scholarly journals The Quebec Respiratory Health Education Network: Integrating a model of self-management education in COPD primary care

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Bourbeau ◽  
Raquel Farias ◽  
Pei Zhi Li ◽  
Guylaine Gauthier ◽  
Livia Battisti ◽  
...  

The objective of this study is to evaluate whether a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) self-management education program with coaching of a case manager improves patient-related outcomes and leads to practice changes in primary care. COPD patients from six family medicine clinics (FMCs) participated in a 1-year educational program offered by trained case managers who focused on treatment adherence, inhaler techniques, smoking cessation, and the use of an action plan for exacerbations. Health-care utilization, health-related quality of life (HRQL), treatment adherence, inhaler technique, and COPD knowledge were assessed at each visit with validated questionnaires. We also evaluated whether the use of spirometry and the assessment of individual patient needs led to a more COPD-targeted treatment by primary care physicians, based on changes in prescriptions for COPD (medication, immunization, and written action plan). Fifty-four patients completed the follow-up visits and were included in the analysis. The number of unscheduled physician visits went from 40 the year before intervention to 17 after 1 year of educational intervention ( p = 0.033). Emergency room visits went from five to two and hospitalizations from two to three (NS). Significant improvements were observed in HRQL ( p = 0.0001), treatment adherence ( p = 0.025), adequate inhaler technique ( p < 0.0001), and COPD knowledge ( p < 0.001). Primary care physicians increased their prescriptions for long-acting bronchodilators with/without inhaled corticosteroid, flu immunizations, and COPD action plans in the event patient had an exacerbation. The COPD self-management educational intervention in FMCs reduced unscheduled visits to the clinic and improved patients’ quality of life, self-management skills, and knowledge. The program had a positive impact on COPD-related practices by primary care physicians in the FMCs.

Breathe ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Pinnock

Key pointsSelf-management education in asthma is not an optional extra. Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to ensure that everyone with asthma has personalised advice to enable them to optimise how they self-manage their condition.Overviews of the extensive evidence-base conclude that asthma self-management supported by regular professional review, improves asthma control, reduces exacerbations and admissions, and improves quality of life.Self-management education should be reinforced by a written personalised asthma action plan which provides a summary of the regular management strategy, how to recognise deterioration and the action to take.Successful implementation combines education for patients, skills training for professionals in the context of an organisation committed to both the concept and the practice of supported self-management.Educational aimsTo summarise the evidence base underpinning supported self-management for asthmaTo provide clinicians with a practical approach to providing supported self-management for asthmaTo suggest an appropriate strategy for implementing supported self-managementSummaryThe evidence in favour of supported self-management for asthma is overwhelming. Self-management including provision of a written asthma action plan and supported by regular medical review, almost halves the risk of hospitalisation, significantly reduces emergency department attendances and unscheduled consultations, and improves markers of asthma control and quality of life. Demographic and cultural tailoring enables effective programmes to be implemented in deprived and/or ethnic communities or within schools.A crucial component of effective asthma self-management interventions is the provision of an agreed, written personalised action plan which advises on using regular medication, recognising deterioration and appropriate action to take. Monitoring can be based on symptoms or on peak flows and should specify thresholds for action including increasing inhaled steroids, commencing oral steroids, and when (and how) to seek professional help. Plans should be personalised to reflect asthma severity and treatment regimes, avoidance of triggers, co-morbid rhinitis and the individual’s preferences.Implementation is a challenge. Systematic review evidence suggests that it is possible to implement asthma self-management in routine care, but that to be effective this requires a whole systems approach which considers implementation from the perspective of patient education and resources, professional skills and motivation and organisation priorities and routines.


2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
O. S. Ojo ◽  
S. O. Malomo ◽  
A. O. Egunjobi ◽  
A. O.A. Jimoh ◽  
M. O. Olowere

Background: Most of the Nigerian studies on the determinants of diabetes self-management have focused on patient-related factors. There is no previous local study that examined the quality of diabetes self-management education provided by primary care physicians to people with diabetes mellitus.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 105 primary care physicians during a workshop. The quality of diabetes self-management education provided by the physicians was assessed using a self-designed scale of 39 Likert questions derived from American Association of Diabetes Educators seven domains of diabetes self-management. Cronbach’s reliability coefficient of each domain/subscale was ≥ 0.7. The data was analysed using the independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA.Results: Over half of the physicians provided ‘inadequate quality’ diabetes self-management education in all the domains. Physicians had the highest mean score in the ‘taking medication’ domain (4.35 ± 0.59). The mean scores in the ‘problemsolving domain’ (3.63 ± 0.74) and the ‘being active domain’ (3.57 ± 0.71) were low. The quality of diabetes self-management education provided by the physicians was not associated with any of the physician characteristics.Conclusion: The quality of physicians’ communication of diabetes self-management was suboptimal in this study. The majority of the adequately communicated diabetes self-management behaviours were risk factors reduction related and disease-centred. Thus, training of primary care physicians on diabetes self-management education is recommended because of the key role these physicians play in diabetes management in resource-poor countries.


