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- Access to Care (7)
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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 20 of 20 Research Studies DisplayedWu AJ, Du N, Chen TY
Sociodemographic differences of hospitalization and associations of resource utilization for failure to thrive.
The objective of this study was to examine sociodemographic differences between elective and nonelective admissions for failure to thrive. Researchers investigated associations between admission type and hospital resource utilization, including length of stay and feeding tube placement. The study included data on children less than 2 years old with failure to thrive in the Kids' Inpatient Database. The findings showed differences by race and ethnicity, income, and insurance type, among other factors. Nonelective admissions had higher proportions of infants who were Black, Hispanic, and of lower-income, and were associated with longer lengths of stay. The researchers concluded that future research is needed to elucidate drivers of these differences, particularly those related to racial and ethnic disparities and structural racism.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Wu AJ, Du N, Chen TY .
Sociodemographic differences of hospitalization and associations of resource utilization for failure to thrive.
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2023 Mar;76(3):385-89. doi: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000003694.
Keywords: Newborns/Infants, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Hospitalization, Healthcare Utilization, Children/Adolescents, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Low-Income
Richmond J, Adams LB, Annis IE
Rapid and deferred help seeking among African American parents of children with emotional and behavioral difficulties.
The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study was to assess factors related with African American parents seeking care for their child within 30 days after identifying the child’s behavioral or emotional need and with postponing care for 1 year or more. The researchers surveyed 289 African American parents who were raising a child with emotional or developmental challenges to explore relationships between parent activation, medical mistrust, and care-seeking barriers with two outcomes: rapidly seeking care (within 30 days after identifying a child’s need) and deferring care seeking. The study found that approximately 22% of parents rapidly sought care, and 49% deferred care for 1 year or more. Parents were more likely to rapidly seek care if they had higher parent activation scores; lived with other adults with mental health challenges; or, contrary to the authors' hypothesis, mistrusted doctors. Parents were less likely to rapidly seek care if the challenge did not initially bother them much or if their health insurance would not cover the service. Parents were more likely to defer care if they feared involuntary hospitalization for their child or if their health insurance would not cover the service. Parents were less likely to defer care if they had at least some college education or lived with other adults with mental health challenges. The researchers concluded that when developing programs that support African American families, professionals should be advised about facilitators and barriers to mental health care seeking.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Richmond J, Adams LB, Annis IE .
Rapid and deferred help seeking among African American parents of children with emotional and behavioral difficulties.
Psychiatr Serv 2022 Dec;73(12):1359-66. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.202100553..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Behavioral Health, Healthcare Utilization
Lee K, Gani F, Canner JK
Racial disparities in utilization of palliative care among patients admitted with advanced solid organ malignancies.
The primary objective of this study was to describe racial differences in the use of inpatient palliative care consultations (IPCC) for patients with advanced cancer who are admitted to a hospital in the United States. Hospital admissions of patients with advanced cancers were identified through the National Inpatient Dataset. Findings showed that death during hospitalization was a significant modifier of the relationship between race and receipt of palliative care consultation. There were significant racial disparities in the utilization of IPCC for patients with advanced cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS024736.
Citation: Lee K, Gani F, Canner JK .
Racial disparities in utilization of palliative care among patients admitted with advanced solid organ malignancies.
Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2021 Jun;38(6):539-46. doi: 10.1177/1049909120922779..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Palliative Care, Cancer, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Healthcare Utilization, Inpatient Care, Chronic Conditions
Smith JM, Jarrín OF, Lin H
Racial disparities in post-acute home health care referral and utilization among older adults with diabetes.
The purpose of this study was to examine the association between race/ethnicity and hospital discharge to home health care and subsequent utilization of home health care among a cohort of adults (age 50 and older) who experienced a diabetes-related hospitalization. The investigators found that among those discharged to home health care, all non-white racial/ethnic minority patients were less likely to receive services within 14-days.
AHRQ-funded; HS022406.
Citation: Smith JM, Jarrín OF, Lin H .
Racial disparities in post-acute home health care referral and utilization among older adults with diabetes.
Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 Mar 19;18(6):3196. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18063196..
Keywords: Elderly, Home Healthcare, Diabetes, Chronic Conditions, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization
Kubi B, Enumah ZO, Lee KT
Theory-based development of an implementation intervention using community health workers to increase palliative care use.
