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McDonald C, Cooper R, Sayer AA, Witham MD. Improving care for patients with multiple long-term conditions admitted to hospital: challenges and potential solutions. Br J Hosp Med (Lond) 2024; 85:1-8. [PMID: 38557098 DOI: 10.12968/hmed.2023.0428] [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] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Increasing numbers of people live with multiple long-term conditions. These people are more likely to be admitted to hospital, experience adverse outcomes and receive poorer quality care than those with a single condition. Hospitals remain organised around a model of single-organ, disease-specific care which is not equipped to meet the needs of people living with multiple long-term conditions. This article considers these challenges and explores potential solutions. These include different service models to provide holistic, multidisciplinary inpatient and outpatient care across specialty boundaries, training a workforce to deliver high-quality hospital care for people living with multiple long-term conditions, and developing technological, financial and cultural enablers of change. Considerably more research is required to fully appreciate the shared risk factors, underlying mechanisms, patterns and consequences of multiple long-term conditions. This is essential to design and deliver better structures and processes of hospital care for people living with multiple long-term conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire McDonald
- AGE Research Group, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rachel Cooper
- AGE Research Group, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Avan A Sayer
- AGE Research Group, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Miles D Witham
- AGE Research Group, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Lee JE, Haynes E, DeSanto-Madeya S, Kim YM. Social Determinants of Health and Multimorbidity Among Adults 50 Years and Older in the United States. Nurs Res 2024; 73:126-137. [PMID: 38411567 DOI: 10.1097/nnr.0000000000000708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Living with two or more chronic conditions simultaneously-known as multimorbidity-has become increasingly prevalent as the aging population continues to grow. However, the factors that influence the development of multimorbidity are still not fully understood. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of multimorbidity among U.S. adults 50 years and older and identify associated factors with multimorbidity. METHODS We used data from four cycles from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2018) to examine the associations between social determinants of health and multimorbidity among American adults aged 50 years and older. A set of variables on socioeconomic status and health behaviors was chosen based on the social determinants of health conceptual framework developed by the World Health Organization. In our study, 4,552 participants were included. All analyses were accounted for a complex survey design and the use of survey weights. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associated factors with multimorbidity. RESULTS The average age was 63.1 years, and 52.9% were female. The average number of chronic conditions was 2.27. The prevalence of multimorbidity was 63.8%, with high cholesterol and hypertension being the most prevalent conditions. In the adjusted model, age, gender, household income, citizenship status, health insurance, healthcare access, body mass index, and smoking status were found to be associated with living with multimorbidity. DISCUSSION Our results indicate that continued efforts aimed at promoting smoking cessation and maintaining a healthy weight will be beneficial in preventing the onset of chronic conditions. Additional research is warranted to gain a deeper understanding of the interrelationships between gender, race/ethnicity, household income, citizenship status, health insurance, and healthcare access as social determinants of health in the context of multimorbidity. Further research will help us develop targeted interventions and policies to address disparities and improve health outcomes for individuals with multimorbidity.
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Bogdan M, Nitsch-Osuch A, Samel-Kowalik P, Tyszko P, Kanecki K, Goryński P, Oberska J. Trends in Hospitalization Duration for Rare Diseases: A Retrospective Analysis of Sarcoidosis, Still's Disease, and Systemic Sclerosis in Poland (2009-2018). Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e941536. [PMID: 37981760 PMCID: PMC10668516 DOI: 10.12659/msm.941536] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A rare disease is a health condition that rarely occurs in the population. It is estimated that up to 400 million people around the world suffer from a rare disease. This retrospective study aimed to investigate factors associated with length of hospitalization in 78 626 patients with sarcoidosis, 3294 patients with adults-onset Still's disease, and 35 549 patients with systemic sclerosis between 2009 and 2018 using data from the National Institute of Public Health in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this population-based study, we analyzed hospital discharge records of first-time and subsequent hospitalizations. To perform the statistical analyses, R software was used. RESULTS The average length of hospitalization over the selected period in the diseases was 5.39 days for sarcoidosis, 6.22 days for scleroderma, and 7.44 days for Still's disease, and was shorter for each of the diseases analyzed compared with the length of hospitalization for second and subsequent stays. There were no substantial differences in length of hospitalization between males and females. The average length of hospitalization increased with each additional comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS The study showed that hospitalizations for selected rare diseases do not cause a significant burden on the healthcare system. The results also showed that advanced age and comorbidities are important factors determining the length of hospitalization. The average length of hospital stay for selected rare diseases in Poland is not longer than the European Union (EU) average, so it can be assumed that the process of inpatient treatment in Poland is optimal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Bogdan
