"I wish they could be in my shoes": patients' insights into tertiary health care for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Reliability and Validity of the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Scale

BACKGROUND

The patient's perception of physician empathy has a positive influence on patient behavior and treatment effects. The scale of Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) scale has been widely used to measure patients' perceptions of doctor empathy. However, the CARE scale lacks a standardized Mandarin version. In this study, we developed a Mandarin version of the CARE scale and validated its quality.

METHODS

There were 341 patients with hypertension and/or diabetes from four primary healthcare centers in Zhejiang Province, China participated in the primary test. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to explore the underlying structure of the scale. Furthermore, the test-retest reliability of the scale was evaluated during this phase.

RESULTS

A total of 1085 patients from six primary-level clinics participated in the secondary test. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to confirm the underlying structure of the scale. The analysis result demonstrated that the Mandarin version of the CARE scale comprises 10 items and 3 dimensions. In the secondary test, the overall Cronbach's α of the scale was 0.91, and the CRs of the 3 dimensions were 0.90, 0.90, and 0.88, respectively, indicating acceptable Internal consistency reliability and composite reliability (CR) of the scale. The average variance extracted (AVE) ranged between 0.65 and 0.79, and all square root values of the AVE for the three dimensions were higher than their Spearman correlations, indicating the good convergent and discriminant validity.

CONCULSION

The scale could serve as an evaluation tool for patients' perceptions of doctors' empathy in primary-level medical service settings in Chinese mainland.

Utilizing technology for diet and exercise change in complex chronic conditions across diverse environments (U-DECIDE): feasibility randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Diet and exercise are important components of treatment for complex chronic conditions, however access to allied health support is limited. When available, support is often siloed and fragmented. Digital health incorporating patient choice may help to align health care services with preferences and goals. This study evaluated the implementation of a ubiquitously accessible patient-centred digital health diet and exercise service.

METHODS

U-DECIDE was a single-centre, 26-week randomised controlled trial set in kidney and liver disease clinics in a tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Participants were adults with a complex chronic condition referred for dietetic consultation with at least one feature of the metabolic syndrome. All participants received a dietary consultation, an activity monitor and usual care. Intervention participants were offered one text message per week and access to additional digital health options (increased text message frequency, nutrition app, exercise app, group-based diet and/or exercise video consultations). The primary outcome of feasibility was determined by safety (study-related serious adverse events: SRSAEs), recruitment (≥ 50% eligible patients), retention (≥ 70%), exposure uptake (≥ 75% of intervention group had greater access to health professional contact than comparator) and video consultation adherence (≥ 80% attendance). Secondary outcomes included process evaluation metrics and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 67 participants (intervention n = 33, comparator n = 34), 37 (55%) were men, median (IQR) age was 51 (41-58) years. The most chosen digital health options were the nutrition app (n = 29, 88%) and exercise video consultations (n = 26, 79%). Only one participant chose no additional digital health options. The intervention group had no SRSAEs. The study exceeded targets for recruitment (52%), retention (81%) and exposure uptake (94%). Video consultation adherence was 42%. Engagement across digital health options was inconsistent.

CONCLUSIONS

Digital health options incorporating patient choice were feasible and can be offered to people with complex chronic disease as a service model option.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australia and New Zealand Trials Register: Trial Registration Number: ACTRN12620001282976. Registered 27th November 2020.

Measuring treatment burden in people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM): a mixed-methods systematic review

BACKGROUND

Measuring treatment burden is important for the effective management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) care. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the most robust approach for measuring treatment burden in people with T2DM based on existing evidence.

METHODS

Articles from seven databases were retrieved. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies examining treatment burden in adults with T2DM and/or reporting relevant experiences were included. A convergent segregated approach with a mixed-methods design of systematic review was employed, creating a measurement framework in a narrative review for consistent critical appraisal. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. The measurement properties of the instruments were evaluated using the Consensus based Standards for selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist.

