scholarly journals Implementation of a Text Messaging Intervention to Patients on Warfarin Therapy in Brazilian Primary Care Units: A Quasi-Experimental Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maíra Viana Rego Souza-Silva ◽  
Mara Luiza Paiva Domingues ◽  
Victor Schulthais Chagas ◽  
Daniella Nunes Pereira ◽  
Laura Caetano de Sá ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Oral Anticoagulation ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Warfarin Therapy ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Adherence To Treatment ◽  
Satisfaction Questionnaire ◽  
Text Messaging Intervention

Abstract Background: Warfarin remains the most affordable oral anticoagulant in many countries. However, it may have serious side effects, and the success of the therapy depends on the patient's understanding of the medication and their adherence to treatment. The use of short messages services (SMS) is a strategy that can be used to educate patients, but there are no studies evaluating this intervention in patients taking warfarin. Therefore, our aim was to report the implementation of a text-messaging intervention to primary care patients taking warfarin in a middle-sized Brazilian city. Methods: A bank of 79 SMS was drafted and validated by an expert panel. During six months, three times a week, patients received messages about anticoagulation with warfarin. At baseline and after three months, we assessed their knowledge and adherence with validated instruments. At the end of the follow-up, participants answered a satisfaction questionnaire. Subsequently, a scale-up phase was conducted, with another round of the intervention including 82 participants (29 from the first phase and 53 newly recruited). Seven months after the end of the scale-up, we interviewed the patients for their insights about the long-term effects of this program. All patients signed informed consent. The study was approved by the Research and Ethics committee of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Results: In the pilot, 33 (89.2%) patients completed the follow-up. Among the participants who answered the satisfaction questionnaire, 86.2% considered that the intervention motivated a healthy lifestyle and improved their understanding of warfarin therapy. All patients were willing to continue receiving the messages. Adherence measured by the Measure of Adherence to Treatment (MAT) test was high in the pre-intervention assessment and remained high (96.7% vs. 93.3%; p=1.0000). There was a trend to improve knowledge of warfarin therapy measured by the Oral Anticoagulation Knowledge (OAK) test (6.5% to 25.6% of correct answers, p = 0.0703). In the scale-up, 23 patients were interviewed. The main long-term knowledge reported was dietary information. Nine patients received the messages but did not remember their content.Conclusion: The intervention was well-accepted and had a positive impact on patient’s knowledge about oral anticoagulation therapy. The scale-up assessment reinforced the need to constantly monitor digital interventions.

scholarly journals Long Covid-19: Proposed Primary Care Clinical Guidelines for Diagnosis and Disease Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4350
Author(s):  
Antoni Sisó-Almirall ◽  
Pilar Brito-Zerón ◽  
Laura Conangla Ferrín ◽  
Belchin Kostov ◽  
Anna Moragas Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Disease Management ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Press Releases ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Patient Groups

Long COVID-19 may be defined as patients who, four weeks after the diagnosis of SARS-Cov-2 infection, continue to have signs and symptoms not explainable by other causes. The estimated frequency is around 10% and signs and symptoms may last for months. The main long-term manifestations observed in other coronaviruses (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)) are very similar to and have clear clinical parallels with SARS-CoV-2: mainly respiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuropsychiatric. The growing number of patients worldwide will have an impact on health systems. Therefore, the main objective of these clinical practice guidelines is to identify patients with signs and symptoms of long COVID-19 in primary care through a protocolized diagnostic process that studies possible etiologies and establishes an accurate differential diagnosis. The guidelines have been developed pragmatically by compiling the few studies published so far on long COVID-19, editorials and expert opinions, press releases, and the authors’ clinical experience. Patients with long COVID-19 should be managed using structured primary care visits based on the time from diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on the current limited evidence, disease management of long COVID-19 signs and symptoms will require a holistic, longitudinal follow up in primary care, multidisciplinary rehabilitation services, and the empowerment of affected patient groups.

scholarly journals Do work ability and life satisfaction matter for return to work? Predictive ability of the work ability index and life satisfaction questionnaire among women with long-term musculoskeletal pain

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamunur Rashid ◽  
Marina Heiden ◽  
Annika Nilsson ◽  
Marja-Leena Kristofferzon
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Work Ability Index ◽  
Discriminative Ability ◽  
Satisfaction Questionnaire ◽  
Ability Index