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aneta Nitsch-Osuch
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Samel-Kowalik
- Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards, Allergology, and Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Tyszko
- Institute of Rural Health in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kanecki
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Goryński
- Department of Population Health Monitoring and Analysis, National Institute of Public Health NIH – National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Oberska
- Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Gebremariam SN, Sema FD, Jara AG, Mekonen BT, Mekonnen GA. Medication error and associated factors among adults admitted to emergency ward at the university of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, North-West Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study, 2022. J Pharm Policy Pract 2023; 16:148. [PMID: 37978391 PMCID: PMC10655288 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-023-00616-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication errors are the most common cause of preventable adverse drug events at the emergency ward. OBJECTIVES This study assessed medication errors and associated factors among adult patients admitted to the emergency ward at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North-West Ethiopia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1, 2022, to August 30, 2022. Data were entered into EpiData Manager 4.6.0.0 for clearing and exported to SPSS version 24 for analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, medians with an interquartile range and inferential statistics like binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. The level of significance was declared at a p value less than 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS From 422 study participants, medication errors were found in three-fourths (74.4%) of study participants. The most frequent type of medication error was omitted dose (26.27%). From a total of 491 medication errors, 97.75% were not prevented before reaching patients. More than one-third (38.9%) of medication errors had potentially moderate harmful outcomes. More than half (55.15%) of possible causes of medication errors committed by staff are due to behavioral factors. Physicians accepted 99.16% and nurses accepted 98.71% of clinical pharmacist intervention. Hospital stay ≥ 6 days (AOR: 3.00 95% CI 1.65-5.45, p < 0.001), polypharmacy (AOR: 5.47, 95% CI 2.77-10.81 p < 0.001), and Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 3 (AOR: 1.94, 95% CI (1.02-3.68), p < 0.04) significantly associated with medication error. CONCLUSIONS About three-fourths of adult patients admitted to the emergency ward experienced medication errors. A considerable amount of medication errors were potentially moderately harmful. Most medication errors were due to behavioral factors. Most clinical pharmacists' interventions were accepted by physicians and nurses. Patients who stayed longer at the emergency ward, had a Charlson comorbidity index value of ≥ 3, and were on polypharmacy were at high risk of medication error. The hospital should strive to reduce medication errors at the emergency ward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saron Naji Gebremariam
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
| | - Fasiel Dula Sema
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Abdisa Gemedi Jara
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Banchamlak Teferi Mekonen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Gizework Alemnew Mekonnen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Park C, Han S, Litten KP, Mehta S, Ng BP. Prevalence of primary and secondary hypertension among hospitalized patients with cancer in the United States. Chronic Illn 2023:17423953231196613. [PMID: 37605850 DOI: 10.1177/17423953231196613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertension is the most common comorbidity in patients with cancer. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypertension by demographic characteristics and cancer type among hospitalized patients with cancer. METHODS Hospitalized cancer patients were included using 2016-2018 National Inpatient Sample data. The independent variable was the presence of hypertension, which was further classified as primary, secondary, and other hypertension. Patient characteristics were grouped by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and the 12 most common cancer types. Multinomial logistic regression was used. RESULTS Among 638,670 hospitalized patients with cancer, 56.8% had hypertension. The predicted percentages of having any hypertension were higher with age, male gender, and black race. The predicted percentages of any hypertension were the highest in kidney cancer patients across all age and race/ethnicity groups. Uterine cancer was associated with the highest percentages of primary hypertension, followed by kidney cancer. Leukemia was associated with the highest percentages of secondary hypertension, followed by non-Hodgkin lymphoma. DISCUSSION Kidney cancer patients had the highest predicted percentage of hypertension overall, while uterine cancer and leukemia had the highest percentages of primary and secondary hypertension, respectively. This study provides evidence for identifying cancer patients who need more attention for the prevention and management of hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanhyun Park
- Health Outcomes Division, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Sola Han
- Health Outcomes Division, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Kathryn P Litten
- Pharmacy Practice Division, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Sanica Mehta
- The University of Texas at Austin College of Natural Sciences, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Boon Peng Ng
