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Griesemer I, Palmer JA, MacLaren RZ, Harvey KLL, Li M, Garikipati A, Linsky AM, Mohr DC, Gurewich D. Rural Veterans' Experiences with Social Risk Factors: Impacts, Challenges, and Care System Recommendations. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:782-789. [PMID: 38010459 PMCID: PMC11043235 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08530-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social risk factors, such as food insecurity and financial needs, are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, health conditions that are highly prevalent in rural populations. A better understanding of rural Veterans' experiences with social risk factors can inform expansion of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) efforts to address social needs. OBJECTIVE To examine social risk and need from rural Veterans' lived experiences and develop recommendations for VHA to address social needs. DESIGN We conducted semi-structured interviews with participants purposively sampled for racial diversity. The interview guide was informed by Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use and the Outcomes from Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Systems framework. PARTICIPANTS Rural Veterans with or at risk of cardiovascular disease who participated in a parent survey and agreed to be recontacted. APPROACH Interviews were recorded and transcribed. We analyzed transcripts using directed qualitative content analysis to identify themes. KEY RESULTS Interviews (n = 29) took place from March to June 2022. We identified four themes: (1) Social needs can impact access to healthcare, (2) Structural factors can make it difficult to get help for social needs, (3) Some Veterans are reluctant to seek help, and (4) Veterans recommended enhancing resource dissemination and navigation support. CONCLUSIONS VHA interventions should include active dissemination of information on social needs resources and navigation support to help Veterans access resources. Community-based organizations (e.g., Veteran Service Organizations) could be key partners in the design and implementation of future social need interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Griesemer
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Jennifer A Palmer
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Risette Z MacLaren
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly L L Harvey
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mingfei Li
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Bentley University, Waltham, MA, USA
| | | | - Amy M Linsky
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David C Mohr
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Deborah Gurewich
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Silva Almodóvar A, Keller MS, Lee J, Mehta HB, Manja V, Nguyen TPP, Pavon JM, Terman SW, Hoyle D, Mixon AS, Linsky AM. Deprescribing medications among patients with multiple prescribers: A socioecological model. J Am Geriatr Soc 2024; 72:660-669. [PMID: 37943070 PMCID: PMC10947820 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18667] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Deprescribing is the intentional dose reduction or discontinuation of a medication. The development of deprescribing interventions should take into consideration important organizational, interprofessional, and patient-specific barriers that can be further complicated by the presence of multiple prescribers involved in a patient's care. Patients who receive care from an increasing number of prescribers may experience disruptions in the timely transfer of relevant healthcare information, increasing the risk of exposure to drug-drug interactions and other medication-related problems. Furthermore, the fragmentation of healthcare information across health systems can contribute to the refilling of discontinued medications, reducing the effectiveness of deprescribing interventions. Thus, deprescribing interventions must carefully consider the unique characteristics of patients and their prescribers to ensure interventions are successfully implemented. In this special article, an international working group of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, epidemiologists, and researchers from the United States Deprescribing Research Network (USDeN) developed a socioecological model to understand how multiple prescribers may influence the implementation of a deprescribing intervention at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal level. This manuscript also includes a description of the concept of multiple prescribers and outlines a research agenda for future investigations to consider. The information contained in this manuscript should be used as a framework for future deprescribing interventions to carefully consider how multiple prescribers can influence the successful implementation of the service and ensure the intervention is as effective as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armando Silva Almodóvar
- Institute of Therapeutic Innovations and Outcomes (ITIO), The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Michelle S Keller
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jiha Lee
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Hemalkumar B Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Veena Manja
- Veterans Affairs Northern California Healthcare System, Mather, California, USA
- University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Thanh Phuong Pham Nguyen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Juliessa M Pavon
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Samuel W Terman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Daniel Hoyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Amanda S Mixon
- Section of Hospital Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Amy M Linsky
- General Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- General Internal Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Wingood M, Linsky AM, Harris R, Bamonti P, Moye J, Bean JF. Research Protocol Adaptations During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Process Evaluation. J Aging Phys Act 2024; 32:62-68. [PMID: 37699586 DOI: 10.1123/japa.2023-0052] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
