(APPLICATION ABSTRACT): The long-term objective of the MEMO Study (Minimizing Error, Maximizing Outcome) is to determine the effect of the healthcare work environment on the quality of care and the role of physicians as mediators of this effect.
Specific aims i nclude: 1) to determine the effect of workplace characteristics on patient outcomes such as satisfaction, disease control and medical errors; 2) to determine if the lowest error rates and best outcomes occur in an environment with low physician stress and burnout, and to identify the elements of such an environment; and 3) to define how predictors of quality and errors differ between women and men physicians, minority and non-minority physicians, and urban and rural physicians. The MEMO Study is a longitudinal, observational study of 500 physicians and 3,000 of their patients in 5 clinical sites: New York, Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison and rural Wisconsin. Patients will have one or more of three conditions: hypertension, diabetes and chronic lung disease. The initial 6 month phase will include focus groups with physicians, other healthcare personnel, and patients where individuals can """"""""tell their stories"""""""" about the successes and challenges of their day-to-day healthcare experiences. This information will be utilized to develop surveys for the second phase, a two year prospective evaluation of physicians, patients and their outcomes. Medical errors in treatment and diagnosis will be assessed via chart review at the conclusion of phase two. Phase three will consist of data analysis and dissemination activities, including preparation of non-technical monographs, and use of the """"""""Knowledge Caf? method at regional and national primary care meetings. One study outcome will be a """"""""best practice index"""""""" listing workplace characteristics that result in low error rates and high quality care. This index will provide a menu for practice managers and healthcare organizations to use in determining how to best modify their practices to improve quality. Due to our diverse clinical sites, we anticipate being able to answer questions concerning physicians and patients in rural and inner-city settings. We also anticipate being able to answer questions about women and minority physicians, groups that are typically underrepresented in physician-centered research.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HS011955-03
Application #
6666894
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHS1-HSR-C (01))
Program Officer
Hughes, Ronda
Project Start
2001-09-30
Project End
2005-03-30
Budget Start
2003-09-30
Budget End
2005-03-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Perez, Hector R; Beyrouty, Matthew; Bennett, Katelyn et al. (2017) Chaos in the Clinic: Characteristics and Consequences of Practices Perceived as Chaotic. J Healthc Qual 39:43-53
Varkey, Anita B; Manwell, Linda Baier; Brown, Roger L et al. (2016) Impact of Work Conditions and Minority Patient Populations on Quality and Errors. Health Serv Res Manag Epidemiol 3:2333392815625997
Rabatin, Joseph; Williams, Eric; Baier Manwell, Linda et al. (2016) Predictors and Outcomes of Burnout in Primary Care Physicians. J Prim Care Community Health 7:41-3
Babbott, Stewart; Manwell, Linda Baier; Brown, Roger et al. (2014) Electronic medical records and physician stress in primary care: results from the MEMO Study. J Am Med Inform Assoc 21:e100-6
Schoenthaler, Antoinette; Montague, Enid; Baier Manwell, Linda et al. (2014) Patient-physician racial/ethnic concordance and blood pressure control: the role of trust and medication adherence. Ethn Health 19:565-78
An, Perry G; Manwell, Linda Baier; Williams, Eric S et al. (2013) Does a higher frequency of difficult patient encounters lead to lower quality care? J Fam Pract 62:24-9
An, Perry G; Rabatin, Joseph S; Manwell, Linda B et al. (2009) Burden of difficult encounters in primary care: data from the minimizing error, maximizing outcomes study. Arch Intern Med 169:410-4
Linzer, Mark; Manwell, Linda Baier; Williams, Eric S et al. (2009) Working conditions in primary care: physician reactions and care quality. Ann Intern Med 151:28-36, W6-9
Manwell, Linda Baier; Williams, Eric S; Babbott, Stewart et al. (2009) Physician perspectives on quality and error in the outpatient setting. WMJ 108:139-44
Varkey, Anita B; Manwell, Linda Baier; Williams, Eric S et al. (2009) Separate and unequal: clinics where minority and nonminority patients receive primary care. Arch Intern Med 169:243-50

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