scholarly journals A Comparison of Physicians' and Nurse Practitioners' Use of Race in Clinical Decision-Making

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Khadijah E. Abdallah ◽  
Kathleen A. Calzone ◽  
Jean F. Jenkins ◽  
Melissa E. Moss ◽  
Sherrill L. Sellers ◽  
...  

Objective: The debate over use of race as a proxy for genetic risk of disease continues, but little is known about how primary care providers (nurse practitioners and general internal medicine physicians) currently use race in their clinical practice. Our study in­vestigates primary care providers’ use of race in clinical practice.Methods: Survey data from three cross-sectional parent studies were used. A total of 178 nurse practitioners (NPs) and 759 general internal medicine physicians were included. The outcome of interest was the Racial At­tributes in Clinical Evaluation (RACE) scale, which measures explicit use of race in clinical decision-making. Predictor variables included the Genetic Variation Knowledge Assessment Index (GKAI), which measures the providers’ knowledge of human genetic variation.Results: In the final multivariable model, NPs had an average RACE score that was 1.60 points higher than the physicians’ score (P=.03). The GKAI score was not significantly associated with the RACE outcome in the final model (P=.67).Conclusions: Physicians had more knowl­edge of genetic variation and used patients’ race less in the clinical decision-making process than NPs. We speculate that these differences may be related to differences in discipline-specific clinical training and approaches to clinical care. Further explora­tion of these differences is needed, including examination of physicians’ and NPs’ beliefs about race, how they use race in disease screening and treatment, and if the use of race is contributing to health care dispari­ties.Ethn Dis.2019;29(1):1-8; doi:10.18865/ ed.29.1.1.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Breda H. F. Eubank ◽  
Sebastian W. Lackey ◽  
Mel Slomp ◽  
Jason R. Werle ◽  
Colleen Kuntze ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Shoulder pain is a highly prevalent condition and a significant cause of morbidity and functional disability. Current data suggests that many patients presenting with shoulder pain at the primary care level are not receiving high quality care. Primary care decision-making is complex and has the potential to influence the quality of care provided and patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to develop a clinical decision-making tool that standardizes care and minimizes uncertainty in assessment, diagnosis, and management. Methods First a rapid review was conducted to identify existing tools and evidence that could support a comprehensive clinical decision-making tool for shoulder pain. Secondly, provincial consensus was established for the assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients presenting to primary care with shoulder pain in Alberta, Canada using a three-step modified Delphi approach. This project was a highly collaborative effort between Alberta Health Services’ Bone and Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network (BJH SCN) and the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute (ABJHI). Results A clinical decision-making tool for shoulder pain was developed and reached consensus by a province-wide expert panel representing various health disciplines and geographical regions. This tool consists of a clinical examination algorithm for assessing, diagnosis, and managing shoulder pain; recommendations for history-taking and identification of red flags or additional concerns; recommendations for physical examination and neurological screening; recommendations for the differential diagnosis; and care pathways for managing patients presenting with rotator cuff disease, biceps pathology, superior labral tear, adhesive capsulitis, osteoarthritis, and instability. Conclusions This clinical decision-making tool will help to standardize care, provide guidance on the diagnosis and management of shoulder pain, and assist in clinical decision-making for primary care providers in both public and private sectors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S922-S923
Author(s):  
Nicole Ruggiano ◽  
Ellen Brown ◽  
Peter Clarke

Abstract Each year, more than 5.5 million people in the U.S. are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/RD), most of whom reside within the community, receive ongoing care from family caregivers, and medically managed by primary care providers. However, AD/RD caregiving and care is often compromised and costly, with medical costs projected to increase from $203 billion in 2013 to $1.2 trillion in 2050. A significant barrier to AD/RD care relates to collecting the health information needed for clinical decision making, due to patients’ communication problems associated with AD/RD, insufficient time to collect relevant patient information from caregivers during the medical visit, and lack of communication with in-home health and support providers. To address these issues, the research team has developed CareHeroes, a multi-functional web and mobile app designed to increase the quality of communication about patient symptoms between the caregivers and providers of people with dementia. This study integrates qualitative findings from two studies evaluating CareHeroes that involved: (a) interviews and a focus group with AD/RD caregivers and (b) focus groups with clinical staff at two memory clinics. Findings indicate that caregivers want technologies that can inform clinical decision making on a regular basis while providers emphasize the use of information technologies that prepare patients and caregivers for upcoming medical appointments. Implications for practice, research, and policy are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 1103-1112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Wiisanen Weitzel ◽  
Benjamin Q Duong ◽  
Meghan J Arwood ◽  
Aniwaa Owusu-Obeng ◽  
Noura S Abul-Husn ◽  
...  