In general, COVID-19-related adaptations that transitioned in-person assessments and interventions to a virtual format were not routinely evaluated. We aimed to conduct a process evaluation to examine the impact of COVID-19-related adaptations on a behavior change intervention designed to increase exercise adherence among Veterans with mobility difficulty. We used secondary data from a nonrandomized study to complete a process evaluation examining the intervention's reach, recruitment, fidelity, dose delivered by physical therapists, and the dose received by the 14 participating Veterans. The physical therapist delivered 95% (133/140) of the study's 10 sessions. Sessions with the lowest delivery dose included Sessions 1 and 10 (86%; n = 12/14). The elements with the lowest dose received included using an exercise journal and developing a postintervention plan (86%; n = 12/14). Our COVID-19 adaptations allowed us to provide our intervention to the majority (67%) of eligible participants without a negative impact on fidelity, dose delivered, or dose received.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Wingood
- New England Geriatric Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy M Linsky
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebekah Harris
- New England Geriatric Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patricia Bamonti
- Research & Development, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Moye
- New England Geriatric Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan F Bean
- New England Geriatric Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Wingood M, Bean JF, Linsky AM. Incorporating Physical Activity Assessments and Behavior Change Techniques Into Geriatrics. Arch Rehabil Res Clin Transl 2023; 5:100293. [PMID: 38163022 PMCID: PMC10757171 DOI: 10.1016/j.arrct.2023.100293] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Ninety-one percent of adults 65 years and older do not perform the recommended levels of physical activity (PA), resulting in increased risk of disability, morbidity, and mortality. Despite knowing the benefits of PA and acknowledging the importance of assessing and addressing inadequate PA levels, 50%-75% of health care providers do not incorporate behavior change techniques into clinical practice. This clinical gap can be explained by a lack of knowledge or confidence in (1) assessing PA levels; (2) addressing inadequate PA levels; and (3) justifying the time needed to use these techniques in clinical practice. In this special communication, we address this gap by providing a 3-step theoretical-based clinical decision pathway that guides health care providers on how to identify older adults with inadequate PA levels, determine readiness to increase PA, and empower patents to develop an action plan that will increase their PA levels. We also provide a conceptual model that supports the use of techniques that assess and address inadequate PA by tying PA to the Age-Friendly Health System's 4Ms (ie, What Matters to the older adult, Mentation, Mobility, and Medications).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Wingood
- Department of Implementation Science, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Sticht Center on Aging, Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Jonathan F. Bean
- New England Geriatric Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Amy M. Linsky
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
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Burke RE, Pelcher L, Tjader A, Linsky AM, Thorpe CT, Turner JP, Rose L. Central Nervous System-Active Prescriptions in Older Veterans: Trends in Prevalence, Prescribers, and High-risk Populations. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:3509-3516. [PMID: 37349639 PMCID: PMC10713889 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08250-z] [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] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the prevalence or chronicity of prescriptions of central nervous system-active (CNS-active) medications in older Veterans. OBJECTIVE We sought to describe (1) the prevalence and trends in prescription of CNS-active medications in older Veterans over time; (2) variation in prescriptions across high-risk groups; and (3) where the prescription originated (VA or Medicare Part D). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study from 2015 to 2019. PARTICIPANTS Veterans age ≥ 65 enrolled in the Medicare and the VA residing in Veterans Integrated Service Network 4 (incorporating Pennsylvania and parts of surrounding states). MAIN MEASURES Drug classes included antipsychotics, gabapentinoids, muscle relaxants, opioids, sedative-hypnotics, and anticholinergics. We described prescribing patterns overall and in three subgroups: Veterans with a diagnosis of dementia, Veterans with high predicted utilization, and frail Veterans. We calculated both prevalence (any fill) and percent of days covered (chronicity) for each drug class, and CNS-active polypharmacy (≥ 2 CNS-active medications) rates in each year in these groups. KEY RESULTS The sample included 460,142 Veterans and 1,862,544 person-years. While opioid and sedative-hypnotic prevalence decreased, gabapentinoids exhibited the largest increase in both prevalence and percent of days covered. Each subgroup exhibited different patterns of prescribing, but all had double the rates of CNS-active polypharmacy compared to the overall study population. Opioid and sedative-hypnotic prevalence was higher in Medicare Part D prescriptions, but the percent of days covered of nearly all drug classes was higher in VA prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS The concurrent increase of gabapentinoid prescribing paralleling a decrease in opioid and sedative-hypnotics is a new phenomenon that merits further evaluation of patient safety outcomes. In addition, we found substantial potential opportunities for deprescribing CNS-active medications in high-risk groups. Finally, the increased chronicity of VA prescriptions versus Medicare Part D is novel and should be further evaluated in terms of its mechanism and impact on Medicare-VA dual users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Burke
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Corporal Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Lindsay Pelcher
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Andrew Tjader
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amy M Linsky
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carolyn T Thorpe
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Justin P Turner
