scholarly journals The role of patient navigators in ambulatory care: overview of systematic reviews

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Budde ◽  
Gemma A. Williams ◽  
Juliane Winkelmann ◽  
Laura Pfirter ◽  
Claudia B. Maier
Keyword(s):  
Ambulatory Care ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Patient Navigation ◽  
Transitional Care ◽  
Patient Navigators ◽  
Abstract Screening

Abstract Background Patient navigators have been introduced across various countries to enable timely access to healthcare services and to ensure completion of diagnosis and follow-up of care. There is an increasing evidence on the the role of patient navigation for patients and healthcare systems. The aim of this study was to analyse the evidence on patient navigation interventions in ambulatory care and to evaluate their effects on individuals and health system outcomes. Methods An overview of reviews was conducted, following a prespecified protocol. All patients in ambulatory care or transitional care setting were included in this review as long as it was related to the role of patient navigators. The study analysed patient navigators covering a wide range of health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and lay health workers or community-based workers with no or very limited training. Studies including patient-related measures and health system-related outcomes were eligible for inclusion. A rigorous search was performed in multiple data bases. After reaching a high inter-rater agreement of 0.86, title and abstract screening was independently performed. Of an initial 14,248 search results and an additional 62 articles identified through the snowballing approach, a total of 7159 hits were eligible for title/abstract screening. 679  articles were included for full-text screening. Results Eleven systematic reviews were included covering various patient navigation intervention in cancer care, disease screening, transitional care and for various chronic conditions and multimorbidity. Nine systematic reviews primarily tailored services to ethnic minorities or other disadvantaged groups. Patient navigators performed tasks such as providing education and counselling, translations, home visits, outreach, scheduling of appointments and follow-up. Eight reviews identified positive outcomes in expanding access to care, in particular for vulnerable patient groups. Two reviews on patient navigation in transitional care reported improved patient outcomes, hospital readmission rates and mixed evidence on quality of life and emergency department visits. Two reviews demonstrated improved patient outcomes for persons with various chronic conditions and multimorbidity. Conclusions Patient navigators were shown to expand access to screenings and health services for vulnerable patients or population groups with chronic conditions who tend to underuse health services.

scholarly journals The Role of Patient Navigators in Ambulatory Care: Overview of Systematic Reviews

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Budde ◽  
Gemma Williams ◽  
Juliane Winkelmann ◽  
Laura Pfirter ◽  
Claudia Bettina Maier
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Health System ◽  
Ambulatory Care ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Patient Navigation ◽  
Transitional Care ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Patient Navigators

Abstract Background: Patient navigators have been introduced across various countries to enable timely access to healthcare services and ensure completion of diagnosis and follow-up of care. There is an increasing amount of evidence on the positive effect of patient navigation for patients. The aim of this study was to analyse the evidence on patient navigation interventions in ambulatory care and to evaluate their effects on individuals and health system outcomes.Methods: An overview of reviews was conducted, based on a prespecified protocol. All patients in ambulatory care or transitional care setting were included in this review as long as it was related to the role of patient navigators. The study analysed all roles of patient navigators covering a wide range of health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers as well as lay health workers or community-based workers with no or very limited training. Studies including patient-related measures and health system-related outcomes were eligible for inclusion. A rigorous data collection was performed in multiple data bases. After reaching an inter-rater agreement, title and abstract screening was independently performed. Of an initial 8362 search results a total of 673 articles were eligible for full-text screening. An extraction form was used to analyse the nine included review.Results: Nine systematic reviews were included covering various patient navigation roles in cancer care, disease screening and transitional care. Seven systematic reviews primarily tailored services to ethnic minorities or other disadvantaged groups. Patient navigators performed tasks such as providing education and counselling, translations, home visits, outreach, scheduling of appointments and follow-up. Six reviews identified positive outcomes in expanding access to care, in particular for vulnerable patient groups. Two reviews on patient navigation in transitional care reported improved patient outcomes and hospital readmission rates and mixed evidence on quality of life and emergency department visits.Conclusions: Patient navigators have shown to expand access to screenings and health services for vulnerable patients or population groups who tend to underuse health services.

