A comparison of a Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI) against two established satisfaction scales as an outcome measure of primary care consultations

Factors associated with empowerment after participating in a supported osteoarthritis self-management program: An explorative study

Objective

To explore factors associated with change in empowerment in patients that have participated in a 3-month Supported Osteoarthritis Self-Management Program (SOASP). Further, to evaluate empowerment in the longer term.

Design

An explorative analysis including patients from a cohort study conducted in primary healthcare in Sweden was performed. Univariable linear regression models were performed to assess associations between demographics and patient-reported outcome measures (explanatory factors), respectively, and change in empowerment from baseline to 3-month follow-up (outcome variable). Long-term follow-up of empowerment was at 9 months.

Results

Self-reported increase in enablement at the 3-month follow-up was associated with a greater improvement in empowerment (B ​= ​0.041, 95% CI (0.011, 0.07), p ​= ​0.008). Living alone was associated with less improvement in empowerment (B ​= ​-0.278, 95% CI (-0.469, -0.086), p ​= ​0.005) compared to living together. Physical exercise >120 ​min per week at baseline was associated with less improvement in empowerment (B ​= ​-0.293, 95% CI (-0.583, -0.004), p ​= ​0.047) compared to reporting no exercise at baseline. No other associations were observed (p ​> ​0.05). Empowerment improved from baseline to the 3-month follow-up (mean 0.20 (SD 0.5), p ​< ​0.001) but there was no change from baseline to the 9-month follow-up (mean 0.02 (SD 0.6), p ​= ​0.641).

Conclusions

Self-reported increased enablement may lead to greater improvement in empowerment after SOASP. Greater efforts may be needed to support those that live alone, are physically active, and to sustain empowerment in the longer term after SOASP. More research is needed on empowerment to provide personalized support for patients with OA after SOASP.

Online behavioural interventions for children and young people with eczema: a quantitative evaluation

BACKGROUND

Two online behavioural interventions (one website for parents/carers of children with eczema; and one for young people with eczema) have been shown in randomised controlled trials to facilitate a sustained improvement in eczema severity.

AIM

To describe intervention use and examine potential mediators of intervention outcomes and contextual factors that may influence intervention delivery and outcomes.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Quantitative process evaluation in UK primary care.

METHOD

Parents/carers and young people were recruited through primary care. Intervention use was recorded and summarised descriptively. Logistic regression explored sociodemographic and other factors associated with intervention engagement. Mediation analysis investigated whether patient enablement (ability to understand and cope with health issues), treatment use, and barriers to adherence were mediators of intervention effect. Subgroup analysis compared intervention effects among pre-specified participant subsets.

RESULTS

A total of 340 parents/carers and 337 young people were recruited. Most parents/carers (87%, n = 148/171) and young people (91%, n = 153/168) in the intervention group viewed the core introduction by 24 weeks. At 24 weeks, users had spent approximately 20 minutes on average on the interventions. Among parents/carers, greater intervention engagement was associated with higher education levels, uncertainty about carrying out treatments, and doubts about treatment efficacy at baseline. Among young people, higher intervention use was associated with higher baseline eczema severity. Patient enablement (the ability to understand and cope with health issues) accounted for approximately 30% of the intervention effect among parents/carers and 50% among young people.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that positive intervention outcomes depended on a modest time commitment from users. This provides further support that the wider implementation of Eczema Care Online is justified.

Cultural Competence Interventions in European Healthcare: A Scoping Review

Europe is undergoing rapid social change and is distinguished by its cultural superdiversity. Healthcare is facing an increasing need for professionals to adapt to this environment. Thus, the promotion of cultural competence in healthcare has become a priority. However, the training being developed and their suitability for the European context are not well known. The aim of this qualitative study has been to map the scientific literature in order to comprehend the current state of research on this topic. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic scoping review of the empirical publications focused on cultural competence interventions for healthcare professionals in European countries. The search was conducted in eight thematic (PsycINFO, MedLine, and PubPsych) and multidisciplinary databases (Academic Search Ultimate, E-Journals, Scopus, ProQuest, and Web of Science) to identify relevant publications up to 2023. Results were presented qualitatively. Out of the initial 6506 records screened, a total of 63 publications were included. Although the interventions were implemented in 23 different European countries, cultural competence interventions have not been widely adopted in Europe. Significant heterogeneity was observed in the conception and operacionalización of cultural competence models and in the implementation of the interventions. The interventions have mostly aimed at improving healthcare for minority population groups and have focused on the racial and ethnic dimensions of the individual. Future research is needed to contribute to the conceptual development of cultural competence to design programs tailored to European superdiversity. This scoping review has been registered in OSF and is available for consultation.

Development and testing of a bespoke cultural intervention to support healthcare professionals with patients from a diverse background

OBJECTIVE

Development and test of a culturally sensitive intervention for rheumatology healthcare professionals (HCPs).

METHODS

Using a before and after study design, 15 HCPs were recruited to undertake the bespoke intervention from four National Health Service sites across England, in areas serving a diverse population. The intervention was evaluated using two validated outcomes: (i) Patient Reported Physician Cultural Competency (PRPCC); and (ii) Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI), measuring patients' perceptions of their overall healthcare delivery. Additionally, HCPs completed the COM-B questionnaire for capability (C), opportunity (O) and motivation (M) to perform behaviour (B), measuring behaviour change.

RESULTS

Two hundred patients were recruited before HCPs undertook the intervention (cohort 1), and 200 were recruited after (cohort 2) from 15 HCPs; after exclusions 178 patients remained in cohort 1 and 186 in cohort 2. Sixty percent of patients identified as white in both recruited cohorts, compared with 29% and 33% of patients (cohorts 1 and 2, respectively) who identified as being of South Asian origin. After the intervention, the COM-B scores indicated that HCPs felt more skilled and equipped for consultations. No significant differences were noted in the average overall cultural competency score between the two cohorts in white patients (57.3 vs 56.8, P = 0.8), however in the South Asian cohort there was a statistically significant improvement in mean scores (64.1 vs 56.7, P = 0.014). Overall, the enablement score also showed a statistically significant improvement following intervention (7.3 vs 4.3, P < 0.001) in the white patients and in the South Asian patients (8.0 vs 2.2, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This novel study provides evidence for improving cultural competency and patient enablement in rheumatology settings.

Patients' expectations of primary health care from both patients' and physicians' perspectives: a questionnaire study with a qualitative approach

BACKGROUND

Patients' ideas, concerns, and expectations are three important concepts in consultation techniques. Limited studies on these concepts include responses from both health care providers and care recipients of the same consultation. Highlighting both perspectives provides an increased understanding of the consultation. This study aims to explore the perspectives of patients and health care professionals about patients' expectations of primary health care during consultations with primary care physicians and compare the two sets of perspectives.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study. Patients (n = 113) and physicians (n = 67) from five primary health care centers completed a questionnaire after planned consultations. Their responses to open-ended questions about patients' expectations, from patients' and physicians' perspectives were analyzed with qualitative content analyses.

RESULTS

The patients expected a personal journey, through the primary health care system where they were the subject of interest. A journey, with ready access to a health care provider followed by a consultation with the physician, medical measures administered, their outcomes discussed, and a plan developed for continued health care. The physicians observed patients' expectations to concern the responsibilities placed on primary health care where patients were the object of interest. Patients' short-term expectations were described in a similar way by both patients and physicians. Patients expressed their long-term expectations as more personal and interpersonal whereas physicians observed them from a more professional and organizational standpoint.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients and physicians have different views of what patients expect of primary health care. While patients' short-term expectations were perceived by physicians, their long-term expectations were not. Patients expected more of a personal journey through the primary health care system while physicians observed patients' expectations to concern the responsibilities placed on primary health care. Identifying and meeting patients' expectations is an important part of patient-centered care, and a better understanding of patients' expectations is needed to improve health professionals' consultation skills.

Talking in primary care (TIP): protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial in UK primary care to assess clinical and cost-effectiveness of communication skills e-learning for practitioners on patients' musculoskeletal pain and enablement

INTRODUCTION

Effective communication can help optimise healthcare interactions and patient outcomes. However, few interventions have been tested clinically, subjected to cost-effectiveness analysis or are sufficiently brief and well-described for implementation in primary care. This paper presents the protocol for determining the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a rigorously developed brief eLearning tool, EMPathicO, among patients with and without musculoskeletal pain.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A cluster randomised controlled trial in general practitioner (GP) surgeries in England and Wales serving patients from diverse geographic, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. GP surgeries are randomised (1:1) to receive EMPathicO e-learning immediately, or at trial end. Eligible practitioners (eg, GPs, physiotherapists and nurse practitioners) are involved in managing primary care patients with musculoskeletal pain. Patient recruitment is managed by practice staff and researchers. Target recruitment is 840 adults with and 840 without musculoskeletal pain consulting face-to-face, by telephone or video. Patients complete web-based questionnaires at preconsultation baseline, 1 week and 1, 3 and 6 months later. There are two patient-reported primary outcomes: pain intensity and patient enablement. Cost-effectiveness is considered from the National Health Service and societal perspectives. Secondary and process measures include practitioner patterns of use of EMPathicO, practitioner-reported self-efficacy and intentions, patient-reported symptom severity, quality of life, satisfaction, perceptions of practitioner empathy and optimism, treatment expectancies, anxiety, depression and continuity of care. Purposive subsamples of patients, practitioners and practice staff take part in up to two qualitative, semistructured interviews.

ETHICS APPROVAL AND DISSEMINATION

Approved by the South Central Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee on 1 July 2022 and the Health Research Authority and Health and Care Research Wales on 6 July 2022 (REC reference 22/SC/0145; IRAS project ID 312208). Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed academic publications, conference presentations and patient and practitioner outlets. If successful, EMPathicO could quickly be made available at a low cost to primary care practices across the country.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN18010240.

Clinical effectiveness of point of care tests for diagnosing urinary tract infection: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Point of care tests (POCTs) have the potential to improve the urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnostic pathway, as they can provide a diagnosis quickly in near-patient settings, and some also identify causative pathogens/antimicrobial sensitivity.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the clinical impact, accuracy, and technical characteristics of POCT for diagnosing UTI.

METHODS OF DATA SYNTHESIS

Narrative summary and bivariate random effects meta-analyses to estimate summary sensitivity and specificity.

DATA SOURCES

Five electronic databases, two clinical trial registries, study reports and review reference lists, and websites.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Randomized controlled trials/non-randomized studies and diagnostic test accuracy studies published since 2000.

PARTICIPANTS

People with suspected UTI.

TESTS

Rapid tests (results <40 minutes): Astrego PA-100 system, Lodestar DX, Uriscreen, UTRiPLEX. Culture tests (results <24 hours): Flexicult Human, ID Flexicult, Diaslide, Dipstreak, Chromostreak, Uricult, Uricult Trio, Uricult Plus.

