National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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- Access to Care (5)
- Asthma (1)
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- (-) Primary Care (23)
- Primary Care: Models of Care (1)
- Quality Indicators (QIs) (1)
- Quality Measures (1)
- Quality of Care (3)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (1)
- Respiratory Conditions (1)
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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 23 of 23 Research Studies DisplayedDixit RA, Ratwani RM, Bishop JA
The impact of expanded telehealth availability on primary care utilization.
This study examined the impact of telehealth availability due to the COVID-19 pandemic and whether it may result in an unnecessary increase in utilization. The authors analyzed 4,114,651 primary care encounters from three healthcare systems between 2019 and 2021 and found little change in telehealth utilization as it became widely available.
AHRQ-funded; HS028255.
Citation: Dixit RA, Ratwani RM, Bishop JA .
The impact of expanded telehealth availability on primary care utilization.
NPJ Digit Med 2022 Sep 9;5(1):141. doi: 10.1038/s41746-022-00685-8..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Primary Care, Healthcare Utilization
Neprash HT, Zink A, Sheridan B
The effect of Medicaid expansion on Medicaid participation, payer mix, and labor supply in primary care.
AHRQ-funded; HS024455.
Citation: Neprash HT, Zink A, Sheridan B .
The effect of Medicaid expansion on Medicaid participation, payer mix, and labor supply in primary care.
J Health Econ 2021 Dec;80:102541. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2021.102541..
Keywords: Medicare, Healthcare Utilization, Primary Care, Workforce, Health Insurance
Grove LR, Gertner AK, Swietek KE
Effect of enhanced primary care for people with serious mental illness on service use and screening.
This retrospective cohort study compared healthcare use and screening receipt of people with serious mental illness (SMI) newly receiving enhanced primary care to people with SMI newly receiving usual primary care. Outcome measures included outpatient visits, emergency department (ED) visits, inpatient stays and dates, and recommended screenings 18 months after the initial visit. Enhanced primary care was associated with an increase of 1.2 primary care visits in the 18 months after the initial visit and decreases of 0.33 non-psychiatric inpatient days and 3.0 non-psychiatric inpatient days. There was no significant effect on psychiatric service and ED visits. Enhanced primary care increased the probability of preventive screenings such as glucose and HIV, decreased the probability of lipid screening, and had no effect on hemoglobin A1c and colorectal cancer screening.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Grove LR, Gertner AK, Swietek KE .
Effect of enhanced primary care for people with serious mental illness on service use and screening.
J Gen Intern Med 2021 Apr;36(4):970-77. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-06429-2..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Primary Care: Models of Care, Primary Care, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Screening, Healthcare Utilization, Healthcare Delivery
Kovalerchik O, Powers E, Holland ML
Differences in frequency of visits to pediatric primary care practices and emergency departments by body mass index.
The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine differences in utilization across health care settings among children by body mass index (BMI) categories to help identify opportunities for interventions. The authors concluded that the children's BMI categories were associated with health care utilization, specifically primary care visits, ED visits, and hospitalizations.
AHRQ-funded; HS024332.
Citation: Kovalerchik O, Powers E, Holland ML .
Differences in frequency of visits to pediatric primary care practices and emergency departments by body mass index.
Acad Pediatr 2020 May-Jun;20(4):532-39. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2019.12.011..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Primary Care, Emergency Department, Obesity, Healthcare Utilization
Melnikow J, Evans E, Xing G
Primary care access to new patient appointments for California Medicaid enrollees: a simulated patient study.
Investigators evaluated variation in the availability of primary care new patient appointments for Medi-Cal (California Medicaid) enrollees in Northern California and its relationship to emergency department (ED) use after Medicaid expansion. Data from the California Health Interview Survey, Medi-Cal enrollment reports, and California hospital discharge records were used. The investigators found that access to primary care in Northern California was limited for new patient Medi-Cal enrollees and varied across counties, despite standard statewide reimbursement rates. Further, counties with more limited access to primary care new patient appointments had higher ED use by Medi-Cal enrollees.
AHRQ-funded; HS022236.
Citation: Melnikow J, Evans E, Xing G .
Primary care access to new patient appointments for California Medicaid enrollees: a simulated patient study.
Ann Fam Med 2020 May;18(3):210-17. doi: 10.1370/afm.2502..
Keywords: Primary Care, Access to Care, Medicaid, Health Insurance, Emergency Department, Healthcare Utilization
Li J, Pesko MF, Unruh MA
Effect of the Medicaid primary care rate increase on prenatal care utilization among Medicaid-insured women.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the 2013-2014 ACA Medicaid Primary Care Rate Increase on Medicaid-insured women's prenatal care utilization, overall and by race and ethnicity. The investigators concluded that the Medicaid "fee bump" improved prenatal care utilization for non-Hispanic Black and White women. They suggest that policymakers may consider reinstating higher Medicaid reimbursements to improve access to care for disadvantaged populations.
