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Wang W, Li M, Loban K, Zhang J, Wei X, Mitchel R. Electronic health record and primary care physician self-reported quality of care: a multilevel study in China. Glob Health Action 2024; 17:2301195. [PMID: 38205626 PMCID: PMC10786430 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2023.2301195] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health information technology is one of the building blocks of a high-performing health system. However, the evidence regarding the influence of an electronic health record (EHR) on the quality of care remains mixed, especially in low- and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVE This study examines the association between greater EHR functionality and primary care physician self-reported quality of care. METHODS A total of 224 primary care physicians from 38 community health centres (CHCs) in four large Chinese cities participated in a cross-sectional survey to assess CHC care quality. Each CHC director scored their CHC's EHR functionality on the availability of ten typical features covering health information, data, results management, patient access, and clinical decision support. Data analysis utilised hierarchical linear modelling. RESULTS The availability of five EHR features was positively associated with physician self-reported clinical quality: share records online with providers outside the practice (β = 0.276, p = 0.04), access records online by the patient (β = 0.325, p = 0.04), alert provider of potential prescription problems (β = 0.353, p = 0.04), send the patient reminders for care (β = 0.419, p = 0.003), and list patients by diagnosis or health risk (β = 0.282, p = 0.04). However, no association was found between specific features availability or total features score and physician self-reported preventive quality. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that the availability of EHR systems, and specific features of these systems, was positively associated with physician self-reported quality of care in these 38 CHCs. Future longitudinal studies focused on standardised quality metrics, and designed to control known confounding variables, will further inform quality improvement efforts in primary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Wang
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, PR China
| | - Mengyao Li
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, PR China
| | - Katya Loban
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jinnan Zhang
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, PR China
| | - Xiaolin Wei
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rebecca Mitchel
- Health and Wellbeing Research Unit (HoWRU), Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- Newcastle Business School, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
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2
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Valentine KD, Leavitt L, Sepucha KR, Atlas SJ, Simmons L, Siegel L, Richter JM, Han PKJ. Uncertainty tolerance among primary care physicians: Relationship to shared decision making-related perceptions, practices, and physician characteristics. Patient Educ Couns 2024; 123:108232. [PMID: 38458091 PMCID: PMC10997439 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108232] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Understand how physicians' uncertainty tolerance (UT) in clinical care relates to their personal characteristics, perceptions and practices regarding shared decision making (SDM). METHODS As part of a trial of SDM training about colorectal cancer screening, primary care physicians (n = 67) completed measures of their uncertainty tolerance in medical practice (Anxiety subscale of the Physician's Reactions to Uncertainty Scale, PRUS-A), and their SDM self-efficacy (confidence in SDM skills). Patients (N = 466) completed measures of SDM (SDM Process scale) after a clinical visit. Bivariate regression analyses and multilevel regression analyses examined relationships. RESULTS Higher UT was associated with greater physician age (p = .01) and years in practice (p = 0.015), but not sex or race. Higher UT was associated with greater SDM self-efficacy (p < 0.001), but not patient-reported SDM. CONCLUSION Greater age and practice experience predict greater physician UT, suggesting that UT might be improved through training, while UT is associated with greater confidence in SDM, suggesting that improving UT might improve SDM. However, UT was unassociated with patient-reported SDM, raising the need for further studies of these relationships. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Developing and implementing training interventions aimed at increasing physician UT may be a promising way to promote SDM in clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- K D Valentine
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lauren Leavitt
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karen R Sepucha
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven J Atlas
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leigh Simmons
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lydia Siegel
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James M Richter
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paul K J Han
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Swiderski D, Taniguchi RN, Chuang E. Are Safety-Net Primary Care Physicians Prepared to Engage in Serious Illness Conversations? Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024; 41:486-491. [PMID: 37533362 DOI: 10.1177/10499091231190354] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advance Care Planning (ACP) has not reliably improved care for patients at end-of-life. Serious Illness Conversations when patients are in the late stages of chronic illness might be more effective to address patients' goals. The Serious Illness Conversation (SIC) Guide has been helpful but was not developed for use in safety-net settings serving racial and ethnic minority populations. METHODS Physicians were recruited to complete a needs assessment survey prior to training in the use of the SIC Guide. RESULTS Of the 44 physician participants, most were female (82%) and white, non-Hispanic (62%). Less than half of respondents rated themselves as skilled or very skilled in basic serious illness communication related tasks such as setting up goals of care discussions (44%), assessing informational preferences (42%), sharing prognosis (38%), exploring goals for future care (49%) and managing family dynamics (44%). Respondents reported lower skill levels in conducting goals of care conversations via telehealth and establishing trust in racially discordant provider/patient pairs. CONCLUSIONS Most participants expressed the need for further training in critical end-of-life communications skills, including help with encounters with racial and/or language discordance. This may help to explain the failure of ACP discussions to reliably result in appropriate end-of-life care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elizabeth Chuang
- Department of Family and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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4
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Zocher K. Exiting primary care providers. Health Econ 2024; 33:1033-1054. [PMID: 38337145 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4800] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
This article studies the impact of primary care providers (PCPs) exit from the local health care system on patients' health care utilization. I compare patients with each other whose physicians have left the local health care system at different points in time due to retirement, relocation, or other reasons. Estimation results indicate that the imminent exit leads soon-leaving physicians to changing their treatment behavior, which has a significant impact on patients' health care spending. In addition, successors and new PCPs provide significantly more preventive services in the post-exit-period and refer patients more often to specialists for further examinations than the physicians who exit later. The increased inpatient expenditures in the post-exit period are caused by the new PCPs (through referrals). Self-initiated substitution behavior of patients (e.g., less PCP care, more specialist care) after the exit is observed but is low in magnitude. Although an overall increase in health service utilization is observed, mortality in the post-exit periods is significantly increased among affected patients. A possible explanation is the low frequency follow-up care of patients who were referred to hospitals by their former PCP in the notification-period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Zocher
- Department of Economics, Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Linz, Austria
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5
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Atiemo HO, Stoffel JT. A Primer for Primary Care Physicians Managing Neurogenic Bladder Patients. Urol Clin North Am 2024; 51:305-311. [PMID: 38609202 DOI: 10.1016/j.ucl.2024.02.003] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Primary care plays an important role in caring for neurogenic bladder patients. Clinicians should assess neurogenic bladder patients for common urologic symptoms/signs and refer to urology if refractory or safety issues are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humphrey O Atiemo
- Department of Urology, Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, Promedica Health System, 2142 North Cove Boulevard, Toledo, OH 43606, USA.
| | - John T Stoffel
- Division of Neurourology and Pelvic Reconstruction, Department of Urology, University of Michigan, 3875 Taubman Center, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Eisner-Fellay T, Suris JC, Barrense-Dias Y. Adolescent behavioural risk screening in primary care: physician's point of view. Fam Pract 2024; 41:123-130. [PMID: 37972300 PMCID: PMC11017776 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmad106] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite regular consultation between adolescents/young adults (AYA) and their physicians, they are not regularly screened for psychosocial risk behaviours. This study examines physicians' self-reported psychosocial risk behaviour screening in AYA. It aims to highlight which elements hinder or improve screening abilities. METHODOLOGY The design was a cross-sectional quantitative survey. Data were obtained through a self-reported questionnaire sent out to primary care physicians (PCP) in Switzerland in 2018. The target population consisted of 1,824 PCP (29% response rate). Participants were asked whether they screened youths from 3 age groups [10-14 y/o, 15-20 y/o, and 21-25y/o] for the HEEADSSS items during child well visits and routine checkups. Barriers to screening included primary consultation motive prioritization, insufficient time, patient compliance, reimbursement, lack of skills related to adolescent health, lack of referral options. Data were analysed first through a bivariate analysis using Chi-square tests then through a multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS The majority of physicians partook in preventive screening for 3-5 psychosocial risk elements. They reported the primary consultation motive as well as a lack of available time as having a high impact on their screening habits. Physician's experience and having discussed confidentiality were related to an increase in the number of topics addressed. Confidentiality remained a significant variable throughout all analyses. CONCLUSION Barriers such as lack of consultation time and prioritization issues were found by physicians to be critical but did not hinder screening habits. The main element impacting screening habits was assuring confidentiality and the second is self-efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taslina Eisner-Fellay
- Research Group on Adolescent Health, Department of Epidemiology and Health Services, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joan-Carles Suris
- Research Group on Adolescent Health, Department of Epidemiology and Health Services, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yara Barrense-Dias
- Research Group on Adolescent Health, Department of Epidemiology and Health Services, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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7
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Rosenblum O, Yehoshua I, Adler L, Liran O. Procedural skills workshops for primary care physicians in Israel: a comprehensive analysis. BMC Med Educ 2024; 24:396. [PMID: 38600544 PMCID: PMC11008032 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05381-7] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some of the most common complaints addressed by primary care physicians (PCPs) require manual procedures, such as lacerations repair, abscesses drainage, ingrown toenails removal, dry needling for myofascial pain syndrome, and Epley maneuver for treating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The aim of this study was to describe the procedural skills workshops program for PCPs implemented in Maccabi Healthcare Services and to investigate how many PCPs have participated and used the skills since the program's inception in 2017. METHODS In this observational study, we followed all participants in courses from 2017 to 2021. We extracted all procedures performed during these years by PCPs who learned the skill in MHS. RESULTS During the study period, 620 PCPs participated in workshops for dry needling, soft-tissue and joint injections, BPPV treatment, minor surgical procedures, and spirometry. Most procedures performed were dry needling (average annual number 3,537) and minor surgical procedures (average annual number 361). The average annual use per physician was highest for dry needling (annual average use per physician who used the learned skill was 50.9), followed by soft tissue and joint injections (16.8), minor surgical procedures (14.8), and BPPV treatment (7.5). CONCLUSION procedural skills workshops may expand PCPs' therapeutic arsenal, thus empowering PCPs and providing more comprehensive care for patients. Some manual skills, such as dry needling, soft tissue injections, and the Epley maneuver, were more likely to be used by participants than other skills, such as spirometry and soft tissue injections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omer Rosenblum
- Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ilan Yehoshua
- Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Limor Adler
- Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ori Liran
- Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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8
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Amran MM, Bilitzky A, Bar-Yishay M, Adler L. The use of medical health applications by primary care physicians in Israel: a cross-sectional study. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:410. [PMID: 38566059 PMCID: PMC10988819 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10880-w] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of medical health applications (mHealth apps) by patients, caregivers, and physicians is widespread. mHealth apps are often employed by physicians to quickly access professional knowledge, guide treatment, easily retrieve medical records, and monitor and manage patients. This study sought to characterize the use of mHealth apps among primary care physicians (PCPs) in Israel. The reasons for using apps and barriers to their use were also investigated. METHODS From all MHS' PCPs, we randomly selected 700 PCPs and invited them to complete a questionnaire regarding the use of mHealth apps and attitudes toward them. RESULTS From August 2020 to December 2020, 191 physicians completed the questionnaire (response rate 27.3%). 68.0% of PCPs reported using mHealth apps. Telemedicine service apps were the most frequently used. Medical calculators (used for clinical scoring) and differential diagnosis apps were the least frequently used. The most common reason for mHealth app use was accessibility, followed by time saved and a sense of information reliability. Among infrequent users of apps, the most common barriers reported were unfamiliarity with relevant apps and preference for using a computer. Concerns regarding information reliability were rarely reported by PCPs. Physician gender and seniority were not related to mHealth app use. Physician age was related to the use of mHealth apps. CONCLUSIONS mHealth apps are widely used by PCPs in this study, regardless of physician gender or seniority. Information from mHealth apps is considered reliable by PCPs. The main barrier to app use is unfamiliarity with relevant apps and preference for computer use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menashe Meni Amran
