A Live Video Program to Prevent Chronic Pain and Disability in At-Risk Adults With Acute Orthopedic Injuries (Toolkit for Optimal Recovery): Protocol for a Multisite Feasibility Study

Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial of the Toolkit for Optimal Recovery After Concussion: A Live Video Program to Prevent Persistent Concussion Symptoms in Young Adults With Anxiety

OBJECTIVES

To assess the feasibility of the Toolkit for Optimal Recovery after Concussion (TOR-C), the first mind-body program aiming to prevent persistent concussion symptoms among young adults with anxiety, and an active control (Health Enhancement after Concussion [HE-C]). We also tested preliminary improvements in outcome measures and putative mechanistic targets.

DESIGN

Single-blind, 2-arm, randomized controlled trial (RCT).

SETTING

Academic medical center in the US Northeast.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty young adults (aged 18-35 years) with a recent concussion (3-10 weeks prior) and anxiety (≥5 on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7] questionnaire).

INTERVENTIONS

Both interventions consisted of four 45-minute 1:1 sessions with a clinician over Zoom. TOR-C (n=25) taught mind-body, cognitive-behavioral, and return-to-activity skills. HE-C (n=25) taught health education (eg, sleep, nutrition) without skills.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary: feasibility outcomes (eg, recruitment, credibility, expectancy, acceptability, safety, feasibility of assessments, fidelity, satisfaction, and TOR-C homework adherence) with a-priori-set benchmarks. Secondary: intervention outcomes were concussion symptoms (Post-Concussion Symptom Scale), physical function (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale), anxiety (GAD-7/anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), depression (depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and pain (Numerical Rating Scale). TOR-C mechanistic targets were pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale), mindfulness (Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised), fear avoidance (Fear Avoidance Behavior after Traumatic Brain Injury), limiting behavior and all-or-nothing behavior (Behavioral Response to Illness Questionnaire).

RESULTS

Both interventions met all feasibility benchmarks and were associated with significant improvements in outcomes (concussion symptoms, physical function, anxiety, depression, and pain; d=0.44-1.21) and TOR-C mechanistic targets (pain catastrophizing, mindfulness, fear-avoidance, and limiting behavior; Cohen's d=0.41-1.24). Improvements in all-or-nothing behavior were only significant in TOR-C (d=0.52). Improvements in all mechanistic targets except all-or-nothing behavior after TOR-C were significantly associated with improvements in at least one outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings provide strong support for the feasibility of TOR-C and HE-C, and preliminary evidence for improvements in mechanistic targets and outcomes. Findings inform a future fully-powered RCT testing efficacy of TOR-C versus HE-C.

Underserved older adults' treatment preferences for a mind-body activity program for chronic pain delivered via shared medical visits in a community clinic

Older adults with chronic pain from underserved communities need evidence-based pain management programs. To meet this need, we interviewed patients and staff from an underserved community clinic to identify their treatment preferences and barriers and facilitators to participating in a mind-body activity program. We conducted nine qualitative interviews (two staff; seven patients) and six focus groups (three staff groups; three patient groups), transcribed them verbatim and then used inductive-deductive thematic analysis guided by two pre-specified superordinate domains: (1) treatment preferences and (2) barriers and facilitators to participation. Participants recommended flexible, group participation options (in person, remote) with a credible leader and with multi-cultural considerations. They generally reacted positively to the proposed content. Barriers included logistical barriers (e.g. transportation, finances), weather, and skepticism about novel treatments; facilitators centered on expanding access and increasing sense of community. Our findings highlight important considerations to facilitate the uptake of mind-body activity programs for underserved older adults with chronic pain.

"Pushed to Their Limits": Health Care Provider Perspectives on Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing a Mind-Body and Activity Program for Older Adults With Chronic Pain in a Community Clinic for the Underserved

Older adults from underserved backgrounds experience chronic pain at a rate of 60% to 75%. Pharmacological treatments have limited efficacy and involve considerable risks. Mind-body interventions hold promise to improve pain outcomes but are typically not implemented in community clinics in which they are needed most, thus contributing to health disparities in chronic pain treatment. We conducted qualitative focus groups and interviews with 20 providers (eg, primary care doctors, nurses, administrators). We sought their perspectives on barriers and facilitators to implementing an evidence based mind-body activity program for older adults with chronic pain at an underserved community health clinic in Massachusetts. Subthemes were identified within 2 superordinate domains (barriers and facilitators) using a hybrid inductive-deductive thematic analysis approach following the Framework Method. Providers discussed facilitators (partner with clinic staff to facilitate referrals and buy-in, integrate referrals through the electronic medical record, offer groups in different languages, post and tailor advertisements) and barriers (limited staff bandwidth, scheduling challenges, inconsistent patient participation). These results will directly inform tailoring and subsequent effectiveness testing and implementation of the pain management program for older underserved adults with chronic pain in this community health care setting.

