Money matters – primary care providers' perceptions of payment incentives

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofie Vengberg ◽  
Mio Fredriksson ◽  
Bo Burström ◽  
Kristina Burström ◽  
Ulrika Winblad
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Mixed System ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Payment Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unit Level ◽  
Payment Incentives

PurposePayments to healthcare providers create incentives that can influence provider behaviour. Research on unit-level incentives in primary care is, however, scarce. This paper examines how managers and salaried physicians at Swedish primary healthcare centres perceive that payment incentives directed towards the healthcare centre affect their work.Design/methodology/approachAn interview study was conducted with 24 respondents at 13 primary healthcare centres in two cities, located in regions with different payment systems. One had a mixed system comprised of fee-for-service and risk-adjusted capitation payments, and the other a mainly risk-adjusted capitation system.FindingsFindings suggested that both managers and salaried physicians were aware of and adapted to unit-level payment incentives, albeit the latter sometimes to a lesser extent. Respondents perceived fee-for-service payments to stimulate production of shorter visits, up-coding of visits and skimming of healthier patients. Results also suggested that differentiated rates for patient visits affected horizontal prioritisations between physician and nurse visits. Respondents perceived that risk-adjustments for diagnoses led to a focus on registering diagnosis codes, and to some extent, also up-coding of secondary diagnoses.Practical implicationsPolicymakers and responsible authorities need to design payment systems carefully, balancing different incentives and considering how and from where data used to calculate payments are retrieved, not relying too heavily on data supplied by providers.Originality/valueThis study contributes evidence on unit-level payment incentives in primary care, a scarcely researched topic, especially using qualitative methods.

scholarly journals What matters most to patients about primary healthcare: mixed-methods patient priority setting exercises within the PREFeR (PRioritiEs For Research) project

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e025954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louisa Edwards ◽  
Melody Monro ◽  
Yaron Butterfield ◽  
Ravin Johl ◽  
Kent Cadogan Loftsgard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Priority Setting ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Online Surveys ◽  
Care Research

ObjectivesTo identify patient-generated priority topics for future primary care research in British Columbia (BC), Canada within a diverse patient population.DesignMixed-methods priority setting exercises framed by the dialogue model, using the nominal group technique (rank-ordered scoring) and province-wide online surveys capturing importance ratings of the top 10 primary healthcare topics from patients and primary care providers.SettingBC, Canada.ParticipantsTopic identification was completed by 10 patient partners (7 female, 3 male) from the BC Primary Health Care Research Network Patient Advisory; online surveys were completed by 464 patients and 173 primary care providers.ResultsThe 10 members recruited to the patient advisory provided over 80 experiences of what stood out for them in BC primary care, which were grouped thematically into 18 topics, 10 of which were retained in province-wide surveys. Top-rated survey topics for both patients (n=464) and providers (n=173) included being unable to find a regular family doctor/other primary healthcare provider, support for living with chronic conditions, mental health resources and information sharing, including electronic medical records. However, all 10 topics were rated important, on average, by both groups.ConclusionsThe current project activities demonstrate the feasibility of including patients in priority setting exercises for primary healthcare in general, rather than focusing on a condition-specific population or disease area. There was considerable overlap between patient-generated topics and topics previously identified by other stakeholders, but patients identified two additional topics (mental health resources, improve and strengthen patient–provider communication). More similarities than differences in topic importance between patients and providers emerged in the online surveys. The project activities that follow (rapid literature reviews, multistakeholder dialogue) will highlight under-researched topics and inform the development of specific research questions.

scholarly journals Primary healthcare approach to substance abuse management

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramprakash Kaswa
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Healthcare Settings

Substance abuse is common amongst patients attending primary healthcare settings. Despite the substantial impact on one’s health, substance abuse is often underdiagnosed by primary care providers owing to a lack of training and time for screening. Self-reported screening tools are easy to administer and efficient to make a substance abuse diagnosis in primary care settings. Comorbid mental illness and intimate partner violence are common amongst patients presenting with substance abuse in primary care. An early diagnosis and a brief behavioural change counselling are effective in managing substance abuse before it develops into dependency. A brief motivational communication rather than a confrontation during substance abuse screening, counselling and treatment is important to achieve optimum patient outcomes.

scholarly journals The effects of Enhanced Primary Healthcare interventions on primary care providers job satisfaction

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Jun Wong ◽  
Aisyah Mohd Norzi ◽  
Swee Hung Ang ◽  
Chee Lee Chan ◽  
Faeiz Syezri Adzmin Jaafar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Post Intervention