Abstract Background Impaired work ability and reduced life satisfaction due to long-term musculoskeletal pain, particularly in neck, shoulders and back, are considered occupational health problems that can result in workers taking sick leave. The aim of the study was to determine whether work ability and life satisfaction predict return to work (RTW) among women with long-term neck/shoulder and/or back pain, and to assess the ability of the Work Ability Index (WAI) and the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11) to discriminate between those who did RTW and those who did not RTW (NRTW). Methods This is a cohort study with 1-year follow-up. A survey was sent to 600 women receiving sick leave benefits from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. In total, 208 women responded at baseline, and 141 at a 1-year follow-up. To identify whether work ability and life satisfaction predicted RTW, multiple logistic regression analyses were performed with and without adjustment for type of work and pain intensity. To assess the discriminative ability of the WAI and the LiSat-11 for women who did RTW and those who did NRTW, receiver operating characteristic curves were fitted. Results Work ability predicted RTW, and the results remained significant after adjusting for type of work and pain intensity (OR 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04–1.22). Life satisfaction was not significant. The WAI at baseline adequately discriminated between RTW and NRTW after 1 year (Area under curve 0.78, 95% CI: 0.70–0.86), but the LiSat-11 did not. Conclusions This study supports a relationship between work ability and RTW among women on sick leave for long-term neck/shoulder and/or back pain. The results indicate that the WAI, but not the LiSat-11, can discriminate between RTW and NRTW in the population under study. Although the discriminative ability of the WAI needs to be verified in new samples before it can be recommended for use in rehabilitation settings, we suggest that healthcare professionals consider how women perceive their work ability in order to better support them in their RTW.

scholarly journals Long-term follow-up in optimally treated and stable heart failure patients: primary care vs. heart failure clinic. Results of the COACH-2 study

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1241-1248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Louise A. Luttik ◽  
Tiny Jaarsma ◽  
Peter Paul van Geel ◽  
Maaike Brons ◽  
Hans L. Hillege ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Heart Failure Patients ◽  
Heart Failure Clinic ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

scholarly journals Effects of a tailored text messaging intervention among diverse adults with type 2 diabetes: Evidence from the 15-month REACH RCT

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyndsay A. Nelson ◽  
Robert A. Greevy ◽  
Andrew Spieker ◽  
Kenneth A. Wallston ◽  
Tom A. Elasy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Baseline Hba1c ◽  
Median Response ◽  
Text Messaging Intervention

<b>Objective:</b> Text messaging interventions have high potential for scalability and to reduce health disparities; however, more rigorous, long-term trials are needed. We examined the long-term efficacy and mechanisms of a tailored text messaging intervention. <p><b>Research Design and Methods:</b> Adults with type 2 diabetes participated in a parallel-groups, 15-month randomized trial, assigned to receive REACH (Rapid Education/Encouragement and Communications for Health) for 12 months or control. REACH included interactive texts and tailored texts addressing medication adherence, and non-tailored texts supporting other self-care behaviors. Outcomes included HbA1c, diabetes medication adherence, self-care, and self-efficacy. </p> <p><b>Results:</b> Participants (N=506) were approximately half racial/ethnic minority and half were underinsured, had annual household incomes <$35,000 USD and ≤ high school education; 11% were homeless. <a>Average baseline HbA1c was 8.6%±1.8%; 70.0±19.7 mmol/mol) with n<i>=</i>219 having HbA1c≥8.5% (69 mmol/mol)</a> and half were prescribed insulin. Retention was over 90%. Median response rate to interactive texts was 91% (interquartile range 75%, 97%). The treatment effect on HbA1c at 6 months (-0.31%; 95% CI [-0.61%, -0.02%]) was greater among those with baseline HbA1c≥8.5% (-0.74%; 95% CI [-1.26%, -0.23%]), and there was not evidence of effect modification by race/ethnicity or socioeconomic disadvantage. REACH improved medication adherence and diet through 12 months, and self-efficacy through 6 months. Treatment effects were not significant for any outcome at 15 months. REACH reduced barriers to adherence, but barrier reduction did not mediate outcome improvements. </p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> REACH engaged at-risk patients in diabetes self-management and improved short-term HbA1c. More than texts alone may be needed to sustain effects. </p>

scholarly journals Optimizing childhood oncology care transition from pediatric to adult settings: A survey of primary care physicians’ and residents’ perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. E14-23
Author(s):  
Sophie Marcoux, MD, PhD Marcoux ◽  
Caroline Laverdière
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Adult Survivors ◽  
Likert Scale ◽  
Care Transition ◽  
Term Care

