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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 16 of 16 Research Studies DisplayedCreedon TB, Zuvekas SH, Hill SC
AHRQ Author: Zuvekas SH, Hill SC, McClellan C
Effects of Medicaid expansion on insurance coverage and health services use among adults with disabilities newly eligible for Medicaid.
The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion on insurance coverage and health services use for adults with disabilities newly eligible for Medicaid. The researchers utilized the 2008-2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) PUBSIM model to identify adults between the ages of 26-64 years with disabilities who were newly Medicaid-eligible in expansion states or would have been eligible in non-expansion states if those states had opted in to ACA Medicaid expansion. The study found that among adults with disabilities who were newly eligible for Medicaid, Medicaid expansion was associated with significant increases in full-year Medicaid coverage, receipt of primary care, receipt of flu shots and a significant decrease in out-of-pocket spending. There were greater improvements for adults with disabilities compared to those without disabilities in full-year Medicaid coverage and receipt of flu shots. The researchers concluded that Medicaid expansion was associated with improvements in full-year insurance coverage, receipt of primary and preventive care, and out-of-pocket spending for adults with disabilities who were newly eligible for Medicaid, and there were greater improvements for adults with disabilities than for adults without disabilities.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Creedon TB, Zuvekas SH, Hill SC .
Effects of Medicaid expansion on insurance coverage and health services use among adults with disabilities newly eligible for Medicaid.
Health Serv Res 2022 Dec;57(suppl 2):183-94. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.14034..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Medicaid, Health Insurance, Disabilities, Policy, Access to Care
James TG, Miller MD, McKee MM
Emergency department condition acuity, length of stay, and revisits among deaf and hard-of-hearing patients: a retrospective chart review.
This study assessed emergency department (ED) condition acuity, length of stay (LOS), and acute ED revisits among deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) patients. Findings identified that DHH American Sign Language users have longer ED LOS than non-DHH English-speakers.
AHRQ-funded; HS027537.
Citation: James TG, Miller MD, McKee MM .
Emergency department condition acuity, length of stay, and revisits among deaf and hard-of-hearing patients: a retrospective chart review.
Acad Emerg Med 2022 Nov;29(11):1290-300. doi: 10.1111/acem.14573..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Disabilities, Vulnerable Populations
Valdez RS, Lyon SE, Wellbeloved-Stone C
Engaging the disability community in informatics research: rationales and practical steps.
There is an opportunity for the informatics community to expand its impact by focusing on the disability community as a health disparity population. Digital health technologies can be enhanced by approaching disability from a more holistic framework, simultaneously accounting for multiple forms of disability and the ways that disability intersects with other forms of identity. The authors offer a set of guidelines for effective engagement and argue that such engagement is critical to creating digital health technologies which more fully meet the needs of all disabled individuals.
AHRQ-funded; HS023849.
Citation: Valdez RS, Lyon SE, Wellbeloved-Stone C .
Engaging the disability community in informatics research: rationales and practical steps.
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2022 Oct 7;29(11):1989-95. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocac136..
Keywords: Patient and Family Engagement, Disabilities, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Horner-Johnson W, Garg B, Darney BG BG
Severe maternal morbidity and other perinatal complications among women with physical, sensory, or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The authors assessed differences in severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and other perinatal complications by presence and type of disability in a retrospective cohort study of California births from 2000-2012. They found that SMM and other perinatal complications were more common among women with disabilities than among women without disabilities.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Horner-Johnson W, Garg B, Darney BG BG .
Severe maternal morbidity and other perinatal complications among women with physical, sensory, or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2022 Sep;36(5):759-68. doi: 10.1111/ppe.12873..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Disabilities, Adverse Events, Pregnancy, Women
Herb J, Holmes M, Stitzenberg K
Trends in rural-urban disparities among surgical specialties treating cancer, 2004-2017.
The purpose of this study was to assess trends over time in rural and urban disparities in the supply of surgeons treating patients with cancer. The researchers utilized the Area Health Resource File to conduct a retrospective observational study of medical workforce changes from 2004-2017. The study found that the density of surgical specialists in rural areas declined from 16 to 14 per 100,000 population and in urban areas from 33 to 31 per 100,000 population for a rural-urban disparity increase of 8%. The percentage increase in the supply disparity between the rural and urban workforce was largest for colorectal surgeons (66%) and general surgeons (72%). The study concluded that temporal changes in the rural-urban physician workforce depend on community factors, region, and area of specialization.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Herb J, Holmes M, Stitzenberg K .