REFERENCE STANDARD

Any.

ASSESSMENT OF RISK OF BIAS

Risk of Bias-2, Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2, Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-C.

RESULTS

Two randomized controlled trials evaluated Flexicult Human (one against standard care; one against ID Flexicult). No difference was reported in antibiotic use concordant with culture results (OR 0.84 95% CI 0.58-1.20) or appropriate antibiotic prescribing (OR 1.44 95% CI 1.03-1.99). Initial antibiotic prescribing was lower with Flexicult than standard care (OR 0.56 95% CI 0.35-0.88). No difference for other measures of antibiotic use, symptom duration, patient enablement, or resource use. Fifteen studies reported accuracy data. Limited data were available, with most POCT evaluated in single studies or not evaluated at all. Uriscreen (four studies), Uricult Trio (three studies), Flexicult Human (four studies), and ID Flexicult (two studies) had modest sensitivity and specificity. POCTs were easier to use and interpret than standard culture.

CONCLUSIONS

There is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of POCTs in UTI diagnosis. Due to the rapid development of POCT, this review should be updated regularly.

Patients' experiences of GP consultations following the introduction of the new GP contract in Scotland: a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

The new Scottish GP contract commenced in April 2018 with a stated aim of mitigating health inequalities.

AIM

To determine the health characteristics and experiences of patients consulting GPs in deprived urban (DU), affluent urban (AU), and remote and rural (RR) areas of Scotland.

DESIGN AND SETTING

In 2022, a postal survey of a random sample of adult patients from 12 practices who had consulted a GP within the previous 30 days was undertaken.

METHOD

Patient characteristics and consultation experiences in the three areas (DU, AU, RR) were evaluated using validated measures including the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Measure and Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI).

RESULTS

In total, 1053 responses were received. In DU areas, multimorbidity was more common (78% versus 58% AU versus 68% RR, P<0.01), complex presentations (where the consultation addressed both psychosocial and physical problems) were more likely (16% versus 10% AU versus 11% RR, P<0.05), and more consultations were conducted by telephone (42% versus 31% AU versus 31% RR, P<0.01). Patients in DU areas reported lower satisfaction (82% DU completely, very, or fairly satisfied versus 90% AU versus 86% RR, P<0.01), lower perceived GP empathy (mean CARE score 38.9 versus 42.1 AU versus 40.1 RR, P<0.05), lower enablement (mean PEI score 2.6 versus 3.2 AU versus 2.8 RR, P<0.01), and less symptom improvement (P<0.01) than those in AU or RR areas. Face-to-face consultations were associated with significantly higher satisfaction, enablement, and perceived GP empathy than telephone consultations in RR areas (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Four years after the start of the new GP contract in Scotland, patients' experiences of GP consultations suggest that the inverse care law persists.

Psychosocial factors associated with health-related quality of life in patients with chronic disease: Results of a cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVE

The impact of various psychosocial factors (sense of coherence, illness perception, patient enablement, self-efficacy, health literacy, personality) is not fully understood across a wide range of chronic diseases, and in particular in patients with multimorbidity. As such, this study assessed the key psychosocial factors associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with one or more chronic diseases based on cross-sectional data collected in Flanders (Belgium).

METHODS

Cross-sectional data on 544 chronically ill patients were analysed. Multiple linear regression models were built to analyze the key psychosocial factors associated with HRQoL (EQ-5D-5Lindex as dependent factor).

RESULTS

Overall, the strongest independently associated factor with HRQoL was illness perceptions (β = -0.52, P < 0.001). In addition, sense of coherence (β = 0.14, P = < 0.05) was independently positively associated with HRQoL. Moreover, after stratification for multimorbidity, the negative association of illness perceptions with HRQoL was stronger when multimorbidity is present compared to when it is absent (β = -0.62, P < 0.001 vs β = -0.38, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed interesting associations of the modifiable psychosocial factors of illness perceptions and sense of coherence with HRQoL in a population of chronically ill persons. Given that the burden of chronic diseases will rise in the next decades, designing and implementing interventions that enhance these psychosocial abilities of patients, especially illness perceptions in multimorbid patients, is needed in order to reduce the burden of chronic diseases in terms of impaired HRQoL.

Patient enablement and health-related quality of life for patients with chronic back and knee pain: a cross-sectional study in primary care

BACKGROUND

Chronic back and knee pain impairs health- related quality of life (HRQoL) and patient enablement can improve HRQoL.

AIM

To determine whether enablement was a moderator of the effect of chronic back and knee pain on HRQoL.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A cross-sectional study of Chinese patients with chronic back and knee problems in public primary care clinics in Hong Kong.

METHOD

Each participant completed the Chinese Patient Enablement Instrument-2 (PEI-2), the Chinese Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Pain Rating Scale (PRS). Multivariable regression examined the effects of PRS score and PEI-2 score on WOMAC total score. A moderation regression model and simple slope analysis were used to evaluate whether the interaction between enablement (PEI-2) and pain (PRS) had a significant effect on HRQoL (WOMAC).

RESULTS

Valid patient-reported outcome data from 1306 participants were analysed. PRS score was associated with WOMAC total score (β = 0.326, P<0.001), whereas PEI-2 score was associated inversely with WOMAC total score (β = -0.260, P<0.001) and PRS score. The effect of the interaction between PRS and PEI-2 (PRS × PEI-2) scores on WOMAC total score was significant (β = -0.191, P<0.001) suggesting PEI-2 was a moderator. Simple slope analyses showed that the relationship between PRS and WOMAC was stronger for participants with a low level of PEI-2 (gradient 3.056) than for those with a high level of PEI-2 (gradient 1.746).

CONCLUSION

Patient enablement moderated the impact of pain on HRQoL. A higher level of enablement can lessen impairment in HRQoL associated with chronic back and knee pain.

Empowerment and enablement and their associations with change in health-related quality of life after a supported osteoarthritis self-management programme - a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Current treatment supports coping strategies to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The need to predict response to treatment has been raised to personalise care. This study aims to examine change in HRQoL from baseline to three and nine months follow-up after participating in a Supported Osteoarthritis Self-Management Programme (SOASP) and to examine if empowerment and/or enablement were associated with change in HRQoL after a SOASP.

METHODS

Patients participating in a SOASP were recruited consecutively between April 2016 and June 2018. The EQ-5D was used to measure HRQoL, the Swedish Rheumatic Disease Empowerment Scale (SWE-RES-23) (score range 1-5) to measure empowerment and the Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI) (score range 0-12) to measure enablement. The instruments were answered before (EQ-5D, SWE-RES-23) and after (EQ-5D, SWE-RES-23, PEI) the SOASP. A patient partner was involved in the research process to enhance the patient perspective. Changes in outcome were examined with paired sample t-test and standardized effect sizes (Cohen´s d). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to assess potential associations.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-three patients participated in baseline measurement. Mean EQ-5D-5 L index score increased significantly from baseline to three months corresponding to a standardised effect size (Cohen´s d) of d = 0.43, 95% CI [0.24, 0.63] (n = 109), and from baseline to nine months d = 0.19, 95% CI [0.01, 0.37] (n = 119). The average EQ VAS score increased significantly from baseline to three months corresponding to a standardised effect size of d = 0.26, 95% CI [0.07, 0.45] (n = 109), and from baseline to nine months d = 0.18, 95% CI [0.00, 0.36] (n = 119). Neither SWE-RES-23 nor PEI at three months follow-up nor the change in the SWE-RES-23 score from baseline to three months follow-up were associated with change in either EQ-5D-5 L index (p > 0.05) or the EQ VAS (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Health-related quality of life increased after participating in a SOASP. Empowerment and enablement as measured with the SWE-RES-23 and the PEI were not associated with change in HRQoL among patients participating in a SOASP.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov. Identification number: NCT02974036. First registration 28/11/2016, retrospectively registered.

The relationship between patient enablement and help-seeking in the context of blood cancer symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Approaches to improve earlier diagnosis of cancer often focus on symptom awareness as a key driver of help-seeking behaviour and other psychological influences are less well understood. This is the first study to explore the role of patient enablement on help-seeking for people experiencing potential blood cancer symptoms.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, nationally representative survey was completed by 434 respondents (>18 years). Questions asked about symptom experiences, medical help-seeking and re-consultation. Existing patient enablement items were included in the newly developed Blood Cancer Awareness Measure. We collected data on patient socio-demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

Of those responding to the survey 224/434 (51.6%) reported experiencing at least one potential blood cancer symptom. Half of those experiencing symptoms (112/224) had sought medical help. Results from logistic regression analysis showed that higher scores on patient enablement were associated with being less likely to seek help (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.89, Confidence Interval [CI] 0.81-0.98) after controlling for socio-demographics. Separate analyses showed that higher enablement was associated with being more comfortable to re-consult if symptoms didn't go away or got worse (OR 1.31, CI 1.16-1.48); after a test result suggested there was nothing to worry about, but symptoms persisted (OR 1.23, CI 1.12-1.34) or to request further tests, scans or investigations (OR 1.31, CI 1.19-1.44).

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to our hypotheses, patient enablement was associated with lower likelihood of help-seeking for potential blood cancer symptoms. Yet enablement appears to play an important role in likelihood of re-consulting when symptoms persist, get worse or need further investigation.

Telemedicine in the primary care of older adults: a systematic mixed studies review

BACKGROUND

Family physicians had to deliver care remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their efforts highlighted the importance of developing a primary care telemedicine (TM) model. TM has the potential to provide a high-quality option for primary care delivery. However, it poses unique challenges for older adults. Our aim was therefore to explore the effects of TM and the determinants of its use in primary care for older adults.

METHODS

In this systematic mixed studies review, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINHAL, AgeLine, DARE, Cochrane Library, and clinical trials research registers were searched for articles in English, French or Russian. Two reviewers performed study selection, data extraction and assessment of study quality. TM's effects were reported through the tabulation of key variables. TM use determinants were interpreted using thematic analysis based on Chang's framework. All data were integrated using a joint display matrix.

RESULTS

From 3,328 references identified, 20 studies were included. They used either phone (n = 8), videoconference (n = 9) or both (n = 3). Among studies reporting positive outcomes in TM experience, 'user habit or preferences' was the most cited barrier and 'location and travel time' was the most cited facilitator. Only one study reported negative outcomes in TM experience and reported 'comfort with patient communication' and 'user interface, intended use or usability' as barriers, and 'technology skills and knowledge' and 'location and travel time' as facilitators. Among studies reporting positive outcomes in service use and usability, no barrier or facilitator was cited more than once. Only one study reported a positive outcome in health-related and behavioural outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

TM in older adults' primary care generally led to positive experiences, high satisfaction and generated an interest towards alternative healthcare delivery model. Future research should explore its efficacy on clinical, health-related and healthcare services use.

