation: Fareed N, Swoboda C, Singh P .
Developing and testing an integrated patient mHealth and provider dashboard application system for type 2 diabetes management among Medicaid-enrolled pregnant individuals based on a user-centered approach: mixed-methods study.
Digit Health 2023 Jan-Dec; 9:20552076221144181. doi: 10.1177/20552076221144181..
Keywords: Patient-Centered Healthcare, Telehealth, Diabetes, Pregnancy, Chronic Conditions, Women, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Rodriguez HP, Ciemins EL, Rubio K
Health systems and telemedicine adoption for diabetes and hypertension care.
This study examined differences in telemedicine use for adults with diabetes and/or hypertension across 10 health systems and analyzed practice and patient characteristics associated with greater use. Encounter-level data from the AMGA Optum Data Warehouse for March 13, 2020 to December 31, 2020 were analyzed. This included 3,016,761 clinical encounters from 764,521 adults with diabetes and/or hypertension attributed to 1 of 1207 practice sites with at least 50 system-attributed patients. Telemedicine use time was divided into adoption (weeks 0-4), de-adoption (weeks 5-12), and maintenance (weeks 13-42) periods. Telemedicine use peaked after 4 weeks at 11-42% of weekly encounters. Small practices had lower telemedicine use for adults with diabetes during the maintenance period compared with larger practices, with ownership showing no association with telemedicine use. Practices with higher proportions of Black patients continued their expansion of telemedicine use during the de-adoption and maintenance periods.
Citation: Rodriguez HP, Ciemins EL, Rubio K .
Health systems and telemedicine adoption for diabetes and hypertension care.
Am J Manag Care 2023 Jan; 29(1):42-49. doi: 10.37765/ajmc.2023.89302..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Chronic Conditions
Mohr NM, Okoro U, Harland KK
Outcomes associated with rural emergency department provider-to-provider telehealth for sepsis care: a multicenter cohort study.
The objective of this multicenter cohort study was to test the hypothesis that provider-to-provider tele-emergency department (tele-ED) care is associated with more 28-day hospital-free days and improved Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guideline adherence in rural emergency departments. Medical records of patients with sepsis were taken from rural hospitals in an established, on-demand, video tele-ED Midwestern network. Findings suggest that tele-ED cases did not have more 28-day hospital-free days or 28-day in-hospital mortality. A subgroup of patients treated by advanced practice providers suggest that mortality was lower in the cohort with tele-ED use in spite of no significant difference in complete SSC adherence. The researchers concluded that rural emergency department patients treated with provider-to-provider tele-ED care in a developed network showed similar clinical outcomes to those treated without.
AHRQ-funded; HS025753.
Citation: Mohr NM, Okoro U, Harland KK .
Outcomes associated with rural emergency department provider-to-provider telehealth for sepsis care: a multicenter cohort study.
Ann Emerg Med 2023 Jan;81(1):1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2022.07.024..
Keywords: Rural Health, Emergency Department, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Sepsis, Outcomes
Huang J, Gopalan A, Muelly E
Primary care video and telephone telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic: treatment and follow-up health care utilization.
Researchers compared treatment and follow-up care between video and telephone visits during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to evaluate the efficiency and safety of telemedicine. Return visits were not common and downstream emergency events were rare among telemedicine visits with primary care clinicians. Adjusted rates of treatment measures were higher and adjusted rates of follow-up care were lower for video visits than they were for telephone visits. Although video visits were slightly more efficient than telephone visits, the researchers concluded that telephone visits might offer an accessible option to meet patients’ primary care needs without raising health safety concerns.
AHRQ-funded; HS025189.
Citation: Huang J, Gopalan A, Muelly E .
Primary care video and telephone telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic: treatment and follow-up health care utilization.
Am J Manag Care 2023 Jan; 29(1):e13-e17. doi: 10.37765/ajmc.2023.89307..
Keywords: COVID-19, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Sun CJ, Shato T, Steinbaugh A
Virtual voices: examining social support exchanged through participant-generated and unmoderated content in a mobile intervention to improve HIV antiretroviral therapy adherence among GBMSM.
The goal of this study was to investigate how social support was provided and sought by gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) within a technology-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence intervention. Participants used the messaging feature in to discuss and exchange support around HIV treatment and care. The most salient HIV treatment and care issues were lab results, upcoming tests, ART adherence and side effects, regimen changes, and relationships with healthcare providers. The authors concluded that this analysis provided an opportunity to understand how participants informally interact with one another, how they seek and provide social support online, and their relevant personal issues.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Sun CJ, Shato T, Steinbaugh A .
Virtual voices: examining social support exchanged through participant-generated and unmoderated content in a mobile intervention to improve HIV antiretroviral therapy adherence among GBMSM.
AIDS Care 2023 Jan;35(1):7-15. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2022.2038364.
