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
26 to 50 of 722 Research Studies DisplayedLoo S, Brady KJS, Ragavan MI
Validation of the Clinicians' Cultural Sensitivity Survey for use in pediatric primary care settings.
This study examined the validity of the Clinicians’ Cultural Sensitivity Survey (CCCS) for use in pediatric primary care, which was developed as a patient-reported survey assessing clinicians' recognition of cultural factors affecting care quality for older Latino patients. The authors adapted the survey for use with parents of pediatric patients. A convenience sampling approach was used to identify eligible parents during well-child visits at urban pediatric primary care clinic, and parents were administered the survey via electronic tablet. They first conducted exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) to explore the dimensionality of survey responses in the adapted CCSS, and then conducted a series of confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) using maximum likelihood estimation based on the results of the EFAs. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (N = 212 parent surveys) supported a three-factor structure assessing racial discrimination, culturally-affirming practices, and causal attribution of health problems. The 3-factor model also outperformed other potential factors in terms of fit statistics and demonstrated adequate fit.
AHRQ-funded; HS022242; HS026395.
Citation: Loo S, Brady KJS, Ragavan MI .
Validation of the Clinicians' Cultural Sensitivity Survey for use in pediatric primary care settings.
J Immigr Minor Health 2023 Aug; 25(4):790-802. doi: 10.1007/s10903-023-01469-2..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Primary Care, Cultural Competence, Healthcare Delivery
Chen KY, Lang Y, Zhou Y
Assessing interventions on crowdsourcing platforms to nudge patients for engagement behaviors in primary care settings: randomized controlled trial.
This study’s goals were to (1) to assess the feasibility of using crowdsourced surveys to evaluate behavioral economics interventions for patient partnerships by examining whether web-based participants responded to simulated incentives in the same way they would have responded to actual incentives, and (2) to assess the impact of 2 behavioral economics-based intervention designs, psychological rewards and loss of framing, on simulated medication reconciliation behaviors in a simulated primary care setting. The authors conducted a randomized controlled trial using a between-subject design on a crowdsourcing platform (Amazon Mechanical Turk) to evaluate the effectiveness of behavioral interventions designed to improve medication adherence in primary care visits. The study group included a control baseline group and 3 groups with simulated interventions, namely monetary compensation, a status effect as a psychological reward, and a loss frame as a modification of the status effect. A total of 569 study participants were recruited, with 132 in the baseline group, 187 in the monetary compensation group, 149 in the psychological reward group, and 101 in the loss frame group. The monetary compensation intervention caused an increase of 17.51% participation, psychological rewards on status increased willingness by 11.85%, and a loss frame on psychological rewards increased willingness by 24.35%.
AHRQ-funded; HS027277.
Citation: Chen KY, Lang Y, Zhou Y .
Assessing interventions on crowdsourcing platforms to nudge patients for engagement behaviors in primary care settings: randomized controlled trial.
J Med Internet Res 2023 Jul 13; 25:e41431. doi: 10.2196/41431..
Keywords: Primary Care, Patient and Family Engagement
Bunting AM, Schwartz RP, Wu LT
A brief screening and assessment tool for opioid use in adults: results from a validation study of the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication, and Other Substances Tool.
The objective of this secondary analysis was to evaluate opioid-specific validation results of the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication, and Other Substances (TAPS) tool for screening in primary care The findings showed that TAPS opioid items could be used in primary care settings for a spectrum of unhealthy opioid use; however, self-disclosure remains an issue in primary care settings. The researchers noted that further testing in a larger population sample might be warranted, given the brevity, simplicity, and accuracy of self-administration.
AHRQ-funded; HS026120.
Citation: Bunting AM, Schwartz RP, Wu LT .
A brief screening and assessment tool for opioid use in adults: results from a validation study of the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication, and Other Substances Tool.
J Addict Med 2023 Jul-Aug; 17(4):471-73. doi: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001139..
Keywords: Opioids, Screening, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Primary Care
Pagani K, Lukac D, Olbricht SM
Urgent referrals from primary care to dermatology for lesions suspicious for skin cancer: patterns, outcomes, and need for systems improvement.
