scholarly journals Stakeholders’ views on identifying patients in primary care at risk of dying: a qualitative descriptive study using focus groups and interviews

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (674) ◽  
pp. e612-e620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Urquhart ◽  
Jyoti Kotecha ◽  
Cynthia Kendell ◽  
Mary Martin ◽  
Han Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Early Identification ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive

BackgroundStrategies have been developed for use in primary care to identify patients at risk of declining health and dying, yet little is known about the perceptions of doing so or the broader implications and impacts.AimTo explore the acceptability and implications of using a primary care-based electronic medical record algorithm to help providers identify patients in their practice at risk of declining health and dying.Design and settingQualitative descriptive study in Ontario and Nova Scotia, Canada.MethodSix focus groups were conducted, supplemented by one-on-one interviews, with 29 healthcare providers, managers, and policymakers in primary care, palliative care, and geriatric care. Participants were purposively sampled to achieve maximal variation. Data were analysed using a constant comparative approach.ResultsSix themes were prevalent across the dataset: early identification is aligned with the values, aims, and positioning of primary care; providers have concerns about what to do after identification; how we communicate about the end of life requires change; early identification and subsequent conversations require an integrated team approach; for patients, early identification will have implications beyond medical care; and a public health approach is needed to optimise early identification and its impact.ConclusionStakeholders were much more concerned with how primary care providers would navigate the post-identification period than with early identification itself. Implications of early identification include the need for a team-based approach to identification and to engage broader communities to ensure people live and die well post-identification.

scholarly journals Implementation of an Opioid and Benzodiazepine Deprescribing Program for Older Adults in an Outpatient Setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 906-906
Author(s):  
Lori Armistead ◽  
Jan Busby-Whitehead ◽  
Stefanie Ferreri ◽  
Cristine Henage ◽  
Tamera Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Outpatient Setting ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Risk Of Falls

Abstract The United States spends $50 billion each year on 2.8 million injuries and 800,000 hospitalizations older adults (age 65 years and older) incur as the result of falls. Chronic use of central nervous system (CNS)-active medications, such as opioid and/or benzodiazepine (BZD) medications, increases the risk of falls and falls-related injuries in this older adult population. This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded randomized control trial uses electronic health record (EHR) data from primary care outpatient clinics to identify older adult patients at risk for falls due to chronic opioid or BZD use. The primary program aim is to test the efficacy of a targeted consultant pharmacist service to reduce the dose burden of these medications in the targeted population. Impact of this intervention on the risk of falls in this population will also be assessed. Licensed clinical pharmacists will review at-risk patients’ medical records weekly and make recommendations through the EHR to primary care providers for opioid or BZD dose adjustments, alternate medications, and/or adjunctive therapies to support deprescribing for approximately 1265 patients in the first two cohorts of intervention clinics. One thousand three hundred eighty four patients in the control clinics will receive usual care. Outcome measures will include reduction or discontinuation of opioids and BZDs and falls risk reduction as measured by the Stop Elderly Accidents, Death and Injuries (STEADI) Questionnaire. Primary care provider adoption of pharmacists’ recommendations and satisfaction with the consult service will also be reported.

Understanding Adolescent Expressions of Sadness: A Qualitative Exploration

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-339
Author(s):  
Daniela A. Terrizzi ◽  
Huma A. Khan ◽  
Allison Paulson ◽  
Zach Abuwalla ◽  
Nitza Solis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Subthreshold Depression ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Risk For Depression

PurposePrimary care providers are positioned to identify adolescents at risk for depression and prevent major depressive disorder. To identify subthreshold depression, we examined the language adolescents use to describe their symptoms.MethodsAdolescents ages 13–18 with elevated levels on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale and/or a history of depression who were part of a large randomized clinical trial to prevent depressive disorder were included. We used content analysis to analyze transcripts of semi-structured interviews.ResultsSaturation was reached at 37 interviews. Adolescents self-identified as African American (N = 15), Hispanic (N = 10), and White (N = 21). Three domains were revealed; external sources of stress, adolescent expressions of sadness, and seeking help and care. Within these domains, 12 distinct themes emerged contextualizing these domains. No variations in the expression of the themes identified for subthreshold depression were found between the three ethno-cultural groups.Implications for PracticeOur study identifies, in adolescents' own words, how adolescents with subthreshold depression express feelings and cope with symptoms, and may guide primary care providers to recognize subthreshold depression early. These findings are a step toward filling the gap in the empirical literature needed to improve identification of adolescents at risk for depression in nonspecialist settings.

