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Henshaw AM, Winstead SR. Building Bridges in Palliative Rehabilitation: An Evidence-Based Toolkit to Promote Collaboration. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024; 41:601-609. [PMID: 37462170 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231184621] [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: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Palliative care and rehabilitation professionals caring for seriously ill people and their families face barriers to effective, timely collaboration. Barriers such as ineffective communication processes, role misunderstanding across professions, and resource limitations can lead to underutilization of rehabilitation services for this vulnerable population. Objectives: To create practical connections between palliative care and rehabilitation professionals and to provide tools and strategies for teams to develop the core competencies (role clarity, communication, teamwork, and shared values) necessary to provide coordinated, timely, effective care to people living with serious illness. Design: With Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Core Competencies1 as a framework for interprofessional collaborative practice, a quality improvement project was conducted at a large academic medical center. The 5-phase project included literature review, expert interviews, identification of barriers and facilitators, development of strategies to mitigate barriers, and pilot testing of select strategies. Results: The PalRehab Toolkit consists of strategies to enhance interprofessional collaborative practice and infuse rehabilitation into palliative care in the acute care setting. Preliminary evaluation of piloted strategies suggests increased communication across professions, improved role clarity, and an increased likelihood of collaboration. Conclusion: Providing educational offerings, establishing efficient communication channels, and infusing rehabilitation concepts into palliative care practices, as outlined in the PalRehab Toolkit, may positively impact interprofessional collaborative practice and improve care delivery for people with serious illness and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Henshaw
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C. USA
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Heisler-MacKinnon JA, Queen T, Yi Kong W, Kennedy KL, Thomas T, Calo WA, Gilkey MB. Identifying effective vaccine champions: Findings from a national survey of primary care professionals. Vaccine 2024; 42:3148-3152. [PMID: 38575435 PMCID: PMC11056286 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccine champions are common in primary care, but little is known about which champions are effective. METHODS In 2022, we surveyed 2,144 US primary care professionals (PCPs) who reported working with vaccine champions. Respondents rated the champion with whom they worked most closely on their effectiveness at improving vaccination rates. RESULTS About half (49 %) of PCPs perceived their closest champion as highly effective. PCPs perceived advanced practice providers and nursing staff as highly effective somewhat more often than physicians (52 % and 58 % vs 43 %, p <.001). Other correlates of perceived effectiveness included being a formally appointed versus informal champion, working extremely versus less closely with PCPs, and using a high (4-5) versus low (0-1) number of implementation strategies to improve vaccination rates (all p <.001). CONCLUSIONS Results suggest vaccine champions may benefit from having formal roles and opportunities to work closely with colleagues to improve vaccination rates using multiple strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Heisler-MacKinnon
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, UNC Lineberger Building, 450 West Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, 135 Dauer Drive, CB #7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440, USA.
| | - Tara Queen
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, 135 Dauer Drive, CB #7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440, USA.
| | - Wei Yi Kong
- Mayo Clinic, Division of Epidemiology, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
| | - Kathryn L Kennedy
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, 135 Dauer Drive, CB #7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440, USA.
| | - Tami Thomas
- Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Florida International University, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, 11200 SW 8 Street - AHC 3, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
| | - William A Calo
- Penn State College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, 90 Hope Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - Melissa B Gilkey
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, UNC Lineberger Building, 450 West Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA; Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, 135 Dauer Drive, CB #7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440, USA
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Juckett LA, Owolabi M, Gustavson AM, Ifejika NL. Implementation Science to Advance Health Equity in Stroke Rehabilitation. J Am Heart Assoc 2024; 13:e031311. [PMID: 38529649 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.031311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Juckett
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Medicine The Ohio State University Columbus OH USA
| | - Mayowa Owolabi
- Center for Genomic and Precision Medicine University of Ibadan Ibadan Nigeria
- University College Hospital Ibadan Nigeria
- Blossom Specialist Medical Center Ibadan Nigeria
| | - Allison M Gustavson
- Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Veteran Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Rehabilitation & Engineering Center for Optimizing Veteran Engagement & Reintegration Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System Minneapolis MN USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Minnesota Minneapolis MN USA
| | - Nneka L Ifejika
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Neurology UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas TX USA