The purpose of this study was to explore primary care and dermatology triaging and processing of urgent dermatology referrals. The researchers conducted chart reviews of all dermatology referrals designated by primary care as urgent for evaluation of a lesion concerning for skin cancer. Dermatology encounters for patients occurred on or before 30 days for 50.6% of referrals and on or after 31 days for 38.4% of referrals, with 10.9% never completed. The rate of non-English languages in the delayed group was 7.1% greater than in the timely group. The rate of all races excluding whites, non-Hispanic in the delayed appointment group (31 days or more) was 15.1% greater than in the timely appointment group (30 days or less). Overall, 15.8% of referrals yielded malignancy diagnoses, while 76.8% and 7.4% resulted in benign and pre-malignant diagnoses, respectively. The primary care team documented completed, incomplete, or pending referral status during their subsequent visits with the patients in only 37.5% of the referrals.
AHRQ-funded; HS027282.
Citation: Pagani K, Lukac D, Olbricht SM .
Urgent referrals from primary care to dermatology for lesions suspicious for skin cancer: patterns, outcomes, and need for systems improvement.
Arch Dermatol Res 2023 Jul; 315(5):1397-400. doi: 10.1007/s00403-022-02456-7..
Keywords: Cancer: Skin Cancer, Cancer, Primary Care, Skin Conditions, Access to Care
Hatch BA, Kenzie E, Ramalingam N
Impact of the COVID-19 vaccination mandate on the primary care workforce and differences between rural and urban settings to inform future policy decision-making.
The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine how vaccine mandates affect the healthcare workforce. Between October 28, 2021- November 18, 2021, following implementation of a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for healthcare personnel, the researchers conducted a survey of Oregon primary care clinic staff. The survey included 19 questions that assessed the clinic-level effects of the vaccination mandate. Study outcomes included job loss among staff, receipt of an approved vaccination waiver, new vaccination among staff, and the perceived significance of the policy on clinic staffing. Staff from 80 clinics across 28 counties completed surveys, representing 38 rural and 42 urban clinics. The study found that clinics reported job loss (46%), use of vaccination waivers (51%), and newly vaccinated staff (60%). Significantly more rural clinics (compared to urban) used medical and/or religious vaccination waivers (71% vs 33%) and reported significant impact on clinic staffing (45% vs 21%). There was also a non-significant trend toward more job loss for rural compared to urban clinics (53% vs. 41%). Qualitative analysis revealed a decrease in clinic morale and mixed opinions of the vaccination mandate.
AHRQ-funded; HS027080.
Citation: Hatch BA, Kenzie E, Ramalingam N .
Impact of the COVID-19 vaccination mandate on the primary care workforce and differences between rural and urban settings to inform future policy decision-making.
PLoS One 2023 Jun 27; 18(6):e0287553. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287553..
Keywords: COVID-19, Vaccination, Primary Care, Policy, Rural Health, Urban Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents
Ackerman SL, Wing H, Acves B
“We were trying to do quality versus quantity”: challenges and opportunities at the intersection of standardized and personalized social care in community health centers.
The purpose of this study was to explore activities to incorporate social risk programs into community health centers (CHCs) providing primary care services in Oregon. CHCs took part in either one or both of two large programs with the goal of incorporating standardized social risk screening and referral processes. The researchers conducted 42 semi-structured interviews with clinicians, managers and staff at 12 clinics affiliated with five CHCs to understand implementation procedures and challenges to those procedures. Thematic analysis utilized the Normalization Process Theory (NPT) to discover the dynamic, interactional nature of activities to integrate a complex sociotechnical intervention. The study found that standardized social care was expected to correspond well with institutional commitments and priorities. However, challenges maintaining support among staff was encountered, affected by competing priorities, staff turnover, and uncertainties about roles and responsibilities. The new tools were frequently altered or abandoned to retain the advantages of existing social care practices. Across clinics, the association between standardized procedures and existing social care activities, had a key role in patterns of adoption, non-adoption and adaptation, with standardized tools frequently experienced as undermining more relational, team-based social care.
AHRQ-funded; HS026435.
Citation: Ackerman SL, Wing H, Acves B .
“We were trying to do quality versus quantity”: challenges and opportunities at the intersection of standardized and personalized social care in community health centers.
SSM Qual Res Health 2023 Jun; 3:100267. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2023.100267..
Keywords: Community-Based Practice, Social Determinants of Health, Primary Care
Teixeira da Silva D, Makeneni S, Wall H
Measuring quality STI care among adolescent female primary care patients in Philadelphia.
