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AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Access to Care (2)
- Alcohol Use (1)
- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (1)
- (-) Behavioral Health (18)
- Care Management (1)
- Children/Adolescents (2)
- Chronic Conditions (1)
- COVID-19 (4)
- Depression (4)
- Disparities (2)
- Education: Patient and Caregiver (2)
- Elderly (1)
- Emergency Department (3)
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- Health Information Technology (HIT) (16)
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- Opioids (2)
- Outcomes (2)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (2)
- Patient Adherence/Compliance (2)
- Prevention (1)
- Primary Care (3)
- Primary Care: Models of Care (2)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (2)
- Rural/Inner-City Residents (1)
- Rural Health (3)
- Substance Abuse (4)
- (-) Telehealth (18)
- Training (1)
- Treatments (1)
- Web-Based (1)
- Women (1)
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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 18 of 18 Research Studies DisplayedButton D, Levander XA, Cook RR
Substance use disorder treatment and technology access among people who use drugs in rural areas of the United States: a cross-sectional survey.
This study evaluated how technology access (cell phone use and access to the Internet) affected substance use disorder (SUD) treatment prior to COVID-19 for people who use drugs in rural areas. The authors used data from the Rural Opioid Initiative (January 2018-March 2020), which was a cross-sectional study of people with prior 30-day injection drug or nonprescribed opioid use from rural areas of 10 states. They found that out of 3,026 participants, 71% used heroin and 76% used methamphetamine with 35% having no cell phone and 10% having no prior 30-day Internet use. Having both a cell phone and the internet was associated with increased days of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) use and a higher likelihood of SUD counseling in the prior 30 days. Lack of cell phone was associated with decreased days of MOUD and a lower likelihood of prior 30-day SUD counseling.
AHRQ-funded; HS026370.
Citation: Button D, Levander XA, Cook RR .
Substance use disorder treatment and technology access among people who use drugs in rural areas of the United States: a cross-sectional survey.
J Rural Health 2023 Sep; 39(4):772-79. doi: 10.1111/jrh.12737..
Keywords: Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Rural Health, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Opioids, Rural/Inner-City Residents
Beetham T, Fiellin DA, Busch SH
Physician response to COVID-19-driven telehealth flexibility for opioid use disorder.
This study surveyed physicians who provide opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment on their preferences and practices regarding telehealth that have evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 1141 physicians who were publicly listed buprenorphine-prescribing physicians were surveyed. Most respondents found telehealth to be effective, with 54% who found it more effective than expected. Overall, 85% were in favor of temporary telehealth flexibility being permanently extended, and 77% would be likely to use telehealth after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
AHRQ-funded; HS017589.
Citation: Beetham T, Fiellin DA, Busch SH .
Physician response to COVID-19-driven telehealth flexibility for opioid use disorder.
Am J Manag Care 2022 Sep;28(9):456-63. doi: 10.37765/ajmc.2022.89221..
Keywords: COVID-19, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Opioids, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Medication
Ward MJ, Shuster JL, Mohr NM
Implementation of telehealth for psychiatric care in VA emergency departments and urgent care clinics.
The purpose of this AHRQ-funded, mixed-methods study was to evaluate an emergency telehealth intervention in emergency department (ED) and urgent care clinic (UCC) settings within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in March 2020. The Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework was utilized to compare the 3 months preimplementation of the telehealth intervention (December 1, 2019 through February 29, 2020) with the 3 months postimplementation of the telehealth intervention (April 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020), and then assess sustainability through January 31, 2021. Qualitative data from surveys and semistructured interviews were conducted and analyze. The telemental health intervention was used in 83% (319) of unscheduled mental health consultations in the postimplementation phase, with no adverse trends in length of stay, 7-day revisits, or 30-day mortality. In the sustainability phase, use of the intervention was high with 82% (n = 1,010) of all unscheduled mental health consultations performed by telemental health. The study concluded that the use of unscheduled telemental health intervention was highly acceptable and sustainable in ED and UCC settings and did not impact the safety and efficacy of mental health consultations.
AHRQ-funded; HS025753.
Citation: Ward MJ, Shuster JL, Mohr NM .
Implementation of telehealth for psychiatric care in VA emergency departments and urgent care clinics.
Telemed J E Health 2022 Jul;28(7):985-93. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2021.0263..
Keywords: COVID-19, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Behavioral Health, Emergency Department
Cibrian FL, Monteiro E, Ankrah E
Parents' perspectives on a smartwatch intervention for children with ADHD: rapid deployment and feasibility evaluation of a pilot intervention to support distance learning during COVID-19.
