2024
Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening via Mailed Fecal Immunochemical Testing in a Veterans Affairs Health System.
Xu J, Kravetz J, Spelman J, Roy K, Lilly V, Cosentino D, Ruser C. Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening via Mailed Fecal Immunochemical Testing in a Veterans Affairs Health System. Federal Practitioner 2024, 41: s39-s42. PMID: 39411394, PMCID: PMC11473113, DOI: 10.12788/fp.0496.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchColorectal cancer screening ratesFecal immunochemical test kitsCancer screening ratesVeterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare SystemFecal immunochemical testScreening ratesImmunochemical testPopulation-based colorectal cancer screening programImprove colorectal cancer screening ratesUS Multi-Society Task ForceFecal immunochemical test programsColorectal cancer screening programImprove colorectal cancer screeningMailed fecal immunochemical testMulti-Society Task ForceColorectal cancer screeningVeterans Affairs Health SystemCancer screening programCancer screeningHealth systemPatient visitsScreening programHealthcare systemTeam-basedTest utilization
2023
Development and Psychometric Assessment of the Weight and Eating Quality of Life (WE-QOL) Scale in US Military Veterans
Masheb R, Snow J, Fenn L, Antoniadis N, Raffa S, Ruser C, Buta E. Development and Psychometric Assessment of the Weight and Eating Quality of Life (WE-QOL) Scale in US Military Veterans. Journal Of General Internal Medicine 2023, 38: 2076-2081. PMID: 36973571, PMCID: PMC10361921, DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08132-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVeterans Health AdministrationPopulation health metricsQOL measuresGeneric health-related QOL measuresHealth-related QOL measuresHealth metricsWeight management programPopulation health approachObesity-related diseasesQuality of careUS military veteransClinical remindersUS veteransPhysical activityHealth AdministrationPatient careEuropean QualityHealth approachWeight gainPhysical discomfortWeight stigmaMilitary veteransPsychometric assessmentEmotional distressLife ScaleRacial, Ethnic, and Rural Disparities in U.S. Veteran COVID-19 Vaccine Rates
Bernstein E, DeRycke E, Han L, Farmer M, Bastian L, Bean-Mayberry B, Bade B, Brandt C, Crothers K, Skanderson M, Ruser C, Spelman J, Bazan I, Justice A, Rentsch C, Akgün K. Racial, Ethnic, and Rural Disparities in U.S. Veteran COVID-19 Vaccine Rates. AJPM Focus 2023, 2: 100094. PMID: 37362395, PMCID: PMC10038675, DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2023.100094.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRace/ethnicity groupsFirst vaccinationFirst COVID-19 vaccinationVeterans AffairsWhite veteransCharlson Comorbidity IndexRetrospective cohort studyPrimary care visitsEthnicity groupsCOVID-19 vaccinationLarge healthcare systemEquitable vaccine distributionAsian Americans/Pacific IslandersRace/ethnicityUnvaccinated patientsComorbidity indexInfluenza vaccinationSelf-reported categoriesBlack groupCare visitsCohort studyHazard ratioPrimary outcomeWhite patientsBlack patients
2022
Racial and Rural Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake in a National Sample of Veterans
Bernstein E, DeRycke E, Han L, Bastian L, Bean-Mayberry B, Bade B, Brandt C, Farmer M, Crothers K, Skanderson M, Ruser C, Spelman J, Bazan I, Justice A, Rentsch C, Akgun K. Racial and Rural Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake in a National Sample of Veterans. 2022, a3695-a3695. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2022.205.1_meetingabstracts.a3695.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe Effect of Primary Care Visits on Total Patient Care Cost: Evidence From the Veterans Health Administration
