Individual care plans for chronically ill patients within primary care in the Netherlands: Dissemination and associations with patient characteristics and patient-perceived quality of care

Abstract Background To assess trends in the quality of care for COVID-19 patients at the ICU over the course of time in the Netherlands. Methods Data from the National Intensive Care Evaluation (NICE)-registry of all COVID-19 patients admitted to an ICU in the Netherlands were used. Patient characteristics and indicators of quality of care during the first two upsurges (N = 4215: October 5, 2020–January 31, 2021) and the final upsurge of the second wave, called the ‘third wave’ (N = 4602: February 1, 2021–June 30, 2021) were compared with those during the first wave (N = 2733, February–May 24, 2020). Results During the second and third wave, there were less patients treated with mechanical ventilation (58.1 and 58.2%) and vasoactive drugs (48.0 and 44.7%) compared to the first wave (79.1% and 67.2%, respectively). The occupancy rates as fraction of occupancy in 2019 (1.68 and 1.55 vs. 1.83), the numbers of ICU relocations (23.8 and 27.6 vs. 32.3%) and the mean length of stay at the ICU (HRs of ICU discharge = 1.26 and 1.42) were lower during the second and third wave. No difference in adjusted hospital mortality between the second wave and the first wave was found, whereas the mortality during the third wave was considerably lower (OR = 0.80, 95% CI [0.71–0.90]). Conclusions These data show favorable shifts in the treatment of COVID-19 patients at the ICU over time. The adjusted mortality decreased in the third wave. The high ICU occupancy rate early in the pandemic does probably not explain the high mortality associated with COVID-19.

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Social capital, depressive symptoms, and perceived quality of care among hypertensive patients in primary care

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes ◽

10.1186/s12955-020-01630-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Haitao Li ◽

Hui Xia ◽

Shijian Yi ◽

Lichang Rao

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Social Capital ◽

Quality Of Care ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Perceived Quality ◽

Primary Care Settings ◽

Perceived Quality Of Care

Abstract Background Depression is an important issue in the management of hypertension. However, little attention has been paid to addressing such aspects of psychological health among patients with hypertension. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms among patients with hypertension in primary care settings and to identify the potential role of social capital in predicting depressive symptoms. The influence of psychological well-being on the perceived quality of hypertensive care was also examined. Methods In Shenzhen, China, an on-site cross-sectional study was conducted from March to September 2017. In total, 1046 respondents completed a face-to-face survey interview. We examined the associations between social capital, depressive symptoms, and perceived quality of care. Results The results showed that 10.7% of patients with hypertension who attended primary care facilities had depressive symptoms. Two components of social capital—social ties (9.63 vs. 10.67; OR = 1.314, 95% CI 1.165–1.483; P < .001) and trust (3.46 vs. 3.89; OR = 2.535, 95% CI 1.741–3.691; P < .001)—were protective factors for depression among patients with hypertension in primary care settings. We also found that depressive symptoms were negatively associated with perceived quality of care (30.5 vs. 32.5; β = 1.341, 95% CI 0.463–2.219; P = .003).. Conclusions We found inverse associations between depressive symptoms and perceived quality of care and between social capital and the occurrence of symptoms of depression. Our findings suggest that strategies addressing both hypertension and depressive symptoms should be implemented to better manage hypertension. Appropriate social interventions should be designed and implemented.

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The Effects Of Practice Size On Quality Of Care In Primary Care Settings: A Systematic Review

The JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports ◽

10.11124/01938924-201210270-00001 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 10 (27) ◽

pp. 1549-1633

Author(s):

Ng Kok Ping ◽

Ng Charis Wei Ling

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Primary Care ◽

Quality Of Care ◽

Primary Care Settings ◽

Practice Size

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Exploring the impact of pharmacist comprehensive annual care plans on perceived quality of chronic illness care by patients in Alberta, Canada

Canadian Pharmacists Journal / Revue des Pharmaciens du Canada ◽

10.1177/17151635211020340 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 171516352110203

