Health, performance and conduct concerns among older doctors: A retrospective cohort study of notifications received by medical regulators in Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura A Thomas ◽  
Eleanor Milligan ◽  
Holly Tibble ◽  
Lay S Too ◽  
David M Studdert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Substance Misuse ◽  
Incidence Rate Ratio ◽  
Health Performance ◽  
Rate Ratios

Objectives To determine whether ‘older doctors’ (aged over 65) are at higher risk of notifications to the medical regulator than ‘younger doctors’ (aged 36–60 years) regarding their health, performance and/or conduct. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting National dataset of 12,878 notifications lodged with medical regulators in Australia between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014. Participants All registered doctors in Australia aged 36–60 and >65 years during the study period. Main outcome measures Incidence rates of notifications and incidence rate ratios of notifications (older versus younger doctors). Results Older doctors had higher notification rates (90.9 compared with 66.6 per 1000 practitioner years, p < 0.001). Sex-adjusted incidence rate ratios showed that older doctors had a higher risk of notifications relating to physical illness or cognitive decline (incidence rate ratio = 15.54), inadequate record keeping (incidence rate ratio = 1.98), unlawful use or supply of medications (incidence rate ratio = 2.26), substandard certificates/reports (incidence rate ratio = 2.02), inappropriate prescribing (incidence rate ratio = 1.99), disruptive behaviours (incidence rate ratio = 1.37) and substandard treatment (incidence rate ratio = 1.24). Older doctors had lower notification rates relating to mental illness and substance misuse (incidence rate ratio = 0.58) and for performance issues relating to problems with procedures (incidence rate ratio = 0.61). Conclusions Older doctors were at higher risk for notifications relating to physical or cognitive impairment, records and reports, prescribing or supply of medicines, disruptive behaviour and treatment. They were at lower risk for notifications about mental illness or substance misuse. Incorporating knowledge of these patterns into regulatory practices, workplace adjustments and continuing education/assessment could enhance patient care.

scholarly journals Disparities in Electronic Patient Portal Use in Prenatal Care: Retrospective Cohort Study

10.2196/14445 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. e14445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erinma P Ukoha ◽  
Joe Feinglass ◽  
Lynn M Yee
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Incidence Rate Ratio ◽  
Patient Portal ◽  
Patient Portals

Background Electronic patient portals are websites that provide individuals access to their personal health records and allow them to engage through a secure Web-based platform. These portals are becoming increasingly popular in contemporary health care systems. Patient portal use has been found to be beneficial in multiple specialties, especially in the management of chronic disease. However, disparities have been identified in portal use in which racial and ethnic minorities and individuals with lower socioeconomic status have been shown to be less likely to enroll and use patient portals than non-Hispanic white persons and individuals with higher socioeconomic status. Electronic patient portal use by childbearing women has not been well studied, and data on portal use during pregnancy are limited. Objective This study aimed to quantify the use of an electronic patient portal during pregnancy and examine whether disparities related to patients’ demographics or clinical characteristics exist. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of women who received prenatal care at an academic medical center from 2014 to 2016. Clinical records were reviewed for portal use and patient data. Patients were considered enrolled in the portal if they had an account at the time of delivery, and enrollees were compared with nonenrollees. Enrollees were further categorized based on the number of secure messages sent during pregnancy as active (≥1) or inactive (0) users. Bivariable chi-square and multivariable Poisson regression models were used to calculate the incidence rate ratio of portal enrollment and, if enrolled, of active use based on patients’ characteristics. Results Of the 3450 women eligible for inclusion, 2530 (73.33%) enrolled in the portal. Of these enrollees, 72.09% (1824/2530) were active users. There was no difference in portal enrollment by maternal race and ethnicity on multivariable models. Women with public insurance (adjusted incidence rate ratio; aIRR 0.60, 95% CI 0.49-0.84), late enrollment in prenatal care (aIRR 0.78, 95% CI 0.69-0.89 for second trimester and aIRR 0.50, 95% CI 0.39-0.64 for third trimester), and high-risk pregnancies (aIRR 0.82, 95% CI 0.75-0.89) were significantly less likely to enroll. Conversely, nulliparity (aIRR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.20) and having more than 8 prescription medications at prenatal care initiation (aIRR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.32) were associated with greater likelihood of enrollment. Among portal enrollees, the only factor significantly associated with active portal use (ie, secure messaging) was nulliparity (aIRR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.23). Conclusions Among an obstetric population, multiple clinical and socioeconomic factors were associated with electronic portal enrollment, but not subsequent active use. As portals become more integrated as tools to promote health, efforts should be made to ensure that already vulnerable populations are not further disadvantaged with regard to electronic-based care.