AHRQ-funded; HS024357.
Citation: Li J, Pesko MF, Unruh MA .
Effect of the Medicaid primary care rate increase on prenatal care utilization among Medicaid-insured women.
Matern Child Health J 2019 Nov;23(11):1564-72. doi: 10.1007/s10995-019-02804-6..
Keywords: Medicaid, Primary Care, Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Women, Healthcare Utilization, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities
Heintzman J, Kaufmann J, Ezekiel-Herrera D
Asthma/COPD disparities in diagnosis and basic care utilization among low-income primary care patients.
Obstructive pulmonary disease outcomes in the United States differ between Latinos and non-Hispanic whites. There is little objective data about diagnosis prevalence and primary care visit frequency in these disease processes. In this study, the investigators used electronic health record data to perform a retrospective cohort analysis of 34,849 low-income patients seen at Oregon community health centers between 2009 and 2013 to assess joint racial/ethnic and insurance disparities in diagnosis and visit rates between Latino and non-Hispanic white patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS021522.
Citation: Heintzman J, Kaufmann J, Ezekiel-Herrera D .
Asthma/COPD disparities in diagnosis and basic care utilization among low-income primary care patients.
J Immigr Minor Health 2019 Jun;21(3):659-63. doi: 10.1007/s10903-018-0798-2..
Keywords: Asthma, Respiratory Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Disparities, Healthcare Utilization, Low-Income, Primary Care
Meyers DJ, Chien AT, Nguyen KH
Association of team-based primary care with health care utilization and costs among chronically ill patients.
This study analyzed the value of team-based care practice on the treatment of patients, especially those with multiple chronic conditions. A large study was conducted using data from 18 academically affiliated primary care practices in the Boston, Massachusetts, area between 2011 and 2015. The study included 83,953 patients total with 19% of patients being younger than 18 years and the rest from 19-64 years of age. For patients with multiple chronic conditions, there was a statistically significant reduction in hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Among patients with less than 2 comorbidities, there was an increase in outpatient visits, hospitalizations and ambulatory care hospitalizations.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Meyers DJ, Chien AT, Nguyen KH .
Association of team-based primary care with health care utilization and costs among chronically ill patients.
JAMA Intern Med 2019 Jan;179(1):54-61. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.5118..
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Emergency Department, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Primary Care, Teams
Bradley CJ, Neumark D, Walker LS
The effect of primary care visits on other health care utilization: a randomized controlled trial of cash incentives offered to low income, uninsured adults in Virginia.
Investigators recruited low-income uninsured adults in Virginia to determine whether cash incentives would encourage primary care provider (PCP) visits as opposed to going to the hospital emergency room. This randomized, controlled trial determined that PCP visits did increase but no reductions in overall costs occurred there was an offset from increased outpatient utilization.
AHRQ-funded; HS022534.
Citation: Bradley CJ, Neumark D, Walker LS .
The effect of primary care visits on other health care utilization: a randomized controlled trial of cash incentives offered to low income, uninsured adults in Virginia.
J Health Econ 2018 Nov;62:121-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2018.07.006..
Keywords: Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance, Low-Income, Primary Care, Uninsured, Vulnerable Populations
Biener AI, Zuvekas SH, Hill SC
AHRQ Author: Biener AI, Zuvekas SH, Hill SC
Impact of recent Medicaid expansions on office-based primary care and specialty care among the newly eligible.
The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of Medicaid expansions on office-based care among the newly eligible. The investigators concluded that State Medicaid expansions in 2014 were associated with greater likelihoods of visits with a variety of office-based providers. The estimated effects were larger among newly eligible compared with previous estimates on broader populations of low-income adults.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Biener AI, Zuvekas SH, Hill SC .
Impact of recent Medicaid expansions on office-based primary care and specialty care among the newly eligible.
Health Serv Res 2018 Aug;53(4):2426-45. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12793.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Medicaid, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Primary Care
Arthur KC, Mangione-Smith R, Burkhart Q
Quality of care for children with medical complexity: an analysis of continuity of care as a potential quality indicator.
The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between continuity of care for children with medical complexity (CMC) and emergency department (ED) utilization, care coordination quality, and family effects related to care coordination. The investigators measured ED utilization and primary care continuity with the Bice-Boxerman continuity of care index for 1477 CMC using administrative data from Minnesota and Washington state Medicaid agencies. They concluded that continuity of care holds promise as a quality measure for CMC because of its association with lower ED utilization and more frequent receipt of care coordination.
AHRQ-funded; HS020506.