This study used the Behavior Change Wheel and Theoretical Domains Framework models to help design an implementation intervention using community health workers (CHWs) to increase palliative care use in African American communities. There were two phases to the study. In Phase 1, focus group sessions were conducted to identify barriers and facilitators of palliative care use. Phase 2 consisted of a stakeholder meeting to select intervention content and prioritize modes of delivery after applying the framework. There were 15 stakeholders total that participated in the study. Interventions identified were designed to improve patient capability and motivation, physician capability and motivation, and increase patient opportunities to use palliative care services. The strategies were all facilitated by CHWs and included creation and dissemination of brochures, empowerment and activation of patients to initiate goals-of-care discussions, outreach to community churches, and expanding patient social support.
AHRQ-funded; HS024736.
Citation: Kubi B, Enumah ZO, Lee KT .
Theory-based development of an implementation intervention using community health workers to increase palliative care use.
J Pain Symptom Manage 2020 Jul;60(1):10-19. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.02.009..
Keywords: Community-Based Practice, Palliative Care, Healthcare Utilization, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Implementation, Disparities, Healthcare Delivery
Vu JV, Gunaseelan V, Dimick JB
Mechanisms of age and race differences in receiving minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair.
Black patients and older adults are less likely to receive minimally invasive hernia repair. In this study, the investigators explored the association between race, age, and surgeon utilization of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with the likelihood of receiving MIS inguinal hernia repair. The investigators concluded that race differences were explained by surgeon MIS utilization, implicating access to MIS-performing surgeon as a mediator. Conversely, age disparity was independent of MIS utilization, even after adjusting for comorbidities, indicating some degree of provider bias against performing MIS repair in older patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS025778.
Citation: Vu JV, Gunaseelan V, Dimick JB .
Mechanisms of age and race differences in receiving minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair.
Surg Endosc 2019 Dec;33(12):4032-37. doi: 10.1007/s00464-019-06695-0..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Surgery, Elderly, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization
Rice WS, Stringer KL, Sohail M
Accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): perceptions of current and potential prEP users in Birmingham, Alabama.
Limited studies to date assess barriers to and facilitators of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and utilization using a patient-centered access to care framework, among diverse socio-demographic groups, or in the U.S. Deep South, an area with disproportionate HIV burden. In this study, the investigators examine perceptions of PrEP access in qualitative interviews with 44 current and potential PrEP users in Birmingham, Alabama.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Rice WS, Stringer KL, Sohail M .
Accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): perceptions of current and potential prEP users in Birmingham, Alabama.
AIDS Behav 2019 Nov;23(11):2966-79. doi: 10.1007/s10461-019-02591-9..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Prevention, Healthcare Utilization, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Health Literacy, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Access to Care, Health Promotion
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
Hanchate AD, Dyer KS, Paasche-Orlow MK
Disparities in emergency department visits among collocated racial/ethnic Medicare enrollees.
In this retrospective cohort study, the investigators estimated emergency department (ED) use differences across Medicare enrollees of different race/ethnicity who were residing in the same zip codes. The investigators found that among Medicare enrollees, blacks and Hispanics had higher ED use rates than whites overall and among subgroups by demographics and socioeconomic status.
AHRQ-funded; HS022242.
Citation: Hanchate AD, Dyer KS, Paasche-Orlow MK .
Disparities in emergency department visits among collocated racial/ethnic Medicare enrollees.
Ann Emerg Med 2019 Mar;73(3):225-35. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2018.09.007..
Keywords: Disparities, Emergency Department, Healthcare Utilization, Medicare, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Johnston FM, Neiman JH, Parmley LE
Stakeholder perspectives on the use of community health workers to improve palliative care use by African Americans with cancer.
This study focused on the issue of lack of palliative care for African-Americans with cancer. Stakeholder interviews and focus groups were conducted with cancer patients, caregivers, health care administrators, oncologists, and community health workers (CHWs). Participants felt that CHWs could play a central role in bridging patients with their providers, information and resources. They also felt that CHWs should either come from the community, or be familiar with the history, culture, and norms of the communities from which they operate.
AHRQ-funded; HS024736.