Author(s):

Candace Necyk ◽

Jeffrey A. Johnson ◽

Ross T. Tsuyuki ◽

Dean T. Eurich

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Care ◽

Chronic Illness ◽

Care Plan ◽

Short Version ◽

Chronic Illness Care ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Care Plans ◽

Funding Program ◽

The Impact

Background: In 2012, the Government of Alberta introduced a funding program to remunerate pharmacists to develop a comprehensive annual care plan (CACP) for patients with complex needs. The objective of this study is to explore patients’ perceptions of the care they received through the pharmacist CACP program in Alberta. Methods: We invited 3442 patients who received a pharmacist-billed CACP within the previous 3 months and 6888 matched controls across Alberta to complete an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of the short version Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC-11), with 3 additional pharmacy-specific assessment questions added. Additional questions related to health status and demographics were also included. Results: Overall, most patients indicated a low level of chronic illness care by pharmacists, with few differences noted between CACP patients and non-CACP controls. Of note, controls reported higher quality of care for 5 domains within the adapted PACIC-like tool compared with CACP patients ( p < 0.05 for all). Interestingly, only 79 (44%) of CACP patients reported that they had received a CACP, whereas only 192 (66%) of control patients reported that they did not receive a care plan. In a sensitivity analysis including only these respondents, individuals who received a CACP perceived a significantly higher quality of chronic illness care across all PACIC domains. Conclusion: Overall, chronic illness care incentivized by the pharmacist CACP program in Alberta is perceived to be moderate to low. When limited to respondents who explicitly recognized receiving the service or not, the perceptions of quality of care were more positive. This suggests that better implementation of CACP by pharmacists may be associated with improved quality of care and that some redesign is needed to engage patients more. Can Pharm J (Ott) 2021;154:xx-xx.

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Perceived quality of care among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the north east region of peninsular Malaysia

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10320-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Noorfariza Nordin ◽

Suhaily Mohd Hairon ◽

Najib Majdi Yaacob ◽

Anees Abdul Hamid ◽

Seoparjoo Azmel Mohd Isa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Care ◽

Perceived Quality ◽

Peninsular Malaysia ◽

North East ◽

The North ◽

East Region ◽

Perceived Quality Of Care ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are best managed by a chronic care model that is associated with enhanced quality of care and improved patient outcome. Assessing patients’ perceived quality of care is crucial in improving the healthcare delivery system. Hence, this study determined the perceived quality of care among people with T2DM and explored its associations with (i) sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and (ii) types of healthcare clinics to guide future planning. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 20 primary healthcare clinics in the North East Region of Peninsular Malaysia and people with T2DM as the sampling unit was conducted from February to May 2019. The pro forma checklist, interview-guided Skala Kepuasan Interaksi Perubatan-11, and Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (Malay version; PACIC-M) questionnaire were used for data collection. Univariate analysis and linear regression were used to determine the status of perceived quality of care and the factors associated with the perceived quality of care, respectively. Results Overall, data from 772 participants were analyzed. The majority was from the Malay ethnic group (95.6%) with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of 8.91% (2.30). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) of the number of medical officers available at each clinic was 6 (7), with Family Doctor Concept (FDC) clinics having a higher number of medical officers than non-FDC clinics (p = 0.001). The overall mean (SD) PACIC-M score was 2.65 (0.54) with no significant difference between scores of patients treated in the two clinic types (p = 0.806). Higher perceived quality of care was associated with lower number of medical officers (adjusted regression coefficient [Adj.β], − 0.021; p-value [p], 0.001), and greater doctor–patient interaction in all domains: distress relief (Adj.β, 0.033; p, < 0.001), rapport (Adj.β, 0.056; p, < 0.001), and interaction outcome (Adj.β, 0.022; p, 0.003). Conclusion Although there was no significant difference found between clinic type, this study reflects that patients are comfortable when managed by the same doctor, which may support a better doctor-patient interaction. A larger specialized primary care workforce could improve diabetes care in Malaysia.