scholarly journals Disparities in Electronic Patient Portal Use in Prenatal Care: Retrospective Cohort Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erinma P Ukoha ◽  
Joe Feinglass ◽  
Lynn M Yee
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Incidence Rate Ratio ◽  
Patient Portal ◽  
Patient Portals

BACKGROUND Electronic patient portals are websites that provide individuals access to their personal health records and allow them to engage through a secure Web-based platform. These portals are becoming increasingly popular in contemporary health care systems. Patient portal use has been found to be beneficial in multiple specialties, especially in the management of chronic disease. However, disparities have been identified in portal use in which racial and ethnic minorities and individuals with lower socioeconomic status have been shown to be less likely to enroll and use patient portals than non-Hispanic white persons and individuals with higher socioeconomic status. Electronic patient portal use by childbearing women has not been well studied, and data on portal use during pregnancy are limited. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to quantify the use of an electronic patient portal during pregnancy and examine whether disparities related to patients’ demographics or clinical characteristics exist. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of women who received prenatal care at an academic medical center from 2014 to 2016. Clinical records were reviewed for portal use and patient data. Patients were considered enrolled in the portal if they had an account at the time of delivery, and enrollees were compared with nonenrollees. Enrollees were further categorized based on the number of secure messages sent during pregnancy as active (≥1) or inactive (0) users. Bivariable chi-square and multivariable Poisson regression models were used to calculate the incidence rate ratio of portal enrollment and, if enrolled, of active use based on patients’ characteristics. RESULTS Of the 3450 women eligible for inclusion, 2530 (73.33%) enrolled in the portal. Of these enrollees, 72.09% (1824/2530) were active users. There was no difference in portal enrollment by maternal race and ethnicity on multivariable models. Women with public insurance (adjusted incidence rate ratio; aIRR 0.60, 95% CI 0.49-0.84), late enrollment in prenatal care (aIRR 0.78, 95% CI 0.69-0.89 for second trimester and aIRR 0.50, 95% CI 0.39-0.64 for third trimester), and high-risk pregnancies (aIRR 0.82, 95% CI 0.75-0.89) were significantly less likely to enroll. Conversely, nulliparity (aIRR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.20) and having more than 8 prescription medications at prenatal care initiation (aIRR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.32) were associated with greater likelihood of enrollment. Among portal enrollees, the only factor significantly associated with active portal use (ie, secure messaging) was nulliparity (aIRR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.23). CONCLUSIONS Among an obstetric population, multiple clinical and socioeconomic factors were associated with electronic portal enrollment, but not subsequent active use. As portals become more integrated as tools to promote health, efforts should be made to ensure that already vulnerable populations are not further disadvantaged with regard to electronic-based care.

scholarly journals The healthcare resource impact of maternal mental illness on children and adolescents: UK retrospective cohort study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Holly Hope ◽  
Cemre Su Osam ◽  
Evangelos Kontopantelis ◽  
Sian Hughes ◽  
Luke Munford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Clinical Practice Research Datalink ◽  
Healthcare Use ◽  
Maternal Mental Illness

Background The general health of children of parents with mental illness is overlooked. Aims To quantify the difference in healthcare use of children exposed and unexposed to maternal mental illness (MMI). Method This was a retrospective cohort study of children aged 0–17 years, from 1 April 2007 to 31 July 2017, using a primary care register (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) linked to Hospital Episodes Statistics. MMI included non-affective/affective psychosis and mood, anxiety, addiction, eating and personality disorders. Healthcare use included prescriptions, primary care and secondary care contacts; inflation adjusted costs were applied. The rate and cost was calculated and compared for children exposed and unexposed to MMI using negative binomial regression models. The total annual cost to NHS England of children with MMI was estimated. Results The study included 489 255 children: 238 106 (48.7%) girls, 112 741 children (23.0%) exposed to MMI. Compared to unexposed children, exposed children had a higher rate of healthcare use (rate ratio 1.27, 95% CI 1.26–1.28), averaging 2.21 extra contacts per exposed child per year (95% CI 2.14–2.29). Increased healthcare use among exposed children occurred in inpatients (rate ratio 1.37, 95% CI 1.32–1.42), emergency care visits (rate ratio 1.34, 95% CI 1.33–1.36), outpatients (rate ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.28–1.32), prescriptions (rate ratio 1.28, 95% CI 1.26–1.30) and primary care consultations (rate ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.23–1.25). This costs NHS England an additional £656 million (95% CI £619–£692 million), annually. Conclusions Children of mentally ill mothers are a health vulnerable group for whom targeted intervention may create benefit for individuals, families, as well as limited NHS resources.

