Evidence-Based Decision Support for a Structured Care Program on Polypharmacy in Multimorbidity: A Guideline Upgrade Based on a Realist Synthesis

Evidence-based clinical guidelines generally consider single conditions, and rarely multimorbidity. We developed an evidence-based guideline for a structured care program to manage polypharmacy in multimorbidity by using a realist synthesis to update the German polypharmacy guideline including the following five methods: formal prioritization in focus groups; systematic guideline review of evidence-based multimorbidity/polypharmacy guidelines; evidence search/synthesis and recommendation development; multidisciplinary consent of recommendations; feasibility test of updated guideline. We identified the need for a better description of the target group, decision support, prioritization of medication, consideration of patient preferences and anticholinergic properties, and of healthcare interfaces. We conducted a systematic guideline review of eight guidelines and extracted and synthesized recommendations using the Ariadne principles. We also included 48 systematic reviews. We formulated and agreed upon 34 recommendations for the revised guideline. During the feasibility test, guideline use enabled 57% of GPs to identify problems, leading to medication changes in 49% and self-assessed improvement in 56% of patients. Although 58% of GPs felt that it was too long, 92% recommended it. Polypharmacy should be systematically reviewed at least annually. Patients, family members, and healthcare professionals should monitor and adjust it using prospective process validation, taking into account patient preferences and agreed treatment goals.

Perceived Barriers, Benefits, Facilitators, and Attitudes of Health Professionals Towards Type 2 Diabetes Management in Oujda, Morocco: A Qualitative Focus Group Study

Background: In Morocco, the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is mainly focused on medication and only 2% of patients are coached towards a healthier lifestyle. In Oujda, Eastern Morocco the prevalence of T2D is 10.2%, and the current trend is alarming, especially for women. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore healthcare professionals' (HCP) views about the perceived barriers and benefits towards an integrated care approach in primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) to T2D management in Oujda.Methods: A descriptive study using focus groups in 8 PHCCs. This resulted in a sample of 5 doctors and 25 nurses caring for diabetes patients. The transcripts of all conversations were coded to allow for thematic analysis.Results: The participants mentioned different barriers to an integrated approach of DM management:: excessive workload; poor reimbursement policy; lack of staff and equipment; interrupted drug supply; poor working environment; limited referral; gap in the knowledge of general practitioners; health beliefs; poverty; advanced age; gender; the use of psychotropic drugs. An integrated approach could be facilitated by simplified electronic records and referral; uninterrupted free care; staff recruitment; continuous professional development; internships. Benefits: structured care; promotion of care in PHCCs; empowerment of self-management.Conclusion: HCP views reflect the urge to strengthen the management of T2D in PHCCs. There is a need for HCP with expertise in physical activity and nutrition to solve the current gap in the multidisciplinary integrated care approach. The specific local context can contribute to patients' reluctance to change their lifestyles and is a challenge to provide care in an efficient and sustainable manner. More research is needed to see how a patient-centered multidisciplinary approach to T2D management can help motivate patients in Morocco to change to a healthier lifestyle.

Comprehensive care programmes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and real-world studies

Background: Different comprehensive care programmes (CCPs) have been developed for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), but data regarding their effectiveness have been controversial. PubMed and Embase were searched to 1st June 2017 for articles that investigated the effects of the different types of CCPs on hospitalization or mortality rates in COPD. Results: A total of 67 studies including 3472633 patients (mean age: 76.1+/-12.7 years old; 41% male) were analyzed. CCPs reduced all-cause hospitalizations (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63-0.79; P<0.001; I2:96%) and mortality (HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.573-0.83; P<0.001; I2:75%). Subgroup analyses for different CCP types were performed. Hospitalizations were reduced by pharmacist-led medication reviews (HR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.37-0.78; P=0.001; I2:49%), structured care programmes (HR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.66-0.87; P<0.0001; I2:88%) and self-management programmes (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.64-0.99; P<0.05; I2:78%), but not continuity of care programmes (HR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.36-1.36; P=0.29; I2:100%), early support discharge or home care packages (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.91-1.04; P=0.37; I2:0%) or telemonitoring (HR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.32-1.18; P=0.14; I2:94%). Mortality was reduced by early support discharge or home care packages (HR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.30-0.80; P<0.01; I2:72%), structured care programmes (HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.53-0.90; P<0.01; I2:61%) and telemonitoring (HR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.31-0.89; P<0.05; I2:0%), but not self-management programmes (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.64-0.99; P<0.05; I2:78%). Conclusions: Comprehensive care programmes reduce hospitalization and mortality in COPD patients.