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Perceived quality of surgical care in association with patient-related factors and correlation to reported postoperative complications in Finland: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037708 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. e037708

Author(s):

Ira Helena Saarinen ◽

Jaana-Maija Koivisto ◽

Antti Kaipia ◽

Elina Haavisto

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Care ◽

Postoperative Complications ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Perceived Quality ◽

Living Alone ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Perceived Quality Of Care

ObjectiveTo study if patient-related factors are associated with patient-evaluated quality of care in surgery. To examine if there is an association with postoperative complications and patient-evaluated low quality of care.DesignA correlation cross-sectional study, in addition, a phone call interview at 30 days postoperatively to examine complications.SettingThe data on patients admitted for non-cardiac general and orthopaedic surgery at a central hospital in Southwestern Finland were collected in two phases during an 8-month period.Participants436 consecutive consenting and eligible in-ward non-cardiac general surgery and orthopaedic surgery adult patients. Ambulatory, paediatric and memory disorder patients were excluded. 378 patients completed the questionnaire (Good Nursing Care Scale for Patients (GNCS-P)).MethodsPerceived quality of care was examined by the GNCS-P questionnaire. Patient-related factors were obtained from electronic patient records and questionnaire. A telephone interview related to postdischarge complications was conducted 30 days after discharge.Main outcome measuresPatient evaluation of quality of care at discharge, its association with patient-related factors and patient-reported postdischarge complications.ResultsThe overall quality was evaluated high or very high by the patients. The lowest overall quality of care rate was assessed by surgical patients living alone (p=0.0088) and patients who evaluated their state of health moderate or poor (p=0.0047). Surgical patients reporting postoperative complications after discharge evaluated lower overall quality of care (p=0.0105) than patients with no complications.ConclusionPatient demographic factors do not seem to influence the perceptions of the quality of care. Instead, subjective state of health and living conditions (living alone) may have an influence on the patient experience of quality of care. The perceived quality of care in healthcare staff technical and communication skills may have an association with reported postoperative complications.

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Attitudes to and experience of disease management programs in primary care—an exploratory survey of general practitioners in Germany

Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift ◽

10.1007/s10354-021-00867-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Julian Wangler ◽

Michael Jansky

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Disease Management ◽

Patient Care ◽

General Practitioners ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Chronically Ill ◽

Disease Management Programs ◽

Federal States ◽

Set Up ◽

Chronically Ill Patients

Summary Background Disease management programs (DMPs) were set up in Germany in 2003 to improve outpatient care of chronically ill patients. The present study looks at the attitudes and experiences of general practitioners (GPs) in relation to DMPs, how they rate them almost 20 years after their introduction and where they see a need for improvement. Methods A total of 1504 GPs in the Federal States of Rhineland Palatinate, Saarland and Hesse were surveyed between December 2019 and March 2020 using a written questionnaire. Results In total, 58% of respondents rate DMPs positively and regard them as making a useful contribution to primary care. The guarantee of regular, structured patient care and greater compliance are regarded as particularly positive aspects. It was also established that diagnostic and therapeutic knowledge was expanded through participation in DMPs. 57% essentially follow the DMP recommendations for (drug) treatment. Despite positive experiences of DMPs in patient care, the GPs surveyed mention various challenges (documentation requirements, frequent changes to the programmes, inflexibility). Univariant linear regression analysis revealed factors influencing the satisfaction with DMPs, such as improvement of compliance and clearly defined procedures in medical care. Conclusion Most of the GPs surveyed consider the combination of continuous patient care and evidence-based diagnosis and treatment to be a great advantage. To better adapt DMPs to the conditions of primary care, it makes sense to simplify the documentation requirements, to regulate cooperation with other healthcare levels more clearly and to give GPs more decision-making flexibility. Increased inclusion of GP experience in the process of developing and refining DMPs can be helpful.

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