All Publications


  • Adoption and Sustained Use of Primary Care Video Visits Among Veterans with VA Video-Enabled Tablets. Journal of medical systems Dhanani, Z., Ferguson, J. M., Van Campen, J., Slightam, C., Heyworth, L., Zulman, D. M. 2024; 48 (1): 16

    Abstract

    In 2020, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) expanded an initiative to distribute video-enabled tablets to Veterans with limited virtual care access. We examined patient characteristics associated with adoption and sustained use of video-based primary care among Veterans. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Veterans who received VA-issued tablets between 3/11/2020-9/10/2020. We used generalized linear models to evaluate the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with video-based primary care adoption (i.e., likelihood of having a primary care video visit) and sustained use (i.e., rate of video care) in the six months after a Veteran received a VA-issued tablet. Of the 36,077 Veterans who received a tablet, 69% had at least one video-based visit within six months, and 24% had a video-based visit in primary care. Veterans with a history of housing instability or a mental health condition, and those meeting VA enrollment criteria for low-income were significantly less likely to adopt video-based primary care. However, among Veterans who had a video visit in primary care (e.g., those with at least one video visit), older Veterans, and Veterans with a mental health condition had more sustained use (higher rate) than younger Veterans or those without a mental health condition. We found no differences in adoption of video-based primary care by rurality, age, race, ethnicity, or low/moderate disability and high disability priority groups compared to Veterans with no special enrollment category. VA's tablet initiative has supported many Veterans with complex needs in accessing primary care by video. While Veterans with certain social and clinical challenges were less likely to have a video visit, those who adopted video telehealth generally had similar or higher rates of sustained use. These patterns suggest opportunities for tailored interventions that focus on needs specific to initial uptake vs. sustained use of video care.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s10916-024-02035-5

    View details for PubMedID 38289373

    View details for PubMedCentralID 7816740

  • Differences in Menstrual Cytokine Profiles of Women with and without Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids. F&S science Dhanani, Z., Ramirez, N. J., Nguyen, J., Rosenberg-Hasson, Y., Naseri, S., Lum, D., Atashroo, D., Chen, B. 2023

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.xfss.2023.09.006

    View details for PubMedID 37797816

  • NECESSARY BUT NOT SUFFICIENT: IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF VA'S DIGITAL DIVIDE INITIATIVE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Zulman, D., Van Campen, J., Ferguson, J. M., Dhanani, Z., Greene, A. L., Kimerling, R., Slightam, C. SPRINGER. 2023: S145
  • Prevalence of Diversity Statements and Disability Inclusion Among Radiology Residency Program Websites. Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR Dhanani, Z., Doo, F. X., Spalluto, L. B., Yee, J., Flores, E. J., Meltzer, C. C., Poullos, P. D. 2023

    Abstract

    Radiology has widely acknowledged the need to improve inclusion of racial, ethnic, gender and sexual minorities, with recent discourse also underscoring the importance of disability diversity and inclusion efforts. Yet, studies have shown a paucity of diversity among radiology residents, despite increasing efforts to foster diversity and inclusion. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess radiology residency program websites' diversity statements for inclusion of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and disability as commonly underrepresented groups.A cross-sectional, observational study of websites of all diagnostic radiology programs in the ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service®) directory was conducted. Program websites that met inclusion criteria were audited for presence of a diversity statement, if the statement was specific to the residency program, radiology department, or institution, and if it was presented or linked on the program or department website. All statements were evaluated for the inclusion of four diversity categories: race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and disability.192 radiology residencies were identified using ERAS. Programs with missing/malfunctioning hyperlinks (N=33) or required logins (N=1) were excluded. 158 websites met inclusion criteria for analysis. Two-thirds (N=103; 65.1%) had a diversity statement either within their residency, department, or institution, with only 28 (18%) having residency program specific statements and 22 (14%) having department-specific statements. Of the websites with diversity statements, inclusion of gender diversity was most frequent (43.0%), followed by race/ethnicity (39.9%), sexual orientation (32.9%) and disability (25.3%). Race/ethnicity was most-included in institution-level diversity statements.Less than 20% of radiology residency websites include a diversity statement, and disability is the least-included category among the diversity statements. As radiology continues to lead diversity and inclusion efforts in healthcare, a more comprehensive approach with equitable representation of different groups, including those with disabilities, would foster a broader sense of belonging. This comprehensive approach can help to overcome systemic barriers and bridge gaps in disability representation.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jacr.2023.02.027

    View details for PubMedID 37028498

  • Overcoming Access Barriers for Veterans: A Cohort Study of the Distribution and Use of VA's Video-Enabled Tablets Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of medical Internet research Dhanani, Z., Ferguson, J. M., Van Campen, J., Slightam, C., Jacobs, J. C., Heyworth, L., Zulman, D. 2022