Citation: Arthur KC, Mangione-Smith R, Burkhart Q .
Quality of care for children with medical complexity: an analysis of continuity of care as a potential quality indicator.
Acad Pediatr 2018 Aug;18(6):669-76. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2018.04.009..
Keywords: Care Coordination, Children/Adolescents, Chronic Conditions, Emergency Department, Healthcare Utilization, Primary Care, Quality of Care, Quality Indicators (QIs), Quality Measures
Cole MB, Wright B, Wilson IB
Medicaid expansion and community health centers: care quality and service use increased for rural patients.
Investigators studied the impact of Medicaid expansion in rural areas. Data from 2011-2015 found that there was an 11.4% decline in uninsured patients and a 13.5% increase in Medicaid patients at community health centers (CHCs). Relative improvements were shown in patients with chronic conditions such as asthma and hypertension; and an increase in visits for mammograms and substance abuse disorders.
AHRQ-funded; HS024652.
Citation: Cole MB, Wright B, Wilson IB .
Medicaid expansion and community health centers: care quality and service use increased for rural patients.
Health Aff 2018 Jun;37(6):900-07. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2017.1542..
Keywords: Medicaid, Community-Based Practice, Rural Health, Access to Care, Quality of Care, Healthcare Utilization, Primary Care
Stevens JP, Nyweide DJ, Maresh S
Comparison of hospital resource use and outcomes among hospitalists, primary care physicians, and other generalists.
The purpose of this study was to examine differences in the use of health care resources and outcomes among hospitalized patients cared for by hospitalists, their own primary care physicians (PCPs), or other generalists. The investigators found that a PCP's prior experience with a patient may be associated with inpatient use of resources and patient outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS024288.
Citation: Stevens JP, Nyweide DJ, Maresh S .
Comparison of hospital resource use and outcomes among hospitalists, primary care physicians, and other generalists.
JAMA Intern Med 2017 Dec;177(12):1781-87. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.5824..
Keywords: Healthcare Utilization, Hospitalization, Outcomes, Primary Care
Angier H, Hoopes M, Marino M
Uninsured primary care visit disparities under the Affordable Care Act.
The researchers aimed to assess changes in insurance coverage at community health center (CHC) visits after the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion by race and ethnicity. After the ACA was implemented, uninsured visit rates decreased for all racial and ethnic groups. Hispanic patients experienced the greatest increases in Medicaid-insured visit rates after ACA implementation in expansion states.
AHRQ-funded; HS024270.
Citation: Angier H, Hoopes M, Marino M .
Uninsured primary care visit disparities under the Affordable Care Act.
Ann Fam Med 2017 Sep;15(5):434-42. doi: 10.1370/afm.2125.
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Keywords: Uninsured, Primary Care, Disparities, Healthcare Utilization, Access to Care
Flieger SP
Impact of a patient-centered medical home pilot on utilization, quality, and costs and variation in medical homeness.
This study evaluated the impact of a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) pilot on utilization, costs, and quality and assessed variation in PCMH components. There were no statistically significant findings for utilization, cost, or quality in the expected direction. Medical Home Index (MHI) scores suggest variation in type and level of implemented features.
AHRQ-funded; HS021385.
Citation: Flieger SP .
Impact of a patient-centered medical home pilot on utilization, quality, and costs and variation in medical homeness.
J Ambul Care Manage 2017 Jul/Sep;40(3):228-37. doi: 10.1097/jac.0000000000000162.
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Keywords: Patient-Centered Healthcare, Quality of Care, Primary Care, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization
Gao YN, Nocon RS, Sharma R
What factors are associated with Medicaid patients' use of health centers?.
This study identified patient and neighborhood factors associated with health center (HC) use. Dually eligible patients and those with high chronic disease burden had lower odds of HC use. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families participants and Hispanic beneficiaries had higher odds. Local HC presence predicted higher HC use.
AHRQ-funded; HS000084.
Citation: Gao YN, Nocon RS, Sharma R .
What factors are associated with Medicaid patients' use of health centers?.
J Prim Care Community Health 2017 Jul;8(3):141-46. doi: 10.1177/2150131916687919.
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Keywords: Community-Based Practice, Healthcare Utilization, Medicaid, Primary Care, Social Determinants of Health
Nocon RS, Lee SM, Sharma R
AHRQ Author: Ngo-Metzger Q
Health care use and spending for medicaid enrollees in federally qualified health centers versus other primary care settings.
This study compared health care use and spending of Medicaid enrollees seen at federally qualified health centers versus non-health center settings in a context of significant growth. It found that health center patients had lower use and spending than did non-health center patients across all services, with 22 percent fewer visits and 33 percent lower spending on specialty.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Nocon RS, Lee SM, Sharma R .
