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AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Behavioral Health (2)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (1)
- (-) Caregiving (10)
- Children/Adolescents (3)
- Dementia (3)
- Education: Patient and Caregiver (1)
- Elderly (2)
- Family Health and History (1)
- Hospital Discharge (2)
- Medicare (1)
- Medication (1)
- Neurological Disorders (2)
- Opioids (1)
- Patient and Family Engagement (1)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (1)
- Stroke (1)
- Substance Abuse (1)
- Surgery (1)
- Transitions of Care (1)
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 10 of 10 Research Studies DisplayedRamirez M, De Anda S, Jin H
Health information-seeking behavior of Latino caregivers of people living with dementia: a mixed-methods study.
This study examined the health information-seeking behavior of Latino caregivers of people living with dementia. This mixed-methods study used a structured survey and semi-structured interviews with 21 Latino caregivers in Los Angeles, California. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with six healthcare and social service providers. The results showed that caregivers sought information on what changes to expect as dementia progresses to be better prepared. The most common action they used was to search the Internet. However, those who did were concerned about the quality of information.
AHRQ-funded; HS00046,HS026369.
Citation: Ramirez M, De Anda S, Jin H .
Health information-seeking behavior of Latino caregivers of people living with dementia: a mixed-methods study.
J Appl Gerontol 2023 Aug; 42(8):1738-48. doi: 10.1177/07334648231163430..
Keywords: Caregiving, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Bristol AA, Elmore CE, Weiss ME
Mixed-methods study examining family carers' perceptions of the relationship between intrahospital transitions and patient readiness for discharge.
Intrahospital transitions (IHTs) may disrupt care coordination. Family caregivers often serve as liaisons between the patient and healthcare professionals, yet caregivers are often excluded from care planning during IHTs. The aim of this sequential, explanatory mixed-methods study was to examine family caregiver’s perceptions about IHTs, patient and caregiver ratings of patient discharge readiness, and caregiver self-perception of level of preparedness for engaging in care at home. The researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of hospital inpatients from a parent study for whom patient and family caregiver Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS) score frequency of IHTs and patient and caregiver characteristics were available. The study found that a total of 268 patients discharged from July 2020 to April 2021 had completed the RHDS and 23 completed the semi-structured interviews. The majority of patients experienced 0-2 IHTs and reported high levels of discharge readiness. No association was found between IHTs and patients' RHDS scores in the quantitative analysis. However, caregiver’s perceptions of patient discharge readiness were negatively correlated with increased IHTs. In addition, non-spouse caregivers reported lower RHDS scores than spousal caregivers. During interviews, caregivers shared barriers experienced during IHTs and described the importance of being included in discharge care planning.
AHRQ-funded; HS026248; HS026505.
Citation: Bristol AA, Elmore CE, Weiss ME .
Mixed-methods study examining family carers' perceptions of the relationship between intrahospital transitions and patient readiness for discharge.
BMJ Qual Saf 2023 Aug; 32(8):447-56. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2022-015120..
Keywords: Caregiving, Hospital Discharge, Transitions of Care
Sideman AB, Gilissen J, Harrison KL
Caregiver experiences navigating the diagnostic journey in a rapidly progressing dementia.
This mixed-methods study examined the diagnostic journey experience from the perspective of caregivers of people who died from sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (sCJD). Qualitative data were drawn from interviews with former caregivers of 12 people who had died from sCJD. Four overarching themes were identified, as well as 4 phases along the diagnostic journey. Findings suggested that more work was needed to improve clinician diagnostic knowledge and communication practices. The authors also noted that caregivers need better support during the diagnostic journey and concluded that lessons learned from studying sCJD and other rapidly progressive dementias is likely to be applicable to more common dementias.
AHRQ-funded; HS022241.
Citation: Sideman AB, Gilissen J, Harrison KL .
Caregiver experiences navigating the diagnostic journey in a rapidly progressing dementia.
J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2023 Jul; 36(4):282-94. doi: 10.1177/08919887221135552..
Keywords: Caregiving, Dementia, Neurological Disorders
Keita Fakeye MB, Samuel LJ, Drabo EF
Caregiving-related work productivity loss among employed family and other unpaid caregivers of older adults.
