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Raciborski RA, Hamerling-Potts KK, Mitchell EL, Sullivan SR, Kapil-Pair N, Landes SJ, Jager-Hyman S, Goodman M. Cost comparison of in-person and telehealth modalities for a suicide safety planning group intervention: interim results from the "Project Life Force" randomized clinical trial. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1215247. [PMID: 37915795 PMCID: PMC10617511 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1215247] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Suicide prevention is a clinical priority for the US Veterans Health Administration. Evidence-based interventions, including developing a suicide safety plan, are recommended practices and are becoming more widespread. Adaptations to further augment safety planning include a manualized group intervention (Project Life Force, PLF) that combines safety planning with the teaching of skills to maximize use of the plan. A multi-year randomized controlled trial to test efficacy of PLF compared to treatment as usual is currently in progress. However, approximately a year into the study, in-person groups were converted to telehealth groups due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study compares the per-veteran cost of PLF when delivered in-person versus by telehealth using preliminary trial data from the first 2.5 years of the trial. Cost to deliver PLF was obtained from the Veterans Health Administration's Managerial Cost Accounting data, which relies on activity-based costing. We found no significant differences in the average number of sessions or average group size between in-person and telehealth. However, the cost per group session was lower for the telehealth modality and this led to significant overall per-veteran savings. While efficacy data comparing from the two arms is still underway and we await the ongoing RCT results, our interim cost analysis highlights potential savings with the telehealth modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A. Raciborski
- VA Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, United States
- Behavioral Health Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, United States
- Evidence, Policy, and Implementation Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Kyra K. Hamerling-Potts
- VISN 2 Mental Illness, Research, Education, Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J. Peters Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Emily L. Mitchell
- VISN 2 Mental Illness, Research, Education, Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J. Peters Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Psychology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Sarah R. Sullivan
- VISN 2 Mental Illness, Research, Education, Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J. Peters Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Nidhi Kapil-Pair
- VISN 2 Mental Illness, Research, Education, Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J. Peters Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sara J. Landes
- Behavioral Health Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, United States
- Evidence, Policy, and Implementation Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Shari Jager-Hyman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Marianne Goodman
- VISN 2 Mental Illness, Research, Education, Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J. Peters Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Sussner KM, Edwards TA, Thompson HS, Jandorf L, Kwate NO, Forman A, Brown K, Kapil-Pair N, Bovbjerg DH, Schwartz MD, Valdimarsdottir HB. Ethnic, racial and cultural identity and perceived benefits and barriers related to genetic testing for breast cancer among at-risk women of African descent in New York City. Public Health Genomics 2011; 14:356-70. [PMID: 21540561 DOI: 10.1159/000325263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2009] [Accepted: 02/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to disparities in the use of genetic services, there has been growing interest in examining beliefs and attitudes related to genetic testing for breast and/or ovarian cancer risk among women of African descent. However, to date, few studies have addressed critical cultural variations among this minority group and their influence on such beliefs and attitudes. METHODS We assessed ethnic, racial and cultural identity and examined their relationships with perceived benefits and barriers related to genetic testing for cancer risk in a sample of 160 women of African descent (49% self-identified African American, 39% Black-West Indian/Caribbean, 12% Black-Other) who met genetic risk criteria and were participating in a larger longitudinal study including the opportunity for free genetic counseling and testing in New York City. All participants completed the following previously validated measures: (a) the multi-group ethnic identity measure (including ethnic search and affirmation subscales) and other-group orientation for ethnic identity, (b) centrality to assess racial identity, and (c) Africentrism to measure cultural identity. Perceived benefits and barriers related to genetic testing included: (1) pros/advantages (including family-related pros), (2) cons/disadvantages (including family-related cons, stigma and confidentiality concerns), and (3) concerns about abuses of genetic testing. RESULTS In multivariate analyses, several ethnic identity elements showed significant, largely positive relationships to perceived benefits about genetic testing for breast and/or ovarian cancer risk, the exception being ethnic search, which was positively associated with cons/disadvantages, in general, and family-related cons/disadvantages. Racial identity (centrality) showed a significant association with confidentiality concerns. Cultural identity (Africentrism) was not related to perceived benefits and/or barriers. CONCLUSIONS Ethnic and racial identity may influence perceived benefits and barriers related to genetic testing for breast and/or ovarian cancer risk among at-risk women of African descent. Genetic counseling services may want to take into account these factors in the creation of culturally-appropriate services which best meet the needs of this heterogenous population.