Within-person relationships between catastrophizing and pain intensity during a mind-body intervention to prevent persistent pain and disability after acute traumatic orthopedic injury

Interventions aimed at preventing chronic pain after acute traumatic injury have significant potential to reduce healthcare expenditures and improve quality of life for millions of individuals. Given recent development of such interventions, limited research has examined mechanisms of change using repeated measures (e.g., session-by-session assessments). This study examines within-person relationships between pain catastrophizing and intensity during and after a four-session mind-body intervention for individuals with acute traumatic orthopedic injury (N = 76, T = 445). Random intercept cross-lagged panel models were used to examine within-person autoregressive, contemporaneous, and cross-lagged effects between pain catastrophizing and pain intensity, after accounting for stable between-person differences. Our primary hypothesis that improvements in catastrophizing would be associated with subsequent reductions in pain intensity was partially supported by a significant within-person cross-lagged effect between catastrophizing at post-test and pain with activity reported at three-month follow-up (β = 0.421, SE = 0.099, p < .001). Improvement in catastrophizing was also associated with same-session improvement in pain intensity midway through the intervention. Importantly, bidirectional within-person analyses allowed us to rule out the possibility that improvements in pain were responsible for subsequent improvements in catastrophizing, but not vice versa. Together, these findings suggest improvements in catastrophizing during psychosocial intervention may prevent transition from acute to chronic pain after injury. Future research with larger between-person sample sizes, more frequent within-person assessment, and comparable control group data is necessary to facilitate greater understanding of psychosocial mechanisms for preventing chronic pain after injury. PERSPECTIVE: This study examines within-person relationships between pain catastrophizing and intensity during and after a four-session mind-body intervention to prevent persistent pain after acute traumatic orthopedic injury. Improved catastrophizing at post-test was associated with reduced pain with activity at three-month follow-up. Within-person analyses enhance understanding of psychosocial mechanisms for preventing chronic pain after injury.

Pain catastrophizing and pain anxiety mediate changes in physical function in a mind-body intervention for adults with traumatic orthopedic injuries

ABSTRACT

Traumatic orthopedic injuries are common and frequently associated with persistent pain, disability, and emotional distress. Risk factors of persistent pain and disability include pain catastrophizing and pain anxiety, though most interventions for orthopedic injuries are primarily biomedical (eg, surgeries, pharmacology, physiotherapy/exercise). The Toolkit for Optimal Recovery (TOR) is a brief, live video mind-body program designed to directly target pain catastrophizing and anxiety in patients with recent traumatic orthopedic injury to prevent persistent disability. This study was a secondary analysis from a recently completed multisite feasibility RCT of TOR compared with Minimally Enhanced Usual Care (MEUC). We examined the extent to which the purported mechanisms of change in TOR (ie, reductions in pain catastrophizing and anxiety) mediate improvement in physical function. Participants with a recent orthopedic trauma (N = 195; Mage = 44.01) recruited from 4 Level I trauma centers were randomized to TOR or MEUC and completed self-report surveys at baseline, postintervention, and follow-up (3 months after baseline). A multiple mediation analysis using multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) demonstrated that pain catastrophizing (b = -5.22, SE = 3.02, Bootstrapped 95% CIs = -0.04, -12.37) and pain anxiety (b = -8.45, SE = 3.59, Bootstrapped 95% CIs = -0.04, -12.37) each significantly mediated improvement in physical function. Overall, findings elucidate the mechanistic role of TOR's primary treatment targets (ie, reductions in pain catastrophizing and anxiety) in improving physical function. Findings highlight the importance of targeting pain catastrophizing and pain anxiety early after orthopedic injury through psychosocial interventions such as TOR.

Recovery of Comfort and Capability After Upper Extremity Fracture Is Predominantly Associated With Mindset: A Longitudinal Cohort From the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relative influence of mindset and fracture severity on 9-month recovery trajectories of pain and capability after upper extremity fractures.