Purpose: The majority of childhood cancer survivors suffer from late adverse effects after the completion of treatment. The prospect of most survivors reaching middle-age is a relatively new phenomenon, and the ways by which current and future primary care physicians (PCPs) will address this novel public health challenge are uncertain. Methods: A survey assessing knowledge level and information delivery preferences regarding long-term follow-up guidelines for adult patients having survived a childhood cancer was distributed by e-mail through the Quebec (Canada) national associations of PCPs and residents (n=238). Results: Participants reported an estimated average of 2.9 ± 1.9 cancer survivors in their yearly caseload, and only 35.3% recalled having provided services to at least one survivor in the last year. Most participants indicated ignoring validated follow-up guidelines for these patients (average score 1.66 on a Likert scale from “1—totally disagreeing” to “5—totally agreeing”). Scarce access to personalized follow-up guidelines and lack of clinical exposure to cancer survivors were identified as main obstacles in providing optimal care to these patients (respective averages of 1.66 and 1.84 on a Likert scale from “1— is a major obstacle” to “5—is not an obstacle at all”). Conclusion: The PCPs and residents rarely provide care for childhood cancer adult survivors. On an individual basis, there is a clear need for increased awareness, education and collaboration regarding long-term care of childhood cancer adult survivors during medical training. On a more global basis, structural, organizational and cultural changes are also needed to ensure adequate care transition.

Abstract 18144: Mobile Phone Text Messaging Improves Antihypertensive Drug Adherence in the Community

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Varleta ◽  
Carlos Akel ◽  
Monica Acevedo ◽  
Claudia Salinas ◽  
Javier Pino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Antihypertensive Drug ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Drug Adherence ◽  
Hypertensive Patients

Introduction: Hypertension is a major public health concern and the leading cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide. Prevalence of adequate blood pressure control is low and it is mainly associated to poor antihypertensive drug adherence. We hypothesized that education through mobile phone text messaging (SMS) would improve antihypertensive drug adherence in hypertensive patients followed in a primary care setting. Methods: Recently diagnosed hypertensive patients receiving antihypertensive drug treatment for less than 6 months were randomised to receive SMS related to improve drug adherence and to follow a healthy life style or no messages. Exclusion criteria were history of stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction and hemodialysis. Patients were recruited from 12 different primary care clinics in Santiago, Chile, where free antihypertensive drug therapy was provided. All patients signed an informed consent after which a survey was performed. Compliance was assessed using Morinsky- Green-Levine Questionnaire.Text messages were sent every 12± 2 days. After a 6-month follow-up, a new survey was applied. An Ordinary Least Squares regression model was used to analyse the net difference between the two groups. Results: A total of 314 subjects were recruited, mean age 60 ±10 years, 35% male, 67% with low or medium educational level (≤12 years). Mean drug pill number was 2.1 per day and the mean time of drug prescription was 4±1 months; 150 subjects were randomised to text messages. No statistical difference between the control and the intervention groups in regards to gender, age, educational level, blood pressure and baseline compliance was found. Eleven patients were lost of follow-up. Adherence in the control group decreased from to 59,7 % at baseline to 51,7% ( p<0,05) at 6 months. By contrast, in the intervention group, it increased from 50,9 % to 62,7 % ( p<0,05). The absolute difference in mean adherence rate between the two groups was 19,8 % (Standard error: 0.081, p: 0.015). Conclusion: This study shows that education through SMS in patients with recently prescribed antihypertensive drugs improved adherence to treatment. SMS could become a good and easy- to- use intervention tool to overcome low adherence to drug treatments in the community.

Two-Year Outcomes of Infants with Stage 2 or Higher Retinopathy of Prematurity: Results from a Large Multicenter Registry

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (02) ◽  
pp. 196-203
Author(s):  
Veeral N. Tolia ◽  
Kaashif A. Ahmad ◽  
Jack Jacob ◽  
Amy S. Kelleher ◽  
Nick McLane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Retinal Detachment ◽  
Premature Infants ◽  
Retinopathy Of Prematurity ◽  
Laser Surgery ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Multicenter Registry

Objective To define the incidence of ophthalmologic morbidities in the first 2 years of life among infants diagnosed with stage 2 or higher retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Study Design We prospectively enrolled premature infants with stage 2 or higher ROP. The infants were followed up for 2 years, and we report on data collected from outpatient ophthalmology and primary care visits. Results We enrolled 323 infants who met inclusion criteria, of which 112 (35%) received treatment with laser surgery (90) or bevacizumab (22). Two-year follow-up was available for 292 (90%) of the cohort. The most common ophthalmologic conditions at follow-up were hyperopia (35%), astigmatism (30%), strabismus (21.9%), myopia (19.2%), anisometropia (12%), and amblyopia (12%). Severe ophthalmologic morbidities such as retinal detachment and cataracts were rare, but occurred in both treated and untreated infants. Overall, 22.6% of the infants were wearing glasses at 2 years, including 8.5% of the untreated infants. Conclusion Patients with stage 2 or higher ROP remain at significant risk for ophthalmological morbidity through 2 years of age. Infants with regression of subthreshold ROP who do not require treatment represent an underrecognized population at long-term ophthalmological risk. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01559571.

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