scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 on chronic care according to providers: a qualitative study among primary care practices in Belgium

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrien Danhieux ◽  
Veerle Buffel ◽  
Anthony Pairon ◽  
Asma Benkheil ◽  
Roy Remmen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic affects the processes of routine care for chronic patients. A better understanding helps to increase resilience of the health system and prepare adequately for next waves of the pandemic. Methods A qualitative study was conducted in 16 primary care practices: 6 solo working, 4 monodisciplinary and 7 multidisciplinary. Twenty-one people (doctors, nurses, dieticians) were interviewed, using semi-structured video interviews. A thematic analysis was done using the domains of the Chronic Care Model (CCM). Results Three themes emerged: changes in health care organization, risk stratification and self-management support. All participating practices reported drastic changes in organization with a collective shift towards COVID-19 care, and reduction of chronic care activities, less consultations, and staff responsible for self-management support put on hold. A transition to digital support did not occur. Few practitioners had a systematic approach to identify and contact high-risk patients for early follow-up. A practice with a pre-established structured team collaboration managed to continue most chronic care elements. Generally, practitioners expected no effects of the temporary disruption for patients, although they expressed concern about patients already poorly regulated. Conclusion Our findings show a disruption of the delivery of chronic care in the Belgium prim care context. In such contexts, the establishment of the CCM can facilitate continuity of care in crisis times. Short term actions should be directed to facilitate identifying high-risk patients and to develop a practice organization plan to organize chronic care and use digital channels for support, especially to vulnerable patients, during next waves of the epidemic.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrien Danhieux ◽  
Veerle Buffel ◽  
Anthony Pairon ◽  
Asma Benkheil ◽  
Roy Remmen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. The COVID-19 pandemic affects the processes of routine care for chronic patients. A better understanding helps to increase resilience of the health system and prepare adequately for next waves of the pandemic.Methods. A qualitative study was conducted in 16 primary care practices: 6 solo working, 4 monodisciplinary and 7 multidisciplinary. 21 people (doctors, nurses, dieticians) were interviewed, using semi-structured video interviews. A thematic analysis was done using the domains of the Chronic Care Model (CCM).Results. Three themes emerged: changes in health care organization, risk stratification and self-management support. All participating practices reported drastic changes in organization with a collective shift towards COVID-19 care, and reduction of chronic care activities, less consultations, and staff responsible for self-management support put on hold. A transition to digital support did not occur. Few practitioners had a systematic approach to identify and contact high-risk patients for early follow-up. A practice with a pre-established structured team collaboration managed to continue most chronic care elements. Generally, practitioners expected no effects of the temporary disruption for patients, although they expressed concern about patients already poorly regulated.Conclusion: Our findings show a disruption of the delivery of chronic care in the Belgium prim care context. In such contexts, the establishment of the CCM can facilitate continuity of care in crisis times. Short term actions should be directed to facilitate identifying high-risk patients and to develop a practice organization plan to organize chronic care and use digital channels for support, especially to vulnerable patients, during next waves of the epidemic.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrien Danhieux ◽  
Veerle Buffel ◽  
Anthony Pairon ◽  
Asma Benkheil ◽  
Roy Remmen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. The COVID-19 pandemic affects the processes of routine care for chronic patients. A better understanding helps to increase resilience of the health system and prepare adequately for a second wave or flare-ups of the pandemic.Methods. A qualitative study was conducted in 16 primary care practices: 6 solo working, 4 monodisciplinary and 7 multidisciplinary. 21 people (doctors, nurses, dieticians) were interviewed, using semi-structured video interviews. A thematic analysis was done using the domains of the Chronic Care Model (CCM).Results. Three themes emerged: changes in health care organization, risk stratification and self-management support. All participating practices reported drastic changes in organization with a collective shift towards COVID-19 care, and reduction of chronic care activities, less consultations, and staff responsible for self-management support put on hold. A transition to digital support did not occur. Few practitioners had a systematic approach to identify and contact high-risk patients for early follow-up. A practice with a pre-established structured team collaboration managed to continue most chronic care elements. Generally, practitioners expected no effects of the temporary disruption for patients, although they expressed concern about patients already poorly regulated.Conclusion: Our findings show the delivery of chronic care as disrupted. It indicates that the establishment of the CCM can facilitate continuity of care in crisis times. Short term actions should be directed to facilitate identifying high-risk patients and to develop a practice organization plan to organize chronic care and use digital channels for support, especially to vulnerable patients, during a second wave or in flare-ups.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1123-1129 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Ebony Boulware ◽  
Kathryn A. Carson ◽  
Misty U. Troll ◽  
Neil R. Powe ◽  
Lisa A. Cooper