This paper explores how smartwatch technology, including timing notifications, can support children with ADHD during distance learning due to COVID-19. The researchers used a Digital Health Intervention which included a smartwatch and a smartphone. Their results demonstrated that children successfully adopted the use of the smartwatch, and parents believed that the intervention was helpful, especially in supporting the development of organizational skills in their children. The authors included suggestions to help professionals teach children with ADHD to use smartwatches to improve organization and task completion, especially as it applies to supporting remote instruction.
AHRQ-funded; HS026058.
Citation: Cibrian FL, Monteiro E, Ankrah E .
Parents' perspectives on a smartwatch intervention for children with ADHD: rapid deployment and feasibility evaluation of a pilot intervention to support distance learning during COVID-19.
PLoS One 2021 Oct 27;16(10):e0258959. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258959..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, COVID-19, Behavioral Health, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient Adherence/Compliance
Parish MB, Gonzalez A, Hilty D
Asynchronous telepsychiatry interviewer training recommendations: a model for interdisciplinary, integrated behavioral health care.
Asynchronous telepsychiatry (ATP) is an integrative model of behavioral health service delivery that is applicable in a variety of settings and populations, particularly consultation in primary care. This article outlined the development of a training model for ATP clinician skills. The training needs for ATP clinicians were assessed on a limited convenience sample of experts and clinicians. The authors suggested that more rigorous studies of training for ATP and other technology-focused, behavioral health services are needed.
AHRQ-funded; HS021477.
Citation: Parish MB, Gonzalez A, Hilty D .
Asynchronous telepsychiatry interviewer training recommendations: a model for interdisciplinary, integrated behavioral health care.
Telemed J E Health 2021 Sep;27(9):982-88. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2020.0076..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Behavioral Health, Primary Care, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Training
Yang J, Landrum MB, Zhou L
Disparities in outpatient visits for mental health and/or substance use disorders during the COVID surge and partial reopening in Massachusetts.
The purpose of this study was to examine changes in outpatient visits for mental health and/or substance use disorders (MH/SUD) in an integrated healthcare organization during the initial Massachusetts COVID-19 surge and partial state reopening. The investigators concluded that MH/SUD visit volume increased during the COVID surge and was supported by rapidly-scaled telemedicine.
AHRQ-funded; HS025375.
Citation: Yang J, Landrum MB, Zhou L .
Disparities in outpatient visits for mental health and/or substance use disorders during the COVID surge and partial reopening in Massachusetts.
Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2020 Nov-Dec;67:100-06. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2020.09.004..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse, COVID-19, Disparities, Access to Care, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Freeman RE, Boggs KM, Zachrison KS
National study of telepsychiatry use in U.S. emergency departments.
This study examined the use of telepsychiatry in US emergency departments (EDs). A survey was conducted of all 5,375 US EDs in 2016. The survey found that about 20% reported receiving telepsychiatry. EDs that utilized telepsychiatry the most tended to have higher annual total visit volumes, rural location, and Critical Access Hospital designation. Autonomous freestanding EDs tended to have a lower likelihood of telepsychiatry use. The majority (59%) reported telepsychiatry as their only form of emergency psychiatric services and 25% received services at least once a day. The most common uses were admission or discharge decisions (80%) and transfer coordination (76%).
AHRQ-funded; HS024561.
Citation: Freeman RE, Boggs KM, Zachrison KS .
National study of telepsychiatry use in U.S. emergency departments.
Psychiatr Serv 2020 Jun;71(6):540-46. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201900237..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Behavioral Health, Healthcare Utilization
Jonassaint CR, Belnap BH, Huang Y
Racial differences in the effectiveness of Internet-delivered mental health care.
The purpose of this study was to examine race differences in the impact of computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) use on mental health outcomes among White and African American primary care patients. Participants were patients aged 18-75 who were referred by their primary care physicians and who met the eligibility criteria. Findings showed that, compared to usual care, cCBT had no effect on quality of life, depression, or anxiety for Whites. However, for African American patients, cCBT was associated with a significant 6-month decrease in depression and anxiety scores; thus, cCBT may be an efficient and scalable first step to eliminating disparities in mental health care.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Jonassaint CR, Belnap BH, Huang Y .
Racial differences in the effectiveness of Internet-delivered mental health care.
J Gen Intern Med 2020 Feb;35(2):490-97. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-05542-1..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Telehealth, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Disparities, Primary Care, Treatments
Golberstein E, Joseph JM, Druss BG
The use of psychiatric econsults in primary care.