EMS at 3600 Meters: Exploring Barriers to Emergency Care and Transport in Rural Andean Perú

Background: Given the demonstrated success of programs that bolster informal Emergency Medical Service (EMS) systems in other low- and middle-income counties (LMICs), this study aimed to explore formal and informal systems, practices, customs, and structures for emergency response and medical transport in Colca Valley, Perú while identifying possible opportunities for future intervention. Methods: Twenty-two interviews with first responders and community members were conducted in three mountain villages throughout rural Andean Colca Valley of Perú. Subjects were recruited based on profession and experience with medical emergencies in the area. Transcripts were entered into Dedoose, coded, and analyzed to identify themes. Results: Providers and community members shared similar perceptions on the most common barriers to emergency care and transport. Challenges experienced equally by both groups were identified as “structural problems,” such as lack of infrastructure, lack of structured care delivery, and unclear protocols. Incongruities of responses between groups emerged with regard to certain barriers to care. Providers perceived baseline health education and use of home remedies as significant barriers to seeking care, which was not proportionally corroborated by community members. In contrast, 86% of community members cited lack of trust in health providers as a major barrier. Community members often noted witnessing a high frequency of emergency events, their personal experiences of helping, and the formal utilization of lay providers. When specifically questioned on their willingness to engage in first aid training, all participants were in agreement. Conclusion: While structural changes such as increased infrastructure would likely be the most durable improvement, future interventions focused on both empowering community members and improving the relationship between the health center and the community would be beneficial in this community. Additionally, these interview data suggest that a layperson first aid training program would be feasible and well-received.

Interdisciplinary clinician perspectives on an embedded palliative oncology model in pediatric cancer care.

9 Background: Integration of palliative care into cancer care is recognized as best practice by international oncology and pediatrics organizations. However, optimal strategies for integration of pediatric palliative care (PPC) within cancer care remain understudied. While the majority of PPC provision for cancer patients occurs through subspeciality consultation, growing evidence suggests that models embedding PPC within cancer care have the potential to improve quality of care. Embedded models rely on partnerships with multidisciplinary clinicians, whose perspectives regarding this model are not well known. Methods: We conducted 25 focus groups with 175 clinicians in an academic pediatric cancer center, with groups stratified by discipline (physicians, advance practice providers (APPs), nurses, psychosocial providers) and by care team (hematologic malignancy, bone marrow transplant, solid tumor, brain tumor). Focus groups were led by trained research facilitators and audio-recorded for subsequent targeted content analysis to identify clinician perspectives regarding embedded PPC models. Results: Across 4 physician, 5 APP, 12 nurse, and 4 psychosocial focus groups, 25 physicians, 30 APPs, 71 nurses, and 49 psychosocial providers participated, respectively. When asked to describe features of an “ideal” PPC model, physicians, APPs, and nurses predominantly discussed care delivery and identified early integration of PPC into cancer care as a core feature of an ideal model. Physicians, nurses, and psychosocial providers also emphasized the importance of having a formalized, structured care model. The need for collaboration was the dominant theme for psychosocial providers. Clinicians in all disciplines identified potential benefits from an embedded model, including access to PPC across care settings, normalization of PPC integration, and emphasis on collaboration, teamwork, communication, and earlier PPC involvement. Physicians, APPs, and nurses anticipated similar challenges with an embedded model, including possible reticence of oncology providers and inadequate PPC staffing. Nurses, APPs, and psychosocial providers also voiced concern about potential lack of clarity in delegation of roles and responsibilities between PPC and oncology providers. Conclusions: Pediatric oncology multidisciplinary providers recognize the potential value of an embedded model for integration of PPC in the care of children with cancer. Though providers at times identified similar themes with respect to ideal PPC provision and the benefits and challenges to an embedded model, some identified priorities varied by discipline. These findings highlight the importance of integrating varied interdisciplinary perspectives when developing an embedded care model to align with priorities of diverse pediatric cancer stakeholders.

