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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Haderlein TP, Guzman-Clark J, Dardashti NS, McMahon N, Duran EL, Haun JN, Robinson SA, Blok AC, Cutrona SL, Lindsay JA, Armstrong CM, Nazi KM, Shimada SL, Wilck NR, Reilly E, Kuhn E, Hogan TP. Improving Veteran Engagement with Virtual Care Technologies: a Veterans Health Administration State of the Art Conference Research Agenda. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:21-28. [PMID: 38252243 PMCID: PMC10937853 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08488-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Although the availability of virtual care technologies in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) continues to expand, ensuring engagement with these technologies among Veterans remains a challenge. VHA Health Services Research & Development convened a Virtual Care State of The Art (SOTA) conference in May 2022 to create a research agenda for improving virtual care access, engagement, and outcomes. This article reports findings from the Virtual Care SOTA engagement workgroup, which comprised fourteen VHA subject matter experts representing VHA clinical care, research, administration, and operations. Workgroup members reviewed current evidence on factors and strategies that may affect Veteran engagement with virtual care technologies and generated key questions to address evidence gaps. The workgroup agreed that although extensive literature exists on factors that affect Veteran engagement, more work is needed to identify effective strategies to increase and sustain engagement. Workgroup members identified key priorities for research on Veteran engagement with virtual care technologies through a series of breakout discussion groups and ranking exercises. The top three priorities were to (1) understand the Veteran journey from active service to VHA enrollment and beyond, and when and how virtual care technologies can best be introduced along that journey to maximize engagement and promote seamless care; (2) utilize the meaningful relationships in a Veteran's life, including family, friends, peers, and other informal or formal caregivers, to support Veteran adoption and sustained use of virtual care technologies; and (3) test promising strategies in meaningful combinations to promote Veteran adoption and/or sustained use of virtual care technologies. Research in these priority areas has the potential to help VHA refine strategies to improve virtual care user engagement, and by extension, outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taona P Haderlein
- VHA HSR&D Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation, & Policy, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center, Sepulveda, CA, USA.
| | | | - Navid S Dardashti
- NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicholas McMahon
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | | | - Jolie N Haun
- Research and Development Service, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Stephanie A Robinson
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- The Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda C Blok
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Systems, Populations and Leadership, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sarah L Cutrona
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jan A Lindsay
- Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
- South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (A Virtual Center), Houston, TX, USA
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christina M Armstrong
- Connected Health Implementation Strategies, Office of Connected Care, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kim M Nazi
- Trilogy Federal, LLC, Arlington, VA, USA
- KMN Consulting Services, LTD, Coxsackie, NY, USA
| | - Stephanie L Shimada
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Health Informatics and Implementation Science, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Nancy R Wilck
- Connected Health Implementation Strategies, Office of Connected Care, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Erin Reilly
- VISN 1 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Eric Kuhn
- National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Timothy P Hogan
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Peter O'Donnell School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Robinson SA, Shimada SL, Zocchi MS, Etingen B, Smith B, McMahon N, Cutrona SL, Harmon JS, Wilck NR, Hogan TP. Factors Associated with Veteran Self-Reported Use of Digital Health Devices. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:79-86. [PMID: 38252248 PMCID: PMC10937849 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08479-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital health devices (DHDs), technologies designed to gather, monitor, and sometimes share data about health-related behaviors or symptoms, can support the prevention or management of chronic conditions. DHDs range in complexity and utility, from tracking lifestyle behaviors (e.g., pedometer) to more sophisticated biometric data collection for disease self-management (e.g., glucometers). Despite these positive health benefits, supporting adoption and sustained use of DHDs remains a challenge. OBJECTIVE This analysis examined the prevalence of, and factors associated with, DHD use within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). DESIGN National survey. PARTICIPANTS Veterans who receive VHA care and are active secure messaging users. MAIN MEASURES Demographics, access to technology, perceptions of using health technologies, and use of lifestyle monitoring and self-management DHDs. RESULTS Among respondents, 87% were current or past users of at least one DHD, and 58% were provided a DHD by VHA. Respondents 65 + years were less likely to use a lifestyle monitoring device (AOR 0.57, 95% CI [0.39, 0.81], P = .002), but more likely to use a self-management device (AOR 1.69, 95% [1.10, 2.59], P = .016). Smartphone owners were more likely to use a lifestyle monitoring device (AOR 2.60, 95% CI [1.42, 4.75], P = .002) and a self-management device (AOR 1.83, 95% CI [1.04, 3.23], P = .037). CONCLUSIONS The current analysis describes the types of DHDs that are being adopted by Veterans and factors associated with their adoption. Results suggest that various factors influence adoption, including age, access to technology, and health status, and that these relationships may differ based on the functionalities of the device. VHA provision of devices was frequent among device users. Providing Veterans with DHDs and the training needed to use them may be important factors in facilitating device adoption. Taken together, this knowledge can inform future implementation efforts, and next steps to support patient-team decision making about DHD use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Robinson
- eHealth Partnered Evaluation Initiative, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, 200 Springs Rd., Bldg. 70 Room 263, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA.