scholarly journals Increased Standardised Incidence Ratio of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma in Taiwanese Asbestos Workers: A 29-Year Retrospective Cohort Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-Kuan Lin ◽  
Yu-Ying Chang ◽  
Jung-Der Wang ◽  
Lukas Jyuhn-Hsiarn Lee
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
General Population ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Asbestos Exposure ◽  
Pleural Mesothelioma ◽  
Calendar Period ◽  
Incident Cases

Objective. This paper aimed to determine the standardised incidence ratio (SIR) of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in workers exposed to asbestos in Taiwan.Methods. All workers employed in asbestos-related factories and registered by the Bureau of Labour Insurance between 1 March, 1950, and 31 December, 1989, were included in the study and were followed from 1 January, 1980, through 31 December, 2009. Incident cases of all cancers, including MPM (ICD-9 code: 163), were obtained from the Taiwan Cancer Registry. SIRs were calculated based on comparison with the incidence rate of the general population of Taiwan and adjusted for age, calendar period, sex, and duration of employment.Results. The highest SIR of MPM was found for male workers first employed before 1979, with a time since first employment more than 30 years (SIR 4.52, 95% CI: 2.25–8.09). After consideration of duration of employment, the SIR for male MPM was 5.78 (95% CI: 1.19–16.89) for the workers employed for more than 20 years in asbestos-related factories.Conclusions. This study corroborates the association between occupational asbestos exposure and MPM. The highest risk of MPM was found among male asbestos workers employed before 1979 and working for more than 20 years in asbestos-related factories.

scholarly journals Twin pregnancy and severe maternal mental illness: A Canadian population-based retrospective cohort study

2022 ◽  
Vol 226 (1) ◽  
pp. S242-S243
Author(s):  
Stephanie C. Lapinsky ◽  
Hilary K. Brown ◽  
Joel G. Ray ◽  
Kellie E. Murphy ◽  
Tyler S. Kaster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Twin Pregnancy ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Canadian Population ◽  
Maternal Mental Illness

scholarly journals Outcomes following feeding gastrostomy (FG) insertion in patients with learning disability: a retrospective cohort study using the health improvement network (THIN) database

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e026714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip R Harvey ◽  
Tom Thomas ◽  
Joht Singh Chandan ◽  
Neeraj Bhala ◽  
Krishnarajah Nirantharakumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
History Of ◽  
Study Population ◽  
The Health Improvement Network

ObjectivesTo measure the rates of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and mortality following feeding gastrostomy (FG) placement in patients with learning disability (LD). Following this to compare these rates between those having LRTI prior to FG placement and those with no recent LRTI.DesignRetrospective cohort study.Setting and participantsThe study population included patients with LD undergoing FG placement in the ‘The Health Improvement Network’ database. Patients with LRTI in the year prior (LYP) to their FG placement were compared with patients without a history of LRTI in the year prior (non-LYP) to FG placement. FG placement and LD were identified using Read codes previously developed by an expert panel.Main outcome measuresIncidence rate ratio (IRR) of developing LRTI and mortality following FG, comparing patients with LRTI in the year prior to FG placement to patients without a history of LRTI.Results214 patients with LD had a FG inserted including 743.4 person years follow-up. 53.7% were males and the median age was 27.6 (IQR 19.6 to 38.6) years. 27.1% were in the LYP patients. 18.7% had a LRTI in the year following FG, with an estimated incidence rate of 254 per 1000-person years. Over the study period the incidence rate of LRTI in LYP patients was 369 per 1000-person years, in non-LYP patients this was 91 per 1000-person years (adjusted IRR 4.21 (95% CI 2.68 to 6.63) p<0.001). 27.1% of patients died during study follow-up. Incidence rate of death was 80 and 45 per 1000-person year for LYP and non-LYP patients, respectively (adjusted IRR 1.80 (1.00 to 3.23) p=0.05).ConclusionIn LD patients, no clinically meaningful reduction in LRTI incidence was observed following FG placement. Mortality and LRTI were higher in patients with at least one LRTI in the year preceding FG placement, compared with those without a preceding LRTI.

