National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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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 19 of 19 Research Studies DisplayedFerrari RM, Atkins DL, Wangen M
Patient perspectives on a proposed pharmacy-based colorectal cancer screening program.
The objective of this study was to assess patient perspectives on receiving fecal immunochemical colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests through pharmacies. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with participants in North Carolina and Washington. Survey participants reported pharmacy-based CRC screening programs to be highly acceptable, citing convenience, ease of access, and avoidance of co-pays, but they also had concerns about privacy and coordination with primary care providers. The researchers concluded that CRC screening in pharmacies is potentially a good option, provided patients have privacy and their primary care providers are informed.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Ferrari RM, Atkins DL, Wangen M .
Patient perspectives on a proposed pharmacy-based colorectal cancer screening program.
Transl Behav Med 2023 Dec 15; 13(12):909-18. doi: 10.1093/tbm/ibad057..
Keywords: Provider: Pharmacist, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Colonoscopy, Screening, Prevention
McGee-Avila JK, Richmond J, Henry KA
Disparities in geospatial patterns of cancer care within urban counties and structural inequities in access to oncology care.
This study examined geospatial patterns of cancer care utilization across diverse populations in New Jersey-a state where most residents live in urban areas. The authors used data from the New Jersey State Cancer Registry. They examined the location of cancer treatment among patients 20-65 years of age diagnosed with breast, colorectal, or invasive cervical cancer and investigated differences in geospatial patterns of care by individual and area-level (e.g., census tract-level) characteristics. They observed significant differences in geospatial patterns of cancer treatment by race/ethnicity, insurance type, and area-level factors. They found that Black patients had a 5.6% higher likelihood of receiving care within their own residential county compared to non-Hispanic White patients. Patients living in census tracts with the highest quintile of social vulnerability were 4.6% more likely to receive treatment within their residential county and were 2.7% less likely to seek out-of-state care.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: McGee-Avila JK, Richmond J, Henry KA .
Disparities in geospatial patterns of cancer care within urban counties and structural inequities in access to oncology care.
Health Serv Res 2023 Aug; 58(Suppl 2):152-64. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.14182..
Keywords: Disparities, Urban Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents, Cancer, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer: Cervical Cancer
Rivard SJ, Vitous CA, Bamdad MC
"I wish there had been resources": a photo-elicitation study of rectal cancer survivorship care needs.
Prior research reveals that healthcare providers are not skilled at identifying the most relevant rectal cancer survivorship issues. As a result, survivorship care is inadequate with most rectal cancer survivors reporting at least one unmet posttherapy need. The purpose of this photo-elicitation study was to explore rectal cancer survivors’ lived experiences using participant-submitted photographs and minimally structured qualitative interviews. Twenty rectal cancer survivors from a single center submitted photographs illustrative of their life after rectal cancer therapy. The study found that rectal cancer survivors’ recommendations to improve their survivorship care fell into three primary themes: 1) informational needs; 2) continued multidisciplinary follow up care; and 3) suggestions for support services. The study concluded that rectal cancer survivors want information that is more detailed and individualized, access to multidisciplinary follow-up care over time, and resources to alleviate the challenges of daily life.
AHRQ-funded; HS026772; HS000053.
Citation: Rivard SJ, Vitous CA, Bamdad MC .
"I wish there had been resources": a photo-elicitation study of rectal cancer survivorship care needs.
Ann Surg Oncol 2023 Jun; 30(6):3530-37. doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-13042-6..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Quality of Life, Patient Experience
Khoong EC, Rivadeneira NA, Pacca L
Extent of follow-up on abnormal cancer screening in multiple California public hospital systems: a retrospective review.
This report’s objective was to describes patterns of performance on follow-up of abnormal colon and breast cancer screening tests and explores the extent to which racial/ethnic disparities exist in public hospital systems. The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from five California public hospital systems between July 2015 and June 2017. The authors assessed follow-up rates of colonoscopy after positive fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) and breast tissue biopsy within 21 days after a BIRADS 4/5 mammogram. Negative associations with follow-up colonoscopy were associated with older age, Medicaid insurance, lack of insurance, English language and site; while Hispanic ethnicity and Asian race were positively associated with follow-up colonoscopy. Of 1702 BIRADS 4/5 mammograms, 64% received a timely biopsy; only site was associated with timely follow-up biopsy. Site-level factors were found to have a larger, more consistent impact on follow-up rates than patient sociodemographic traits.
AHRQ-funded; HS024412.
Citation: Khoong EC, Rivadeneira NA, Pacca L .
