Improving Follow-Up Adherence in a Primary Eye Care Setting

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine E. Callinan ◽  
Brianna Kenney ◽  
Lisa A. Hark ◽  
Ann P. Murchison ◽  
Yang Dai ◽  
...  

Lack of patient adherence with eye appointments can decrease ocular outcomes. This prospective, randomized, single-blinded controlled study assessed the effectiveness of multiple interventions in improving follow-up adherence to recommended eye appointments. Patients due for follow-up appointments were randomly assigned to usual care, automated intervention, or personal intervention. Automated-intervention patients and personal-intervention patients received a call one month prior to the recommended follow-up date, and a mailed appointment reminder letter. The call was automated for automated-intervention patients and personalized for personal-intervention patients. The primary outcome was adherence to the follow-up appointment. The secondary outcome was rate of appointment scheduling. Patients in the personal-intervention group had greater adherence to follow-up recommendations (38%) than patients in the usual care group (28%) and the automated-intervention group (30%). Personal intervention significantly increased appointment scheduling (51%) over usual care (32%) and automated intervention (36%). These results support systems-level changes to improve patient follow-up adherence in urban primary eye care settings.

2021 ◽  
pp. 145507252110078
Author(s):  
Thi-Thuy-Dung Nguyen ◽  
Eleonor Säfsten ◽  
Filip Andersson ◽  
Maria Rosaria Galanti

Aim: This two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial explored the effectiveness of a brief counselling model compared with the usual multi-session counselling at an alcohol telephone helpline. Methods: A total of 320 callers who contacted the Swedish Alcohol Helpline (SAH) because of hazardous or harmful alcohol use were randomised to either brief structured intervention (self-help booklet plus one proactive call) or usual care (multi-session telephone counselling). The primary outcome was a downward shift in risk level at 12-month follow-up compared with baseline, based on self-reports. Sustained risk level reduction throughout the whole follow-up was also assessed as secondary outcome. Results: Both interventions were significantly associated with a shift to a lower level of risky alcohol use (75% among participants in the brief structured intervention, and 70% in the usual care group) after 12 months. There was no difference between the two interventions in the proportions changing alcohol use or sustaining risk level reduction. Conclusion: In the context of telephone helplines, minimal and extended interventions appear to be equally effective in promoting long-term change in alcohol use.


Author(s):  
Linda Gordon ◽  
Amanda Malecky ◽  
Andrew Althouse ◽  
Nicole Ansani