METHODS

DESIGN

Secondary use of longitudinal data.

SETTING

Single Level-1 trauma center in Oxford, United Kingdom.

PATIENT SELECTION

English-speaking adults with isolated proximal humerus, elbow, or distal radius fracture managed operatively or nonoperatively were included, and those with multiple fractures or cognitive deficit were excluded.

OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS

Incapability (Quick-DASH) and pain intensity (11-point rating scale) were measured at baseline, 2-4 weeks, and 6-9 months after injury. Cluster analysis was used to identify statistical groupings of mindset (PROMIS Depression and Anxiety, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia) and fracture severity (low/moderate/high based on OTA/AO classification). The recovery trajectories of incapability and pain intensity for each mindset grouping were assessed, accounting for various fracture-related aspects.

RESULTS

Among 703 included patients (age 59 ± 21 years, 66% women, 16% high-energy injury), 4 statistical groupings with escalating levels of distress and unhelpful thoughts were identified (fracture severity was omitted considering it had no differentiating effect). Groups with less healthy mindset had a worse baseline incapability (group 2: β = 4.1, 3: β = 7.5, and 4: β = 17) and pain intensity (group 3: β = 0.70 and 4: β = 1.4) (P < 0.01). Higher fracture severity (β = 4.5), high-energy injury (β = 4.0), and nerve palsy (β = 8.1) were associated with worse baseline incapability (P < 0.01), and high-energy injury (β = 0.62) and nerve palsy (β = 0.76) with worse baseline pain intensity (P < 0.01). Groups 3 and 4 had a prolonged rate of recovery of incapability (β = 1.3, β = 7.0) and pain intensity (β = 0.19, β = 1.1) (P < 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with higher levels of unhelpful thinking and feelings of distress regarding symptoms experienced worse recovery of pain and incapability, with a higher effect size than fracture location, fracture severity, high-energy injury, and nerve palsy. These findings underline the importance of anticipating and addressing mental health concerns during recovery from injury.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Virtual Reality for Subacute Pain After Orthopedic Traumatic Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES

Acute orthopedic traumatic musculoskeletal injuries are prevalent, costly, and often lead to persistent pain and functional limitations. Psychological risk factors (eg, pain catastrophizing and anxiety) exacerbate these outcomes but are often overlooked in acute orthopedic care. Addressing gaps in current treatment approaches, this mixed-methods pilot study explored the use of a therapeutic virtual reality (VR; RelieVRx ), integrating principles of mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapy, for pain self-management at home following orthopedic injury.

METHODS

We enrolled 10 adults with acute orthopedic injuries and elevated pain catastrophizing or pain anxiety from Level 1 Trauma Clinics within the Mass General Brigham health care system. Participants completed daily RelieVRx sessions at home for 8 weeks, which included pain education, relaxation, mindfulness, games, and dynamic breathing biofeedback. Primary outcomes were a priori feasibility, appropriateness, acceptability, satisfaction, and safety. Secondary outcomes were pre-post measures of pain, physical function, sleep, depression, and hypothesized mechanisms (pain self-efficacy, mindfulness, and coping).

RESULTS

The VR and study procedures met or exceeded all benchmarks. We observed preliminary improvements in pain, physical functioning, sleep, depression, and mechanisms. Qualitative exit interviews confirmed high satisfaction with RelieVRx and yielded recommendations for promoting VR-based trials with orthopedic patients.

DISCUSSION

The results support a larger randomized clinical trial of RelieVRx versus a sham placebo control to replicate the findings and explore mechanisms. There is potential for self-guided VR to promote evidence-based pain management strategies and address the critical mental health care gap for patients following acute orthopedic injuries.

PTSD symptoms, pain catastrophizing, and pain outcomes after acute orthopedic injury

BACKGROUND

PTSD is associated with greater incidence of chronic pain. Pain catastrophizing often accounts for this association. Less is known about these relationships during the acute phase (1-2 months) following orthopedic traumatic injuries. We sought to understand which orthopedic traumatic injury-related PTSD symptoms were associated with acute pain and physical dysfunction and whether pain catastrophizing accounted for these associations.

METHODS

This secondary analysis uses baseline data from a multisite randomized controlled trial of an intervention for individuals with heightened pain catastrophizing or pain anxiety following acute orthopedic injury. We used partial correlations to examine associations between PTSD symptom clusters (re-experiencing, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and hyperarousal) and pain outcomes (pain intensity and physical dysfunction) controlling for pain catastrophizing. We used hierarchical regressions to evaluate unique associations between PTSD clusters and pain outcomes. In exploratory analysis, we examined the indirect effects of PTSD symptoms on pain outcomes through catastrophizing.

