scholarly journals HIV Screening and the Affordable Care Act

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg Carter ◽  
Christopher Owens ◽  
Hsien-Chang Lin

Men continue to bear disproportionate accounts of HIV diagnoses. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care act aims to address health care disparities by recommending preventative services, including HIV screening, expanding community health centers, and increasing the healthcare workforce. This study examined the decision making of physician and primary care health providers to provide HIV screenings. A quasi-experimental design was used to estimate the effects of the Affordable Care Act on provider-initiated HIV screening. The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey was used to examine HIV screening characteristic from two time periods: 2009 and 2012. Logistic regression indicated that patient and provider characteristics were associated with likelihood of being prescribed HIV screening. Non-Hispanic Black men were more likely to be prescribed HIV screening compared to non-Hispanic White men (odds ratio [OR] = 12.33, 95% confidence interval [CI; 4.42, 34.46]). Men who see primary care providers were more likely to be prescribed HIV screening compared to men not seeing a primary care provider (OR = 5.94, 95% CI [2.15, 16.39]). Men between the ages of 19 and 22 were more likely to be prescribed HIV screening compared to men between the ages of 15 and 18 (OR = 6.59, 95% CI [2.16, 20.14]). Men between the ages of 23 and 25 were more likely to be prescribed HIV screening compared with men between the ages of 15 and 18 (OR = 10.13, 95% CI [3.34, 30.69]). Health education programs identifying men at increased risk for contracting HIV may account for the increased screening rates in certain populations. Future research should examine age disparities surrounding adolescent and young men HIV screening.

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110278
Author(s):  
Katie Cueva ◽  
Melany Cueva ◽  
Laura Revels ◽  
Michelle Hensel ◽  
Mark Dignan

Background Culturally relevant education is an opportunity to reduce health disparities, and online learning is an emerging avenue for health promotion. In 2014–2019, a team based at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium developed, implemented, and evaluated culturally relevant online cancer education modules with, and for, Alaska’s tribal primary care providers. The project was guided by Indigenous Ways of Knowing and the principles of community-based participatory action research and was evaluated in alignment with empowerment theory. About 265 unique learners completed 1,898 end-of-module evaluation surveys between March 2015 and August 2019, and 13 people completed a follow-up survey up to 28 months post module completion. Key Findings Learners described the modules as culturally respectful and informative and reported feeling more knowledgeable and comfortable talking about cancer as a result of the modules. About 98% of the learners planned to reduce their cancer risk because of the modules, and all follow-up survey respondents had reduced their risk, including by quitting smoking, getting screened for cancer, eating healthier, and exercising more. About 98% of the learners planned to share information with their patients, families, friends, and community members because of the modules, with all follow-up survey respondents indicating that they had shared information about cancer from the modules. Implications for Practice and Further Research Culturally relevant online modules have the capacity for positive behavioral change and relatively high correlations between intent and behavior change. Future research could determine which aspects of the modules catalyzed reduced cancer risk and increased dissemination of cancer information.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 33-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Kates

For 20 years mental health and primary care providers across Canada have been working collaboratively together to improve access to care, provider skills, and patient experience. The new strategic plan of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) offers many opportunities for collaborative care to play a role in the transformation of Canada’s mental health systems. To assist the plan, this paper presents principles underlying successful projects and ways that mental health and primary care services can work together more collaboratively, including integrating mental health providers in primary care. It integrates these concepts into a Canadian Model for Collaborative Mental Health Care that can guide future expansion of these approaches, and suggests ways in which better collaboration can address wider issues facing all of Canada’s health care systems.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8597-8597
Author(s):  
P. H. Seo ◽  
R. Sloane ◽  
S. S. Ingram ◽  
D. Misra ◽  
E. C. Clipp ◽  
...  

8597 Background: Older cancer survivors may experience psychological distress due to their cancer experience and aging health. This study aimed to compare primary care and specialty providers’ inquiries of pain, depression and anxiety to older cancer survivors’ questionnaire responses. Methods: 153 patients seen in oncology clinics at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Durham, NC) from November 1999 until April 2000 completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and a pain thermometer questionnaire. Blinded chart review examined health provider inquiries of pain, anxiety and depression. Cox proportional hazards survival analyses were performed on subjective pain, anxiety and depression with comorbidities and Karnofsky performance status (KPS) added in controlled models. Results: Patients were on average aged 68, had 5.4 comorbidities, 87.4% KPS, and were 3.1 years from a cancer diagnosis. Health providers missed 17 of 94 patients with significant levels of self-reported pain (sensitivity 0.82). Although 28 (20.6%) and 33 (25.8%) patients screened positively for depression and anxiety respectively, providers asked 7 patients about anxiety (sensitivity 0.15) and 16 patients about depression (sensitivity 0.25). The overall three year mortality was 37.9%. Pain was not associated with mortality. Patients screening for depression [HR 2.03 (95% CI: 1.03, 4.01)] and anxiety [HR 2.02 (95% CI: 1.01, 4.04)] had lower 3 year survival. KPS and comorbidities diminished these effects. Conclusions: In older cancer survivors, anxiety and depression may have an association with mortality. To improve detection, oncology and primary care providers should routinely inquire about mood and aim to intervene with pharmacologic or supportive treatments. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 1421-1444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siny Tsang ◽  
Scott A. Sperling ◽  
Moon-Ho Park ◽  
Ira M. Helenius ◽  
Ishan C. Williams ◽  
...  

