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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
101 to 125 of 150 Research Studies DisplayedBashir R, Bourgeois FT, Dunn AG
A systematic review of the processes used to link clinical trial registrations to their published results.
Studies measuring the completeness and consistency of trial registration and reporting rely on linking registries with bibliographic databases. In this systematic review, the researchers quantified the processes used to identify these links. In 43 studies that examined cohorts of registry entries, 24 used automatic and manual processes to find articles; 3 only automatic; and 11 only manual (5 did not specify).
AHRQ-funded; HS024798.
Citation: Bashir R, Bourgeois FT, Dunn AG .
A systematic review of the processes used to link clinical trial registrations to their published results.
Syst Rev 2017 Jul 3;6(1):123. doi: 10.1186/s13643-017-0518-3.
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Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methodologies, Data
Totten M, Ross T, Voskertchian A
Analysis of morphologically similar Staphylococcus aureus colonies for assessment of phenotypic and genotypic correlation.
In an effort to track and control the transmission of Staphylococcus aureus, patient isolates are saved for epidemiological studies (1–3). Study investigators often assume that colonies with the same morphology on the original culture plate represent the same clone. However, there is very limited literature to support this assumption. In this study, multiple S. aureus colonies were saved from a single culture plate and tested to determine their genotypes and susceptibility profiles.
AHRQ-funded; HS022872.
Citation: Totten M, Ross T, Voskertchian A .
Analysis of morphologically similar Staphylococcus aureus colonies for assessment of phenotypic and genotypic correlation.
J Clin Microbiol 2017 Jul;55(7):2285-86. doi: 10.1128/jcm.00402-17..
Keywords: Genetics, Infectious Diseases, Research Methodologies
Ottosen MJ, Engebretson JC, Etchegaray JM
Steps in developing a patient-centered measure of hospital design factors.
This research methodology column focuses on describing a four-step medical ethnography approach that can be used in developing patient-centered measures of interest to those studying built environments. The authors use this approach to illustrate how one might develop a measure that can be used to understand parent perceptions of the safety culture in neonatal intensive care units.
AHRQ-funded; HS022944.
Citation: Ottosen MJ, Engebretson JC, Etchegaray JM .
Steps in developing a patient-centered measure of hospital design factors.
HERD 2017 Jul;10(4):10-16. doi: 10.1177/1937586716685290.
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Keywords: Patient Safety, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Quality Measures, Research Methodologies
McAlearney AS, Hefner JL, Sieck CJ
Searching for Management Approaches To Reduce HAI Transmission (SMART): a study protocol.
Using a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the contribution of management factors to successful HAI-reduction efforts, this study aims to develop valid and reliable measures of structural management practices associated with the recommended central line-associated bloodstream infections Management Strategies for use as a survey (HAI Management Practice Guideline Survey) to support HAI-reduction efforts in both medical/surgical units and ICUs.
AHRQ-funded; HS024958.
Citation: McAlearney AS, Hefner JL, Sieck CJ .
Searching for Management Approaches To Reduce HAI Transmission (SMART): a study protocol.
Implement Sci 2017 Jun 28;12(1):82. doi: 10.1186/s13012-017-0610-z.
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Keywords: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Research Methodologies
Cefalu M, Dominici F, Arvold N
Model averaged double robust estimation.
Researchers estimating causal effects are increasingly challenged with decisions on how to best control for a potentially high-dimensional set of confounders. Typically, a single propensity score model is chosen and used to adjust for confounding. The researchers propose a practical and generalizable approach that overcomes limitations through the use of model averaging. They develop and evaluate this approach in the context of double robust estimation.
AHRQ-funded; HS021991.
Citation: Cefalu M, Dominici F, Arvold N .
Model averaged double robust estimation.
Biometrics 2017 Jun;73(2):410-21. doi: 10.1111/biom.12622.
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Keywords: Data, Research Methodologies
Kim MO, Wang X, Liu C
Random-effects meta-analysis for systematic reviews of phase I clinical trials: rare events and missing data.
The researchers use a systematic review of pediatric phase I oncology trials to illustrate the utility of advanced Bayesian analysis. Outcomes are rarely entirely missing in clinical trials. They utilize available information and conduct Bayesian incomplete data analysis. Their advanced Bayesian analyses, although illustrated with the specific example, are generally applicable.
AHRQ-funded; HS022437.
Citation: Kim MO, Wang X, Liu C .
Random-effects meta-analysis for systematic reviews of phase I clinical trials: rare events and missing data.
Res Synth Methods 2017 Jun;8(2):124-35. doi: 10.1002/jrsm.1209.
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Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Ray KN, Miller E
Strengthening stakeholder-engaged research and research on stakeholder engagement.
