Patient-Centered Approaches to Transitional Care Research and Implementation: Overview and Insights From Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute's Transitional Care Portfolio

Patient-Centered Adult Cardiovascular Care: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Patient-centered care is gaining widespread acceptance by the medical and lay communities and is increasingly recognized as a goal of high-quality health care delivery. Patient-centered care is based on ethical principles and aims at establishing a partnership between the health care team and patient, family member, or both in the care planning and decision-making process. Patient-centered care involves providing respectful care by tailoring management decisions to patients' beliefs, preferences, and values. A collaborative care approach can enhance patient engagement, foster shared decision-making that aligns with patient values and goals, promote more personalized and effective cardiovascular care, and potentially improve patient outcomes. The objective of this scientific statement is to inform health care professionals and stakeholders about the role and impact of patient-centered care in adult cardiovascular medicine. This scientific statement describes the background and rationale for patient-centered care in cardiovascular medicine, provides insight into patient-oriented medication management and patient-reported outcome measures, highlights opportunities and strategies to overcome challenges in patient-centered care, and outlines knowledge gaps and future directions.

Effects of transitional care interventions on quality of life in people with lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To identify and appraise the quality of evidence of transitional care interventions on quality of life in lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND

Quality of life is a strong predictor of survival. The transition from hospital to home is a high-risk period for patients' readmission and death, which seriously affect their quality of life.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were searched from inception to 22 October 2022. The primary outcome was quality of life. Statistical analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4, results were expressed as standard mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. This study was complied with PRISMA guidelines and previously registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023429464).

RESULTS

Fourteen randomized controlled trials were included consisting of a total of 1700 participants, and 12 studies were included in the meta-analysis. It was found that transitional care interventions significantly improved quality of life (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.40, p = .03) and helped reduce symptoms (SMD = -0.65, 95% CI: -1.13 to -0.18, p = .007) in lung cancer patients, but did not significantly reduce anxiety and depression, and the effect on self-efficacy was unclear.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that transitional care interventions can improve quality of life and reduce symptoms in patients, and that primarily educational interventions based on symptom management theory appeared to be more effective. But, there was no statistically significant effect on anxiety and depression.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study provides references for the application of transitional care interventions in the field of lung cancer care, and encourages nurses and physicians to apply transitional care plans to facilitate patients' safe transition from hospital to home.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No Patient or Public Contribution.

How can we meet the needs of patients, their families and their communities? A qualitative study including clinicians, consumer representatives, patients, and community members

BACKGROUND

The Diversity Working Group was formed in response to Australian Quality and Safety Health Care Standards that require organisations plan service delivery that incorporates information about the diversity of consumers, and those at higher risk of harm.

METHODS

A qualitative gap analysis was conducted by a team from varied professional backgrounds including a clinician researcher, a nurse researcher with expertise in culturally and linguistically diverse care and a consumer representative with expertise in advocacy and carer representation. Qualitative questions were co-designed, using a person-centred care lens. Community organisation members, and clinicians and patients from both ambulatory and inpatient areas were approached. Responses were coded independently and synthesised using a Framework Methodology.

RESULTS

In total 3 community organisation members, 40 clinicians and 30 patients consented to participate in the qualitative study over a period of three weeks. There were three key themes across responses, 'What are diverse needs?'; 'Assigning people to a group does not address a need'; 'Unplanned care makes people feel vulnerable'. Those patients who are isolated, for any number of reasons, were identified as at greater risk of harm.

CONCLUSION

Taking a person-centred approach can potentially better understand the needs of patients and communities so that this information can be incorporated into health service delivery. Resources are needed to support patients and their families at times of transition care, particularly when care is unplanned.

Challenges and opportunities for increasing patient involvement in heart failure self-care programs and self-care in the post-hospital discharge period

BACKGROUND

People living with heart failure (HF) are particularly vulnerable after hospital discharge. An alliance between patient authors, clinicians, industry, and co-developers of HF programs can represent an effective way to address the unique concerns and obstacles people living with HF face during this period. The aim of this narrative review article is to discuss challenges and opportunities of this approach, with the goal of improving participation and clinical outcomes of people living with HF.

METHODS

This article was co-authored by people living with HF, heart transplant recipients, patient advocacy representatives, cardiologists with expertise in HF care, and industry representatives specializing in patient engagement and cardiovascular medicine, and reviews opportunities and challenges for people living with HF in the post-hospital discharge period to be more integrally involved in their care. A literature search was conducted, and the authors collaborated through two virtual roundtables and via email to develop the content for this review article.

RESULTS

Numerous transitional-care programs exist to ease the transition from the hospital to the home and to provide needed education and support for people living with HF, to avoid rehospitalizations and other adverse outcomes. However, many programs have limitations and do not integrally involve patients in the design and co-development of the intervention. There are thus opportunities for improvement. This can enable patients to better care for themselves with less of the worry and fear that typically accompany the transition from the hospital. We discuss the importance of including people living with HF in the development of such programs and offer suggestions for strategies that can help achieve these goals. An underlying theme of the literature reviewed is that education and engagement of people living with HF after hospitalization are critical. However, while clinical trial evidence on existing approaches to transitions in HF care indicates numerous benefits, such approaches also have limitations.

CONCLUSION

Numerous challenges continue to affect people living with HF in the post-hospital discharge period. Strategies that involve patients are needed, and should be encouraged, to optimally address these challenges.

The effectiveness of tele-transitions of care interventions in high-risk older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Chronically ill older patients are often vulnerable to detrimental health outcomes and have increased risk of preventable readmission. Tele-transitions of care interventions utilizing telecommunications and surveillance technologies help monitor patients' conditions after discharge to prevent negative health outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify and synthesize available evidence on the effectiveness of tele-transitions of care interventions on various health outcomes in older adults at high risk for readmission discharged from acute setting.