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Pence BW, Gaynes BN, Udedi M, Kulisewa K, Zimba CC, Akiba CF, Dussault JM, Akello H, Malava JK, Crampin A, Zhang Y, Preisser JS, DeLong SM, Hosseinipour MC. Two implementation strategies to support the integration of depression screening and treatment into hypertension and diabetes care in Malawi (SHARP): parallel, cluster-randomised, controlled, implementation trial. Lancet Glob Health 2024; 12:e652-e661. [PMID: 38408462 PMCID: PMC10995959 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00592-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although evidence-based treatments for depression in low-resource settings are established, implementation strategies to scale up these treatments remain poorly defined. We aimed to compare two implementation strategies in achieving high-quality integration of depression care into chronic medical care and improving mental health outcomes in patients with hypertension and diabetes. METHODS We conducted a parallel, cluster-randomised, controlled, implementation trial in ten health facilities across Malawi. Facilities were randomised (1:1) by covariate-constrained randomisation to either an internal champion alone (ie, basic strategy group) or an internal champion plus external supervision with audit and feedback (ie, enhanced strategy group). Champions integrated a three-element, evidence-based intervention into clinical care: universal depression screening; peer-delivered psychosocial counselling; and algorithm-guided, non-specialist antidepressant management. External supervision involved structured facility visits by Ministry officials and clinical experts to assess quality of care and provide supportive feedback approximately every 4 months. Eligible participants were adults (aged 18-65 years) seeking hypertension and diabetes care with signs of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥5). Primary implementation outcomes were depression screening fidelity, treatment initiation fidelity, and follow-up treatment fidelity over the first 3 months of treatment, analysed by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03711786, and is complete. FINDINGS Five (50%) facilities were randomised to the basic strategy and five (50%) to the enhanced strategy. Between Oct 1, 2019, and Nov 30, 2021, in the basic group, 587 patients were assessed for eligibility, of whom 301 were enrolled; in the enhanced group, 539 patients were assessed, of whom 288 were enrolled. All clinics integrated the evidence-based intervention and were included in the analyses. Of 60 774 screening-eligible visits, screening fidelity was moderate (58% in the enhanced group vs 53% in the basic group; probability difference 5% [95% CI -38% to 47%]; p=0·84) and treatment initiation fidelity was high (99% vs 98%; 0% [-3% to 3%]; p=0·89) in both groups. However, treatment follow-up fidelity was substantially higher in the enhanced group than in the basic group (82% vs 20%; 62% [36% to 89%]; p=0·0020). Depression remission was higher in the enhanced group than in the basic group (55% vs 36%; 19% [3% to 34%]; p=0·045). Serious adverse events were nine deaths (five in the basic group and four in the enhanced group) and 26 hospitalisations (20 in the basic group and six in the enhanced group); none were treatment-related. INTERPRETATION The enhanced implementation strategy led to an increase in fidelity in providers' follow-up treatment actions and in rates of depression remission, consistent with the literature that follow-up decisions are crucial to improving depression outcomes in integrated care models. These findings suggest that external supervision combined with an internal champion could offer an important advance in integrating depression treatment into general medical care in low-resource settings. FUNDING The National Institute of Mental Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian W Pence
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Bradley N Gaynes
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michael Udedi
- Division of Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Kazione Kulisewa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | | | | | | | - Jullita K Malava
- Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Amelia Crampin
- Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - John S Preisser
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephanie M DeLong
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mina C Hosseinipour
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; UNC Project Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
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Adeyemi O, Ginsburg AD, Kaur R, Cuthel AM, Zhao N, Siman N, Goldfeld KS, Emlet LL, DiMaggio C, Yamarik RL, Bouillon-Minois JB, Chodosh J, Grudzen CR. Serious illness communication skills training for emergency physicians and advanced practice providers: a multi-method assessment of the reach and effectiveness of the intervention. BMC Palliat Care 2024; 23:48. [PMID: 38378532 PMCID: PMC10880358 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-024-01349-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND EM Talk is a communication skills training program designed to improve emergency providers' serious illness conversational skills. Using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, this study aims to assess the reach of EM Talk and its effectiveness. METHODS EM Talk consisted of one 4-h training session during which professional actors used role-plays and active learning to train providers to deliver serious/bad news, express empathy, explore patients' goals, and formulate care plans. After the training, emergency providers filled out an optional post-intervention survey, which included course reflections. Using a multi-method analytical approach, we analyzed the reach of the intervention quantitatively and the effectiveness of the intervention qualitatively using conceptual content analysis of open-ended responses. RESULTS A total of 879 out of 1,029 (85%) EM providers across 33 emergency departments completed the EM Talk training, with the training rate ranging from 63 to 100%. From the 326 reflections, we identified meaning units across the thematic domains of improved knowledge, attitude, and practice. The main subthemes across the three domains were the acquisition of Serious Illness (SI) communication skills, improved attitude toward engaging qualifying patients in SI conversations, and commitment to using these learned skills in clinical practice. CONCLUSION Our study showed the extensive reach and the effectiveness of the EM Talk training in improving SI conversation. EM Talk, therefore, can potentially improve emergency providers' knowledge, attitude, and practice of SI communication skills. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03424109; Registered on January 30, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwaseun Adeyemi