The proposed exploratory framework highlights contexts and processes to be addressed in planning stakeholder engagement, and potential immediate, intermediate and long-term outcomes that warrant evaluation. The authors use this framework to illustrate both the minimum information needed for reporting stakeholder-engaged research and the comprehensive detail needed for reporting research on stakeholder engagement.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Ray KN, Miller E .
Strengthening stakeholder-engaged research and research on stakeholder engagement.
J Comp Eff Res 2017 Jun;6(4):375-89. doi: 10.2217/cer-2016-0096.
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Keywords: Patient and Family Engagement, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Research Methodologies
Garcia-Albeniz X, Hsu J, Hernan MA
The value of explicitly emulating a target trial when using real world evidence: an application to colorectal cancer screening.
Researchers reviewed a recent observational analysis that explicitly emulated a target trial of screening colonoscopy using insurance claims from U.S. Medicare. They then compared this explicit emulation with alternative, simpler observational analyses. This empirical comparison suggests that lack of an explicit emulation of the target trial leads to biased estimates, and shows that allowing for repeated eligibility increases the statistical efficiency of the estimates.
AHRQ-funded; HS023128.
Citation: Garcia-Albeniz X, Hsu J, Hernan MA .
The value of explicitly emulating a target trial when using real world evidence: an application to colorectal cancer screening.
Eur J Epidemiol 2017 Jun;32(6):495-500. doi: 10.1007/s10654-017-0287-2.
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Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Colonoscopy, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methodologies
Mirel LB, Chowdhury SR
AHRQ Author: Chowdhury SR
Using linked survey paradata to improve sampling strategies in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.
The main objective of this article is to examine how paradata from a prior survey can be used in developing a sampling scheme in a subsequent survey. A framework for optimal allocation of the sample in substrata formed for this purpose is presented and evaluated for the relative effectiveness of alternative substratification schemes.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Mirel LB, Chowdhury SR .
Using linked survey paradata to improve sampling strategies in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.
J Off Stat 2017 Jun;33(2):367–83.
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Keywords: Data, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Research Methodologies
Cosgrove L, Shaughnessy AF, Peters SM
Conflicts of interest and the presence of methodologists on guideline development panels: a cross-sectional study of clinical practice guidelines for major depressive disorder.
The authors aimed to review treatment guidelines for major depressive disorder and assess the relationship between endorsement of antidepressants for mild depression as a first-line intervention and financial conflicts of interest of guideline panel members. They concluded that ensuring that guideline development groups are free of commercial ties and include individuals with methodological expertise provides an important safeguard – that an evidence-based review is applied at every stage, from the framing of the questions for review, to searching, evaluating, and synthesizing the evidence.
AHRQ-funded; HS022940.
Citation: Cosgrove L, Shaughnessy AF, Peters SM .
Conflicts of interest and the presence of methodologists on guideline development panels: a cross-sectional study of clinical practice guidelines for major depressive disorder.
Psychother Psychosom 2017;86(3):168-70. doi: 10.1159/000458727.
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Keywords: Depression, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Research Methodologies
Bibbins-Domingo K, Whitlock E, Wolff T
AHRQ Author: Wolff T, Ngo-Metzger Q
Developing recommendations for evidence-based clinical preventive services for diverse populations: methods of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) summarizes the principles and considerations that guide development of its recommendations for diverse U.S. populations. It uses these principles through each step in the evidence-based guideline process: developing the research plan, conducting the evidence review, developing the recommendation, and communicating to guideline users. A comprehensive list of recommendations that includes considerations for specific populations is provided.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Bibbins-Domingo K, Whitlock E, Wolff T .
Developing recommendations for evidence-based clinical preventive services for diverse populations: methods of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Ann Intern Med 2017 Apr 18;166(8):565-71. doi: 10.7326/m16-2656.
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Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Evidence-Based Practice, Prevention, Research Methodologies, Guidelines
Kim KK, Sankar P, Wilson MD
Factors affecting willingness to share electronic health data among California consumers.
The objective of the study is to explore factors that affect consumers' willingness to share electronic health information for healthcare and research. It concluded that consumers' choices about electronically sharing health information are affected by their attitudes toward EHRs as well as beliefs about research benefit and individual control.
AHRQ-funded; HS019913.
Citation: Kim KK, Sankar P, Wilson MD .
Factors affecting willingness to share electronic health data among California consumers.
BMC Med Ethics 2017 Apr 4;18(1):25. doi: 10.1186/s12910-017-0185-x.
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Keywords: Communication, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Exchange (HIE), Health Information Technology (HIT), Research Methodologies
Ertefaie A, Small DS, Flory JH
A tutorial on the use of instrumental variables in pharmacoepidemiology.
