The American journal of managed care
-
Few studies have evaluated racial and ethnic differences in several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) or overlap syndrome (the co-occurrence of ≥ 2 IMIDs). We assessed associations between race and ethnicity and prevalence of IMIDs and overlap syndrome using US claims and electronic health records from 2021. ⋯ We found racial and ethnic differences in the prevalence and co-occurrence of IMIDs in this sample of US adults. Because misdiagnoses are relatively frequent for patients with IMIDs, awareness of racial and ethnic variations in IMIDs could aid early diagnosis and improve disease management.
-
To address a lack of research documenting telehealth use and experiences among sexual minority individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic and inform health care policies beyond the pandemic. ⋯ The findings show greater demand for telehealth, especially for mental health care, among sexual minority adults. Knowledge of factors driving patterns in health care utilization within minoritized communities and the implications for both telehealth access and quality are necessary to create policies that have a broad positive impact.
-
To understand the role of health information technology (IT) vendors and health IT functionality in supporting advanced primary care. ⋯ Continued collaboration among health IT vendors, practices, policy makers, and payers could support continued technological improvements, particularly related to information exchange and communication. Aligning requirements more closely with other federal and private models could also help mitigate the risk for vendors.
-
To identify the relationship between patient-centered communication and portal offers and use among insured adult patients and to understand the role of patient-centered communication in equitable access to portals. ⋯ Although patient-centered communication is an important factor in facilitating patient portal offers and access, it does not appear to be a driver of demographic divides in portal use.
-
Use of telehealth has been on the rise since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although there has been much investigation of telehealth use in the context of replacing in-person visits, there has been limited study of patients' motivations for using telehealth. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate patient characteristics associated with telehealth use and (2) evaluate patients' motivations for using telehealth. ⋯ Identifying patients' motivations may help decision makers better understand the perceived value of telehealth among patients and may help policy makers and administrators create opportunities for increased patient choice around visit modality to maximize health care access, value, and quality. Consideration of patient motivations for telehealth use may support practitioners in making tailored and person-centered decisions when recommending telehealth vs in-person visits.