RESULTS

A total of 21,584 records were screened, and 26 articles were included, comprising 11 quantitative, 11 qualitative, and 4 mixed-methods studies. A thematic analysis of qualitative data extracted from the included articles summarised a measurement framework encompassing seven core and six associated measurements. The core measurements, including financial, medication, administrative, lifestyle, healthcare, time/travel, and medical information burdens, directly reflect the constructs pertinent to the treatment burden of T2DM. In contrast, the associated measurement themes do not directly reflect the burdens or are less substantiated by current evidence. The results of the COSMIN checklist evaluation demonstrated that the Patient Experience with Treatment and Self-management (PETS), Treatment Burden Questionnaire (TBQ), and Multimorbidity Treatment Burden Questionnaire (MTBQ) have robust instrument development processes. These three instruments, with the highest total counts combining the number of themes covered and "positive" ratings in COSMIN evaluation, were in the top tertile stratification, demonstrating superior applicability for measuring T2DM treatment burden.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review provides evidence for the currently superior option of measuring treatment burden in people with T2DM. It also revealed that most current research was conducted in well-resourced institutions, potentially overlooking variability in under-resourced settings.

U-DECIDE: Utilising technology for Diet & Exercise Change In complex chronic conditions across Diverse Environments: Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial (Preprint)

Background

The metabolic syndrome is common across many complex chronic disease groups. Advances in health technology have provided opportunities to support lifestyle interventions.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility of a health technology-assisted lifestyle intervention in a patient-led model of care.

Methods

The study is a single-center, 26-week, randomized controlled trial. The setting is specialist kidney and liver disease clinics at a large Australian tertiary hospital. The participants will be adults with a complex chronic condition who are referred for dietetic assessment and display at least one feature of the metabolic syndrome. All participants will receive an individualized assessment and advice on diet quality from a dietitian, a wearable activity monitor, and standard care. Participants randomized to the intervention group will receive access to a suite of health technologies from which to choose, including common base components (text messages) and optional components (online and mobile app–based nutrition information, an online home exercise program, and group-based videoconferencing). Exposure to the optional aspects of the intervention will be patient-led, with participants choosing their preferred level of engagement. The primary outcome will be the feasibility of delivering the program, determined by safety, recruitment rate, retention, exposure uptake, and telehealth adherence. Secondary outcomes will be clinical effectiveness, patient-led goal attainment, treatment fidelity, exposure demand, and participant perceptions. Primary outcome data will be assessed descriptively and secondary outcomes will be assessed using an analysis of covariance. This study will provide evidence on the feasibility of the intervention in a tertiary setting for patients with complex chronic disease exhibiting features of the metabolic syndrome.

Results

The study was funded in 2019. Enrollment has commenced and is expected to be completed by June 2022. Data collection and follow up are expected to be completed by December 2022. Results from the analyses based on primary outcomes are expected to be submitted for publication by June 2023.

Conclusions

The study will test the implementation of a health technology–assisted lifestyle intervention in a tertiary outpatient setting for a diverse group of patients with complex chronic conditions. It is novel in that it embeds patient choice into intervention exposure and will inform health service decision-makers in regards to the feasibility of scale and spread of technology-assisted access to care for a broader reach of specialist services.

Trial Registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12620001282976; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378337

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/37556

Patients' attitudes and intentions towards taking medical advice for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a theory of planned behaviour analysis

PURPOSE

A key component of effective diabetes care is understanding patients' perceptions about diabetes management. Patients' attitudes and intentions towards taking medical advice may predict the outcomes for effective diabetes care. This study aims to measure participants' attitudes, beliefs and intentions towards following medical advice to manage their diabetes using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The domains of the TPB are correlated with clinical measures of diabetes to determine if these attitudes and intentions are predictive of better diabetes control.

METHODS

A pilot study was conducted. A 34-item survey was designed using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework and administered via mail by four general practice clinics. Included participants (N = 104; response rate 29.5%) had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and were taking medication for glycaemic control. Scores for each domain of the TPB survey were correlated with participants' clinical indicators for diabetes: HbA1c, blood pressure, lipid profile, cholesterol, and kidney health (eGFR and albumin: creatinine ratio) and BMI.

RESULTS

Participants surveyed generally reported positive attitudes and intention to follow medical advice. Medical advice was perceived to be beneficial and useful by the majority. However, in general, there was no correlation between positive intentions and improved clinical indicators of disease. Clinical indicators did not improve with duration of illness. The burden of illness is likely a mitigating factor for positive intention as participants perceive medical advice as difficult and inconvenient to follow.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients' individual capacity to implement medical advice should be addressed in shared-decision making models to potentially improve patient outcomes towards therapeutic targets.

