Prevalence of Utilization Management Policies Among the Psoriatic Disease Community: Results From the 2019 National Psoriasis Foundation Advocacy Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 178-183
Author(s):  
George Gondo ◽  
Julia Boles ◽  
Patrick Stone ◽  
Leah Howard ◽  
Stacie J. Bell
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Insurance Company ◽  
Utilization Management ◽  
Psoriatic Disease ◽  
Management Policies ◽  
National Psoriasis Foundation ◽  
Step Therapy ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Disease Community

Introduction: Utilization management (UM) policies are becoming more common among commercial insurance policies. However, little research has been conducted to understand the prevalence of experiencing UM restrictions among patients with psoriatic disease. Objectives: To understand the prevalence of UM policies within the psoriatic patient community and examine their relationship with patient characteristics. Methods: An online survey of 1205 individuals with a psoriatic disease from the National Psoriasis Foundation’s constituent database was conducted. Data were collected from July 7 to July 31, 2019. The main outcomes of interest for the present study were frequency of experiencing UM policies (eg, prior authorization [PA] or step therapy [ST]) from their insurance company, number, and type of UM policies experienced and relationship between patient characteristics and experiencing these policies. Results: Survey respondents reported high rates of experiencing some form of UM restriction (80.5%). Nearly half (45.1%) of the survey respondents indicated their insurer required them to try a therapy other than the therapy originally prescribed by their physician, a practice known as ST or “fail first” and 73% of respondents reported having to receive PA from their insurer before initiating treatment. Conclusions: Individuals with psoriatic disease commonly encounter UM policies from their insurer when attempting to manage their disease. Statistical analyses suggest that UM policies are related to the type of treatment used by patients and the type of psoriatic disease.

Challenges in Antenatal Corticosteroid Prescribing: A Retrospective Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-333
Author(s):  
Shannon Armstrong-Kempter ◽  
Lucinda Beech ◽  
Sarah J. Melov ◽  
Adrienne Kirby ◽  
Roshini Nayyar
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Obstetric Care ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Optimal Timing ◽  
Prescribing Practices ◽  
Antenatal Corticosteroids ◽  
Term Infants ◽  
Preterm Premature Rupture ◽  
To Receive

Background: The discovery of the benefits of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) for preterm infants was one of the most significant developments in obstetric care. However, due to the difficulty in predicting preterm delivery, optimal use of ACS, is challenging. Objective: To describe prescribing practices for antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) at a tertiary hospital over five years to determine whether ACS were received at optimal timing; to determine patient characteristics of women receiving ACS at optimal timing; to determine patient characteristics of those who did not receive ACS as indicated and to examine the trend in ACS prescribing over the study period. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of all deliveries from January 2011 to December 2015. The rates of ACS prescription for each group of women (preterm, late preterm, and term) were recorded and analysed. Results: A total of 65% of women who delivered before 34 weeks’ gestation received ACS. Of these women, 63% delivered within 7 days of receiving ACS. Women most likely to receive ACS with optimal timing were primiparous (relative risk [RR], 1.25 [CI, 1.08-1.45]), or women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia (RR, 1.34 [CI 1.10-1.63]), preterm premature rupture of membranes (RR, 1.33 [CI, 1.15-1.54]) or threatened preterm labour (RR, 1.42 [CI, 1.22-1.65]). Conclusion: A significant number of women and babies are exposed to ACS without commensurate benefit, and a significant number who deliver preterm do not receive ACS. The percentage of preterm and term infants receiving ACS should be determined to optimise service delivery.

scholarly journals Willingness to Receive the COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza Vaccines among the Saudi Population and Vaccine Uptake During the Initial Stage of the National Vaccination Campaign: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 765
Author(s):  
Amel Ahmed Fayed ◽  
Abeer Salem Al Shahrani ◽  
Leenah Tawfiq Almanea ◽  
Nardeen Ibrahim Alsweed ◽  
Layla Mohammed Almarzoug ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Influenza Vaccines ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
To Receive