Extent of follow-up on abnormal cancer screening in multiple California public hospital systems: a retrospective review.
J Gen Intern Med 2023 Jan; 38(1):21-29. doi: 10.1007/s11606-022-07657-4..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Disparities, Women
Hassmiller Lich K, O'Leary MC, Nambiar S
Estimating the impact of insurance expansion on colorectal cancer and related costs in North Carolina: a population-level simulation analysis.
Researchers used microsimulation to estimate the health and financial effects of insurance expansion and reduction scenarios in North Carolina (NC) for colorectal cancer screening (CRC). The full lifetime of a simulated population of residents age-eligible for CRC screening (aged 50-75) during a 5-year period were simulated. Findings indicate that the estimated cost savings--balancing increased CRC screening/testing costs against decreased cancer treatment costs--were approximately $30 M and $970 M for Medicaid expansion and Medicare-for-all scenarios, respectively, compared to status quo. The researchers concluded that insurance expansion will likely improve CRC screening both overall and in underserved populations while saving money, with the largest savings realized by Medicare.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Hassmiller Lich K, O'Leary MC, Nambiar S .
Estimating the impact of insurance expansion on colorectal cancer and related costs in North Carolina: a population-level simulation analysis.
Prev Med 2019 Dec;129s:105847. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.105847..
Keywords: Health Insurance, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Healthcare Costs, Screening, Prevention, Medicaid, Medicare, Policy, Access to Care
Symer MM, Sedrakyan A, Yeo HL
Case sequence analysis of the robotic colorectal resection learning curve.
This study examined trends in the increasing rate of resection surgery for colorectal cancer using robots. It has a major learning curve so investigators wanted to see if complication rates went down as the technology become more common. The cohort included adults undergoing colorectal section from 2008 through 2016 from data in the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative database. The number of procedures started at 76 cases in 2010 and increased to 702 cases in 2015. Findings were that major complications (myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, shock, and death) did not decrease but iatrogenic complications were reduced. The odds of prolonged length of stay also decreased over time.
AHRQ-funded; HS000066.
Citation: Symer MM, Sedrakyan A, Yeo HL .
Case sequence analysis of the robotic colorectal resection learning curve.
Dis Colon Rectum 2019 Sep;62(9):1071-78. doi: 10.1097/dcr.0000000000001437..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Surgery, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Outcomes
Niu X, Amendola LM, Hart R
Clinical exome sequencing vs. usual care for hereditary colorectal cancer diagnosis: a pilot comparative effectiveness study.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical exome sequencing (CES) compared to usual care (UC) in the diagnostic work-up of inherited colorectal cancer/polyposis (CRCP) in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The investigators indicate that their results suggest that CES provides similar clinical benefits to multi-gene panels in the diagnosis of hereditary CRCP.
AHRQ-funded; HS021686.
Citation: Niu X, Amendola LM, Hart R .
Clinical exome sequencing vs. usual care for hereditary colorectal cancer diagnosis: a pilot comparative effectiveness study.
Contemp Clin Trials 2019 Sep;84:105820. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.105820..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Comparative Effectiveness, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Emani S, Sequist TD, Lacson R
Ambulatory safety nets to reduce missed and delayed diagnoses of cancer.
An ambulatory safety net (ASN) is an innovative organizational intervention for addressing patient safety related to missed and delayed diagnoses of abnormal test results. ASNs consist of a set of tools, reports and registries, and associated work flows to create a high-reliability system for abnormal test result management. In this paper, two ASNs implemented at an academic medical center are described, one focusing on colon cancer and the other on lung cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS024722.
Citation: Emani S, Sequist TD, Lacson R .
Ambulatory safety nets to reduce missed and delayed diagnoses of cancer.
Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2019 Aug;45(8):552-57. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2019.05.010.
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Keywords: Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Cancer: Lung Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Ambulatory Care and Surgery
Davis MM, Gunn R, Pham R
Key collaborative factors when Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations work with primary care clinics to improve colorectal cancer screening: relationships, data, and quality improvement infrastructure.
This study focused on ways that Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are implementing interventions with primary care clinics to improve colorectal cancer screening. The researchers conducted a comparative case study of 14 Medicaid ACOs in Oregon and their contracted primary care clinics. They focused on interventions that reduced structural barriers (12 ACOs), delivered provider assessment and feedback (11 ACOs), and provided patient reminders (7 ACOs). There was an unintended consequence of potential exclusion of smaller clinics and metric focus and fatigue.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Davis MM, Gunn R, Pham R .