The purpose of this study was to develop and apply a cross-setting, sexually transmitted infection (STI) Care Continuum to improve STI care quality, to assess adherence to guideline-recommended care, and to standardize progress measurement toward National Strategic goals. Review of the CDC STI treatment guidelines identified seven distinct steps of care for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis; researchers used Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey data to estimate step 1, and electronic health record data for steps 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. The researchers concluded that local application of an STI Care Continuum identified STI testing, retesting, and HIV testing as areas for improvement. Similar methods may be applied to target resources, standardize data collection and reporting, and improve STI care quality.
AHRQ-funded; HS026116.
Citation: Teixeira da Silva D, Makeneni S, Wall H .
Measuring quality STI care among adolescent female primary care patients in Philadelphia.
Sex Transm Infect 2023 Jun; 99(4):272-75. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2022-055623..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, Primary Care, Women, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Quality Measures, Quality of Care
Lindner SR, Balasubramanian B, Marino M
Estimating the cardiovascular disease risk reduction of a quality improvement initiative in primary care: findings from EvidenceNOW.
The purpose of this study was to estimate decreases in 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk associated with EvidenceNOW, an initiative spanning multiple states that sought to improve cardiovascular preventive care by providing supportive interventions such as practice facilitation to address the “ABCS”: (A)spirin for high-risk patients, (B)lood pressure control for hypertensive people, (C)holesterol management, and (S)moking screening and cessation counseling. The researchers conducted an analytic modeling study that combined 1) data from 1,278 EvidenceNOW practices collected from 2015 to 2017; (2) patient-level information of 1,295 individuals who participated in the 2015 to 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; and (3) 10-year ASCVD risk prediction equations. The study found the average 10-year ASCVD risk of these patients before intervention was 10.11%. Improvements in ABCS due to EvidenceNOW reduced their 10-year ASCVD risk to 10.03% which would prevent 3,169 ASCVD events over 10 years and $150 million in 90-day direct medical costs.
AHRQ-funded; HS023940.
Citation: Lindner SR, Balasubramanian B, Marino M .
Estimating the cardiovascular disease risk reduction of a quality improvement initiative in primary care: findings from EvidenceNOW.
J Am Board Fam Med 2023 May 8; 36(3):462-76. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2022.220331R1..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Primary Care, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Blood Pressure
Ahmad FA, Chan P, McGovern C
Adapting an electronic STI risk assessment program for use in pediatric primary care.
This study’s goal was to evaluate the usability of an electronic risk assessment tool to support sexually transmitted disease (STI) testing in the authors’ pediatric emergency department that they had previously designed and implemented. They conducted qualitative interviews of pediatricians, clinic staff, and adolescents from 4 pediatric practices as part of a study whose goal is to ultimately implement STI screening in pediatric primary care. The goal of the interviews was (1) to understand contextual factors related to STI screening in primary care, which they reported previously, and (2) to obtain feedback on their electronic platform, the questionnaire content, and their perspective on implementing it in primary care settings. They received quantitative feedback using the System Usability Scale (SUS). The SUS is a validated, reliable tool to measure the usability of hardware, software, websites, and applications, with a score of 68 (range 0-100) being average usability. They recruited 14 physicians, 9 clinic staff, and 12 adolescents. Participants rated the tool with a median score of 92.5, which shows a high level of usability.
AHRQ-funded; HS026704.
Citation: Ahmad FA, Chan P, McGovern C .
Adapting an electronic STI risk assessment program for use in pediatric primary care.
J Prim Care Community Health 2023 Jan-Dec; 14:21501319231172900. doi: 10.1177/21501319231172900..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, Primary Care, Health Information Technology (HIT), Screening, Prevention
Hewner S, Smith E, Sullivan SS
Identifying high-need primary care patients using nursing knowledge and machine learning methods.
This study examined how patient cohorts generated by machine learning can be enhanced with clinical knowledge to increase translational value and provide a practical approach to patient segmentation based on a mix of medical, behavioral, and social factors. The authors used a primary care practice dataset (N=3438) of high need patients defined by practice criteria and parsed it to a subset population of patients with diabetes (n=1233). Three expert nurses selected variables for k-means cluster analysis using knowledge of critical factors for care coordination, and their knowledge was again applied to describe the psychosocial phenotypes in four prominent clusters, aligned with social and medical care plans. Four distinct clusters were used to create four cohorts including: (1) A large cluster of racially diverse female, non-English speakers with low medical complexity, and history of childhood illness; (2) A large cluster of English speakers with significant comorbidities (obesity and respiratory disease); (3) A small cluster of males with substance use disorder and significant comorbidities (mental health, liver and cardiovascular disease) who frequently visit the hospital; and (4) A moderate cluster of older, racially diverse patients with renal failure.
