When Patients Train Doctors: Feasibility and Acceptability of Patient Partnership to Improve Primary Care Providers' Awareness of Communication Barriers in Family Medicine for Persons with Serious Mental Illness

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-François PELLETIER ◽  
Alain LESAGE ◽  
Jean-Pierre BONIN ◽  
Julie BORDELEAU ◽  
Nathalie ROCHON ◽  
...  
10.2196/25390 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. e25390
Author(s):  
Kristina Schnitzer ◽  
Melissa Culhane Maravić ◽  
Diana Arntz ◽  
Nathaniel L Phillips ◽  
Gladys Pachas ◽  
...  

Background Tobacco smoking is associated with significant morbidity and premature mortality in individuals with serious mental illness. A 2-year pragmatic clinical trial (PCORI PCS-1504-30472) that enrolled 1100 individuals with serious mental illness in the greater Boston area was conducted to test 2 interventions for tobacco cessation for individuals with serious mental illness: (1) academic detailing, which delivers education to primary care providers and highlights first-line pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation, and (2) provision of community health worker support to smoker participants. Implementing and scaling this intervention in other settings will require the systematic identification of barriers and facilitators, as well as the identification of relevant subgroups, effective and unique components, and setting-specific factors. Objective This protocol outlines the proposed mixed methods evaluation of the pragmatic clinical trial to (1) identify barriers and facilitators to effective implementation of the interventions, (2) examine group differences among primary care physicians, and (3) identify barriers that stakeholders such as clinical, payor, and policy leaders would anticipate to impact the implementation of effective components of the intervention. Methods Qualitative interviews will be conducted with all study community health workers and selected smoker participants, primary care providers, and other stakeholders. Measures of performance and engagement will guide purposive sampling. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research will guide qualitative data collection and analysis in accordance with the following framework approach: (1) familiarization, (2) identifying a thematic framework, (3) indexing, (4) charting, and (5) mapping and interpretation. Joint display analyses will be constructed to analyze and draw conclusions across the quantitative and qualitative data. Results The 3-year cluster-randomized trial has concluded, and the analysis of primary outcomes is underway. Results from the pragmatic trial and this mixed methods implementation evaluation will be used to help disseminate, scale, and expand a systems intervention. Conclusions The results of this mixed methods implementation evaluation will inform strategies for dissemination and solutions to potential barriers to the implementation of interventions from a smoking cessation trial for individuals with serious mental illness. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/25390


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Schnitzer ◽  
Melissa Culhane Maravić ◽  
Diana Arntz ◽  
Nathaniel L Phillips ◽  
Gladys Pachas ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Tobacco smoking is associated with significant morbidity and premature mortality in individuals with serious mental illness. A 2-year pragmatic clinical trial (PCORI PCS-1504-30472) that enrolled 1100 individuals with serious mental illness in the greater Boston area was conducted to test 2 interventions for tobacco cessation for individuals with serious mental illness: (1) academic detailing, which delivers education to primary care providers and highlights first-line pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation, and (2) provision of community health worker support to smoker participants. Implementing and scaling this intervention in other settings will require the systematic identification of barriers and facilitators, as well as the identification of relevant subgroups, effective and unique components, and setting-specific factors. OBJECTIVE This protocol outlines the proposed mixed methods evaluation of the pragmatic clinical trial to (1) identify barriers and facilitators to effective implementation of the interventions, (2) examine group differences among primary care physicians, and (3) identify barriers that stakeholders such as clinical, payor, and policy leaders would anticipate to impact the implementation of effective components of the intervention. METHODS Qualitative interviews will be conducted with all study community health workers and selected smoker participants, primary care providers, and other stakeholders. Measures of performance and engagement will guide purposive sampling. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research will guide qualitative data collection and analysis in accordance with the following framework approach: (1) familiarization, (2) identifying a thematic framework, (3) indexing, (4) charting, and (5) mapping and interpretation. Joint display analyses will be constructed to analyze and draw conclusions across the quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS The 3-year cluster-randomized trial has concluded, and the analysis of primary outcomes is underway. Results from the pragmatic trial and this mixed methods implementation evaluation will be used to help disseminate, scale, and expand a systems intervention. CONCLUSIONS The results of this mixed methods implementation evaluation will inform strategies for dissemination and solutions to potential barriers to the implementation of interventions from a smoking cessation trial for individuals with serious mental illness. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/25390


