Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider.

Can use of visualization help people who feel cold all the time, like some older people who wear long sleeves and sweaters in 88 degree weather and still feel cold. these are people who have been screened for correctable medical problems that may cause this symptom.

Does your question include a comparison of different health care approaches? (If no, your topic will still be considered.)

no

If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions you would like to see compared:

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.)

This is mostly seen in elderly people but might be applied to people who temporarily go to a climate with extreme temperatures like very cold or very warm climates.

Are there subgroups of patients that your question might apply to? (For example, an ethnic group, stage or severity of a disease.)

Describe the health-related benefits you are interested in. (For example, improvements in patient symptoms or problems from treatment or diagnosis.)

Improvement in quality of life as person is not focusing on how cold or hot they feel and participating in activities that only relate to trying to make themselves more comfortable.

Describe any health-related risks, side effects, or harms that you are concerned about.

For elderly this has resulted in use of space heaters,and open flames on gas burners which they get too close to setting their clothing on fire and or burning their skin.It can also increase their heating bills or power bills which can cause them financial stress which may itself exacerbate medical problems.

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)

EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008)

• Diabetes mellitus

AHRQ Priority Populations

• Low income groups
• Minority groups
• Women
• 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

None

Importance

Describe why this topic is important.

Effects a person's quality of life. Their life may be miserableand they can not live their lives as fully as they otherwise could.

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.)

It is a clinical practice dilemma. It was prompted by a situation that led a physician to request that an apartment manager allow the thermostat to be turned up to try to appease a patient when she knew it would not cause the patient to feel any warmer.

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:

Clinicians do not know how to help these people .

Potential Impact

How will an answer to your research question be used or help inform decisions for you or your group?

Can have training on an intervention that can be used to help people who have this issue.

Describe the timeframe in which an answer to your question is needed.

The sooner the better.

Describe any health disparities, inequities, or impact on vulnerable populations your question applies to.

The elderly are vulnerable as they may create dangerous situations for themselves trying to get warm.

Nominator Information

Other Information About You: (optional)

Please choose a description that best describes your role or perspective: (you may select more than one category if appropriate)

Can have training on an intervention that can be used to help people who have this issue.

Are you making a suggestion as an individual or on behalf of an organization?

Individual

Please tell us how you heard about the Effective Health Care Program

Google search for something else and saw this