Trends in rural-urban disparities among surgical specialties treating cancer, 2004-2017.
J Rural Health 2022 Sep;38(4):838-44. doi: 10.1111/jrh.12658..
Keywords: Rural Health, Disabilities, Surgery, Cancer, Workforce
Chao GF, Chhabra KR, Yang J
Bariatric surgery in Medicare patients: examining safety and healthcare utilization in the disabled and elderly.
The purpose of this study was to compare safety and healthcare use after sleeve gastrectomy versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in a national Medicare cohort. The researchers analyzed Medicare claims from 2012-2017 for 30,105 bariatric surgery patients receiving benefits due to age or disability and compared all outcomes between sleeve and bypass for each benefit group at 30 days, 1 year, and 3 years. The study found that among the disabled patients (n = 21,595), sleeve gastrectomy was associated with lower 3-year ED utilization, complications, reinterventions, rehospitalizations, and mortality. Cumulative expenditures were $46,277 after sleeve gastrectomy and $48,211 after gastric bypass. Among the elderly (n = 8510), sleeve was associated with lower 3-year ED utilization, complications, reinterventions, and rehospitalizations. Expenditures were $38,632 after sleeve gastrectomy and $39,270 after gastric bypass. Procedure treatment effect significantly differed by benefit group for paraesophageal hernia repair, revision, and mortality. The study concluded that healthcare utilization benefits of sleeve over bypass are maintained across Medicare elderly populations and Medicare disabled subpopulations.
AHRQ-funded; HS025778.
Citation: Chao GF, Chhabra KR, Yang J .
Bariatric surgery in Medicare patients: examining safety and healthcare utilization in the disabled and elderly.
Ann Surg 2022 Jul 1;276(1):133-39. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000004526..
Keywords: Obesity: Weight Management, Obesity, Surgery, Medicare, Elderly, Disabilities
James TG, McKee MM, Miller MD
Emergency department utilization among deaf and hard-of-hearing patients: a retrospective chart review.
This retrospective study investigated the differences in emergency department (ED) utilization among deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) patients compared to non-DHH patients. A chart review was conducted using data from a large academic medical center in the southeastern United States. A total of 277 DHH ASL-users, 1000 DHH English speakers, and 1000 non-DHH English speakers were included. DHH ASL users and DHH English speakers had higher adjusted odds ratio of using the ED in the past 36 months than non-DHH English speakers. Abdominal pain was the most common principal diagnosis code for DHH English speakers.
AHRQ-funded; HS027537.
Citation: James TG, McKee MM, Miller MD .
Emergency department utilization among deaf and hard-of-hearing patients: a retrospective chart review.
Disabil Health J 2022 Jul;15(3):101327. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2022.101327..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Disabilities
Adolphe S, Fernandez-Pastrana I, Scott H
EASE-ing the way for pediatric providers and parents: the Engagement and Access to Special Education (EASE) Clinic.
Primary Care Providers (PCPs) are tasked by the American Academy of Pediatrics to identify children who need special education and ensure that those children receive appropriate related services provided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA entitles children between the ages of 3 and 21 to free education through individualized education programs (IEPs), and other related supports. The extent of PCP knowledge about the IDEA, special education, and available related support services and how to assess them, is largely unknown. Existing research indicates there is a lack of knowledge, training, and confidence in providers about special education. Boston Medical Center’s (BMC) Engagement and Access to Special Education (EASE) clinic was developed to provide support to the parents and PCPs of children with special education needs. The purpose of this article was to introduce and describe the EASE clinical model as a useful method for PCPs to strengthen their ability to provide appropriate and available comprehensive care to their patients requiring special education. The authors reported that of the 14,000 pediatric patients at the Boston Medical Center, 308 children were referred to the EASE clinic between its inception in 2017 and May 2021. The majority of children were Black non-Hispanic, English-speaking, and male, with an average age of 8.3 at first clinic. During that same time 452 total visits were completed, with a waiting list of less than 90 days. The authors conclude that for primary care practices with patients with special education needs, the BMC EASE clinic can serve as a useful model for improving their ability to provide care.