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Sussner
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Department of Oncological Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Sussner KM, Thompson HS, Jandorf L, Edwards TA, Forman A, Brown K, Kapil-Pair N, Bovbjerg DH, Schwartz MD, Valdimarsdottir HB. The influence of acculturation and breast cancer-specific distress on perceived barriers to genetic testing for breast cancer among women of African descent. Psychooncology 2009; 18:945-55. [PMID: 19090507 DOI: 10.1002/pon.1492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rising health disparities are increasingly evident in relation to use of genetic services (including genetic counseling and testing) for breast cancer risk, with women of African descent less likely to use genetic services compared with Whites. Meanwhile, little is known regarding potential within-group acculturation and psychological differences underlying perceived barriers to genetic testing among women of African descent. METHODS Hypothesized contributions of acculturation factors and breast cancer-specific distress to perceived barriers to genetic testing were examined with a statistical analysis of baseline data from 146 women of African descent (56% US born and 44% foreign born) meeting genetic breast cancer risk criteria and participating in a larger longitudinal study that included the opportunity for free genetic counseling and testing. Perceived barriers assessed included: (1) anticipation of negative emotional reactions, (2) stigma, (3) confidentiality concerns, (4) family-related worry, and (5) family-related guilt associated with genetic testing. RESULTS In multivariate analyses, being foreign born was a significant predictor of anticipated negative emotional reactions about genetic testing (beta=0.26; SE=0.11; p=0.01). Breast cancer-specific distress scores (avoidance symptoms) were positively related to anticipated negative emotional reactions (beta=0.02; SE=0.005; p=<0.0001), confidentiality concerns (beta=0.02; SE=0.01; p=0.02), and family-related guilt (beta=0.02; SE=0.01; p=0.0009) associated with genetic testing. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest an influence of acculturation and breast cancer-specific distress on perceived barriers to genetic testing among women of African descent. The potential utility of culturally tailored genetic counseling services taking into account such influences and addressing emotional and psychological concerns of women considering genetic testing for breast cancer should be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina M Sussner
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Edwards TA, Thompson HS, Kwate NOA, Brown K, McGovern MM, Forman A, Kapil-Pair N, Jandorf L, Bovbjerg DH, Valdimarsdottir HB. Association between temporal orientation and attitudes about BRCA1/2 testing among women of African descent with family histories of breast cancer. Patient Educ Couns 2008; 72:276-282. [PMID: 18479882 PMCID: PMC2703430 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2008.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2007] [Revised: 03/14/2008] [Accepted: 03/23/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies have identified specific attitudes (pros and cons) about BRCA testing held by women of African descent that are associated with decisions to participate in testing. These testing attitudes may be determined, in part, by temporal orientation, or how one perceives the significance of events and the consequences of their actions in terms of past, present, and future. The current study explored the relationship between temporal orientation and pros and cons of BRCA testing among 140 women of African descent with a family history suggestive of a genetic mutation predisposing to breast cancer. METHODS Participants completed measures of temporal orientation and genetic testing attitudes. RESULTS Multivariate analyses indicated that future orientation was positively associated with perceived pros of testing. Additional analyses revealed significant associations between temporal orientation and specific item subsets related to the negative and positive impact of testing on family and personal control over one's health. CONCLUSION These results support an association between temporal orientation and attitudes about BRCA testing among women of African descent with family histories of breast cancer. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Findings support exploration of temporal orientation in future research on BRCA testing decisions among women of African descent and this construct's importance in developing decision aids and tailoring genetic counseling.
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