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche, Institut Universiaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Liam Rose
- Health Economics Resource Center, Palo Alto VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Stanford Surgery Policy Improvement Research and Education Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Palmer JA, Mccullough M, Wormwood J, Soylemez Wiener R, Mesfin N, Still M, Xu CS, Linsky AM. Addressing clinician moral distress: Implications from a mixed methods evaluation during Covid-19. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291542. [PMID: 37713379 PMCID: PMC10503769 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291542] [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: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinician moral distress has been documented over the past several decades as occurring within numerous healthcare disciplines, often in relation to clinicians' involvement in patients' end-of-life decision-making. The resulting harms impact clinician well-being, patient well-being, and healthcare system functioning. Given Covid-19's catastrophic death toll and associated demands on end-of-life decision-making processes, the pandemic represents a particularly important context within which to understand clinician moral distress. Thus, we conducted a convergent mixed methods study to examine its prevalence, associations with clinicians' demographic and professional characteristics, and contributing circumstances among Veterans Health Administration (VA) clinicians. The study, conducted in April 2021, consisted of a cross-sectional on-line survey of VA clinicians at 20 VA Medical Centers with professional jurisdiction to place life-sustaining treatment orders working who were from a number of select specialties. The survey collected quantitative data on respondents' demographics, clinical practice characteristics, attitudes and behaviors related to goals of care conversations, intensity of moral distress during "peak-Covid," and qualitative data via an open-ended item asking for respondents to describe contributing circumstances if they had indicated any moral distress. To understand factors associated with heightened moral distress, we analyzed quantitative data using bivariate and multivariable regression analyses and qualitative data using a hybrid deductive/inductive thematic approach. Mixed methods analysis followed, whereby we compared the quantitative and qualitative datasets and integrated findings at the analytic level. Out of 3,396 eligible VA clinicians, 323 responded to the survey (9.5% adjusted response rate). Most respondents (81%) reported at least some moral distress during peak-Covid. In a multivariable logistic regression, female gender (OR 3.35; 95% CI 1.53-7.37) was associated with greater odds of moral distress, and practicing in geriatrics/palliative care (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.18-0.87) and internal medicine/family medicine/primary care (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.22-0.98) were associated with reduced odds of moral distress compared to medical subspecialties. From the 191 respondents who completed the open-ended item, five qualitative themes emerged as moral distress contributors: 1) patient visitation restrictions, 2) anticipatory actions, 3) clinical uncertainty related to Covid, 4) resource shortages, and 5) personal risk of contracting Covid. Mixed methods analysis found that quantitative results were consistent with these last two qualitative themes. In sum, clinician moral distress was prevalent early in the pandemic. This moral distress was associated with individual-, system-, and situation-level contributors. These identified contributors represent leverage points for future intervention to mitigate clinician moral distress and its negative outcomes during future healthcare crises and even during everyday clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Palmer
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Megan Mccullough
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Bedford Medical Center, Bedford, Massachusetts, United States of America
- University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jolie Wormwood
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Bedford Medical Center, Bedford, Massachusetts, United States of America
- University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Renda Soylemez Wiener
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nathan Mesfin
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Michael Still
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Chris S. Xu
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Amy M. Linsky
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Mesfin N, Wormwood J, Wiener RS, Still M, Xu CS, Palmer J, Linsky AM. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Providing Recommendations During Goals-of-Care Conversations: A Multisite Survey. J Palliat Med 2023; 26:951-959. [PMID: 36944150 PMCID: PMC10398728 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0394] [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] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Goals-of-care conversations (GoCCs) are essential for individualized end-of-life care. Shared decision-making (SDM) that elicits patients' goals and values to collaboratively make life sustaining treatment (LST) decisions is best practice. However, it is unknown how the COVID-19 pandemic onset and associated changes to care delivery, stress on providers, and clinical uncertainty affected SDM and recommendation-making during GoCCs. Aim: To assess providers' attitudes and behaviors related to GoCCs during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify factors associated with provision of LST recommendations. Design: Survey of United States Veterans Health Administration (VA) health care providers. Setting/Participants: Health care providers from 20 VA facilities with high COVID-19 caseloads early in the pandemic who had authority to place LST orders and practiced in select specialties (n = 3398). Results: We had 323 respondents (9.5% adjusted response rate). Most were age ≥50 years (51%), female (63%), non-Hispanic white (64%), and had ≥1 GoCC per week during peak-COVID-19 (78%). Compared with pre-COVID-19, providers believed it was less appropriate and felt less comfortable giving an LST recommendation during peak-COVID-19 (p < 0.001). One-third (32%) reported either "never" or "rarely" giving an LST recommendation during GoCCs at peak-COVID-19. In adjusted regression models, being a physician and discussing patients' goals and values were positively associated with giving an LST recommendation (B = 0.380, p = 0.031 and B = 0.400, p < 0.001, respectively) at peak-COVID-19. Conclusion: Providers who discuss patients' preferences and values are more likely to report giving a recommendation; both behaviors are markers of SDM during GoCCs. Our findings suggest potential areas for training in conducting patient-centered GoCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Mesfin