Citation: Johnston FM, Neiman JH, Parmley LE .
Stakeholder perspectives on the use of community health workers to improve palliative care use by African Americans with cancer.
J Palliat Med 2019 Mar;22(3):302-06. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2018.0366..
Keywords: Access to Care, Cancer, Healthcare Delivery, Healthcare Utilization, Cultural Competence, Disparities, Palliative Care, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Biener AI, Zuvekas SH
AHRQ Author: Zuvekas SH
Do racial and ethnic disparities in health care use vary with health?
Researchers used Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2010-2014 to evaluate health care use between black-white and Hispanic-white adults. They found that there was the widest disparity in health care use in adults in excellent health between Hispanics and whites but the opposite was true for blacks and whites. Differences are attributed to health insurance coverage and access to health care overall.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Biener AI, Zuvekas SH .
Do racial and ethnic disparities in health care use vary with health?
Health Serv Res 2019 Feb;54(1):64-74. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13087..
Keywords: Access to Care, Disparities, Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance, Health Status, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Harris VC, Links AR, Walsh J
A systematic review of race/ethnicity and parental treatment decision-making.
Researchers examined patient race/ethnicity as it affects health care utilization, provider trust, and treatment choice in pediatric care. Pooled results from their systematic review showed (1) racial/ethnic minorities tended to prefer more aggressive end-of-life care; (2) familial tradition of neonatal circumcision influenced the decision to circumcise; and (3) non-Hispanic Whites were less likely to pursue human papillomavirus vaccination but more likely to complete the vaccine series if initiated. They recommended further investigation.
AHRQ-funded; HS022932.
Citation: Harris VC, Links AR, Walsh J .
A systematic review of race/ethnicity and parental treatment decision-making.
Clin Pediatr 2018 Oct;57(12):1453-64. doi: 10.1177/0009922818788307..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Shared Decision Making, Caregiving, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Healthcare Utilization
Milani CJ, Rundell SD, Jarvik JG
Associations of race and ethnicity with patient-reported outcomes and health care utilization among older adults initiating a new episode of care for back pain.
The purpose of this study was to characterize associations of self-reported race/ethnicity with back pain (BP) patient-reported outcomes and health care utilization among older adults with a new episode of care for BP. The investigators found that Blacks and Hispanics had slightly less improvement in BP-related functional limitations over time, and less spine-related health care utilization, as compared to whites and non-Hispanics, respectively. The authors suggested that residual confounding may explain some of the association between race/ethnicity and health outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222; HS022972.
Citation: Milani CJ, Rundell SD, Jarvik JG .
Associations of race and ethnicity with patient-reported outcomes and health care utilization among older adults initiating a new episode of care for back pain.
Spine 2018 Jul 15;43(14):1007-17. doi: 10.1097/brs.0000000000002499..
Keywords: Back Health and Pain, Elderly, Healthcare Utilization, Outcomes, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Angraal S, Khera R, Wang Y
Sex and race differences in the utilization and outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting among Medicare beneficiaries, 1999-2014.
The authors sought to evaluate how the use of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and its outcomes have evolved in different sex and racial subgroups. Using Medicare data, they found that women and black patients had persistently higher CABG mortality than men and white patients, respectively, despite greater declines over the time period. The authors conclude that these findings indicate progress, but further progress is needed.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Angraal S, Khera R, Wang Y .
Sex and race differences in the utilization and outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting among Medicare beneficiaries, 1999-2014.
J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Jul 12;7(14). doi: 10.1161/jaha.118.009014..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Elderly, Evidence-Based Practice, Heart Disease and Health, Healthcare Utilization, Medicare, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Sex Factors
Mogul DB, Luo X, Chow EK
Impact of race and ethnicity on outcomes for children waitlisted for pediatric liver transplantation.
This study sought to determine whether outcomes on the waitlist (ie, mortality, deceased donor liver transplantation [DDLT], and living-donor liver transplantation [LDLT]) varied by race/ethnicity. It concluded that, compared to Caucasian children, African-American children are less likely to use LDLT but have higher rates of DDLT and similar survival on the waitlist.
AHRQ-funded; HS024600; HS023876.
Citation: Mogul DB, Luo X, Chow EK .