Author(s):  
Ashley Fenton ◽  
Phyllis Sharps ◽  
Karan Kverno ◽  
Jill RachBeisel ◽  
Marsha Gorth

BACKGROUND: Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) such as schizophrenia spectrum disorders, severe bipolar disorder, or severe recurrent major depressive disorder have a shorter life expectancy compared with those in the general population. This is largely due to the higher rates of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. Treatment adherence, diet, exercise, and weight management are modifiable risk factors for these cardiometabolic conditions, yet the use of educational lifestyle interventions is not common practice in the clinical setting. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this project was to evaluate a 12-week evidence-based diabetes prevention education program integrated into a primary care behavioral health setting for adults with SMI, diabetes, or prediabetes, and who were overweight or obese. STUDY DESIGN: Outcomes for this project included diabetes knowledge, self-care, and health indicators (blood pressure, hemoglobin A1C, weight, body mass index, and medication adherence). The project also addressed feasibility and acceptability of the program in this setting. RESULTS: Project outcomes showed a reduction in weight, waist circumference, hemoglobin A1C, and blood pressure. Outcomes also indicated an improvement in participants’ self-knowledge and self-care. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high attendance rate and overall acceptability and feasibility described by participants. This project highlights the important role that primary care providers can play in providing health education to patients with SMI.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Hoedebecke ◽  
Joseph Scott-Jones ◽  
Luís Pinho-Costa

Abstract The international ‘#1WordforFamilyMedicine’ initiative explores the identity of General Practitioners (GPs) and Family Physicians (FPs) by allowing the international Family Medicine community to collaborate on advocating for the discipline via social media. The New Zealand version attracted 83 responses on social media. Thematic analysis was performed on the responses and a ‘word cloud’ image was created based on an image identifying the country around the world - that of the silver fern. The ‘#1WorldforFamilyMedicine’ project was promoted by WONCA (World Organisation of Family Doctors) globally to help celebrate World Family Doctor Day on 19 May 2015. To date, over 80 images have been created in 60 different countries on six continents. The images represent GPs’ love for their profession and the community they serve. We hope that this initiative will help inspire current and future Family Medicine and Primary Care providers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e000057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa DeJonckheere ◽  
Lisa M Vaughn

Semistructured in-depth interviews are commonly used in qualitative research and are the most frequent qualitative data source in health services research. This method typically consists of a dialogue between researcher and participant, guided by a flexible interview protocol and supplemented by follow-up questions, probes and comments. The method allows the researcher to collect open-ended data, to explore participant thoughts, feelings and beliefs about a particular topic and to delve deeply into personal and sometimes sensitive issues. The purpose of this article was to identify and describe the essential skills to designing and conducting semistructured interviews in family medicine and primary care research settings. We reviewed the literature on semistructured interviewing to identify key skills and components for using this method in family medicine and primary care research settings. Overall, semistructured interviewing requires both a relational focus and practice in the skills of facilitation. Skills include: (1) determining the purpose and scope of the study; (2) identifying participants; (3) considering ethical issues; (4) planning logistical aspects; (5) developing the interview guide; (6) establishing trust and rapport; (7) conducting the interview; (8) memoing and reflection; (9) analysing the data; (10) demonstrating the trustworthiness of the research; and (11) presenting findings in a paper or report. Semistructured interviews provide an effective and feasible research method for family physicians to conduct in primary care research settings. Researchers using semistructured interviews for data collection should take on a relational focus and consider the skills of interviewing to ensure quality. Semistructured interviewing can be a powerful tool for family physicians, primary care providers and other health services researchers to use to understand the thoughts, beliefs and experiences of individuals. Despite the utility, semistructured interviews can be intimidating and challenging for researchers not familiar with qualitative approaches. In order to elucidate this method, we provide practical guidance for researchers, including novice researchers and those with few resources, to use semistructured interviewing as a data collection strategy. We provide recommendations for the essential steps to follow in order to best implement semistructured interviews in family medicine and primary care research settings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S523-S524
Author(s):  
Genevieve Allen ◽  
Jamie Riddell