Abstract P077: Missed Opportunities for Behavioral Counseling by Primary Care Providers

Circulation ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 133 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John D Omura ◽  
Susan A Carlson ◽  
Prabasaj Paul ◽  
Kathleen B Watson ◽  
Fleetwood Loustalot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Behavioral Counseling ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Counseling Practices

Background: In 2014, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended adults who are overweight or obese and have additional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors be offered or referred to intensive behavioral counseling interventions to promote a healthful diet and physical activity for CVD prevention. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that primary care providers (PCPs) who discussed physical activity with most of their at risk patients would have a higher prevalence of offering select components than PCPs who discussed physical activity less frequently. Methods: DocStyles 2015, a Web-based panel survey of 1251 PCPs (response rate=76.8%), assessed physical activity counseling practices with patients at risk for CVD (overweight or obese and with hypertension, dyslipidemia, impaired fasting glucose, or the metabolic syndrome). Results: Overall, 55.9% (SE=1.4) of PCPs discussed physical activity with most of their patients at risk for CVD. Among respondents who discussed physical activity with any at risk patients (N=1244), the prevalence of components offered when they counseled ranged from 92.6% encouraging increased physical activity to 15.8% referring to intensive behavioral counseling (Table). PCPs who discussed physical activity with most at risk patients had a higher prevalence of offering all counseling components assessed than PCPs who discussed physical activity less frequently, except for referring to intensive behavioral counseling where no difference was found. Of all PCPs, 8.4% both discussed physical activity with most of their at risk patients and referred them to intensive behavioral counseling. Conclusion: Just over half of PCPs surveyed discussed physical activity with most patients at risk for CVD. These PCPs more frequently offered select components when they counseled with the exception of referral to intensive behavioral counseling. Both the low levels of counseling and referral to intensive behavioral counseling present important opportunities for improving counseling practices.

Abstract P379: Features to Increase Primary Care Provider Referrals to Intensive Behavioral Counseling for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John D Omura ◽  
Kathleen B Watson ◽  
Fleetwood V Loustalot ◽  
Janet E Fulton ◽  
Susan A Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Behavioral Counseling ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Risk Patients

Background: The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends adults with certain cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors be offered or referred to intensive behavioral counseling to promote a healthful diet and physical activity for CVD prevention. However, only 1 in 12 primary care providers (PCPs) currently follow this recommendation. This study assessed system and programmatic features PCPs reported would increase their likelihood of referring patients at risk for CVD to intensive behavioral counseling and whether this varied by the percentage of at-risk patients with whom they discuss physical activity. Methods: DocStyles 2018, a web-based panel survey of PCPs, assessed the percentage of at-risk patients with whom PCPs discuss physical activity and the degree to which select features would increase their likelihood of referring to intensive behavioral counseling. Results: Overall, 60.8% of PCPs discussed physical activity with most of their at-risk patients; 21.8% did so with many and 17.4% with few or some. The proportion of PCPs identifying features as increasing their likelihood of referring to intensive behavioral counseling by a great extent ranged from 24.1% for an automated referral in electronic health records, 35.3% for patient progress reports, 41.5% for the program being accredited or evidence-based, to 67.2% for the program having no cost to the patient (Table). These proportions increased for each feature as the percentage of at-risk patients with whom they discuss physical activity increased. Conclusion: PCPs identified programmatic features (i.e. being accredited and of no cost) as having the greatest influence on their likelihood of referring patients at risk for CVD to intensive behavioral counseling, although this varied by the percentage of at-risk patients with whom they discuss physical activity. Findings suggest that the effectiveness of strategies to improve behavioral counseling referrals by PCPs may depend on their current physical activity counseling practices.

Primary Care Providers’ Awareness of Physical Activity-Related Intensive Behavioral Counseling Services for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Omura ◽  
Kathleen B. Watson ◽  
Fleetwood Loustalot ◽  
Janet E. Fulton ◽  
Susan A. Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Counseling Services ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Behavioral Counseling ◽  
Local Services

Purpose: The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) be offered or referred to intensive behavioral counseling interventions to promote a healthful diet and physical activity for CVD prevention. We assessed primary care providers’ (PCPs) awareness of local physical activity-related behavioral counseling services, whether this awareness was associated with referring eligible patients, and the types and locations of services to which they referred. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Primary care providers practicing in the United States. Subjects: 1256 respondents. Measures: DocStyles 2016 survey assessing PCPs’ awareness of and referral to physical activity-related behavioral counseling services. Analysis: Calculated prevalence and adjusted odds ratios (aORs). Results: Overall, 49.9% of PCPs were aware of local services. Only 12.6% referred many or most of their at-risk patients and referral was associated with awareness of local services (aOR = 2.81, [95% confidence interval: 1.85-4.25]). Among those referring patients, services ranged from a health-care worker within their practice or group (25.4%) to an organized program in a medical facility (41.2%). Primary care providers most often referred to services located outside their practice or group (58.1%). Conclusion: About half of PCPs were aware of local behavioral counseling services, and referral was associated with awareness. Establishing local resources and improving PCPs’ awareness of them, especially using community–clinical linkages, may help promote physical activity among adults at risk for CVD.