This study examined the use of an electronic consultation tool (eConsult) by primary care physicians (PCPs) with psychiatrists. The authors investigated the use of psychiatric eConsults in a large integrated delivery system in Minnesota (Allina Health). The tool was introduced in 22 of its primary care clinics on August 1, 2015. Patients had no fee and psychiatrists received 0.75 work relative value units for each eConsult. Out of 95,105 encounters across 219 PCPs from August 2015 through December 2016 only 256 (0.27%) had a psychiatric eConsult order. Among 37.606 encounters with a primary mental health diagnosis only 138 (0.37%) had an eConsult order. Anxiety and depressive disorders were the most common diagnosis types for PCP visits without an eConsult order as well as bipolar disorder, but schizophrenia and psychotic disorder diagnoses were more common with eConsult orders. Over half of eConsults were for medication-related issues, 33% for a specific mental health diagnosis, and 15% for psychiatry without any details. Most PCPs (63%) never ordered an eConsult but the top ten users of eConsults accounted for 46% of the total orders.
AHRQ-funded; HS025245.
Citation: Golberstein E, Joseph JM, Druss BG .
The use of psychiatric econsults in primary care.
J Gen Intern Med 2020 Feb;35(2):616-17. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-05048-w..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Behavioral Health, Primary Care: Models of Care, Primary Care, Healthcare Delivery
Vakkalanka JP, Harland KK, Wittrock A
Telemedicine is associated with rapid transfer and fewer involuntary holds among patients presenting with suicidal ideation in rural hospitals: a propensity matched cohort study.
The purpose of this retrospective propensity-matched cohort study was to evaluate the impact of telemedicine in clinical management and patient outcomes of patients presenting to rural critical access hospital emergency departments (EDs) with suicidal ideation or attempt. The authors suggest that the role of telemedicine in influencing access, quality and efficiency of care in underserved rural hospitals is critically important as these networks become more prevalent in rural healthcare environments.
AHRQ-funded; HS025753.
Citation: Vakkalanka JP, Harland KK, Wittrock A .
Telemedicine is associated with rapid transfer and fewer involuntary holds among patients presenting with suicidal ideation in rural hospitals: a propensity matched cohort study.
J Epidemiol Community Health 2019 Nov;73(11):1033-39. doi: 10.1136/jech-2019-212623..
Keywords: Telehealth, Rural Health, Access to Care, Behavioral Health, Health Information Technology (HIT), Healthcare Delivery, Care Management, Outcomes, Emergency Department
Addington EL, Cheung EO, Bassett SM
The MARIGOLD study: feasibility and enhancement of an online intervention to improve emotion regulation in people with elevated depressive symptoms.
This paper described the first two phases of pilot testing of MARIGOLD; MARIGOLD is an online self-guided positive emotion skills intervention for adults with elevated depressive symptoms, along with enhancements to overcome retention and adherence problems reported in previous research. Results suggested that positive emotion skills, plus enhancements for web-based, self-guided delivery, warrant additional study in people with elevated depressive symptoms.
AHRQ-funded; HS000084.
Citation: Addington EL, Cheung EO, Bassett SM .
The MARIGOLD study: feasibility and enhancement of an online intervention to improve emotion regulation in people with elevated depressive symptoms.
J Affect Disord 2019 Oct 1;257:352-64. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.049..
Keywords: Depression, Behavioral Health, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Education: Patient and Caregiver
Kazemi DM, Borsari B, Levine MJ
Real-time demonstration of a mHealth app designed to reduce college students hazardous drinking.
The authors developed a smartphone application (SmarTrek) that targets college students and aims to reduce risky alcohol use. They found that the majority of participants agreed that SmarTrek was easy to use and that the information provided was useful and had a positive effect on decreasing their drinking.
AHRQ-funded; HS023875.
Citation: Kazemi DM, Borsari B, Levine MJ .
Real-time demonstration of a mHealth app designed to reduce college students hazardous drinking.
Psychol Serv 2019 May;16(2):255-59. doi: 10.1037/ser0000310..
Keywords: Alcohol Use, Behavioral Health, Lifestyle Changes, Health Information Technology (HIT), Substance Abuse, Telehealth, Young Adults
Bassett SM, Cohn M, Cotten P
Feasibility and acceptability of an online positive affect intervention for those living with comorbid HIV depression.
Positive affect has unique beneficial effects on psychological and physical health, independent of the effects of negative affect. Interventions that explicitly target positive affect show promise for improving health outcomes in a number of chronic illnesses. In this article, the investigators present pilot data on the acceptability and feasibility of an online intervention to increase positive affect in those living with comorbid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and depression.
