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Hernes SS, Høiberg M, Gallefoss F, Thoresen C, Tjomsland O. Intervention for reducing the overuse of upper endoscopy in patients <45 years: a protocol for a stepwise intervention programme. BMJ Open Qual 2024; 13:e002649. [PMID: 38684346 PMCID: PMC11086486 DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2023-002649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Utilisation rates for healthcare services vary widely both within and between nations. Moreover, healthcare providers with insurance-based reimbursement systems observe an effect of social determinants of health on healthcare utilisation rates and outcomes. Even in countries with publicly funded universal healthcare such as Norway, utilisation rates for medical and surgical interventions vary between and within health regions and hospitals.Most interventions targeting overuse and high utilisation rates are based on the assumption that knowledge of areas of unwarranted variation in healthcare automatically will lead to a reduction in unwarranted variation. Recommendations regarding how to reduce this variation are often not very detailed or prominent.This paper describes a protocol for reducing the overuse of upper endoscopy in a Norwegian health region. The protocol uses a combination of digital tools and psychological methods targeting behavioural change in order to alter healthcare workers' approach to patient care.The aim of the planned intervention is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multifaceted set of interventions to reduce the overuse of upper endoscopy in patients under 45 years. A secondary aim is to evaluate the specific effect of the various parts of the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Sorensen Hernes
- Department of Geriatrics and Internal medicine, Sorlandet Hospital Arendal, Kristiansand, Agder, Norway
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Mikkel Høiberg
- Department of Endocrinology, Sorlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Norway
| | - Frode Gallefoss
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pulmonology, Sorlandet Hospital Kristiansand, Kristiansand, Norway
| | | | - Ole Tjomsland
- Director of Quality and Specialist Areas, South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, Hamar, Norway
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
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Beks H, Clayden S, Wong Shee A, Manias E, Versace VL, Beauchamp A, Mc Namara KP, Alston L. Low-value health care, de-implementation, and implications for nursing research: A discussion paper. Int J Nurs Stud 2024; 156:104780. [PMID: 38744150 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Globally, the nursing profession constitutes the largest proportion of the health workforce; however, it is challenged by widespread workforce shortages relative to need. Strategies to promote recruitment of the nursing workforce are well-established, with a lesser focus on strategies to alleviate the burden on the existing workforce. This burden may be exacerbated by the impact of low-value health care, characterised as health care that provides little or no benefit for patients, or has the potential to cause harm. Low-value health care is a global problem, a major contributor to the waste of healthcare resources, and a key focus of health system reform. Evidence of variation in low-value health care has been identified across countries and system levels. Research on low-value health care has largely focused on the medical profession, with a paucity of research examining either low-value health care or the de-implementation of low-value health care from a nursing perspective. The objective of this paper is to provide a scholarly discussion of the literature around low-value health care and de-implementation, with the purpose of identifying implications for nursing research. With increasing pressures on the global nursing workforce, research identifying low-value health care and developing approaches to de-implement this care, is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Beks
- Deakin Rural Health, Deakin University, Australia.
