DOI: 10.3886/icpsr37220
title: Aligning Forces for Quality Evaluation: Consumer Survey Round 2, 2011-2012
title: Archival Version

description: This survey was conducted as part of the evaluation of the Aligning Forces for Quality (AF4Q) initiative, which is the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's effort to lift the overall quality of health care in 17 targeted communities, reduce racial and ethnic disparities, and provide models of national reform. The survey was administered to adults with one or more of five chronic illnesses, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, asthma and depression, in the AF4Q communities and a national sample residing in non-AF4Q communities to provide a basis for comparison between the AF4Q communities and the rest of the United States. Survey questions focused on patient activation; consumer knowledge of publicly available performance reports that highlight quality differences among physicians, hospitals, and health plans; the ability to be an effective consumer in the context of a physician visit; patient knowledge about her/his illness; skills and willingness to self-manage one's illness; the impact of insurance and payment models; and the relationship between out-of-pocket costs and health care utilization. In 2011 the AF4Q evaluation team contracted with RTI International (RTI) to conduct the Aligning Forces for Quality Consumer Survey 2.0 (AF4Q 2.0).
description: Aligning Forces for Quality (AF4Q) is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to help communities dramatically improve the quality of the health care they provide. The AF4Q specifically aims to align three key drivers of quality improvement: Performance measurement and public reporting; capacity for quality improvement; and consumer engagement.
description: Response Rates: The second round of the survey consisted of both panel respondents (individuals who also participated in round 1) and a new Random Digit Dial (RDD) sample. The panel sample had an unweighted response rate of 63.3% (60.9% weighted). RDD cases were classified based on their response and eligibility for the screener and the full interview. The RDD sample had an unweighted American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) response rate of 16.5% (9.9% weighted).
description: For the panel component of the survey, respondents from the first round of Aligning Forces for Quality (AF4Q) data collection who agreed to a follow-up were sampled and contacted for the AF4Q 2.0. RTI International (RTI) fielded a total of 7,445 sample records. All baseline respondents sampled for the panel component were considered eligible for AF4Q 2.0 except those who were identified as either institutionalized or deceased.
The Random Digit Dial (RDD) component of the sample was a dual frame design comprised of landline and cell phone samples. RTI designed new cross-sectional samples for the 16 markets surveyed in the baseline AF4Q study, including 15 AF4Q markets and a national control sample. In addition, RTI designed four supplemental samples for markets where counties have been added to the original AF4Q communities since baseline.
description: Datasets: 
DS0: Study-Level Files
DS1: Public-Use Version of the Data
DS2: Restricted-Use Version of the Data
description: Adult-aged individuals with one of more of the following chronic illnesses: asthma, diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and depression. Smallest Geographic Unit: City
description: computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI)Additional information about Aligning Forces for
Quality is available on the AF4Q
website.The survey instrument is copyrighted. The instrument includes the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) module which is copyrighted separately. PAM is a commercial product which assesses an individual's knowledge, skill and confidence for managing one's health and healthcare. Use of the PAM module requires a license provided by Insignia Health. Users may examine the copy of the survey instrument and PAM module provided in the codebook without obtaining a license.Related Data Collections: This collection is related to the Aligning Forces for Quality Evaluation: Consumer Survey Round 1, 2007-2008 and 2010 (ICPSR 35259). For similar study information and characteristics, please refer to both studies.