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA.
- The Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Stephanie L Shimada
- eHealth Partnered Evaluation Initiative, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, 200 Springs Rd., Bldg. 70 Room 263, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy, & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Health Informatics and Implementation Science, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Mark S Zocchi
- eHealth Partnered Evaluation Initiative, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, 200 Springs Rd., Bldg. 70 Room 263, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Bella Etingen
- eHealth Partnered Evaluation Initiative, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, 200 Springs Rd., Bldg. 70 Room 263, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
| | - Bridget Smith
- eHealth Partnered Evaluation Initiative, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, 200 Springs Rd., Bldg. 70 Room 263, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, IL, USA
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nicholas McMahon
- eHealth Partnered Evaluation Initiative, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, 200 Springs Rd., Bldg. 70 Room 263, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Sarah L Cutrona
- eHealth Partnered Evaluation Initiative, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, 200 Springs Rd., Bldg. 70 Room 263, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Division of Health Informatics and Implementation Science, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Julie S Harmon
- eHealth Partnered Evaluation Initiative, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, 200 Springs Rd., Bldg. 70 Room 263, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
- Office of Connected Care, Veterans Health Administration, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Nancy R Wilck
- eHealth Partnered Evaluation Initiative, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, 200 Springs Rd., Bldg. 70 Room 263, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
- Office of Connected Care, Veterans Health Administration, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Timothy P Hogan
- eHealth Partnered Evaluation Initiative, Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System, 200 Springs Rd., Bldg. 70 Room 263, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Peter O'Donnell Jr School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Robinson SA, Shimada SL, Sliwinski SK, Wiener RS, Moy ML. Stakeholder Perceptions of a Web-Based Physical Activity Intervention for COPD: A Mixed-Methods Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6296. [PMID: 37834938 PMCID: PMC10574016 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12196296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Technology-based physical activity interventions have been shown to be efficacious in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), though their potential impact has not been fully realized due to ineffective implementation. We used a convergent, parallel mixed-methods design to identify patient- and provider-facing barriers and facilitators to implementing a rigorously studied web-based physical activity intervention for COPD. Quantitative surveys (based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology; range 1 (poor usability)-5 (high usability)) and semi-structured interviews (guided by the practical robust implementation and sustainability model) assessed the perspectives of 15 patients and 15 health care providers. The patients and providers rated the usability of the intervention as high (median = 5.0, IQR = 1.0). For both patients and providers, the main facilitators included: the potential high impact of the intervention on patient health, the usefulness of the intervention for unmet clinical needs, and the perceived ease of use of the intervention. The main barriers identified were digital literacy and its fit with current clinical workflows. Implementation efforts may benefit from supporting patients' use of the website and developing strategies to integrate referrals to the intervention and the monitoring of patients into current clinical infrastructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A. Robinson
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA 01730, USA;
- The Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
| | - Stephanie L. Shimada
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA 01730, USA;
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Division of Health Informatics and Implementation Science, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Samantha K. Sliwinski
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA;
| | - Renda S. Wiener
- The Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA;
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine Section, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA;
| | - Marilyn L. Moy
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine Section, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Lipschitz JM, Pike CK, Hogan TP, Murphy SA, Burdick KE. The engagement problem: A review of engagement with digital mental health interventions and recommendations for a path forward. Curr Treat Options Psychiatry 2023; 10:119-135. [PMID: 38390026 PMCID: PMC10883589 DOI: 10.1007/s40501-023-00297-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Purpose of the review Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) are an effective and accessible means of addressing the unprecedented levels of mental illness worldwide. Currently, however, patient engagement with DMHIs in real-world settings is often insufficient to see clinical benefit. In order to realize the potential of DMHIs, there is a need to better understand what drives patient engagement. Recent findings We discuss takeaways from the existing literature related to patient engagement with DMHIs and highlight gaps to be addressed through further research. Findings suggest that engagement is influenced by patient-, intervention- and systems-level factors. At the patient-level, variables such as sex, education, personality traits, race, ethnicity, age and symptom severity appear to be associated with engagement. At the intervention-level, integrating human support, gamification, financial incentives and persuasive technology features may improve engagement. Finally, although systems-level factors have not been widely explored, the existing evidence suggests that achieving engagement will require addressing organizational and social barriers and drawing on the field of implementation science. Summary Future research clarifying the patient-, intervention- and systems-level factors that drive engagement will be essential. Additionally, to facilitate improved understanding of DMHI engagement, we propose the following: (a) widespread adoption of a minimum necessary 5-element engagement reporting framework; (b) broader application of alternative clinical trial designs; and (c) directed efforts to build upon an initial parsimonious conceptual model of DMHI engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Lipschitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Chelsea K Pike
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Timothy P Hogan
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA
- Peter O'Donnell School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | | | - Katherine E Burdick
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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