Abstract Background HIV remains a problem for adolescents with 21% of new infections in the United States in 2018 occurring in youth. In this study we attempted to assess the knowledge of and comfort with pre-exposure prophylaxis and universal HIV testing among adolescent primary care providers affiliated with one academic medical center. Methods We conducted a survey of internal medicine/pediatrics, pediatrics, and family medicine residents and attending physicians affiliated with an academic medical center. Data collected included provider prescribing and referring habits for PrEP and information on their universal HIV testing habits. A “test your knowledge” section followed the survey which asked participants to name PrEP medications and to correctly select laboratory monitoring required for PrEP. Correct answers and prescribing resources were provided on completion of the survey. Results 138 (76%) respondents were aware that PrEP is approved for adolescents. There was no significant difference across specialties or between residents and attendings. 44.8% of respondents felt uncomfortable prescribing PrEP and two thirds had never prescribed PrEP. Reasons for not prescribing PrEP included: not seeing adolescents who qualify (n=80), not having enough training (66), confidentiality concerns (22), forgetting to address PrEP (19), and concern incidence of HIV is too low to recommend PrEP (15). Pediatricians were the least likely to test for HIV with 11% of pediatrician, 32% of internal medicine/pediatric, and 38% of family medicine respondents reported universal HIV testing for patients 15 years and older (p < 0.05). Residents were more likely to test for HIV than attendings (33.3% versus 16%, p < 0.05). 111 participants completed the “test your knowledge” section. 31.5% correctly named two approved PrEP medications. There were 183 responses to the survey (49% response rate). Conclusion Adolescent primary care providers are aware that PrEP is FDA approved for adolescents but a gap in PrEP prescribing and HIV testing persists. There remain perceptions that HIV incidence is too low to discuss PrEP and that providers are not seeing patients who qualify. Next steps include developing an institutional PrEP guideline and creating an electronic medical record order set to facilitate PrEP prescribing. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246859
Author(s):  
Adam Whisler ◽  
Naheed Dosani ◽  
Matthew J. To ◽  
Kristen O’Brien ◽  
Samantha Young ◽  
...  

Background Primary care retention, defined as ongoing periodic contact with a consistent primary care provider, is beneficial for people with serious chronic illnesses. This study examined the effect of a Housing First intervention on primary care retention among homeless individuals with mental illness. Methods Two hundred individuals enrolled in the Toronto site of the At Home Project and randomized to Housing First or Treatment As Usual were studied. Medical records were reviewed to determine if participants were retained in primary care, defined as having at least one visit with the same primary care provider in each of two consecutive six-month periods during the 12 month period preceding and following randomization. Results Medical records were obtained for 47 individuals randomized to Housing First and 40 individuals randomized to Treatment As Usual. During the one year period following randomization, the proportion of Housing First and Treatment As Usual participants retained in primary care was not significantly different (38.3% vs. 47.5%, p = 0.39). The change in primary care retention rates from the year preceding randomization to the year following randomization was +10.6% in the Housing First group and -5.0% in the Treatment As Usual group. Conclusion Among homeless individuals with mental illness, Housing First did not significantly affect primary care retention over the follow-up period. These findings suggest Housing First interventions may need to place greater emphasis on connecting clients with primary care providers.


Author(s):  
Sunanda Ray ◽  
Robert Mash

Abstract Background: In May 2020, the African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine invited submissions on lessons learnt from responses to the COVID-19 pandemic from primary care providers in Africa. This included descriptions of innovations and good practices, the management of COVID-19 in district health services and responses of communities to the outbreak. Aim: To synthesise the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic in the Africa region. Methods: A thematic document analysis was conducted on twenty-seven short report publications from Botswana, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Findings: Eight major themes were derived from the data: community-based activities; screening and testing; reorganisation of health services; emergency care for COVID-19; maintenance of essential non-COVID-19 health services; caring for the vulnerable; use of information technology; and reframing training opportunities. Community health workers were a vital community resource, delivering medications and other supplies to homes, as well as following up on patients with chronic conditions. More investment in community partnerships and social mobilisation was proposed. Difficulties with procurement of test kits and turn-around times were constraints for most countries. Authors described how services were reorganised for focused COVID-19 activities, sometimes to the detriment of essential services and training of junior doctors. Innovations in use of internet technology for communication and remote consultations were explored. The contribution of family medicine principles in upholding the humanity of patients and their families, clear leadership and planning, multidisciplinary teamwork and continuity of care was emphasised even in the context of providing critical care. Conclusions: The community-orientated primary care approach was emphasised as well as long-term benefits of technological innovations. The pandemic exposed the need to deliver on governmental commitments to strengthening primary health care and universal health coverage.


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