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
- Department of Family Medicine, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Avital Bilitzky
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Department of Family Medicine, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mattan Bar-Yishay
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Department of Family Medicine, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Limor Adler
- Department of Family Medicine, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Family Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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9
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Soucy JPR, Low M, Acharya KR, Ellen M, Hulth A, Löfmark S, Garber GE, Watson W, Moran-Gilad J, Davidovitch N, Amar T, McCready J, Orava M, Brownstein JS, Brown KA, Fisman DN, MacFadden DR. Evaluation of an automated feedback intervention to improve antibiotic prescribing among primary care physicians (OPEN Stewardship): a multinational controlled interrupted time-series study. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0001724. [PMID: 38411087 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00017-24] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tools to advance antimicrobial stewardship in the primary health care setting, where most antimicrobials are prescribed, are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate OPEN Stewarship (Online Platform for Expanding aNtibiotic Stewardship), an automated feedback intervention, among a cohort of primary care physicians. We performed a controlled, interrupted time-series study of 32 intervention and 725 control participants, consisting of primary care physicians from Ontario, Canada and Southern Israel, from October 2020 to December 2021. Intervention participants received three personalized feedback reports targeting several aspects of antibiotic prescribing. Study outcomes (overall prescribing rate, prescribing rate for viral respiratory conditions, prescribing rate for acute sinusitis, and mean duration of therapy) were evaluated using multilevel regression models. We observed a decrease in the mean duration of antibiotic therapy (IRR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90, 0.99) in intervention participants during the intervention period. We did not observe a significant decline in overall antibiotic prescribing (OR = 1.01; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.07), prescribing for viral respiratory conditions (OR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.73, 1.03), or prescribing for acute sinusitis (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.67, 1.07). In this antimicrobial stewardship intervention among primary care physicians, we observed shorter durations of therapy per antibiotic prescription during the intervention period. The COVID-19 pandemic may have hampered recruitment; a dramatic reduction in antibiotic prescribing rates in the months before our intervention may have made physicians less amenable to further reductions in prescribing, limiting the generalizability of the estimates obtained.IMPORTANCEAntibiotic overprescribing contributes to antibiotic resistance, a major threat to our ability to treat infections. We developed the OPEN Stewardship (Online Platform for Expanding aNtibiotic Stewardship) platform to provide automated feedback on antibiotic prescribing in primary care, where most antibiotics for human use are prescribed but where the resources to improve antibiotic prescribing are limited. We evaluated the platform among a cohort of primary care physicians from Ontario, Canada and Southern Israel from October 2020 to December 2021. The results showed that physicians who received personalized feedback reports prescribed shorter courses of antibiotics compared to controls, although they did not write fewer antibiotic prescriptions. While the COVID-19 pandemic presented logistical and analytical challenges, our study suggests that our intervention meaningfully improved an important aspect of antibiotic prescribing. The OPEN Stewardship platform stands as an automated, scalable intervention for improving antibiotic prescribing in primary care, where needs are diverse and technical capacity is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Paul R Soucy
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marcelo Low
- Chief Physician's Office, Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Kamal R Acharya
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Moriah Ellen
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Anette Hulth
- The Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sonja Löfmark
- The Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - William Watson
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jacob Moran-Gilad
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Nadav Davidovitch
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Tamar Amar
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Janine McCready
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew Orava
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Barrie and Community Family Health Team, Barrie, Ontario, Canada
| | - John S Brownstein
- Computational Epidemiology Lab, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kevin A Brown
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David N Fisman
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Derek R MacFadden
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Leikin JB. Foreword: Updates in atopic dermatitis for the primary care physician: A review of advances in the understanding and treatment of atopic dermatitis. Dis Mon 2024; 70:101676. [PMID: 38272724 DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2024.101676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jerrold B Leikin
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences and the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Service of UI Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago, United States.
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11
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Choo ZY, Mehlis SL, Joyce JC. Updates in atopic dermatitis for the primary care physician: A review of advances in the understanding and treatment of atopic dermatitis. Dis Mon 2024; 70:101687. [PMID: 38278753 DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2024.101687] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin condition occurring in both pediatric and adult patients. Pruritus is a clinical hallmark of the disease, and patients with AD often experience disruptions to their quality of life. The pathogenesis of AD is a complex and multifactorial interplay between genetic factors, epidermal barrier disruption, and immune dysregulation. Clinically, AD is characterized by pruritus, eczematous skin changes, and age-specific lesion distribution patterns. Infants and young children tend to have AD lesions on their face and extensor surfaces of their extremities while older children and adults tend to have AD lesions on flexural surfaces of their extremities. Many patients also experience a chronic and relapsing disease course. Due to the chronicity and severe pruritus, lesions often undergo secondary changes like lichenification. Patients with AD can experience a number of comorbidities including other atopic disease (i.e. allergic rhinitis, asthma), skin infections, cardiovascular, and neuropsychiatric illnesses. Management of AD depends on the severity of the disease as well as the distribution of the disease. Traditionally, treatment of AD included the use of moisturizers / emollients, topical corticosteroids or topical calcineurin inhibitors, or systemic therapy with non-selective immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids, cyclosporine, azathioprine, or similar. However, in the past decade, new biologic and small molecule drugs, both topical and systemic, have become important therapeutic options for AD patients, especially for those with moderate-to-severe disease. The development of these medications, following decades of research to better understand AD, are designed to specifically target various components of immune dysregulation and inflammation implicated in the pathogenesis of AD. Their successful development and deployment now allow for an exciting new era of treatment for individuals suffering from atopic dermatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Yi Choo
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, 924 E. 57th Street, Suite 104, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Stephanie L Mehlis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Endeavor Health, 9933 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
| | - Joel C Joyce
- Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Endeavor Health, 9933 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL 60077, United States.
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Hoagland A, Kantarevic J, Stutely J, Wijeysundera HC. Importance of Direct Exposure in Continuing Medical Education: Primary Care Physician Learning Through Patients With Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation. Can J Cardiol 2024; 40:637-639. [PMID: 37995906 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2023.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Hoagland
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Jasmin Kantarevic
- Research and Analytics, Ontario Medical Association, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Stutely
- Research and Analytics, Ontario Medical Association, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harindra C Wijeysundera
- Department of Cardiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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13
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Kurotschka PK, Serafini A, Shaughnessy AF, Slawson D, Ebell MH. [Top 5 Research Studies of the month for Italian Primary Care Physicians: March 2024.]. Recenti Prog Med 2024; 115:189-194. [PMID: 38526383 DOI: 10.1701/4246.42231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
This monthly article provides a collection of summaries of the most relevant studies identified as POEMs (patient-oriented evidence that matters) for Italian primary care physicians. 1) A simple, well-validated risk score can help clinicians counsel patients with atrial fibrillation regarding the use of DOACs to prevent stroke. The score shares its name with the drug class (the "DOAC" score). 2) Presumably by perturbing the intestinal microbiome, antibiotic treatment is associated with an increase in the likelihood of the development of irritable bowel disease; this is especially true with multiple courses of antibiotics. 3) Patients with uncomplicated gallstones can be managed over time with analgesia and monitoring, though approximately 25% will eventually undergo cholecystectomy over the next 18 months. Still, there appears to be no need to rush to surgery without evidence of common bile duct blockage or acute pancreatitis. 4) Delivering bad news (e.g. a cancer diagnosis) by telephone does not affect levels of anxiety, depression, or satisfaction with care as compared with delivering the news in person. 5) An updated high quality systematic review found that, in conjunction with psychosocial interventions, oral naltrexone (50 mg/day) and oral acamprosate have the strongest evidence for being effective in the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alice Serafini
- Dipartimento di Cure primarie, Ausl Modena, Italia - Dipartimento di Scienze biomediche, metaboliche e neuroscienze, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italia
| | - Allen F Shaughnessy
- Department of Family Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, Usa
| | - David Slawson
- Department of Family Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina, Usa
| | - Mark H Ebell
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, the University of Georgia, Athens, GA, Usa
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14
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Paciepnik I, Bąk A, Leoszkiewicz K, Windak A, Madej T, Marek O, Studziński K, Tomasik T. Registered incidence of acute upper respiratory tract infections diagnosed by primary care physicians in Poland - 5-year retrospective analysis of the national health insurance database. Ann Agric Environ Med 2024; 31:100-113. [PMID: 38549483 DOI: 10.26444/aaem/183993] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Upper respiratory tract infection (URTIs), caused by a variety of viruses and sometimes by bacteria, represents the most common acute illness in primary health care. The aim of the study was to explore the registered incidence of URTIs in Poland in the period between 2015-2019, and its burden on the health care system. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was carried out of all medical encounters in Poland registered within the national billing database of public healthcare services. Medical services provided due to acute URTIs were classified according to the ICD-10 codes. Registered Incidence Rate (RIR) was calculated yearly, in a 100,000 population. A generalised additive model was used to calculate the Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR). RESULTS In the analysed 5-year period, acute URTI was diagnosed in 24.3 million patients (61.7% of the whole population registered in PHC). The RIR of all acute URTIs in PHC was 50,762/100,000/year. Nearly 99% of consultations in this group of patients were provided by PHC physicians. Only 0.8% were referred to an OSC consultation and 0.4% were hospitalised. In PHC, indeterminate URTIs were most frequently diagnosed. The estimated IRR for children aged 1-4 years was 1.65 (95% CI: 1.64; 1.66, p<0.01) and for men 0.79 (95% CI: 0.79; 0.79; p<0.01). In the studied period, the number of patients consulted for acute URTI decreased slightly in PHC, but significantly in specialist services. CONCLUSIONS The registered incidence of URTIs in Poland burdens mainly PHC physicians. Women and children aged 1-4 years are more frequent users of medical services related to URTIs. It appears that strategies for increasing patient empowerment to provide efficient self-care reducing the utilisation of PHC services are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Paciepnik
- Department of Family Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
- The College of Family Physicians in Poland, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Bąk
- Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Adam Windak
- Department of Family Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
- The College of Family Physicians in Poland, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Madej
- Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Oleszczyk Marek
- Department of Family Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