Assessing awareness of blood cancer symptoms and barriers to symptomatic presentation: measure development and results from a population survey in the UK

BACKGROUND

Low levels of cancer awareness may contribute to delays in seeking medical help and subsequent delays in diagnosis. For blood cancer this may be a particularly prominent problem due to the high prevalence of undifferentiated symptoms such as bodily pain, weakness, nausea and weight loss, resulting in low symptom awareness. The delay is exacerbated by the dismissal of similar symptoms which are often interpreted as mild disease, resulting in multiple consultations prior to diagnosis. This study describes the development of a Cancer Awareness Measure for Blood Cancer (Blood CAM) and presents results from a population-representative survey using the measure.

METHODS

A rapid systematic review identified constructs relevant to blood cancer. Items were taken from previous awareness measures and other literature and reviewed by expert groups including health care professionals and patients. Cognitive interviews were conducted with ten members of the public to check comprehension and clarity. A total sample of 434 participants completed the survey at Time 1 and n = 302 at Time 2 (two weeks later).

RESULTS

Internal reliability was high across the different constructs included in the questionnaire (> 0.70) and test-retest reliability was moderate to good (0.49-0.79). The most commonly recognised blood cancer symptoms were unexplained weight loss (68.9%) and unexplained bleeding (64.9%) and the least commonly recognised symptoms were night sweats (31.3%) breathlessness and rash/itchy skin (both 44%). In terms of symptom experience, fatigue was the most commonly reported symptom (26.7%) followed by night sweats (25.4%). Exploratory factor analysis of barriers to presenting at primary care revealed three distinct categories of barriers; emotional, external/practical and service/healthcare professional related. Service and emotional barriers were most common.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a valid and reliable tool to assess blood cancer awareness and showed variable awareness of blood cancer symptoms which can help target public health campaigns. We also incorporated additional measures (e.g. confidence to re-consult, ability to understand symptoms) that could be used to tailor public messaging for blood cancer and for other harder to suspect and diagnose cancers.

Measuring valued output in primary care: challenges and reconciliation

INTRODUCTION

Strong primary care has positive impact on patients' and population health, and high continuity of care is one of its hallmarks. Insight into the underlying mechanisms is limited and research on this topic requires measures of primary care outputs, which are states that mediate between processes and outcomes of primary care.

AREAS COVERED

Nine potential outputs of high continuity of care were specified to examine 45 validated patient questionnaires, which were identified in a systematic review. Eighteen questionnaires covered one or more primary care outputs, yet at variable and mostly limited extent.

EXPERT OPINION

Measures of primary care outputs can strengthen clinical and health services research, but such measures have yet to be developed and validated for most primary care outputs. The use of these measures in outcome evaluations of interventions in healthcare would enhance the interpretation of intervention effects. Validated measures are also needed to tap the full potential of advanced methods of data-analysis in clinical and health services research. Better understanding of the primary care outputs may also help to mitigate broader challenges in healthcare systems.

Team approach to polypharmacy evaluation and reduction: feasibility randomized trial of a structured clinical pathway to reduce polypharmacy

BACKGROUND

Polypharmacy is associated with poorer health outcomes in older adults. Other than the associated multimorbidity, factors contributing to this association could include medication adverse effects and interactions, difficulties in managing complicated medication regimes, and reduced medication adherence. It is unknown how reversible these negative associations may be if polypharmacy is reduced. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of implementing an operationalized clinical pathway aimed to reduce polypharmacy in primary care and to pilot measurement tools suitable for assessing change in health outcomes in a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT).

METHODS

We randomized consenting patients ≥ 70 years old on ≥ 5 long-term medications into intervention or control groups. We collected baseline demographic information and research outcome measures at baseline and 6 months. We assessed four categories of feasibility outcomes: process, resource, management, and scientific. The intervention group received TAPER (team approach to polypharmacy evaluation and reduction), a clinical pathway for reducing polypharmacy using "pause and monitor" drug holiday approach. TAPER integrates patients' goals, priorities, and preferences with an evidence-based "machine screen" to identify potentially problematic medications and support a tapering and monitoring process, all supported by a web-based system, TaperMD. Patients met with a clinical pharmacist and then with their family physician to finalize a plan for optimization of medications using TaperMD. The control group received usual care and were offered TAPER after follow-up at 6 months.

RESULTS

All 9 criteria for feasibility were met across the 4 feasibility outcome domains. Of 85 patients screened for eligibility, 39 eligible patients were recruited and randomized; two were excluded post hoc for not meeting the age requirement. Withdrawals (2) and losses to follow-up (3) were small and evenly distributed between arms. Areas for intervention and research process improvement were identified. In general, outcome measures performed well and appeared suitable for assessing change in a larger RCT.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this feasibility study indicate that TAPER as a clinical pathway is feasible to implement in a primary care team setting and in an RCT research framework. Outcome trends suggest effectiveness. A large-scale RCT will be conducted to investigate the effectiveness of TAPER on reducing polypharmacy and improving health outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov NCT02562352 , Registered September 29, 2015.

Patient Education Improves Pain and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Established Spinal Osteoporosis in Primary Care-A Pilot Study of Short- and Long-Term Effects

Fragility fractures, in particular vertebral fractures, are associated with high morbidity, including chronic pain and reduced health-related quality of life. We aimed to investigate the short- and long-term effects of patient education, including interdisciplinary themes, with or without physical training or mindfulness/medical yoga for patients with established spinal osteoporosis in primary care. Osteoporotic persons aged sixty years or older with one or more vertebral fractures were randomized to theory only, theory and physical exercise, or theory and mindfulness/medical yoga and were scheduled to once a week for ten weeks. Participants were followed up by clinical tests and questionnaires. Twenty-one participants completed the interventions and the one-year follow-up. Adherence to interventions was 90%. Pooled data from all participants showed significant improvements after intervention on pain during the last week and worst pain, and reduced painkiller use (any painkillers at baseline 70% [opioids 25%] vs. post-intervention 52% [opioids 14%]). Significant improvements were seen regarding RAND-36 social function, Qualeffo-41 social function, balance, tandem walking backwards, and theoretical knowledge. These changes were maintained at the 1-year follow-up. Patient group education combined with supervised training seems to have positive effects on pain, and physical function in persons with established spinal osteoporosis. The improved quality of life was maintained at the 1-year follow-up.

Effectiveness of interprofessional communication skills training for oncology teams: study protocol for a three-arm cluster randomised trial (KommRhein Interpro)

INTRODUCTION

Patient-provider communication is an important factor influencing the quality of care in oncology. The study examines the comparative effectiveness of a 10-hour interprofessional communication skills training (CST) programme for physicians and nurses in cancer centres.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

KommRhein Interpro is a cluster-randomised trial sponsored by the German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe, DKH) and conducted at the cancer centres of the university hospitals of Aachen, Bonn, Cologne and Düsseldorf. Thirty oncology teams of four cancer centres are randomly assigned to three study arms, providing healthcare professionals with either (a) only written information on patient-centred communication or (b) written information plus CST for physicians or (c) written information plus interprofessional CST for physicians and nurses. For summative evaluation, standardised surveys from three measurement points for patients (T0pat: study enrollment; T1pat: after discharge; T2pat: 3 months' follow-up) and two measurement points for physicians and nurses (T0hcp: before the intervention; T1hcp: after the intervention) are used. N=1320 valid patient cases are needed for data evaluation. The primary endpoint is fear of progression in patients with cancer after discharge. Data will be analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle using a mixed model for repeated measurement. Secondary outcome is the providers' self-efficacy in patient centeredness. Individual confounders and possible moderating effects of organisational factors will be considered. Secondary analysis will be performed by means of multilevel analysis and structural equation modelling.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

A vote of approval has been obtained from the ethics committees of the medical faculties of RWTH Aachen University (EK325/20), University of Bonn (391/20), University of Cologne (20-1332) and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (2019-796). Data protection regulations are adhered to for all processed data. The conduct of the study will be monitored. Dissemination strategies include a transfer workshop with cancer teams and distribution of the final study report to participants.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

DRKS00022563; DRKS (German Clinical Trials Register).

Eczema Care Online behavioural interventions to support self-care for children and young people: two independent, pragmatic, randomised controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of two online behavioural interventions, one for parents and carers and one for young people, to support eczema self-management.

DESIGN

Two independent, pragmatic, parallel group, unmasked, randomised controlled trials.

SETTING

98 general practices in England.

PARTICIPANTS

Parents and carers of children (0-12 years) with eczema (trial 1) and young people (13-25 years) with eczema (trial 2), excluding people with inactive or very mild eczema (≤5 on POEM, the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure).

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were randomised (1:1) using online software to receive usual eczema care or an online (www.EczemaCareOnline.org.uk) behavioural intervention for eczema plus usual care.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome was eczema symptoms rated using POEM (range 0-28, with 28 being very severe) every four weeks over 24 weeks. Outcomes were reported by parents or carers for children and by self-report for young people. Secondary outcomes included POEM score every four weeks over 52 weeks, quality of life, eczema control, itch intensity (young people only), patient enablement, treatment use, perceived barriers to treatment use, and intervention use. Analyses were carried out separately for the two trials and according to intention-to-treat principles.

RESULTS

340 parents or carers of children (169 usual care; 171 intervention) and 337 young people (169 usual care; 168 intervention) were randomised. The mean baseline POEM score was 12.8 (standard deviation 5.3) for parents and carers and 15.2 (5.4) for young people. Three young people withdrew from follow-up but did not withdraw their data. All randomised participants were included in the analyses. At 24 weeks, follow-up rates were 91.5% (311/340) for parents or carers and 90.2% (304/337) for young people. After controlling for baseline eczema severity and confounders, compared with usual care groups over 24 weeks, eczema severity improved in the intervention groups: mean difference in POEM score -1.5 (95% confidence interval -2.5 to -0.6; P=0.002) for parents or carers and -1.9 (-3.0 to -0.8; P<0.001) for young people. The number needed to treat to achieve a 2.5 difference in POEM score at 24 weeks was 6 in both trials. Improvements were sustained to 52 weeks in both trials. Enablement showed a statistically significant difference favouring the intervention group in both trials: adjusted mean difference at 24 weeks -0.7 (95% confidence interval -1.0 to -0.4) for parents or carers and -0.9 (-1.3 to -0.6) for young people. No harms were identified in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Two online interventions for self-management of eczema aimed at parents or carers of children with eczema and at young people with eczema provide a useful, sustained benefit in managing eczema severity in children and young people when offered in addition to usual eczema care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN registry ISRCTN79282252.

Digital interventions for hypertension and asthma to support patient self-management in primary care: the DIPSS research programme including two RCTs

Background

Digital interventions offer a potentially cost-effective means to support patient self-management in primary care, but evidence for the feasibility, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of digital interventions remains mixed. This programme focused on the potential for self-management digital interventions to improve outcomes in two common, contrasting conditions (i.e. hypertension and asthma) for which care is currently suboptimal, leading to excess deaths, illness, disability and costs for the NHS.