This study aimed to assess the willingness to receive the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and seasonal influenza vaccines and vaccine uptake during the early stage of the national vaccination campaign in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among adult Saudis between 20 January and 20 March 2021. The questionnaire addressed vaccine hesitancy, perceived risk, willingness, and vaccine uptake. Approximately 39% of the participants expressed vaccine hesitancy, and 29.8% and 24% felt highly vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, respectively. The majority (59.5%) were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, although only 31.7% were willing to receive the flu vaccine. Adjusted analysis showed that vaccine hesitancy (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.27–0.43) and the perception of being at high risk (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.68–4.60) independently affected the intention to be vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy was similar among those who were willing to be vaccinated (29.8%) and those who had already been vaccinated (33.1%). The perceived risk was significantly higher among those who had been vaccinated (48.1%) than among those who were willing to be vaccinated but had not yet been vaccinated (29.1%). In conclusion, the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia is high. Saudis who received the vaccine had a similar level of vaccine hesitancy and a higher level of perceived risk.

scholarly journals Acceptability of remote prescribing and postal delivery services for contraceptive pills and treatment of uncomplicated Chlamydia trachomatis

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjsrh-2020-200687
Author(s):  
Tom Nadarzynski ◽  
Ynez Symonds ◽  
Robert Carroll ◽  
Jo Gibbs ◽  
Sally Kidsley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Home Delivery ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Contraceptive Pills ◽  
Remote Management ◽  
Delivery Services ◽  
The Cost ◽  
To Receive

ObjectivesThe digitalisation of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services offers valuable opportunities to deliver contraceptive pills and chlamydia treatment by post. We aimed to examine the acceptability of remote prescribing and ‘medication-by-post’ in SRH.Study designAn online survey assessing attitudes towards remote management was distributed in three UK SRH clinics and via an integrated sexually transmitted infection (STI) postal self-sampling service. Logistic regressions were performed to identify potential correlates.ResultsThere were 1281 participants (74% female and 49% <25 years old). Some 8% of participants reported having received medication via post and 83% were willing to receive chlamydia treatment and contraceptive pills by post. Lower acceptability was observed among participants who were: >45 years old (OR 0.43 (95% CI 0.23–0.81)), screened for STIs less than once annually (OR 0.63 (0.42–0.93)), concerned about confidentiality (OR 0.21 (0.90–0.50)), concerned about absence during delivery (OR 0.09 (0.02–0.32)) or unwilling to provide blood pressure readings (OR 0.22 (0.04–0.97)). Higher acceptability was observed among participants who reported: previously receiving medication by post (OR 4.63 (1.44–14.8)), preference for home delivery over clinic collection (OR 24.1 (11.1–51.9)), preference for home STI testing (OR 10.3 (6.16–17.4)), ability to communicate with health advisors (OR 4.01 (1.03–15.6)) and willingness to: register their real name (OR 3.09 (1.43–10.6)), complete online health questionnaires (OR 3.09 (1.43–10.6)) and use generic contraceptive pills (OR 2.88 (1.21–6.83)).ConclusionsPostal treatment and entering information online to allow remote prescribing were acceptable methods for SRH services and should be considered alongside medication collection in pharmacies. These methods could be particularly useful for patients facing barriers in accessing SRH. The cost-effectiveness and implementation of these novel methods of service delivery should be further investigated.

scholarly journals Willingness of Taiwan’s Healthcare Workers and Outpatients to Vaccinate against COVID-19 during a Period without Community Outbreaks

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 246
Author(s):  
Shikha Kukreti ◽  
Mei-Yun Lu ◽  
Yi-Hsuan Lin ◽  
Carol Strong ◽  
Chung-Ying Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Preventive Behaviors ◽  
Vaccination Uptake ◽  
Community Outbreaks ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Significant Factors