Keywords: Patient Adherence/Compliance, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Medication, Vulnerable Populations
Powell KR, Winkler AE, Liu J
A mixed-methods analysis of telehealth implementation in nursing homes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The objective of this study was to investigate the implementation of telehealth in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers conducted a secondary analysis of data from a national survey of nursing home administrative leaders using six survey questions and semi-structured interviews. Their conclusions indicate that training, restructuring teams and tasks, and adaptation of work processes to support communication could improve usability and sustainability of telehealth in nursing homes.
AHRQ-funded; HS02249.
Citation: Powell KR, Winkler AE, Liu J .
A mixed-methods analysis of telehealth implementation in nursing homes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2022 Dec;70(12):3493-502. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18020..
Keywords: COVID-19, Elderly, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Nursing Homes, Implementation
Juergens N, Huang J, Gopalan A
The association between video or telephone telemedicine visit type and orders in primary care.
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of telemedicine visit type on clinical ordering behavior. The researchers compared proportions of patient-scheduled video versus telephone visits for each of eight diagnosis groups and compared physician orders for medications, antibiotics, lab, and imaging studies by visit type within each diagnosis group. They observed statistically significant differences in clinician orders by visit type during telemedicine encounters for common primary care conditions. Their findings suggested that, for certain conditions, visual information conveyed during video visits may promote clinical work-up and treatment.
AHRQ-funded; HS025189.
Citation: Juergens N, Huang J, Gopalan A .
The association between video or telephone telemedicine visit type and orders in primary care.
BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2022 Nov 19;22(1):302. doi: 10.1186/s12911-022-02040-z..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Primary Care
Steeves-Reece AL, Nicolaidis C, Richardson DM
"It made me feel like things are starting to change in society:" a qualitative study to foster positive patient experiences during phone-based social needs interventions.
Investigators conducted a pragmatic qualitative study with patients who had participated in a health-related social needs (HRSN) intervention. They found that patients were likely to have initial skepticism or reservations about the intervention; they identified 4 positive intervention components regarding patient experience; and they found that patients could be left with feelings of appreciation or hope, regardless of whether they connected with HRSN resources.
AHRQ-funded; HS027707.
Citation: Steeves-Reece AL, Nicolaidis C, Richardson DM .
"It made me feel like things are starting to change in society:" a qualitative study to foster positive patient experiences during phone-based social needs interventions.
Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 Oct 3;19(19). doi: 10.3390/ijerph191912668..
Keywords: Patient Experience, Patient and Family Engagement, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Shah W, Villaflores CW, Chuong LH
Association between in-person vs telehealth follow-up and rates of repeated hospital visits among patients seen in the emergency department.
This study investigated whether the rates of emergency department (ED) return visits and hospitalization differ between patients who obtain in-person versus telehealth encounters for post-ED follow-up care. This retrospective cohort study included adult patients who came to either of 2 in-system EDs of a single urban integrated academic system from April 2020 to September 2021, were discharged home, and obtained a follow-up appointment with a primary care physician within 14 days of their index ED visit. Overall, the study recorded 12,848 patients with 16,987 ED encounters (mean age 53 years; 57% women, 12% Black or African American; 22% Hispanic or Latinx; and 58% White) included. Overall, 17% of initial ED encounters led to returns to the ED, and 4% subsequent hospitalizations. Telehealth vs in-person follow-up visits were associated with increased rates of ED returns (28.3 more ED returns per 1000 encounters) and hospitalizations (10.6 more hospitalizations per 1000 encounters).
AHRQ-funded; HS026372.
Citation: Shah W, Villaflores CW, Chuong LH .
Association between in-person vs telehealth follow-up and rates of repeated hospital visits among patients seen in the emergency department.
JAMA Netw Open 2022 Oct;5(10):e2237783. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.37783..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Emergency Department, Healthcare Utilization, Hospitals
Harrison JD, Sudore RL, Auerbach AD
Automated telephone follow-up programs after hospital discharge: do older adults engage with these programs?
The purpose of this study was to examine whether and how older adults experience automated post-hospital discharge telephone follow-up programs and characterize the prevalence of patient-reported post-discharge issues. Eighteen thousand and seventy-six patients, all part of a post-hospital discharge program between May 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019, were included and categorized into age groups. The study found that more patients 65-84 years old were reached compared to patients 64 years old or less (84.3% compared to 78.9%). Patients aged 85 or older were more likely to have questions about their follow-up plans and require assistance scheduling appointments compared to those 64 years old or less (19.0% vs. 11.9%). The researchers concluded that post-hospital automated telephone calls are effective at reaching older adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383.
Citation: Harrison JD, Sudore RL, Auerbach AD .
Automated telephone follow-up programs after hospital discharge: do older adults engage with these programs?
J Am Geriatr Soc 2022 Oct;70(10):2980-87. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17939..
Keywords: Elderly, Patient and Family Engagement, Hospital Discharge, Transitions of Care, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)