Innocuous presentation of ameloblastic carcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. e246907
Author(s):  
Swagatika Panda ◽  
Rupsa Das ◽  
Diksha Mohapatra ◽  
Neeta Mohanty
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Adjuvant Radiotherapy ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Differential Diagnoses ◽  
Ameloblastic Carcinoma ◽  
Histopathological Evaluation ◽  
Odontogenic Neoplasm

Ameloblastic carcinoma is a rare malignant odontogenic neoplasm that exhibits diverse clinical and radiological presentations. In fact there are several differential diagnoses during histopathological evaluation too. Lack of adequate reports could not establish the predominant demographic, clinical and radiological presentations. For the same reasons, the role of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy is also unsubstantiated yet. This case discusses the innocuous clinical and radiological presentation of ameloblastic carcinoma in a 55-year-old man where the diagnostic confirmation was achieved through histopathological evaluation. The differential diagnoses, treatment and follow-up details of this case are discussed in light of the previous published case reports and systematic reviews of case reports in an attempt to increase the sensitisation among dentists towards ameloblastic carcinoma.

scholarly journals Multimorbidity, inflammation, and disability: a longitudinal mediational analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 204062231880684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot M. Friedman ◽  
Daniel K. Mroczek ◽  
Sharon L. Christ
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
The United States ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Mediational Analysis

Background: Using longitudinal data from the Survey of Mid-Life Development in the United States, this study examined the role of systemic inflammation in mediating the link between multimorbidity and increases in and onset of functional limitations over a 17–19 year follow-up period. Methods: Participants completed questionnaire assessments of chronic conditions and functional limitations. Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen were assayed in serum. Structural equation models were used to predict increases in and onset of functional limitations associated with baseline multimorbidity status; mediation by inflammation was also determined. Results: Multimorbidity ( versus 0–1 conditions) predicted more functional limitations and greater odds of onset of limitations over time. Significant indirect effects showed that inflammation partially mediated the link between multimorbidity and changes in, but not onset of, limitations. Discussion: These results show that inflammation, a nonspecific marker of multiple disease conditions, explains in part the degree to which multimorbidity is disabling.

The role of a geriatrician in a cancer center.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 39-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Korc-Grodzicki ◽  
Sung W. Sun ◽  
Armin Shahrokni ◽  
Koshy Alexander ◽  
Soo Jung Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Transitional Care ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Increased Risk

39 Background: Older adults are likely to have coexisting health conditions, polypharmacy and functional limitations. The geriatrician may have a pivotal role in risk assessment, prevention and treatment of comorbidities and addressing geriatric syndromes. The purpose of this study is to describe the growth and development of, and the role of a Geriatrics Service (GS) in a cancer center. Methods: A GS was founded in MSKCC in 2009. Since then it has grown to provide inpatient (IP) and outpatient (OP) care for older adults undergoing cancer diagnosis, surveillance or active treatment. It offers preoperative evaluations, geriatric assessment (GA) and follow-up shared- care. Recently, a Transitional Care Management (TCM) program was established for patients at increased risk of rehospitalization. The GS strives to develop an interprofessional educational geriatrics curriculum and to participate in quality and research projects focused on cancer and aging. Results: Between 2009 and 2014 a total of 6679 new patients were evaluated by the GS. 16% of the patients were 65-75, 70% were 76-85 and 14% were older than 85. 46% were male and 84% were white. 15% were IP and 85% were OP consultations. 13% of the OP consults were for GA, the rest were preoperative evaluations. All patients seen preoperatively who are admitted after surgery, are followed postoperatively by the IP geriatrics team. In total, 4 Geriatricians, 2 Geriatric Nurse Practitioners (GNP) and 3 RNs were recruited. The number of follow-up visits increased from 143 in 2009 to 733 in 2014. The new TCM program based on close communication between the IP and OP GNP has been successful in keeping frail patients from frequent rehospitalizations. Noon conferences on geriatrics for the house staff, a biannual course on “Advancing Nursing Expertise in the Care of Older Adults with Cancer” and a monthly interprofessional meeting for the discussion of Geriatric Clinical Complex Cases (GCCC) are ongoing. Research has focused on risk assessment and the use of telemedicine in geriatric patient care. Conclusions: The establishment of a GS in a cancer center was very well received and embraced by the oncologists showing an unmet need in the care of the older cancer patient. The potential reproducibility beyond the cancer center will be discussed.