- The College of Family Physicians in Poland, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Studziński
- Department of Family Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
- The College of Family Physicians in Poland, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Tomasik
- Department of Family Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
- The College of Family Physicians in Poland, Warsaw, Poland
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15
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Or Unger Freinkel K, Yehoshua I, Cohen B, Peleg R, Adler L. Attitudes and knowledge about weight management among primary care physicians in Israel: a cross-sectional study. BMC Prim Care 2024; 25:92. [PMID: 38504167 PMCID: PMC10949690 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02324-5] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of obesity has been increasing worldwide and is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Weight management can reduce the risk of complications and improve the quality of life of patients with obesity. This study explored primary care physicians' (PCPs') attitudes and knowledge about weight management. METHODS An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 400 PCPs between 2020 and 2021. The survey included questions on treatment approaches (pharmaceutical and surgical) and items regarding the respondents' demographic characteristics. We compared PCPs with low or high proactivity toward weight management. We explored attitudes and knowledge with the chi-square test for categorical variables or the Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables. RESULTS A total of 145 PCPs answered our survey (a response rate of 36.25%). More than half (53.8%) of the respondents showed low proactivity toward weight management in their practice. Proactive respondents were more likely to believe that pharmaceutical treatment effectively reduces weight and offered medical and surgical treatment options more frequently to their patients. Lack of knowledge was the most predominant reason for PCPs avoiding offering treatment to their patients, especially in less proactive PCPs (33.3% vs. 5.3%, p-value < 0.001). When comparing different pharmaceutical options, 46.6% of PCPs report they tend to prescribe liraglutide to their patients compared with only 11% who prescribe orlistat and 10.3% who prescribe phentermine (p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Many PCPs still do not actively provide obesity treatment despite improved awareness and therapeutic options. PCPs' proactivity and attitudes are vital to this effort.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ilan Yehoshua
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Department of Family Medicine, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv University, Hamered 27 St., Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Bar Cohen
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Roni Peleg
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Limor Adler
- Department of Family Medicine, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv University, Hamered 27 St., Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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16
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Florez A, Villar-Hoz E. Role of motivation and well-being indicators in interventions to improve well-being at work among primary care physicians: a systematic review. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e075799. [PMID: 38503419 PMCID: PMC10952968 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075799] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The well-being of primary care physicians (PCPs) has become an object of concern for governments due to staff shortages and high staff turnover. The objective of this study was to carry out a systematic review of individualised interventions aimed at improving the well-being of PCPs, which allowed us to determine (1) the type of interventions being carried out; (2) the well-being indicators being used and the instruments used to assess them; (3) the theories proposed to support the interventions and the mechanisms of action (MoA) put forward to explain the results obtained and (4) the role that individual motivation plays in the interventions to improve well-being among PCPs. DESIGN Systematic review. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Clinical trials on interventions aimed at improving the well-being of PCPs. INFORMATION SOURCES a search of studies published between 2000 and 2022 was carried out in MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science (WOS). RESULTS From the search, 250 articles were retrieved. The two authors each reviewed the articles independently, duplicate articles and those that did not meet the inclusion criteria were discarded. A total of 14 studies that met the criteria were included: 6 randomised clinical trials, 4 controlled clinical trials and 4 unique cohorts, with a before-and-after assessment of the intervention, involving a total of 655 individuals participating in the interventions. A meta-analysis was not possible due to the heterogeneity of the studies. CONCLUSIONS The information evaluated is insufficient to accurately assess which outcomes are the best indicators of PCPs well-being or what role plays in the individual motivation in the results of the interventions. More studies need to be carried out on the subject to determine the MoA of the different interventions on the results and the motivation of the participating PCPs.
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17
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Berlowitz DR. Should Primary Care Physicians Be Managing Hypertension? Am J Hypertens 2024; 37:266-267. [PMID: 38195163 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpad119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dan R Berlowitz
- Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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18
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Paier-Abuzahra M, Posch N, Spary-Kainz U, Radl-Karimi C, Semlitsch T, Jeitler K, Siebenhofer A. Effects of task shifting from primary care physicians to nurses: a protocol for an overview of systematic reviews. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e078414. [PMID: 38458792 PMCID: PMC10928766 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078414] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Task-shifting from primary care physicians (PCPs) to nurses is one option to better and more efficiently meet the needs of the population in primary care and to overcome PCP shortages. This protocol outlines an overview of systematic reviews to assess the effects of delegation or substitution by nurses of PCPs' activities regarding clinical, patient-relevant, professional and health services-related outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will conduct a systematic literature search for secondary literature in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane databases. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses and Health Technology Assessments in German and English comprising randomised controlled trials and prospective controlled trials will be considered for inclusion. Search terms will include Medical Subject Headings combined with free text words. At least one-third of abstracts and full-text articles are reviewed by two independent reviewers. Methodological quality will be assessed using the Overview Quality Assessment Questionnaire. We will only consider reviews if they include controlled trials, if the profession that substituted or delegated tasks was a nurse, if the profession of the control was a PCP, if the assessed intervention was the same in the intervention and control group and if the Overview Quality Assessment Questionnaire score is ≥5. The corrected covered area will be calculated to describe the degree of overlap of studies in the reviews included in the study. We will report the overview according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The overview of secondary literature does not require the approval of an Ethics Committee and will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42020183327.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna Paier-Abuzahra
- Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nicole Posch
- Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ulrike Spary-Kainz
- Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Christina Radl-Karimi
- Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Semlitsch
- Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Klaus Jeitler
- Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Steiermark, Austria
| | - Andrea Siebenhofer
- Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Institute for General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany
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19
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Harris E. Primary Care Physicians Are Key to Improving Dementia Care and Access. JAMA 2024; 331:726. [PMID: 38353968 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.0358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
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20
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Everson J, Hendrix N, Phillips RL, Adler-Milstein J, Bazemore A, Patel V. Primary Care Physicians' Satisfaction With Interoperable Health Information Technology. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e243793. [PMID: 38530309 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.3793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Enabling widespread interoperability-the ability of health information technology systems to exchange information and to use that information without special effort-is a primary focus of public policy on health information technology. More information on clinicians' experience using that technology can serve as one measure of the impact of that policy. Objective To assess primary care physician perspectives on the state of interoperability. Design, Setting, and Participants A cross-sectional survey of family medicine physicians in the US was conducted from December 12, 2021, to October 12, 2022. A sample of family medicine physicians who completed the Continuous Certification Questionnaire (CCQ), a required part of the American Board of Family Medicine certification process, which has a 100% response rate, were invited to participate. Main Outcomes and Measures Eighteen items on the CCQ assessed experience accessing and using various information from outside organizations, including medications, immunizations, and allergies. Results A total of 2088 physicians (1053 women [50%]; age reported categorically as either ≥50 years or <50 years) completed the CCQ interoperability questions in 2022. Of these respondents, 35% practiced in hospital or health system-owned practices, while 27% practiced in independently owned practices. Eleven percent were very satisfied with their ability to electronically access all 10 types of information from outside organizations included on the questionnaire, and a mean of 70% were at least somewhat satisfied. A total of 23% of family medicine physicians reported information from outside organizations was very easy to use, and an additional 65% reported that information was somewhat easy to use. Only 8% reported that information from different electronic health record (EHR) developers' products was very easy to use compared with 38% who reported information from the same EHR developer's product was very easy to use. Conclusions and Relevance This survey study of family medicine physicians found modest and uneven improvement in physicians' experience with interoperability. These findings suggest that substantial heterogeneity in satisfaction by information type, source of information, EHR, practice type, ownership, and patient population necessitates diverse policy and strategies to improve interoperability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Everson
- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Washington, DC
| | - Nathaniel Hendrix
- American Board of Family Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
- Center for Professionalism and Value in Health Care, Washington, DC
| | - Robert L Phillips
- American Board of Family Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
- Center for Professionalism and Value in Health Care, Washington, DC
| | - Julia Adler-Milstein
- Division of Clinical Informatics and Digital Transformation, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Andrew Bazemore
- American Board of Family Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky
- Center for Professionalism and Value in Health Care, Washington, DC
| | - Vaishali Patel
- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Washington, DC
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21
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Koskela TH, Esteva M, Mangione M, Contreras Martos S, Hajdarevic S, Högberg C, Marzo-Castillejo M, Sawicka-Powierza J, Siliņa V, Harris M, Petek D. What would primary care practitioners do differently after a delayed cancer diagnosis? Learning lessons from their experiences. Scand J Prim Health Care 2024; 42:123-131. [PMID: 38116949 PMCID: PMC10851834 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2023.2296117] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Diagnosis of cancer is challenging in primary care due to the low incidence of cancer cases in primary care practice. A prolonged diagnostic interval may be due to doctor, patient or system factors, or may be due to the characteristics of the cancer itself. The objective of this study was to learn from Primary Care Physicians' (PCP) experiences of incidents when they had failed to think of, or act on, a cancer diagnosis. DESIGN A qualitative, online survey eliciting PCP narratives. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. SETTING AND SUBJECTS A primary care study, with narratives from 159 PCPs in 23 European countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES PCPs' narratives on the question 'If you saw this patient with cancer presenting in the same way today, what would you do differently? RESULTS The main themes identified were: thinking broadly; improvement in communication and clinical management; use of other available resources and 'I wouldn't do anything differently'. CONCLUSION (IMPLICATIONS) To achieve more timely cancer diagnosis, PCPs need to provide a long-term, holistic and active approach with effective communication, and to ensure shared decision-making, follow-up and continuing re-assessment of the patients' clinical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuomas H. Koskela
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Center of General Practice, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Magdalena Esteva
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
| | | | - Sara Contreras Martos
- Research Support Unit Metropolitana Sud, University Institute for Primary Health Care Research IDIAPJordi Gol, Catalan Health Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Senada Hajdarevic
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Family Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Högberg
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Unit of Research, Education and Development Östersund, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mercè Marzo-Castillejo
- Research Support Unit Metropolitana Sud, University Institute for Primary Health Care Research IDIAPJordi Gol, Catalan Health Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Vija Siliņa
- Department of Family Medicine, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia
| | - Michael Harris