Despite the fact that a significant proportion of caregivers to elderly individuals are employed, little is known about short-term work impacts of caregiving while physically present at work using measures related to both missed work time and reduced productivity. The purpose of this study was to quantify the prevalence, costs, and correlates of caregiving-related work productivity loss. The researchers utilized the 2015 National Study of Caregiving and National Health and Aging Trends Study to estimate caregiving-related work absences (absenteeism) and reduced productivity while at work (presenteeism). The costs of lost productivity using hours lost, compensation, and a wage multiplier, accounting for the additional cost of replacing employee time were calculated. Researchers then separately examined the relationship between caregiving-related absenteeism and presenteeism. The study found that Nearly 1 in 4 of the estimated 8.8 million employed family caregivers reported either absenteeism or presenteeism over a 1-month period due to caregiving. Among those affected, caregiving decreased work productivity by an estimated $5600 per employee predominantly due to reduced performance at work. Loss of productivity was greater among the caregivers of older adults with substantial care needs and varied based on sociodemographic characteristics and caregiver supports.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Keita Fakeye MB, Samuel LJ, Drabo EF .
Caregiving-related work productivity loss among employed family and other unpaid caregivers of older adults.
Value Health 2023 May; 26(5):712-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2022.06.014..
Keywords: Caregiving, Elderly
Auger KA, Demeritt B, Beck AF
Reducing caregiver hunger during pediatric hospitalization.
This paper describes an effort to decrease the mean percentage of caregivers who reported being hungry while their child is hospitalized. The objective was to decrease the mean percentage of caregivers of Medicaid-insured and uninsured children who reported being hungry during their child's hospitalization from 86% to <24%. The authors were able to decrease caregiver hunger on a 41-bed inpatient unit at their large, urban academic hospital from 86% to 15.5% with the use of 2 meal vouchers per caregiver per day. Data collection was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however that time was used to advocate for hospital-funded support for optimal and sustainable changes to caregiver meal access. As a result of the pilot test, permanent hospital funding was secured to provide cards to purchase 2 meals per caregiver per hospital day, resulting in a sustained decrease in rates of caregiver hunger.
AHRQ-funded; HS024735.
Citation: Auger KA, Demeritt B, Beck AF .
Reducing caregiver hunger during pediatric hospitalization.
Pediatrics 2023 May; 151(5). doi: 10.1542/peds.2022-058080..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Caregiving
Carroll AR, Schlundt D, Bonnet K
Caregiver and clinician perspectives on discharge medication counseling: a qualitative study.
This study’s objective was to explore the perspectives of multidisciplinary clinicians and caregivers regarding discharge medication counseling for children and to develop a conceptual model to inform intervention efforts to reduce discharge medication dosing errors. The authors conducted a qualitative analysis using results from focus groups and individual interviews with 17 caregivers and 16 clinicians. Domains and subthemes included: (1) infrastructure of healthcare delivery, including supplies for counseling, content and organization of discharge instructions, clinician training and education, roles and responsibilities of team members, and hospital pharmacy delivery and counseling program; (2) processes of healthcare delivery, including medication reconciliation, counseling content, counseling techniques, and language barriers and health literacy; and (3) measurable outcomes, including medication dosing accuracy and caregiver understanding and adherence to discharge instructions. The conceptual model that resulted from this analysis can be applied to the development and evaluation of interventions to reduce discharge medication dosing errors following a hospitalization.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Carroll AR, Schlundt D, Bonnet K .
Caregiver and clinician perspectives on discharge medication counseling: a qualitative study.
Hosp Pediatr 2023 Apr; 13(4):325-42. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2022-006937..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Medication, Hospital Discharge, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Caregiving
Short VL, Gannon M, Sood E
Opportunities to increase well-child care engagement for families affected by maternal opioid use disorder: perceptions of mothers and clinicians.