To aid primary care providers in identifying people at increased risk for cognitive decline, we explored the relative importance of health and demographic variables in detecting potential cognitive impairment using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Participants were 94 older African Americans coming to see their primary care physicians for reasons other than cognitive complaints. Education was strongly associated with cognitive functioning. Among those with at least 9 years of education, patients with more vascular risk factors were at greater risk for mild cognitive impairment. For patients with fewer than 9 years of education, those with fewer prescribed medications were at increased risk for dementia. These results suggest that in addition to the MMSE, primary care physicians can make use of patients’ health information to improve identification of patients at increased risk for cognitive impairment. With improved identification, physicians can implement strategies to mitigate the progression and impact of cognitive difficulties.


2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Innocent K. Besigye ◽  
Vicent Okuuny ◽  
Mari Armstrong-Hough ◽  
Anne R. Katahoire ◽  
Nelson K. Sewankambo ◽  
...  

Background: Early diagnosis of hypertension prevents a significant number of complications and premature deaths. In resource-variable settings, diagnosis may be limited by inadequate access to blood pressure (BP) machines. We sought to understand the availability, functionality and access of BP machines at the points of care within primary care facilities in Tororo district, Uganda.Methods: This was an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study combining a structured facility checklist and key informant interviews with primary care providers. The checklist was used to collect data on availability and functionality of BP machines within their organisational arrangements. Key informant interviews explored health providers’ access to BP machines.Results: The majority of health facilities reported at least one working BP machine. However, Health providers described limited access to machines because they are not located at each point of care. Health providers reported borrowing amongst themselves within their respective units or from other units within the facility. Some health providers purchase and bring their own BP machines to the health facilities or attempted to restore the functionality of broken ones. They are motivated to search the clinic for BP machines for some patients but not others based on their perception of the patient’s risk for hypertension.Conclusion: Access to BP machines at the point of care was limited. This makes hypertension screening selective based on health providers’ perception of the patients’ risk for hypertension. Training in proper BP machine use and regular maintenance will minimise frequent breakdowns.


Author(s):  
Xuanxuan Zhang ◽  
Mark C. Schall ◽  
Richard Sesek ◽  
Sean Gallagher ◽  
Jesse Michel

Burnout is a growing concern among primary care providers (PCPs). The condition may lead to diminished quality of patient care as well as reduced quality of life. Although self-reported musculoskeletal pain is common among healthcare providers, the relationship between burnout and musculoskeletal pain among PCPs has been studied very little. We describe a cross-sectional pilot survey conducted among 38 PCPs (MDs, DOs, PAs, and NPs) in the Midwestern United States. Self-reported feelings of burnout and musculoskeletal pain in different body regions were analyzed using regression models. Results suggested that increasing number of hours worked per day, severity of pain in the neck / shoulder area, and severity of pain in the right wrist were associated with an increased risk of burnout. On the contrary, burnout decreased with increasing age. The findings suggest that additional research is needed to understand the risk factors for burnout among PCPs, particularly during the early stages of their career.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie M. Vest ◽  
Laura O. Wray ◽  
Laura A. Brady ◽  
Michael E. Thase ◽  
Gregory P. Beehler ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pharmacogenetic testing (PGx) has the potential to improve the quality of psychiatric prescribing by considering patients’ genetic profile. However, there is limited scientific evidence supporting its efficacy or guiding its implementation. The Precision Medicine in Mental Health (PRIME) Care study is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a specific commercially-available pharmacogenetic (PGx) test to inform antidepressant prescribing at 22 sites across the U.S. Simultaneous implementation science methods using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) are integrated throughout the trial to identify contextual factors likely to be important in future implementation of PGx. The goal of this study was to understand providers’ perceptions of PGx for antidepressant prescribing and implications for future implementation. Methods Qualitative focus groups (n = 10) were conducted at the beginning of the trial with Primary Care and Mental Health providers (n = 31) from six PRIME Care sites. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed and data were analyzed using rapid analytic procedures organized by CFIR domains. Results Analysis revealed themes in the CFIR Intervention Characteristics domain constructs of Evidence, Relative Advantage, Adaptability, Trialability, Complexity, and Design that are important for understanding providers’ perceptions of PGx testing. Results indicate: 1) providers had limited experience and knowledge of PGx testing and its evidence base, particularly for psychiatric medications; 2) providers were hopeful that PGx could increase their precision in depression prescribing and improve patient engagement, but were uncertain about how results would influence treatment; 3) providers were concerned about potential misinterpretation of PGx results and how to incorporate testing into their workflow; 4) primary care providers were less familiar and comfortable with application of PGx testing to antidepressant prescribing than psychiatric providers. Conclusions Provider perceptions may serve as facilitators or barriers to implementation of PGx for psychiatric prescribing. Incorporating implementation science into the conduct of the RCT adds value by uncovering factors to be addressed in preparing for future implementation, should the practice prove effective. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03170362; Registered 31 May 2017


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1031-1031
Author(s):  
D. Kljenak

IntroductionMore than 15% of patients who present to a primary care clinic are considered “difficult” yet interprofessional members of primary care clinics receive little training on how to diagnose and manage these patients.ObjectivesBecome familiar with successful method of workshop development on how to diagnose and manage “difficult” patients to interprofessional audience of six community health centers.AimsThe aim of the workshop was to enhance primary care providers’ capacity to diagnose and manage “difficult” patients as well as serve as a pilot program for a larger conference on managing “difficult” patients.MethodsA half-day workshop was designed to fill this perceived need of community health providers to learn how to diagnose and manage “difficult” patients. The workshop consisted of didactic presentation and case based small group learning.This workshop served as a pilot program for the development of larger conference for community providers on managing “difficult” patients.ResultsThe workshop was evaluated by participants. 100% of respondents agreed that the workshop was relevant to their work and 87.5% of respondents reported that the workshop will alter their clinical practice.ConclusionThe workshop has met participants’ perceived learning needs as well as served as a pilot program for a larger conference on managing difficult patients.


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