Gao J, Moran E, Grimm R, Toporek A, Ruser C. The Effect of Primary Care Visits on Total Patient Care Cost: Evidence From the Veterans Health Administration. Journal Of Primary Care & Community Health 2022, 13: 21501319221141792. PMID: 36564889, PMCID: PMC9793026, DOI: 10.1177/21501319221141792.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTotal patient care costsPatient care costsVeterans Health AdministrationPrimary care visitsPC visitsCare costsPrimary careCare visitsHealth AdministrationOverall health care costsHigh-risk patientsSeverity of illnessHealth care costsPatient care outcomesClinical outcomesPC providersRetrospective studyComplex patientsPerson visitsPreventive servicesPatient riskComprehensive careMAIN OUTCOMECare outcomesPatients
2021
ICD-10 Coding of Musculoskeletal Conditions in the Veterans Health Administration
Coleman BC, Goulet JL, Higgins DM, Bathulapalli H, Kawecki T, Ruser CB, Bastian LA, Martino S, Piette JD, Edmond SN, Heapy AA. ICD-10 Coding of Musculoskeletal Conditions in the Veterans Health Administration. Pain Medicine 2021, 22: 2597-2603. PMID: 33944953, PMCID: PMC8783617, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnab161.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSpecialty care settingsVeterans Health AdministrationCare settingsDiagnosis codesMusculoskeletal diagnosesMusculoskeletal conditionsHealth AdministrationVeterans Health Administration (VHA) careLow back painLongitudinal cohort studyICD-10 codingVisit diagnosesCohort studyDiagnosis cohortBack painCommon diagnosisUnique patientsNumber of visitsInternational ClassificationMusculoskeletal carePotential diagnosisSecondary analysisPatientsDiagnosisMusculoskeletal system
2020
Associations between adverse childhood experiences and weight, weight control behaviors and quality of life in Veterans seeking weight management services
Masheb RM, Sala M, Marsh AG, Snow JL, Kutz AM, Ruser CB. Associations between adverse childhood experiences and weight, weight control behaviors and quality of life in Veterans seeking weight management services. Eating Behaviors 2020, 40: 101461. PMID: 33352386, DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2020.101461.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBehavioral weight management programAdverse childhood experiencesQuality of lifeVA Connecticut Healthcare SystemPrevalence of ACEsWeight lossTypes of ACEsLow physical activityMore adverse childhood experiencesWeight management servicesWeight management programWeight-related qualityWeight control strategiesWeight control behaviorsMeasures of weightChildhood experiencesWeight outcomesPhysical activityFemale veteransAlcohol useLife outcomesHealthcare systemVeteransMeasures of ACEsHigh rateThe Kidney Score Platform for Patient and Clinician Awareness, Communication, and Management of Kidney Disease: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study
Tuot DS, Crowley ST, Katz LA, Leung J, Alcantara-Cadillo DK, Ruser C, Talbot-Montgomery E, Vassalotti JA. The Kidney Score Platform for Patient and Clinician Awareness, Communication, and Management of Kidney Disease: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Research Protocols 2020, 9: e22024. PMID: 33074162, PMCID: PMC7605977, DOI: 10.2196/22024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchChronic kidney diseaseChronic kidney disease riskINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERKidney diseaseRisk calculatorCare settingsBehaviour Change WheelChronic kidney disease awarenessChronic kidney disease guidelinesChronic kidney disease managementPrimary health care settingsKidney disease awarenessPre-post study designKidney disease managementKidney disease riskPrimary care settingClinical practice guidelinesOnline risk calculatorHealth care settingsBehavior changeDisease guidelinesImplementation science frameworkPatient populationClinician awarenessPatient awarenessSARS-CoV-2 detection in setting of viral swabs scarcity: Are MRSA swabs and viral swabs equivalent?