scholarly journals Primary care and mental health providers’ perceptions of implementation of pharmacogenetics testing for depression prescribing

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie M. Vest ◽  
Laura O. Wray ◽  
Laura A. Brady ◽  
Michael E. Thase ◽  
Gregory P. Beehler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Implementation Science ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Genetic Profile ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Care Providers

Abstract Background Pharmacogenetic testing (PGx) has the potential to improve the quality of psychiatric prescribing by considering patients’ genetic profile. However, there is limited scientific evidence supporting its efficacy or guiding its implementation. The Precision Medicine in Mental Health (PRIME) Care study is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a specific commercially-available pharmacogenetic (PGx) test to inform antidepressant prescribing at 22 sites across the U.S. Simultaneous implementation science methods using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) are integrated throughout the trial to identify contextual factors likely to be important in future implementation of PGx. The goal of this study was to understand providers’ perceptions of PGx for antidepressant prescribing and implications for future implementation. Methods Qualitative focus groups (n = 10) were conducted at the beginning of the trial with Primary Care and Mental Health providers (n = 31) from six PRIME Care sites. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed and data were analyzed using rapid analytic procedures organized by CFIR domains. Results Analysis revealed themes in the CFIR Intervention Characteristics domain constructs of Evidence, Relative Advantage, Adaptability, Trialability, Complexity, and Design that are important for understanding providers’ perceptions of PGx testing. Results indicate: 1) providers had limited experience and knowledge of PGx testing and its evidence base, particularly for psychiatric medications; 2) providers were hopeful that PGx could increase their precision in depression prescribing and improve patient engagement, but were uncertain about how results would influence treatment; 3) providers were concerned about potential misinterpretation of PGx results and how to incorporate testing into their workflow; 4) primary care providers were less familiar and comfortable with application of PGx testing to antidepressant prescribing than psychiatric providers. Conclusions Provider perceptions may serve as facilitators or barriers to implementation of PGx for psychiatric prescribing. Incorporating implementation science into the conduct of the RCT adds value by uncovering factors to be addressed in preparing for future implementation, should the practice prove effective. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03170362; Registered 31 May 2017

scholarly journals 1114. Identifying and Addressing Knowledge Gaps in Influenza Management with Targeted Continuing Medical Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S587-S588
Author(s):  
Katie Robinson ◽  
Jennifer Frederick ◽  
Kevin Lester ◽  
Robert A Esgro
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Influenza Infection ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Baseline Knowledge ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Influenza represents a year-round disease burden. Despite CDC recommendations, providers do not always effectively test for and treat influenza. To address identified knowledge gaps regarding the care of patients with or at-risk for influenza infection, a series of continuing education (CE) initiatives were implemented for distinct specialty audiences, and the impact of the education on provider knowledge was measured. Methods Between July 2018 and June 2020, Vindico Medical Education provided 35 CME programs (19 web, 14 live, and 2 print) targeted primarily to any of 4 specialty audiences – ID specialists, pulmonologists, emergency medicine providers, or primary care providers (PCPs). Baseline knowledge and educational impact were assessed via pre-and post-test, respectively, across 3 primary topics – testing, mechanisms of therapeutic agents, and treatment. Results As of June 1, 2020, 39,677 healthcare providers participated in the education and 19,209 had obtained CE credit. Baseline knowledge was lowest regarding testing (44%) and antiviral mechanisms (43%), particularly among all but the pulmonology specialists. Average post-test scores were highest among pulmonology (85%) and primary care (85%) providers. The average relative increase in knowledge across all topics and specialties was 69%. A total of 17,480 providers who see on average 8.5 patients per month presenting with flu-like symptoms committed to practice improvements, resulting in approximately 150,000 patients per month who are more likely to receive the latest evidence-based care. Moreover, three months following the education, 68% of providers reported implementing practice improvements, including applying the latest clinical guidelines and recommendations. Conclusion As data regarding new options for the treatment of influenza continues to emerge, CE education on these topics will be needed. This study highlights the efficacy of multimodal CE to address knowledge gaps among providers who see patients with or at-risk for influenza infection. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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