552 - Humanitude Care on Patients with Dementia and Delirium in Acute Hospital Improves Outcomes

Background/ Objectives:Older patients with dementia and/or delirium often have challenging behaviours such as refusal of care and aggression. These cause much distress to both healthcare staff and patients, increase burden of care and put older patients at risk of functional decline. Humanitude, a methodology of care developed by Gineste and Marescotti, is a relationship- centred and compassionate care approach that aims to enable patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Humanitude on older patients’ well-being, mobility and activities of daily living (ADLs).Design:Quasi-experimental, non-equivalent controlled trial design.Setting:Acute care hospitalParticipants:Twenty patients diagnosed with dementia and/ or delirium were recruited from two geriatric wards. Ten were in the Humanitude ward and the other ten in a conventional ward received usual care for older patients served as concurrent controls.Intervention:Patients in Humanitude ward received Humanitude care by trained healthcare workers during day-to-day care, which is based on the 4 pillars of gaze, speech, touch and verticality (maintaining an upright position). Every patient encounter utilizing Humanitude techniques follow a structured care sequence that helps draw the patient into the care relationship.Measurements:The outcome measures include Modified Perme ICU Mobility Score, Bradford Well- being Profile and Modified Barthel Index (MBI).Results:There was significant improvement of median score within the Humanitude group from admission to discharge in mobility (admission: 9.0 [0-27] vs discharge 19.5 [1-36], p=0.002**), MBI (admission: 20 [0.0-46] vs discharge: 54.3 [3-81], p = 0.002**) and well-being (admission: 7.0 [1-15] vs discharge 20.0 [8-26], p=0.002**). The median increase in the score of Humanitude group was also significantly higher than usual care group in mobility (Humanitude: 8 [1-24] vs usual care 0 [-9-16], p= 0.02*), MBI (Humanitude: 17.5 [3-64] vs usual care 0 [-3-17], p= <0.001***), and well-being (Humanitude: 11 [6-20] vs usual care 0 [-5-4], p= <0.001 ***).Conclusion:Humanitude care improves outcomes in mobility, ADL function and well-being for patients with dementia and/ or delirium in the acute hospital.(Word count: 329)

#3100 A service evaluation of the experiences of patients with functional neurological disorders within the NHS

Objectives/AimsPrevious research into Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) has shown that there are significant barriers in providing multidisciplinary, patient-centred care for these patients, including stigmatising attitudes, poor knowledge about FND, and a lack of structured care pathways. However, there has been no specific research into patient experiences of care for FND within NHS services to date, and whether these experiences meet the standards of care expected for long-term neurological conditions (LTNCs). The current study thus aimed to investigate the types of problems experienced by FND patients, and whether they differed in frequency and type to patients with another LTNC, multiple sclerosis (MS).MethodsBoth FND (n = 40) and MS patients (n = 37) were recruited from tertiary neurology clinics at an NHS hospital and completed two questionnaires on their experiences of health and social care services and on their level of disability.ResultsThe results indicated significant differences in experiences of care between the two patient groups, with FND patients reporting significantly more problems (p<0.001)overall. These problems were reported in relation to their diagnosis and treatment, relationships with healthcare professionals, and difficulties in accessing services. This was despite FND patients reporting significantly higher levels of disability (p=0.001), highlighting the burden of care experienced by FND patients as a result of these difficulties in accessing and receiving care. A small sample size, specificity to a single neurology centre, and a cross-sectional design are acknowledged as limitations.ConclusionsTogether, these results suggest that current care for FND patients is not meeting the standards expected for LTNCs, and highlight the need for further research and the development of structured, multidisciplinary pathways with a patient-centred approach.