METHODS

Published, unpublished studies and gray literatures were identified through searching PubMed, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest Dissertations and theses and Google Scholar from inception to December 2021. Only randomized controlled trials published in English language assessing tele-transitions of care interventions on high-risk older adults were included. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects model in RevMan 5.4. Sensitivity and subgroup and narrative analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were included, of which thirteen were considered for meta-analyses. Tele-transitions of care interventions were effective in reducing readmission rate (RR = 0.59, 95%CI 0.50-0.69, z = 6.28, p < 0.00001), mortality rate (RR = 0.72, 95%CI 0.53-0.98, z = 2.12, p = 0.03), and improving health-related quality of life (SMD = 0.24, Z = 2.04, p = 0.04). However, reduction of emergency department visit (RR = 1.10, 95%CI 0.59-2.06, z = 0.31, p = 0.76) and improvement of functional status (SMD = -0.06, Z = 0.19, p = 0.85) was not observed following intervention. Subgroup analysis found that the positive effects of tele-transitions of care interventions persist up to 180 days even after the intervention.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that tele-transitions of care interventions have promising effects on readmission, mortality rate and health-related quality of life. Tele-transitions of care interventions are cost-effective and suitable for large-scale implementation in healthcare settings.

REGISTRATION

The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022295665).

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Systematic review demonstrates that monitoring older patients at high risk of readmission, following discharge from hospital, using telecommunication and surveillance technologies significantly reduces readmission and mortality rates and improves their quality of life.

Care Transition Interventions to Improve Stroke Outcomes: Evidence Gaps in Underserved and Minority Populations

In many countries hospital length of stay after an acute stroke admission is typically just a few days, therefore, most of a person's recovery from stroke occurs in the community. Care transitions, which occur when there is a change in, or handoff between 2 different care settings or providers, represent an especially vulnerable period for patients and caregivers. For some patients with stroke the return home is associated with substantial practical, psychosocial, and health-related challenges leading to substantial burden for the individual and caregiver. Underserved and minority populations, because of their exposure to poor environmental, social, and economic conditions, as well as structural racism and discrimination, are especially vulnerable to the problems of complicated care transitions which in turn, can negatively impact stroke recovery. Overall, there remain significant unanswered questions about how to promote optimal recovery in the post-acute care period, particularly for those from underserved communities. Evidence is limited on how best to support patients after they have returned home where they are required to navigate the chronic stages of stroke with little direct support from health professionals.

Patient experiences of a care transition intervention for Veterans to reduce emergency department visits

OBJECTIVES

Care transition interventions (CTIs) are used to improve outcomes after an emergency department (ED) visit. A recent randomized controlled trial of a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) CTI titled Discharge Information and Support for Patients receiving Outpatient care in the ED (DISPO ED) demonstrated no difference in repeat ED visits. However, changes in health care utilization are not the only measures of a CTI worth evaluation, and there is interest in using patient-centered outcomes to assess CTIs as well. To inform future CTI design and outcome measure selection, the study aims were to understand how patients experienced the CTI and what elements they valued.

METHODS

This was a qualitative study of participants randomized to the intervention arm of the DISPO ED trial using semistructured interviews. The interview guide included questions about clinical health and other issues addressed by the study nurse, the most and least helpful aspects of the intervention, and impacts of the intervention on their perceptions of self-management. Interviews were analyzed using directed content analysis.

RESULTS

Our sample comprised 24 participants, with average age of 61 years, 58% male, and 50% Black or African American. We identified six major themes related to (1) experiences during the intervention and (2) elements they valued. Patients reported clinical health coaching recommendations covering a wide range of topics as well as care coordination actions such as appointment scheduling. Valuable elements of the intervention highlighted personal characteristics of the study nurse that promoted a sense of interpersonal connection and empathy in their interactions.

CONCLUSIONS

Intervention users described assistance with care coordination as well as clinical concerns. We identified aspects that were highly valued by the participants, such as interpersonal support and empathy from the interventionist. These findings suggest the need for more comprehensive nonutilization outcome measures for CTIs to capture the patient's perspective.

Cancer-related emergency and urgent care: expanding the research agenda

Purpose of review

Cancer-related emergency department (ED) visits often result in higher hospital admission rates than non-cancer visits. It has been estimated many of these costly hospital admissions can be prevented, yet urgent care clinics and EDs lack cancer-specific care resources to support the needs of this complex population. Implementing effective approaches across different care settings and populations to minimize ED and urgent care visits improves oncologic complication management, and coordinating follow-up care will be particularly important as the population of cancer patients and survivors continues to increase. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Office of Emergency Care (OECR) convened a workshop in December 2021, “Cancer-related Emergency and Urgent Care: Prevention, Management, and Care Coordination” to highlight progress, knowledge gaps, and research opportunities. This report describes the current landscape of cancer-related urgent and emergency care and includes research recommendations from workshop participants to decrease the risk of oncologic complications, improve their management, and enhance coordination of care.

Recent findings

Since 2014, NCI and OECR have collaborated to support research in cancer-related emergency care. Workshop participants recommended a number of promising research opportunities, as well as key considerations for designing and conducting research in this area. Opportunities included better characterizing unscheduled care services, identifying those at higher risk for such care, developing care delivery models to minimize unplanned events and enhance their care, recognizing cancer prevention and screening opportunities in the ED, improving management of specific cancer-related presentations, and conducting goals of care conversations.

Summary

Significant progress has been made over the past 7 years with the creation of the Comprehensive Oncologic Emergency Research Network, broad involvement of the emergency medicine and oncology communities, establishing a proof-of-concept observational study, and NCI and OECR’s efforts to support this area of research. However, critical gaps remain.