Federman DG, Gupta S, Stack G, Campbell SM, Peaper DR, Dembry LM, Fisher A, Tarabar AF, Kozal M, Ruser CB. SARS-CoV-2 detection in setting of viral swabs scarcity: Are MRSA swabs and viral swabs equivalent? PLOS ONE 2020, 15: e0237127. PMID: 32756602, PMCID: PMC7406068, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237127.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMRSA swabsViral swabSARS-CoV-2 PCR testingCopan ESwabSevere acute respiratory syndromeMRSA nasal swabSARS-CoV-2 assayAcute respiratory syndromeCOVID-19SARS-CoV-2SARS-CoV-2 detectionNasopharyngeal swabsCoronavirus 2Nasal swabsRespiratory syndromePCR testingSwab collectionSwabsSwab samplesCepheid Xpert XpressXpert XpressWidespread testingCollection kitHealthcare systemViral mediaA Model for Rapid Transition to Virtual Care, VA Connecticut Primary Care Response to COVID-19
Spelman JF, Brienza R, Walsh RF, Drost P, Schwartz AR, Kravetz JD, Pitkin P, Ruser C. A Model for Rapid Transition to Virtual Care, VA Connecticut Primary Care Response to COVID-19. Journal Of General Internal Medicine 2020, 35: 3073-3076. PMID: 32705471, PMCID: PMC7377306, DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06041-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUrgent care clinicVirtual careVA Connecticut Health Care SystemCare clinicsPerson visitsValuable health care resourcesPrimary care responseStandardized note templatesFuture pandemic responsesVirtual care modelsHealth care resourcesCOVID-19 pandemicHealth care deliveryHealth care systemVideo visitsTelephone encountersCare modelCare responseCare resourcesPatient exposureCare deliveryNote templateVirtual visitsMedical staffCare systemCase-mix for assessing primary care value (CPCV)
Gao J, Moran E, Schwartz A, Ruser C. Case-mix for assessing primary care value (CPCV). Health Services Management Research 2020, 33: 200-206. PMID: 32552065, DOI: 10.1177/0951484820931063.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrimary careU.S. Veterans Affairs healthcare systemVeterans Affairs Healthcare SystemPrescription drug classesPrimary care performanceHigh-cost patientsPatient classification systemPC visitsPatient comorbiditiesDrug classesRisk scoreProvider workloadRisk algorithmHealth systemCare performanceHealthcare systemCare valuePatientsStaffing levelsPayment ratesCareHigh needClassification systemComorbiditiesSA-ORS-CoV-2 detection in setting of viral swab scarcity: Are MRSA swabs and viral swabs equivalent?
Federman DG, Gupta S, Stack G, Campbell SM, Peaper DR, Demby LM, Fisher A, Tarabar AF, Kozal M, Ruser CB. SAORS-CoV-2 detection in setting of viral swab scarcity: Are MRSA swabs and viral swabs equivalent? Plos One 2020; in pressPeer-Reviewed Original ResearchA Model for Rapid Transition to Virtual Care, VA Connecticut Primary Care response to COVID-19.
Spelman JF, Brienza R, Walsh RF, Drost P, Schwartz AR, Kravetz JD, Pitkin P, Ruser CB. A Model for Rapid Transition to Virtual Care, VA Connecticut Primary Care response to COVID-19. JGIM 2020; in press.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2019
Sequelae of an Evidence-based Approach to Management for Access to Care in the Veterans Health Administration
Kaboli PJ, Miake-Lye IM, Ruser C, Yano EM, Orshansky G, Rubenstein L, Curtis I, Kirsh S, Hempel S. Sequelae of an Evidence-based Approach to Management for Access to Care in the Veterans Health Administration. Medical Care 2019, 57: s213-s220. PMID: 31517790, PMCID: PMC6750154, DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001177.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEvidence-based approachVeterans AffairsPrimary care managementVeterans Health AdministrationHigh-quality careHealth care systemResearch evidenceVA initiativesPrimary careCare managementEvidence reportHealth AdministrationPeer-reviewed manuscriptsQuality careCare systemPanel meetingHealth careCareProgram reportsPractice managersKey conferencesReportStakeholder panelPractice implicationsUnanswered questions“Making weight” during military service is related to binge eating and eating pathology for veterans later in life
Masheb RM, Kutz AM, Marsh AG, Min KM, Ruser CB, Dorflinger LM. “Making weight” during military service is related to binge eating and eating pathology for veterans later in life. Eating And Weight Disorders - Studies On Anorexia, Bulimia And Obesity 2019, 24: 1063-1070. PMID: 31471885, DOI: 10.1007/s40519-019-00766-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUnhealthy weight control strategiesOverweight/obeseWeight control strategiesWeight management treatmentWeight management effortsConclusionsOne-thirdNight eatingGood internal consistencyExcessive exerciseClinical effortsFood addictionRubber suitsMilitary servicePathologyVomitingObeseVeteransWeight behaviorEmotional eatingYounger cohortsOne-thirdTwo-thirdsInternal consistencyOne-quarterParticipantsSelf-report versus objective measurement of weight history: implications for pre-treatment weight gain