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jolie Wormwood
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Renda Soylemez Wiener
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael Still
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chris S. Xu
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer Palmer
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amy M. Linsky
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Gurewich D, Linsky AM, Harvey KL, Li M, Griesemer I, MacLaren RZ, Ostrow R, Mohr D. Relationship Between Unmet Social Needs and Care Access in a Veteran Cohort. J Gen Intern Med 2023:10.1007/s11606-023-08117-3. [PMID: 37340267 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08117-3] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between unmet social needs (e.g., food insecurity) and adverse health outcomes is well-established, especially for patients with and at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This has motivated healthcare systems to focus on unmet social needs. Yet, little is known about the mechanisms by which unmet social needs impact health, which limits healthcare-based intervention design and evaluation. One conceptual framework posits that unmet social needs may impact health by limiting care access, but this remains understudied. OBJECTIVE Examine the relationship between unmet social needs and care access. DESIGN Cross-sectional study design using survey data on unmet needs merged with administrative data from the Veterans Health Administration (VA) Corporate Data Warehouse (September 2019-March 2021) and multivariable models to predict care access outcomes. Pooled and separate rural and urban logistic regression models were utilized with adjustments from sociodemographics, region, and comorbidity. SUBJECTS A national stratified random sample of VA-enrolled Veterans with and at risk for CVD who responded to the survey. MAIN MEASURES No-show appointments were defined dichotomously as patients with one or more missed outpatient visits. Medication non-adherence was measured as proportion of days covered and defined dichotomously as adherence less than 80%. KEY RESULTS Greater burden of unmet social needs was associated with significantly higher odds of no-show appointments (OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 2.43, 4.39) and medication non-adherence (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.19, 2.13), with similar associations observed for rural and urban Veterans. Social disconnection and legal needs were especially strong predictors of care access measures. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that unmet social needs may adversely impact care access. Findings also point to specific unmet social needs that may be especially impactful and thus might be prioritized for interventions, in particular social disconnection and legal needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Gurewich
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Amy M Linsky
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), Boston, MA, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly L Harvey
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mingfei Li
- CHOIR, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Bentley University, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Ida Griesemer
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Risette Z MacLaren
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rory Ostrow
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Mohr
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Borzecki AM, Conti J, Reisman JI, Vimalananda V, Nagy MW, Paluri R, Linsky AM, McCullough M, Bhasin S, Matsumoto AM, Jasuja GK. Development and Validation of Quality Measures for Testosterone Prescribing. J Endocr Soc 2023; 7:bvad075. [PMID: 37362384 PMCID: PMC10289518 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvad075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Context Accurate measures to assess appropriateness of testosterone prescribing are needed to improve prescribing practices. Objective This work aimed to develop and validate quality measures around the initiation and monitoring of testosterone prescribing. Methods This retrospective cohort study comprised a national cohort of male patients receiving care in the Veterans Health Administration who initiated testosterone during January or February 2020. Using laboratory data and diagnostic codes, we developed 9 initiation and 7 monitoring measures. These were based on the current Endocrine Society guidelines supplemented by expert opinion and prior work. We chose measures that could be operationalized using national VA electronic health record (EHR) data. We assessed criterion validity for these 16 measures by manual review of 142 charts. Main outcome measures included positive and negative predictive values (PPVs, NPVs), overall accuracy (OA), and Matthews Correlation Coefficients (MCCs). Results We found high PPVs (>78%), NPVs (>98%), OA (≥94%), and MCCs (>0.85) for the 10 measures based on laboratory data (5 initiation and 5 monitoring). For the 6 measures relying on diagnostic codes, we similarly found high NPVs (100%) and OAs (≥98%). However, PPVs for measures of acute conditions occurring before testosterone initiation (ie, acute myocardial infarction or stroke) or new conditions occurring after initiation (ie, prostate or breast cancer) PPVs were much lower (0% to 50%) due to few or no cases. Conclusion We developed several valid EHR-based quality measures for assessing testosterone-prescribing practices. Deployment of these measures in health care systems can facilitate identification of quality gaps in testosterone-prescribing and improve care of men with hypogonadism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Borzecki
- Correspondence: Ann M. Borzecki, MD, MPH, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, 200 Springs Rd, Bedford, MA 01730, USA.