Objectives

The overall purpose was to address the question of how digital interventions can best provide cost-effective support for patient self-management in primary care. Our aims were to develop and trial digital interventions to support patient self-management of hypertension and asthma. Through the process of planning, developing and evaluating these interventions, we also aimed to generate a better understanding of what features and methods for implementing digital interventions could make digital interventions acceptable, feasible, effective and cost-effective to integrate into primary care.

Design

For the hypertension strand, we carried out systematic reviews of quantitative and qualitative evidence, intervention planning, development and optimisation, and an unmasked randomised controlled trial comparing digital intervention with usual care, with a health economic analysis and nested process evaluation. For the asthma strand, we carried out a systematic review of quantitative evidence, intervention planning, development and optimisation, and a feasibility randomised controlled trial comparing digital intervention with usual care, with nested process evaluation.

Setting

General practices (hypertension, n = 76; asthma, n = 7) across Wessex and Thames Valley regions in Southern England.

Participants

For the hypertension strand, people with uncontrolled hypertension taking one, two or three antihypertensive medications. For the asthma strand, adults with asthma and impaired asthma-related quality of life.

Interventions

Our hypertension intervention (i.e. HOME BP) was a digital intervention that included motivational training for patients to self-monitor blood pressure, as well as health-care professionals to support self-management; a digital interface to send monthly readings to the health-care professional and to prompt planned medication changes when patients’ readings exceeded recommended targets for 2 consecutive months; and support for optional patient healthy behaviour change (e.g. healthy diet/weight loss, increased physical activity and reduced alcohol and salt consumption). The control group were provided with a Blood Pressure UK (London, UK) leaflet for hypertension and received routine hypertension care. Our asthma intervention (i.e. My Breathing Matters) was a digital intervention to improve the functional quality of life of primary care patients with asthma by supporting illness self-management. Motivational content intended to facilitate use of pharmacological self-management strategies (e.g. medication adherence and appropriate health-care service use) and non-pharmacological self-management strategies (e.g. breathing retraining, stress reduction and healthy behaviour change). The control group were given an Asthma UK (London, UK) information booklet on asthma self-management and received routine asthma care.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome for the hypertension randomised controlled trial was difference between intervention and usual-care groups in mean systolic blood pressure (mmHg) at 12 months, adjusted for baseline blood pressure, blood pressure target (i.e. standard, diabetic or aged > 80 years), age and general practice. The primary outcome for the asthma feasibility study was the feasibility of the trial design, including recruitment, adherence, intervention engagement and retention at follow-up. Health-care utilisation data were collected via notes review.

Review methods

The quantitative reviews included a meta-analysis. The qualitative review comprised a meta-ethnography.

Results

A total of 622 hypertensive patients were recruited to the randomised controlled trial, and 552 (89%) were followed up at 12 months. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the intervention group at 12 months, with a difference of –3.4 mmHg (95% confidence interval –6.1 to –0.8 mmHg), and this gave an incremental cost per unit of systolic blood pressure reduction of £11 (95% confidence interval £5 to £29). Owing to a cost difference of £402 and a quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) difference of 0.044, long-term modelling puts the incremental cost per QALY at just over £9000. The probability of being cost-effective was 66% at willingness to pay £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year, and this was higher at higher thresholds. A total of 88 patients were recruited to the asthma feasibility trial (target n = 80; n = 44 in each arm). At 3-month follow-up, two patients withdrew and six patients did not complete outcome measures. At 12 months, two patients withdrew and four patients did not complete outcome measures. A total of 36 out of 44 patients in the intervention group engaged with My Breathing Matters [with a median of four (range 0–25) logins].

Limitations

Although the interventions were designed to be as accessible as was feasible, most trial participants were white and participants of lower socioeconomic status were less likely to take part and complete follow-up measures. Challenges remain in terms of integrating digital interventions with clinical records.

Conclusions

A digital intervention using self-monitored blood pressure to inform medication titration led to significantly lower blood pressure in participants than usual care. The observed reduction in blood pressure would be expected to lead to a reduction of 10–15% in patients suffering a stroke. The feasibility trial of My Breathing Matters suggests that a fully powered randomised controlled trial of the intervention is warranted. The theory-, evidence- and person-based approaches to intervention development refined through this programme enabled us to identify and address important contextual barriers to and facilitators of engagement with the interventions.

Future work

This research justifies consideration of further implementation of the hypertension intervention, a fully powered randomised controlled trial of the asthma intervention and wide dissemination of our methods for intervention development. Our interventions can also be adapted for a range of other health conditions.

Trial and study registration

The trials are registered as ISRCTN13790648 (hypertension) and ISRCTN15698435 (asthma). The studies are registered as PROSPERO CRD42013004773 (hypertension review) and PROSPERO CRD42014013455 (asthma review).

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research programme and will be published in full in Programme Grants for Applied Research; Vol. 10, No. 11. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further information.

Implementation and delivery of group consultations for young people with diabetes in socioeconomically deprived, ethnically diverse settings

BACKGROUND

Young people with diabetes experience poor clinical and psychosocial outcomes, and consider the health service ill-equipped in meeting their needs. Improvements, including alternative consulting approaches, are required to improve care quality and patient engagement. We examined how group-based, outpatient diabetes consultations might be delivered to support young people (16-25 years old) in socio-economically deprived, ethnically diverse settings.

METHODS

This multi-method, comparative study recruited a total of 135 young people with diabetes across two implementation and two comparison sites (2017-2019). Informed by a 'researcher-in-residence' approach and complexity theory, we used a combination of methods: (a) 31 qualitative interviews with young people and staff and ethnographic observation in group and individual clinics, (b) quantitative analysis of sociodemographic, clinical, service use, and patient enablement data, and (c) micro-costing analysis.

RESULTS

Implementation sites delivered 29 group consultations in total. Overall mean attendance per session was low, but a core group of young people attended repeatedly. They reported feeling better understood and supported, gaining new learning from peers and clinicians, and being better prepared to normalise diabetes self-care. Yet, there were also instances where peer comparison proved difficult to manage. Group consultations challenged deeply embedded ways of thinking about care provision and required staff to work flexibly to achieve local tailoring, sustain continuity, and safely manage complex interdependencies with other care processes. Set-up and delivery were time-consuming and required in-depth clinical and relational knowledge of patients. Facilitation by an experienced youth worker was instrumental. There was indication that economic value could derive from preventing at least one unscheduled consultation annually.

CONCLUSIONS

Group consulting can provide added value when tailored to meet local needs rather than following standardised approaches. This study illustrates the importance of adaptive capability and self-organisation when integrating new models of care, with young people as active partners in shaping service provision.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN reference 27989430.

Does customised care improve satisfaction and positively enable parents in sustained home visiting for mothers and children experiencing adversity?

Background

The Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-visiting program (MECSH) is a structured nurse-delivered program designed to address health inequities experienced by families experiencing significant adversity. There is strong evidence for the effectiveness of this program, but limited research exploring the practice and process elements that are core to positive parent outcomes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between customised care related to the mother’s risk factors and parent satisfaction and enablement in the delivery of a MECSH-based program.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was used. Program delivery data collected as part of a large randomised controlled trial of a MECSH-based sustained nurse home visiting program in Australia (right@home) were analysed. This study used the data collected from the intervention arm in the trial (n = 352 women). Parent satisfaction was measured at child age 24 months using the modified short-form Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Parent enablement was measured at child age 24 months by a modified Parent Enablement Index. Customised care was defined as appropriate provision of care content in response to four maternal risks: smoking, mental health, domestic violence and alcohol and drugs. Logistic analysis was performed to assess the impact of customised care on parent satisfaction and enablement while adjusting for covariates such as sociodemographic factors. A significance level of 95% was applied for analysis.

Results

Our results indicated high levels of satisfaction with the care provided and positive enablement. There were several sociodemographic factors associated with satisfaction and enablement, such as language spoken at home and employment experience. The mothers who received customised care in response to mental health risk and domestic violence had significantly greater satisfaction with the care provided and experienced an increase in enablement compared to those who did not receive such care.

Conclusion

This study contributes to the existing body of empirical research that examines the relationship between care processes and client outcomes in the delivery of home visiting services. It is essential for the sustained nurse home visiting service model to be flexible enough to cater for variations according to family circumstances and needs while maintaining a core of evidence-based practice.

Physiotherapy post Vertebral Fragility Fracture: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

The incidence of vertebral fragility fractures (VFF) is rising, placing a major burden on individuals and health systems. No comprehensive picture of the research regarding physiotherapy exists for this patient cohort.

OBJECTIVES

This scoping review aims to summarise the research regarding Physiotherapy post VFF, the type of physiotherapy interventions employed and outcome measures utilised.

DESIGN

Scoping review, adhering to the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. Databases searched were PubMed, PEDro, CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase from 2005 to November 2021. Grey literature searching was conducted using ProQuest and Open Grey. A narrative summary of data was compiled to describe the current evidence regarding physiotherapy post VFF.

STUDY SELECTION

Articles were included if they related to Physiotherapy interventions delivered to patients with VFF in any setting.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A narrative synthesis was conducted.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included with five randomised control trials, three pilot RCTs, two qualitative studies, one cross-sectional survey of clinicians, one cohort study and one prospective comparative study. Interventions most commonly reported were exercise, education or manual therapy. A large diversity of outcome measures was utilised most commonly in the spinal deformity, physical performance and balance, pain and quality of life domains.

CONCLUSION

Findings of this scoping review indicate the limited evidence to guide physiotherapists in the management of patients with VFF. The most commonly explored physiotherapy interventions were exercise, manual therapy and education. A diversity of outcome measures is utilised. Research is urgently needed, including high quality clinical trials with representative populations and studies exploring physiotherapy practice and the experience of patients with VFF. CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.

The importance of setting and therapeutic relationships when delivering chiropractic care to those living with disadvantage

BACKGROUND

Chiropractic is a mostly privatised health profession within Australia, with people experiencing disadvantage typically having limited access due to financial barriers. However, some universities within Australia offer community outreach clinics where students provide chiropractic care to people living with disadvantage. This demographic experiences higher rates of chronic conditions including musculoskeletal complaints and requires subsidisation to access privatised care. This need also offers opportunity for the chiropractic profession to work within community healthcare teams. A mixed-methods observational study was used to investigate how the unique setting of a student chiropractic community clinic may influence the experience and outcomes of those who attend.