Applying the evidence to your patient: The role of systematic reviews in your knowledge tool box

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 747-753
Author(s):  
David Tovey
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Knowledge Resource

This article explores how systematic reviews can provide a useful addition to a general practitioner’s knowledge toolbox and explores scenarios where systematic reviews can be used to help inform a decision. The article also explores how the trustworthiness of the information from a systematic review or indeed any knowledge resource, can be assessed, and describes some of the ways that systematic reviews are changing. A follow up article will explore, in more detail, how to appraise, understand and use the information in a systematic review.

The transition from treatment to follow-up care: A critical time for patient navigation.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 83-83
Author(s):  
Sam Gaster ◽  
Rita Sanem ◽  
Diane Jones-Larson ◽  
Jordan Fiegen ◽  
Jamie Arens
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Care ◽  
Patient Navigation ◽  
Critical Time ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Survivorship Care Plan ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Patient Navigators ◽  
Follow Up Care

83 Background: There are many points of transition in cancer care, and each presents a unique set of challenges for patients and providers (Nekhlyudov, Levit, Hurria, & Ganz, 2014). This includes the transition from treatment to follow-up care, or the transition to survivorship. For patients, challenges include the need for continued support, education, and communication with the cancer care team. For providers, challenges include the management of late- and long-term effects, modification of health behaviors, and coordination with other providers (IOM, 2005). These challenges can be overcome with patient navigation services. However, survivors’ access to these services is not universal. This evaluation describes the implementation and assessment of these services at six regional cancer centers in the Midwest. Methods: Key stakeholders designed a protocol for survivors to receive patient navigation after their transition to follow-up care. These navigation services are provided by nurse and social work navigators, and involve placing outbound calls to survivors. These contacts occur approximately two weeks after survivors receive a survivorship care plan (SCP) and a needs assessment. Results: From August through September 2016, 33 (91.67%) survivors were contacted by patient navigators. Three survivors could not be reached. Twenty-one percent (n = 7) of survivors contacted had not previously received navigation services. However, all survivors contacted received navigation services that would not otherwise been provided. Contacted survivors expressed high satisfaction with the services, and the most common needs addressed were anxiety and fatigue. Conclusions: Results support the value of patient navigation services for cancer survivors. This evaluation describes the successful implementation of a protocol for the continued navigation of survivors after their transition to follow-up care. Results encourage further development and evaluation of this protocol, including its impact on symptom management, health promotion, and care coordination via referrals and the provision of education and resources.

Exploring the role of lay and professional patient navigators in Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 229-237
Author(s):  
Amy E Reid ◽  
Shelley Doucet ◽  
Alison Luke
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Patient Navigation ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Patient Navigators ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Canadian Context ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Canadian Provinces

Objectives To explore the roles of patient navigators in different settings and situations for various patient populations and to understand the rationale for implementing lay and professional models of patient navigation in a Canadian context. Methods A qualitative descriptive design was applied, using interviews with 10 patient navigators from eight Canadian provinces, and Braun and Clarke’s six phases of thematic analysis to guide the analysis of interview transcripts. Results Findings indicate that a patient navigator’s personality and experience (personal and work-related) may be more important than their specific designation (i.e. lay or professional). Conclusions Lay and professional navigators in Canada appear to be well suited to provide navigational services across populations. This study has the potential to inform future research, policy, and the delivery of navigation programmes in Canada.

scholarly journals Importance of pediatric rheumatologists and transitional care for juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis: A retrospective series of 9 cases.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susumu Yamazaki ◽  
Asami Shimbo ◽  
Yuko Akutsu ◽  
Horoshi Takase ◽  
Tomohiro Morio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis ◽  
Transitional Care ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Good Prognosis ◽  
Ophthalmic Surgery ◽  
Biologic Drugs ◽  
Speckled Pattern ◽  
Appropriate Treatment