| | - Jennifer Conti
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Bedford Site, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA 01730, USA
| | - Joel I Reisman
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Bedford Site, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA 01730, USA
| | - Varsha Vimalananda
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Bedford Site, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA 01730, USA
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition and Weight Management, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Michael W Nagy
- Clinical Sciences Department, Medical College of Wisconsin, School of Pharmacy, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI 53295, USA
| | | | - Amy M Linsky
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Boston Site, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | - Megan McCullough
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Bedford Site, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA 01730, USA
- Department of Public Health, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - Shalender Bhasin
- Research Program in Men's Health, Aging and Metabolism, Boston Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alvin M Matsumoto
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
- Division of Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Guneet K Jasuja
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Bedford Site, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA 01730, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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10
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Griesemer I, Li M, Tsai J, Harvey K, Hausmann LRM, Linsky AM, Mohr DC, Gurewich D. Interaction between Legal and Social Needs in Their Association with Self-rated Health in a National Sample of Veterans. J Health Care Poor Underserved 2023; 34:1221-1233. [PMID: 38661752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Many health-related social needs, such as financial insecurity, are interconnected with legal needs. However, little is known about which social needs are more likely to be associated with legal needs, or whether legal and other needs interact to affect health. Using data from a 2020 national mailed survey assessing social needs among Veterans who had or were at risk for cardiovascular disease (N=2,801) and linked administrative data, linear regression models tested interactions between legal and other social needs, and their associations with self-rated health. In a model examining the interaction of financial and legal needs, experiencing financial but not legal needs was as strongly associated with worse health (b=-0.58, 95% CI -0.69, -0.46) as experiencing both financial and legal needs (b= -0.55, 95% CI -0.70, -0.40). Financial needs are important to Veterans' health and further research is needed to determine how financial and legal needs should be triaged by providers.
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11
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Linsky AM, Kressin NR, Stolzmann K, Pendergast J, Rosen AK, Bokhour BG, Simon SR. Direct-to-consumer strategies to promote deprescribing in primary care: a pilot study. BMC Prim Care 2022; 23:53. [PMID: 35317734 PMCID: PMC8939089 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-022-01655-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Deprescribing, or the intentional discontinuation or dose-reduction of medications, is an approach to reduce harms associated with inappropriate medication use. We sought to determine how direct-to-patient educational materials impacted patient-provider discussion about and deprescribing of potentially inappropriate medications. Methods We conducted a pre-post pilot trial, using an historical control group, at an urban VA medical center. We included patients in one of two cohorts: 1) chronic proton pump inhibitor users (PPI), defined as use of any dose for 90 consecutive days, or 2) patients at hypoglycemia risk, defined by diabetes diagnosis; prescription for insulin or sulfonylurea; hemoglobin A1c < 7%; and age ≥ 65 years, renal insufficiency, or cognitive impairment. The intervention consisted of mailing medication-specific patient-centered EMPOWER (Eliminating Medications Through Patient Ownership of End Results) brochures, adapted to a Veteran patient population, two weeks prior to scheduled primary care appointments. Our primary outcome – deprescribing – was defined as clinical documentation of target medication discontinuation or dose-reduction. Our secondary outcome was documentation of a discussion about the target medication (yes/possible vs. no/absent). Covariates included age, sex, race, specified comorbidities, medications, and utilization. We used chi-square tests to examine the association of receiving brochures with each outcome. Results The 348 subjects (253 intervention, 95 historical control) were primarily age ≥ 65 years, white, and male. Compared to control subjects, intervention subjects were more likely to have deprescribing (36 [14.2%] vs. 4 [4.2%], p = 0.009) and discussions about the target medication (31 [12.3%] vs. 1 [1.1%], p = 0.001). Conclusions Targeted mailings of EMPOWER brochures temporally linked to a scheduled visit in primary care clinics are a low-cost, low-technology method associated with increases in both deprescribing and documentation of patient-provider medication discussions in a Veteran population. Leveraging the potential for patients to initiate deprescribing discussions within clinical encounters is a promising strategy to reduce drug burden and decrease adverse drug effects and harms.