RESULTS

Hierarchical linear regressions indicated that hyperarousal was uniquely associated with greater pain intensity with activity (β = 0.39, p < 0.001, ΔR2 =0.06) and physical dysfunction (β = 0.22, p = 0.04 ΔR2 =0.02). PTSD symptoms were still associated with pain with activity even with pain catastrophizing included in the models, and catastrophizing did not have a significant indirect effect on the relationship between PTSD and physical dysfunction (b=0.06, SEBoot=0.04, 95% CIBoot = [-0.003, 0.14]). Pain catastrophizing did largely account for the association between re-experiencing, avoidance, and negative alterations in cognitions and mood symptoms and pain at rest.

CONCLUSIONS

Pain catastrophizing interventions may be best suited for limiting the impact of PTSD symptoms on pain at rest, but catastrophizing alone may not fully explain the relationship between PTSD symptoms and physical dysfunction after acute orthopedic injury. To prevent the negative association of PTSD symptoms, especially hyperarousal, on physical outcomes in acute pain populations, interventions may require more than solely targeting pain catastrophizing.

Palliative Care Clinical Trials in Underrepresented Ethnic and Racial Minorities: A Narrative Review

Introduction: A growing number of patients with serious illness who would benefit from palliative care are part of ethnoracial minority groups. Nevertheless, large disparities in provision of palliative services exist for minoritized populations. Furthermore, there is a relative dearth of palliative care research focused on minority groups and how best to provide high-quality, culturally tailored palliative care. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the existing literature regarding palliative care clinical trials in underrepresented minority populations, describe methodological approaches, and provide guidance on future palliative care-focused clinical trials. Methods: We used the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) and Cochrane's guidelines on conducting reviews. We used PubMed and Clinicaltrials.gov to review published, full-text articles or protocols (1950-2022), and limited to palliative care interventions focused on ethnoracial minority populations. We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs), including pilot and feasibility trials, protocols of RCTs, and studies that report RCT methodology. Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility. Results: Our search yielded 585 publications; of these, 30 met the full-text review criteria and 16 studies met our criteria for inclusion. We deemed nine articles as having low risk of bias and four as having high risk of bias. Discussion: Commonly used methodologic approaches for clinical trials in underrepresented minority populations included the following: the use of written and visual materials that were no higher than a sixth-grade reading level, the use of patient and lay health navigators, bilingual and multicultural study staff and study materials, race-concordant staff, the option of in-person and virtual visits that accommodated the patient and family's schedule, recruitment from faith communities, and the use of community-engaged research principles. Future palliative care clinical trials should expand on the strategies described in this article, adopt effective strategies currently used in nonpalliative care interventions, and innovate around the principles of community-engaged research.

Improving multimodal physical function in adults with heterogeneous chronic pain; Protocol for a multisite feasibility RCT

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain is associated with substantial impairment in physical function, which has been identified as a top concern among persons with pain. GetActive-Fitbit, a mind-body activity program, is feasible, acceptable, and associated with improvement in physical function among primarily White, sedentary individuals with pain. In preparation for a multisite efficacy trial, we must examine feasibility across multiple sites with diverse patient populations. Here we describe the protocol of a multisite, feasibility RCT comparing GetActive-Fitbit with a time- and attention-matched educational comparison (Healthy Living for Pain). We aim to 1) test multisite fidelity of clinician training; 2) evaluate multisite feasibility benchmarks, including recruitment of chronic pain patients taking <5000 steps/day and racial and ethnic minorities; and 3) optimize fidelity and study protocol in preparation for a future multisite efficacy trial.

METHODS

Clinician training fidelity was assessed via roleplays and mock group sessions. Feasibility (i.e., recruitment, acceptability, credibility, adherence, satisfaction), multimodal physical function (e.g., self-report, 6-Minute Walk Test, step-count), and other psychosocial outcomes are assessed at baseline, posttest, and 6 months. Protocol optimization will be assessed using exit interviews and cross-site meetings.

RESULTS

The trial is ongoing. Clinician training is complete. 87 participants have been recruited. 54 completed baseline assessments and randomization, 44 are mid-intervention, and 9 have completed the intervention and posttest.