Background: Data demonstrate an adverse association between depression and coronary artery disease prognosis. Therefore, a depression screening program was initiated in the catheterization (cath) lab. The goals were to improve HEDIS depression compliance rates and determine the impact on clinical outcomes. Methods: Adult patients in an inpatient cath lab from 3 cardiology practices were screened for enrollment in a randomized controlled trial. All cath lab patients received a PHQ-9 depression screener. Those who screened positive for depression (score ≥ 10) were randomized to intervention or usual care. The usual care group received a follow-up phone call to re-administer the PHQ-9 at 6-8 weeks and within 210 days of discharge. The intervention group was administered the PHQ-9 and received intensive education at baseline, 6-8 weeks, and within 210 days of discharge. Education included targeted depression information with a mental health care provider and comprehensive disease management education with a cardiovascular nurse practitioner. Outcomes included: differences in HEDIS depression goal attainment; depression response/remission rates; and cardiovascular goals. Differences between groups were tested using chi-squared tests (categorical variables) and t-tests (continuous variables). Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between control (N=43) and intervention (N=40) groups, with the exception of significantly fewer African American patients in the control group (N=2, 4.7%) vs intervention (N=9, 22.5%). Changes in HEDIS goal attainment show that patients in the intervention group were slightly more likely to be referred to a provider to address depression (95.0% vs 86.0%, p=0.314), or receive meds for depression (65.0% vs 51.2%, p=0.219), but these differences are not statistically significant. More patients in the intervention group refused meds for depression compared to control (15.0% vs. 2.3%, p=0.041); have received blood work (65.0% vs 41.9%, p=0.030); and have received follow-up within 210 days (82.5% vs 46.5%, p<0.001). Treatment adjustment rate was higher in the intervention group compared to control (85.0% vs. 65.1%, p=0.037). Hospital readmission rate was similar between groups (p=0.896) and there was no difference in depression remission or response rates (p=0.426). Further, no differences were seen in cardiovascular surrogate outcome parameters, including cholesterol, A1c, CRP, or BNP between groups; except SGOT was significantly different between groups (-5.0 intervention vs 2.0 control p=0.045). Conclusions: These data demonstrate improvements in attaining a surrogate outcome measure of quality (HEDIS goals); however, this does not appear to translate to a significant clinical impact. Quality measures may need to be continuously reassessed to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of care.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e023801
Author(s):  
Lesley M McGregor ◽  
Hanna Skrobanski ◽  
Mary Ritchie ◽  
Lindy Berkman ◽  
Hayley Miller ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo determine the feasibility of specialist screening practitioners (SSPs) offering patient navigation (PN) to facilitate uptake of bowel scope screening (BSS) among patients who do not confirm or attend their appointment.DesignA single-stage phase II trial.SettingSouth Tyneside District Hospital, Tyne and Wear, England, UK.ParticipantsIndividuals invited for BSS at South Tyneside District Hospital during the 6-month recruitment period were invited to participate in the study.InterventionConsenting individuals were randomly assigned to either the PN intervention or usual care group in a 4:1 ratio. The intervention involved BSS non-attenders receiving a phone call from an SSP to elicit their reasons for non-attendance and offer educational, practical and emotional support as required. If requested by the patient, another BSS appointment was then scheduled.Primary outcome measureThe number of non-attenders in the intervention group who were navigated and then rebooked and attended their new BSS appointment.Secondary outcome measuresBarriers to BSS attendance, patient-reported outcomes including informed choice and satisfaction with BSS and the PN intervention, reasons for study non-participation, SSPs’ evaluation of the PN process and a cost analysis.ResultsOf those invited to take part (n=1050), 152 (14.5%) were randomised into the study: PN intervention=109; usual care=43. Most participants attended their BSS appointment (PN: 79.8%; control: 79.1%) leaving 22 eligible for PN: only two were successfully contacted. SSPs were confident in delivering PN, but were concerned that low BSS awareness and information overload may have deterred patients from taking part in the study. Difficulty contacting patients was reported as a burden to their workload.ConclusionsPN, as implemented, was not a feasible intervention to increase BSS uptake in South Tyneside. Interventions to increase BSS awareness may be better suited to this population.Trial registration numberISRCTN13314752; Results.


2020 ◽  
pp. 001857872097388
Author(s):  
Abdel-Hameed I. Ebid ◽  
Mohamed A. Mobarez ◽  
Ramadan A. Ramadan ◽  
Mohamed A. Mahmoud

Aims: The primary aim of this current study was to investigate the impact of the clinical pharmacist interventions on glycemic control and other health-related clinical outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes in Egypt. Methods: A prospective trial was conducted on 100 patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes admitted in the diabetes outpatient’s clinics. Patients were randomly allocated into the clinical pharmacist intervention group and usual care group. In the intervention group, the clinical pharmacist, in collaboration with the physician had their patients receive pharmaceutical care interventions. In contrast, the usual care group patients received routine care without clinical pharmacist’s interference. Results: After 6-month of follow-up, of the average HbA1c and FBG values of the patients in the clinical pharmacist intervention group (HbA1c % from 8.6 to 7.0; FBG (mg/dL) from 167.5 to 121.5) decreased significantly compared to the usual care group patients (HbA1c % from 8.1 to 7.8; FBG (mg/dL) from 157.3 to 155.9) ( P < .05). Additionally, the results indicated that mean scores of patients ‘diabetes knowledge, medication adherence, and diabetes self-care activities of the patients in the clinical pharmacist group increased significantly compared to the control group ( P < .05). Conclusions: The study demonstrated an improvement in HbA1c, FBG, and lipid profile, in addition to self-reported medication adherence, diabetes knowledge, and diabetes self-care activities in patients with type 2 diabetes who received pharmaceutical care interventions. The study outcomes support the benefits and the need to integrate clinical pharmacist interventions in the multidisciplinary healthcare team in Egypt.