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, 227 East 30thStreet, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | | | | | - Allison M Cuthel
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, 227 East 30thStreet, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| | - Nicole Zhao
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, 227 East 30thStreet, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Nina Siman
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, 227 East 30thStreet, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Keith S Goldfeld
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lillian Liang Emlet
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Charles DiMaggio
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Joshua Chodosh
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Veteran's Affair, New York Harbor Healthcare System, New York, NY, USA
| | - Corita R Grudzen
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Peracca SB, Lachica O, Lamkin RP, Jackson GL, Mohr DC, King HA, Whited JD, Fonseca AS, Morris IJ, Gifford AL, Weinstock MA, Oh DH. Implementation of Direct-to-Patient Mobile Teledermatology in VA. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:97-105. [PMID: 38252250 PMCID: PMC10937882 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08480-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Innovative technology can enhance patient access to healthcare but must be successfully implemented to be effective. OBJECTIVE We evaluated Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) implementation of My VA Images, a direct-to-patient asynchronous teledermatology mobile application enabling established dermatology patients to receive follow-up care remotely instead of in-person. DESIGN /PARTICIPANTS/APPROACH Following pilot testing at 3 facilities, the app was introduced to 28 facilities (4 groups of 7) every 3 months using a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized design. Using the Organizational Theory of Implementation Effectiveness, we examined the app's implementation using qualitative and quantitative data consisting of encounter data from VA's corporate data warehouse; app usage from VA's Mobile Health database; bi-monthly reports from facility representatives; phone interviews with clinicians; and documented communications between the operational partner and facility staff. KEY RESULTS Implementation policies and practices included VA's vision to expand home telehealth and marketing/communication strategies. The COVID-19 pandemic dominated the implementation climate by stressing staffing, introducing competing demands, and influencing stakeholder attitudes to the app, including its fit to their values. These factors were associated with mixed implementation effectiveness, defined as high quality consistent use. Nineteen of 31 exposed facilities prepared to use the app; 10 facilities used it for actual patient care, 7 as originally intended. Residents, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants were more likely than attendings to use the app. Facilities exposed to the app pre-pandemic were more likely to use and sustain the new process. CONCLUSIONS Considerable heterogeneity existed in implementing mobile teledermatology, despite VA's common mission, integrated healthcare system, and stakeholders' broad interest. Identifying opportunities to target favorable facilities and user groups (such as teaching facilities and physician extenders, respectively) while addressing internal implementation barriers including incomplete integration with the electronic health record as well as inadequate staffing may help optimize the initial impact of direct-to-patient telehealth. The COVID pandemic was a notable extrinsic barrier. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT03241589.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara B Peracca
- Dermatology Service (190), San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA
| | - Olevie Lachica
- Dermatology Service (190), San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA
| | - Rebecca P Lamkin
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - George L Jackson
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - David C Mohr
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, School of Public Health, Boston University, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Heather A King
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, 215 Morris Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, 6301 Herndon Road, Durham, NC, 27713, USA
| | - John D Whited
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, 6301 Herndon Road, Durham, NC, 27713, USA
| | - Allene S Fonseca
- Department of Dermatology, Wayne State University, 18101 Oakwood Boulevard #402, Dearborn, MI, 48124, USA
| | - Isis J Morris
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Allen L Gifford
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, School of Public Health, Boston University, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E Concord Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Martin A Weinstock
- Department of Dermatology and Epidemiology, Brown University, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI, 02903, USA
- Center for Dermatoepidemiology, Providence VA Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI, 02908, USA
| | - Dennis H Oh
- Dermatology Service (190), San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA.
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, 1701 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA.
