The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model involves complete primary care practice redesign with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of patient care and at reduced cost. Detailed information regarding the practice level costs of performing transformative activities is needed to help the growing number of practices and practice organizations as they navigate this process…. Read more »
Daily Mouth Care to Prevent Pneumonia in Nursing Homes: A Systems-Level Approach
Every year, almost two million episodes of pneumonia are suffered by nursing home (NH) residents across the United States, resulting in more deaths than from any other infection. Further, NH residents acquire pneumonia at a rate 6-10 times higher than older adults in the community, indicating that characteristics of these individuals and/or the NH setting… Read more »
Integration of Patient Reported Outcomes Measures Into Pain Management Practices for Patients With Hemophilia
More than 100 million people in the United States suffer from pain each year, at an estimated cost of $600 billion for pain treatments and lost productivity. 1) Deaths due to opioid pain medications are rising at an alarming rate. 2) Patients with hemophilia are particularly afflicted by pain, with more than half of adults… Read more »
Adequate Health Insurance for Children with Autism: Evidence and Implications for Defining Essential Benefits
The long-term goal of this research is to improve access to care and outcomes for children with autism. We hypothesize that having combined coverage will be associated with greater insurance adequacy and increase the breadth and amount of service use particularly for mental health services.
Circles of Care: Supporting African Americans with Cancer
Patients with advanced cancer need supportive and palliative care in addition to cancer-specific treatments, to overcome pain, reduce psychological and spiritual distress, and meet practical needs. African Americans are more likely to have advanced cancer, yet less often get effective pain management, cancer communication, or supportive care. To overcome barriers for African Americans with cancer,… Read more »
Evaluation of Washington State’s Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT)
The intent of this evaluation project is to conduct an assessment of the costs and effectiveness of recovery-oriented PACT in promoting community living, reducing hospitalizations, and reducing criminal justice involvement among persons with severe mental illness.
The Cultural Authority of Science in the Public Sphere: Creating Data Streams for Further Advances
The rationale for this project is that it will create the foundation for a vibrant research community that can examine how social groups vary in their trust/distrust of organized science.
Improving Decision Making for Patients with Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation
The investigators at UNC will help to refine the decision support tool during the study and train investigators with regard to presentation and explanation of the instrument.
Goals of Care: A Nursing Home Trial of Decision Support for Advanced Dementia
Shared decision-making about goals of care is the ethical standard for serious illness, yet families report poor quality communication, decision-making and palliative care.