The objectives of this qualitative study were to gather in-depth information regarding maternal and clinician-reported factors that facilitate or hinder well-child care (WCC) engagement as well as information from mothers' experiences during WCC visits. Thirty mothers in treatment for parental opioid use disorder (OUD) and 13 clinicians working at a pediatric primary care clinic participated by completing one telephone session which involved a brief questionnaire followed by a semi-structured interview. Facilitators identified by mothers and clinicians, included continuity of care, addressing material needs, and clinician OUD training and knowledge. Barriers to WCC included: stigma toward mothers with OUD, gaps in basic parenting knowledge, competing specialized health care needs, and insufficient time to address concerns.
AHRQ-funded; HS027399.
Citation: Short VL, Gannon M, Sood E .
Opportunities to increase well-child care engagement for families affected by maternal opioid use disorder: perceptions of mothers and clinicians.
Acad Pediatr 2023 Mar;23(2):425-33. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2022.07.013.
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Family Health and History, Opioids, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Caregiving, Patient and Family Engagement
Couch E, Belanger E, Gadbois EA
"I know that my role is going to change": a mixed-methods study of the relationship between amyloid-β PET scan results and caregiver burden.
The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between amyloid scan results and subjective and objective indicators of burden. The researchers utilized a parallel mixed-methods design using survey data from 1,338 care partners of persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia who received an amyloid scan from the CARE-IDEAS study, and semi-structured interviews with a subsample of 62 care partners. The study found that amyloid was not associated with burden. However, the scan result influenced participants' perceptions of their caregiving role and coping strategies. Care partners to persons with elevated amyloid expected increasing responsibility, while partners to persons without elevated amyloid and mild cognitive impairment did not anticipate changes to their role. Care partners to persons with elevated amyloid reported using knowledge gained from the scan to develop coping strategies. All care partners described needing practical and emotional support.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Couch E, Belanger E, Gadbois EA .
"I know that my role is going to change": a mixed-methods study of the relationship between amyloid-β PET scan results and caregiver burden.
Aging Clin Exp Res 2023 Feb; 35(2):387-97. doi: 10.1007/s40520-022-02314-6..
Keywords: Caregiving, Dementia
Hale KL, Zalla LC, Scherer EM
Grandparenting activities and mental health in Northern Sri Lanka.
The role of grandparenting activities in mitigating social engagement and depressive symptoms in older adults is a growing area of research interest. However, the diversity in demographic characteristics and caregiving responsibilities pose challenges in its measurement. The purpose of this study was to pilot test a mechanism for assessing grandparenting activities in a sample of 79 grandparents (aged 55 and above) in Sri Lanka and examined the relationship between these activities and psychological discomfort. The researchers further investigated if the correlation was influenced by the grandparents' functional constraints. The study found a positive correlation between increased involvement in generative grandparenting activities and reduced psychological distress, with the association being more pronounced in grandparents with higher functional restrictions.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Hale KL, Zalla LC, Scherer EM .
Grandparenting activities and mental health in Northern Sri Lanka.
J Intergener Relatsh 2023; 21(2):194-214. doi: 10.1080/15350770.2021.1991869..
Keywords: Caregiving, Behavioral Health, Elderly
De Roo AC, Ha J, Regenbogen SE
Impact of Medicare eligibility on informal caregiving for surgery and stroke.
The purpose of this study was to assess whether the intensity of family and friend care changes after older individuals enroll in Medicare at 65. Researchers used Health and Retirement Study survey data covering a 20-year period to compare informal care received by patients who had been hospitalized for stroke, heart surgery, or joint surgery, and who were stratified into propensity-weighted pre- and post-Medicare eligibility cohorts. Their results showed that onset of Medicare eligibility was associated with a substantial decrease in family and friend caregiving use received by stroke patients, but not in the other acute care cohorts. They concluded that this effect of Medicare coverage on informal caregiving had implications for patient function and caregiver burden, and should be considered in episode-based reimbursement models that alter professional rehabilitative care intensity.
AHRQ-funded; HS000053.
Citation: De Roo AC, Ha J, Regenbogen SE .
Impact of Medicare eligibility on informal caregiving for surgery and stroke.
Health Serv Res 2023 Feb; 58(1):128-39. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.14019..
Keywords: Medicare, Caregiving, Surgery, Stroke, Cardiovascular Conditions