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Langley J, Urquhart R, Tschupruk C, Christian E, Warner G. Barriers to and facilitators of successful implementation of a palliative approach to care in primary care practices: a mixed methods study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e079234. [PMID: 38296276 PMCID: PMC10831432 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Integrating a palliative approach to care into primary care is an emerging evidence-based practice. Despite the evidence, this type of care has not been widely adopted into primary care settings. The objective of this study was to examine the barriers to and facilitators of successful implementation of a palliative approach to care in primary care practices by applying an implementation science framework. DESIGN This convergent mixed methods study analysed semistructured interviews and expression of interest forms to evaluate the implementation of a protocol, linked to implementation strategies, for a palliative approach to care called Early Palliation through Integrated Care (EPIC) in three primary care practices. This study assessed barriers to and facilitators of implementation of EPIC and was guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). A framework analysis approach was used during the study to determine the applicability of CFIR constructs and domains. SETTING Primary care practices in Canada. Interviews were conducted between September 2020 and November 2021. PARTICIPANTS 10 individuals were interviewed, who were involved in implementing EPIC. Three individuals from each practice were reinterviewed to clarify emerging themes. RESULTS Overall, there were implementation barriers at multiple levels that caused some practices to struggle. However, barriers were mitigated when practices had the following facilitators: (1) a high level of intra-practice collaboration, (2) established practices with organisational structures that enhanced communications, (3) effective leveraging of EPIC project supports to transition care, (4) perceptions that EPIC was an opportunity to make a long-term change in their approach to care as opposed to a limited term project and (5) strong practice champions. CONCLUSIONS Future implementation work should consider assessing facilitators identified in our results to better gauge primary care pre-implementation readiness. In addition, providing primary care practices with support to help offset the additional work of implementing innovations and networking opportunities where they can share strategies may improve implementation success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi Langley
- Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Robin Urquhart
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Cheryl Tschupruk
- Palliative Health Network, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Erin Christian
- Primary Health Care and Chronic Disease Management Network, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Grace Warner
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Katz C, Robles N, Novillo-Ortiz D, Saigí-Rubió F. Selection of criteria for a telemedicine framework for designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating telemedicine interventions: Validation using a modified Delphi process. Digit Health 2024; 10:20552076241251951. [PMID: 38726219 PMCID: PMC11080763 DOI: 10.1177/20552076241251951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives The call to scale up telemedicine services globally as part of the digital health transformation lacks an agreed-upon set of constructs to guide the implementation process. A lack of guidance hinders the development, consolidation, sustainability and optimisation of telemedicine services. The study aims to reach consensus among telemedicine experts on a set of implementation constructs to be developed into an evidence-based support tool. Methods A modified Delphi study was conducted to evaluate a set of evidence-informed telemedicine implementation constructs comprising cores, domains and items. The study evaluated the constructs consisting of five cores: Assessment of the Current Situation, Development of a Telemedicine Strategy, Development of Organisational Changes, Development of a Telemedicine Service, and Monitoring, Evaluation and Optimisation of Telemedicine Implementation; seven domains: Individual Readiness, Organisational Readiness, Clinical, Economic, Technological and Infrastructure, Regulation, and Monitoring, Evaluation and Optimisation; divided into 53 items. Global telemedicine specialists (n = 247) were invited to participate and evaluate 58 questions. Consensus was set at ≥70%. Results Forty-five experts completed the survey. Consensus was reached on 78% of the constructs evaluated. Regarding the core constructs, Monitoring, Evaluation and Optimisation of Telemedicine Implementation was determined to be the most important one, and Development of a Telemedicine Strategy the least. As for the domains, the Clinical one had the highest level of consensus, and the Economic one had the lowest. Conclusions This research advances the field of telemedicine, providing expert consensus on a set of implementation constructs. The findings also highlight considerable divergence in expert opinion on the constructs of reimbursement and incentive mechanisms, resistance to change, and telemedicine champions. The lack of agreement on these constructs warrants attention and may partly explain the barriers that telemedicine services continue to face in the implementation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che Katz
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Noemí Robles
- eHealth Centre, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Novillo-Ortiz
- Division of Country Health Policies and Systems, World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Francesc Saigí-Rubió
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Barcelona, Spain
