Applying Quality Improvement into Systems-based Learning to Improve Diabetes Outcomes in Primary Care

The Impact of Web-Based Continuing Medical Education Using Patient Simulation on Real-World Treatment Selection in Type 2 Diabetes: Retrospective Case-Control Analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite guidelines recommending the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) in certain patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), they are not being prescribed for many of these patients. Web-based continuing medical education (CME) patient simulations have been used to identify clinicians' practice gaps and improve clinical decision-making as measured within a simulation, but the impact of this format on real-world treatment has not been researched.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a simulation-based CME intervention on real-world use of GLP-1 RAs by endocrinologists and primary care physicians.

METHODS

Two evaluation phases of the CME simulation were conducted: phase I, the CME simulation phase, was a paired, pre-post study of 435 physician learners in the United States; and phase II, the real-world phase, was a retrospective, matched case-control study of 157 of the 435 physicians who had claims data available for the study period.

RESULTS

Phase I CME results showed a 29 percentage point increase in correct decisions from pre- to postfeedback (178/435, 40.9% to 304/435, 69.9%; P<.001) in selecting treatment that addresses both glycemic control and cardiovascular event protection. Phase II results showed that 39 of 157 (24.8%) physicians in the intervention group increased use of GLP-1 RAs, compared to 20 of 157 (12.7%) in the comparison group. Being in the intervention group predicted GLP-1 RA use after education (odds ratio 4.49; 95% CI 1.45-13.97; P=.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A web-based CME simulation focused on secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in a patient with T2D was associated with increased use of evidence-based treatment selection in the real world.

The Educational Impact of Web-Based, Faculty-Led Continuing Medical Education Programs in Type 2 Diabetes: A Survey Study to Analyze Changes in Knowledge, Competence, and Performance of Health Care Professionals

BACKGROUND

The treatment landscape for type 2 diabetes (T2D) is continually evolving; therefore, ongoing education of health care professionals (HCPs) is essential. There is growing interest in measuring the impact of educational activities, such as through use of the Moore framework; however, data on the benefits of continuing medical education (CME) in the management of T2D remain limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate HCP satisfaction; measure improvements in knowledge, competence, and performance following short, case-based, multidisciplinary web-based CME activities; and identify the remaining educational gaps.

METHODS

Two faculty-led, CME-accredited, web-based educational activities on T2D and obesity, touchIN CONVERSATION and touch MultiDisciplinary Team, were developed and made available on a free-to-access medical education website. Each activity comprised 3 videos lasting 10 to 15 minutes, which addressed learning objectives developed based on a review of published literature and faculty feedback. Participant satisfaction (Moore level 2) was evaluated using a postactivity questionnaire. For both activities, changes in knowledge and competence (Moore levels 3 and 4) were assessed using questionnaires completed by representative HCPs before or after participation in the activities. A second set of HCPs completed a questionnaire before and after engaging in activities that assessed changes in self-reported performance (Moore level 5).

RESULTS

Each activity was viewed by approximately 6000 participants within 6 months. The participants expressed high levels of satisfaction (>80%) with both activities. Statistically significant improvements from baseline in knowledge and competence were reported following participation in touchIN CONVERSATION (mean score, SD before vs after activity: 4.36, 1.40 vs 5.42, 1.37; P<.001), with the proportion of learners answering at least six of 7 questions correctly, increasing from 22% (11/50) to 60% (30/50). A nonsignificant improvement in knowledge and competence was observed following participation in touch MultiDisciplinary Team (mean score, SD 4.36, 1.24 vs 4.58, 1.07; P=.35); however, baseline knowledge and competence were relatively high, where 80% of the respondents (40/50) answered at least four of 6 questions correctly. A significant improvement in HCP self-reported performance was observed in a combined analysis of both activities (mean score, SD 2.65, 1.32 vs 3.15, 1.26; P=.03), with the proportion of learners selecting the answer representing the best clinical option for all 4 questions increasing from 32% (11/34) to 59% (20/34) after the activity. Several unmet educational needs were self-reported or identified from the analysis of incorrectly answered questions, including setting individualized glycemic targets and the potential benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

Short, case-based, web-based CME activities designed for HCPs to fit their clinical schedules achieved improvements in knowledge, competence, and self-reported performance in T2D management. Ongoing educational needs identified included setting individualized glycemic targets and the potential benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor therapies.

A Quality Improvement Initiative Is Associated With Reduced Time to Administer Biologics and Small Molecules and Emergency Room Visits in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Delays in biologic or small molecule medication administration are associated with increased adverse events, hospitalization, and surgery in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We evaluated the impact of a quality improvement (QI) intervention on the time to administration of biologics or small molecules (TABS) in IBD.

METHODS

Data were retrospectively extracted for IBD patients prescribed biologics or small molecules from a convenience sample of providers participating in an accredited QI educational intervention (baseline cohort). Subsequent to the intervention, data were prospectively collected from patients prescribed these medications (postintervention cohort). Dates related to steps between a treatment decision to medication administration were collected. The primary outcome compared TABS in baseline and postintervention cohorts.

