National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- (-) Access to Care (40)
- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (1)
- Behavioral Health (3)
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- Clinician-Patient Communication (2)
- Communication (1)
- Community-Based Practice (4)
- Critical Care (1)
- Decision Making (1)
- Dental and Oral Health (5)
- Disparities (9)
- Emergency Department (1)
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (4)
- Evidence-Based Practice (1)
- Guidelines (1)
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) (1)
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- Health Insurance (7)
- Health Services Research (HSR) (7)
- Health Status (1)
- Hospitalization (1)
- Hospitals (3)
- Kidney Disease and Health (1)
- Labor and Delivery (2)
- Low-Income (1)
- Maternal Care (2)
- Medicaid (5)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (4)
- Medication (1)
- Mortality (1)
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- Patient Experience (1)
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- Primary Care (3)
- Provider: Pharmacist (2)
- Quality of Care (1)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (5)
- Skin Conditions (1)
- Sleep Problems (1)
- Social Determinants of Health (5)
- Stroke (2)
- Substance Abuse (1)
- Surgery (3)
- Transplantation (3)
- Uninsured (2)
- Vulnerable Populations (2)
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 25 of 40 Research Studies DisplayedCalo WA, Cubillos L, Breen J
Experiences of Latinos with limited English proficiency with patient registration systems and their interactions with clinic front office staff: an exploratory study to inform community-based translational research in North Carolina.
This study explored Latino patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) experiences with, and expectations for, interactions with patient registration systems and front office staff. It found that Latino patients in North Carolina experienced health services barriers unique to their LEP background. Participants identified ways in which the lack of cultural and linguistic competence of front office staff negatively affect their experiences seeking health services.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Calo WA, Cubillos L, Breen J .
Experiences of Latinos with limited English proficiency with patient registration systems and their interactions with clinic front office staff: an exploratory study to inform community-based translational research in North Carolina.
BMC Health Serv Res 2015 Dec 23;15:570. doi: 10.1186/s12913-015-1235-z.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Communication, Health Services Research (HSR), Clinician-Patient Communication, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Ray KN, Chari AV, Engberg J
Disparities in time spent seeking medical care in the United States.
The researchers assessed how time associated with medical visits varied across socioeconomic variables and visit characteristics. They determined that patients spent on average 123 minutes obtaining medical care, including 86 minutes of clinic time and 38 minutes travel time. Clinic time was significantly longer for racial/ethnic minorities, individuals with less education, and unemployed individuals.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Ray KN, Chari AV, Engberg J .
Disparities in time spent seeking medical care in the United States.
JAMA Intern Med 2015 Dec;175(12):1983-6. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.4468..
Keywords: Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health, Access to Care, Quality of Care
Decker SL, Lipton BJ
AHRQ Author: Decker SL
Do Medicaid benefit expansions have teeth? The effect of Medicaid adult dental coverage on the use of dental services and oral health.
This article examines the effect of Medicaid adult dental coverage on use of dental care and dental health outcomes using state-level variation in dental coverage during 2000-2012. Its findings imply that dental coverage is associated with an increase in the likelihood of a recent dental visit, with the size of the effect increasing with Medicaid payment rates to dentists, and a reduction in the likelihood of untreated dental caries.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Decker SL, Lipton BJ .
Do Medicaid benefit expansions have teeth? The effect of Medicaid adult dental coverage on the use of dental services and oral health.
J Health Econ 2015 Dec;44:212-25. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2015.08.009.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Dental and Oral Health, Health Insurance, Healthcare Utilization, Medicaid, Outcomes
Guy GP, Jr., Yabroff KR, Ekwueme DU
AHRQ Author: Soni A
Healthcare expenditure burden among non-elderly cancer survivors, 2008-2012.