AHRQ-funded; HS028000.
Citation: Hewner S, Smith E, Sullivan SS .
Identifying high-need primary care patients using nursing knowledge and machine learning methods.
Appl Clin Inform 2023 May; 14(3):408-17. doi: 10.1055/a-2048-7343..
Keywords: Primary Care, Health Information Technology (HIT), Nursing
Casalino LP, Jung HY, Bodenheimer T
The association of teamlets and teams with physician burnout and patient outcomes.
This cross-sectional observational study’s goal was to determine the prevalence and performance of primary care teamlets and teams. Survey participants included 688 general internists and family physicians. Physicians were assigned to one of four teamlet/team categories (e.g., teamlet/no team) and, in secondary analyses, to one of eight teamlet/team categories that classified teamlets into high, medium, and low collaboration as perceived by the physician (e.g., teamlet perceived-high collaboration/no team) based on their responses. The majority of physicians (77.4%) practiced in teamlets; 36.7% in teams. The four categories were divided as follows: 49.1% practiced in the teamlet/no team category; 28.3% in the teamlet/team category; 8.4% in no teamlet/team; 14.1% in no teamlet/no team. Results showed that 15.7%, 47.4%, and 14.4% of physicians practiced in perceived high-, medium-, and low-collaboration teamlets. Physicians who did not practice in a teamlet or team had significantly lower rate of burnout compared to the three teamlet/team categories. There were no significant differences in outcomes or Medicare spending by teamlet/team or teamlet perceived-collaboration/team categories compared to no teamlet/no team, for Medicare beneficiaries in general, or for dual-eligible beneficiaries.
AHRQ-funded; HS025716.
Citation: Casalino LP, Jung HY, Bodenheimer T .
The association of teamlets and teams with physician burnout and patient outcomes.
J Gen Intern Med 2023 May; 38(6):1384-92. doi: 10.1007/s11606-022-07894-7..
Keywords: Teams, Burnout, Primary Care, Provider: Physician
Gertner AK, Grove LR, Swietek KE
Enhanced primary care for people with serious mental illness: a propensity weighted cohort study.
The objective of this propensity-weighted cohort study was to assess the effect of a new model of enhanced primary care for people with serious mental illness on cardiometabolic outcomes. Using electronic health data from a large academic medical system, researchers compared patients receiving enhanced primary care to patients receiving usual primary care. The researchers concluded that enhanced primary care can achieve clinically meaningful improvements in cardiometabolic health compared to usual primary care.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Gertner AK, Grove LR, Swietek KE .
Enhanced primary care for people with serious mental illness: a propensity weighted cohort study.
J Clin Psychiatry 2023 Apr 5; 84(3). doi: 10.4088/JCP.22m14496..
Keywords: Primary Care, Behavioral Health, Patient-Centered Healthcare
McClintock HF, Edmonds SE, Bogner HR
Adherence patterns to oral hypoglycemic agents among primary care patients with type 2 diabetes.
This study’s objective was to examine patterns of adherence to oral hypoglycemic agents among primary care patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to assess whether these patterns were associated with baseline intervention allocation, sociodemographic characteristics, and clinical indicators. Adherence patterns for 72 participants were examined by Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) caps at baseline and 12 weeks. Participants were randomly allocated to a Patient Prioritized Planning (PPP) intervention or a control group. A card-sort task was used in the PPP intervention to identify health-related priorities that included social determinants of health to address medication nonadherence. Afterward, a problem-solving process was used to address unmet needs involving referral to resources. Patients were found to be either adherent, increasingly adherent, or non-adherent. Participants assigned to the PPP intervention were significantly more likely to have a pattern of improving adherence and adherence than participants assigned to the control group.
AHRQ-funded; HS023445.
Citation: McClintock HF, Edmonds SE, Bogner HR .
Adherence patterns to oral hypoglycemic agents among primary care patients with type 2 diabetes.
Prim Care Diabetes 2023 Apr;17(2):180-84. doi: 10.1016/j.pcd.2023.01.014.
Keywords: Diabetes, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Primary Care, Medication, Chronic Conditions
McHugh M, Philbin S, Carroll AJ
An approach to evaluating multisector partnerships to support evidence-based quality improvement in primary care.
