My Current Working Research Question Is

Nicole Merrithew

PAH 660

Discussion #3

November 19, 2014

Context:

My current “working” research question is:

What are the characteristics of primary care practices in states that have implemented medical home programs that make it difficult to participate as compared to those practices in states that have programs that make it easier to participate?

An alternative to this question, which I aim to finalize through this discussion, is:

What are the characteristics of primary care practices in Oregon that are participating in the PCPCH Program as compared to characteristics of primary care practices in Oregon that are not participating in the Program?

Last week I presented an illustration of how I envisioned conducting a comparative analysis between medical homes engaged with different kinds of programs. I have scaled it back a bit based on feedback from the last session (see Table 1). Please note that I have not included each specific characteristic that would be described under the headings of “practice characteristics and medical home attributes.”

The readings for this week include examples of data collection and analytic methods that could be used to address the research question. I am currently thinking of conducting a survey that would combine elements of the information gathered through the survey administered by Gelmon and Trotta, Beaulieu et. al, and Oregon’s PCPCH application (not included). The report by Park-Lee and Decker and the article by Beaulieu provide examples of how the analysis could be conducted.

Table 1. Comparison of practices in “high” vs. “low” standards programs.

Discussion questions:

1. Does the research question need any further refinement?
2. Does anyone have suggestions to the data collection and analysis approaches described above and/or in the readings?
3. Should I focus first on collecting this information in Oregon only or opening the question (as is currently written) to Vermont and/or Minnesota (i.e. high standards program)?
4. How willing are other states programs to share data/partner on projects where their insight and/or data sources are necessary?

Readings:

Beaulieu, M. et. al. Characteristics of primary care practices associated with high quality of care. CMAJ (September 3, 2013); 185(12): E590 – E596.

Park-Lee, E. Y. and Decker, F. H. Comparison of home and hospice care agencies by organizational characteristics and services provided: United States, 2007. National health statistics reports; no 30. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2010.

Gelmon, S. B. and Trotta, R.Patient-Centered Primary Care Home (PCPCH): Report on the Results of the 2012 – 2013 Supplemental Surveys, August 2013. Portland State University. October 2013.