This study presented nationally representative estimates of annual out-of-pocket (OOP) burden among non-elderly cancer survivors and assessed the association between high OOP burden and access to care and preventive service utilization. It found that, among cancer survivors, high OOP burden was associated with being unable to obtain necessary medical care, delaying necessary medical care, and lower breast cancer screening rates among women.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Guy GP, Jr., Yabroff KR, Ekwueme DU .
Healthcare expenditure burden among non-elderly cancer survivors, 2008-2012.
Am J Prev Med 2015 Dec;49(6s5):S489-s97. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2015.09.002.
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Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Healthcare Costs, Cancer, Access to Care
Lee DC, Carr BG, Smith TE
The impact of hospital closures and hospital and population characteristics on increasing emergency department volume: a geographic analysis.
The objective of this study was to test the association of hospital and population characteristics and the effect of hospital closures with increases in emergency department volume. Emergency volume increased nearly twice as fast at tertiary referral centers (4.8 percent) and nonurban hospitals (3.7 percent versus urban at 2.1 percent) after adjusting for other characteristics. The effect of hospital closures also strongly predicted variation in growth.
AHRQ-funded; HS018362; HS010914.
Citation: Lee DC, Carr BG, Smith TE .
The impact of hospital closures and hospital and population characteristics on increasing emergency department volume: a geographic analysis.
Popul Health Manag 2015 Dec;18(6):459-66. doi: 10.1089/pop.2014.0123.
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Keywords: Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Emergency Department, Hospitals, Access to Care
Abdus S, Mistry KB, Selden TM
AHRQ Author: Mistry KB, Selden TM
Racial and ethnic disparities in services and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The researchers examined pre-reform patterns in insurance coverage, access to care, and preventive services use by race/ethnicity in adults targeted by the coverage expansions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). They found that minorities were disproportionately represented among those targeted by the coverage provisions of the ACA.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Abdus S, Mistry KB, Selden TM .
Racial and ethnic disparities in services and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Am J Public Health 2015 Nov;105(Suppl 5):S668-75. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2015.302892..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Health Insurance, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Access to Care
Korst LM, Feldman DS, Bollman DL
Cross-sectional survey of California childbirth hospitals: implications for defining maternal levels of risk-appropriate care.
The researchers examined the extent to which hospitals could be classified by increasingly sophisticated maternal levels of care. They concluded that childbirth services varied widely across California hospitals, and most hospitals did not fit easily into proposed levels. Cognizance of this existing variation is critical to determining the optimal configuration of services for basic, intermediate, and regional maternal levels of care.
AHRQ-funded; HS020915.
Citation: Korst LM, Feldman DS, Bollman DL .
Cross-sectional survey of California childbirth hospitals: implications for defining maternal levels of risk-appropriate care.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2015 Oct;213(4):527.e1-27.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.07.014..
Keywords: Labor and Delivery, Maternal Care, Hospitals, Access to Care
Sulzer SH
Does "difficult patient" status contribute to de facto demedicalization? The case of borderline personality disorder.
This study relies on 22 in-depth interviews with mental health clinicians in the United States to evaluate how they describe patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD), how the diagnosis of BPD affects the treatment clinicians are willing to provide, and the implications for patients. Its findings suggest patients with BPD are routinely labeled “difficult,” and subsequently routed out of care through a variety of direct and indirect means.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Sulzer SH .
Does "difficult patient" status contribute to de facto demedicalization? The case of borderline personality disorder.
Soc Sci Med 2015 Oct;142:82-9. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.08.008..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Clinician-Patient Communication, Access to Care
Gray SH, Trudell EK, Emans SJ
Total direct medical expenses and characteristics of privately insured adolescents who incur high costs.
This study assessed health care expenditures for high-cost adolescents and described the patient characteristics associated with high medical costs. It concluded that total direct medical expenses for privately insured high-cost adolescents are associated with medical complexity, mental health conditions, and obesity. Cost reduction strategies in similar populations should be tailored to these cost drivers.
AHRQ-funded; HS023092.
