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Mohan D, O'Malley AJ, Chelen J, MacMartin M, Murphy M, Rudolph M, Engel JA, Barnato AE. Using a Video Game Intervention to Increase Hospitalists' Advance Care Planning Conversations with Older Adults: a Stepped Wedge Randomized Clinical Trial. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:3224-3234. [PMID: 37429972 PMCID: PMC10651818 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08297-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guidelines recommend Advance Care Planning (ACP) for seriously ill older adults to increase the patient-centeredness of end-of-life care. Few interventions target the inpatient setting. OBJECTIVE To test the effect of a novel physician-directed intervention on ACP conversations in the inpatient setting. DESIGN Stepped wedge cluster-randomized design with five 1-month steps (October 2020-February 2021), and 3-month extensions at each end. SETTING A total of 35/125 hospitals staffed by a nationwide physician practice with an existing quality improvement initiative to increase ACP (enhanced usual care). PARTICIPANTS Physicians employed for ≥ 6 months at these hospitals; patients aged ≥ 65 years they treated between July 2020-May 2021. INTERVENTION Greater than or equal to 2 h of exposure to a theory-based video game designed to increase autonomous motivation for ACP; enhanced usual care. MAIN MEASURE ACP billing (data abstractors blinded to intervention status). RESULTS A total of 163/319 (52%) invited, eligible hospitalists consented to participate, 161 (98%) responded, and 132 (81%) completed all tasks. Physicians' mean age was 40 (SD 7); most were male (76%), Asian (52%), and reported playing the game for ≥ 2 h (81%). These physicians treated 44,235 eligible patients over the entire study period. Most patients (57%) were ≥ 75; 15% had COVID. ACP billing decreased between the pre- and post-intervention periods (26% v. 21%). After adjustment, the homogeneous effect of the game on ACP billing was non-significant (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.88-1.06; p = 0.42). There was effect modification by step (p < 0.001), with the game associated with increased billing in steps 1-3 (OR 1.03 [step 1]; OR 1.15 [step 2]; OR 1.13 [step 3]) and decreased billing in steps 4-5 (OR 0.66 [step 4]; OR 0.95 [step 5]). CONCLUSIONS When added to enhanced usual care, a novel video game intervention had no clear effect on ACP billing, but variation across steps of the trial raised concerns about confounding from secular trends (i.e., COVID). TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov; NCT04557930, 9/21/2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepika Mohan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Room 638 Scaife Hall, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
| | - A James O'Malley
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice and Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Julia Chelen
- Advanced Communications Research Group, National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Meredith MacMartin
- Department of Medicine and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Megan Murphy
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | | | - Jaclyn A Engel
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Amber E Barnato
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice and Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Ladin K, Bronzi OC, Gazarian PK, Perugini JM, Porteny T, Reich AJ, Rodgers PE, Perez S, Weissman JS. Understanding The Use Of Medicare Procedure Codes For Advance Care Planning: A National Qualitative Study. Health Aff (Millwood) 2022; 41:112-119. [PMID: 34982632 PMCID: PMC9683633 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2021.00848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
In 2016 Medicare introduced advance care planning Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes to reimburse clinicians for time spent providing the service. Despite recent increases, use of these codes remains low for reasons incompletely captured by quantitative research. To further identify barriers and facilitators to code use for Medicare fee-for-service enrollees, we conducted case studies at eleven health systems, including 272 interviews with clinicians, administrators, and key leadership. Five themes related to use of the new codes emerged: code-based constraints to billing, burdening patients with unexpected charges, ethical concerns with billing for discussion of advance care plans, incentives to signal the importance of their use in billing, and increasing both workflow burden and the need for institutional supports and training. Respondents also observed that use was facilitated by health systems' investment in clinician training and in processes to audit the codes' use. Our findings suggest that increased reimbursement, strong institutional commitment and support, and streamlined workflow could improve the use of the new CPT codes to document receipt of and ensure access to Medicare advance care planning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Amanda J. Reich
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Barnato AE, Birkmeyer JD, Skinner JS, O'Malley AJ, Birkmeyer NJO. Treatment intensity and mortality among COVID-19 patients with dementia: A retrospective observational study. J Am Geriatr Soc 2022; 70:40-48. [PMID: 34480354 PMCID: PMC8742761 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We sought to determine whether dementia is associated with treatment intensity and mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. METHODS This study includes review of the medical records for patients >60 years of age (n = 5394) hospitalized with COVID-19 from 132 community hospitals between March and June 2020. We examined the relationships between dementia and treatment intensity (including intensive care unit [ICU] admission and mechanical ventilation [MV] and care processes that may influence them, including advance care planning [ACP] billing and do-not-resuscitate [DNR] orders) and in-hospital mortality adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, comorbidity, month of hospitalization, and clustering within hospital. We further explored the effect of ACP conversations on the relationship between dementia and outcomes, both at the individual patient level (effect of having ACP) and at the hospital level (effect of being treated at a hospital with low: <10%, medium 10%-20%, or high >20% ACP rates). RESULTS Ten percent (n = 522) of the patients had documented dementia. Dementia patients were older (>80 years: 60% vs. 27%, p < 0.0001), had a lower burden of comorbidity (3+ comorbidities: 31% vs. 38%, p = 0.003), were more likely to have ACP (28% vs. 17%, p < 0.0001) and a DNR order (52% vs. 22%, p < 0.0001), had similar rates of ICU admission (26% vs. 28%, p = 0.258), were less likely to receive MV (11% vs. 16%, p = 0.001), and more likely to die (22% vs. 14%, p < 0.0001). Differential treatment intensity among patients with dementia was concentrated in hospitals with low, dementia-biased ACP billing practices (risk-adjusted ICU use: 21% vs. 30%, odds ratio [OR] = 0.6, p = 0.016; risk-adjusted MV use: 6% vs. 16%, OR = 0.3, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Dementia was associated with lower treatment intensity and higher mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Differential treatment intensity was concentrated in low ACP billing hospitals suggesting an interplay between provider bias and "preference-sensitive" care for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber E Barnato
