- Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider.
All therapy Effectiveness tests need to include compliance verification in order to ensure the validity of the test. For example a test comparing two drugs (in pill form) need to confirm that participants took the medication at the presdribed times and in the prescribed volume. Or, a test comparing two versions of a neck brace need to confirm that the neck brace was worn for the prescribed times. Compliance verification provides the data on the user's actual compliance with the doctor's orders (prescription).
- Does your question include a comparison of different health care approaches? (If no, your topic will still be considered.)
yes
- If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions you would like to see compared:
I would like to see all comparisons include hard objective data on compliance by the participants.
- What patients or group(s) of patients does your question apply to? (Please include specific details such as age range, gender, coexisting diagnoses, and indications for therapy.)
All patients undergoing a therapy (i.e. drug, brace, compression, etc) would benefit from compliance verification.
- Are there subgroups of patients that your question might apply to? (For example, an ethnic group, stage or severity of a disease.)
No
- Describe the health-related benefits you are interested in. (For example, improvements in patient symptoms or problems from treatment or diagnosis.)
Improvements in therapy outcomes based on improved compliance. Objective evaluation of a therapy based on patient's compliance. Promotion of compliance through the verification device. Auto alerts to physicians when compliance is not being observed.
- Describe any health-related risks, side effects, or harms that you are concerned about.
None
Appropriateness for EHC Program
- Does your question include a health care drug, intervention, device, or technology available (or likely to be available) in the U.S.?
yes
- Which priority area(s) and population(s) does this topic apply to? (check all that apply)
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- EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008)
- Arthritis and nontraumatic joint disorders
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease, including stroke and hypertension
- Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease
- Depression and other mental health disorders
- Developmental delays, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism
- Diabetes mellitus
- Infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS
- Obesity
- Peptic ulcer disease and dyspepsia
- Pregnancy, including preterm birth
- Pulmonary disease/asthma
- Substance abuse
- AHRQ Priority Populations
- Low income groups
- Minority groups
- Women
- Children
- Elderly
- Individuals with special health care needs, including individuals with disabilities or who need chronic care or end-of-life health care
- Federal Health Care Program
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
Importance
- Describe why this topic is important.
It replaces subjectivity with objectivity in regards to patient compliance.
- What specifically motivated you to ask this question? (For example, you are developing a clinical guideline, working with a policy with large uncertainty about the appropriate approach, costly intervention, new research you have read, items in the media you may have seen, a clinical practice dilemma you know of, etc.)
I am developing compliance verification devices for healthcare applications.
- Does your question represent uncertainty for clinicians and/or policy-makers? (For example, variations in clinical care, controversy in what constitutes appropriate clinical care, or a policy decision.)
yes
- If yes, please explain:
It would seem that any evaluation of clinical care must consider the compliance of the patient to the prescribed care.
Potential Impact
- How will an answer to your research question be used or help inform decisions for you or your group?
It will help direct our research efforts in developing compliance verification devices for effective healthcare.
- Describe the timeframe in which an answer to your question is needed.
ASAP
- Describe any health disparities, inequities, or impact on vulnerable populations your question applies to.
Nominator Information
- Other Information About You: (optional)
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- Please choose a description that best describes your role or perspective: (you may select more than one category if appropriate)
It will help direct our research efforts in developing compliance verification devices for effective healthcare.
- Are you making a suggestion as an individual or on behalf of an organization?
Organization
- Please tell us how you heard about the Effective Health Care Program