This study’s goal was to describe an approach for evaluating the development and effectiveness of a multisector partnership using data from the first year of the Healthy Hearts for Michigan (HH4M) Cooperative, a multisector partnership of nine organizations tasked with designing and implementing evidence-based QI strategies for hypertension management and tobacco cessation in 50 rural primary care practices. A 49-item survey focused on factors that facilitate or hinder multisector partnerships, drawing on implementation science and partnership, engagement, and collaboration research was developed. All 44 members of the HH4M Cooperative (79.5% response rate) were surveyed, interviews conducted with 14 members. Having a clear purpose and trust and respect among members were the strengths reported. A need for common terminology, clarification of roles and functions, and improvement in communication across workgroups were areas for improvement. The Cooperative’s biggest challenge was the lack of engagement from physician practices due to capacity constraints, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
AHRQ-funded; HS027954.
Citation: McHugh M, Philbin S, Carroll AJ .
An approach to evaluating multisector partnerships to support evidence-based quality improvement in primary care.
Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2023 Apr;49(4):199-206. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2023.01.002.
Keywords: Quality Improvement, Evidence-Based Practice, Primary Care, Quality of Care, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Levin JS, Komanduri S, Whaley C
Association between hospital-physician vertical integration and medication adherence rates.
This study’s goal was to test the association between vertical integration of primary care providers (PCPs) and adherence rates for anti-diabetics, renin angiotensin system antagonists (RASA), and statins. Data was extracted from Medicare Part B outpatient fee-for-service claims and Medicare Part D event data from 2014 to 2017. There was a 23% increase in the proportion of patients who had a vertically integrated PCP during the study period. Changes in adherence did not differ significantly between patients based on whether their PCP became integrated. However, among patients with PCPs who become integrated, there were significant decreases in patients who were above 80 years old, were Black, Asian, Hispanic, or Native America, and had greater comorbidities for all three classes.
AHRQ-funded; HS024067.
Citation: Levin JS, Komanduri S, Whaley C .
Association between hospital-physician vertical integration and medication adherence rates.
Health Serv Res 2023 Apr; 58(2):356-64. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.14090.
Keywords: Medication, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Medicare, Primary Care
Lee AK, Bobb JF, Richards JE
Integrating alcohol-related prevention and treatment into primary care: a cluster randomized implementation trial.
This study’s goal was to evaluate an implementation intervention to increase (1) population-based alcohol-related prevention with brief interventions and (2) treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in primary care implemented with a broader program of behavioral health integration. This stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial called the Sustained Patient-Centered Alcohol-Related Care (SPARC) trial included 22 primary care practices in an integrated health system in Washington state. Participants consisted of all adult patients 18 years or older with primary care visits from January 2015 to July 2018. The study included 7 waves, with practices randomly assigned launch dates. A total of 333,596 patients visited primary care (mean age, 48 years; 193,583 [58%] female; 234,764 [70%] White individuals). The proportion of patients with brief intervention was higher during SPARC intervention than usual care periods (57 vs 11 per 10,000 patients per month). The proportion with AUD treatment engagement did not differ during intervention and usual care. However, it did increase intermediate outcomes: screening (83.2% vs 20.8%), new AUD diagnosis (33.8 vs 28.8 per 10,000), and treatment initiation (7.8 vs 6.2 per 10,000).
AHRQ-funded; HS023173.
Citation: Lee AK, Bobb JF, Richards JE .
Integrating alcohol-related prevention and treatment into primary care: a cluster randomized implementation trial.
JAMA Intern Med 2023 Apr;183(4):319-28. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2022.7083.
Keywords: Alcohol Use, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Primary Care, Patient-Centered Healthcare
Stange KC, Miller WL, Etz RS
The role of primary care in improving population health.
This article explored ways in which primary care might influence population health by serving as a force for integration across fragmented systems. The authors examined the interacting mechanisms by which general practice leads to the emergent properties of health, equity, quality, and sustainable resource use. The article also examined how primary care might interact with the other influencers of population health.
AHRQ-funded; HS025312; HS028253.
Citation: Stange KC, Miller WL, Etz RS .
The role of primary care in improving population health.
Milbank Q 2023 Apr; 101(S1):795-840. doi: 10.1111/1468-0009.12638..
Keywords: Primary Care, Patient-Centered Healthcare
Zhou Y, Viswanatha A, Motaleb AA
A predictive decision analytics approach for primary care operations management: a case study of double-booking strategy design and evaluation.
