1
|
Amundsen O, Moger TA, Holte JH, Haavaag SB, Bragstad LK, Hellesø R, Tjerbo T, Vøllestad NK. Combination of health care service use and the relation to demographic and socioeconomic factors for patients with musculoskeletal disorders: a descriptive cohort study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:858. [PMID: 37580723 PMCID: PMC10426198 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09852-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) access health care in different ways. Despite the high prevalence and significant costs, we know little about the different ways patients use health care. We aim to fill this gap by identifying which combinations of health care services patients use for new MSDs, and its relation to clinical characteristics, demographic and socioeconomic factors, long-term use and costs, and discuss what the implications of this variation are. METHODS The study combines Norwegian registers on health care use, diagnoses, comorbidities, demographic and socioeconomic factors. Patients (≥ 18 years) are included by their first health consultation for MSD in 2013-2015. Latent class analysis (LCA) with count data of first year consultations for General Practitioners (GPs), hospital consultants, physiotherapists and chiropractors are used to identify combinations of health care use. Long-term high-cost patients are defined as total cost year 1-5 above 95th percentile (≥ 3 744€). RESULTS We identified seven latent classes: 1: GP, low use; 2: GP, high use; 3: GP and hospital; 4: GP and physiotherapy, low use; 5: GP, hospital and physiotherapy, high use; 6: Chiropractor, low use; 7: GP and chiropractor, high use. Median first year health care contacts varied between classes from 1-30 and costs from 20€-838€. Eighty-seven percent belonged to class 1, 4 or 6, characterised by few consultations and treatment in primary care. Classes with high first year use were characterised by higher age, lower education and more comorbidities and were overrepresented among the long-term high-cost users. CONCLUSION There was a large variation in first year health care service use, and we identified seven latent classes based on frequency of consultations. A small proportion of patients accounted for a high proportion of total resource use. This can indicate the potential for more efficient resource use. However, the effect of demographic and socioeconomic variables for determining combinations of service use can be interpreted as the health care system transforming unobserved patient needs into variations in use. These findings contribute to the understanding of clinical pathways and can help in the planning of future care, reduction in disparities and improvement in health outcomes for patients with MSDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olav Amundsen
- Dept. for Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Tron Anders Moger
- Dept. of Health Management and Health Economics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jon Helgheim Holte
- Dept. of Health Management and Health Economics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Silje Bjørnsen Haavaag
- Dept. of Public Health Science, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Line Kildal Bragstad
- Dept. of Public Health Science, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Hellesø
- Dept. of Public Health Science, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trond Tjerbo
- Dept. of Health Management and Health Economics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nina Køpke Vøllestad
- Dept. for Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Furlan AD, Harbin S, Vieira FF, Irvin E, Severin CN, Nowrouzi-Kia B, Tiong M, Adisesh A. Primary Care Physicians' Learning Needs in Returning Ill or Injured Workers to Work. A Scoping Review. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2022; 32:591-619. [PMID: 35511378 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-022-10043-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Primary care physicians are uniquely positioned to assist ill and injured workers to stay-at-work or to return-to-work. Purpose The purpose of this scoping review is to identify primary care physicians' learning needs in returning ill or injured workers to work and to identify gaps to guide future research. Methods We used established methodologies developed by Arksey and O'Malley, Cochrane and adapted by the Systematic Review Program at the Institute for Work & Health. We used Distiller SR©, an online systematic review software to screen for relevance and perform data extraction. We followed the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews checklist for reporting. Results We screened 2106 titles and abstracts, 375 full-text papers for relevance and included 44 studies for qualitative synthesis. The first learning need was related to administrative tasks. These included (1) appropriate record-keeping, (2) time management to review occupational information, (3) communication skills to provide clear, sufficient and relevant factual information, (4) coordination of services between different stakeholders, and (5) collaboration within teams and between different professions. The second learning need was related to attitudes and beliefs and included intrinsic biases, self-confidence, role clarity and culture of blaming the patient. The third learning need was related to specific knowledge and included work capacity assessments and needs for sick leave, environmental exposures, disclosure of information, prognosis of certain conditions and care to certain groups such as adolescents and pregnant workers. The fourth learning need was related to awareness of services and tools. Conclusions There are many opportunities to improve medical education for physicians in training or in continuing medical education to improve care for workers with an illness or injury that affect their work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea D Furlan
- Institute for Work & Health, 400 University Avenue, suite 1800, Toronto, ON, M5G 1S5, Canada.
- KITE, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Shireen Harbin
- Institute for Work & Health, 400 University Avenue, suite 1800, Toronto, ON, M5G 1S5, Canada
| | - Fabricio F Vieira
- Faculty of Medicine, State University of Maringa, Avenida Colombo, 5790, CEP 87020-900, Maringa, PR, Brazil
| | - Emma Irvin
- Institute for Work & Health, 400 University Avenue, suite 1800, Toronto, ON, M5G 1S5, Canada
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Colette N Severin
- Institute for Work & Health, 400 University Avenue, suite 1800, Toronto, ON, M5G 1S5, Canada
| | - Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Margaret Tiong
- Institute for Work & Health, 400 University Avenue, suite 1800, Toronto, ON, M5G 1S5, Canada
| | - Anil Adisesh
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Occupational Medicine, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Grung I, Anderssen N, Haukenes I, Ruths S, Smith-Sivertsen T, Hetlevik Ø, Hjørleifsson S. Patient experiences with depression care in general practice: a qualitative questionnaire study. Scand J Prim Health Care 2022; 40:253-260. [PMID: 35603990 PMCID: PMC9397414 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2022.2074069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate patient experiences and preferences regarding depression care in general practice. DESIGN AND SETTING A qualitative study based on free-text responses in a web-based survey in 2017. Participants were recruited by open invitation on the web page of a Norwegian patient organization for mental health. The survey consisted of four open-ended questions concerning depression care provided by general practitioners (GPs), including positive and negative experiences, and suggestions for improvement. The responses were analysed by Template Analysis. SUBJECTS 250 persons completed the web-based survey, 86% were women. RESULTS The analysis revealed five themes: The informants appreciated help from their GP; they wanted to be met by the GP with a listening, accepting, understanding and respectful attitude; they wanted to be involved in decisions regarding their treatment, including antidepressants which they thought should not be prescribed without follow-up; when referred to secondary mental care they found it wrong to have to find and contact a caregiver themselves; and they thought sickness certification should be individualised to be helpful. CONCLUSIONS Patients in Norway appreciate the depression care they receive from their GP. It is important for patients to be involved in decision-making regarding their treatment.KEY POINTSDepression is common, and GPs are often patients' first point of contact when they seek help. • Patients who feel depressed appreciate help from their GP. • Patients prefer an empathetic GP who listens attentively and acknowledges their problems. • Individualised follow-up is essential when prescribing antidepressants, making a referral, or issuing a sickness absence certificate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ina Grung
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- CONTACT Ina Grung Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Norman Anderssen
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Inger Haukenes
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sabine Ruths
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Tone Smith-Sivertsen
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Øystein Hetlevik
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Stefan Hjørleifsson
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|