METHODS

Three patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) investigated client outcomes: Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP); European Five Domain Five Level Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L); and the Patient Enablement Instrument. The PROMs data were analysed descriptively and inferentially. Interviews were conducted with clients who had received chiropractic care, chiropractic students, clinical supervisors and staff of the centre. Interview data were coded using thematic analysis, and themes were formed using Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological systems framework and non-participant observations.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven participants completed baseline PROMs and 17 completed follow-ups after four treatments. Seventy-two percent of participants nominated their primary complaint as chronic. Significant change was noted in general health and wellbeing for the MYMOP, pain and disability for the EQ-5D-5L and index scores for the EQ-5D-5L suggested improved health and wellbeing. Most clients experienced higher levels of enablement post treatment. Twelve participants were interviewed (four were clients), with five themes emerging from the interview data. Clients reported their lived experiences impacted their health problems and attending the clinic offered benefits beyond improvement of pain and disability.

CONCLUSIONS

Interview data suggested that these benefits were due to a combination of therapy, the setting and the relationships formed within that setting. Complementing this, PROM data suggested clients experienced better levels of health and wellbeing and decreased levels of pain and disability. Findings indicated that people who experienced disadvantage may receive broader benefits from attending community centres offering chiropractic care. Services such as chiropractic may be complementary in meeting the healthcare needs of those experiencing disadvantage.

A systematic literature review of patient self-assessment instruments concerning quality of primary care in multiprofessional clinics

BACKGROUND

Quality of care remains a priority issue and is correlated with patient experience. Measuring multidimensional patient primary care experiences in multiprofessional clinics requires a robust instrument. Although many exist, little is known about their quality.

OBJECTIVE

To identify patient perception instruments in multiprofessional primary care and evaluate their quality.

METHODS

Systematic review using Medline, Pascal, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, Cochrane, Scopus, and CAIRN. Eligible articles developed, evaluated, or validated 1 or more self-assessment instruments. The instruments had to measure primary care delivery, patient primary care experiences and assess at least 3 quality-of-care dimensions. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist was used to assess methodological quality of included studies. Instrument measurement properties were appraised using 3 possible quality scores. Data were combined to provide best-evidence synthesis based on the number of studies, their methodological quality, measurement property appraisal, and result consistency. Subscales used to capture patient primary care experiences were extracted and grouped into the 9 Institute of Medicine dimensions.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine articles were found. The included instruments captured many subscales illustrating the diverse conceptualization of patient primary care experiences. No included instrument demonstrated adequate validity and the lack of scientific methodology for assessing reliability made interpreting validity questionable. No study evaluated instrument responsiveness.

CONCLUSION

Numerous patient self-assessment instruments were identified capturing a wide range of patient experiences, but their measurement properties were weak. Research is required to develop and validate a generic instrument for assessing quality of multiprofessional primary care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable.

Correlation between self-efficacy, fear of movement, empowerment, enablement, and number of visits to physiotherapist among patients with musculoskeletal disorders in primary health care: a feasibility study

Background

Musculoskeletal disorders are a costly burden for health care and social care services. Patients with musculoskeletal disorders are often treated by physiotherapists in primary health care. Psychosocial variables can be a significant obstacle to recovering from musculoskeletal injuries.

The primary aim of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of performing a prospective study investigating whether self-efficacy, fear of movement, empowerment, or enablement has any relation to the number of visits to physiotherapists among patients with a musculoskeletal disorder in primary health care.

Methods

Prospective study with a consecutive selection including eleven female and eight male patients age ranged between 22 and 82 years old seeking physiotherapist for the first time for a musculoskeletal disorder in primary health care. Primary outcome measures included operational and practical feasibility regarding recruitment of participants, use of questionnaires, and key variables to be collected as part of the study. Secondary outcomes included the correlation between self-efficacy (Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES-S)), fear of movement (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-SV)), empowerment (Making Decisions Scale), enablement (Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI)), and the number of visits to physiotherapists. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS statistics version 28 with analysis of correlation using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

Results

Nineteen patients accepted to participate in the study and were included in the final analysis. Between 14 and 18 completed questionnaires were included.

There was a statistically significant correlation between the number of visits to the physiotherapist and self-efficacy, rho=0.692 and p=0.006.

Conclusion

The results of the study showed that the design is feasible in terms of recruitment of participants and use of questionnaires. New variables to collect in a large-scale study were identified. In a large-scale study, attention needs to be focused on the improvement of the number of completed questionnaires. The results of this study indicate that the present care of patients with a low level of self-efficacy is not optimal.

Enablement and empowerment among patients participating in a supported osteoarthritis self-management programme - a prospective observational study

Background

In Sweden, core treatment for osteoarthritis is offered through a Supported Osteoarthritis Self-Management Programme (SOASP), combining education and exercise to provide patients with coping strategies in self-managing the disease. The aim was to study enablement and empowerment among patients with osteoarthritis in the hip and/or knee participating in a SOASP. An additional aim was to study the relation between the Swedish version of the Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI) and the Swedish Rheumatic Disease Empowerment Scale (SWE-RES-23).

Methods

Patients with osteoarthritis participating in a SOASP in primary health care were recruited consecutively from 2016 to 2018. The PEI (score range 0–12) was used to measure enablement and the SWE-RES-23 (score range 1–5) to measure empowerment. The instruments were answered before (SWE-RES-23) and after the SOASP (PEI, SWE-RES-23). A patient partner was incorporated in the study. Descriptive statistics, the Wilcoxon’s signed rank test, effect size (r), and the Spearman’s rho (r_s) were used in the analysis.

Results

In total, 143 patients were included in the study, 111 (78%) were women (mean age 66, SD 9.3 years). At baseline the reported median value for the SWE-RES-23 (n = 142) was 3.6 (IQR 3.3–4.0). After the educational part of the SOASP, the reported median value was 6 (IQR 3–6.5) for the PEI (n = 109) and 3.8 (IQR 3.6–4.1) for the SWE-RES-23 (n = 108). At three months follow-up (n = 116), the reported median value was 6 (IQR 4–7) for the PEI and 3.9 (IQR 3.6–4.2) for the SWE-RES-23. The SWE-RES-23 score increased between baseline and three months (p ≤ 0.000). The analysis showed a positive correlation between PEI and SWE-RES-23 after the educational part of the SOASP (r_s = 0.493, p < 0.00, n = 108) and at follow-up at three months (r_s = 0.507, p < 0.00, n = 116).

Conclusions

Patients reported moderate to high enablement and empowerment and an increase in empowerment after participating in a SOASP, which might indicate that the SOASP is useful to enable and empower patients at least in the short term. Since our results showed that the PEI and the SWE-RES-23 are only partly related both instruments can be of use in evaluating interventions such as the SOASP.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT02974036. First registration 28/11/2016, retrospectively registered.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-022-05457-9.

ACT Transition from Hospital to Home Orthopaedic Survey: a cross-sectional survey of unplanned 30-day readmissions for patients having total hip arthroplasty

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to identify patient, hospital and transitional factors associated with unplanned 30-day readmissions in patients who had a total hip arthroplasty (THA).

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey was performed. All patients attending a 6-week follow-up after a THA in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) at four public and private clinics in the ACT from 1 February 2018 to 31 January 2019, were invited to complete an ACT Transition from Hospital to Home Orthopaedic Survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Within the ACT, 431 patients over the age of 16 attending their 6-week post-surgery consultation following a THA entered and completed the survey (response rate 77%).

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE

The primary outcome measure was self-reported readmissions for any reason within 30 days of discharge after a THA. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate ORs of factors associated with unplanned 30-day readmissions.

RESULTS

Of the 431 participants (representing 40% of all THAs conducted in the ACT during the study period), 27 (6%) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. After controlling for age and sex, patients who did not feel rested on discharge were more likely to be readmitted within 30 days than those who felt rested on discharge (OR=5.75, 95% CI: (2.13 to 15.55), p=0.001). There was no association between post-hospital syndrome (ie, in-hospital experiences of pain, sleep and diet) overall and readmission. Patients who suffered peripheral vascular disease (PVD) were significantly more likely to have an unplanned 30-day readmission (OR=16.9, 95% CI: (3.06 to 93.53), p=0.001). There was no significant difference between private and public patient readmissions CONCLUSIONS: Hospitals should develop strategies that maximise rest and sleep during patients' hospital stay. Diagnosis and optimum treatment of pre-existing PVD prior to THA should also be a priority to minimise the odds of subsequent unplanned readmissions.

Evaluation of MyRelief Serious Game for Better Self-Management of Health Behaviour Strategies on Chronic Low-Back Pain

Low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide, putting a significant strain on individual sufferers, their families, and the economy as a whole. It has a significant economic impact on the global economy because of the costs associated with healthcare, lost productivity, activity limitation, and work absence. Self-management, education, and adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as increasing physical activity, are all widely recommended treatments. Access to services provided by healthcare professionals who provide these treatments can be limited and costly. This evaluation study focuses on the application of the MyRelief serious game, with the goal of addressing such challenges by providing an accessible, interactive, and fun platform that incorporates self-management, behavior change strategies, and educational information consistent with recommendations for managing low-back pain, based on self-assessment models implemented through ontology-based mechanics. Functional disability measured using the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire showed the statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvement in subjects’ self-evaluation of their health status. System Usability Scale (SUS) test score of 77.6 also suggests that the MyRelief serious game can potentially influence patient enablement.

Understanding factors affecting 30-day unplanned readmissions for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA): the ACT Transition from Hospital to Home Orthopaedics Survey

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with unplanned 30-day readmissions following a total knee arthroplasty (TKA), including association with post-hospital syndrome, patient enablement and transition from hospital to home.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A cross-sectional written survey of public and private patients attending a 6-week follow-up appointment after TKA at one of four clinical services in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) between 1 February 2018 and 31 January 2019. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to measure associations between patient, hospital and transitional care factors with unplanned 30-day readmissions, while controlling for known confounders.

RESULTS

Of the 380 participants who completed the survey (n=380, 54% of TKAs undertaken over the study period), 3.4% (n=13; 95% CI: 1.8 to 5.8) were subsequently readmitted within 30 days of discharge after a primary hospitalisation. Public patients were significantly more likely to be readmitted within 30 days compared with private patients (adjusted OR=6.31, 95% CI: 1.59 to 25.14, p=0.009), and patients who attended rehabilitation were significantly less likely to be readmitted within 30 days of discharge than those who did not (adjusted OR=0.16, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.57, p=0.005). There were no associations between post-hospital syndrome or patient enablement and 30-day readmissions in this study.

CONCLUSION

Reasons underlying the difference in unplanned readmission rates for public versus private patients need to be explored, including differences in surgical waiting times and the consequences for impairment and disease complexity. Strategies to foster increased participation post-surgical rehabilitation programmes need to be developed as an avenue to mitigate the burden of unplanned 30-day readmissions on individuals and health systems.

One Health clinic promotes veterinarian-client trust among underserved pet owners and provides learning opportunities for veterinary students

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of a free One Health clinic with human and veterinary services on the veterinary-client relationship for underserved pet owners. A secondary aim was to understand the experience of veterinary students and volunteers who participated in the clinic.