To control the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), COVID-19 vaccination has been quickly developed. However, the COVID-19 pandemic will not be controlled if the COVID-19 vaccination uptake willingness is low. Therefore, the study aim was to explore the COVID-19 vaccination uptake willingness among the outpatient population and healthcare workers in Taiwan during the worldwide pandemic period without community outbreaks. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare workers (HCWs; n = 500; mean age = 32.96 years) of National Cheng Kung University Hospital (NCKUH) and outpatients (n = 238; mean age = 34.43 years) arriving at NCKUH. We used an online survey conducted between September 24 and 21 November 2020, for healthcare workers, and between 27 October and 31 December 2020, for the outpatient sample. Information regarding willingness to receive vaccination, willingness to rapid test, fear of COVID-19, risk perception, and preventive behaviors was collected in both samples; information regarding willingness to care for patients was collected in healthcare workers. Willingness to receive vaccination was the main variable in the present study; willingness to rapid test, willingness to care for patients, fear of COVID-19, risk perception, and preventive behaviors were the secondary variables in the study. The factors associated with vaccination willingness were identified through logistic regression analysis. The participants’ willingness to receive vaccination was low for both healthcare workers (23.4%) and the outpatient sample (30.7%). Similarly, their willingness to take rapid tests was low (23.6% for healthcare workers and 28.6% for outpatient sample). Risk perception (crude odds ratio (COR) = 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03, 1.63), willingness to take rapid test (COR = 9.24; 95% CI = 5.76, 14.83), and preventive COVID-19 infection behaviors (COR = 2.32; 95% CI = 1.52, 3.56) were significant factors explaining the healthcare workers’ willingness to receive vaccination. Willingness to take a rapid test (COR = 8.91; 95% CI = 4.71, 16.87) and preventive COVID-19 infection behaviors (COR = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.09, 2.60) were significant factors explaining the outpatient sample’s willingness to receive vaccination. Willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 among HCWs and outpatients is low due to the relatively safe status of COVID-19 infection in Taiwan. These findings can help policymakers advocate for the effectiveness of and provide transparent information on COVID-19 vaccination uptake in a country/region with a relatively safe COVID-19 outbreak status.

scholarly journals Adenovirus and RNA-based COVID-19 vaccines’ perceptions and acceptance among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia: a national survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e048586
Author(s):  
Mohamad-Hani Temsah ◽  
Mazin Barry ◽  
Fadi Aljamaan ◽  
Abdullah Alhuzaimi ◽  
Ayman Al-Eyadhy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Vectored Vaccine ◽  
To Receive

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare the perception, confidence, hesitancy and acceptance rate of various COVID-19 vaccine types among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia, a nation with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus experience.DesignNational cross-sectional, pilot-validated questionnaire.SettingOnline, self-administered questionnaire among HCWs.ParticipantsA total of 2007 HCWs working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated; 1512 (75.3%) participants completed the survey and were included in the analysis.InterventionData were collected through an online survey sent to HCWs during 1–15 November 2020. The main outcome measure was HCW acceptance of COVID-19 candidate vaccines. The associated factors of vaccination acceptance were identified through a logistic regression analysis and via measurement of the level of anxiety, using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7 scale.ResultsAmong the 1512 HCWs who were included, 62.4% were women, 70.3% were between 21 and 40 years of age, and the majority (62.2%) were from tertiary hospitals. In addition, 59.5% reported knowing about at least one vaccine; 24.4% of the participants were sure about their willingness to receive the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, and 20.9% were willing to receive the RNA BNT162b2 vaccine. However, 18.3% reported that they would refuse to receive the Ad5-vectored vaccine, and 17.9% would refuse the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine. Factors that influenced the differential readiness of HCWs included their perceptions of the vaccine’s efficiency in preventing the infection (33%), their personal preferences (29%) and the vaccine’s manufacturing country (28.6%).ConclusionsAwareness by HCWs of the several COVID-19 candidate vaccines could improve their perceptions and acceptance of vaccination. Reliable sources on vaccine efficiency could improve vaccine uptake, so healthcare authorities should use reliable information to decrease vaccine hesitancy among frontline healthcare providers.

Attention to diet, exercise, and weight in the oncology clinic: Results of a national patient survey.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10549-10549
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Ligibel ◽  
Lori J. Pierce ◽  
Catherine M. Bender ◽  
Tracy E Crane ◽  
Christina Marie Dieli-Conwright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Diet And Exercise ◽  
To Receive