Abstract Background In response to address the rising burden of cardiovascular risk factors, Malaysian government has implemented Enhanced Primary Healthcare (EnPHC) interventions in July 2017 at public clinics level. Healthcare providers (HCPs) play crucial roles in healthcare service delivery and health system reform can influence HCPs’ job satisfaction. However, studies evaluating HCPs’ job satisfaction following primary care transformation remain scarce in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to evaluate the effects of EnPHC interventions on HCPs. Methods This is a quasi-experimental study conducted in 20 intervention and 20 matched control clinics. We surveyed all healthcare providers who were directly involved in patient management. A self-administered questionnaire which included six questions on job satisfaction were distributed at baseline (April and May 2017) and post-intervention (March and April 2019). Difference-in-differences analysis was used in the multivariable linear regression model in which we adjusted for providers and clinics characteristics to detect the changes in job satisfaction following EnPHC interventions. Results A total of 1042 and 1215 HCPs responded at baseline and post-intervention respectively. At post-intervention, the intervention group reported higher level of stress and change in score between two groups was -0.14 (β= -0.139; 95% CI -0.266,-0.012; p =0.032). In subgroup analysis, nurses from intervention group experienced increase in work stress following EnPHC interventions (β= -0.223; 95% CI -0.419,-0.026; p =0.026). Additionally, the same group also responded that they were less likely to perceive their profession as well-respected at post-intervention (β= -0.175; 95% CI -0.331,-0.019; p =0.027). Conversely, allied health professionals from intervention group were more likely to report a good balance between work and effort (β= 0.386; 95% CI 0.033,0.738; p =0.032) after implementing EnPHC interventions. Conclusions Our findings suggest that EnPHC interventions had resulted in some untoward effect on HCPs’ job satisfaction. Job dissatisfaction can have detrimental effects on the organisation and healthcare system. Therefore, provider experience and well-being should be considered before introducing healthcare delivery reforms to avoid overburdening of HCPs.

scholarly journals Influencers on deprescribing practice of primary healthcare providers in Nova Scotia: An examination using behavior change frameworks

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 239920262092250
Author(s):  
Natalie Kennie-Kaulbach ◽  
Rachel Cormier ◽  
Olga Kits ◽  
Emily Reeve ◽  
Anne Marie Whelan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
System Level ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Behavior Change Wheel ◽  
Primary Healthcare Providers

Background: Deprescribing is a complex process requiring consideration of behavior change theory to improve implementation and uptake. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that influence deprescribing for primary healthcare providers (family physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), and pharmacists) within Nova Scotia using the Theoretical Domains Framework version 2 (TDF(v2)) and the Behavior Change Wheel. Methods: Interviews and focus groups were completed with primary care providers (physicians, NPs, and pharmacists) in Nova Scotia, Canada. Coding was completed using the TDF(v2) to identify the key influencers. Subdomain themes were also identified for the main TDF(v2) domains and results were then linked to the Behavior Change Wheel—Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation components. Results: Participants identified key influencers for deprescribing including areas related to Opportunity, within TDF(v2) domain Social Influences, such as patients and other healthcare providers, as well as Physical barriers (TDF(v2) domain Environmental Context and Resources), such as lack of time and reimbursement. Conclusion: Our results suggest that a systematic approach to deprescribing in primary care should be supported by opportunities for patient and healthcare provider collaborations, as well as practice and system level enhancements to support sustainability of deprescribing practices.

Primary care providers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical abortion: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
pp. bmjsrh-2019-200487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asvini K Subasinghe ◽  
Seema Deb ◽  
Danielle Mazza
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Small Proportion ◽  
Medical Abortion ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Criminal Prosecution ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

BackgroundDespite the availability of medical abortifacients, and their potential use in primary care, only a small proportion of primary healthcare professionals provide medical abortion services. Understanding the perspectives of primary care providers on delivering medical abortion is pertinent to identifying barriers to medical abortion service provision and increasing access for women globally.ObjectiveTo understand the knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary healthcare providers regarding medical abortion services.DesignFour databases (Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus) were searched using search terms related to medical abortion and primary care. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools were used to appraise the methodological quality of studies included.ResultsSome 22 studies were identified, conducted across 15 countries, comprising 6072 participants. Study participants comprised doctors and residents (n=8), nurses and nursing students (n=5), and pharmacists (n=3) and six studies were conducted with mixed samples of providers. Medical abortion was deemed acceptable by some doctors, but fear of criminal prosecution, in countries where abortion is still restrictive, left doctors and nurses circumspect about providing medical abortion. Pharmacists referred women to other providers with only a small proportion dispensing medical abortifacients. General practitioners, nurses and trainees had mixed knowledge of medical abortion and emphasised the need for training on delivery of medical abortion and dissemination of guidelines. Conversely, pharmacists reported poor knowledge regarding medical abortion regimens and complications.ConclusionsIncreased dissemination of training and resources is pertinent to supporting primary care providers delivering medical abortion services and to increasing access for women on a global scale.

scholarly journals Dentists as Primary Care Providers: Expert Opinion on Predoctoral Competencies

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara C. Gordon ◽  
Linda M. Kaste ◽  
Wendy E. Mouradian ◽  
Phyllis L. Beemsterboer ◽  
Joel H. Berg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Expert Opinion ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Dental Education ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Provider Education ◽  
Education Standards ◽  
Complex Patients ◽  
Patient Health