AHRQ-funded; HS022242.
Citation: Adolphe S, Fernandez-Pastrana I, Scott H .
EASE-ing the way for pediatric providers and parents: the Engagement and Access to Special Education (EASE) Clinic.
Acad Pediatr 2022 May-Jun;24(4):705-07. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2022.02.011..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Caregiving, Patient and Family Engagement, Vulnerable Populations, Disabilities
Grove LR, Berkowitz SA, Cuddeback G
Permanent supportive housing tenure among a heterogeneous population of adults with disabilities.
This study analyzed the permanent supportive housing (PSH) tenure among a heterogenous population of 2093 adults with disabilities participating in a North Carolina PSH program between 2015 and 2018. Participants had a 71% probability of remaining in the housing after 2 years. A lower hazard of PSH departure was associated with older age, female gender, and non-Hispanic/Black race/ethnicity. Severe mental illness was associated with greater departure hazard.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Grove LR, Berkowitz SA, Cuddeback G .
Permanent supportive housing tenure among a heterogeneous population of adults with disabilities.
Popul Health Manag 2022 Apr;25(2):227-34. doi: 10.1089/pop.2021.0348..
Keywords: Disabilities, Vulnerable Populations
Kenney MK, Chanlongbutra A, Fanflick PL
AHRQ Author: Chanlongbutra A
Systems of care among children and youth with special health care needs with and without adverse childhood events: National Survey of Children's Health 2016-2017.
The purpose of the study was to compare Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) with non-CYSHCN in the likelihood of experiencing Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs), and then document the differences in receiving recommended and needed health care services among CYSHCS with and without ACEs. The researchers studied a sample of 16,304 CYSHCN from the 2016 and 2017 National Survey of Children’s Health (N=71,181). The study found that CYHSCN had a greater likelihood of having each of the measured Adverse Childhood Events, and greater likelihood of experiencing aggregated levels of ACE’s than non-CYSHCN. In addition, an increase in ACEs was related to a decrease in the likelihood of a CYSHCN having a medical home with family-centered and coordinated care. Having one or greater ACEs increased the likelihood of having unmet mental health care needs. The study concluded that the researcher’s findings extend the current understanding of the relationship between CYSHCN and ACEs, and that the need for additional work to establish care systems for this vulnerable population continues.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Kenney MK, Chanlongbutra A, Fanflick PL .
Systems of care among children and youth with special health care needs with and without adverse childhood events: National Survey of Children's Health 2016-2017.
Disabil Health J 2022 Apr;15(2):101226. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101226..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Disabilities, Healthcare Delivery, Vulnerable Populations
Davidson L, Haynes SC, Favila-Meza A
Parent experience and cost savings associated with a novel tele-physiatry program for children living in rural and underserved communities.
This study investigated patient and therapist experience and cost savings from the payer perspective associated with a novel tele-physiatry program for children living in rural and underserved communities. Study setting was four school-based clinics in Northern California with a total of 268 encounters (124 telemedicine and 144 in-person). Parent and therapists reported no difference in experience and perceived quality of care between telemedicine and in-person encounters. For parents whose children received a telemedicine encounter, 54.8% reported no preference for their child’s subsequent encounter, 28.8% preferred a physiatrist telemedicine visit, and 12 preferred a physiatrist in-person visit. There was also an average cost savings of $100 per clinic owing to physician milage for in-person visits.
AHRQ-funded; HS025714.
Citation: Davidson L, Haynes SC, Favila-Meza A .
Parent experience and cost savings associated with a novel tele-physiatry program for children living in rural and underserved communities.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2022 Jan;103(1):8-13. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2021.07.807..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Healthcare Costs, Rural Health, Vulnerable Populations, Disabilities, Rural/Inner-City Residents
Lindly O, Eaves MC, Xu Y
Therapy use for U.S. school-aged children with developmental disabilities: state variation and determinants.