Folia Medica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 525-531
Author(s):  
Oleksii Korzh

Introduction: Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is defined as a systematic intervention involving active participation of the individual in self-monitoring of health parameters and/or decision making using knowledge and skills. The goal of DSME is to create opportunities for people with diabetes to be informed and motivated to continuously participate in effective methods and methods of self-monitoring of diabetes. Aim: To evaluate the quality of DSME provided by primary care physicians to people with diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 primary care physicians. The quality of diabetes self-management training provided by physicians was assessed on a personal scale of 39 Likert questions obtained from the American Association of Diabetes Educators in seven areas of diabetes self-monitoring. The Cronbach&rsquo;s reliability coefficient for each domain/subscale was &ge; 0.7. The data were analysed using an independent selective t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results: More than half of the doctors provided &ldquo;inadequate quality&rdquo; of diabetes self-management in all areas. Doctors had the highest average score in the domain of &ldquo;drug intake&rdquo; (4.46&plusmn;0.61). Average scores in the &ldquo;problem-solving domain&rdquo; (3.52&plusmn;0.63) and &ldquo;being active domain&rdquo; (3.46&plusmn;0.75) were low. The quality of DSME provided by physicians was not related to any of the characteristics of the physician. Conclusion: The quality of doctors&rsquo; communication on DSME in this study was suboptimal. Most adequately informed cases of diabetic behaviour associated with self-management have been associated with reduced risk factors and an orientation towards disease. Thus, training of primary care physicians in diabetic self-management is recommended because of the key role that these doctors play in managing diabetes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 2170-2174
Author(s):  
Oleksii M. Korzh

The aim: Was to evaluate the quality of DSME provided by primary care physicians to people with diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 primary care physicians. The quality of diabetes self-management training provided by physicians was assessed on a personal scale of 39 Likert questions obtained from the American Association of Diabetes Educators in seven areas of diabetes self-monitoring. The Cronbach’s reliability coefficient for each domain / subscale was ≥ 0.7. The data were analyzed using an independent selective t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results: More than half of the doctors provided “inadequate quality” of diabetes self-management in all areas. Doctors had the highest average score in the domain of “drug intake” (4.46 ± 0.61). Average scores in the “problem-solving domain” (3.52 ± 0.63) and “ being active domain” (3.46 ± 0.75) were low. The quality of DSME provided by physicians was not related to any of the characteristics of the physician. Conclusions: The quality of doctors’ communication on DSME in this study was suboptimal. Most adequately informed cases of diabetic behavior associated with self-management have been associated with reduced risk factors and an orientation towards disease. Thus, training of primary care physicians in diabetic self-management is recommended because of the key role that these doctors play in managing diabetes.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Steele Gray ◽  
Phat (Eduard) Chau ◽  
Farah Tahsin ◽  
Sarah Harvey ◽  
Mayura Loganathan ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Goal-oriented care is being adopted to deliver person-centred primary care to older adults with multimorbidity and complex care needs. While this model holds promise, implementation remains a challenge. Digital health solutions may enable processes to improve adoption, however, they require evaluation to determine feasibility and impact. OBJECTIVE This study evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of the electronic Patient Reported Outcome (ePRO) mobile application and portal system, designed to enable goal-oriented care delivery in inter-professional primary care practices. The research questions driving this study are: 1) Does ePRO improve quality of life and self-management in older adults with complex needs, and 2) what mechanisms are likely driving observed outcomes? METHODS A multi-method pragmatic randomized control trial using a stepped-wedge design and ethnographic case studies was conducted over a 15-month period in 6 comprehensive primary care practices across Ontario with a target enrolment of 176 patients. The 6 practices were randomized into either early (3-month control period; 12-month intervention) or late (6-month control period; 9-month intervention) groups. The primary outcome measure of interest was the Assessment of Quality of Life-4D (AQoL-4D). Data were collected at baseline and at 3 monthly intervals for the duration of the trial. Ethnographic data included observations and interviews with patients and providers at the mid-point and end of the intervention. Outcome data were analyzed using linear models conducted at the individual level, accounting for cluster effects at the practice level, and ethnographic data was analyzed using qualitative description and framework analysis methods. RESULTS Recruitment challenges resulted in fewer sites and participants than expected; only 142 of the 176 eligible patients were identified due to lower than expected provider participation and fewer than expected patients willing to participate or perceived as ready to engage in goal setting. Of 142 patients approached, 45 patients participated (32%). Patients set a variety of goals related to self-management, mental health, social health and overall well-being. Due to underpowering, the impact of ePRO on quality of life could not be definitively assessed; however the intervention group, ePRO plus usual care (M = 15.28, SD = 18.60), demonstrated non-significant slight decrease in quality of life, t(24)= -1.20, P = 0.24, when compared to usual care only (M = 21.76, SD = 2.17). The ethnographic data reveals a complex implementation process, in which the meaningfulness (or coherence) of the technology to individuals lives and work acted as a key driver to adoption and tool appraisal. CONCLUSIONS This trial experienced many unexpected and significant implementation challenges related to recruitment and engagement. Future studies could be improved through better alignment of the research methods and intervention to the complex and diverse clinic settings, dynamic goal-oriented care process, and readiness of provider and patient participants. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02917954; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02917954?intr=epro&cntry=CA&rank=1