2020 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2019-101409
Author(s):  
Nadine Rasenberg ◽  
Sita M A Bierma-Zeinstra ◽  
Lars Fuit ◽  
Michael Skovdal Rathleff ◽  
Amy Dieker ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo compare custom-made insoles to sham insoles and general practice (GP)-led usual care in terms of pain at rest and during activity at 12 weeks follow-up in individuals with plantar heel pain.MethodsIn this randomised clinical trial 185 patients aged 18 to 65 years, with a clinical diagnosis of plantar heel pain for at least 2 weeks, but no longer than 2 years were recruited. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups: (1) GP-led treatment, plus an information booklet with exercises (usual care; n=46), (2) referral to a podiatrist for treatment with a custom-made insole plus an information booklet with exercises (custom-made insole; n=70) and (3) referral to a podiatrist and treatment with a sham insole plus an information booklet with exercises (sham insole; n=69). As well as the primary outcome of pain severity (11-point Numerical Rating Scale) we used the Foot Function Index (0 to 100) as a secondary outcome.ResultsOf 185 randomised participants, 176 completed the 12-week follow-up. There was no difference in pain or function between the insole and the sham groups at 12 weeks. Participants in the GP-led usual care group reported less pain during activity at 12 weeks, (mean difference (MD) 0.94, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.65), less first step pain (MD 1.48, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.31), better function (MD 7.37, 95% CI 1.27 to 13.46) and higher recovery rates (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.96) compared with participants in the custom insole group.ConclusionsReferral to a podiatrist for a custom-made insole does not lead to a better outcome compared to sham insoles or compared to GP-led usual care.Trial registration numberNTR5346.


2008 ◽  
Vol 141 (6) ◽  
pp. 346-351.e1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jade Rosin ◽  
Kendra Townsend

Background: Prior to this project, patients were required to drive up to 2 hours to a diabetes education centre. As a result, many patients were not receiving diabetes education, and there was little or no follow-up of patients. Significant opportunity exists for pharmacists to fill such gaps in chronic disease management services. Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention or usual care arm. Laboratory data (glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, lipid panel, microalbumin, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) and Diabetes Empowerment Scale short form (DES-SF) score were collected at baseline and at 6 months. Intervention patients received a medication review, 3 one-on-one education sessions with one of the study pharmacists and follow-up phone calls. Usual care patients did not receive medication reviews or education sessions, and received follow-up phone calls only if drug-related problems were detected. Drug-related problems were tracked for all patients. Referrals to other health care professionals (dietitian, homecare, public health) were made as required. Paired-sample t-tests were used to compare baseline and 6-month data. Results: Forty-five patients were enrolled in the study (intervention: 23; usual care: 17). Five patients were lost to follow-up (intervention: 2; usual care: 3). There was a statistically significant improvement in DES-SF score in the intervention group ( p < 0.001) and a decline in DES-SF score in the usual care group ( p < 0.04). There was a significant decrease in glycosylated hemoglobin in the usual care group ( p < 0.04). Referrals to other health care professionals were higher in the intervention group (I: 36; UC: 0). The number of drug-related problems detected was also greater in the intervention group (I: 83; UC: 8). The overall acceptance rate of pharmacist recommendations for drug-related problems was high in both arms (I: 81%; UC: 100%). Conclusions: Most outcome measures were not statistically significant. Further study is needed to evaluate the change in clinical outcomes. However, greater involvement of a pharmacist in diabetes management resulted in greater detection of drug-related problems and referral to other health care professionals, and promoted diabetes-related self-efficacy and appropriate self-care behaviour. Pharmacists can play an important role in the management of diabetic patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natthaporn Sudas Na Ayutthaya ◽  
Itsarawan Sakunrak ◽  
Teerapon Dhippayom

Objective. To evaluate the impact of telephone follow-up service on clinical outcomes in patients on warfarin when discharged from hospital. Methods. This randomized controlled trial was conducted at a general hospital in Thailand. Patients aged ≥20 years who were prescribed warfarin when discharged were eligible to participate in this study. They were randomly allocated, using a computer generated random number, to receive either telephone follow-up intervention or usual care. Participants in the intervention group received telephone follow-up by hospital pharmacists for three months. During each telephone call, pharmacists performed medicine use reviews and addressed any problems identified. Key Findings. A total of 50 patients participated in this study. The proportion of international normalized ratio (INR) values in the target range for the telephone follow-up group (36/79, 45.6%) was higher than that in the usual care group (19/79, 24.1%), p=0.005. The mean time in the therapeutic range (TTR) in the telephone follow-up group was also higher than that in the usual care group (49.8±34.3 versus 28.0±27.5, p=0.017). All patients in the usual care group experienced one or more out-of-range INR values (25/25, 100%) compared to 21 out of 25 (84%) in the telephone follow-up group, p=0.037. There was no difference between the two groups in the incidence of complications or adverse events associated with warfarin. Conclusions. The telephone follow-up service in recently discharged patients helps them achieve and maintain their INR target. This anticoagulant supportive service should be promoted to patients receiving warfarin therapy after discharge. This trial is registered with TCTR20180614006 (Thai Clinical Trials Registry).