SAMPLE

78 pet owners, 55 students and 32 volunteers who attended the Delaware Humane Association One Health Clinic between December 2018 and November 2019.

PROCEDURES

Pet owners completed an anonymous questionnaire prior to and following their veterinary appointment regarding their trust in the veterinary profession, feelings of enablement and veterinarian-client concordance. Students and volunteers completed a questionnaire within 72 hours of clinic participation about their perceptions of the educational value of the clinic.

RESULTS

Following the One Health clinic, client trust in the veterinary profession increased significantly (t = -5.50, P < 0.001). Clients also reported high levels of enablement and veterinarian-client concordance. Students and volunteers agreed the clinic was a valuable educational experience (97.7%) and reported increased compassion, enhanced leadership, communication and teamwork skills, and an improved ability to identify social issues and think critically.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The results support the utilization of One Health clinics to improve access to veterinary care for underserved pet owners. Clients reported high levels of trust, enablement and concordance following the clinic which could have long-lasting effects on their willingness to seek veterinary care and comply with veterinarians' recommendations. The positive experiences of students and volunteers also highlights the potential of low-cost veterinary clinics as unique educational experiences.

Remote interpreting in primary care settings: a feasibility trial in Germany

BACKGROUND

Global migration trends have led to a more diverse population in health care services everywhere, which in turn has set off a paradigm shift away from medical paternalism toward more patient autonomy. Consequently, physicians need to provide a more precise patient-centred healthcare. Professional interpreting appears to play a crucial part in tackling the challenges of language barriers adequately. The aim of this study was to conduct process evaluation through the implementing of video remote interpreting (VR) and telephone remote interpreting (TR) within primary care facilities in the northern German metropolis of Hamburg.

METHODS

We conducted a three-armed exploratory pilot trial, which compared VR to TR and to a control group (CG) in different primary care settings. We assessed feasibility of implementation, as well as the acceptance of interpreting tools among their users. In addition, we compared the quality of communication as perceived by patients and physicians, as well as the enabling of patient-centred medicine over all three study groups using quantitative questionnaires.

RESULTS

13 practices (7 GPs, 3 Gynaecologists, 3 Paediatricians) took part in this trial. 183 interpreting calls were documented, 178 physicians as well as 127 patients answered their respective questionnaires. The implementation of the VR- und TR-tools went smoothly and they were broadly accepted by their users. However, the tools were used significantly less often than we had anticipated. With regards to quantitative questionnaires, VR scored significantly better than the control group in terms of the perceived quality of communication by both, patients and physicians and enabled of patient-centred medicine.

CONCLUSION

Our main findings were the discrepancy between the assumed high demand of professional interpreting solutions on the one hand and the low willingness of practices to participate on the other. The rather low utilisation rates were also noteworthy. This discrepancy indicates a lack of awareness concerning the adverse effects of using informal or no interpreter in medical settings, which needs to be rectified. Due to the small sample size, all statistical results must be viewed with caution. However, our results show that remote interpreting represents a promising approach to tackling language barriers in primary care settings.

A Digital Intervention for Respiratory Tract Infections (Internet Dr): Process Evaluation to Understand How to Support Self-care for Minor Ailments

Background

Approximately 57 million physician appointments annually in the United Kingdom are for minor ailments. These illnesses could be self-cared for, which would potentially lower patients’ anxiety, increase their confidence, and be more convenient. In a randomized controlled trial of the Internet Dr digital intervention, patients with access to the intervention had fewer consultations for respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Having established intervention efficacy, further examination of trial data is required to understand how the intervention works.

Objective

This paper reports a process evaluation of Internet Dr usage by the intervention group. The evaluation aims to demonstrate how meaningful usage metrics (ie, interactions that are specific and relevant to the intervention) can be derived from the theoretical principles underlying the intervention, then applied to examine whether these interactions are effective in supporting self-care for RTIs, for whom, and at what time.

Methods

The Internet Dr trial recorded patients’ characteristics and usage data over 24 weeks. At follow-up, users reported whether their levels of enablement to cope with their illness changed over the trial period. The Medical Research Council process evaluation guidance and checklists from the framework for Analyzing and Measuring Usage and Engagement Data were applied to structure research questions examining associations between usage and enablement.

Results

Viewing pages containing advice on caring for RTIs were identified as a meaningful metric for measuring intervention usage. Almost half of the users (616/1491, 42.31%) viewed at least one advice page, with most people (478/616, 77.6%) accessing them when they initially enrolled in the study. Users who viewed an advice page reported increased enablement to cope with their illness as a result of having participated in the study compared with users who did not (mean 2.12, SD 2.92 vs mean 1.65, SD 3.10; mean difference 0.469, 95% CI 0.082-0.856). The target population was users who had visited their general practitioners for an RTI in the year before the trial, and analyses revealed that this group was more likely to access advice pages (odds ratio 1.35, 95% CI 1.159-1.571; P<.001).

Conclusions

The process evaluation identifies viewing advice pages as associated with increased enablement to self-care, even when accessed in the absence of a RTI, meaning that dissemination activities need not be restricted to targeting users who are ill. The intervention was effective at reaching the target population of users who had previously consulted their general practitioners. However, attrition before reaching advice pages was high, highlighting the necessity of prioritizing access during the design phase. These findings provide guidance on how the intervention may be improved and disseminated and have wider implications for minor ailment interventions.

Telehealth e-mentoring in postgraduate musculoskeletal physiotherapy education: A mixed methods case study

BACKGROUND

Educational standards of advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapy include mentored clinical practice. Whilst traditionally delivered face-to-face, telehealth e-mentoring affords a distinctive andragogy to facilitate mentee development.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the experiences and outcomes of stakeholders participating in musculoskeletal physiotherapy telehealth e-mentoring.

DESIGN

A case study design with sequential mixed methods (quantitative patient outcome data and qualitative interviews and a focus group) of a 20-week e-mentored telehealth physiotherapy service.

METHODS

Data collection comprised 1) Patient experiences and measures of musculoskeletal health 2) Mentee semi-structured interviews 3) Mentor focus group. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (median and IQR) and the Framework Method for qualitative and quantitative data respectively. An exploratory bidirectional approach supported data integration across all participants.

RESULTS

Participants included patients (n = 90), mentees (n = 10) and mentors (n = 6). Patients reported improvements (>MCID) in MSK-HQ and Patient Specific Functional Scale, with high scores for Consultation and Relational Empathy and Patient Enablement Instruments. Main themes were a) social learning b) advanced professional practice c) learner experience and d) limitations of telehealth for mentees, and for mentors a) preparedness b) journey of development and c) challenges. Participant data integration resulted in 4 main themes 1) energising/positive experience 2) communications skills valued 3) perceptions of telehealth 4) upskilling required.

CONCLUSIONS

Telehealth e-mentoring is a valuable alternative to face-to-face mentored physiotherapy practice to support development in advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice. Findings indicate that technical and professional skills are required, high levels of communication skills were valued, there is a need for reconceptualisation of musculoskeletal physiotherapeutic interventions.

A Review of the Evidence and Recommendations on Communication Skills and the Patient-Provider Relationship: A Rome Foundation Working Team Report

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Over several decades, changes in health care have negatively impacted meaningful communication between the patient and provider and adversely affected their relationship. Under increasing time pressure, physicians rely more on technology than face-to-face time gathering data to make clinical decisions. As a result, they find it more challenging to understand the illness context and fully address patient needs. Patients experience dissatisfaction and a diminution of their role in the care process. For patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction, stigma leads to greater care dissatisfaction, as there is no apparent structural basis to legitimize the symptoms. Recent evidence suggests that practical communication skills can improve the patient-provider relationship (PPR) and clinical outcomes, but these data are limited.

METHODS

The Rome Foundation convened a multidisciplinary working team to review the scientific evidence with the following aims: a) to study the effect of communication skills on patient satisfaction and outcomes by performing an evidence-based review; b) to characterize the influence of sociocultural factors, health care system constraints, patient perspective, and telehealth on the PPR; c) to review the measurement and impact of communication skills training on these outcomes; and d) to make recommendations to improve communication skills training and the PPR.

RESULTS

Evidence supports the fact that interventions targeting patient-provider interactions improve population health, patient and provider experience, and costs. Communication skills training leads to improved patient satisfaction and outcomes. The following are relevant factors to consider in establishing an effective PPR: addressing health care system constraints; incorporating sociocultural factors and the role of gender, age, and chronic illness; and considering the changing role of telehealth on the PPR.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that effective communication skills can improve the PPR and health outcomes. This is an achievable goal through training and system change. More research is needed to confirm these findings.

Motor Imagery to Facilitate Sensorimotor Re-Learning (MOTIFS) after traumatic knee injury: study protocol for an adaptive randomized controlled trial

Background

Treatment following traumatic knee injury includes neuromuscular training, with or without surgical reconstruction. The aim of rehabilitation is to restore muscle function and address psychological factors to allow a return to activity. Attention is often on rehabilitation of knee function, but deficiencies often persist. Specific interventions addressing psychological factors are sparing with varying degrees of success. We have developed a novel training program, MOTor Imagery to Facilitate Sensorimotor Re-Learning (MOTIFS), which integrates simultaneous psychological training into physical rehabilitation exercises. The MOTIFS model individualizes rehabilitation to increase central nervous system involvement by creating realistic and relevant mental images based on past experiences. We hypothesize that a 12-week MOTIFS training intervention will improve psychological readiness to return to activity and muscle function to a greater extent than current neuromuscular training (Care-as-Usual).

Methods

This pragmatic 1:1 single assessor-blinded adaptive cumulative cluster-randomized controlled trial will include 106 knee-injured people with a goal of returning to physical activity. Participants are randomized to either the MOTIFS or Care-as-Usual condition. Primary outcomes are the ACL Return to Sport after Injury Scale and change in injured leg hop performance in a side hop task from baseline to 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes include patient-reported outcomes and assessment of muscle function using a hop test battery and Postural Orientation Errors at 12-week follow-up. At 12-month follow-up, patient-reported outcomes are assessed. A sub-group (7-10 in each group) will be interviewed to gain insight into experiences of rehabilitation.

Discussion

Strengths of this trial include that it is a randomized and pragmatic trial examining commonly under-studied aspects of rehabilitation following a knee injury. The model uses the patient as a reference, creating simultaneous psychological and physical training exercises with easily adopted principles for clinical practice. Limitations include that blinding is limited due to study design, and shifting the clinical paradigm to a more holistic model is a challenge. If successful, the MOTIFS model has implications for a clinically useful, individualized, and patient-relevant method of improving rehabilitation outcomes by integrating psychological training into physical training.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03473821. Registered March 22, 2018, with ethical approval that has been granted (Dnr 2016/413, Dnr 2018/927).

Trial status

Trial Status: Protocol Version is 2020, Dec 10 – Version 1

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05713-8.