RESULTS

Eighteen physicians provided survey and patient data for 200 patients in each cohort (n=400). The median time to medication administration (TABS) decreased from baseline to postintervention cohorts (30 vs. 26 d, P=0.04). Emergency room visits before medication administration also decreased (25.5% vs. 12.5%, P=0.001). Similar numerical TABS reductions were observed in subgroups limited to physicians providing patients to both cohorts and for individual medications prescribed. Primary contributors to delays included filling prescriptions subsequent to insurance approval and dispensation subsequent to this.

CONCLUSIONS

A QI intervention successfully reduced medication administration times (TABS) by accelerating provider-dependent steps. This intervention was associated with reduced emergency room visits. We propose TABS as a quality metric to assess the effective delivery of therapies in IBD. Further evaluation of QI interventions, patient education on prescription drug insurance, and quality metrics are warranted.

Observational study evaluating the effectiveness of physician-targeted education for improving glycemic management of patients with type 2 diabetes (BEYOND II)

BACKGROUND

Because there has been no quality improvement initiatives targeting patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) receiving basal insulin therapy, this study evaluated the effectiveness of physician-targeted education for optimizing glycemic management in these patients in China.

METHODS

This multicenter open-label observational study conducted across China had a baseline sample survey, followed by a 6-month education program, and ended with a post-education sample survey. Education based on T2D treatment guidelines was given at Months 1 and 3, and was reinforced by self-audit every month. Each hospital enrolled 100 patients with T2D receiving basal insulin at both the baseline and post-education survey. The primary outcome was the proportion of hospitals meeting individual improvement goals. The goal setting was based on the proportion of patients achieving HbA1c <7.0% in each hospital at the time of the baseline survey.

RESULTS

Overall, the individual improvement goal was achieved by 35 centers (49%). Hospitals with poor glycemic management at the baseline survey had higher possibility to improve at post-education survey. Two large sample surveys at baseline and post-education showed improved glucose management among these hospitals. A higher proportion of patients achieved HbA1c <7.0% in the post-education survey (27.2% vs 36.5%; P < 0.001) with reduced HbA1c levels (8.10% vs 7.72%; P < 0.001). Questionnaires from 723 physicians showed that confidence and practice of basal insulin use were significantly improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Physician-targeted education improved glycemic management of patients with T2D in 71 hospitals in China, and was more effective at hospitals with poor glycemic management at the baseline survey.

Diabetes self-care in primary health facilities in India - challenges and the way forward

India has approximately 73 million people living with diabetes and another 37 million with prediabetes while nearly 47% of the diabetes cases are undiagnosed. The high burden of poor glycemic control and early onset of complications with associated economic costs indicates a high prevalence of poor self-management practices. It is well-established that achieving patient-centered primary care consistent with a chronic care model ensures optimum diabetes self-management support and improves long-term clinical and health outcomes in diabetes patients. The public sector primary care system in India provides services free of cost to beneficiaries but lacks patient-centered care that undermines diabetes self-management education and support. Furthermore, factors like poor patient knowledge of diabetes, suboptimal medication adherence, persistent clinical inertia, lack of data for monitoring and evaluation through clinical audit worsens the standards of diabetes care in primary care settings of India. There is a need for government initiatives to be directed towards the provision of comprehensive outpatient care that is inclusive of uninterrupted supply of drugs, provision of essential laboratory investigators, training and availability of qualified diabetes educators and availability of specialist support when required. Furthermore, the integration of depression screening and smoking cessation services at the primary care level is warranted.

Improving Interprofessional and Coproductive Outcomes of Care for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

In the U.S., suboptimal care quality for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is reflected by high rates of emergency department visits and hospital readmissions, as well as excessive costs. Moreover, a substantial proportion of COPD patients do not receive guideline-directed therapies. In quality improvement (QI) programs, these types of health care problems are commonly addressed through interventions that primarily or exclusively support physicians in aligning their practices with guidelines and clinical quality measures. However, the root causes of many deficits in health care quality are not necessarily “physician centric.” Instead, they often involve suboptimal collaboration among members of interprofessional health care teams and gaps in coproductive relationships among patients and providers.

We conducted a QI project to identify interprofessional and coproductive correlates of COPD care quality in the context of a continuing education program designed to advance knowledge and skill among patients, providers, and the interprofessional COPD team regarding coproductive COPD care. Participants in the program included providers in 30 primary care practices across the U.S. who, along with their own COPD patients and a separate cohort of patients from COPD advocacy groups, completed a patient-provider survey study designed to identify alignments and mismatches in coproductive perceptions and behaviors, a private survey feedback session for each practice's team, and online/mobile educational activities on COPD. In addition, more than 1,000 additional providers and 200 patients participated in just the online/mobile education.

From the patient perspective, baseline measures indicated a high rate of dissatisfaction with COPD treatment plans and suboptimal coproductive interaction with members of the interprofessional health care team. Across providers, there were gaps and variation in provision of patient education, attitudes and practices regarding shared decision-making, and care coordination with pulmonary specialists. In addition, relatively low proportions of providers reported high levels of skill in various coproductive processes.

The project outcomes indicated mismatches between COPD patients and providers in perceived ability to recognize COPD exacerbations, shared treatment goals, barriers to medication adherence, perceived impact of COPD on quality of life, and other aspects of COPD care. Providers demonstrated improvements in knowledge and attitudes regarding coproductive and coordinated COPD care.