Instrumental variable (IV) methods are used increasingly in pharmacoepidemiology to address unmeasured confounding. In this tutorial, the authors review the steps used in IV analyses and the underlying assumptions. They also present methods to assess the validity of those assumptions and describe sensitivity analysis to examine the effects of possible violations of those assumptions.
AHRQ-funded; HS023898.
Citation: Ertefaie A, Small DS, Flory JH .
A tutorial on the use of instrumental variables in pharmacoepidemiology.
Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2017 Apr;26(4):357-67. doi: 10.1002/pds.4158.
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Keywords: Research Methodologies
Paynter R, Banez LL, Erinoff E
AHRQ Author: Banez LL
Commentary on EPC methods: an exploration of the use of text-mining software in systematic reviews.
This commentary summarizes a recent peer-reviewed Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) white paper EPC Methods: An Exploration of the Use of Text-Mining Software in Systematic Reviews followed by a discussion of current and future issues.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Paynter R, Banez LL, Erinoff E .
Commentary on EPC methods: an exploration of the use of text-mining software in systematic reviews.
J Clin Epidemiol 2017 Apr;84:33-36. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2016.11.019..
Keywords: Data, Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methodologies
Pruitt SL, Laccetti AL, Xuan L
Revisiting a longstanding clinical trial exclusion criterion: impact of prior cancer in early-stage lung cancer.
The researchers examined the prevalence and prognostic impact of a prior cancer diagnosis among patients with early-stage lung cancer. They found no difference in all-cause survival between patients with and without prior cancer. Lung cancer specific survival was improved among patients with prior cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Pruitt SL, Laccetti AL, Xuan L .
Revisiting a longstanding clinical trial exclusion criterion: impact of prior cancer in early-stage lung cancer.
Br J Cancer 2017 Mar 14;116(6):717-25. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2017.27.
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Keywords: Research Methodologies, Cancer: Lung Cancer, Elderly, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Mortality
Kost RG, Leinberger-Jabari A, Evering TH
Helping basic scientists engage with community partners to enrich and accelerate translational research.
In 2009, The Rockefeller University Center for Clinical and Translational Science partnered with Clinical Directors Network, a practice-based research network (PBRN), to create a community-engaged research navigation (CEnR-Nav) program to foster research pairing basic science and community-driven scientific aims. The program is led by an academic navigator and a PBRN navigator. This paper reports on its activities.
AHRQ-funded; HS021667.
Citation: Kost RG, Leinberger-Jabari A, Evering TH .
Helping basic scientists engage with community partners to enrich and accelerate translational research.
Acad Med 2017 Mar;92(3):374-79. doi: 10.1097/acm.0000000000001200.
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Keywords: Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN), Research Methodologies, Implementation
Ramsey LB, Mizuno T, Vinks AA
Learning health systems as facilitators of precision medicine.
To illustrate the concept of the Learning Health System, the authors of this paper describe the example of the ImproveCareNow Network and use a network case study to illustrate how the concept of precision medicine can be achieved through a Learning Health System in a real-world clinical environment.
AHRQ-funded; HS020024; HS016957.
Citation: Ramsey LB, Mizuno T, Vinks AA .
Learning health systems as facilitators of precision medicine.
Clin Pharmacol Ther 2017 Mar;101(3):359-67. doi: 10.1002/cpt.594..
Keywords: Learning Health Systems, Research Methodologies
Zhang S, Cao J, Ahn C
Inference and sample size calculation for clinical trials with incomplete observations of paired binary outcomes.
The researchers investigated the estimation of intervention effect and sample size determination for experiments where subjects are supposed to contribute paired binary outcomes with some incomplete observations. They theoretically prove that if incomplete data are evenly distributed between the pre-intervention and post-intervention periods, the proposed estimator will always be more efficient than the traditional estimator.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Zhang S, Cao J, Ahn C .
Inference and sample size calculation for clinical trials with incomplete observations of paired binary outcomes.
Stat Med 2017 Feb 20;36(4):581-91. doi: 10.1002/sim.7168.
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Keywords: Research Methodologies, Treatments, Comparative Effectiveness
Thorlacius L, Ingram JR, Garg A
Protocol for the development of a core domain set for hidradenitis suppurativa trial outcomes.
A COS is a list of outcomes that are meant as mandatory and should be measured and reported in all clinical trials. The aim of this study is to develop a COS for the management of the chronic, inflammatory skin disease hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). An international steering group of researchers, clinicians, and a patient research partner will guide the COS development.
AHRQ-funded; HS024585.
Citation: Thorlacius L, Ingram JR, Garg A .
Protocol for the development of a core domain set for hidradenitis suppurativa trial outcomes.