Evaluation of the First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) model of primary care: patient characteristics and outcomes

OBJECTIVE

First Contact Physiotherapy (FCP) is a primary care model where expert musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapists undertake the first patient consultation, to enhance MSK-patient care and free-up GP capacity. The authors report the quantitative findings from the FCP National Evaluation (Phase 3) which evaluated the FCP model against success criteria.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A mixed-methods 24-month service evaluation involving 40 FCP sites and 240 FCPs across England.

METHODS

An online platform collected patient-reported experience and outcomes following the FCP consultation and at 1, 2 and 3-months follow-up. These included the Keele STarT MSK Tool, pain intensity (0-10 NRS scale), Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ, range 0-56), and Friends-and-Family Test.

RESULTS

Over 13 months, 2825 patients were invited by email and 24% (n=680) completed their initial questionnaire. Their mean age was 56.2 (SD 14.9), 61% were female, ethnicity was 97% white, mean pain intensity was 6.1 (SD 2.13) and mean MSK-HQ score was 33.8 (SD 9.5). At 3-months follow-up (n=370) there was a 2.8 (CI 2.5 to 3.1) mean pain intensity reduction from baseline, a mean 7.1 (6.0 to 8.2) score improvement in MSK-HQ and 64% reporting overall improvement (much better/better) since seeing the FCP. One of the six success criteria was not met; 29% of those in employment reported receiving specific work advice from the FCP (target ≥75%).

CONCLUSION

Ahead of the planned scale-up of the FCP primary care model across the UK, this evaluation provides useful data on patients who access this service, their short-term clinical outcomes and whether key success criteria are being met.

Expanding Video Consultation Services at Pace and Scale in Scotland During the COVID-19 Pandemic: National Mixed Methods Case Study

Background

Scotland—a country of 5.5 million people—has a rugged geography with many outlying islands, creating access challenges for many citizens. The government has long sought to mitigate these through a range of measures including an ambitious technology-enabled care program. A strategy to develop a nationwide video consultation service began in 2017. Our mixed methods evaluation was commissioned in mid-2019 and extended to cover the pandemic response in 2020.

Objective

To draw lessons from a national evaluation of the introduction, spread, and scale-up of Scotland’s video consultation services both before and during the pandemic.

Methods

Data sources comprised 223 interviews (with patients, staff, technology providers, and policymakers), 60 hours of ethnographic observation (including in-person visits to remote settings), patient and staff satisfaction surveys (n=20,349), professional and public engagement questionnaires (n=5400), uptake statistics, and local and national documents. Fieldwork during the pandemic was of necessity conducted remotely. Data were analyzed thematically and theorized using the Planning and Evaluating Remote Consultation Services (PERCS) framework which considers multiple influences interacting dynamically and unfolding over time.

Results

By the time the pandemic hit, there had been considerable investment in material and technological infrastructure, staff training, and professional and public engagement. Scotland was thus uniquely well placed to expand its video consultation services at pace and scale. Within 4 months (March-June 2020), the number of video consultations increased from about 330 to 17,000 per week nationally. While not everything went smoothly, video was used for a much wider range of clinical problems, vastly extending the prepandemic focus on outpatient monitoring of chronic stable conditions. The technology was generally considered dependable and easy to use. In most cases (14,677/18,817, 78%), patients reported no technical problems during their postconsultation survey. Health care organizations’ general innovativeness and digital maturity had a strong bearing on their ability to introduce, routinize, and expand video consultation services.

Conclusions

The national-level groundwork before the pandemic allowed many services to rapidly extend the use of video consultations during the pandemic, supported by a strong strategic vision, a well-resourced quality improvement model, dependable technology, and multiple opportunities for staff to try out the video option. Scotland provides an important national case study from which other countries may learn.

Physician empathy and patient enablement: survey in the Portuguese primary health care

BACKGROUND

Empathy is the capacity to understand and resonate with the experiences of other people. Patient enablement is the degree to which a patient feels strengthened in terms of being able to deal with, understand and manage their disease.

METHODS

Secondary cross-sectional analysis of existing data from 2 independent datasets (456 primary health care patients), with the application of two validated questionnaires, Jefferson Scale of Patient Perceptions of Physician Empathy (JSPPPE) and Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI).

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate medical empathy and patients' enablement after consultation with their family doctors and to verify if there was an association between these two concepts.

RESULTS

The median value of JSPPPE-VP score was 6.60 (interquartile range 1.00) and of PEI/ICC score was of 1.83 (interquartile range 0.67). Regarding empathy (JSPPPE-VP), patients taking chronic medication had a slight but significantly higher median score than patients not taking them (6.70 versus 6.60, P = 0.049), although regression modelling did not confirm any relevant predictor of JSPPPE-VP score. Regarding enablement (PEI/ICC), we found significantly higher scores on younger patients, as well as, on more educated and professionally active ones (P < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression and Poisson regression modelling confirmed such variables as statistically significant potential predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant positive association was found between empathy score (JSPPPE-VP) and enablement score (PEI/ICC), when adjusted to sociodemographic cofactors. On this linear regression model, age category and educational level were also significantly associated with empathy score, with the same pattern found on bivariate analysis.

Exploration of the psychometric properties of the Person-Centred Primary Care Measure (PCPCM) in a Chinese primary care population in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional validation study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the validity and psychometric properties of the Chinese Person-Centred Primary Care Measure (PCPCM) in a Chinese-speaking population.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

A primary care clinic in Hong Kong.

PARTICIPANTS

300 Chinese adult patients (150 males and 150 females) were recruited from a primary care clinic to complete a questionnaire containing the PCPCM, Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE), Patient Enablement Index (PEI) and Adult (short version) Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT). The Chinese PCPCM was readministered to 118 participants after 14 days for test-retest reliability.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The construct validity, reliability and sensitivity of the Chinese PCPCM.

RESULTS

The Chinese PCPCM was identified to have a one-factor construct, with good item fit and unidimensionality on Rasch analysis. Internal reliability was high (Cronbach's alpha >0.8) with moderate test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.622, p<0.001). Significant correlations (0.58, 0.42, 0.48) between the PCPCM and CARE, PEI and Adult (short version) PCAT scores supported good convergent construct validity. PCPCM scores were higher among patients who had known their doctors for a longer period or who were more likely to be able to see the same doctor at every visit, and among those who self-reported to have 'better health' rather than 'worse health'.

CONCLUSION

The Chinese PCPCM appears to be a valid, reliable and sensitive instrument for evaluating the quality of person-centred care among primary care patients in Hong Kong. Further studies are needed to confirm the utility of this instrument in other Chinese-speaking populations around the world.

Patient-reported experiences of consultation with an advanced nurse practitioner: Factor structure and reliability analysis of the patient enablement and satisfaction survey

AIM

The aim was to analyse the psychometric properties of a patient-reported-experience measure, the Patient Enablement and Satisfaction Survey (PESS), when used to evaluate the care provided by Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) in terms of factor structure and internal consistency. The PESS is a 20-item, patient-completed data collection tool that was originally developed to measure patient experience and enablement following consultation with nurses in general practice.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey; validity and reliability analysis.

METHODS

The sample in this study consisted of 178 patients who consulted with 26 ANPs working in four different specialities. Data were collected between June and December 2019. An exploratory factor analysis of the PESS was conducted to determine convergent validity which was supported by parallel analysis and the traditional Kaiser criterion. The internal consistency of individual PESS items was determined via Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, the Average Variance Extracted tests and item-subscale/total score correlations.

RESULTS

A three-factor structure (PESS-ANP) was found through exploratory factor analysis and this was supported by parallel analysis, the traditional Kaiser criterion and the percentage of variance explained criterion. A high degree of internal consistency was reported across all factors. One question was omitted from the analysis ('Overall Satisfaction') following the identification of problematic cross-loadings. The three factor solution was identified as: patient satisfaction, quality of care provision and patient enablement.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study propose a three-factor model that is sufficiently reliable for analysing the experience and enablement of patients following consultation with an ANP.

IMPACT

Increasingly, patient-reported experience measures are being used to evaluate patients' experience of receiving care from a healthcare professional. The PESS was identified to be reliable in evaluating the experience of patients who receive care from an ANP while a three-factor structure was proposed that can capture specific attributes of this care.

Assessing and promoting partnership between patients and health-care professionals: Co-construction of the CADICEE tool for patients and their relatives

CONTEXT

Partnership between patients and health-care professionals (HCPs) is a concept that needs a valid, practical measure to facilitate its use by patients and HCPs.

OBJECTIVE

To co-construct a tool for measuring the degree of partnership between patients and HCPs.

DESIGN

The CADICEE tool was developed in four steps: (1) generate key dimensions of patient partnership in clinical care; (2) co-construct the tool; (3) assess face and content validity from patients' and HCPs' viewpoints; and (4) assess the usability of the tool and explore its measurement performance.

RESULTS

The CADICEE tool comprises 24 items under 7 dimensions: 1) relationship of Confidence or trust between the patient and the HCPs; 2) patient Autonomy; 3) patient participation in Decisions related to care; 4) shared Information on patient health status or care; 5) patient personal Context; 6) Empathy; and 7) recognition of Expertise. Assessment of the tool's usability and measurement performance showed, in a convenience sample of 246 patients and relatives, high face validity, acceptability and relevance for both patients and HCPs, as well as good construct validity.

CONCLUSIONS

The CADICEE tool is developed in co-construction with patients to evaluate the degree of partnership in care desired by patients in their relationship with HCPs. The tool can be used in various clinical contexts and in different health-care settings.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Patients were involved in determining the importance of constructing this questionnaire. They co-constructed it, pre-tested it and were part of the entire questionnaire development process. Three patients participated in the writing of the article.

The validity, reliability, sensitivity and responsiveness of a modified Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI-2) as a tool for serial measurements of health enablement

BACKGROUND

Patient enablement is a core tenet of patient-centred and holistic primary care. The Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI) is a transitional measure limited in its ability to measure changes over time. A modified version, PEI-2, has been developed to measure enablement at a given time-point without comparison to a recalled baseline.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the validity, reliability, sensitivity and responsiveness of PEI-2.

METHODS

PEI-2 was modified from the Chinese PEI to assess enablement over 4 weeks in a prospective cohort study nested within a community support programme [Trekkers Family Enhancement Scheme (TFES)] in Hong Kong. Construct validity was assessed by factor analysis and convergent validity by Spearman's correlations with health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms. Internal reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Test-retest reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation (ICC), responsiveness by 12-24-month change in PEI-2 score and sensitivity by differences in change of PEI-2 score between TFES participants and a control group.