10549 Background: Obesity and related factors are increasingly associated with increased risk of developing and dying from cancer. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conducted a survey of cancer patients to assess their experience in receiving recommendations and referrals related to weight, diet and exercise as a part of their cancer care. Methods: An online survey was distributed to potential participants between March and June 2020 via ASCO channels and patient advocacy organizations, with an estimated reach of over 25,000 individuals. Eligibility criteria included being 18 years, living in the US, and having been diagnosed with cancer. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with recommendation and referral patterns. Results: In total, 2419 individuals responded to the survey. Most respondents were female (75.5%), 61.8% had an early-stage malignancy, 38.2% had advanced disease, and 49.0% were currently receiving treatment. Breast cancer was the most common cancer type (36.0%). Average BMI was 25.8 kg/m2. The majority of respondents consumed £2 servings of fruits and vegetables per day (50.9%) and exercised £2 times per week (50.4%). Exercise was addressed at most or some oncology visits in 57.5% of respondents, diet in 50.7%, and weight in 28.4%. Referrals were less common: 14.9% of respondents were referred to an exercise program, 25.6% to a dietitian and 4.5% to a weight management program. In multiple regression analyses, racial and ethnicity minority respondents were more likely to receive advice about diet (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.92, 95% CI 1.56-2.38) and weight (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.23-2.17) compared to non-Hispanic whites, individuals diagnosed with cancer in the past 5 yrs (vs > 5 yrs) were more likely to receive advice about exercise (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.23-1.79), and breast cancer patients were more likely to receive advice about exercise (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.11-1.68) and weight (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.03-2.07) than other cancer patients. Overall, 74% of survey respondents had changed their diet or exercise after cancer diagnosis. Respondents reporting that their oncologist spoke to them about increasing exercise or eating healthier foods were more likely to report a change in behavior than those whose oncologists did not (exercise: 79.6% vs 69.0%, P < 0.001; diet 81.1% vs 71.4%, P < 0.001). Respondents whose oncologist had spoken to them about exercise were more likely to exercise > 2 times per week compared to respondents whose oncologists did not address exercise (53.5% vs 44.1%, P < 0.001). Conclusions: In a national survey of oncology patients, slightly more than half of respondents reported attention to diet and exercise during oncology visits. Provider recommendations for diet and exercise were associated with positive changes in these behaviors. Additional attention to diet and exercise as part of oncology visits is needed to help support healthy lifestyle change in cancer patients.

Willingness and uptake of the COVID-19 testing and vaccination in urban China: an online cross-sectional survey at early 2021 (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhang Song ◽  
Shujie Zang ◽  
Liubing Gong ◽  
Cuilin Xu ◽  
Leesa Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Urban China ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Risk Period ◽  
Two Measures ◽  
Higher Educational Attainment ◽  
To Receive

BACKGROUND Regular testing and vaccination are effective measures to mitigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Few studies have focused on COVID-19 testing and vaccination uptake may change as the pandemic continues. OBJECTIVE To examine willingness and uptake of COVID-19 testing and vaccination during a low-risk period of the COVID-19 pandemic in urban China. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 2244 adults in urban China. Descriptive analyses were performed to compare the respondents’ willingness and uptake of COVID-19 testing and vaccination. Multivariate logistic regressions were fitted to investigate the factors associated with willingness and uptake of the two measures. RESULTS In early 2021, 52.45% of the respondents had received or scheduled a COVID-19 test at least once, and a majority (95.63%) were willing to receive testing. 63.28% of the respondents had received/scheduled or were willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Willingness and uptake of COVID-19 testing were not associated with socio-demographic characteristics, except for occupation. Being of older age, migrants, having higher educational attainment and secure employment were associated with a higher uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among the surveyed respondents, while willingness to vaccinate was consistent across socio-demographic characteristics among those who had not been vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS Chinese adults expressed almost universal willingness of COVID-19 testing and relatively low willingness of COVID-19 vaccination at the low-risk period of the COVID-19 pandemic, independent from their socio-demographic characteristics. Maintaining willingness of COVID-19 vaccination is key especially when the pandemic evolved into a low-risk period.

scholarly journals Intention of Healthcare Workers to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine: A Cross-Sectional Survey in 10 Countries in Eastern Mediterranean Region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasir Ahmed Mohammed Elhadi ◽  
Azza Mehanna ◽  
Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi ◽  
Mohammad Yasir Essar ◽  
Haider M El Saeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
To Receive

Background: Healthcare workers intention to be vaccinated is an important factor to be consider for successful COVID-19 vaccination programme. Our study aimed to understand the intention of health workers to receive COVID-19 vaccine and associated concerns across 10 countries in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO). Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2021 among healthcare workers using an online survey. A total of 2806 health workers (physicians, nurses and pharmacists) completed and returned the informed consent along with the questionnaire electronically. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software package version 20.0. Results: More than half of the respondents (58.0%) intend to receive COVID-19 vaccine, even if the vaccination is not mandatory for them. On the other hand, 25.7% of respondents were not intending to undertake COVID-19 vaccination while 16.3 % answered undecided. The top three reasons for not intending to be vaccinated were unreliability of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials (62.0%), fear of the side effects of the vaccine (45.3%), and that COVID-19 vaccine will not give immunity for a long period of time (23.1%). Conclusion: Overall, our study revealed suboptimal acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in the 10 countries in EMRO.

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