scholarly journals Mammography Among Women With Severe Mental Illness: Exploring Disparities Through a Large Retrospective Cohort Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Thomas ◽  
Monique James ◽  
Eric Vittinghoff ◽  
Jennifer M. Creasman ◽  
Dean Schillinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort

Hospital Utilization and Costs in Older Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Choosing Conservative Care or Dialysis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-489
Author(s):  
Wouter R. Verberne ◽  
Gurbey Ocak ◽  
Liesbeth A. van Gils-Verrij ◽  
Johannes J.M. van Delden ◽  
Willem Jan W. Bos
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Incidence Rate Ratio ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Hospital Utilization ◽  
Conservative Care ◽  
Outpatient Visits

Background: Nondialytic conservative care has been recognized as a viable alternative to chronic dialysis in older patients with end-stage kidney disease, but little is known about its consequences on hospital utilization and costs. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study to compare outpatient and inpatient hospital utilization, place of death, and hospital costs in patients aged ≥70 years old who chose conservative care (n = 100) or dialysis (n = 162) after shared decision making in a nonacademic teaching hospital between 2008 and 2016. Results: Patients who chose conservative care were older than patients who chose dialysis (82.5 vs. 76.3 years). Comorbidity did not differ between the 2 patient groups. The incidence rates of outpatient visits per year were 7.1 in patients who chose conservative care and 10.7 in patients who chose dialysis (incidence rate ratio 0.67, 95% CI 0.55–0.81). The incidence rates of in-hospital days per year were, respectively, 6.0 and 9.8 (incidence rate ratio 0.50, 95% CI 0.29–0.88). Also in the final month of life, patients on conservative care had less outpatient visits, were less frequently hospitalized, and died less frequently in hospital than the dialysis patient group. The cost rates per year, measured from original treatment decision, were EUR 5,859 in conservative care patients and EUR 28,354 in patients who chose dialysis comprising both the predialysis and dialysis period (cost rate ratio 0.42, 95% CI 0.27–0.65). Patients who chose dialysis had higher costs on dialysis sessions, outpatient care, inpatient care, laboratory tests, and medical imaging. Conclusions: Patients who decided to forego dialysis and chose conservative care had less outpatient and inpatient hospital utilization than patients who chose dialysis, including less intensive hospital utilization near the end of life. Both overall and nondialysis-related costs were lower in patients on a conservative care pathway.

scholarly journals Incidence and predictors of loss to follow-up among HIV-positive adults in northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Molla Yigzaw Birhanu ◽  
Cheru Tesema Leshargie ◽  
Animut Alebel ◽  
Fasil Wagnew ◽  
Melkamu Siferih ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Rural Residence ◽  
Hiv Patients ◽  
Loss To Follow Up

Abstract Background Despite the rapid expansion of antiretroviral therapy services, ‘loss to follow-up’ is a significant public health concern globally. Loss to follow-up of individuals from ART has a countless negative impact on the treatment outcomes. There is, however, limited information about the incidence and predictors of loss to follow-up in our study area. Thus, this study aimed to determine the incidence rate and predictors of loss to follow-up among adult HIV patients on ART. Methods A retrospective cohort study was undertaken using 484 HIV patients between January 30, 2008, and January 26, 2018, at Debre Markos Referral Hospital. All eligible HIV patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in this study. Data were entered into Epi-data Version 4.2 and analyzed using STATATM Version 14.0 software. The Nelson-Aalen cumulative hazard estimator was used to estimate the hazard rate of loss to follow-up, and the log-rank test was used to compare the survival curve between different categorical variables. Both bivariable and multivariable Cox-proportional hazard regression models were fitted to identify predictors of LTFU. Results Among a cohort of 484 HIV patients at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, 84 (17.36%) were loss their ART follow-up. The overall incidence rate of loss to follow-up was 3.7 (95% CI 3.0, 5.0) per 100 adult-years. The total LTFU free time of the participants was 2294.8 person-years. In multivariable Cox-regression analysis, WHO stage IV (AHR 2.8; 95% CI 1.2, 6.2), having no cell phone (AHR 1.9; 95% CI 1.1, 3.4), and rural residence (AHR 0.6; 95% CI 0.37, 0.99) were significant predictors of loss to follow-up. Conclusion The incidence of loss to ART follow-up in this study was low. Having no cell phone and WHO clinical stage IV were causative predictors, and rural residence was the only protective factor of loss to follow-up. Therefore, available intervention modalities should be strengthened to mitigate loss to follow-up by addressing the identified risk factors.

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