Key collaborative factors when Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations work with primary care clinics to improve colorectal cancer screening: relationships, data, and quality improvement infrastructure.
Prev Chronic Dis 2019 Aug 15;16:E107. doi: 10.5888/pcd16.180395..
Keywords: Primary Care: Models of Care, Primary Care, Screening, Colonoscopy, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Care Coordination, Patient-Centered Healthcare
Bravo RI, Kietzman KG, Toy P
Linking primary care and community organizations to increase colorectal cancer screening rates: the HAPPI project.
This paper describes the Healthy Aging Partnerships in Prevention Initiative (HAPPI) which aims to increase colorectal cancer screening and other preventive services among underserved Latinos and African-Americans in South Los Angeles who are 50 years and older. It uses an evidence-based model (SPARC) to leverage existing resources and has multi-sectoral partnerships among different agencies, community health centers (CHCs), and a university. The authors engaged five CHCs in quality improvement activities and eight non-governmental organizations in networking and programming to increase awareness of these preventive services.
AHRQ-funded; HS010858.
Citation: Bravo RI, Kietzman KG, Toy P .
Linking primary care and community organizations to increase colorectal cancer screening rates: the HAPPI project.
Salud Publica Mex 2019 Jul-Aug;61(4):427-35. doi: 10.21149/9450..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Prevention, Primary Care: Models of Care, Primary Care, Elderly, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Vulnerable Populations, Patient-Centered Healthcare
Huguet N, Angier H, Rdesinski R
Cervical and colorectal cancer screening prevalence before and after Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion.
This study assessed changes in the prevalence of cervical and colorectal cancer screening from before and after the Affordable Care Act in Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states among patients seen in community health centers. Results showed that, despite increased prevalences of cervical and colorectal cancer screening in both expansion and non-expansion states across all race/ethnicity groups, rates remained suboptimal for this population of socioeconomically disadvantaged patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS024270.
Citation: Huguet N, Angier H, Rdesinski R .
Cervical and colorectal cancer screening prevalence before and after Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion.
Prev Med 2019 Jul;124:91-97. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.05.003..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Cervical Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Healthcare Delivery, Healthcare Utilization, Medicaid, Policy, Prevention, Screening
Antunez AG, Kanters AE, Regenbogen SE
Evaluation of access to hospitals most ready to achieve national accreditation for rectal cancer treatment.
This cohort study looked at hospitals’ readiness to be part of the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC), and what types of hospitals are most likely to receive NAPRC accreditation. A total of 1315 American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer-accredited hospitals from the National Cancer Database were sorted into 4 cohorts from 2011 to 2015. They were organized by high versus low volume, adherence to process standards, and patient and hospital characteristics and oncologic outcomes were compared. Among those hospitals, 38 (2.9%) met proposed thresholds for all 5 NAPRC process standards, and 220 (16.7%) met the threshold on 4 standards. Low-adherence hospitals were more likely to serve patients who were older, as well more public insurance recipients, or were black or Hispanic.
ARHQ-funded; HS000053.
Citation: Antunez AG, Kanters AE, Regenbogen SE .
Evaluation of access to hospitals most ready to achieve national accreditation for rectal cancer treatment.
JAMA Surg 2019 Jun;154(6):516-23. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2018.5521..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Hospitals, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care
O'Leary MC, Lich KH, Gu Y
Colorectal cancer screening in newly insured Medicaid members: a review of concurrent federal and state policies.
The goal of this study was to determine the impact of national and state policies enacted to increase access to Medicaid and to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) screening on newly enrolled, age-eligible Oregon Medicaid beneficiaries. 2010 - 2015 Oregon Medicaid claims data was used to conduct a cohort analysis of enrollees who turned 50 and became age-eligible for CRC screening. Individuals newly enrolled in Medicaid in 2013 or 2014 were more likely to initiate CRC screening than those enrolled by 2010, associated with the timing of policies such as Medicaid expansion and federal matching for preventive services. A primary care visit during the calendar year, one or more chronic conditions, and Hispanic ethnicity were also associated with CRC screening initiation.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: O'Leary MC, Lich KH, Gu Y .
Colorectal cancer screening in newly insured Medicaid members: a review of concurrent federal and state policies.
BMC Health Serv Res 2019 May 9;19(1):298. doi: 10.1186/s12913-019-4113-2..
Keywords: Access to Care, Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Medicaid, Policy, Prevention, Screening
Ellis CT, Cole AL, Sanoff HK
Evaluating surveillance patterns after chemoradiation-only compared with conventional management for older patients with rectal cancer.