This paper presented a decision analytics approach based on predictive analytics and hybrid simulation to facilitate management of underlying complexities and uncertainties in primary care delivery systems. The authors conducted a case study in a family medicine clinic to demonstrate the use of this approach for patient no-show management. The results showed that the optimum productivity/efficiency balance was derived under a prediction-based double-booking strategy. The authors concluded that their proposed approach had the potential to support decision-making in primary care operations management and to improve the system's performance, as well as to be generalized for broader applications for various healthcare settings.
AHRQ-funded; HS027277.
Citation: Zhou Y, Viswanatha A, Motaleb AA .
A predictive decision analytics approach for primary care operations management: a case study of double-booking strategy design and evaluation.
Comput Ind Eng 2023 Mar; 17. doi: 10.1016/j.cie.2023.109069..
Keywords: Primary Care, Healthcare Delivery
Zhang A, Spiegel T, Bundy A
Evaluation of a transitions clinic to bridge emergency department and primary care.
This paper evaluated the outcomes of using a clinical transition clinic (CTC) to bridge emergency department (ED) and primary care. Main outcomes were 30-day ED revisits and hospital readmissions. From March 2021 to March 2022, 373 patients were referred to the CTC totaling 405 appointments, with half (53%) completed with a median follow-up time of 4 days. The most common care types provided were wound care (44%) and clinical problem management (33%). Patients who completed their CTC appointment were 50% less likely to return to the ED in 30 days compared with those who did not complete their appointment. The same effect was not seen for CTC appointment completion on hospital readmission.
AHRQ-funded; HS027804.
Citation: Zhang A, Spiegel T, Bundy A .
Evaluation of a transitions clinic to bridge emergency department and primary care.
J Hosp Med 2023 Mar; 18(3):217-23. doi: 10.1002/jhm.13056..
Keywords: Transitions of Care, Emergency Department, Primary Care
Schuttner L, Guo R, Wong E
High-risk patient experiences associated with an intensive primary care management program in the Veterans Health Administration.
This study assessed high-risk patient experiences associated with an intensive primary care management program conducted at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The authors assessed patient experience using a patient survey based on the CAHPS Survey in 2019. Patient experience was assessed among 1) prior enrollees (n = 59) of an intensive management program (2014-2018); (2) nonenrollees (n = 356) at program sites; and (3) nonprogram site patients (n = 728). The VHA Office of Primary Care used a patient-centered medical home model (PACT) to deliver coordinated, continuous primary care through multidisciplinary teams. The PACT-Intensive Management (PIM) program was piloted at 5 sites from 2014 to 2018. Outcomes examined included patient ratings of patient-centered care; overall health care experience; and satisfaction with their usual outpatient care provider. Enrollees were more satisfied with their current provider versus nonenrollees within program sites. However, the authors weren’t sure if the benefits persisted after program conclusion.
AHRQ-funded; HS026369.
Citation: Schuttner L, Guo R, Wong E .
High-risk patient experiences associated with an intensive primary care management program in the Veterans Health Administration.
J Ambul Care Manage 2023 Jan-Mar;46(1):45-53. doi: 10.1097/jac.0000000000000428..
Keywords: Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS), Patient Experience, Primary Care
Halliday TM, McFadden M, Cedillo M
Lifestyle strategies after intentional weight loss: results from the MAINTAIN-pc randomized trial.
The aim of this study was to explore the strategies related with successful long-term weight loss maintenance. Researchers analyzed data from the 24-month Maintaining Activity and Nutrition Through Technology-Assisted Innovation in Primary Care (MAINTAIN-pc) trial. MAINTAIN-pc recruited 194 adults with recent intentional weight loss and randomized participants a group using tracking tools plus coaching (i.e., coaching group) or tracking tools without coaching (i.e., tracking-only group). The participants reported the lifestyle strategies they utilized in the previous 6 months, including self-monitoring, group support, behavioral skills, and professional support. The study found that at baseline, 100% used behavioral skills, 73% used group support, 69% used self-monitoring, and 68% used professional support in the past 6 months; at 24 months, the rates were 98%, 60%, 75%, and 61%, respectively. The number of participants using individual strategies did not vary significantly over time, but the overall number of strategies participants reported decreased. A greater number of strategies were utilized at baseline and 6 months compared to 12- and 24-month follow-ups. The coaching group utilized a greater number of strategies at months 6 and 12 than the tracking-only group. Consistent utilization of professional support strategies over the 24-month study period was related with less weight regain.