2016 ◽  
Vol 164 (5) ◽  
pp. 323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Freund ◽  
Frank Peters-Klimm ◽  
Cynthia M. Boyd ◽  
Cornelia Mahler ◽  
Jochen Gensichen ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-275
Author(s):  
Douglas H Fernald ◽  
Matthew J Simpson ◽  
Donald E Nease ◽  
David L Hahn ◽  
Amanda E Hoffmann ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Perry Dickinson ◽  
L. Miriam Dickinson ◽  
Bonnie T. Jortberg ◽  
Danielle M. Hessler ◽  
Douglas H. Fernald ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Perry Dickinson ◽  
L. Miriam Dickinson ◽  
Bonnie T. Jortberg ◽  
Danielle M. Hessler ◽  
Douglas H. Fernald ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian A. Scott

Background.Unplanned readmissions of recently discharged patients impose a significant burden on hospitals with limited bed capacity. Deficiencies in discharge processes contribute to such readmissions, which have prompted experimentation with multiple types of peridischarge interventions. Objective.To determine the relative efficacy of peridischarge interventions categorised into two groups: (1) single component interventions (sole or predominant) implemented either before or after discharge; and (2) integrated multicomponent interventions which have pre- and postdischarge elements. Design.Systematic metareview of controlled trials. Data collection.Search of four electronic databases for controlled trials or systematic reviews of trials published between January 1990 and April 2009 that reported effects on readmissions. Data synthesis.Among single-component interventions, only four (intense self-management and transition coaching of high-risk patients and nurse home visits and telephone support of patients with heart failure) were effective in reducing readmissions. Multicomponent interventions that featured early assessment of discharge needs, enhanced patient (and caregiver) education and counselling, and early postdischarge follow-up of high-risk patients were associated with evidence of benefit, especially in populations of older patients and those with heart failure. Conclusion.Peridischarge interventions are highly heterogenous and reported outcomes show considerable variation. However, multicomponent interventions targeted at high-risk populations that include pre- and postdischarge elements seem to be more effective in reducing readmissions than most single-component interventions, which do not span the hospital–community interface. What is known about this topic?Unplanned readmissions within 30 days of hospital discharge are common and may reflect deficiencies in discharge processes. Various peridischarge interventions have been evaluated, mostly single-component interventions that occur either before or after discharge, but failing to yield consistent evidence of benefit in reducing readmissions. More recent trials have assessed multicomponent interventions which involve pre- and postdischarge periods, but no formal review of such studies has been undertaken. What does this paper add?With the exception of intense self-management and transition coaching of high-risk patients, and nurse home visits and telephonic support for patients with heart failure, single-component interventions were ineffective in reducing readmissions. Multicomponent interventions demonstrated evidence of benefit in reducing readmissions by as much as 28%, with best results achieved in populations of older patients and those with heart failure. What are the implications for practitioners and managers?Hospital clinicians and managers should critically review and, where appropriate, modify their current discharge processes in accordance with these findings and negotiate the extra funding and personnel required to allow successful implementation of multicomponent discharge processes that transcend organisational boundaries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-113
Author(s):  
Julienne K. Kirk, PharmD, CDE, BCPS ◽  
Matthew Q. Tran, PharmD ◽  
Samantha Pelc, PharmD ◽  
Katherine G. Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP

Objective: To determine whether a pharmacist-led intervention would increase the number of naloxone prescriptions and naloxone administration education in a primary care family medicine setting.Design: Prospective quality improvement intervention in an academic family medicine clinic.Methods: We surveyed providers about naloxone knowledge, prescribing habits, and prescribing barriers. We identified patients on chronic opioid therapy, through electronic health records for the year 2019. Overdose risk categories based upon morphine milligram equivalent doses and concomitant benzodiazepine use were used to determine patients who met criteria for naloxone. Pharmacists phoned qualified patients to discuss overdose risk and naloxone benefits. Patients who accepted naloxone prescriptions used their local pharmacy through a department-approved standing order set.Results: From the survey results, there were 47 of 54 provider responses, and the majority noted that they do not routinely prescribe naloxone in high-risk patients. The predominant barriers were lack of time during visit and naloxone administration education. The population of patients from chart review included 93 high-risk patients with a mean age of 58 years. During the time of intervention, 71 patients remained eligible for naloxone coprescribing. Of the patients contacted, 29 (40 percent) accepted the intervention prescription, and subsequently, 22 picked up their prescription from the pharmacy. Sixteen received counseling with a support person. Twelve patients had naloxone already at home, and two received counseling with a support person.Conclusion: The naloxone prescribing intervention is achievable. The results of this intervention support identifying patients at increased risk of opioid overdose and offer education of a support person for naloxone in a large academic family medicine clinic.


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