RESULTS

PEI-2 demonstrated construct validity with all items loading on one factor (factor loadings >0.7). Convergent validity was confirmed by significant correlations with 12-item Short Form Questionnaire, version 2 (r = 0.1089-0.1919) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (r = -0.2030). Internal reliability was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.9095) and test-retest reliability moderate (ICC = 0.520, P = 0.506). Significant improvements in PEI-2 scores among the TFES group suggested good responsiveness (P < 0.001). The difference in change of PEI-2 scores between TFES and control was significant (P = 0.008), indicating good sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports the validity, reliability, sensitivity and responsiveness of PEI-2 in measuring changes in enablement, making it a promising tool for evaluating enablement in cohort and intervention studies.

Patient experience of telephone consultations in gynaecology: a service evaluation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate patient perspective of telephone consultations (TCs) in gynaecology and identify which patients benefit most from a telemedicine system.

DESIGN

Service evaluation.

SETTING

Gynaecology outpatient services at a tertiary referral hospital.

POPULATION

Patients who received a TC during May and June 2020.

METHODS

Postal questionnaire combining three validated tools: QQ-10, Patient Enablement Index (PEI) and National Health Service Friends and Family Test (NHS-FFT). Quantitative data and free text responses were analysed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Responses to QQ-10, PEI and NHS-FFT.

RESULTS

In total, 1307 patients were contacted and 504 patients responded (39%). Most (89%) described their experience as 'Very good' or 'Good' (NHS-FFT). Positive themes from responses included 'convenience', 'effectiveness' and 'equivalent care'. QQ-10 responses demonstrated a high Value score of 79 (0-100) and a low Burden score of 15. PEI scores suggested that most patients felt better or much better able to understand and cope with their condition following TC. The majority of patients (77%) would 'Strongly agree' or 'Mostly agree' to a repeat TC. Regarding patient outcomes, 21% were discharged and 71% required follow up. Menopause, fertility and endometriosis follow-up clinic patients benefited most from TC. Gynaecology-oncology patients found TC least acceptable.

CONCLUSION

We report a large questionnaire survey of patient experience of TC in gynaecology. Telemedicine is convenient, acceptable and effective for conducting care in selected groups. TC can support patients in communicating intimate symptoms.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Telephone consultations are a convenient, acceptable and effective medium for conducting patient care in gynaecology. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT.

Evaluating the content of a patient-reported outcome measure for people with multimorbidity: a Delphi consensus

PURPOSE

Evidence supporting multimorbidity-adapted interventions is scarce, mostly due to a lack of adapted outcome measures. Measurement constructs for a novel patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) were defined in previous studies using a literature review, a qualitative description from stakeholders, and an item pool identification process. The aim of this study was to attain consensus on the content of this novel PROM.

METHODS

A three-round electronic modified Delphi technique was conducted using an academic and clinical expert panel. Using a Likert scale, the panel rated the relevance, improvability, and self-ratability of each construct and item of the preliminary version of the PROM. The main outcome was consensus attainment, defined as strong (≥ 70%), moderate (50-69%) or low agreement (< 50%). Constructs and items with strong consensus were kept, moderate were sent to the next round and low agreement were rejected.

RESULTS

From the 61 experts contacted, 39 participated in the first round of the Delphi, with a 12.8% attrition at the second round (n = 34) and 38.2% at the third round (n = 21). The panel included mostly female academic experts from nursing and medicine backgrounds. The preliminary PROM included 19 constructs and 70 items; from these, 16 constructs and 50 items attained consensus. The consensus attainment process excluded three constructs and their items: awareness, weight control and social integration.

CONCLUSION

Consensus was reached for a patient-reported outcome measure adapted for people with multimorbidity including 50 relevant, improvable and self-ratable items categorized under 16 constructs. As more interventions tailored to multimorbidity are implemented, there is an increasing need for a valid measure of the effectiveness of these interventions.

The patient enablement instrument for back pain: reliability, content validity, construct validity and responsiveness

Background

Currently, there are no outcome measures assessing the ability of people with non-specific low back pain to self-manage their illness. Inspired by the ‘Patient Enablement Instrument’, we developed the Patient Enablement Instrument for Back Pain (PEI-BP). The aim of this study was to describe the development of the Patient Enablement Instrument for Back Pain (PEI-BP) and investigate content validity, construct validity, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, measurement error, responsiveness and floor and ceiling effects.

Methods

The PEI-BP consists of 6 items that are rated on a 0–10 Numeric Rating Scale. Measurement properties were evaluated using the COSMIN taxonomy and were based on three cohorts from primary care with low back pain: The content validity cohort (N = 14) which participated in semi-structured interviews, the GLA:D® Back cohort (N = 272) and the test–retest cohort (N = 37) which both completed self-reported questionnaires. For construct validity and responsiveness, enablement was compared to disability (Oswestry Disability Index), back pain beliefs (Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire), fear avoidance (Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire—physical activity), mental health (SF-36), educational level and number of previous episodes of low back pain.

Results

The PEI-BP was found to have acceptable content validity, construct validity, reliability (internal consistency, test–retest reliability and measurement error) and responsiveness. The Smallest Detectable Change was 10.1 points illustrating that a patient would have to change more than 1/6 of the scale range for it to be a true change. A skewed distribution towards the high scores were found at baseline indicating a potentially problematic ceiling effect in the current population.

Conclusions

The PEI-BP can be considered a valid and reliable tool to measure enablement on people seeking care for non-specific LBP. Further testing of the PEI-BP in populations with more severe LBP is recommended.

Trial registration: Not applicable.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12955-021-01758-0.

Experiences of telehealth e-mentoring within postgraduate musculoskeletal physical therapy education in the UK and Canada: a protocol for parallel mixed-methods studies and cross-cultural comparison

INTRODUCTION

Mentored clinical practice is central to demonstrating achievement of International Educational Standards in advanced musculoskeletal physical therapy. While traditionally delivered face-to-face, telehealth e-mentoring is a novel alternative to offering this unique pedagogy to facilitate mentee critical reflection, deeper learning and enhanced knowledge translation to optimise patient care. With COVID-19 resulting in widespread adoption of telehealth and access to mentors often limited by geography or cost, the potential value of telehealth e-mentoring needs investigating. To investigate the experiences and outcomes of multiple stakeholders (student mentees, mentors and patients) engaged in musculoskeletal physical therapy telehealth e-mentoring across two universities (UK and Canada).

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Using case study design, we will use sequential mixed methods involving qualitative and quantitative components based on existing evidence. To examine the influence of telehealth e-mentoring on health outcomes in patients with musculoskeletal complaints, we will use patient-reported outcomes for satisfaction, patient empowerment and change in musculoskeletal health. We will conduct semistructured interviews to explore the development of critical thinking, clinical reasoning, communication skills and confidence of students engaged in telehealth e-mentoring. To explore the mentor acceptability and appropriateness of telehealth e-mentoring, we will conduct a focus group in each site. Finally, we will include a focus group of participants from each site to allow a cross-cultural comparison of findings to inform international stakeholders. Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive statistics (median and IQR) to describe changes in outcome data and qualitative data will be analysed following the Framework Method.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study has ethical approval from both institutions: the University of Birmingham (ERN_20-0695) and Western University (2020-116233-47832). Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated to key stakeholders in musculoskeletal physical therapy education and practice.

Supporting self-care for eczema: protocol for two randomised controlled trials of ECO (Eczema Care Online) interventions for young people and parents/carers

INTRODUCTION

Eczema care requires management of triggers and various treatments. We developed two online behavioural interventions to support eczema care called ECO (Eczema Care Online) for young people and ECO for families. This protocol describes two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate clinical and cost-effectiveness of the two interventions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Design: Two independent, pragmatic, unmasked, parallel group RCTs with internal pilots and nested health economic and process evaluation studies. Setting: Participants will be recruited from general practitioner practices in England. Participants: Young people aged 13-25 years with eczema and parents and carers of children aged 0-12 years with eczema, excluding inactive or very mild eczema (five or less on Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM)). Interventions: Participants will be randomised to online intervention plus usual care or to usual eczema care alone. Outcome measures: Primary outcome is eczema severity over 24 weeks measured by POEM. Secondary outcomes include POEM 4-weekly for 52 weeks, quality of life, eczema control, itch intensity (young people only), patient enablement, health service and treatment use. Process measures include treatment adherence, barriers to adherence and intervention usage. Our sample sizes of 303 participants per trial are powered to detect a group difference of 2.5 (SD 6.5) in monthly POEM scores over 24 weeks (significance 0.05, power 0.9), allowing for 20% loss to follow-up. Cost-effectiveness analysis will be from a National Health Service and personal social service perspective. Qualitative and quantitative process evaluation will help understand the mechanisms of action and participant experiences and inform implementation.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has been approved by South Central Oxford A Research Ethics Committee (19/SC/0351). Recruitment is ongoing, and follow-up will be completed by mid-2022. Findings will be disseminated to participants, the public, dermatology and primary care journals, and policy makers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN79282252.

Home and Online Management and Evaluation of Blood Pressure (HOME BP) using a digital intervention in poorly controlled hypertension: randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The HOME BP (Home and Online Management and Evaluation of Blood Pressure) trial aimed to test a digital intervention for hypertension management in primary care by combining self-monitoring of blood pressure with guided self-management.

DESIGN

Unmasked randomised controlled trial with automated ascertainment of primary endpoint.

SETTING

76 general practices in the United Kingdom.

PARTICIPANTS

622 people with treated but poorly controlled hypertension (>140/90 mm Hg) and access to the internet.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were randomised by using a minimisation algorithm to self-monitoring of blood pressure with a digital intervention (305 participants) or usual care (routine hypertension care, with appointments and drug changes made at the discretion of the general practitioner; 317 participants). The digital intervention provided feedback of blood pressure results to patients and professionals with optional lifestyle advice and motivational support. Target blood pressure for hypertension, diabetes, and people aged 80 or older followed UK national guidelines.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the difference in systolic blood pressure (mean of second and third readings) after one year, adjusted for baseline blood pressure, blood pressure target, age, and practice, with multiple imputation for missing values.

RESULTS

After one year, data were available from 552 participants (88.6%) with imputation for the remaining 70 participants (11.4%). Mean blood pressure dropped from 151.7/86.4 to 138.4/80.2 mm Hg in the intervention group and from 151.6/85.3 to 141.8/79.8 mm Hg in the usual care group, giving a mean difference in systolic blood pressure of -3.4 mm Hg (95% confidence interval -6.1 to -0.8 mm Hg) and a mean difference in diastolic blood pressure of -0.5 mm Hg (-1.9 to 0.9 mm Hg). Results were comparable in the complete case analysis and adverse effects were similar between groups. Within trial costs showed an incremental cost effectiveness ratio of £11 ($15, €12; 95% confidence interval £6 to £29) per mm Hg reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

The HOME BP digital intervention for the management of hypertension by using self-monitored blood pressure led to better control of systolic blood pressure after one year than usual care, with low incremental costs. Implementation in primary care will require integration into clinical workflows and consideration of people who are digitally excluded.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN13790648.