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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 10 of 10 Research Studies DisplayedMojica CM, Gunn R, Pham R
An observational study of workflows to support fecal testing for colorectal cancer screening in primary care practices serving Medicaid enrollees.
This study was conducted to describe clinical workflows for fecal immunochemical tests/fecal occult blood tests (FIT/FOBT) in Oregon primary care practices and to identify specific workflow processes that might be associated with higher colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates. Findings showed that primary care practices with higher CRC screening rates among newly age-eligible Medicaid enrollees had more established visit-based and population outreach workflows to support identifying patients due for screening, FIT/FOBT distribution, reminders, and follow up. Higher CRC screening was associated with having medical assistants discuss and review FIT/FOBT screening and instructions with patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Mojica CM, Gunn R, Pham R .
An observational study of workflows to support fecal testing for colorectal cancer screening in primary care practices serving Medicaid enrollees.
BMC Cancer 2022 Jan 25;22(1):106. doi: 10.1186/s12885-021-09106-7..
Keywords: Workflow, Screening, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Primary Care, Vulnerable Populations
Sutter ME, Simmons VN, Sutton SK
Oncologists' experiences caring for LGBTQ patients with cancer: qualitative analysis of items on a national survey.
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals experience cancer-related health disparities and reduced quality of cancer care compared to the general population in part due to a lack of knowledgeable providers. This study explored oncologists' experiences and perspectives in providing patient-centered care for SGM individuals with cancer. The investigators concluded that oncologists recognized their knowledge deficits and need strategies to overcome communication barriers and microaggressions among the cancer care team to provide SGM-affirming care.
AHRQ-funded; HS026120.
Citation: Sutter ME, Simmons VN, Sutton SK .
Oncologists' experiences caring for LGBTQ patients with cancer: qualitative analysis of items on a national survey.
Patient Educ Couns 2021 Apr;104(4):871-76. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2020.09.022..
Keywords: Cancer, Provider: Physician, Vulnerable Populations
Lara OD, O'Cearbhaill RE, Smith MJ
COVID-19 outcomes of patients with gynecologic cancer in New York City.
Researchers studied clinical characteristics and outcomes of vulnerable populations with gynecologic cancer who developed COVID-19 infections. Among patients from six New York City area hospital systems with known gynecologic cancer and a COVID-19 diagnosis, the researchers found a case fatality rate of 14 percent, with no association between cytotoxic chemotherapy and cancer-directed surgery and COVID-19 severity or death. They recommended that patients be counseled regarding the safety of continued anticancer treatments during the pandemic, as the ability to continue cancer therapies for cancer control and cure is critical.
AHRQ-funded; HS026120.
Citation: Lara OD, O'Cearbhaill RE, Smith MJ .
COVID-19 outcomes of patients with gynecologic cancer in New York City.
Cancer 2020 Oct 1;126(19):4294-303. doi: 10.1002/cncr.33084..
Keywords: COVID-19, Respiratory Conditions, Cancer, Women, Vulnerable Populations, Outcomes, Urban Health
Arana-Chicas E, Kioumarsi A, Carroll-Scott A
Barriers and facilitators to mammography among women with intellectual disabilities: a qualitative approach.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine barriers and facilitators to mammography among women with intellectual disabilities. During 2015-2016 the researchers administered in-depth interviews with 30 women with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers in Philadelphia. The study found additional evidence supporting prior research on barriers to mammography among women with intellectual disabilities as well as novel barriers (e.g., lack of awareness of breast ultrasound, sedation failing to work, and lack of mammogram education) and novel facilitators (e.g., extended family support and positive attitudes.) The researchers concluded that the study results support the need to address barriers and focus on facilitators to improve the mammography experience in women with intellectual disabilities.
AHRQ-funded; HS023966.
Citation: Arana-Chicas E, Kioumarsi A, Carroll-Scott A .
Barriers and facilitators to mammography among women with intellectual disabilities: a qualitative approach.
Disabil Soc 2020;35(8):1290-314. doi: 10.1080/09687599.2019.1680348..
Keywords: Women, Disabilities, Vulnerable Populations, Screening, Prevention, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Imaging
Ellis RJ, Schlick CJR, Feinglass J
Failure to administer recommended chemotherapy: acceptable variation or cancer care quality blind spot?