Collaborative care model for diabetes in primary care settings in Qatar: a qualitative exploration among healthcare professionals and patients who experienced the service

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is highly prevalent and associated with huge economic burden globally. The conventional care and management of diabetes mellitus is highly fragmented and complex, warranting the need for a comprehensive Collaborative Care Model (CCM). Little is known about the perception of patients with diabetes and their healthcare providers about CCM, its barriers and facilitators. This study aimed to explore the value of CCM in diabetes care at a primary healthcare (PHC) setting from the perspective of patients with diabetes and healthcare professionals (HCPs), in an effort to expand our current knowledge on collaborative care in diabetes at primary care level for the purpose of quality improvement and service expansion.

METHODS

Using an exploratory case study approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted among patients and HCPs who encountered CCM in Qatar during 2019 and 2020. The semi-structured interviews were transcribed verbatim and the data were analysed and interpreted using a deductive-inductive thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

Twelve patients and 12 HCPs at a diabetes clinic participated in one-to-one interviews. The interviews resulted in five different themes: the process and components of collaborative care model (four subthemes), current organizational support and resources (three subthemes), impact of collaborative care model on diabetes outcomes (three subthemes), enablers of collaborative care model (three subthemes), and barriers to collaborative care model (three subthemes). The participants indicated easy access to and communication with competent and pleasant HCPs. The patients appreciated the extra time spent with HCPs, frequent follow-up visits, and health education, which empowered them to self-manage diabetes. HCPs believed that successful CCM provision relied on their interest and commitment to care for patients with diabetes. Generally, participants identified barriers and facilitators that are related to patients, HCPs, and healthcare system.

CONCLUSIONS

The providers and users of CCM had an overall positive perception and appreciation of this model in PHC settings. Barriers to CCM such as undesirable attributes of HCPs and patients, unsupportive hospital system, and high workload must be addressed before implementing the model in other PHC settings.

Patient Perspectives to Inform a Health Literacy Educational Program: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Studies

Patient-centred care is tailored to the needs of patients and is necessary for better health outcomes, especially for individuals with limited health literacy (LHL). However, its implementation remains challenging. The key to effectively address patient-centred care is to include perspectives of patients with LHL within the curricula of (future) healthcare providers (HCP). This systematic review aimed to explore and synthesize evidence on the needs, experiences and preferences of patients with LHL and to inform an existing educational framework. We searched three databases: PsychInfo, Medline and Cinahl, and extracted 798 articles. One-hundred and three articles met the inclusion criteria. After data extraction and thematic synthesis, key themes were identified. Patients with LHL and chronic diseases encounter multiple problems in the care process, which are often related to a lack of person-centeredness. Patient perspectives were categorized into four key themes: (1) Support system; (2) Patient self-management; (3) Capacities of HCPs; (4) Barriers in healthcare systems. "Cultural sensitivity" and "eHealth" were identified as recurring themes. A set of learning outcomes for (future) HCPs was developed based on our findings. The perspectives of patients with LHL provided valuable input for a comprehensive and person-centred educational framework that can enhance the relevance and quality of education for (future) HCPs, and contribute to better person-centred care for patients with LHL.

Seeing the Person, Not the Illness: Promoting Diabetes Medication Adherence Through Patient-Centered Collaboration

IN BRIEF Nonadherence to diabetes medications is a primary contributor to health complications and avoidable hospitalizations. This article discusses the evidence for taking a person-centered (as opposed to illness-centered) approach to promoting medication adherence among diabetes patients, provides suggestions for ways in which diabetes clinicians can best promote medication adherence, and argues for needed changes in how health care systems support providers in their efforts at adherence promotion.

Why we should understand the patient experience: clinical empathy and medicines optimisation

OBJECTIVES

To critically discuss the need for pharmacists to underpin their consultations with appropriate 'clinical empathy' as part of effective medicines optimisation.

METHODS

Use of literature around empathy, consultation and pharmacy practice to develop a case for greater clinical empathy in pharmacy consultations.

KEY FINDINGS

Clinical empathy is defined from the literature and applied to pharmacy consultations, with a comparison to empathy in other clinical professions. Historical barriers to the embedding of clinical empathy into pharmacy consultations are also explored.

CONCLUSIONS

We challenge the pharmacy profession to consider how clinical empathy should underpin consultations with a series of introspective questions and provide some sample questions to support pharmacy consultations. We also make the case for appropriate education and professional development of consultation skills at undergraduate and postgraduate level. We contend that patients' relationships with practitioners are critical, and a lack of empathy can impact the effectiveness of care.