- Institute of Primary Health Care Bern (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- College of Medicine & Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Davorina Petek
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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22
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Kurotschka PK, Serafini A, Ebell MH. [Top 4 Research Studies of the month for Italian Primary Care Physicians: February 2024.]. Recenti Prog Med 2024; 115:148-152. [PMID: 38411683 DOI: 10.1701/4211.42045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
This monthly article provides a collection of summaries of the most relevant studies identified as POEMs (patient-oriented evidence that matters) for Italian primary care physicians. 1) For patients with severe fatigue at least 3 months after Covid-19 infection, cognitive behavioral therapy offers significant improvement in symptoms over care as usual. 2) Key changes in the US chronic coronary disease guideline recommendations include the following. Shortening the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy, the use of beta-blockers in patients with chronic coronary disease, not recommending fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids for secondary prevention, not using e-cigarettes as first-line agents (but as secondary agents) for smoking cessation, and incorporating sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors (Sglt-2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for some patients with chronic coronary disease, including those without comorbid diabetes mellitus. 3) People with irritable bowel syndrome can try various probiotic-containing products to lessen their symptoms, but on the whole, most people will not experience a significant reduction. Products containing Escherichia strains were the most likely to provide a benefit, but these are not widely available. 4) Framing weight loss in terms of its positive effects, rather than by listing the risks of excess weight, increased patients' participation in a weight-loss program and increased their eventual weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alice Serafini
- Dipartimento di Cure primarie, Ausl Modena, Italia - Dipartimento di Scienze biomediche, metaboliche e neuroscienze, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italia
| | - Mark H Ebell
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, the University of Georgia, Athens, GA, Usa
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23
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Aghlmandi S, Halbeisen FS, Godet P, Signorell A, Sigrist S, Saccilotto R, Widmer AF, Zeller A, Bielicki J, Bucher HC. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antibiotic prescribing in high-prescribing primary care physicians in Switzerland. Clin Microbiol Infect 2024; 30:353-359. [PMID: 38000535 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.11.010] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate antibiotic prescribing of medium-to-high prescribing primary care physicians being followed up after the completion of a Swiss national intervention trial of antibiotic prescription audit and feedback in the first SARS-CoV-2 pandemic year. METHODS We used health insurer based claims data to calculate monthly antibiotic prescription rates per 100 consultations (primary endpoint) and applying interrupted time series (ITS) analysis methods, we estimated the immediate (step change) and sustained effects (slope) of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in 2020 on antibiotic prescribing compared to the pre-pandemic trial period from 2017-2019. RESULTS We analysed data of 2945 of 3426 physicians (86.0%) from the trial with over 4 million consultations annually, who were in 2020 still in practice. Consultations dropped by 43% during the first pandemic year compared with 2017. Median monthly antibiotic prescription rates per 100 consultations in 2017 were 8.44 (Interquartile range [IQ] 6.32-11.50) and 8.35 (6.34-11.74) in the intervention and control groups, respectively, and increased to 15.63 (10.69-23.81) and 16.31 (10.65-24.72) per 100 consultations in 2020. ITS-derived incidence rate ratios for overall antibiotic prescriptions were 2.32 (95% CI 2.07-2.59) for the immediate pandemic effect, and 0.96 (0.95-0.98) for the sustained effect (change in slope in 2020 compared with 2017-2019). DISCUSSION The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had a major impact on antibiotic prescription patterns in primary care in Switzerland. For future viral pandemics, intervention plans with timely activation steps to minimize unjustified antibiotic consumption in primary care should be prepared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Aghlmandi
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Paediatric Research Center, University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB), Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Florian S Halbeisen
- Surgical Outcome Research Center, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Ramon Saccilotto
- Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas F Widmer
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Zeller
- Centre for Primary Health Care, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julia Bielicki
- Infectious Diseases and Paediatric Research Centre University of Basel Children's Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Centre for Neonatal and Paediatric Infection, St. George's University, London, UK
| | - Heiner C Bucher
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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24
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Whitefield S, Ilan MB, Lazarovici TS, Friedlander-Barenboim S, Kassem R, Yarom N. Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Prevalence of Cutaneous Manifestations and the Primary Care Physician's Role in its Early Diagnosis. Am J Med 2024; 137:266-272. [PMID: 38042241 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.11.018] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a side effect in patients undergoing treatment with bone-modifying agents (BMA) for cancer or osteoporosis. Although most cases are treated by oral medicine specialists, some cases may present extraorally as a fistula in the skin or erythematous swelling localized to the jaw area, causing these patients to consult a primary care physician. This study examined the prevalence and clinical characteristics of extraoral manifestations of MRONJ in a large cohort to raise awareness among primary care physicians of this entity, enabling prompt diagnosis and treatment. METHODS Medical records were retrieved of patients diagnosed with MRONJ between 2003 and June 2020 in the Oral Medicine Unit of The Sheba Medical Center, Israel. Data relating to demographics, medical background, type of BMA, and clinical presentation were collected. RESULTS In total, 515 patients (378 women [73%] and 137 men [27%]; mean age: 65 years, range: 32-94 years) met the inclusion criteria, among whom 84 (16.5%) presented with extraoral manifestations of MRONJ. Of these 84 patients, 21 (24.7%) presented with extraoral fistulas. Extraoral manifestations were strongly correlated with MRONJ of the mandible (n = 67; P = .0006). CONCLUSIONS MRONJ is a significant side effect of BMA therapy. Although MRONJ mostly presents intraorally, some patients may initially present with extraoral manifestations of erythematous swelling or fistulas localized to the jaw area. Primary care physicians should consider MRONJ as a differential diagnosis in such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Whitefield
- Oral Medicine Unit, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel; Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Mor Bar Ilan
- Oral Medicine Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Towy Sorel Lazarovici
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | | | - Riad Kassem
- Department of Dermatology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Noam Yarom
- Oral Medicine Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
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Politzer E, Anderson TS, Ayanian JZ, Curto V, Graves JA, Hatfield LA, Souza J, Zaslavsky AM, Landon BE. Primary Care Physicians In Medicare Advantage Were Less Costly, Provided Similar Quality Versus Regional Average. Health Aff (Millwood) 2024; 43:372-380. [PMID: 38437612 PMCID: PMC11040031 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
The use of many services is lower in Medicare Advantage (MA) compared with traditional Medicare, generating cost savings for insurers, whereas the quality of ambulatory services is higher. This study examined the role of selective contracting with providers in achieving these outcomes, focusing on primary care physicians. Assessing primary care physician costliness based on the gap between observed and predicted costs for their traditional Medicare patients, we found that the average primary care physician in MA networks was $433 less costly per patient (2.9 percent of baseline) compared with the regional mean, with less costly primary care physicians included in more networks than more costly ones. Favorable selection of patients by MA primary care physicians contributed partially to this result. The quality measures of MA primary care physicians were similar to the regional mean. In contrast, primary care physicians excluded from all MA networks were $1,617 (13.8 percent) costlier than the regional mean, with lower quality. Primary care physicians in narrow networks were $212 (1.4 percent) less costly than those in wide networks, but their quality was slightly lower. These findings highlight the potential role of selective contracting in reducing costs in the MA program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eran Politzer
- Eran Politzer , Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; and Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - John Z Ayanian
- John Z. Ayanian, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - John A Graves
- John A. Graves, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | | | | | - Bruce E Landon
- Bruce E. Landon, Harvard University and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
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Carlsson SV, Preston MA, Vickers A, Malhotra D, Ehdaie B, Healey MJ, Kibel AS. A Provider-Facing Decision Support Tool for Prostate Cancer Screening in Primary Care: A Pilot Study. Appl Clin Inform 2024; 15:274-281. [PMID: 38599618 PMCID: PMC11006556 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1780511] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our objective was to pilot test an electronic health record-embedded decision support tool to facilitate prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening discussions in the primary care setting. METHODS We pilot-tested a novel decision support tool that was used by 10 primary care physicians (PCPs) for 6 months, followed by a survey. The tool comprised (1) a risk-stratified algorithm, (2) a tool for facilitating shared decision-making (Simple Schema), (3) three best practice advisories (BPAs: <45, 45-75, and >75 years), and (4) a health maintenance module for scheduling automated reminders about PSA rescreening. RESULTS All PCPs found the tool feasible, acceptable, and clear to use. Eight out of ten PCPs reported that the tool made PSA screening conversations somewhat or much easier. Before using the tool, 70% of PCPs felt confident in their ability to discuss PSA screening with their patient, and this improved to 100% after the tool was used by PCPs for 6 months. PCPs found the BPAs for eligible (45-75 years) and older men (>75 years) more useful than the BPA for younger men (<45 years). Among the 10 PCPs, 60% found the Simple Schema to be very useful, and 50% found the health maintenance module to be extremely or very useful. Most PCPs reported the components of the tool to be at least somewhat useful, with 10% finding them to be very burdensome. CONCLUSION We demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of the tool, which is notable given the marked low acceptance of existing tools. All PCPs reported that they would consider continuing to use the tool in their clinic and were likely or very likely to recommend the tool to a colleague.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid V. Carlsson
- Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
- Department of Urology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Division of Urological Cancers, Department of Translational Medicine, Medical Faculty, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mark A. Preston
- Division of Urological Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Andrew Vickers
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Deepak Malhotra
- Negotiation, Organizations, and Markets Unit, Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Behfar Ehdaie
- Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Michael J. Healey
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Adam S. Kibel
- Division of Urological Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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Carlsson SV, Preston M, Vickers A, Malhotra D, Ehdaie B, Healey M, Kibel AS. Provider Perceptions of an Electronic Health Record Prostate Cancer Screening Tool. Appl Clin Inform 2024; 15:282-294. [PMID: 38599619 PMCID: PMC11006557 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1782619] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We conducted a focus group to assess the attitudes of primary care physicians (PCPs) toward prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-screening algorithms, perceptions of using decision support tools, and features that would make such tools feasible to implement. METHODS A multidisciplinary team (primary care, urology, behavioral sciences, bioinformatics) developed the decision support tool that was presented to a focus group of 10 PCPs who also filled out a survey. Notes and audio-recorded transcripts were analyzed using Thematic Content Analysis. RESULTS The survey showed that PCPs followed different guidelines. In total, 7/10 PCPs agreed that engaging in shared decision-making about PSA screening was burdensome. The majority (9/10) had never used a decision aid for PSA screening. Although 70% of PCPs felt confident about their ability to discuss PSA screening, 90% still felt a need for a provider-facing platform to assist in these discussions. Three major themes emerged: (1) confirmatory reactions regarding the importance, innovation, and unmet need for a decision support tool embedded in the electronic health record; (2) issues around implementation and application of the tool in clinic workflow and PCPs' own clinical bias; and (3) attitudes/reflections regarding discrepant recommendations from various guideline groups that cause confusion. CONCLUSION There was overwhelmingly positive support for the need for a provider-facing decision support tool to assist with PSA-screening decisions in the primary care setting. PCPs appreciated that the tool would allow flexibility for clinical judgment and documentation of shared decision-making. Incorporation of suggestions from this focus group into a second version of the tool will be used in subsequent pilot testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid V. Carlsson
- Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
- Department of Urology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Division of Urological Cancers, Department of Translational Medicine, Medical Faculty, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mark Preston
- Division of Urological Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Andrew Vickers
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Deepak Malhotra
- Organizations, and Markets Unit, Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Behfar Ehdaie
- Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States
