Health services research
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Health services research · Apr 2012
Methodological reporting in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods health services research articles.
Methodologically sound mixed methods research can improve our understanding of health services by providing a more comprehensive picture of health services than either method can alone. This study describes the frequency of mixed methods in published health services research and compares the presence of methodological components indicative of rigorous approaches across mixed methods, qualitative, and quantitative articles. ⋯ Few published health services research articles use mixed methods. The frequency of key methodological components is variable. Suggestions are provided to increase the transparency of mixed methods studies and the presence of key methodological components in published reports.
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Health services research · Apr 2012
Comparative StudyA comparison of health care use for physician-referred and self-referred episodes of outpatient physical therapy.
To compare patient profiles and health care use for physician-referred and self-referred episodes of outpatient physical therapy (PT). ⋯ Health care use during PT episodes was lower for those who self-referred, after adjusting for key variables, but did not differ after the PT episode.
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Health services research · Apr 2012
Surgery wait times and specialty services for insured and uninsured breast cancer patients: does hospital safety net status matter?
To determine whether safety net and non-safety net hospitals influence inpatient breast cancer care in insured and uninsured women and in white and African American women. ⋯ Following the implementation of health reform, disparities may potentially worsen if safety net hospitals' burden of care increases without commensurate increases in reimbursement and staffing levels. This study also suggests that Medicaid expansions may not improve outcomes in inpatient breast cancer care within the safety net system.