Social Interventions and Outcomes in Medical Effectiveness Research

Social Work Support Services for Stroke Patients

“…Lawler and Raube (1995) point out that the "social side of medical effectiveness research has been underrepresented and underdeveloped" (p. 384) despite the fact that social workers, nurses and allied professionals working in medical settings provide many valuable services to patients. Although there is a small body of social work literature focused on case finding and screening to…”

Hospice research: Challenges, opportunities and rewards

“…Surveys have provided information about the organizational structure, staff, funding, services, and populations served. 20 A useful context for understanding 296 The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care September/October 1998 outcomes measures in hospice care is provided by Lawlor and Raube, 21 who offer an historical perspective on the development of outcomes measurement in medical effectiveness research. Certainly, when one is trying to measure whether a broken leg is healed, outcome measurement is easier than when one is trying to develop measurements for the types of outcomes experienced by hospice patients.…”

Health outcomes research on Hispanics/Latinos

“…The emphasis on the development and implementation of clinical guidelines has been the result of studies done by John Wennberg and others that demonstrate great variability in medical practices in a number of procedures, such as tonsillectomies and hysterectomies. (14) These studies have provided evidence that suggests that the likelihood of receiving certain medical procedures may be related to where the patient lives, whether or not he/she has health insurance, and a host of other factors not directly related to patient health or medical needs. (14) Therefore, variations in clinical practice may lead to the delivery of poor quality of care, inappropriate procedures and to patient confusion over treatment options.…”

“…(14) These studies have provided evidence that suggests that the likelihood of receiving certain medical procedures may be related to where the patient lives, whether or not he/she has health insurance, and a host of other factors not directly related to patient health or medical needs. (14) Therefore, variations in clinical practice may lead to the delivery of poor quality of care, inappropriate procedures and to patient confusion over treatment options. Inappropriate procedures are defined as those where a) expected health benefits of a procedure do not exceed expected negative consequences by a sufficiently wide margin so that the procedure is worth doing.…”