| | - Michael Healey
- Brigham and Women's Hospital Primary Care, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Adam S. Kibel
- Division of Urological Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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28
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Chen H, Xu T, Mitchell R, Yang H, Zhou Z, Wei X, Wang W. The organization-level and physician-level factors associated with primary care physicians' confidence in pandemic response: A multilevel study in China. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295570. [PMID: 38421982 PMCID: PMC10903868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary care physicians (PCPs) suffered from heavy workloads and health problems during COVID-19 pandemics, and building their confidence in pandemic response has great potential to improve their well-being and work performance. We identified the organizational factors associated with their confidence in pandemic response and proposed potential management levers to guide primary care response for the pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 224 PCPs working in 38 community health centers in China. Guided by self-efficacy theory, organization-level factors (organizational structure and organizational culture) and physician-level factors (job skill variety, perceived organizational support, work-family conflict, and professional fulfillment) were selected, and two-level ordinal logit models were built to examine their association with PCPs' confidence in pandemic response. We found that hierarchical culture (OR = 3.51, P<0.05), perceived organizational support (OR = 2.36, P<0.05), job skill variety (OR = 1.86, P<0.05), and professional fulfillment (OR = 2.26, P<0.05) were positively associated with PCPs' confidence in pandemic response. However, the influence of organization structure and work-family conflict seemed limited. The study not only increases our understanding of the influence of organizational context on PCPs' pandemic response confidence, but also points out potential management levers for front-line primary care managers to enhance primary care pandemic response capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiming Chen
- Zhangjiagang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, China
| | - Tiange Xu
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Rebecca Mitchell
- Health and Wellbeing Research Unit (HoWRU), Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Huiyun Yang
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhongliang Zhou
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiaolin Wei
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Wenhua Wang
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Bentulila Y, Lev Shalem L, Cohen B, Adler L. Physical work environment and burnout among primary care physicians in Israel: a cross-sectional study. BMC Prim Care 2024; 25:74. [PMID: 38418978 PMCID: PMC10900697 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02310-x] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physician burnout remains a prevalent issue globally, negatively affecting work satisfaction and patient care. However, exploration of the physical work environments of physicians, a potential influencing factor for burnout, remains scarce. The physical work environment is everything that surrounds the physician, including the doctor's office, the clinic, the clinic's building, the waiting, and staff rooms. The aims of this study were to describe aspects of the physical work environment of primary care physicians (PCPs) and to explore the association between the physical work environment and burnout. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we emailed questionnaires to an online community of PCPs in Israel in October 2021. We asked physicians about their satisfaction with their physical work environment, evaluated elements of the work environment, and assessed burnout status (with the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure, SMBM). We used the Chi-square and Mann-Witney tests to compare categorical and continuous variables and used logistic regression for the final model. RESULTS Two hundred twenty-one PCPs answered the questionnaire (27.6% response rate). Over a third (35.7%) of respondents reported high burnout. PCPs who were satisfied with their general physical environment had lower burnout rates than those who were unsatisfied (28.1% vs. 47.8%, p-value < 0.001). We found positive correlations between general satisfaction with the physical work environment and the scores achieved for the doctor's office, the clinic, the clinic's building, and the waiting room. In the multivariate analysis, high satisfaction with the general physical work environment was associated with decreased odds for burnout (OR-0.50, 95% CI 0.25-0.99, p-value-0.048). CONCLUSION The doctor's office, the clinic, the clinic's building, and the waiting room affected general satisfaction from the physical work environment. High satisfaction with the physical work environment reduced burnout rates. Future studies are needed to determine whether PCPs and managers should invest in the physical work environment to decrease burnout and increase satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaara Bentulila
- Health Division, Maccabi HealthCare Services, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel
| | - Liat Lev Shalem
- Health Division, Maccabi HealthCare Services, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel
| | - Bar Cohen
- Health Division, Maccabi HealthCare Services, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel
| | - Limor Adler
- Health Division, Maccabi HealthCare Services, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel.
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Karam PE, Hamad L, Elsherif M, Kreidieh K, Nakouzi G, El Asmar K, Kabakian-Khasholian T, Curi DA, Yazbek SN. Genetic literacy among primary care physicians in a resource-constrained setting. BMC Med Educ 2024; 24:140. [PMID: 38350948 PMCID: PMC10863164 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05110-0] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic literacy among primary healthcare providers is crucial for appropriate patient care with the advances in genetic and genomic medicine. Studies from high-income countries highlight the lack of knowledge in genetics and the need to develop curricula for continuing professional development of non-geneticists. Scarce data is available from resource-constrained countries in Middle East and North Africa. Lebanon is a small country in this region characterized by high rates of consanguinity and genetic disorders like several surrounding countries, such as Jordan, Syria, and Turkey. METHODS The primary aim of this study assessed the genetic literacy, self-perceived and actual knowledge as well as practices among primary care providers in Lebanon. The secondary aim identified their educational needs and proposed evidence-based continuing education programs. A cross-sectional survey-based study, using a self-administered questionnaire, was conducted targeting physicians from Family Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pediatrics. The questionnaire was divided into five sections: demographics, familiarity with genetic tests, self-reported and actual knowledge, genetic practices, and educational needs. Statistics were performed using SPSS v24. The Chi-square test was used for independent variables. Differences between mean scores were measured using paired sample t-tests for groups of two levels and one-way ANOVA for more than two. Multiple linear regression was used to study the variables associated with the knowledge score while controlling for other variables. RESULTS The survey included 123 physicians. They were mostly familiar with karyotype as first-tier genetic test. Although 38% perceived their knowledge as good, only 6% scored as such in knowledge assessment. A better knowledge score was observed in academic institutions as well as in urban settings (p<0.05). One third never ordered any genetic testing, mostly due to poor knowledge. Almost all (98%) were ready to attend continuing professional development sessions in genetics. CONCLUSION Our findings show the need to improve genetic literacy among healthcare frontliners, focusing on remote regions and nonacademic centers in Lebanon, a model for other resource-constrained country in the Middle East and North Africa region. This study advances recommendations for evidence-based genetic continuing education programs and highlighted the role of that the few genetic specialists can play in their successful implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascale E Karam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Lina Hamad
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mohamed Elsherif
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Khalil Kreidieh
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ghunwa Nakouzi
- Hudson Alpha Clinical Services Lab, LLC, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Khalil El Asmar
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Tamar Kabakian-Khasholian
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Dany Assaf Curi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Saint George Hospital University Medical Center, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Soha N Yazbek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
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31
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Azuma T. [Task-Sharing and Task-Shifting between Oncologists and Primary Care Physicians]. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho 2024; 51:125-131. [PMID: 38449395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The life that a person with cancer leads is called the cancer journey. As cancer treatment advances and specialization progresses, a trend toward integrating each specialty from the perspective of the cancer journey is emerging. In this paper, we consider task-sharing and task-shifting from the perspective of integrating oncology and primary care. Although oncologists and primary care physicians have different specialties, we believe that task-sharing and task-shifting can be achieved and lead to smooth transitional care by strengthening collaboration and sharing knowledge and experience, while taking advantage of their respective characteristics as medical professionals working with people with cancer. For this purpose, I would like both oncologists and primary care physicians to collaborate with a high perspective and a broad viewpoint to improve the quality of life of people with cancer, without making it an objective to pursue their respective specialties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teruhisa Azuma
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Nara Prefecture General Medical Center
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Kurotschka PK, Serafini A, Ebell MH. [Top 5 Research Studies of the month for Italian Primary Care Physicians: January 2024.]. Recenti Prog Med 2024; 115:85-89. [PMID: 38291934 DOI: 10.1701/4197.41842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
This monthly article provides a collection of summaries of the most relevant studies identified as POEMs (patient-oriented evidence that matters) for Italian primary care physicians. 1) A recent high-quality systematic review (SR) of 76 SRs found that, compared to all other lipid-lowering medications, for overall, primary, and secondary prevention the best balance of benefits, harms, and costs is provided by statins. 2) To our surprise, a network meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concluded that acetaminophen and ketorolac were more effective than morphine in alleviating pain from renal colic and were less likely than morphine to cause adverse effects and the need for rescue analgesia. 3) Proton pump inbibitors (PPI) use in children is associated with an increased risk of developing serious infections as compared with the use other acid-suppressing therapy. It seems prudent to use antacids and histamine 2 receptor antagonists first and reserve PPIs for nonresponders. 4) Overdiagnosis - the identification of, in this case, breast cancer, that would not have caused symptoms in a person's lifetime - seems to increase with age. In a study including more than 50.000 women aged above 70 who underwent mammography screening, the overdiagnosis rate was 31%, 47% and 51% for women aged 70 to 74 years, 75 to 84 years and over age 85, respectively. 5) An RCT among community-dwelling adults conducted in the US found that using a regular cuff on larger-than-average arms can falsely raise blood pressure readings by almost 5 mmHg, and a regular cuff on an especially thin arm can lower readings by 3.6 mmHg.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alice Serafini
- Dipartimento di Cure primarie, Ausl Modena, Italia - Dipartimento di Scienze biomediche, metaboliche e neuroscienze, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italia
| | - Mark H Ebell
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, the University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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Figueroa-Parra G, Castañeda-Martinez MM, Herrera-Sandate P, Castañeda-Martinez DD, Esquivel-Valerio JA, Vega-Morales D. Clinical features of patients with hands arthralgia referred from primary care physicians to rheumatologists: A cohort study. Reumatol Clin (Engl Ed) 2024; 20:67-72. [PMID: 38395497 DOI: 10.1016/j.reumae.2023.09.003] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Early referral of patients with suspicious of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has an impact on prognosis. Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with hands arthralgia who were referred from primary care physicians (PCP) to the rheumatologist. METHODS A descriptive, observational, prospective cohort study was performed. We included patients who visited a PCP for the first time for hands arthralgia. Demographics and the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology criteria for arthralgia suspicious for progression to RA plus seven complementary questions, the time to referral, the pressure needed to provoke pain with an automatic squeeze test machine in the metacarpophalangeal joints of both hands, and the diagnoses established at the last review of medical charts from patients on follow-up were documented. The primary outcome was the referral to a rheumatologist. RESULTS A total of 109 patients were included. The mean age was 49.9 years, 81.6% were women. 30.3% were referred to the rheumatologist. The time to referral was a median of 38 days. The main clinical characteristics associated with referral to the rheumatologist were the "most severe symptoms are present after midnight" (OR=6.29) and the "difficulty with making a fist" (OR=3.67). An isolated "positive squeeze test of metacarpophalangeal joints" was not associated with a referral to the rheumatologist. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with hands arthralgia who attended PCP, those with most severe symptoms after midnight and difficulty making a fist were more likely to be referred to the rheumatology clinic. Isolated positive squeeze tests are not a parameter for referral, it should only be performed if arthralgia is clinically suspected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Figueroa-Parra
- Rheumatology Service, University Hospital "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | | | - Pablo Herrera-Sandate
- Rheumatology Service, University Hospital "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | | | - Jorge Antonio Esquivel-Valerio
- Rheumatology Service, University Hospital "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - David Vega-Morales
- Rheumatology Service, University Hospital "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Mexico.
