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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 7 of 7 Research Studies DisplayedKakara M, Venkataramani AS
Earnings of US physicians with and without disabilities.
The researchers report that across industries, workers with disabilities earn less than workers without disabilities. As greater numbers of people with disabilities enter medicine, they face substantial challenges in medical education and higher risks of mistreatment at work. As physicians in older age groups grows, the incidence of disability increases. The purpose of this study was to explore possible disability earnings gaps in medicine. The study cohort included 92,469 physicians, 2.0% of whom reported having a disability. The study found that in the adjusted analyses of employed physicians, annual earned income was 20.8% lower and hourly earned income was 13.3% lower among physicians with disabilities. Physicians reporting disabilities worked an average of 110 hours fewer per year compared with those without disabilities. Estimated differences in annual income by disability status were similar after adjusting for hours worked and surgical specialty status and across age groups; estimates were much greater for disabilities affecting cognitive function, ambulation, independent living, and self-care than vision or hearing.
AHRQ-funded; HS026116.
Citation: Kakara M, Venkataramani AS .
Earnings of US physicians with and without disabilities.
JAMA Health Forum 2023 Dec; 4(12):e233954. doi: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.3954..
Keywords: Provider: Physician, Disabilities
James TG, Sullivan MK, McKee MM
Emergency department patient-centred care perspectives from deaf and hard-of-hearing patients.
The objectives of this qualitative study were to describe emergency department (ED) care-seeking and patient-centered care perspectives among deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) patients and to explain quantitative findings related to ED outcomes among DHH and non-DHH patients. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with four DHH American Sign Language (ASL)-users and six DHH English speakers from north central Florida. Two themes emerged: DHH patients engage in complex decisionmaking processes to determine ED utilization and patient-centered ED care differs between DHH ASL-users and English speakers. The researchers concluded that their study underscores the importance of better understanding and intervention in DHH patient ED care seeking and delivery to improve patient outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS027537.
Citation: James TG, Sullivan MK, McKee MM .
Emergency department patient-centred care perspectives from deaf and hard-of-hearing patients.
Health Expect 2023 Dec; 26(6):2374-86. doi: 10.1111/hex.13842..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Disabilities, Vulnerable Populations
Frehn JL, Li JN, Liu KR
Implementation of a universal screening and follow-up care system for pediatric developmental and behavioral health in federally qualified health center sites.
This study assessed the results of implementing an intervention to increase screening of developmental delays in children at six federally qualified health center (FQHC) sites in Northern California from April 2014 to April 2017. The goals of the intervention were to increase (a) standardized developmental screening at recommended intervals and (b) follow-up care and support for early intervention services. The aim was to optimize each site's screening processes, supported by an automated electronic tablet-based system. Social workers were hired to conduct follow-up clinical assessments, provide psychosocial education and treatment, provide referrals, provide case management support, and collaborate with service partners. During the last year of the intervention, when tablet-based screening was adopted, the sites screened an estimated 6,550 children ages 0-18 at 23 intervals in three domains (developmental, autism, and psychosocial/behavioral), compared to a baseline where they screened children ages 0-3 at four intervals in one domain. Screening rates increased from 65.3% to 75.5% after automation was extended from the first to the second site and continued its’ increase to 91.8% after automation was expanded to the remaining sites. Ranges for follow-up visits were between 74% and 88%.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Frehn JL, Li JN, Liu KR .
Implementation of a universal screening and follow-up care system for pediatric developmental and behavioral health in federally qualified health center sites.
Fam Syst Health 2023 Dec; 41(4):454-66. doi: 10.1037/fsh0000803..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Disabilities, Screening, Implementation
Grove LR, Berkowitz SA, Cuddeback G
Permanent supportive housing receipt and health care use among adults with disabilities.
This study’s objective was to assess whether permanent supportive housing (PSH) participation is associated with health service use among a population of adults with disabilities, including people transitioning into PSH from community and institutional settings. Primary data sources used were 2014 to 2018 secondary data from a PSH program in North Carolina linked to Medicaid claims. The authors used propensity score weighting to estimate the average treatment effect on the treated of PSH participation. Using weighted analysis, they found that among individuals who were institutionalized prior to PSH, PSH participation was associated with greater hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits and fewer primary care visits during the follow-up period, compared with similar individuals who largely remained institutionalized. There was no significantly different health service use from similar comparison group members for individuals who entered PSH from community settings during the 12-month follow-up period.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Grove LR, Berkowitz SA, Cuddeback G .