AHRQ-funded; HS021162.
Citation: Halliday TM, McFadden M, Cedillo M .
Lifestyle strategies after intentional weight loss: results from the MAINTAIN-pc randomized trial.
Transl J Am Coll Sports Med 2023 Spring; 8(2). doi: 10.1249/tjx.0000000000000220..
Keywords: Lifestyle Changes, Obesity, Primary Care, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT)
Shear K, Rice H, Garabedian PM
Usability testing of an interoperable computerized clinical decision support tool for fall risk management in primary care.
The purpose of this study was to conduct usability testing of the ASPIRE fall risk management tool for use in divergent primary care clinics. Participants recruited from two sites with different electronic health records and clinical organizations used ASPIRE across two clinical scenarios; they rated ASPIRE usability as above average, based on usability benchmarks. Time spent on tasks decreased significantly between the first and second scenarios, indicating ease of learnability. The authors conclude that ASPIRE could be integrated into diverse organizations, since it allows a tailored implementation without the need to build a new system for each organization. ASPIRE is therefore well positioned to impact the challenge of falls at scale.
AHRQ-funded; HS027557.
Citation: Shear K, Rice H, Garabedian PM .
Usability testing of an interoperable computerized clinical decision support tool for fall risk management in primary care.
Appl Clin Inform 2023 Mar;14(2):212-26. doi: 10.1055/a-2006-4936.
Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Shared Decision Making, Health Information Technology (HIT), Falls, Primary Care, Risk, Prevention
Gay HC, Yu J, Persell SD
Comparison of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist prescribing in patients with diabetes mellitus with and without cardiovascular disease.
Researchers sought to describe trends in prescribing for sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) to reduce cardiovascular events and mortality in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in diverse care settings. Their focus was on outpatient clinics in a midwestern integrated health system and small- and medium-sized community-based primary care practices and health centers in three Midwestern states. Results showed that an increase in prescription rates was greater for SGLT2is than for GLP1-RAs in a large integrated medical center and community primary care practices; overall, prescription rates for eligible patients were low, and the researchers observed racial disparities.
AHRQ-funded; HS026385; HS023921.
Citation: Gay HC, Yu J, Persell SD .
Comparison of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist prescribing in patients with diabetes mellitus with and without cardiovascular disease.
Am J Cardiol 2023 Feb 15; 189:121-30. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2022.10.041..
Keywords: Diabetes, Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Medication, Primary Care
Harle CA, Wu W, Vest JR
Accuracy of electronic health record food insecurity, housing instability, and financial strain screening in adult primary care.
The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of electronic health record–based multidomain screening questionnaires on social risk factors. Researchers used single-domain questionnaires on individual factors such as food insecurity, housing instability, and financial strain as external standards.
AHRQ-funded; HS028636.
Citation: Harle CA, Wu W, Vest JR .
Accuracy of electronic health record food insecurity, housing instability, and financial strain screening in adult primary care.
JAMA 2023 Feb 7; 329(5):423-24. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.23631..
Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Primary Care, Screening, Social Determinants of Health
Tierney WM, Henning JM, Altillo BS
User-centered design of a clinical tool for shared decision-making about diet in primary care.
This study described how the authors engaged primary care clinicians and their patients in an iterative design process for a software application to enhance clinician-patient diet discussions. The goal is to help prevent clinician burnout and career dissatisfaction brought on by poorly designed health information technology. Individual clinician and patient interviews were conducted to detail the desired informational content of the screens displayed followed by iterative reviews of intermediate and final versions of the program and its outputs. Participants were primary care clinicians practicing in an urban federally qualified health center and two academic primary care clinics, and their patients who were overweight or obese with diet-sensitive conditions. Three iterations of design and review were conducted with substantial evolution of the program’s content, format, and flow of information. The amount of information was fine-tuned so it would be just the right amount displayed to facilitate shared dietary goal setting.
AHRQ-funded; HS027660.
Citation: Tierney WM, Henning JM, Altillo BS .
User-centered design of a clinical tool for shared decision-making about diet in primary care.
J Gen Intern Med 2023 Feb; 38(3):715-26. doi: 10.1007/s11606-022-07804-x..
Keywords: Patient-Centered Healthcare, Shared Decision Making, Primary Care