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Silver MH. A PCP's Call to Action: Addressing Professional Dissonance in Primary Care. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:318-319. [PMID: 37620720 PMCID: PMC10853111 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08368-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H Silver
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Hawes EM, Page C, Galloway E, McClurg MR, Lombardi B. Pharmacists Colocated With Primary Care Physicians: Understanding Delivery of Interprofessional Primary Care. Med Care 2024; 62:87-92. [PMID: 38051204 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While evidence supports interprofessional primary care models that include pharmacists, the extent to which pharmacists are working in primary care and the factors associated with colocation is unknown. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to analyze the physical colocation of pharmacists with primary care providers (PCPs) and examine predictors associated with colocation. RESEARCH DESIGN This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of pharmacists and PCPs with individual National Provider Identifiers in the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System's database. Pharmacist and PCP practice addresses of the health care professionals were geocoded, and distances less than 0.1 miles were considered physically colocated. SUBJECTS In all, 502,373 physicians and 221,534 pharmacists were included. RESULTS When excluding hospital-based pharmacists, 1 in 10 (11%) pharmacists were colocated with a PCP. Pharmacists in urban settings were more likely to be colocated than those in rural areas (OR=1.32, CI: 1.26-1.38). Counties with the highest proportion of licensed pharmacists per 100,000 people in the county had higher colocation (OR=1.38, CI: 1.32-1.45). Colocation was significantly higher in states with an expanded scope of practice (OR 1.37, CI: 1.32-1.42) and those that have expanded Medicaid (OR 1.07, CI: 1.03-1.11). Colocated pharmacists more commonly worked in larger physician practices. CONCLUSION Although including pharmacists on primary care teams improves clinical outcomes, reduces health care costs, and enhances patient and provider experience, colocation appears to be unevenly dispersed across the United States, with lower rates in rural areas. As the integration of pharmacists in primary care continues to expand, knowing the prevalence and facilitators of growth will be helpful to policymakers, researchers, and clinical administrators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Hawes
- Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Cristen Page
- Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Evan Galloway
- Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Mary Roth McClurg
- University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Brianna Lombardi
- Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Carolina Health Workforce Research Center, Chapel Hill, NC
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Romero A, Lynch D, Johnson E, Zhu X, Kirkpatrick J. MRI order appropriateness for chronic neck pain: Comparison of ordering practices and treatment outcomes for primary care physicians and specialists. J Orthop Res 2024; 42:425-433. [PMID: 37525551 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25669] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Chronic neck pain is a common reason for doctor visits in the United States. This diagnosis can be evaluated through patient history, physical examination, and judicious use of radiographs. However, possible inappropriate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ordering persists. We hypothesized that no difference in ordering practices, ordering appropriateness, and subsequent intervention would be appreciated regarding physician specialty, location, patient characteristics, and history and physical exam findings. A multisite retrospective review of cervical spine MRI between 2014 and 2018 was performed. A total of 332 patients were included. Statistical analysis was used to assess MRI order appropriateness, detail of history and physical exam findings, and intervention decision-making among different specialties. If significant differences were found, multiple linear regression was performed to evaluate the association of MRI order appropriateness regarding physician specialty, location, patient characteristics and history, and physical exam findings. The significance level for all tests was set at <0.05 Orthopedic surgeons ordered MRIs most appropriately with an average American College of Radiology (ACR) score of 8.4 (p < 0.005). Orthopedic surgeons had more comprehensive physical exams as compared to the remaining specialties. The decision for intervention did not vary by physician specialty or ACR score, except for patients of pain medicine physicians who received pain management (p = 0.000). Orthopedic surgeons utilize MRI most appropriately and have more comprehensive physical exams. These findings suggest a need for increased physician education on what indicates an appropriate MRI order to improve the use of resources and further protect patient risk-benefit profiles. Further research elucidating factors to minimize negative findings in "appropriate" MRIs is indicated. Clinical significance: More detailed physical exams may lead to more appropriately ordered MRIs, subsequently resulting in surgery or procedures being performed when appropriately indicated. This suggests the need for increased physician education on when MRI ordering is appropriate for chronic neck pain to improve the use of resources and further protect patient risk-benefit profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Romero
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Central Florida/HCA Healthcare GME Consortium, Ocala, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel Lynch
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Central Florida/HCA Healthcare GME Consortium, Ocala, Florida, USA
| | - Evan Johnson
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Xiang Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - John Kirkpatrick
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orlando VA Healthcare System, Orlando, Florida, USA
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Magon HS, Helkey D, Shanafelt T, Tawfik D. Creating Conversion Factors from EHR Event Log Data: A Comparison of Investigator-Derived and Vendor-Derived Metrics for Primary Care Physicians. AMIA Annu Symp Proc 2024; 2023:1115-1124. [PMID: 38222350 PMCID: PMC10785859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Physicians spend a large amount of time with the electronic health record (EHR), which the majority believe contributes to their burnout. However, there are limitedstandardized measures of physician EHR time. Vendor-derived metrics are standardized but may underestimate real-world EHR experience. Investigator-derived metrics may be more reliable but not standardized, particularly with regard to timeout thresholds defining inactivity. This study aimed to enable standardized investigator-derived metrics using conversion factors between raw event log-derived metrics and Signal (Epic System's standardized metric) for primary care physicians. This was an observational, retrospective longitudinal study of EHR raw event logs and Signal data from a quaternary academic medical center and its community affiliates in California, over a 6-month period. The study evaluated 242 physicians over 1370 physician-months, comparing 53.7 million event logs to 6850 Signal metrics, in five different time based metrics. Results show that inactivity thresholds for event log metric derivation that most closely approximate Signal metrics ranged from 90 seconds (Visit Navigator) to 360 seconds ("Pajama time") depending on the metric. Based on this data, conversion factors for investigator-derived metrics across a wide range of inactivity thresholds, via comparison with Signal metrics, are provided which may allow researchers to consistently quantify EHR experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honor S Magon
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Daniel Helkey
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | | | - Daniel Tawfik
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
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Mekhtieva RL, Forbes B, Alrajeh D, Delaney B, Russo A. RECAP-KG: Mining Knowledge Graphs from Raw Primary Care Physician Notes for Remote COVID-19 Assessment in Primary Care. AMIA Annu Symp Proc 2024; 2023:1145-1154. [PMID: 38222369 PMCID: PMC10785900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Building Clinical Decision Support Systems, whether from regression models or machine learning requires clinical data either in standard terminology or as text for Natural Language Processing (NLP). Unfortunately, many clinical notes are written quickly during the consultation and contain many abbreviations, typographical errors, and a lack of grammar and punctuation Processing these highly unstructured clinical notes is an open challenge for NLP that we address in this paper. We present RECAP-KG - a knowledge graph construction frame workfrom primary care clinical notes. Our framework extracts structured knowledge graphs from the clinical record by utilising the SNOMED-CT ontology both the entire finding hierarchy and a COVID-relevant curated subset. We apply our framework to consultation notes in the UK COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Service (CCAS) dataset and provide a quantitative evaluation of our framework demonstrating that our approach has better accuracy than traditional NLP methods when answering questions about patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandon Forbes
- Department of Computing, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Dalal Alrajeh
- Department of Computing, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Brendan Delaney
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Linares-Rufo M, Bermudez-Marval H, García-Bertolín C, Santos-Galilea J, Balsa-Vázquez J, Pérez-Tanoira R, Santos-Larrégola L, Cuadros-González J, Rojo-Marcos G, Ramos-Rincón JM. Perspectives of primary care physicians in Spain on malaria: a cross-sectional survey and retrospective review of cases. Malar J 2024; 23:7. [PMID: 38178126 PMCID: PMC10768253 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04826-6] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Spain, the risk of imported malaria has increased in recent years due to the rise in international travel and migration. Little is known about the knowledge, information sources, clinical practice, and specific needs of primary care physicians (PCPs) concerning malaria despite the pivotal role played by these professionals in managing the health of tourists. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of PCPs in Spain regarding malaria. METHODS This research analyses data from (1) a cross-sectional nationwide survey assessing the knowledge and attitudes of PCPs regarding malaria, and (2) a retrospective review of 373 malaria cases appearing in primary care medical records (PCMRs) in the Madrid area over the past 15 years to determine how cases were documented, managed, or characterized in the primary care setting. RESULTS The survey findings reveal a modest level of self-perceived familiarity with malaria (221/360, 57.6%), even though 32.8% of the practitioners reported having delivered care for confirmed or suspected cases of the disease, these practitioners had greater knowledge of malaria (80.4%) compared to physicians who reported not having delivered care for malaria (19.6%, p < 0.001). Ten percent of the survey participants did not know the name of the mosquito that transmits malaria, and only 40.7% would promptly request malaria testing for a traveller with symptoms after a trip to an endemic area. Responses provided by younger PCPs varied to a greater extent than those of their more experienced colleagues regarding prevention practices and patient management. A review of PCMRs showed that only 65% of all patients were recorded as such. Among those registered, only 40.3% had a documented malaria episode, and of those, only 16.6% received proper follow-up. Only 23.7% of the patients with a PCMR had a record that specifically indicated travel to an endemic country or travel classified as visiting friends and relatives (VFR). CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study underscore the critical role of PCPs in the field of travel medicine, particularly given the increase in imported malaria cases. These results highlight the need for targeted training in travel medicine and the need to ensure optimal patient education in care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Linares-Rufo
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
- Foundation iO, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Harold Bermudez-Marval
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos García-Bertolín
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Javier Balsa-Vázquez
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramón Pérez-Tanoira
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedicine and Biotechnology Department, University Alcalá de Henares, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Juan Cuadros-González
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedicine and Biotechnology Department, University Alcalá de Henares, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gerardo Rojo-Marcos
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - José-Manuel Ramos-Rincón
- Clinical Medicine Department, Miguel Hernández of Elche University, Elche, Alicante, Spain
- Internal Medicine Department, Dr. Balmis General University Hospital, Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
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Kaneko M, Higuchi T, Ohta R. Primary care physicians working in rural areas provide a broader scope of practice: a cross-sectional study. BMC Prim Care 2024; 25:9. [PMID: 38166745 PMCID: PMC10759475 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-023-02250-y] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scope of practice (SoP) is an important factor for primary care physicians (PCPs). One of the strong determinants of SoP is rurality. Although Japan has several rural areas, the SoP in rural areas and the effect of rurality on SoP have not been investigated. This study aimed to describe SoP in Japanese primary care settings and examine the association between rurality and SoP. METHODS This cross-sectional study included PCPs in Japan. The participants were randomly sampled from the mailing list of the Japan Primary Care Association. The Scope of Practice Inventory (SPI) and Scope of Practice for Primary Care (SP4PC) were used as indicators of SoP. The Rurality Index for Japan (RIJ) was used for rurality. This study compared the number of items of SPI (total score, inpatient care, urgent care and ambulatory care) and SP4PC experienced by > 80% of all PCPs in the most urban (RIJ:1-10) and rural areas (RIJ: 91-100). A multivariable linear regression analysis was also performed to examine the relationship between the RIJ and SPI/SP4PC. RESULTS Of 1,000 potential participants, 299 physicians responded to the survey (response rate: 29.9%). PCPs in the most rural areas experienced a greater number of items in the inpatientl/urgent care domains of the SPI and SP4PC than those in the most urban areas. The RIJ was the only common factor for a broader SoP in both the SPI and SP4C models. The coefficients of SoP were 0.09 (95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.16) in the SPI model and 0.017 (0.005-0.03) in the SP4PC model. CONCLUSION Rurality was considerably associated with SoP. The findings of this study will be helpful in understanding the SoP on rural and urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Kaneko
- Department of Health Data Science, Yokohama City University, 22-2, Seto, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0027, Japan.