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Zhong AY, Lui AJ, Katz MS, Berlin A, Kamran SC, Kishan AU, Murthy V, Nagar H, Seible D, Stish BJ, Tree AC, Seibert TM. Use of focal radiotherapy boost for prostate cancer: radiation oncologists' perspectives and perceived barriers to implementation. Radiat Oncol 2023; 18:188. [PMID: 37950310 PMCID: PMC10638743 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-023-02375-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a recent phase III randomized control trial, delivering a focal radiotherapy (RT) boost to tumors visible on MRI was shown to improve disease-free survival and regional/distant metastasis-free survival for patients with prostate cancer-without increasing toxicity. The aim of this study was to assess how widely this technique is being applied in current practice, as well as physicians' perceived barriers toward its implementation. METHODS We invited radiation oncologists to complete an online questionnaire assessing their use of intraprostatic focal boost in December 2022 and February 2023. To include perspectives from a broad range of practice settings, the invitation was distributed to radiation oncologists worldwide via email list, group text platform, and social media. RESULTS 263 radiation oncologist participants responded. The highest-represented countries were the United States (42%), Mexico (13%), and the United Kingdom (8%). The majority of participants worked at an academic medical center (52%) and considered their practice to be at least partially genitourinary (GU)-subspecialized (74%). Overall, 43% of participants reported routinely using intraprostatic focal boost. Complete GU-subspecialists were more likely to implement focal boost, with 61% reporting routine use. In both high-income and low-to-middle-income countries, less than half of participants routinely use focal boost. The most cited barriers were concerns about registration accuracy between MRI and CT (37%), concerns about risk of additional toxicity (35%), and challenges to accessing high-quality MRI (29%). CONCLUSIONS Two years following publication of a randomized trial of patient benefit without increased toxicity, almost half of the radiation oncologists surveyed are now routinely offering focal RT boost. Further adoption of this technique might be aided by increased access to high-quality MRI, better registration algorithms of MRI to CT simulation images, physician education on benefit-to-harm ratio, and training on contouring prostate lesions on MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Y Zhong
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Asona J Lui
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Matthew S Katz
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Lowell General Hospital, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Alejandro Berlin
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sophia C Kamran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amar U Kishan
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and Urology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Vedang Murthy
- ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | | | - Daniel Seible
- Anchorage and Valley Radiation Therapy Centers, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Bradley J Stish
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Alison C Tree
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust/The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Tyler M Seibert
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Departments of Radiology and Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Rucci JM, Ball S, Brunner J, Moldestad M, Cutrona SL, Sayre G, Rinne S. "Like One Long Battle:" Employee Perspectives of the Simultaneous Impact of COVID-19 and an Electronic Health Record Transition. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:1040-1048. [PMID: 37798583 PMCID: PMC10593661 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08284-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare organizations regularly manage external stressors that threaten patient care, but experiences handling concurrent stressors are not well characterized. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the experience of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinicians and staff navigating simultaneous organizational stressors-an electronic health record (EHR) transition and the COVID-19 pandemic-and identify potential strategies to optimize management of co-occurring stressors. DESIGN Qualitative case study describing employee experiences at VA's initial EHR transition site. PARTICIPANTS Clinicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and local leaders at VA's initial EHR transition site. APPROACH We collected longitudinal qualitative interview data between July 2020 and November 2021 once before and 2-4 times after the date on which the health system transitioned; this timing corresponded with local surges of COVID-19 cases. Interviewers conducted coding and analysis of interview transcripts. For this study, we focused on quotes related to COVID-19 and performed content analysis to describe recurring themes describing the simultaneous impact of COVID-19 and an EHR transition. KEY RESULTS We identified five themes related to participants' experiences: (1) efforts to mitigate COVID-19 transmission led to insufficient access to EHR training and support, (2) clinical practice changes in response to the pandemic impacted EHR workflows in unexpected ways, (3) lack of clear communication and inconsistent enforcement of COVID-19 policies intensified pre-existing frustrations with the EHR, (4) managing concurrent organizational stressors increased work dissatisfaction and feelings of burnout, and (5) participants had limited bandwidth to manage competing demands that arose from concurrent organizational stressors. CONCLUSION The expected challenges of an EHR transition were compounded by co-occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had negative impacts on clinician experience and patient care. During simultaneous organizational stressors, health care facilities should be prepared to address the complex interplay of two stressors on employee experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Rucci
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, VA, USA.
- The Pulmonary Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sherry Ball
- VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Julian Brunner
- Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation Implementation and Policy, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Megan Moldestad
- Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VHA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sarah L Cutrona
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Bedford, VA, USA
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - George Sayre
- Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VHA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Seppo Rinne
- The Pulmonary Center, Department of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Bedford, VA, USA
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