OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to examine the quality of patient-reported communication with their health care providers using data from a large, statewide survey of patients. We examine the relationship between patient's race and ethnicity, type of health care provider, site of and continuity in care, and the quality of patient-provider communication. METHODS We analyze data from th...

This study examines access to, utilization of, and quality of health care for Latino children with autism and other developmental disabilities. We analyze data from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (N  =  4,414 children with autism and other developmental disabilities). Compared with White children, Latino children with autism and other developmental disabilities h...

BACKGROUND International comparisons of health care systems have shown a relationship at the macro level between a well-structured primary health care plan and lower total health care costs.The objective of this study was to assess whether provider continuity with a family physician is related to lower health care costs using the individual patient as the unit of analysis. METHODS We undertook ...

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between having a personal health care provider and adequate cervical and breast cancer screening behavior. METHODS Cross-sectional data were obtained from the 2004 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System. For cervical cancer, female respondents 18 years of age and older who did not have hysterectomy were included (n = 130,...

OBJECTIVE To determine the cost-effectiveness of nurse practitioners delivering primary and specialised ambulatory care. DESIGN A systematic review of randomised controlled trials reported since 1980. DATA SOURCES 10 electronic bibliographic databases, handsearches, contact with authors, bibliographies and websites. INCLUDED STUDIES Randomised controlled trials that evaluated nurse practi...

OBJECTIVES Current demographic trends point to the need for understanding the health challenges facing the elderly in Latin America today. This study assessed whether health care provider choice and household income impact utilization and health among the elderly in Brazil. METHODS Using a sample taken in 1995 in southern Brazil, a structural model was used to estimate the parameters of a fun...

OBJECTIVE To explore the use of external approaches to quality improvement in health care organizations, through a descriptive evaluation of the process and impact of external reviews of clinical governance arrangements at health care provider organizations in the National Health Service (NHS) in England. DESIGN A qualitative study, involving the use of face-to-face and telephone interviews w...

Health care is an important lever for moderating the effects of social determinants on health. We present a model that describes the relationships among social disadvantage, health-care disparities, and health disparities. Improving access to health care and enhancing patient-provider interaction are critical pathways for reducing disparities. Increasing the diversity of the public health and h...