CONCLUSIONS

This study addresses the critical need for feasible, acceptable mind-body-activity interventions for chronic pain that follow evidence-based guidelines and improve all aspects of physical function across diverse populations. Results will inform a future fully-powered multisite efficacy trial.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT05700383.

Clinical Presentation of Adults with Traumatic Orthopedic Injuries Enrolled in a Multisite Psychosocial Trial

Objectives

Traumatic orthopedic injuries are a top cause of hospital visits in the U.S. The Toolkit for Optimal Recovery (TOR) is a brief mind-body intervention that targets catastrophic thinking and pain anxiety following orthopedic injury. This study examines the baseline presentation of adults with traumatic orthopedic injuries who were enrolled in our recent multisite feasibility RCT of TOR versus usual care at four geographically distinct Level 1 trauma centers. We also examine whether patient presentation varies by site.

Methods

We recruited 181 adults (Mage=44.16, SD=16.5) from four Level I trauma centers located in the northeast (Site A; N=63), southwest (Site B; N=44), southeast (Site C; N=44), and southeast (Site D; N=30). At baseline, participants provided information about sociodemographic factors, pain and physical function, and physicians completed the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi-square tests were used to compare variables between sites.

Results

The majority of the sample (88.4%) sustained a fracture, and the mean AIS score was 2.31 (SD=0.55). Age, race, sex, gender, occupation, or marital status did not differ across sites (ps>.05). Over half (63%) of the sample was treated surgically, and 28.7% endorsed taking narcotic pain medications. More participants at Sites B (75%) and D (96.7%) received surgery than participants at Sites A (41%) and C (61.4%). More participants at Sites D and B reported narcotic usage than participants at Sites C and A. Participants at Site D demonstrated greater functional impairment than participants at the other sites.

Conclusion

Although sites were largely comparable, we did find key differences in surgical management, narcotic use, and functional disability which may have important implications for treatment response. This information will be used to iterate and refine TOR for a future multisite efficacy trial.

Optimizing the Implementation of a Lifestyle Dementia Prevention Intervention for Older Patients in an Academic Healthcare System

Background

Interventions that promote healthy lifestyles are critical for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease related dementias (AD/ADRD). However, knowledge of the best practices for implementing AD/ADRD prevention in healthcare settings remains limited.

Objective

We aimed to qualitatively identify barriers and facilitators to implementing a clinical trial of a novel lifestyle intervention (My Healthy Brain) in our medical center for older patients with subjective cognitive decline who are at-risk for AD/ADRD.

Methods

We conducted focus groups with 26 healthcare professionals (e.g., physicians, psychology, nursing) from 5 clinics that treat older patients (e.g., memory care, psychiatry). Our qualitative analysis integrated two implementation frameworks to systematically capture barriers and facilitators to AD/ADRD prevention (Consolidated Framework for Implementation Science Research) that impact implementation outcomes of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility (Proctor's framework).

Results

We found widespread support for an RCT of My Healthy Brain and AD/ADRD prevention. Participants identified barriers related to patients (stigma, technological skills), providers (dismissiveness of "worried well," doubting capacity for behavior change), clinics (limited time and resources), and the larger healthcare system (underemphasis on prevention). Implementation strategies guided by Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) included: developing tailored materials, training staff, obtaining buy-in from leadership, addressing stigmatized language and practices, identifying "champions," and integrating with workflows and resources.

Conclusions

The results will inform our recruitment, enrollment, and retention procedures to implement the first randomized clinical trial of My Healthy Brain. Our study provides a blueprint for addressing multi-level barriers to the implementation of AD/ADRD prevention for older patients in medical settings.

Biopsychosocial factors associated with pain severity and hand disability in trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis and non-surgical management

BACKGROUND

Trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMO) is one of the most prevalent and painful forms of hand osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE

This study aimed at (1) describing the TMO pain experience, (2) identifying biopsychosocial factors associated with pain intensity and disability, and 3) documenting the use of non-surgical management modalities.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

METHODS

Participants who presented for care for TMO were recruited from 15 healthcare institutions. They completed a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic, pain, disability, psychological well-being, quality of life (QoL), productivity, and treatment modalities employed. Multivariable regression analyses identified biopsychosocial factors associated with pain intensity and magnitude of disability.