| | - S Clayden
- Deakin Rural Health, Deakin University, Australia; South West Healthcare, Australia
| | - A Wong Shee
- Deakin Rural Health, Deakin University, Australia; Grampians Health, Australia
| | - E Manias
- Deakin Rural Health, Deakin University, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Australia
| | - V L Versace
- Deakin Rural Health, Deakin University, Australia
| | - A Beauchamp
- School of Rural Health, Monash University, Australia
| | | | - L Alston
- Deakin Rural Health, Deakin University, Australia; Colac Area Health, Australia
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Warkentin L, Hueber S, Kühlein T, Scherer M. Insights on the German College of General Practitioners and Family Physicians (DEGAM) guideline addressing medical overuse. BMJ Evid Based Med 2024:bmjebm-2023-112697. [PMID: 38395593 DOI: 10.1136/bmjebm-2023-112697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Lisette Warkentin
- Institute of General Practice, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susann Hueber
- Institute of General Practice, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kühlein
- Institute of General Practice, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Scherer
- Institute and Polyclinic for Primary Care and Family Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
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Müskens JLJM, van Dulmen SA, Hek K, Westert GP, Kool RB. Low-value chronic prescription of acid reducing medication among Dutch general practitioners: impact of a patient education intervention. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2024; 25:106. [PMID: 38575887 PMCID: PMC10996147 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02351-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dyspepsia is a commonly encountered clinical condition in Dutch general practice, which is often treated through the prescription of acid-reducing medication (ARM). However, recent studies indicate that the majority of chronic ARM users lack an indication for their use and that their long-term use is associated with adverse outcomes. We developed a patient-focussed educational intervention aiming to reduce low-value (chronic) use of ARM. METHODS We conducted a randomized controlled study, and evaluated its effect on the low-value chronic prescription of ARM using data from a subset (n = 26) of practices from the Nivel Primary Care Database. The intervention involved distributing an educational waiting room posters and flyers informing both patients and general practitioners (GPs) regarding the appropriate indications for prescription of an ARM for dyspepsia, which also referred to an online decision aid. The interventions' effect was evaluated through calculation of the odds ratio of a patient receiving a low-value chronic ARM prescription over the second half of 2021 and 2022 (i.e. pre-intervention vs. post-intervention). RESULTS In both the control and intervention groups, the proportion of patients receiving chronic low-value ARM prescriptions slightly increased. In the control group, it decreased from 50.3% in 2021 to 49.7% in 2022, and in the intervention group it increased from 51.3% in 2021 to 53.1% in 2022. Subsequent statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in low-value chronic prescriptions between the control and intervention groups (Odds ratio: 1.11 [0.84-1.47], p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Our educational intervention did not result in a change in the low-value chronic prescription of ARM; approximately half of the patients of the intervention and control still received low-value chronic ARM prescriptions. The absence of effect might be explained by selection bias of participating practices, awareness on the topic of chronic AMR prescriptions and the relative low proportion of low-value chronic ARM prescribing in the intervention as well as the control group compared to an assessment conducted two years prior. TRIAL REGISTRATION 10/31/2023 NCT06108817.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris L J M Müskens
- IQ Health Science Department, Radboud University Medical Center, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Simone A van Dulmen
- IQ Health Science Department, Radboud University Medical Center, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Karin Hek
- Nivel, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gert P Westert
- IQ Health Science Department, Radboud University Medical Center, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rudolf B Kool
- IQ Health Science Department, Radboud University Medical Center, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Harness ED, Goldberg ZN, Shah YB, Krishnan AS, Jayanti V, Nash DB. The Academic Payvider Model: Care and Coverage. Popul Health Manag 2024. [PMID: 38442303 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2023.0300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The US health care system has significant room for growth to achieve the Quintuple Aim. Reforming the relationship between payers and providers is pivotal to enhancing value-based care (VBC). The Payvider model, a joint approach to care and coverage rooted in vertical integration, is a potential solution. The authors aimed to investigate academic medical institutions adopting this model, termed Academic Payviders. All Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)-member allopathic medical schools were evaluated to identify programs meeting the inclusion criteria of offering both medical care and insurance coverage to patients via partnership with a payer or ownership of, or by, a payer. Twenty-five Academic Payvider systems were identified from 171 total AAMC-member programs. Most programs were founded after 2009 (n = 20), utilized a provider-dominant structural model (n = 17), and offered health plans to patients via Medicare Advantage (n = 23). Passage of the Affordable Care Act, recent trends in health care consolidation, and increased political and financial prioritization of social determinants of health (SDOH) may help to explain the rise of this care and coverage model. The Academic Payvider movement could advance academic medicine toward greater acceptance of VBC via innovations in medical education, resource stewardship in residency, and the establishment of innovative leadership positions at the administrative level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika D Harness