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1, Handayama, Higashi-Ku, Hamamatsu, 431-3192, Japan.
| | - Tomoya Higuchi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1, Handayama, Higashi-Ku, Hamamatsu, 431-3192, Japan
- Shizuoka Family Medicine Program, 1-20-1, Handayama, Higashi-Ku, Hamamatsu, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Ohta
- Department of Community Care, Unnan City Hospital, 96-1, Iida, Daito-Cho, Unnan, Shimane, 699-1221, Japan
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Arndt BG, Micek MA, Rule A, Shafer CM, Baltus JJ, Sinsky CA. More Tethered to the EHR: EHR Workload Trends Among Academic Primary Care Physicians, 2019-2023. Ann Fam Med 2024; 22:12-18. [PMID: 38253499 DOI: 10.1370/afm.3047] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to evaluate recent trends in primary care physician (PCP) electronic health record (EHR) workload. METHODS This longitudinal study observed the EHR use of 141 academic PCPs over 4 years (May 2019 to March 2023). Ambulatory full-time equivalency (aFTE), visit volume, and panel size were evaluated. Electronic health record time and inbox message volume were measured per 8 hours of scheduled clinic appointments. RESULTS From the pre-COVID-19 pandemic year (May 2019 to February 2020) to the most recent study year (April 2022 to March 2023), the average time PCPs spent in the EHR per 8 hours of scheduled clinic appointments increased (+28.4 minutes, 7.8%), as did time in orders (+23.1 minutes, 58.9%), inbox (+14.0 minutes, 24.4%), chart review (+7.2 minutes, 13.0%), notes (+2.9 minutes, 2.3%), outside scheduled hours on days with scheduled appointments (+6.4 minutes, 8.2%), and on unscheduled days (+13.6 minutes, 19.9%). Primary care physicians received more patient medical advice requests (+5.4 messages, 55.5%) and prescription messages (+2.3, 19.5%) per 8 hours of scheduled clinic appointments, but fewer patient calls (-2.8, -10.5%) and results messages (-0.3, -2.7%). While total time in the EHR continued to increase in the final study year (+7.7 minutes, 2.0%), inbox time decreased slightly from the year prior (-2.2 minutes, -3.0%). Primary care physicians' average aFTE decreased 5.2% from 0.66 to 0.63 over 4 years. CONCLUSIONS Primary care physicians' time in the EHR continues to grow. While PCPs' inbox time may be stabilizing, it is still substantially higher than pre-pandemic levels. It is imperative health systems develop strategies to change the EHR workload trajectory to minimize PCPs' occupational stress and mitigate unnecessary reductions in effective physician workforce resulting from the increased EHR burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian G Arndt
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Mark A Micek
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Adam Rule
- Information School, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Christina M Shafer
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
- Independent consultant, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jeffrey J Baltus
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Christine A Sinsky
- Professional Satisfaction and Practice Sustainability, American Medical Association, Chicago, Illinois
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Owens C. Response from Author to: Letter to the Editor (re: DOI: 10.1089/apc.2023.0244). AIDS Patient Care STDS 2024; 38:3-4. [PMID: 38112535 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2023.0252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Owens
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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Waheed A, Afridi AK, Rana M, Arif M, Barrera T, Patel F, Khan MN, Azhar E. Knowledge and Behavior of Primary Care Physicians Regarding Utilization of Standardized Tools in Screening and Assessment of Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Disorders at a Large Integrated Health System. J Prim Care Community Health 2024; 15:21501319231224711. [PMID: 38327064 PMCID: PMC10851721 DOI: 10.1177/21501319231224711] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Standardized screening, objective evaluation, and management of behavioral health conditions are major challenges in primary care. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) provide standardized screening and symptom management tools for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and Mood Disorders (MD), respectively. This study explores family physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the utilization of GAD-7, PHQ-9, and MDQ in outpatient primary care offices. METHODS The study method was a cross-sectional electronic and paper survey utilizing a self-administered questionnaire that assessed primary care physicians' demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices in rural and urban outpatient clinical settings regarding GAD-7, PHQ-9, and MDQ. Statistical software SAS 9.4 was used for descriptive and Chi-Square statistics. RESULTS Out of 320 total participants,145 responded (45.3%). Responding family physicians demonstrated a high level of familiarity with the GAD-7 (97.9%), PHQ-9 (97.9%), and MDQ (81.3%) assessment tools. However, the reported utilization rates were relatively lower than knowledge, with 62.7%, 73.1%, and 31.9% extremely likely or likely to utilize the GAD-7, PHQ-9, and MDQ as screening and monitoring tools, respectively. Less than a quarter of the total respondents use the objective score for the future management of GAD, with significantly more residents utilizing the score for GAD-7 compared to attendings (P < .05). There was no statistical significance difference between residents and attendings for the objective evaluation of Major Depressive Disorder (P = .26) and Mood Disorders (P = .05). CONCLUSIONS Despite being knowledgeable of the utility of GAD-7, PHQ-9, and MDQ, the primary care physicians in a large integrated health system in Central Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland report inconsistent utilization in their practice. Further studies are needed to determine the underlying factors contributing to the suboptimal usage of these screening tools and ways to increase it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Waheed
- WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, Lebanon, PA, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, Dignity Health Medical Group, AZ, USA
| | - Asif Khan Afridi
- WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, Lebanon, PA, USA
| | - Masooma Rana
- WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, Lebanon, PA, USA
| | - Mobeena Arif
- WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, Lebanon, PA, USA
| | - Trajan Barrera
- WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, Lebanon, PA, USA
- Washington Health System Family Medicine Residency Program, Washington, PA, USA
| | - Feroza Patel
- WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, Lebanon, PA, USA
- Washington Health System Family Medicine Residency Program, Washington, PA, USA
| | - Muhammad Nausherwan Khan
- WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, Lebanon, PA, USA
- Adventist Health Family Medicine Residency Program-Tulare, Tulare, CA, USA
| | - Erum Azhar
- Dignity Health East Valley OBGYN Residency Program, Gilbert, AZ, USA
- Creighton University School of Medicine, AZ, USA
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Kuruc Poje D, Kuharić M, Posavec Andrić A, Mađarić V, Poje JV, Payerl-Pal M, Tambić Andrašević A, Poje JM, Bačić Vrca V, Marušić S. Perspectives of primary care physicians on academic detailing for antimicrobial stewardship: feasibility and impact assessment. J Int Med Res 2024; 52:3000605231222242. [PMID: 38193298 PMCID: PMC10777789 DOI: 10.1177/03000605231222242] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand primary care physicians' perspectives on academic detailing from an antimicrobial stewardship team to combat antibiotic overuse for upper respiratory infections and bronchitis in the COVID-19 era, which will help prevent avoidable outpatient visits. METHODS In this prospective study, 14 female Croatian physicians completed standardized qualitative interviews using a semi-structured guide. The data were analyzed using inductive methodology based on reflexive thematic analysis. We used a theoretically informed approach based on a conceptual framework of healthcare intervention implementability focused on three domains: acceptability, fidelity, and feasibility. RESULTS We identified six key themes highlighting barriers to changing prescribing practices, with patient pressure and specialist recommendations having an impact on the effectiveness of academic detailing. Despite challenges, primary care physicians described appreciation of direct interaction with evidence-based practices and reported usefulness, effectiveness, and further need for academic detailing. CONCLUSION This study highlights the complex dynamics involved in implementing healthcare interventions and provides valuable insights for enhancing strategies directed at improving antibiotic prescribing practices. Specifically, our findings emphasize factors influencing behavior changes in physicians' antibiotic prescribing. The authors advocate for a collaborative approach involving community and hospital-based professionals to provide tailored guidance and address questions, ultimately improving prescribing practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darija Kuruc Poje
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, General Hospital “Dr. Tomislav Bardek,” Koprivnica, Croatia
| | - Maja Kuharić
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Vesna Mađarić
- Department of Pulmology and Infectology, General Hospital “Dr. Tomislav Bardek,” Koprivnica, Croatia
| | - Janeš Vlatka Poje
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Institute of Public Health County Koprivničko-Križevačka, Koprivnica, Croatia
| | - Marina Payerl-Pal
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Institute of Public Health County Međimurje, Čakovec, Croatia
| | - Arjana Tambić Andrašević
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, The University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Juraj Mark Poje
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital “Dr. Tomislav Bardek,” Koprivnica, Croatia
| | - Vesna Bačić Vrca
- Department of Pharmacy, Clinical Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Srećko Marušić
- Department of Endocrinology, Clinical Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
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Radhakrishnan A, Subramanian L, Rankin AJ, Fetters MD, Wittmann DA, Ginsburg KB, Hawley ST, Skolarus TA. Primary Care Physician and Urologist Perspectives on Optimizing Active Surveillance for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer. Ann Fam Med 2024; 22:5-11. [PMID: 38253492 DOI: 10.1370/afm.3057] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We conducted a study to understand primary care physician (PCP) and urologist perspectives on determinants of active surveillance care delivery for men with low-risk prostate cancer. METHODS We conducted in-depth, semistructured, virtual interviews with a purposive sample of 19 PCPs and 15 urologists between June 2020 and March 2021. We used the behavioral theory-informed Theoretical Domains Framework to understand barriers to and facilitators of active surveillance care delivery. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and deductively coded into framework domains and constructs by 3 independent coders. Participant recruitment continued until data saturation by group. RESULTS Our study included 19 PCPs (9 female; 4 in community practices, 15 in academic medical centers) and 15 urologists (3 female; 5 in private practice, 3 in academic medical centers). The most commonly reported Theoretical Domains Framework domains affecting active surveillance care were (1) knowledge and (2) environmental context and resources. Although urologists were knowledgeable about active surveillance, PCPs mentioned limitations in their understanding of active surveillance (eg, what follow-up entails). Both groups noted the importance of an informed patient, especially how a patient's understanding of active surveillance facilitates their receipt of recommended follow-up. Physicians viewed patient loss to follow-up as a barrier, but identified a favorable organizational culture/climate (eg, good communication between physicians) as a facilitator. CONCLUSIONS With patients increasingly involving their PCPs in their cancer care, our study presents factors both PCPs and urologists perceive (or identify) as affecting optimal active surveillance care delivery. We provide insights that can help inform multilevel supportive interventions for patients, physicians, and organizations to ensure the success of active surveillance as a management strategy for low-risk prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Radhakrishnan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Lalita Subramanian