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, as health care services shifted to virtual modalities for patient and provider safety, the Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Connected Care widely expanded its video-enabled tablet program to bridge digital divides for Veterans with limited virtual care access.OBJECTIVE: To characterize Veterans who received and used U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-issued video-enabled tablets before versus during the COVID-19 pandemic.METHODS: We compared sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of Veterans who received VA-issued tablets during six-month pre-pandemic and pandemic periods (i.e., 3/11/2019-9/10/19 and 3/11/20-9/10/20). Then, we examined characteristics associated with video visit utilization for primary and mental health care within six months after tablet shipment, stratifying models by timing of tablet receipt.RESULTS: There was a nearly six-fold increase in the number of Veterans who received tablets in the pandemic vs pre-pandemic study periods (N= 336,107 vs 6,784, respectively). Compared to pre-pandemic, tablet recipients during the pandemic were more likely to be older (mean 64 vs. 59 years), urban-dwelling (68% vs. 56%) and have a history of housing instability (24% vs. 15%). Pandemic recipients were more likely to utilize video care (69% vs. 54%) and did so more frequently (5.6 vs. 2.3 average encounters) within six months of tablet receipt. In adjusted models, pandemic and pre-pandemic video care users were significantly more likely to be younger, stably housed, and have a mental health condition than non-users.CONCLUSIONS: Although the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased distribution of VA-issued tablets to Veterans with complex clinical and social needs, tablet recipients who were older or unstably housed remained less likely to have a video visit. The VA's tablet distribution program expanded access to video-enabled devices, but interventions are needed to bridge disparities in video visit utilization among device recipients.

    View details for DOI 10.2196/42563

    View details for PubMedID 36630650

  • IMPACT OF COVID-19 INFECTION AND mRNA VACCINATION ON MENSTRUAL CYTOKINE PROFILES Dhanani, Z., Ramirez, N., Nguyen, J., Hasson, Y., Naseri, S., Chen, B., Kellogg, R. ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. 2022: E215-E216
  • DIFFERENCES IN MENSTRUAL CYTOKINE PROFILES OF WOMEN WITH AND WITHOUT UTERINE FIBROIDS Dhanani, Z., Ramirez, N., Nguyen, J., Hasson, Y., Naseri, S., Atashroo, D., Lum, D. A., Chen, B. ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. 2022: E104-E105
  • Deconstructing Ableism in Health Care Settings Through Case-Based Learning. MedEdPORTAL : the journal of teaching and learning resources Dhanani, Z., Huynh, N., Tan, L., Kottakota, H., Lee, R., Poullos, P. 2022; 18: 11253

    Abstract

    Introduction: Patients with disabilities face health disparities, and providers with disabilities confront professional roadblocks and institutional bias. Yet their experiences are often excluded from medical education, and few case studies address culturally humble care for those with disabilities.Methods: We created two 1-hour case-based modules on disability and ableism from patient and provider perspectives. Modules were piloted in June 2020 and presented at two conferences in April 2021. Modules included a prereading, introductory disability presentation, and facilitated case discussions. Sessions were evaluated with pre- and/or postsession surveys. Modules were rated on 5-point Likert scales for educational value, professional growth contribution, and interactive/engaging design.Results: Participants rated the patient and provider modules 4.5, 4.4, and 4.4 and 4.5, 4.4, and 4.5 for the three categories, respectively. Participants noted that the sessions were insightful and validating and improved their understanding of ableism and the importance of disability curricula. There were significant improvements in participants' perceptions of ability to discuss ableism's impacts, recognize barriers, identify resource/support gaps for trainees, and advocate. A total of 171 participants completed our modules, with survey response rates of 38% (60 out of 160) and 48% (77 out of 160) for one conference and a postsurvey response rate of 64% (seven out of 11) for the second.Discussion: Designed for health care trainees, providers, administration, and staff, our sessions introduced concepts of ableism, accommodation, and health care barriers. Our results suggest the modules can contribute to professional growth, understandings of ableism, and participants' disability advocacy tool kit.

    View details for DOI 10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11253

    View details for PubMedID 35601662

  • The gastrointestinal clinical trial landscape: A cross-sectional analysis of clinicaltrials.gov from 2007-2019 Perera, N., Kamceva, M., Shen, J. Z., Song, S., Steinberg, J., Turner, B. E., Shyu, M., Gao, J., Khan, A. T., Dhanani, Z., Mahipal, A. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2021
  • Does Fibroid Size and Bulk Affect Uterine Fibroid Symptom (UFS) Scores in Asian Compared to Caucasian Women? Dhanani, Z., Ramirez, N., Ghanouni, P., Chen, B. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2020: 21S
  • Does Fibroid Size and Bulk Affect Uterine Fibroid Symptom (UFS) Scores in Asian Compared to Caucasian Women? Ramirez, N., Dhanani, Z., Ghanouni, P., Chen, B. SPRINGER HEIDELBERG. 2020: 134A
  • Promotion of Immunizations for Health Professionals in Europe: A Qualitative Study in Seven European Member States. Hospital topics Dalma, A., Karnaki, P., Baka, A., Raftopoulos, V., Zota, D., Veloudaki, A., Garrison, A., Ellis Montalban, P., Dhanani, Z., Linos, A. 2017; 96 (1): 18-27

    Abstract

    Health Care Workers (HCWs) are a high-risk group for contracting Vaccine-Preventable Diseases who, despite legislation and guidance, remain undervaccinated. In order to understand their barriers and needs, focus groups were formed with 278 physicians, nurses, infection-control personnel, and policy-makers in 7 EU MS. Several implications for the development of promotional initiatives were identified including the need to overcome organizational barriers, to sensitize HCWs about the importance of immunization and to provide specific up-to-date information about vaccinations covering prevalence of diseases, protection years, side effects, administration times, antibody examinations, costs and immunization settings.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00185868.2017.1365571

    View details for PubMedID 28915100