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Xian-Rong Yu ◽  
Yu-Qing Lei ◽  
Jian-Feng Liu ◽  
Zeng-Chun Wang ◽  
Hua Cao ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: This study explored the clinical effect of employing breast milk oral care for infants who underwent surgical correction of ventricular septal defect. Methods: A prospective randomised controlled study was conducted in a provincial hospital between January, 2020 and July, 2020 in China. Patients were randomly divided into an intervention group (breast milk oral care, n = 28) and a control group (physiological saline oral care, n = 28). The intervention group was given oral nursing using breast milk for infants in the early post-operative period, and the control group was given oral nursing using physiological saline. Related clinical data were recorded and analysed. Results: There were no significant differences in age, gender, weight, operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, or aortic cross-clamping time between the two groups. Compared with the physiological saline oral care group, the mechanical ventilation duration, the length of ICU stay in the breast milk oral care group were significantly shorter. The time of start feeding and total enteral nutrition were significantly earlier in the intervention group than those in the control group. The incidence of post-operative pneumonia in the breast milk oral care group was 3.6%, which was significantly lower than that of the physiological saline oral care group. Conclusion: The use of breast milk for oral care in infants who underwent surgical correction of VSD can reduce the incidence of post-operative pneumonia and promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Zahid ◽  
Ume Sughra

BACKGROUND Malnutrition is the most common problem in congenital heart diseases patients. Health based mobile applications play an important role in planning and tracking of diet for better nutritional status OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of artificial intelligence on nutritional status of children post cardiac surgery in comparison to usual care group. To assess usefulness of diet related mobile application in comparison to usual care group. METHODS This is a two arm randomized controlled trial that was conducted at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Rawalpindi. The study duration was 6 months from February 2021 till July 2021. Sample size was calculated to be 88. Intervention group was given a diet related mobile application and usual care group was handed a pamphlet with diet instructions on discharge. RESULTS Mean weight of all participants was 15 ± 5.7 kg at the time of discharge whereas at the end of 8th week mean weight of the participants in usual care group was 16.5 ± 7.2 kg and intervention group was 17.1 ± 5 kg. Average calories consumed by usual care group was 972 ± 252 kcal and 1000.75 ± 210 kcal by intervention group after 8 weeks of discharge. Average proteins consumed by the usual care group was 34.3 ± 12.5 grams and 39± 6.4 grams by intervention group after 8 weeks of discharge. At the end of intervention preferred diet planning tool for 79% of the participants was mobile application. At 8th week 93% of the participants considered the visual cues useful, 80% think that the mobile application language was understandable, 79% of the participants think nutritional goal setting is a useful feature in mobile application and 55% of the participants think the recipes in the application were useful. CONCLUSIONS The study showed strength for the future of scalable modern technology for self-nutrition monitoring. There was slight increase in the weight and nutritional intake of both groups as interventions period was limited. CLINICALTRIAL Study was registered on clinicaltrial.gov website with trial identity number NCT04782635.


Author(s):  
Angela Chu ◽  
Tyler M Rose ◽  
Danielle A Gundrum ◽  
Tressa E McMorris ◽  
Eytan A Klausner ◽  
...  

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose Pharmacists report high levels of burnout. Mindfulness approaches have been demonstrated to have positive results in the general population and in other healthcare professions. However, limited studies have been performed evaluating mindfulness approaches in student pharmacists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of daily use of a mindfulness mobile application in improving student pharmacists’ perceived stress, burnout, and mindfulness. Methods This study was a randomized, longitudinal, waitlist-controlled trial. The intervention group was asked to meditate using the mindfulness application Headspace daily for at least 6 weeks. The waitlist control group was asked to abstain from using the application for the entire study. Stress, burnout, and mindfulness were assessed using validated survey instruments at baseline, 6 weeks, and 10 weeks. A secondary outcome was to assess the persistence of application use after the intervention period. Results Fifty-six participants completed the study. The intervention group reported significantly lower scores on stress and burnout at 6 weeks compared to the control group. The intervention group also reported significantly higher scores on mindfulness. The differences in stress, burnout, and mindfulness persisted at follow-up. The mean percentage of students in the intervention group who used the application each day was 90% over the intervention period and 62% over the follow-up period. Conclusion A mindfulness mobile application significantly improved student pharmacists’ stress, burnout, and mindfulness with daily use. Most participants continued to use the application for 4 weeks after the end of the intervention. Positive effects on stress and mindfulness persisted even with decreased use.


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