2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (9) ◽  
pp. 764-768
Author(s):  
T Ito ◽  
S Matsuyama ◽  
T Shiozaki ◽  
D Nishikawa ◽  
H Akioka ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveVertigo and dizziness are frequent symptoms in patients at out-patient services. An accurate diagnosis for vertigo or dizziness is essential for symptom relief; however, it is often challenging. This study aimed to identify differences in diagnoses between primary-care physicians and specialised neurotologists.MethodIn total, 217 patients were enrolled. To compare diagnoses, data was collected from the reference letters of primary-care physicians, medical questionnaires completed by patients and medical records.ResultsIn total, 62.2 per cent and 29.5 per cent of the patients were referred by otorhinolaryngologists and internists, respectively. The cause of vertigo or dizziness and diagnosis was missing in 47.0 per cent of the reference letters. In addition, 67.3 per cent of the diagnoses by previous physicians differed from those reported by specialised neurotologists.ConclusionTo ensure patient satisfaction and high quality of life, an accurate diagnosis for vertigo or dizziness is required; therefore, methods or materials to improve the diagnostic accuracy are needed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 1701375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Steurer-Stey ◽  
Kaba Dalla Lana ◽  
Julia Braun ◽  
Gerben ter Riet ◽  
Milo A. Puhan

The pivotal objective of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) self-management programmes is behaviour change to avoid moderate and severe exacerbations and improve health related quality of life.In a prospectively planned, controlled study, COPD patients who participated in the “Living well with COPD” (LWWCOPD) self-management intervention were compared with usual care patients from the primary care COPD Cohort ICE COLD ERIC, who did not receive self-management intervention (NCT00706602) The primary outcome was behaviour change and disease-specific health related quality of life after 1 year. Secondary end-points included exacerbation rates. We calculated mixed linear, zero-inflated negative binomial and logistic regression models and used propensity scores to counteract confounding.467 patients, 71 from the LWWCOPD and 396 from the usual care cohort, were included. The differences between intervention and control were 0.54 (95% CI 0.13−0.94) on the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire domain “mastery”, 0.55 (95% CI 0.11−0.99) on “fatigue”, 0.54 (0.14−0.93) on “emotional function” and 0.64 (95% CI 0.14−1.14) on “dyspnoea”. The intervention considerably reduced the risk of moderate and severe exacerbations (incidence rate ratio 0.36, 95% CI 0.25−0.52).Self-management coaching in primary care improves health-related quality of life and lowers exacerbation rates and health care use.


2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 185-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn C. Guenther ◽  
Charles W. Lynde

Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) have a significant impact on quality of life. PHN is often chronic and difficult to treat. Dermatologists have always been involved in making the diagnosis of these conditions and, most recently, teaching the need for early antiviral therapy. Objective: With the introduction of a new vaccine, HZ and its difficult-to-treat complication PHN can be prevented or minimized. Preventive medicine is important and has been supported by dermatologists with sun safety programs. Patients receiving biologics are at increased risk of developing zoster. Conclusion: Dermatologists should embrace zoster vaccination and recommend routine vaccination of immunocompetent individuals > age 60 years, as well as patients of any age who are starting immunosuppressants, including biologics. Given that individuals over age 50 years are at risk for PHN and studies have shown that the vaccine's immunogenicity and safety are maintained in individuals age 50 to 59 years, vaccination in this age group may be considered. Some dermatologists may consider vaccinating their own patients, but most will likely recommend that vaccination be performed by their patients' primary care physicians.


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