BMJ Open 2017 Feb 20;7(2):e014733. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014733.
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Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Outcomes, Research Methodologies
Hartling L, Guise JM, Hempel S
AHRQ Author: Berliner E, Kato E
Fit for purpose: perspectives on rapid reviews from end-user interviews.
There is increasing demand for rapid reviews and timely evidence synthesis. The goal of this project was to understand end-user perspectives on the utility and limitations of rapid products including evidence inventories, rapid responses, and rapid reviews. Key informants indicated that the credibility of the review producer, relevance of key questions, and close working relationship between the end-user and producer are critical for any rapid product.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Hartling L, Guise JM, Hempel S .
Fit for purpose: perspectives on rapid reviews from end-user interviews.
Syst Rev 2017 Feb 17;6(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s13643-017-0425-7.
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Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methodologies
Hartling L, Guise JM, Hempel S
AHRQ Author: Berliner E, Kato E
Fit for purpose: perspectives on rapid reviews from end-user interviews.
There is increasing demand for rapid reviews and timely evidence synthesis. The goal of this project was to understand end-user perspectives on the utility and limitations of rapid products including evidence inventories, rapid responses, and rapid reviews. Key informants indicated that the credibility of the review producer, relevance of key questions, and close working relationship between the end-user and producer are critical for any rapid product.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Hartling L, Guise JM, Hempel S .
Fit for purpose: perspectives on rapid reviews from end-user interviews.
Syst Rev 2017 Feb 17;6(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s13643-017-0425-7.
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Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methodologies
Chen Y, Liu Y, Chu H
A simple and robust method for multivariate meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy.
The recently proposed trivariate generalized linear mixed-effects models are only applicable to cohort studies, and more importantly, they assume a common correlation structure across studies and trivariate normality on disease prevalence, test sensitivity, and specificity after transformation by some pre-specified link functions. In this paper, the authors evaluate the performance of the commonly used random-effects model under violations of these assumptions and propose a simple and robust method to fully utilize the information contained in case-control and cohort studies.
AHRQ-funded; HS022900; HS020666.
Citation: Chen Y, Liu Y, Chu H .
A simple and robust method for multivariate meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy.
Stat Med 2017 Jan 15;36(1):105-21. doi: 10.1002/sim.7093.
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Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Research Methodologies
Wang WJ, Robertson JC, Basu A
Burden of illness and research investments in translational sciences for pharmaceuticals in metastatic cancers.
This study explored whether investments in translational sciences for six metastatic cancers follow idiosyncratic returns to those investments rather than levels of burden of illness (BI). It concluded that investments in trials were positively associated only with contemporary changes in BI (2008-2014). The relationship was stronger for government-sponsored comparative-effectiveness trials than for industry.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982.
Citation: Wang WJ, Robertson JC, Basu A .
Burden of illness and research investments in translational sciences for pharmaceuticals in metastatic cancers.
J Comp Eff Res 2017 Jan;6(1):15-24. doi: 10.2217/cer-2016-0021.
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Keywords: Cancer, Comparative Effectiveness, Medication, Research Methodologies
Boland MR, Rusanov A, So Y
From expert-derived user needs to user-perceived ease of use and usefulness: a two-phase mixed-methods evaluation framework.
This paper presents a two-phase evaluation framework involving usability experts (phase 1) and end-users (phase 2). In phase 1, a cross-system functionality alignment between expert-derived user needs and system functions was performed to inform the choice of ‘‘the best available’’ comparison system to enable a cognitive walkthrough in phase 1 and a comparative effectiveness evaluation in phase 2.
AHRQ-funded; HS019853.
Citation: Boland MR, Rusanov A, So Y .
From expert-derived user needs to user-perceived ease of use and usefulness: a two-phase mixed-methods evaluation framework.
J Biomed Inform 2014 Dec;52:141-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jbi.2013.12.004..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methodologies
Viswanathan M, Carey TS, Belinson SE
AHRQ Author: Berliner E, Chang SM
A proposed approach may help systematic reviews retain needed expertise while minimizing bias from nonfinancial conflicts of interest.
The researchers sought to create practical guidance on ensuring adequate clinical or content expertise while maintaining independence of judgment on systematic review teams. They discussed their approach and concluded that the feasibility and utility of this approach to ensuring needed expertise on systematic reviews and minimizing bias from nonfinancial conflicts of interest must be investigated.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Viswanathan M, Carey TS, Belinson SE .
A proposed approach may help systematic reviews retain needed expertise while minimizing bias from nonfinancial conflicts of interest.
J Clin Epidemiol 2014 Nov;67(11):1229-38. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2014.02.023.
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Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methodologies