This study examined hospital variation in cancer patients who did not receive recommended chemotherapy. Patients with breast, colon, and lung cancers who did not receive chemotherapy from 2000 to 2015 were identified from the National Cancer Database. A total of 183,148 patients at 1281 hospitals were included. For breast cancer, 3.5% of patients failed to receive recommended chemotherapy, and 6.6% with colon, and 10.7% with lung cancer. Sociodemographic factors showed that patients were less likely to receive chemotherapy if they were uninsured or on Medicaid, as were non-Hispanic black patients with both breast and colon cancer. There was also significant hospital variation with failure to administer as high as 21.8% for breast, 40.2% for colon, and 40.0% for lung cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078; HS026385.
Citation: Ellis RJ, Schlick CJR, Feinglass J .
Failure to administer recommended chemotherapy: acceptable variation or cancer care quality blind spot?
BMJ Qual Saf 2020 Feb;29(2):103-12. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2019-009742..
Keywords: Treatments, Cancer, Healthcare Delivery, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Social Determinants of Health, Vulnerable Populations, Uninsured, Hospitals, Quality of Care
Acree ME, McNulty M, Blocker O
Shared decision-making around anal cancer screening among black bisexual and gay men in the USA.
This study focused on shared decision-making on anal cancer screening among black gay and bisexual men in the US. The researchers conducted 30 semi-structured one-on-one interviews and two focus groups in 2016-2017. Out of forty-five participants, all were black and male, with 13 identified as bisexual and 32 as gay. Barriers to screening include internalized racism, biphobia/homophobia, provider bias lead to reduced healthcare engagement and discomfort discussing sexual practices which hindered shared decision-making.
AHRQ-funded; HS023050.
Citation: Acree ME, McNulty M, Blocker O .
Shared decision-making around anal cancer screening among black bisexual and gay men in the USA.
Cult Health Sex 2020 Feb;22(2):201-16. doi: 10.1080/13691058.2019.1581897..
Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Cancer, Screening, Prevention, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Vulnerable Populations
Wong MS, Arnold CM, Roberts ET
The relationship between federal housing assistance and uptake of cancer screening among low-income adults.
The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in federal housing assistance programs and self-reported cancer screening among low-income adults. The investigators concluded that their results reinforced the need to improve rates of screening and suggested that providing housing assistance, in and of itself, may be insufficient to overcome the multiple access barriers that low-income populations face.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Wong MS, Arnold CM, Roberts ET .
The relationship between federal housing assistance and uptake of cancer screening among low-income adults.
J Gen Intern Med 2019 Dec;34(12):2714-16. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-05037-z..
Keywords: Cancer, Screening, Low-Income, Vulnerable Populations, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Social Determinants of Health
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
Abdelsattar ZM, Hendren S, Wong SL
The impact of health insurance on cancer care in disadvantaged communities.
The extent to which health insurance can mitigate the effects of the social determinants of health on cancer care is unknown. This study of cancer patients diagnosed with the 4 leading causes of cancer deaths between 2007 and 2011 found that patients from disadvantaged communities benefit most from health insurance, and there is a reduction in disparities in outcome.
AHRQ-funded; HS020937; HS000053.
Citation: Abdelsattar ZM, Hendren S, Wong SL .
The impact of health insurance on cancer care in disadvantaged communities.
Cancer 2017 Apr 1;123(7):1219-27. doi: 10.1002/cncr.30431.
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Keywords: Cancer, Health Insurance, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Vulnerable Populations
Highfield L, Rajan SS, Valerio MA
A non-randomized controlled stepped wedge trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-level mammography intervention in improving appointment adherence in underserved women.
This study evaluated a theoretically based, systematically designed implementation strategy to support adoption and implementation of a patient navigation-based intervention, called Peace of Mind Program (PMP), aimed at improving breast cancer screening among underserved women.. Any potential confounding or bias will be controlled in the analysis. Outcomes such as appointment adherence, patient referral to diagnostics, time to diagnostic referral, patient referral to treatment, time to treatment referral, and budget impact of the intervention will be assessed.
AHRQ-funded; HS023255.
Citation: Highfield L, Rajan SS, Valerio MA .
A non-randomized controlled stepped wedge trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-level mammography intervention in improving appointment adherence in underserved women.
Implement Sci 2015 Oct 14;10:143. doi: 10.1186/s13012-015-0334-x.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Women, Vulnerable Populations, Prevention, Imaging