Abstract Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (JIA-U) is a serious condition associated with the risk of blindness. However, pediatric rheumatologists rarely encounter cases of blindness, because most patients reach adulthood during the course of follow-up before blindness occurs. Here, we report the progress of 9 patients with JIA-U, including 2 patients who became blind after the transition period. We aimed to highlight the importance of the role of pediatric rheumatologists and transitional care in preventing blindness associated with JIA-U. Case presentation: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the case records of 9 JIA-U patients (1 male, 8 female; median age 16.8 years, range 5.5–19.8 years). All patients presented with oligo-juvenile idiopathic arthritis (oligo-JIA) (one presented with extended oligo-JIA); the median age of uveitis onset was 5.0 years (range 3.0–13.0 years), and the onset of uveitis preceded the onset of arthritis in 2 patients. The median disease duration was 12.5 years (range 3.5–24.7 years); 4 patients had anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) positivity (≧1:160) (all with a homogeneous and speckled-pattern subtype). All patients were negative for rheumatoid factor. Eight patients received methotrexate, 7 patients received one or more biologic drugs (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, and golimumab), and 6 patients required ophthalmic surgery at an early age (≦ 18 years). Two patients developed blindness after the transition period. Medical examination by pediatric rheumatologists and use of biologics had been delayed in both patients. One patient developed depression after transition and interrupted her own treatment. Conclusions: The reason for blindness in the 2 patients was thought to be the delay in the commencement of treatment and failure to provide transitional care. Inflammation is difficult to control in JIA-U even with appropriate treatment. Pediatric rheumatologists must be informed about the risk of JIA-U blindness, especially after transition. To ensure a good prognosis, the specialized treatment with the involvement of pediatric rheumatologists is necessary early on, and consideration for transitional medicine is essential. Therefore, this report reaffirms the importance of planned transitional care that has been advocated for globally.

Anatomical triangles defining routes to anterior communicating artery aneurysms: the junctional and precommunicating triangles and the role of dome projection

2020 ◽  
Vol 132 (5) ◽  
pp. 1517-1528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. Ivan ◽  
Michael M. Safaee ◽  
Nikolay L. Martirosyan ◽  
Ana Rodríguez-Hernández ◽  
Barbara Sullinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Anterior Communicating Artery ◽  
Intraluminal Thrombus ◽  
Surgical Clipping ◽  
Unruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Microsurgical Clipping ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Clip Application

OBJECTIVEAnterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms are common intracranial aneurysms. Despite advances in endovascular therapy, microsurgical clipping remains an important treatment for aneurysms with broad necks, large size, intraluminal thrombus, complex branches, or previous coiling. Anatomical triangles identify safe corridors for aneurysm access. The authors introduce the A1-A2 junctional triangle and the A1-A1 precommunicating triangle and examine relationships between dome projection, triangular corridors of access, and surgical outcomes.METHODSPreoperative catheter and CT angiograms were evaluated to characterize aneurysm dome projection. Aneurysm projection was categorized into quadrants and octants. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors were correlated to aneurysm dome projection and patient outcomes using univariate and multivariate analyses.RESULTSA total of 513 patients with microsurgically treated ACoA aneurysms were identified over a 13-year period, and 400 had adequate imaging and follow-up data for inclusion. Surgical clipping was performed on 271 ruptured and 129 unruptured aneurysms. Good outcomes were observed in 91% of patients with unruptured aneurysms and 86% of those with ruptured aneurysms, with a mortality rate < 1% among patients with unruptured aneurysms. Increasing age (p < 0.01), larger aneurysm size (p = 0.03), and worse preoperative modified Rankin Scale score (p < 0.01) affected outcomes adversely. Aneurysms projecting superiorly and posteriorly required dissection in the junctional triangle, and multivariate analysis demonstrated worse clinical outcomes in these patients (p < 0.01).CONCLUSIONSAnteriorly and inferiorly projecting aneurysms involve only the precommunicating triangle, are simpler to treat microsurgically, and have more favorable outcomes. Superior and posterior dome projections make ACoA aneurysms more difficult to visualize and require opening the junctional triangle. Added visualization through the junctional triangle is recommended for these aneurysms in order to facilitate dissection of efferent branch arteries, careful clip application, and perforator preservation. Dome projection can be determined preoperatively from images and can help anticipate dissection routes through the junctional triangle.

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