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
- Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - John D Birkmeyer
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
- Sound Physicians, Tacoma, Washington, USA
| | - Jonathan S Skinner
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
- Department of Economics, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - A James O'Malley
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Nancy J O Birkmeyer
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
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Mohan D, MacMartin MA, Chelen JSC, Maezes CB, Barnato AE. Development of a theory-based video-game intervention to increase advance care planning conversations by healthcare providers. Implement Sci Commun 2021; 2:117. [PMID: 34645515 PMCID: PMC8513300 DOI: 10.1186/s43058-021-00216-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hospitalization offers an opportunity for healthcare providers to initiate advance care planning (ACP) conversations, yet such conversations occur infrequently. Barriers to these conversations include attitudes, skill, and time. Our objective was to develop a theory-based, provider-level intervention to increase the frequency of ACP conversations in hospitals. Methods We followed a systematic process to develop a theory-based, provider-level intervention to increase ACP conversations between providers and their hospitalized patients. Using principles established in Intervention Mapping and the Behavior Change Wheel, we identified a behavioral target, a theory of behavior change, behavior change techniques, and a mode of delivery. We addressed a limitation of these two processes of intervention development by also establishing a framework of design principles to structure the selection of intervention components. We partnered with a game development company to translate the output into a video game. Results We identified willingness to engage in ACP conversations as the primary contributor to ACP behavior, and attitudes as a modifiable source of this willingness. We selected self-determination theory, and its emphasis on increasing autonomous motivation, as a relevant theory of behavior change and means of changing attitudes. Second, we mapped the components of autonomous motivation (i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness) to relevant behavior change techniques (e.g., identity). Third, we decided to deliver the intervention using a video game and to use the narrative engagement framework, which describes the use of stories to educate, model behavior, and immerse the user, to structure our selection of intervention components. Finally, in collaboration with a game development company, we used this framework to develop an adventure video game (Hopewell Hospitalist). Conclusions The systematic development of a theory-based intervention facilitates the mechanistic testing of the efficacy of the intervention, including the specification of hypotheses regarding mediators and moderators of outcomes. The intervention will be tested in a randomized clinical trial. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43058-021-00216-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepika Mohan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Meredith A MacMartin
- Section of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA.,The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Julia S C Chelen
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Carolyn B Maezes
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Amber E Barnato
- Section of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA.,The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Sacks OA, Sachs TE. Is Preoperative Consultation the Right Time for Advance Care Planning? JAMA Surg 2021; 156:e211534. [PMID: 33978694 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2021.1534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olivia A Sacks
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Teviah E Sachs
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
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Mohan D, O'Malley AJ, Chelen J, MacMartin M, Murphy M, Rudolph M, Barnato A. Videogame intervention to increase advance care planning conversations by hospitalists with older adults: study protocol for a stepped-wedge clinical trial. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e045084. [PMID: 33753443 PMCID: PMC7986882 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fewer than half of all people in the USA have a documented advance care plan (ACP). Hospitalisation offers an opportunity for physicians to initiate ACP conversations. Despite expert recommendations, hospital-based physicians (hospitalists) do not routinely engage in these conversations, reserving them for the critically ill.The objective of this study is to test the effect of a novel behavioural intervention on the incidence of ACP conversations by hospitalists practicing at a stratified random sample of hospitals drawn from 220 US acute care hospitals staffed by a large, nationwide acute care physician practice with an ongoing ACP quality improvement initiative. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We developed Hopewell Hospitalist, a theory-based adventure video game, to modify physicians' attitudes towards ACP conversations and to increase their motivation for engaging in them. The planned study is a pragmatic stepped-wedge crossover phase III trial, testing the efficacy of Hopewell Hospitalist for increasing ACP conversations. We will randomise 40 hospitals to the month (step) in which they receive the intervention. We aim to recruit 30 hospitalists from up to eight hospitals each step to complete the intervention, playing Hopewell Hospitalist for at least 2 hours. The primary outcome is ACP billing for patients aged 65 and older managed by participating hospitalists. We hypothesise that the intervention will increase ACP billing in the quarter after dissemination, and have 80% power to detect a 1% absolute increase and 99% power to detect a 3.5% absolute increase. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Dartmouth's Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects has approved the study protocol, which is registered on clinicaltrials.gov. We will disseminate the results through manuscripts and the trials website. Hopewell Hospitalist will be made available on the iOS Application Store for download, free of cost, at the conclusion of the trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04557930.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Mohan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - A James O'Malley
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Julia Chelen
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Meredith MacMartin
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
- Section of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Megan Murphy
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | | | - Amber Barnato
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
- Section of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
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