- College of Nursing, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
- Disability, Aging, and Technology Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
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Stahl-Toyota S, Nikendei C, Nagy E, Bönsel S, Rollmann I, Unger I, Szendrödi J, Frey N, Michl P, Müller-Tidow C, Jäger D, Friederich HC, Hochlehnert A. Interaction of mental comorbidity and physical multimorbidity predicts length-of-stay in medical inpatients. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287234. [PMID: 37347745 PMCID: PMC10287009 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287234] [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: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental comorbidities of physically ill patients lead to higher morbidity, mortality, health-care utilization and costs. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of mental comorbidity and physical multimorbidity on the length-of-stay in medical inpatients at a maximum-care university hospital. DESIGN The study follows a retrospective, quantitative cross-sectional analysis approach to investigate mental comorbidity and physical multimorbidity in internal medicine patients. PATIENTS The study comprised a total of n = 28.553 inpatients treated in 2017, 2018 and 2019 at a German Medical University Hospital. MAIN MEASURES Inpatients with a mental comorbidity showed a median length-of-stay of eight days that was two days longer compared to inpatients without a mental comorbidity. Neurotic and somatoform disorders (ICD-10 F4), behavioral syndromes (F5) and organic disorders (F0) were leading with respect to length-of-stay, followed by affective disorders (F3), schizophrenia and delusional disorders (F2), and substance use (F1), all above the sample mean length-of-stay. The impact of mental comorbidity on length-of-stay was greatest for middle-aged patients. Mental comorbidity and Elixhauser score as a measure for physical multimorbidity showed a significant interaction effect indicating that the impact of mental comorbidity on length-of-stay was greater in patients with higher Elixhauser scores. CONCLUSIONS The findings provide new insights in medical inpatients how mental comorbidity and physical multimorbidity interact with respect to length-of-stay. Mental comorbidity had a large effect on length-of-stay, especially in patients with high levels of physical multimorbidity. Thus, there is an urgent need for new service models to especially care for multimorbid inpatients with mental comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Stahl-Toyota
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Nikendei
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ede Nagy
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Bönsel
- Department of Medicine Controlling, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ivo Rollmann
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Inga Unger
- Nursing Management, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Szendrödi
- Department of Endocrinology and Clinical Chemistry, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norbert Frey
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrick Michl
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carsten Müller-Tidow
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, Medical University Hospital, National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans-Christoph Friederich
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Achim Hochlehnert
- Department of Medicine Controlling, Medical University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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Lucocq J, Scollay J, Patil P. Defining Prolonged Length of Stay (PLOS) Following Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and Derivation of a Preoperative Risk Score to Inform Resource Utilization, Risk Stratification, and Patient Consent. Ann Surg 2023; 277:e1051-e1055. [PMID: 35801705 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study defines prolonged length of stay (PLOS) following elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and its relationship with perioperative morbidity. A preoperative risk tool to predict PLOS is derived to inform resource utilization, risk stratification and patient consent. BACKGROUND Surgical candidates for elective LC are a heterogeneous group at risk of various perioperative adverse outcomes. Preoperative recognition of high-risk patients for PLOS has implications on feasibility for day surgery, resource utilization, preoperative risk stratification, and patient consent. METHODS Data for all patients who underwent elective LC between January 2015 and January 2020 across 3 surgical centers (1 tertiary referral center and 2 satellite units) in 1 health board were collected retrospectively (n=2166). The optimal cut-off of PLOS as a proxy for operation-related adverse outcomes was found using receiver operating characteristic curves. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted on a derivation subcohort to derive a preoperative model predicting PLOS. Receiver operating characteristic curves were performed to validate the model. Patients were stratified by the risk tool and the risks of PLOS were determined. RESULTS A LOS of ≥3 days following elective LC demonstrated the best diagnostic ability for operation-related adverse outcomes [area under curve (AUC)=0.87] and defined the PLOS cut-off. The rate of PLOS was 6.6% (144/2166), 86.1% of which had a perioperative adverse outcome. PLOS was strongly associated with all adverse outcomes (subtotal, conversion-to-open, intraoperative complications, postoperative complication/imaging/intervention) ( P <0.001). The preoperative model demonstrated good diagnostic ability for PLOS in the derivation (AUC=0.81) and validation cohorts (AUC=0.80) and stratified patients appropriately. CONCLUSIONS Morbidity in PLOS patients is significant and pragmatic patient selection in accordance with the risk tool may help centers improve resource utilization, risk stratification, and their consent process. The risk tool may help select candidates for cholecystectomy in a strictly ambulatory/outpatient center.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Lucocq