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zachary N Goldberg
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Jefferson College of Population Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yash B Shah
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Akshay S Krishnan
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Varun Jayanti
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David B Nash
- Jefferson College of Population Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Müskens JLJM, Olde Hartman TC, Schers HJ, Akkermans RP, Westert GP, Kool RB, van Dulmen SA. Trends in low-value GP care during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2024; 25:73. [PMID: 38418951 PMCID: PMC10900726 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02306-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies showed that during the pandemic patients have refrained from visiting their general practitioner (GP). This resulted in medical care being delayed, postponed or completely forgone. The provision of low-value care, i.e. care which offers no net benefit for the patient, also could have been affected. We therefore assessed the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on three types of low-value GP care: 1) imaging for back or knee problems, 2) antibiotics for otitis media acuta (OMA), and 3) repeated opioid prescriptions, without a prior GP visit. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study using registration data from GPs part of an academic GP network over the period 2017-2022. The COVID-19 period was defined as the period between April 2020 to December 2021. The periods before (January 2017 to April 2020) and after the COVID-19 period (January 2022 to December 2022) are the pre- and post-restrictions periods. The three clinical practices examined were selected by two practicing GPs from a top 30 of recommendations originating from the Dutch GP guidelines, based on their perceived prevalence and relevance in practice (van Dulmen et al., BMC Primary Care 23:141, 2022). Multilevel Poisson regression models were built to examine changes in the incidence rates (IR) of both registered episodes and episodes receiving low-value treatment. RESULTS During the COVID-19 restrictions period, the IRs of episodes of all three types of GP care decreased significantly. The IR of episodes of back or knee pain decreased by 12%, OMA episodes by 54% and opioid prescription rate by 13%. Only the IR of OMA episodes remained significantly lower (22%) during the post-restrictions period. The provision of low-value care also changed. The IR of imaging for back or knee pain and low-value prescription of antibiotics for OMA both decreased significantly during the COVID-restrictions period (by 21% and 78%), but only the low-value prescription rate of antibiotics for OMA remained significantly lower (by 63%) during the post-restrictions period. The IR of inappropriately repeated opioid prescriptions remained unchanged over all three periods. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that both the rate of episodes as well as the rate at which low-value care was provided have generally been affected by the COVID-19 restrictions. Furthermore, it shows that the magnitude of the impact of the restrictions varies depending on the type of low-value care. This indicates that deimplementation of low-value care requires tailored (multiple) interventions and may not be achieved through a single disruption or intervention alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris L J M Müskens
- Radboud University Medical Center, IQ Health Science Department, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Tim C Olde Hartman
- Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Primary and Community Care at Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Henk J Schers
- Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Primary and Community Care at Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Reinier P Akkermans
- Radboud University Medical Center, IQ Health Science Department, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gert P Westert
- Radboud University Medical Center, IQ Health Science Department, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rudolf B Kool
- Radboud University Medical Center, IQ Health Science Department, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Simone A van Dulmen
- Radboud University Medical Center, IQ Health Science Department, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Guadagni S, Catarci M, Masedu F, Karim ME, Clementi M, Ruffo G, Viola MG, Borghi F, Baldazzi G, Scatizzi M, Pirozzi F, Delrio P, Garulli G, Marini P, Campagnacci R, De Luca R, Ficari F, Sica G, Scabini S, Liverani A, Caricato M, Patriti A. Abdominal drainage after elective colorectal surgery: propensity score-matched retrospective analysis of an Italian cohort. BJS Open 2024; 8:zrad107. [PMID: 38170895 PMCID: PMC10763998 DOI: 10.1093/bjsopen/zrad107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Italy, surgeons continue to drain the abdominal cavity in more than 50 per cent of patients after colorectal resection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of abdominal drain placement on early adverse events in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. METHODS A