Citation: Gray SH, Trudell EK, Emans SJ .
Total direct medical expenses and characteristics of privately insured adolescents who incur high costs.
JAMA Pediatr 2015 Oct;169(10):e152682. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2015.2682..
Keywords: Access to Care, Children/Adolescents, Healthcare Costs, Health Insurance
Korst LM, Feldman DS, Bollman DL
Variation in childbirth services in California: a cross-sectional survey of childbirth hospitals.
The objective of the study was to describe the resources and activities associated with childbirth services. It concluded that childbirth services varied widely across California hospitals. Cognizance of this variation and linkage of these data to childbirth outcomes should assist in the identification of key resources and activities that optimize the hospital environment for pregnant women.
AHRQ-funded; HS020915.
Citation: Korst LM, Feldman DS, Bollman DL .
Variation in childbirth services in California: a cross-sectional survey of childbirth hospitals.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2015 Oct;213(4):523.e1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.08.013..
Keywords: Labor and Delivery, Maternal Care, Hospitals, Access to Care
Traino HM, Nonterah CW, Cyrus JW
Disparities in the completion of steps to kidney transplantation: protocol for a systematic review.
This review will catalogue disparities in the steps to transplantation as well as the barriers and facilitators to completion of each step identified in the extant literature. The results of the review will be used to generate recommendations for future research to improve equity in access to kidney transplantation.
AHRQ-funded; HS018113.
Citation: Traino HM, Nonterah CW, Cyrus JW .
Disparities in the completion of steps to kidney transplantation: protocol for a systematic review.
BMJ Open 2015 Sep 08;5(9):e008677. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008677.
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Keywords: Disparities, Transplantation, Kidney Disease and Health, Access to Care, Guidelines
Wiener ES, Mullins CD, Pincus KJ
A framework for pharmacist-assisted medication adherence in hard-to-reach patients.
This study aimed to create a model for use in patient-centered, pharmacist-led interactions to improve medication adherence. The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA), a behavioral change framework, was adapted to known barriers of medication adherence. The study concluded that the newly developed framework provides a patient centered approach to facilitate and improve pharmacist-patient conversations regarding medication adherence.
AHRQ-funded; HS022135.
Citation: Wiener ES, Mullins CD, Pincus KJ .
A framework for pharmacist-assisted medication adherence in hard-to-reach patients.
Res Social Adm Pharm 2015 Sep-Oct;11(5):595-601. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2014.11.0.
Keywords: Medication, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Access to Care, Provider: Pharmacist
Portela M, Sommers BD
On the outskirts of national health reform: a comparative assessment of health insurance and access to care in Puerto Rico and the United States.
This article presents an overview of Puerto Rico’s health care system and a comparative analysis of coverage and access to care in Puerto Rico and the mainland United States. It found that uninsured rates were significantly lower in Puerto Rico;. Medicaid was far more common in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rican residents were more likely than those in the mainland United States to have a usual source of care and to have had a checkup within the past year.
AHRQ-funded; HS021291.
Citation: Portela M, Sommers BD .
On the outskirts of national health reform: a comparative assessment of health insurance and access to care in Puerto Rico and the United States.
Milbank Q 2015 Sep;93(3):584-608. doi: 10.1111/1468-0009.12138..
Keywords: Health Insurance, Access to Care, Policy, Medicaid, Uninsured
Sofolahan-Oladeinde Y, Mullins CD, Baquet CR
Using community-based participatory research in patient-centered outcomes research to address health disparities in under-represented communities.
The authors proposed ways by which patient-centered outcomes research can effectively use community-based participatory research principles to engage patients in general, and specifically patients from underserved communities, in the hope that this will help to reduce and eventually eliminate health disparities.
AHRQ-funded; HS022135.
Citation: Sofolahan-Oladeinde Y, Mullins CD, Baquet CR .
Using community-based participatory research in patient-centered outcomes research to address health disparities in under-represented communities.