- Department of General and Upper GI Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland
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Kalivas B, Zhang J, Harper K, Dulin J, Heincelman M, Marsden J, Hunt KJ, Mauldin PD, Moran WP, Thomas MK. The Combined Effect of Delirium and Falls on Length of Stay and Discharge. J Healthc Qual 2023; 45:177-190. [PMID: 37141572 DOI: 10.1097/jhq.0000000000000377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Delirium or a fall are associated with many negative outcomes including increased length of stay (LOS) and discharge to a facility; however, this relationship is incompletely understood. METHODS A cross-sectional study of all hospitalizations in a large, tertiary care hospital evaluated the effect of delirium and a fall on the outcomes of LOS and risk of being discharged to a facility. RESULTS The study included 29,655 hospital admissions. A total of 3,707 (12.5%) patients screened positive for delirium and 286 (0.96%) had a reported fall. After adjustment for covariates, relative to patients without delirium or a fall, patients with delirium only had a 1.64-fold longer LOS; patients with fall only had a 1.96-fold longer LOS; and patients who had delirium and fall had a 2.84-fold longer LOS. The adjusted odds of discharge to a facility, relative to those without delirium or a fall, was 8.98 times higher in those with delirium and a fall. CONCLUSIONS Delirium and falls influence LOS and likelihood of being discharged to a facility. The joint impact of falls and delirium on LOS and facility discharge was more than additive. Hospitals should consider the integrated management of delirium and falls.
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Spiers G, Boulton E, Corner L, Craig D, Parker S, Todd C, Hanratty B. What matters to people with multiple long-term conditions and their carers? Postgrad Med J 2021; 99:postgradmedj-2021-140825. [PMID: 34921067 DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2021-140825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of people living with multiple long-term conditions is increasing worldwide. This presents challenges for health and care systems, which must adapt to meet the needs of this population. This study drew on existing data to understand what matters to people living with multiple long-term conditions and identify priorities for future research. METHODS Two studies were conducted. (1) A secondary thematic analysis of interview, survey and workshop data collected from the 2017 James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership for Older People with Multiple Conditions, and patient and public involvement workshops; (2) a review of ongoing research and published research priorities, relating to older people (80+) living with multiple long-term conditions. FINDINGS Older people with multiple long-term conditions identified a number of key concerns: access to care, support for both the patient and their carer, physical and mental health and well-being and identifying opportunities for early prevention. The review identified no published research priorities or ongoing research focusing specifically on populations aged over 80 years with multiple long-term conditions. CONCLUSION Older people living with multiple long-term conditions experience care that is inadequate for their needs. A holistic approach to care that extends beyond treating single conditions will ensure wide-ranging needs are met. As multimorbidity rises worldwide, this is a critical message for practitioners across health and care settings. We also recommend key areas that should be given greater focus in future research and policy to inform effective and meaningful forms of support for people living with multiple long-term conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Spiers
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Elisabeth Boulton
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Lynne Corner
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Dawn Craig
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Stuart Parker
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Chris Todd
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Barbara Hanratty
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Yousefi V, McIvor E. Characteristics of the ideal hospitalist inpatient care program: perceptions of Canadian health system leaders. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:648. [PMID: 34217270 PMCID: PMC8254983 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06700-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the growing prevalence of hospitalist programs in Canada, it is not clear what program features are deemed desirable by administrative and medical leaders who oversee them. We aimed to understand perceptions of a wide range of healthcare administrators and frontline providers about the implementation and necessary characteristics of a hospitalist service. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with a range of administrators, medical leaders and frontline providers across three hospital sites operated by an integrated health system in British Columbia, Canada. Results Most interviewees identified the hospitalist model as the ideal inpatient care service line, but identified a number of challenges. Interviewees identified the necessary features of an ideal hospitalist service to include considerations for program design, care and non-clinical processes, and alignment between workload and physician staffing. They also identified continuity of care as an important challenge, and underlined the importance of communication as an important enabler of implementation of a new hospitalist service. Conclusions Most hospital administrators and frontline providers in our study believed the hospitalist model resulted in improvements in clinical processes and work environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vandad Yousefi
- Fraser Health, Central City Tower, Suite 400, 13450-102nd Avenue, Surrey, British Columbia, V3T 0H1, Canada.
| | - Elayne McIvor
- Catalyst Consulting Inc, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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