Pharmacogenetic testing can help identify primary care patients at increased risk for medication toxicity, poor response or treatment failure and inform drug therapy. While testing availability is increasing, providers are unprepared to routinely use pharmacogenetic testing for clinical decision-making. Practice-based resources are needed to overcome implementation barriers for pharmacogenetic testing in primary care.The NHGRI’s IGNITE I Network (Implementing GeNomics In pracTicE; www.ignite-genomics.org ) explored practice models, challenges and implementation barriers for clinical pharmacogenomics. Based on these experiences, we present a stepwise approach pharmacogenetic testing in primary care: patient identification; pharmacogenetic test ordering; interpretation and application of test results, and patient education. We present clinical factors to consider, test-ordering processes and resources, and provide guidance to apply test results and counsel patients. Practice-based resources such as this stepwise approach to clinical decision-making are important resources to equip primary care providers to use pharmacogenetic testing.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (04) ◽  
pp. 635-643
Author(s):  
Joan S. Ash ◽  
Dian Chase ◽  
Sherry Baron ◽  
Margaret S. Filios ◽  
Richard N. Shiffman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although patients who work and have related health issues are usually first seen in primary care, providers in these settings do not routinely ask questions about work. Guidelines to help manage such patients are rarely used in primary care. Electronic health record (EHR) systems with worker health clinical decision support (CDS) tools have potential for assisting these practices. Objective This study aimed to identify the need for, and barriers and facilitators related to, implementation of CDS tools for the clinical management of working patients in a variety of primary care settings. Methods We used a qualitative design that included analysis of interview transcripts and observational field notes from 10 clinics in five organizations. Results We interviewed 83 providers, staff members, managers, informatics and information technology experts, and leaders and spent 35 hours observing. We identified eight themes in four categories related to CDS for worker health (operational issues, usefulness of proposed CDS, effort and time-related issues, and topic-specific issues). These categories were classified as facilitators or barriers to the use of the CDS tools. Facilitators related to operational issues include current technical feasibility and new work patterns associated with the coordinated care model. Facilitators concerning usefulness include users' need for awareness and evidence-based tools, appropriateness of the proposed CDS for their patients, and the benefits of population health data. Barriers that are effort-related include additional time this proposed CDS might take, and other pressing organizational priorities. Barriers that are topic-specific include sensitive issues related to health and work and the complexities of information about work. Conclusion We discovered several themes not previously described that can guide future CDS development: technical feasibility of the proposed CDS within commercial EHRs, the sensitive nature of some CDS content, and the need to assist the entire health care team in managing worker health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Pingray ◽  
Mercedes Bonet ◽  
Mabel Berrueta ◽  
Agustina Mazzoni ◽  
María Belizán ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The partograph is the most commonly used labour monitoring tool in the world. However, it has been used incorrectly or inconsistently in many settings. In 2018, a WHO expert group reviewed and revised the design of the partograph in light of emerging evidence, and they developed the first version of the Labour Care Guide (LCG). The objective of this study was to explore opinions of skilled health personnel on the first version of the WHO Labour Care Guide. Methods Skilled health personnel (including obstetricians, midwives and general practitioners) of any gender from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America were identified through a large global research network. Country coordinators from the network invited 5 to 10 mid-level and senior skilled health personnel who had worked in labour wards anytime in the last 5 years. A self-administered, anonymous, structured, online questionnaire including closed and open-ended questions was designed to assess the clarity, relevance, appropriateness of the frequency of recording, and the completeness of the sections and variables on the LCG. Results A total of 110 participants from 23 countries completed the survey between December 2018 and January 2019. Variables included in the LCG were generally considered clear, relevant and to have been recorded at the appropriate frequency. Most sections of the LCG were considered complete. Participants agreed or strongly agreed with the overall design, structure of the LCG, and the usefulness of reference thresholds to trigger further assessment and actions. They also agreed that LCG could potentially have a positive impact on clinical decision-making and respectful maternity care. Participants disagreed with the value of some variables, including coping, urine, and neonatal status. Conclusions Future end-users of WHO Labour Care Guide considered the variables to be clear, relevant and appropriate, and, with minor improvements, to have the potential to positively impact clinical decision-making and respectful maternity care.


Author(s):  
Jean-Grégoire Leduc ◽  
Erin Keely ◽  
Clare Liddy ◽  
Amir Afkham ◽  
Misha Marovac ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Patients and primary care providers (PCP) can experience frustration about poor access to specialist care. The Champlain Building Access to Specialists through eConsultation (BASETM) is a secure online platform that allows PCPs to ask a clinical question to 142 different specialty groups. The specialist is expected to respond within 7 days. Methods: This is a retrospective review of the Champlain BASETM respirology eConsults from January 2017 to December 2018. The eConsults were categorized by types of question asked by the referring provider, and by the clinical content of the referral. Specialists’ response time and time spent answering the clinical question was analyzed. Referring providers close out surveys were reviewed to assess the impact of the respirology eConsult service on traditional referral rates and clinical course of action. Results: Of the 26,679 cases submitted to the Champlain BASE TM eConsult service 268 were respirology cases (1%). 91% were sent by family physicians, 9% by nurse practitioners. The median time to respond by specialists was 0.8 days, and the median time billed by specialists was 20 minutes. The most common topics were pulmonary nodules and masses (16.4%), cough (10.4%), infective problems (8.6%), COPD (8.6%) and dyspnea NYD (7.8%). The most common types of question asked by PCP were related to investigations warranted (43.1% of cases), general management (17.5%), monitoring (12.6%), need for a respirology referral (12.3%), and drug of choice (6.3%). In 23% of cases the PCP indicated they were planning to refer the patient and no longer need to (avoided referrals) and in 13% of cases the PCP was not going to refer but did after receiving the eConsult advice (prompted referrals). The eConsult led to a new or additional clinical course of action by the PCP in 49% of cases. In 51% of cases the PCP suggested the clinical topic would be well suited to a CME event. Conclusions: Participation in eConsult services can improve timely access to respirologists while potentially avoiding clinic visit and significantly impacting referring PCPs clinical course of action. Using the most common clinical topics and types of question for CME planning should be considered. Future research may include a cost analysis, and provider perspectives on the role of eConsult in respirology care.


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