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Aaron J Rankin
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Michael D Fetters
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Kevin B Ginsburg
- Department of Urology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Sarah T Hawley
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ted A Skolarus
- Department of Urology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Heredia NI, John JC, Singh S, Hwang JP, Strong LL, Balakrishnan M, McNeill LH. Understanding Primary Care Physician Perspectives on the Diagnosis and Management of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Qualitative Study. Inquiry 2024; 61:469580241241272. [PMID: 38529894 DOI: 10.1177/00469580241241272] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Primary care physicians (PCPs) are well suited to manage patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the limited, existing research suggests inadequate knowledge about the natural history, diagnostic methods, and management of NAFLD. The purpose of this qualitative study is to further understand the knowledge and practices for the diagnosis and management of NAFLD among PCPs. We conducted in-depth interviews with PCPs in the Greater Houston area, addressing current clinical practices used for diagnosing and managing NAFLD, as well as the perceptions of the PCPs regarding the burden of NAFLD on patients. We recorded interviews, transcribed them, coded transcripts, and identified patterns and themes. The interviewed PCPs (n = 16) were from internal or family medicine, with a range of experience (1.5-30 years). We found variations in NAFLD diagnosis and management across practices and by insurance status. Patients with abnormal liver imaging who had insurance or were within a safety-net healthcare system were referred by PCPs to specialists. Uninsured patients with persistently elevated liver enzymes received lifestyle recommendations from PCPs without confirmatory imaging or specialist referral. The role of PCPs in NAFLD management varied, with some helping patients set dietary and physical activity goals while others provided only general recommendations and/or referred patients to a dietitian. The diagnosis and management of NAFLD vary widely among PCPs and may be impacted by patients' insurance status and clinic-specific practices. The increasing burden of NAFLD in the U.S. medical system highlights the need for more PCPs involvement in managing NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia I Heredia
- Department of Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston TX, USA
- Center for Health Equity, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston TX, USA
| | - Jemima C John
- Center for Health Equity, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston TX, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston TX, USA
| | - Sonia Singh
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston TX, USA
| | - Jessica P Hwang
- Department of General Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Larkin L Strong
- Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maya Balakrishnan
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lorna H McNeill
- Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Rotenstein LS, Melnick ER, Jeffery M, Zhang J, Sinsky CA, Gitomer R, Bates DW. Association of Primary Care Physicians' Electronic Inbox Activity Patterns with Patients' Likelihood to Recommend the Physician. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:150-152. [PMID: 37731135 PMCID: PMC10817856 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08417-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa S Rotenstein
- Brigham and Women's Hospital Division of General Internal Medicine, Boston, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
| | | | - Molly Jeffery
- Mayo Clinic Department of Emergency Medicine, Rochester, USA
| | - Jianyi Zhang
- Brigham and Women's Hospital Division of General Internal Medicine, Boston, USA
| | | | - Richard Gitomer
- Brigham and Women's Hospital Division of General Internal Medicine, Boston, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - David W Bates
- Brigham and Women's Hospital Division of General Internal Medicine, Boston, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA
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Douglass B, Lau SH, Parkin B, Wilson M, Kynaston J. Changing Knowledge and Attitudes towards Bariatric Surgery in Primary Care: a 10-Year Cross-Sectional Survey. Obes Surg 2024; 34:71-76. [PMID: 37991710 DOI: 10.1007/s11695-023-06934-3] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some 28% of the Scottish population suffer from obesity. Bariatric procedures per population carried out in England when compared to Scotland (NBSR 2018) are significantly higher. Primary care practitioners (PCP) influence equality of access to secondary care bariatrics and frequently manage post-operative bariatric patients. Examining changes in PCP knowledge and attitude could improve access to bariatric procedures in Scotland. METHODS Following a sample pilot, all PCPs within three Scottish NHS health boards were emailed a questionnaire-based survey (2011; n = 902). A subsequent 10-year follow-up encompassed a greater scope of practice, additionally distributed to all PCPs in five further health boards (2021; n = 2049). RESULTS Some 452 responses were achieved (2011, 230; 2021, 222). PCPs felt bariatric surgery offered a greater impact in both weight management and that of obesity-related diseases (p < .0001). More PCPs were aware of local bariatric surgical referral criteria (2011, 43%; 2021, 57% (p = .003)), and more made referrals (2011, 60%; 2021, 72% (p = .018)) but were less familiar with national bariatric surgical guidelines (2011, 70%; 2021, 48% (p < .001)). Comfort at managing post-operative bariatric surgical patients were unchanged (2011, 24%; 2021, 27% (p = .660)). Minimal progress through dietetic-lead weight management services, plus rejection of patients thought to be good candidates, was reasons for referral hesitancy. CONCLUSION Over 10 years, PCPs were more aware of local referral criteria, making increased numbers of referrals. Knowledge deficits of national guidelines remain, and overwhelmingly PCPs do not feel comfortable looking after post-operative bariatric surgical patients. Further research into PCP educational needs, in addition to improving the primary to secondary care interface, is required.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ben Parkin
- Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert, FK5 4WR, Scotland, UK
| | - Michael Wilson
- Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert, FK5 4WR, Scotland, UK
| | - James Kynaston
- Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert, FK5 4WR, Scotland, UK
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Kurotschka PK, Serafini A, Ebell MH. [Top 4 Research Studies of the month for Italian Primary Care Physicians: December 2023.]. Recenti Prog Med 2024; 115:21-24. [PMID: 38169356 DOI: 10.1701/4169.41641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
This monthly article provides a collection of summaries of the most relevant studies identified as POEMs (patient-oriented evidence that matters) for Italian primary care physicians. 1) According to a high-quality network meta-analysis, oral isotretinoin is the most effective therapy for decreasing the number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory skin lesions in patients with acne vulgaris. 2) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (Nsaid) use is associated with a small increase (0.004%) in the risk of venous thromboembolism. Combining Nsaid use with a medium-risk hormonal contraceptive increases the risk to 0.011%; the addition of a high-risk hormonal contraceptive increases the risk to 0.023%. 3) For adults who wish to quit smoking, nicotine delivery via e-cigarettes, plus counseling, may be more effective than other means of nicotine replacement, or counseling alone for long-term smoking cessation. 4) We can reassure our patients that nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (Gerd) does not increase the likelihood of esophageal cancer. Erosive Gerd, however, is associated with a doubled - but still low - risk of developing cancer, with the likelihood increasing over time.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alice Serafini
- Dipartimento di Cure primarie, Ausl Modena, Italia - Dipartimento di Scienze biomediche, metaboliche e neuroscienze, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italia
| | - Mark H Ebell
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, the University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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Shih RD, Solano JJ, Engstrom G, Khazem M, Clayton LM, Wells M, Hughes PG, Posaw L, Goldstein L, Hennekens CH, Ouslander JG, Alter SM. Lack of patient and primary care physician follow-up in geriatric emergency department patients with head trauma from a fall. Am J Emerg Med 2024; 75:29-32. [PMID: 37897917 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2023.10.021] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Falls are the leading cause of injuries in the US for older adults. Follow-up after an ED-related fall visit is essential to initiate preventive strategies in these patients who are at very high risk for recurrent falls. It is currently unclear how frequently follow-up occurs and whether preventive strategies are implemented. Our objective is to determine the rate of follow-up by older adults who sustain a fall related head injury resulting in an ED visit, the rate and type of risk assessment and adoption of preventive strategies. METHODS This 1-year prospective observational study was conducted at two South Florida hospitals. All older ED patients with an acute head injury due to a fall were identified. Telephone surveys were conducted 14 days after ED presentation asking about PCP follow-up and adoption of fall prevention strategies. Clinical and demographic characteristics were compared between patients with and without follow up. RESULTS Of 4951 patients with a head injury from a fall, 1527 met inclusion criteria. 905 reported follow-up with their PCP. Of these, 72% reported receiving a fall assessment and 56% adopted a fall prevention strategy. Participants with PCP follow-up were significantly more likely to have a history of cancer or hypertension. CONCLUSION Only 60% of ED patients with fall-related head injury follow-up with their PCP. Further, 72% received a fall assessment and only 56% adopted a fall prevention strategy. These data indicate an urgent need to promote PCP fall assessment and adoption of prevention strategies in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D Shih
- Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, United States of America; Depatment of Emergency Medicine, Delray Medical Center, United States of America.
| | - Joshua J Solano
- Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, United States of America; Depatment of Emergency Medicine, Delray Medical Center, United States of America; Depatment of Emergency Medicine, Bethesda Hospital East, United States of America
| | - Gabriella Engstrom
- Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Maya Khazem
- Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Lisa M Clayton
- Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, United States of America; Depatment of Emergency Medicine, Delray Medical Center, United States of America; Depatment of Emergency Medicine, Bethesda Hospital East, United States of America
| | - Michael Wells
- Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Patrick G Hughes
- Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, United States of America; Depatment of Emergency Medicine, Delray Medical Center, United States of America; Depatment of Emergency Medicine, Bethesda Hospital East, United States of America
| | - Leila Posaw
- Depatment of Emergency Medicine, Bethesda Hospital East, United States of America
| | - Lara Goldstein
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Aventura Medical Center, United States of America
| | - Charles H Hennekens
- Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Joseph G Ouslander
- Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, United States of America
| | - Scott M Alter
- Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, United States of America; Depatment of Emergency Medicine, Delray Medical Center, United States of America; Depatment of Emergency Medicine, Bethesda Hospital East, United States of America
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