Dentistry and medicine traditionally practice as separate professions despite sharing goals for optimal patient health. Many US residents experience both poor oral and general health, with difficulty accessing care. More efficient collaboration between these professions could enhance health. The COVID-19 pandemic disclosed further disparities while underscoring concerns that physician supply is inadequate for population needs. Hence, enhancing healthcare provider education to better meet the public's health needs is critical. The proposed titles “Oral Physician” or “Oral Health Primary Care Provider” (OP-PCP) acknowledge dentist's capacity to diagnose and manage diseases of the orofacial complex and provide some basic primary healthcare. The US Surgeon General's National Prevention Council and others recommend such models. Medical and dental education already overlap considerably, thus it is plausible that dental graduates could be trained as OP-PCPs to provide primary healthcare such as basic screening and preventive services within existing dental education standards. In 2018, 23 dental and medical educators participated in an expert-opinion elicitation process to review educational competencies for this model. They demonstrated consensus on educational expansion and agreed that the proposed OP-PCP model could work within existing US Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards for predoctoral education. However, there were broader opinions on scope of practice details. Existing CODA standards could allow interested dental programs to educate OP-PCPs as a highly-skilled workforce assisting with care of medically-complex patients and to helping to reduce health disparities. Next steps include broader stakeholder discussion of OC-PCP competencies and applied studies including patient outcome assessments.

scholarly journals Hospitalization event notifications and reductions in readmissions of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries in the Bronx, New York

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (e1) ◽  
pp. e150-e156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Aaron Unruh ◽  
Hye-Young Jung ◽  
Rainu Kaushal ◽  
Joshua R Vest
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
New York ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Event Notification ◽  
The Impact

Objective: Follow-up with a primary care provider after hospital discharge has been associated with a reduced likelihood of readmission. However, primary care providers are frequently unaware of their patients’ hospitalizations. Event notification may be an effective tool for reducing readmissions by notifying primary care providers when their patients have been admitted to and discharged from a hospital. Materials and Methods: We examined the effect of an event notification system on 30-day readmissions in the Bronx, New York. The Bronx has among the highest readmission rates in the country and is a particularly challenging setting to improve care due to the low socioeconomic status of the county and high rates of poor health behaviors among its residents. The study cohort included 2559 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries associated with 14 141 hospital admissions over the period January 2010 through June 2014. Linear regression models with beneficiary-level fixed-effects were used to estimate the impact of event notifications on readmissions by comparing the likelihood of rehospitalization for a beneficiary before and after event notifications were active. Results: The unadjusted 30-day readmission rate when event notifications were not active was 29.5% compared to 26.5% when alerts were active. Regression estimates indicated that active hospitalization alert services were associated with a 2.9 percentage point reduction in the likelihood of readmission (95% confidence interval: −5.5, −0.4). Conclusions: Alerting providers through event notifications may be an effective tool for improving the quality and efficiency of care among high-risk populations.

scholarly journals The effects of Enhanced Primary Healthcare interventions on primary care providers job satisfaction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Jun Wong ◽  
Aisyah Mohd Norzi ◽  
Swee Hung Ang ◽  
Chee Lee Chan ◽  
Faeiz Syezri Adzmin Jaafar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Post Intervention

Abstract Background:In response to address the rising burden of cardiovascular risk factors, Malaysian government has implemented Enhanced Primary Healthcare (EnPHC) interventions in July 2017 at public clinics level. Healthcare providers (HCPs) play crucial roles in healthcare service delivery and health system reform can influence HCPs’ job satisfaction. However, studies evaluating HCPs’ job satisfaction following primary care transformation remain scarce in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to evaluate the effects of EnPHC interventions on HCPs. Methods:This is a quasi-experimental study conducted in 20 intervention and 20 matched control clinics. We surveyed all healthcare providers who were directly involved in patient management. A self-administered questionnaire which included six questions on job satisfaction were distributed at baseline (April and May 2017) and post-intervention (March and April 2019). Difference-in-differences analysis was used in the multivariable linear regression model in which we adjusted for providers and clinics characteristics to detect the changes in job satisfaction following EnPHC interventions. Results:A total of 1042 and 1215 HCPs responded at baseline and post-intervention respectively. At post-intervention, the intervention group reported higher level of stress and change in score between two groups was -0.14 (β= -0.139; 95% CI -0.266,-0.012; p=0.032). In subgroup analysis, nurses from intervention group experienced increase in work stress following EnPHC interventions (β= -0.223; 95% CI -0.419,-0.026; p=0.026). Additionally, the same group also responded that they were less likely to perceive their profession as well-respected at post-intervention (β= -0.175; 95% CI -0.331,-0.019; p=0.027). Conversely, allied health professionals from intervention group were more likely to report a good balance between work and effort (β= 0.386; 95% CI 0.033,0.738; p=0.032) after implementing EnPHC interventions. Conclusions:Our findings suggest that EnPHC interventions had resulted in some untoward effect on HCPs’ job satisfaction. Job dissatisfaction can have detrimental effects on the organisation and healthcare system. Therefore, provider experience and well-being should be considered before introducing healthcare delivery reforms to avoid overburdening of HCPs.

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