Permanent supportive housing receipt and health care use among adults with disabilities.
Med Care Res Rev 2023 Dec; 80(6):596-607. doi: 10.1177/10775587231183192..
Keywords: Disabilities, Vulnerable Populations, Access to Care
Fabius CD, Okoye SM, Wu MMJ
The role of place in person- and family-oriented long-term services and supports.
The authors developed a conceptual framework to identify environmental domains contributing to the use, care quality, and care experiences of long-term services and supports (LTSS). They found that LTSS-relevant environmental characteristics are differentially relevant to the care experiences of older adults with disabilities. Measures of neighborhood social and economic deprivation were highly associated with adverse consequences due to unmet care needs. Measures of health care and social services delivery environment were inversely associated with participation restrictions in valued activities. The authors concluded that greater attention should be given to strengthening state- and community-based policies and practices that support aging in place.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Fabius CD, Okoye SM, Wu MMJ .
The role of place in person- and family-oriented long-term services and supports.
Milbank Q 2023 Dec; 101(4):1076-138. doi: 10.1111/1468-0009.12664..
Keywords: Long-Term Care, Elderly, Disabilities
Zondlak AN, Oh EJ, Neiman PU
Association of intellectual disability with delayed presentation and worse outcomes in emergency general surgery.
Individuals with intellectual disabilities may be at higher risk of delayed presentation and worse outcomes for emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between intellectual disability and both severity of disease and clinical outcomes in patients presenting with typical EGS conditions. The study found that of 1,317,572 adult EGS admissions, 0.38% of patients had an ICD-9/-10 code consistent with current intellectual disability. EGS patients with intellectual disabilities had 31% greater odds of more severe disease at presentation when compared with neurotypical patients. Intellectual disability was also related with a higher likelihood of complications and mortality, longer lengths of stay, lower rate of discharge to home, and higher inpatient costs.
AHRQ-funded; HS028672; HS027788.
Citation: Zondlak AN, Oh EJ, Neiman PU .
Association of intellectual disability with delayed presentation and worse outcomes in emergency general surgery.
Ann Surg 2023 Nov 1; 278(5):e1118-e22. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005863..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Disabilities, Surgery, Outcomes
Barnett S, Matthews K, DeWindt L
Deaf Weight Wise: a novel randomized clinical trial with Deaf sign language users.
The purpose of this research was to address the lack of scientifically supported weight management programs specifically designed for the Deaf population. The researchers developed the Deaf Weight Wise (DWW) trial and intervention which was informed by community-based participatory research. The primary focus of DWW is promoting a healthy lifestyle and weight management through dietary adjustments and physical activity. A total of 104 Deaf adults aged 40 to 70 years, with a BMI ranging from 25 to 45, were recruited from community settings in Rochester, New York. Participants were randomized into either immediate intervention (n = 48) or a 1-year delayed intervention group (n = 56). The latter group served as a no-intervention control until the trial's midpoint. Data were collected at five time points (every six months) from baseline to 24 months. All DWW intervention leaders and participants were Deaf individuals using American Sign Language (ASL). The study found that at the 6-month mark, the average weight change difference between the immediate-intervention group and the delayed-intervention group (no intervention yet) was -3.4 kg. A majority (61.6%) of those in the immediate intervention group lost ≥5% of their baseline weight, compared to 18.1% in the no-intervention-yet group. Indicators of participant engagement included an average attendance of 11/16 sessions (69%), and 92% completed the 24-month data collection. The researchers concluded that the DWW program, which is community-engaged, culturally tailored, and provides language accessibility, successfully supported weight loss among Deaf ASL users.
AHRQ-funded; HS015700
Citation: Barnett S, Matthews K, DeWindt L .
Deaf Weight Wise: a novel randomized clinical trial with Deaf sign language users.
Obesity 2023 Apr;31(4):965-76. doi: 10.1002/oby.23702.
Keywords: Obesity: Weight Management, Disabilities, Obesity