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12
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Gurewich D, Kressin N, Bokhour BG, Linsky AM, Dichter ME, Hunt KJ, Fix GM, Niles BL. Randomised controlled trial evaluating the effects of screening and referral for social determinants of health on Veterans' outcomes: protocol. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e058972. [PMID: 36153033 PMCID: PMC9511545 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058972] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Health policy leaders recommend screening and referral (S&R) for unmet social needs (eg, food) in clinical settings, and the American Heart Association recently concluded that the most significant opportunities for reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) death and disability lie with addressing the social determinants of CVD outcomes. A limited but promising evidence base supports these recommendations, but more rigorous research is needed to guide health care-based S&R efforts. Funded by the Veteran Health Administration (VA), the study described in this paper will assess the efficacy of S&R on Veterans' connections to new resources to address social needs, reduction of unmet needs and health-related outcomes (adherence, utilisation and clinical outcomes). METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will conduct a 1-year mixed-methods randomised controlled trial at three VA sites, enrolling Veterans with CVD and CVD-risk. 880 Veterans experiencing one or more social needs will be randomised within each site (n=293 per site) to one of three study arms representing referral mechanisms of varying intensity (screening only, screening and provision of resource sheet(s), screening and provision of resource sheet(s) plus social work assistance). For each Veteran, we will examine associations of unmet social needs with health-related outcomes at baseline, and longitudinally compare the impact of each approach on connection to new resources (primary outcome) and follow-up outcomes over a 12-month period. We will additionally conduct qualitative interviews with key stakeholders, including Veterans to identify potential explanatory factors related to the relative success of the interventions. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval was obtained from the VA Central Internal Review Board on 13 July 2021 (reference #: 20-07-Amendment No. 02). Findings will be disseminated through reports, lay summaries, policy briefs, academic publications, and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04977583.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Gurewich
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nancy Kressin
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Barbara G Bokhour
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Amy M Linsky
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Health Care System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- General Internal Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Melissa E Dichter
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP), Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- School of Social Work, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kelly J Hunt
- Charleston Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center (HEROIC), Ralph H Johnson VAMC, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Gemmae M Fix
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Barbara L Niles
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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13
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Brady JE, Simon SR, Yeksigian K, Zillich AJ, Moyer J, Linsky AM. Can nonclinicians classify medication discrepancies as accurately as clinical pharmacists? A validation study. Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e824. [PMID: 36189414 PMCID: PMC9508616 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Julianne E. Brady
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR) VA Boston Healthcare System Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Steven R. Simon
- Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation and Policy VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Los Angeles California USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA
| | - Kate Yeksigian
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR) VA Boston Healthcare System Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Alan J. Zillich
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy Purdue University West Lafayette Indiana USA
| | - Jonathan Moyer
- Office of Disease Prevention National Institutes of Health Bethesda Maryland USA
| | - Amy M. Linsky
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR) VA Boston Healthcare System Boston Massachusetts USA
- General Internal Medicine VA Boston Healthcare System Boston Massachusetts USA
- General Internal Medicine Boston University School of Medicine Boston Massachusetts USA
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14
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Bayliss EA, Albers K, Gleason K, Pieper LE, Boyd CM, Campbell NL, Ensrud KE, Gray SL, Linsky AM, Mangin D, Min L, Rich MW, Steinman MA, Turner J, Vasilevskis EE, Dublin S. Recommendations for outcome measurement for deprescribing intervention studies. J Am Geriatr Soc 2022; 70:2487-2497. [PMID: 35648465 PMCID: PMC9489620 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Interpreting results from deprescribing interventions to generate actionable evidence is challenging owing to inconsistent and heterogeneous outcome definitions between studies. We sought to characterize deprescribing intervention outcomes and recommend approaches to measure outcomes for future studies. A scoping literature review focused on deprescribing interventions for polypharmacy and informed a series of expert panel discussions and recommendations. Twelve experts in deprescribing research, policy, and clinical practice interventions participating in the Measures Workgroup of the US Deprescribing Research Network sought to characterize deprescribing outcomes and recommend approaches to measure outcomes for future studies. The scoping review identified 125 papers reflecting 107 deprescribing studies. Common outcomes included medication discontinuation, medication appropriateness, and a broad range of clinical outcomes potentially resulting from medication reduction. Panel recommendations included