J Comp Eff Res 2015 Sep;4(5):515-23. doi: 10.2217/cer.15.31.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Disparities, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Vulnerable Populations
Hudson JL, Abdus S
AHRQ Author: Hudson JL
Coverage and care consequences for families in which children have mixed eligibility for public insurance.
The researchers used data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component for 2001–12 to examine insurance coverage, access to care, and health care use for eligible children in families with mixed eligible siblings compared to those in families where all siblings were eligible for one program. They found that mixed eligibility has a significant dampening effect for eligible children.
AHRQ-authored
Citation: Hudson JL, Abdus S .
Coverage and care consequences for families in which children have mixed eligibility for public insurance.
Health Aff 2015 Aug;34(8):1340-8. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2015.0128..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Children/Adolescents, Health Insurance, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization
Geissler KH, Becker C, Stearns SC
Exploring the association of homicides in northern Mexico and healthcare access for US residents.
The reesearchers analyzed whether recent increases in homicides in Mexico are associated with reduced healthcare access for US border residents. They found that, despite a decrease in border crossings, increased violence in Mexico did not appear to negatively affect healthcare access for US border residents.
AHRQ-funded; HS021074.
Citation: Geissler KH, Becker C, Stearns SC .
Exploring the association of homicides in northern Mexico and healthcare access for US residents.
J Immigr Minor Health 2015 Aug;17(4):1214-24. doi: 10.1007/s10903-014-0053-4.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Health Services Research (HSR), Social Determinants of Health
Davis AE, Mehrotra S, Friedewald JJ
Improving geographic equity in kidney transplantation using alternative kidney sharing and optimization modeling.
The authors analyzed current kidney allocation and developed an alternative kidney sharing strategy using a multiperiod linear optimization model, KSHARE, which aims to improve geographic equity in kidney transplantation while also respecting transplant system constraints and priorities. They used Organ Procurement and Transplant Network data to determine that enhancing the practice of sharing kidneys by the KSHARE model may increase geographic equity in kidney transplantation.
AHRQ-funded; HS021078.
Citation: Davis AE, Mehrotra S, Friedewald JJ .
Improving geographic equity in kidney transplantation using alternative kidney sharing and optimization modeling.
Med Decis Making 2015 Aug;35(6):797-807. doi: 10.1177/0272989x14557696.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Disparities, Health Services Research (HSR), Social Determinants of Health, Transplantation
Toro-Diaz H, Mayorga ME, Barritt AS
Predicting liver transplant capacity using discrete event simulation.
The researchers constructed a discrete event simulation model informed by current donor characteristics to predict future liver transplant trends through the year 2030. They found that by altering assumptions about the future donor pool, their model can be used to develop policy interventions to prevent a further decline in this lifesaving therapy.
AHRQ-funded; HS019468.
Citation: Toro-Diaz H, Mayorga ME, Barritt AS .
Predicting liver transplant capacity using discrete event simulation.
Med Decis Making 2015 Aug;35(6):784-96. doi: 10.1177/0272989x14559055.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Health Services Research (HSR), Policy, Transplantation
Silverberg JI
Health care utilization, patient costs, and access to care in US adults with eczema: a population-based study.
This study examined the out-of-pocket costs, health care access and utilization in adult eczema in the United States. It found that adults with eczema had $371 to $489 higher out-of-pocket costs per person-year compared with those without eczema, with higher odds of increased out-of-pocket costs.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Silverberg JI .
Health care utilization, patient costs, and access to care in US adults with eczema: a population-based study.
JAMA Dermatol 2015 Jul;151(7):743-52. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.5432.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Skin Conditions
Malecki K, Wisk LE, Walsh M
Oral health equity and unmet dental care needs in a population-based sample: findings from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin.