This study’s objective was to determine geographic variability and determinants of therapy use among school-aged U.S. children with development disabilities (DD). The authors aimed to (1) determine if therapy use varies significantly by state and (2) examine associations of health determinants with therapy use among U.S. school-aged children with DD. They conducted a secondary analysis of 2016 and 2017 National Survey of Children's Health data, with the sample including 9984 children with DD ages 6-17 years old. They found that overall, 34.6% of children used therapy services, with therapy use varying significantly across states. There were higher adjusted odds of therapy access associated with younger age, public insurance, functional limitations, individualized education program, frustration accessing services, and care coordination need. There were higher estimated annual Medicaid Home and Community-Based Service waiver costs associated with lower adjusted odds of therapy use in states with those waivers.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Lindly O, Eaves MC, Xu Y .
Therapy use for U.S. school-aged children with developmental disabilities: state variation and determinants.
Disabil Health J 2022 Jan; 15(1):101198. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101198..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Disabilities
Bennett WE, Jr., Hendrix KS, Thompson-Fleming RT
Early cow's milk introduction is associated with failed personal-social milestones after 1 year of age.
The researchers used a novel computerized decision support system to gather data from multiple general pediatrics offices.They found an association between the introduction of cow's milk before 1 year of age and the rate of delayed developmental milestones after 1 year of age, adding strength to the recommendations from the AAP and IOM to delay cow's milk introduction until after 1 year of age.
AHRQ-funded; HS017939; HS018453; HS020640.
Citation: Bennett WE, Jr., Hendrix KS, Thompson-Fleming RT .
Early cow's milk introduction is associated with failed personal-social milestones after 1 year of age.
Eur J Pediatr 2014 Jul;173(7):887-92. doi: 10.1007/s00431-014-2265-y.
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Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Disabilities, Health Information Technology (HIT), Newborns/Infants, Nutrition
Davidoff AJ, Gardner LD, Zuckerman IH
AHRQ Author: Davidoff AJ
Validation of disability status, a claims-based measure of functional status for cancer treatment and outcomes studies.
The researchers implemented and validated a disability status (DS) measure in 4 cohorts of cancer patients. They found that the DS measure is a significant independent predictor of cancer-directed treatment, but unobserved factors continue to play a role in determining treatments.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Davidoff AJ, Gardner LD, Zuckerman IH .
Validation of disability status, a claims-based measure of functional status for cancer treatment and outcomes studies.
Med Care 2014 Jun;52(6):500-10. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000122.
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Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Disabilities, Health Status, Cancer: Lung Cancer
Rowland M, Peterson-Besse J, Dobbertin K
Health outcome disparities among subgroups of people with disabilities: a scoping review.
The authors described recent research activity that has examined health outcome disparities within populations of people with disabilities. They found that the health outcomes most frequently examined were diabetes and heart disease, and the most frequently examined disparity factors were the type of disabling condition and gender. Identifying that there are significant gaps in available research, they concluded that building a body of research that identifies disparities and potentially vulnerable subgroups may improve understanding of the causes of disparities and contribute to efforts to improve quality of life and health outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Rowland M, Peterson-Besse J, Dobbertin K .
Health outcome disparities among subgroups of people with disabilities: a scoping review.
Disabil Health J 2014 Apr;7(2):136-50. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2013.09.003.
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Keywords: Disabilities, Disparities, Health Status, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Bettger JP, Zhao X, Bushnell C
The association between socioeconomic status and disability after stroke: findings from the Adherence eValuation After Ischemic stroke Longitudinal (AVAIL) registry.
The authors examined the association of three indicators of SES--educational attainment, working status, and perceived adequacy of household income--with disability 3-months following an acute ischemic stroke. They found that 58% of the Adherence eValuation After Ischemic stroke--Longitudinal study patients had a high school or less education, 61% were not working, and 27% perceived their household income as inadequate prior to their stroke. Thirty five percent of patients were disabled at 3-months. They concluded that, in this cohort of stroke survivors, socioeconomic status was associated with disability following acute ischemic stroke.
AHRQ-funded; HS019479; HS016964.
Citation: Bettger JP, Zhao X, Bushnell C .
The association between socioeconomic status and disability after stroke: findings from the Adherence eValuation After Ischemic stroke Longitudinal (AVAIL) registry.
BMC Public Health 2014 Mar 26;14:281. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-281.
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Keywords: Disabilities, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Social Determinants of Health, Stroke