A Service Evaluation of the Experiences of Patients With Functional Neurological Disorders Within the NHS

Previous research into Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) has shown that there are significant barriers in providing patient-centred care. However, there has been no specific research into whether patient experiences of care for FND meet the current standards of care. This study aimed to investigate the types of problems experienced by FND patients, and whether these differed to patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). FND (n = 40) and MS patients (n = 37) were recruited from NHS tertiary neurology clinics and completed questionnaires on their experiences of health care services. Significant differences in experiences of care between the two patient groups were found, with FND patients reporting significantly more problems in their diagnosis and treatment (p = 0.003), patient-centred care (p &lt; 0.001), relationships with healthcare professionals (p &lt; 0.001), and in accessing community care (p = 0.001). Limitations include a small sample size, specificity to a single centre, and cross-sectional design. The results suggest that current care for FND patients is not meeting expected standards for long-term neurological conditions, highlighting the need for structured care pathways and patient-centred care.

P279 Potential of managed care programmes for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases – results from a large survey study among physicians and IBD-patients in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (the EASEIBD study)

Background IBD-care may be challenging and benefits from a multidisciplinary, cross-sectoral treatment approach and active patient involvement. However, occasionally there is a lack of patients′ empowerment and additionally, a necessity for the optimisation of physicians′ treatment is apparent. Furthermore, there is a deficiency in evidence regarding the effectiveness of structured care approaches (“managed care”) on patient-related outcomes (PROs). Therefore, our study aims to evaluate the potential of managed care programmes for IBD patients. Methods EASEIBD is a cross-border study conducted by IBD-DACH, an IBD working group in Germany (D), Austria (A) and Switzerland (Ch). Within the DACH-region, a cross-sectional survey of patients and physicians from IBD hospital-outpatient departments and gastroenterology practices was carried out. The questionnaire evaluated the effect of instruments and contextual factors of IBD-care with regard to quality of life (QoL). Additionally, the effects of “managed care” instruments were examined while considering centre-related structural characteristics. The analysis was performed using a multivariate multilevel regression model, controlled by various physician and patient characteristics. Results 2536 IBD-patients from 66 centres (643 IBD-patients/quarter; 31% hospital out-patient departments) were consecutively enrolled in EASEIBD (centres/IBD-pat.: D-52/1735; A-10/647; Ch-4/154). Overall, patient satisfaction (77-84%) (Fig. 1) as well as perceived quality of care (82-87%) (Fig. 2) was high and comparable in the descriptive analysis between German, Austrian and Swiss IBD-patients. Statistically significant differences were only found in single characteristics, e.g. in quality of life (EQ5D-VAS) (p=0.004) (Fig. 3). However, these do not appear clinically relevant with regard to the absolute values. In the entire DACH-region there were detectable effects of elements representing structural quality and assessments of the centres, with regard to the perceived quality of patient care (Fig. 4), whereby, in particular, a positive influence of web-based instruments (e.g. homepage) (p=0.040) and potential use of homecare calprotectin (0.046) had the most pronounced effect. Noteworthy, in Germany, the implementation of specialised IBD nurses was associated with a beneficial impact on patients′ QoL (0.027) when compared to the cumulative results from the entire DACH region (p=0.681). Conclusion Our study shows that the use of elements of managed care programmes resulted in a high process quality, which is evident from the reported high patient satisfaction and quality of care by IBD-patients in the entire DACH region, and qualifies this area as a suitable common study landscape.