Health care use and spending for medicaid enrollees in federally qualified health centers versus other primary care settings.
Am J Public Health 2016 Nov;106(11):1981-89. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2016.303341.
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Keywords: Medicaid, Healthcare Costs, Primary Care, Healthcare Utilization
Aalsma MC, Gilbert AL, Xiao S
Parent and adolescent views on barriers to adolescent preventive health care utilization.
The objective of the study was to determine adolescent and parent views of barriers to annual adolescent preventive care. Barriers for parents and adolescents include the belief that an appointment is only needed when a child is sick and family cannot afford cost. Barriers for parents include having their child see a specialist.
AHRQ-funded; HS022681.
Citation: Aalsma MC, Gilbert AL, Xiao S .
Parent and adolescent views on barriers to adolescent preventive health care utilization.
J Pediatr 2016 Feb;169:140-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.10.090.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Access to Care, Prevention, Primary Care, Healthcare Utilization
Wexler R, Hefner JL, Sieck C
Connecting emergency department patients to primary care.
The researchers developed and evaluated a system change innovation designed to remove system barriers to primary care access for Medicaid patients. The intervention did not decrease ED visits nor increase primary care use over the 12 months of the study period. The qualitative results provide insight into nonurgent ED utilization by patients with Medicaid, suggesting potential future interventions.
AHRQ-funded; HS020693.
Citation: Wexler R, Hefner JL, Sieck C .
Connecting emergency department patients to primary care.
J Am Board Fam Med 2015 Nov-Dec;28(6):722-32. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2015.06.150044.
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Keywords: Emergency Department, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Primary Care, Health Information Technology (HIT), Healthcare Utilization
DeVoe JE, Marino M, Gold R
Community health center use after Oregon's randomized medicaid experiment.
To better understand the effect of new Medicaid coverage on community health center (CHC)use over time, the researchers studied Oregon’s 2008 randomized Medicaid expansion (the “Oregon Experiment”). Their results suggest that use of many different types of CHC services will increase as patients gain Medicaid through Affordable Care Act expansions.
AHRQ-funded; HS021522.
Citation: DeVoe JE, Marino M, Gold R .
Community health center use after Oregon's randomized medicaid experiment.
Ann Fam Med 2015 Jul;13(4):312-20. doi: 10.1370/afm.1812..
Keywords: Community-Based Practice, Healthcare Utilization, Medicaid, Primary Care
Smith JJ, Berman MD, Hiratsuka VY
The effect of regular primary care utilization on long-term glycemic and blood pressure control in adults with diabetes.
The researchers sought to assess the effect of primary care utilization on glycemic control and blood pressure control for a cohort of customer-owners with diabetes mellitus (DM) who received care from Southcentral Foundation, a tribal provider. They found that regular primary care utilization over 16 years was associated with higher rates of blood pressure control and glycemic control for adults with DM.
AHRQ-funded; HS019154.
Citation: Smith JJ, Berman MD, Hiratsuka VY .
The effect of regular primary care utilization on long-term glycemic and blood pressure control in adults with diabetes.
J Am Board Fam Med 2015 Jan-Feb;28(1):28-37. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2015.01.130329..
Keywords: Primary Care, Diabetes, Healthcare Utilization, Blood Pressure, Prevention
Turner L, Kruszewski SP, Alexander GC
Trends in the use of buprenorphine by office-based physicians in the United States, 2003-2013.
This study used descriptive statistics to examine trends in buprenorphine utilization from 2003 to 2013. The use of buprenorphine products to treat opioid dependence has increased significantly and has shifted to greater use by primary care physicians, indicating a rapidly changing face of opioid maintenance therapy in the United States.
AHRQ-funded; HS018960.
Citation: Turner L, Kruszewski SP, Alexander GC .
Trends in the use of buprenorphine by office-based physicians in the United States, 2003-2013.
Am J Addict 2015 Jan;24(1):24-9. doi: 10.1111/ajad.12174..
Keywords: Healthcare Utilization, Medication, Opioids, Primary Care, Substance Abuse
Baron KG, Lattie E, Ho J
Interest and use of mental health and specialty behavioral medicine counseling in US primary care patients.
This study investigating interest in mental health and specialty behavioral medicine counseling and predictors of utilization over 1 year among primary care patients found high interest but low utilization. Interest in receiving services at the baseline initial survey was the strongest predictor of utilization.
AHRQ-funded; HS00078
Citation: Baron KG, Lattie E, Ho J .
Interest and use of mental health and specialty behavioral medicine counseling in US primary care patients.
Int J Behav Med. 2013 Mar;20(1):69-76. doi: 10.1007/s12529-011-9211-4..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Healthcare Utilization, Primary Care