This study examined surveillance patterns for elderly patients who were treated only with chemoradiation (CR) as opposed to traditional treatment (chemoradiation and protectomy). In the cohort study, a total of 2,482 individuals met the inclusion criteria, with 21% receiving CR-only treatment, and 79% had conventional treatment. In comparison to patients who had traditional treatment, patients with CR-only treatment had far less follow-up during the first 2 years post-treatment. Adherence to guideline-recommended surveillance was poor for all Medicare patients, but especially for CR-only treated patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Ellis CT, Cole AL, Sanoff HK .
Evaluating surveillance patterns after chemoradiation-only compared with conventional management for older patients with rectal cancer.
J Am Coll Surg 2019 May;228(5):782-91.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2019.01.010..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Care Management, Treatments, Elderly, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Chapman WC, Subramanian M, Jayarajan S
First, do no harm: rethinking routine diversion in sphincter-preserving rectal cancer resection.
The authors hypothesized that routine temporary diversion is not associated with decreased rates of leak or reintervention in cancer patients at large undergoing sphincter-sparing procedures. Using HCUP data from the Florida State Inpatient Database, they found no association between diversion and anastomotic leak. However, temporary diversion was associated with increased incidence of nonelective reinterventions, readmissions, and higher costs. They recommended additional study to identify which patients would benefit most from diversion.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation: Chapman WC, Subramanian M, Jayarajan S .
First, do no harm: rethinking routine diversion in sphincter-preserving rectal cancer resection.
J Am Coll Surg 2019 Apr;228(4):547-56.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2018.12.012..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Surgery, Treatments
Mobley LR, Kuo TM, Zhou M
What happened to disparities in CRC screening among FFS Medicare enrollees following Medicare modernization?
This study examined the effects of the change in policy for colorectal screening that was implemented in 2006 for FFS Medicare beneficiaries. This new policy eliminated copayments for colonoscopies or sigmoidoscopies. Disparities in screening by race (Blacks, Asians and Hispanics relative to Whites), and gender (Males relative to Females). The time periods 2001-2005 and 2006-2009 were compared and while there was some improvement in screening rates for minorities and women, the progress was unevenly distributed across the USA.
AHRQ-funded; HS021752.
Citation: Mobley LR, Kuo TM, Zhou M .
What happened to disparities in CRC screening among FFS Medicare enrollees following Medicare modernization?
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2019 Apr;6(2):273-91. doi: 10.1007/s40615-018-0522-x..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Colonoscopy, Disparities, Medicare, Screening
Lin SC, Regenbogen SE, Hollingsworth JM
Coordination of care around surgery for colon cancer: insights from national patterns of physician encounters with Medicare beneficiaries.
This study researched the coordination of care before and after surgery for colon cancer patients using data from Medicare A and B records. There were quite a number of different combinations of care providers both preoperative and postoperative. Larger urban teaching hospitals had the most combinations in all phases.
AHRQ-funded; HS024525; HS024728.
Citation: Lin SC, Regenbogen SE, Hollingsworth JM .
Coordination of care around surgery for colon cancer: insights from national patterns of physician encounters with Medicare beneficiaries.
J Oncol Pract 2019 Feb;15(2):e110-e21. doi: 10.1200/jop.18.00228..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Care Coordination, Medicare, Surgery
Abelson JS, Chait A, Shen MJ
Coping strategies among colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgery and the role of the surgeon in mitigating distress: a qualitative study.
This study researched the role that surgeons can play in managing stress in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. Patients were interviewed in-depth using open-ended questions. While patients did not believe surgeons are responsible for helping them cope, they do believe that they can play a role in managing their distress.
AHRQ-funded; HS000066.
Citation: Abelson JS, Chait A, Shen MJ .
Coping strategies among colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgery and the role of the surgeon in mitigating distress: a qualitative study.
Surgery 2019 Feb;165(2):461-68. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2018.06.005..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Clinician-Patient Communication, Provider: Physician, Stress, Surgery
Davis MM, Shafer P, Renfro S
Does a transition to accountable care in Medicaid shift the modality of colorectal cancer testing?
This study investigated whether Medicaid expansion due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) increased the number of patients who tested for colorectal cancer (CRC). Results in Oregon showed that there was an increased in statewide fecal testing mainly in Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs).
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Davis MM, Shafer P, Renfro S .
Does a transition to accountable care in Medicaid shift the modality of colorectal cancer testing?
BMC Health Serv Res 2019 Jan 21;19(1):54. doi: 10.1186/s12913-018-3864-5..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Healthcare Utilization, Medicaid, Prevention, Screening