AHRQ-funded; HS000084.
Citation: Bassett SM, Cohn M, Cotten P .
Feasibility and acceptability of an online positive affect intervention for those living with comorbid HIV depression.
AIDS Behav 2019 Mar;23(3):753-64. doi: 10.1007/s10461-019-02412-z..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Depression, Behavioral Health, Chronic Conditions, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Outcomes
Yellowlees P, Burke Parish M, Gonzalez A
Asynchronous telepsychiatry: a component of stepped integrated care.
The article reports findings from a clinical trial comparing asynchronous telepsychiatry (ATP) with synchronous telepsychiatry (STP) consultations. Patients were randomly assigned to either an ATP or STP treatment group, and data on clinical outcomes, economic information, and patient satisfaction collected at intervals. The authors conclude that ATP implementation in existing integrated behavioral healthcare models might increase efficiency in mental healthcare.
AHRQ-funded; HS021477.
Citation: Yellowlees P, Burke Parish M, Gonzalez A .
Asynchronous telepsychiatry: a component of stepped integrated care.
Telemed J E Health 2018 May;24(5):375-78. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2017.0103..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient-Centered Healthcare, Telehealth
Stringer KL, Azuero A, Ott C
Feasibility and acceptability of real-time antiretroviral adherence monitoring among depressed women living with HIV in the deep south of the US.
The purpose of this study was to present feasibility and acceptability data on the use of an electronic adherence monitor (EAM) among African American women in remote areas of the Southeastern United States with HIV and co-occurring depression. EAM and self-reported antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence was monitored among 25 participants recruited at four HIV clinics in Alabama. Intra-class correlation showed a low degree of concordance between EAM and self-reported adherence. 83% of data collected via EAM was transmitted in real-time; the remainder was delayed though technological failures or was lost entirely. The authors conclude that EAM monitoring is feasible in a rural US setting but that technological difficulties may impede the device's usefulness for just-in-time adherence interventions.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Stringer KL, Azuero A, Ott C .
Feasibility and acceptability of real-time antiretroviral adherence monitoring among depressed women living with HIV in the deep south of the US.
AIDS Behav 2018 May;23(5):1306-14. doi: 10.1007/s10461-018-2322-z..
Keywords: Depression, Health Information Technology (HIT), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Medication, Behavioral Health, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Rural Health, Telehealth, Women
Kass AE, Balantekin KN, Fitzsimmons-Craft EE
The economic case for digital interventions for eating disorders among United States college students.
This article aimed to estimate the costs, in United States (US) dollars, of a stepped care model for online prevention and treatment among US college students to inform meaningful decisions regarding resource allocation and adoption of efficient care delivery models for EDs on college campuses. A stepped care model was estimated to achieve modest cost savings compared to standard care, but these estimates need to be tested with sensitivity analyses.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Kass AE, Balantekin KN, Fitzsimmons-Craft EE .
The economic case for digital interventions for eating disorders among United States college students.
Int J Eat Disord 2017 Mar;50(3):250-58. doi: 10.1002/eat.22680.
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Keywords: Behavioral Health, Healthcare Delivery, Healthcare Costs, Prevention, Primary Care: Models of Care, Telehealth, Young Adults, Web-Based
Radovic A, Vona PL, Santostefano AM
Smartphone applications for mental health.
This study seeks to characterize apps readily available to smartphone users seeking mental health information and/or support. The most common purported purpose for the 208 apps studied was symptom relief (41 percent) and general mental health education (18 percent). The most frequently mentioned approaches to improving mental health were those that may benefit only milder symptoms such as relaxation (21 percent).
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Radovic A, Vona PL, Santostefano AM .
Smartphone applications for mental health.
Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw 2016 Jul;19(7):465-70. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2015.0619.
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Keywords: Behavioral Health, Telehealth, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Children/Adolescents, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Jang Y, Chiriboga DA, Molinari V
Telecounseling for the linguistically isolated: a pilot study with older Korean immigrants.
This study explored the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a telecounseling program in the client’s native language. Participants who were native Korean language speakers living in Florida showed generally high levels of acceptance and adherence to the telecounseling program. The high retention of the participants may be due to multiple factors including brevity of the program and convenience of the location.
AHRQ-funded; HS020636
Citation: Jang Y, Chiriboga DA, Molinari V .
Telecounseling for the linguistically isolated: a pilot study with older Korean immigrants.
Gerontologist 2014 Apr;54(2):290-6. doi: 10.1093/geront/gns196..
Keywords: Depression, Elderly, Health Information Technology (HIT), Behavioral Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Telehealth