Impact of race and ethnicity on outcomes for children waitlisted for pediatric liver transplantation.
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2018 Mar;66(3):436-41. doi: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000001793.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Healthcare Utilization, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Outcomes, Transplantation
Zhang W, Lyman S, Boutin-Foster C
Racial and ethnic disparities in utilization rate, hospital volume, and perioperative outcomes after total knee arthroplasty.
The researchers sought to study racial disparities in the utilization of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the use of high-volume hospitals, and TKA outcomes, including mortality and complications, using all-payer databases. They found that minorities had lower rates of TKA utilization but higher rates of adverse health outcomes associated with the procedure, even after adjusting for patient-related and health-care system-related characteristics.
AHRQ-funded; HS021734.
Citation: Zhang W, Lyman S, Boutin-Foster C .
Racial and ethnic disparities in utilization rate, hospital volume, and perioperative outcomes after total knee arthroplasty.
J Bone Joint Surg Am 2016 Aug 3;98(15):1243-52. doi: 10.2106/jbjs.15.01009.
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Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Healthcare Utilization, Surgery, Access to Care
Li J, Maxwell AE, Glenn BA
Healthcare access and utilization among Korean Americans: The mediating role of English use and proficiency.
This study examines whether English language use and proficiency plays a mediating role in the relationships between length of hospital stay in the US and health insurance coverage, access to, and use of care. Results show that health care utilization was primarily driven by having health insurance and a usual source of care. Recommendations include a focus on increasing English use and proficiency and insurance coverage among older, female, less educated Korean Americans to mitigate health disparities associated with reduced access to health services in this population.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Li J, Maxwell AE, Glenn BA .
Healthcare access and utilization among Korean Americans: The mediating role of English use and proficiency.
Int J Soc Sci Res 2016 Mar;4(1):83-97. doi: 10.5296/ijssr.v4i1.8678.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Cultural Competence, Disparities, Healthcare Utilization, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Allgood KL, Rauscher GH, Whitman S
Validating self-reported mammography use in vulnerable communities: findings and recommendations.
The researchers examined the potential extent of overreporting of mammography use in low-income African-American and Latina women, and whether self-report inaccuracies might bias estimated associations between patient characteristics and mammography use. They found that although 73% of women self-reported a mammogram in the last 2 years, only 44% of self-reports were documented. Overreporting of mammography use was observed for all ethnic groups studied.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Allgood KL, Rauscher GH, Whitman S .
Validating self-reported mammography use in vulnerable communities: findings and recommendations.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014 Aug;23(8):1649-58. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-13-1253.
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Keywords: Healthcare Utilization, Vulnerable Populations, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Women, Low-Income, Urban Health
Villatoro AP, Morales ES, Mays VM
Family culture in mental health help-seeking and utilization in a nationally representative sample of Latinos in the United States: the NLAAS.
This study examined the role of behavioral familismo, the level of perceived family support, in the use of mental health services of Latinos in the United States. High behavioral familismo was significantly associated with increased odds of using informal or religious services, but not specialty or medical services. Self-perceived need and social perceptions of need for care within close networks also were significant predictors of service use.
AHRQ-funded; HS000083; HS000046.
Citation: Villatoro AP, Morales ES, Mays VM .
Family culture in mental health help-seeking and utilization in a nationally representative sample of Latinos in the United States: the NLAAS.
Am J Orthopsychiatry 2014 Jul;84(4):353-63. doi: 10.1037/h0099844..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Behavioral Health, Healthcare Utilization
Nicholas LH, Dimick JB
Bariatric surgery in minority patients before and after implementation of a centers of excellence program.
This study compared rates of bariatric surgery for minority Medicare vs. non-Medicare patients before and after the 2006 implementation of a national coverage decision (NCD) restricting Medicare patients to centers of excellence for bariatric surgery. It found that the proportion of nonwhite Medicare patients receiving this procedure dropped from 27.5 percent before the NCD to 25.9 percent afterwards.
AHRQ-funded; HS017765
Citation: Nicholas LH, Dimick JB .
Bariatric surgery in minority patients before and after implementation of a centers of excellence program.
JAMA. 2013 Oct 2;310(13):1399-400. doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.277915..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Medicare, Healthcare Utilization, Obesity