database was retrospectively analysed through a 1:1 propensity score-matching model including 21 covariates. The primary endpoint was the postoperative duration of stay, and the secondary endpoints were surgical site infections, infectious morbidity rate defined as surgical site infections plus pulmonary infections plus urinary infections, anastomotic leakage, overall morbidity rate, major morbidity rate, reoperation and mortality rates. The results of multiple logistic regression analyses were presented as odds ratios (OR) and 95 per cent c.i. RESULTS A total of 6157 patients were analysed to produce two well-balanced groups of 1802 patients: group (A), no abdominal drain(s) and group (B), abdominal drain(s). Group A versus group B showed a significantly lower risk of postoperative duration of stay >6 days (OR 0.60; 95 per cent c.i. 0.51-0.70; P < 0.001). A mean postoperative duration of stay difference of 0.86 days was detected between groups. No difference was recorded between the two groups for all the other endpoints. CONCLUSION This study confirms that placement of abdominal drain(s) after elective colorectal surgery is associated with a non-clinically significant longer (0.86 days) postoperative duration of stay but has no impact on any other secondary outcomes, confirming that abdominal drains should not be used routinely in colorectal surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Catarci
- General Surgery Unit, Sandro Pertini Hospital, ASL Roma 2, Roma, Italy
- General Surgery Unit, ‘C.&G. Mazzoni’ Hospital, Ascoli Piceno, Italy
| | - Francesco Masedu
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, University of L’Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Mohammad Ehsanul Karim
- School of Population and Public Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, St.Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Marco Clementi
- General Surgery Unit, University of L’Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giacomo Ruffo
- General Surgery Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella (VR), Italy
| | | | - Felice Borghi
- Oncologic Surgery Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
- General & Oncologic Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Santa Croce e Carle Hospital, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Baldazzi
- General Surgery Unit, ASST Ovest Milanese, Legnano, Italy
- General Surgery Unit, ASST Nord Milano, Sesto San Giovanni, Italy
| | - Marco Scatizzi
- General Surgery Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata & Serristori Hospital, Firenze, Italy
| | - Felice Pirozzi
- General Surgery Unit, ASL Napoli 2 Nord, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Paolo Delrio
- Colorectal Surgical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, ‘Fondazione Giovanni Pascale IRCCS-Italia’, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Pierluigi Marini
- General & Emergency Surgery Unit, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Raffaele De Luca
- Department of Surgical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori ‘Giovanni Paolo II’, Bari, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Ficari
- General Surgery and IBD Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Firenze, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sica
- Minimally Invasive Surgery Unit, Policlinico Tor Vergata University Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | - Stefano Scabini
- General & Oncologic Surgery Unit, IRCCS ‘San Martino’ National Cancer Center, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Liverani
- General Surgery Unit, Regina Apostolorum Hospital, Albano Laziale, Italy
| | - Marco Caricato
- Colorectal Surgery Unit, Policlinico Campus BioMedico, Roma, Italy
| | - Alberto Patriti
- Department of Surgery, Marche Nord Hospital, Pesaro e Fano, Italy
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Paz-Martin D, Arnal-Velasco D. Can we nudge to reduce the perioperative low value care? Decision making factors influencing safe practice implementation. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol 2023; 36:698-705. [PMID: 37767927 DOI: 10.1097/aco.0000000000001315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW Highlight sources of low-value care (LVC) during the perioperative period help understanding the decision making behind its persistence, the barriers for change, and the potential implementation strategies to reduce it. RECENT FINDINGS The behavioural economics science spread of use through aligned strategies or nudge units offer an opportunity to improve success in the LVC reduction. SUMMARY LVC, such as unneeded surgeries, or preanaesthesia tests for low-risk surgeries in low-risk patients, is a relevant source of waste and preventable harm, most especially in the perioperative period. Despite the international focus on it, initial efforts to reduce it in the last decade have not clearly shown a sustainable improvement. Understanding the shared decision-making process and the barriers to be expected when tackling LVC is the first step to build the change. Applying a structured strategy based on the behavioural science principles may be the path to increasing high value care in an effective an efficient way. It is time to foster nudge units at different healthcare system levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Arnal-Velasco
- Unit of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Hospital Universitario Fundacion Alcorcon, Alcorcon, Spain
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Størdal K, Hjörleifsson S. [Five years of Choosing Wisely Norway – is it helping?]. TIDSSKRIFT FOR DEN NORSKE LEGEFORENING 2023; 143:23-0627. [PMID: 37987081 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.23.0627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
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