Phimphasone-Brady P, Dorflinger LM, Ruser C, Bullock A, Godfrey KM, Hernandez D, Min KM, Masheb RM. Self-report versus objective measurement of weight history: implications for pre-treatment weight gain. Journal Of Behavioral Medicine 2019, 42: 1142-1147. PMID: 31016640, DOI: 10.1007/s10865-019-00045-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWeight historySelf-reported weight changeWeight gainRecent weightClinical careHigh concurrent validityCurrent weightPatientsWeight lossWeight changeTreatment lossWeight assessmentConcurrent validityInaccurate reportersTreatmentHigh individual variabilityObjective measurementsIndividual variability
2018
Opioid Use Among Veterans of Recent Wars Receiving Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Care
Lisi AJ, Corcoran KL, DeRycke EC, Bastian LA, Becker WC, Edmond SN, Goertz CM, Goulet JL, Haskell SG, Higgins DM, Kawecki T, Kerns RD, Mattocks K, Ramsey C, Ruser CB, Brandt CA. Opioid Use Among Veterans of Recent Wars Receiving Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Care. Pain Medicine 2018, 19: s54-s60. PMID: 30203014, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny114.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOEF/OIF/OND veteransOpioid prescriptionsChiropractic visitsOpioid useChiropractic careOperations Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom/New DawnMore opioid prescriptionsVA chiropractic servicesPercentage of veteransCross-sectional analysisOpioid receiptClinic visitsClinical characteristicsCurrent smokingSevere painChiropractic clinicChiropractic servicesVisitsHigher likelihoodVeteransPrescriptionCareFurther studiesAdministrative dataOne-thirdProject STEP: Implementing the Veterans Health Administration’s Stepped Care Model of Pain Management
Edmond SN, Moore BA, Dorflinger LM, Goulet JL, Becker WC, Heapy AA, Sellinger JJ, Lee AW, Levin FL, Ruser CB, Kerns RD. Project STEP: Implementing the Veterans Health Administration’s Stepped Care Model of Pain Management. Pain Medicine 2018, 19: s30-s37. PMID: 30203015, DOI: 10.1093/pm/pny094.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVA Connecticut Healthcare SystemPrimary care providersVeterans Health AdministrationPain careStepped care modelCare providersPain managementCare modelHealth care utilization dataMultimodal pain careNonopioid analgesic prescribingLong-term opioidsElectronic health record dataPain intensity ratingsHealth record dataClinical health psychologyNonpharmacological servicesAnalgesic prescribingOpioid prescribingPharmacological managementNonpharmacological approachesNonpharmacological treatmentsReferral practicesPhysical therapyCare practicesPain and modifiable risk factors among weight loss seeking Veterans with overweight
Godfrey KM, Bullock AJ, Dorflinger LM, Min KM, Ruser CB, Masheb RM. Pain and modifiable risk factors among weight loss seeking Veterans with overweight. Appetite 2018, 128: 100-105. PMID: 29885382, DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.06.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBody mass indexWeight loss treatmentMental health symptomsModifiable risk factorsHigher pain intensityPain intensityLoss treatmentHealth symptomsRisk factorsAverage body mass indexBehavioral weight loss treatmentSelf-reported pain ratingsOverweight/obesitySample of veteransElectronic medical recordsVA ConnecticutClinical characteristicsSevere painChronic painMass indexOutpatient clinicPain ratingsMedical recordsNight eatingSelf-report questionnairesDoes food addiction contribute to excess weight among clinic patients seeking weight reduction? Examination of the Modified Yale Food Addiction Survey
Masheb RM, Ruser CB, Min KM, Bullock AJ, Dorflinger LM. Does food addiction contribute to excess weight among clinic patients seeking weight reduction? Examination of the Modified Yale Food Addiction Survey. Comprehensive Psychiatry 2018, 84: 1-6. PMID: 29654930, DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.03.006.BooksConceptsYale Food Addiction ScaleExcess weightFood addictionClinic patientsWeight lossWeight management settingsOverweight/obesityWeight management programAlcohol use disorderBinge Eating DisorderVariance of BMIWeight reductionComorbid overweightPatient populationClinic settingNight eatingClinical significanceUse disordersDiagnostic thresholdPatientsAfflicted individualsMental healthEating DisordersDisorder pathologyBMI