The authors explored individual-, psychosocial-, and community-level predictors of oral health status in the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin Oral Health Screening project. Their results suggested that costs were a primary predictor of access to care and poor oral health status, underscoring the role that primary care, in conjunction with dental health care providers, could play in promoting oral health care, particularly in reducing barriers and promoting preventive health behaviors.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Malecki K, Wisk LE, Walsh M .
Oral health equity and unmet dental care needs in a population-based sample: findings from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin.
Am J Public Health 2015 Jul;105 Suppl 3:S466-74. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2014.302338.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Dental and Oral Health, Disparities, Healthcare Costs, Health Services Research (HSR)
Geissler KH, Holmes GM
Emergency department use in the US-Mexico border region and violence in Mexico: is there a relationship?
This study assessed the association between homicide rates in northern Mexico and potentially avoidable use of emergency departments (ED) in the US-Mexico border region. It concluded that a substantial majority of ED encounters in the US-Mexico border region were potentially avoidable. However, there was not a strong relationship between homicide rates in northern Mexico and the distribution of ED discharges in Arizona and California.
AHRQ-funded; HS021074.
Citation: Geissler KH, Holmes GM .
Emergency department use in the US-Mexico border region and violence in Mexico: is there a relationship?
J Rural Health 2015 Summer;31(3):316-25. doi: 10.1111/jrh.12109.
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Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Healthcare Utilization, Access to Care, Vulnerable Populations
Ripley DC, Kwong PL, Vogel WB
How does geographic access affect in-hospital mortality for veterans with acute ischemic stroke?
This study examined the relationship between estimated travel time to admitting hospital and mortality for veterans with acute ischemic stroke. It found that even after adjusting for the confounding effects of patient, treatment, and facility characteristics, travel time from home to admitting VAMC was significantly associated with inhospital mortality.
AHRQ-funded; HS018540.
Citation: Ripley DC, Kwong PL, Vogel WB .
How does geographic access affect in-hospital mortality for veterans with acute ischemic stroke?
Med Care 2015 Jun;53(6):501-9. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000366..
Keywords: Stroke, Mortality, Access to Care
Dumas SA, Polk D
Pediatric dental clinic location and utilization in a high-resource setting.
This study examined dental utilization by Medicaid-insured children living in a high-resource area and characterized distance and travel-related variables to accessing care. It concluded that closer proximity may contribute to the higher utilization of services observed compared with national rates.
AHRQ-funded; HS019486.
Citation: Dumas SA, Polk D .
Pediatric dental clinic location and utilization in a high-resource setting.
J Public Health Dent 2015 Summer;75(3):183-90. doi: 10.1111/jphd.12086.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Healthcare Utilization, Dental and Oral Health, Access to Care, Medicaid
Suskind AM, Zhang Y, Dunn RL
Understanding the diffusion of ambulatory surgery centers.
The objective of this study was to understand potential facilitators and/or barriers to the introduction of freestanding ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) in the United States. It found that ASCs were more likely to open in hospital service areas that were urban, had higher per capita income, and less competition for outpatient surgery.
AHRQ-funded; HS020927; HS018726.
Citation: Suskind AM, Zhang Y, Dunn RL .
Understanding the diffusion of ambulatory surgery centers.
Surg Innov 2015 Jun;22(3):257-65. doi: 10.1177/1553350614546004..
Keywords: Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Access to Care, Surgery
Sylvia LG, Thase ME, Reilly-Harrington NA
Psychotherapy use in bipolar disorder: association with functioning and illness severity.
The researchers examined characteristics of individuals with bipolar disorder who sought psychotherapy versus those who did not. Their data suggest that a minority of individuals with bipolar disorder attend psychotherapy services, and those that do have greater illness burden.
AHRQ-funded; HS019371.
Citation: Sylvia LG, Thase ME, Reilly-Harrington NA .
Psychotherapy use in bipolar disorder: association with functioning and illness severity.
Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2015 May;49(5):453-61. doi: 10.1177/0004867415569803..
Keywords: Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Behavioral Health