RESULTS

Among our 228 participants aged 62.6 years, 78.1% were women. More than 80% of the participants reported average pain of moderate to severe intensity in the last 7 days. Nearly 30 % of them scored clinically significant levels of anxiodepressive symptoms. The participants' norm-based physical QoL score on the SF-12v2 was 41/100. Among the 79 employed respondents, 13 reported having missed complete or part of workdays in the previous month and 18 reported being at risk of losing their job due to TMO. Factors independently associated with more intense pain included higher pain frequency and greater disability, accounting for 59.0% of the variance. The mean DASH score was 46.1 of 100, and the factors associated with greater magnitude of disability were higher pain intensity, greater levels of depression, female sex, and lower level of education, explaining 60.1% of the variance. Acetaminophen, oral non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, cortisone injections, orthoses, hand massage/exercises, and heat/cold application were the most frequently employed modalities. Most participants never used assistive devices, ergonomic techniques, and psychosocial services.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with TMO can experience severe pain, disability, disturbed emotional well-being, limited QoL and reduced productivity. As disability is associated with TMO pain, and depressive symptoms with disability, reducing such modifiable factors should be one of the clinicians' priorities.

What Are Orthopaedic Healthcare Professionals' Attitudes Toward Addressing Patient Psychosocial Factors? A Mixed-Methods Investigation

BACKGROUND

Integrating psychosocial resources into orthopaedic clinics can reduce psychological distress and opioid use after injury, enhance functional outcomes, and increase patient satisfaction with care. Establishing referral pathways for connecting orthopaedic patients with psychosocial resources requires the active collaboration and buy-in of orthopaedic healthcare professionals. Designing and disseminating psychosocial training materials for orthopaedic healthcare professionals requires a nuanced understanding of orthopaedic healthcare professionals' current attitudes toward addressing psychosocial factors, including any stigma and misconceptions about mental health that exist.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

(1) What are orthopaedic healthcare professionals' attitudes toward addressing patient psychosocial factors, and how are they related? (2) How do orthopaedic healthcare professionals' beliefs, reasonings, and experiences help to explain these attitudes? (3) How do attitudes differ between physicians and nonphysician healthcare professionals?

METHODS

In this multisite, mixed-methods study (that is, a study collecting both quantitative and qualitative data), our team of psychology researchers conducted qualitative focus groups over secure live video with 79 orthopaedic healthcare professionals at three geographically diverse Level I trauma centers. We approached all orthopaedic healthcare professionals within the three trauma centers to participate in the study to collect as many diverse perspectives as possible. Eighty-four percent (79 of 94) of the professionals we approached participated in qualitative data collection (the group of professionals comprised 20 attending surgeons; 28 residents; 10 nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and physician assistants; 13 medical assistants; five physical therapists and social workers; and three research fellows). We also asked participants to complete self-report items that assessed their attitudes toward addressing patients' psychosocial factors (research question 1). The different attitudes identified through the quantitative measurement served as a priori defined themes within which our two independent coders organized the qualitative data and identified beliefs and experiences that explained attitudes (research question 2). We used both quantitative and qualitative data to assess differences between surgeons and residents and nonphysician healthcare professionals (research question 3).

RESULTS

We quantitatively identified six underlying attitudes toward addressing psychosocial factors: professional confidence, perceived resource availability, fear of offending patients, fear of negative patient reactions, blame toward patients, and professional role resistance. We observed a strong quantitative correlation between the attitudes of professional confidence and perceived resource availability, and qualitative data revealed how healthcare professionals' willingness to discuss psychosocial issues with patients is shaped by their perception of psychosocial resources available for orthopaedic patients, as well as their perception of their own skills and tools to navigate these conversations. Quantitative data suggested that surgeons and residents endorse higher blame toward patients for psychosocial factors (medium effect size; p = 0.04), which is a stigmatizing attitude that serves as a barrier to integrating psychosocial resources into orthopaedic settings.

CONCLUSION

The varying levels of confidence orthopaedic healthcare professionals reported with respect to the topic of discussing psychosocial factors and the misconceptions they endorse regarding psychosocial factors (such as blame toward patients) highlight the need for more specific education for orthopaedic healthcare professionals to help equip them with skills to raise and discuss psychosocial factors with patients in an empathic and destigmatizing manner.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The strong relationship observed between the attitudes of professional confidence and perceived resource availability suggests that expanding the provision of psychosocial resources in orthopaedic settings and establishing specific, efficient referral processes to connect patients with psychosocial resources will in turn increase orthopaedic healthcare professionals' confidence discussing psychosocial issues with patients.