clearly defining clinically meaningful medication outcomes (e.g., number of chronic medications, dose reductions), ensuring adequate sample size and follow-up time to capture clinical outcomes resulting from medication discontinuation (e.g., quality of life [QOL]), and selecting appropriate and feasible data sources. A new conceptual model illustrates how downstream clinical outcomes (e.g., reduction in falls) should be interpreted in the context of initial changes in medication measures (e.g., reduction in mean total medications). Areas needing further development include implementation outcomes specific to deprescribing interventions and measures of adverse drug withdrawal events. Generating evidence to guide deprescribing is essential to address patient, caregiver, and clinician concerns about the benefits and harms of medication discontinuation. This article provides recommendations and an initial conceptual framework for selecting and applying appropriate intervention outcomes to support deprescribing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bayliss
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kathleen Albers
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kathy Gleason
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Lisa E Pieper
- Institute for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Cynthia M Boyd
- Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Noll L Campbell
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Purdue University College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Kristine E Ensrud
- Department of Medicine and Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Shelly L Gray
- School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Amy M Linsky
- Section of General Internal Medicine and Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Derelie Mangin
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of General Practice, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Lillian Min
- Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Ann Arbor VA Medical Center, Geriatric Education Research and Clinical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Michael W Rich
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Michael A Steinman
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Division of Geriatraics, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Justin Turner
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eduard E Vasilevskis
- Section of Hospital Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sascha Dublin
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Epidemiology Department, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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15
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Brady JE, Linsky AM, Simon SR, Yeksigian K, Rubin A, Zillich AJ, Russ-Jara AL. The Perceived Effectiveness of Secure Messaging for Medication Reconciliation During Transitions of Care: Semistructured Interviews With Patients. JMIR Hum Factors 2022; 9:e36652. [PMID: 35921139 PMCID: PMC9386577 DOI: 10.2196/36652] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Medication discrepancies can lead to adverse drug events and patient harm. Medication reconciliation is a process intended to reduce medication discrepancies. We developed a Secure Messaging for Medication Reconciliation Tool (SMMRT), integrated into a web-based patient portal, to identify and reconcile medication discrepancies during transitions from hospital to home. Objective We aimed to characterize patients’ perceptions of the ease of use and effectiveness of SMMRT. Methods We recruited 20 participants for semistructured interviews from a sample of patients who had participated in a randomized controlled trial of SMMRT. Interview transcripts were transcribed and then qualitatively analyzed to identify emergent themes. Results Although most patients found SMMRT easy to view at home, many patients struggled to return SMMRT through secure messaging to clinicians due to technology-related barriers. Patients who did use SMMRT indicated that it was time-saving and liked that they could review it at their own pace and in the comfort of their own home. Patients reported SMMRT was effective at clarifying issues related to medication directions or dosages and that SMMRT helped remove medications erroneously listed as active in the patient’s electronic health record. Conclusions Patients viewed SMMRT utilization as a positive experience and endorsed future use of the tool. Veterans reported SMMRT is an effective tool to aid patients with medication reconciliation. Adoption of SMMRT into regular clinical practice could reduce medication discrepancies while increasing accessibility for patients to help manage their medications. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02482025; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02482025
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne E Brady
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Amy M Linsky
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States.,General Internal Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States.,General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Steven R Simon
- Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation & Policy, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kate Yeksigian
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Amy Rubin
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alan J Zillich
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Alissa L Russ-Jara
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Center for Health Information and Communication, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Health Services Research and Development CIN 13-416, Indianapolis, IN, United States.,Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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16
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LoBrutto LR, Fix G, Wiener RS, Linsky AM. Leveraging the timing and frequency of patient decision aids in longitudinal shared decision-making: A narrative review and applied model. Health Expect 2022; 25:1246-1253. [PMID: 35652372 PMCID: PMC9327840 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13531] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Shared decision‐making (SDM) is intended to increase patient‐centredness of medical decision‐making for patients with acute and chronic conditions. Concurrently, patient decision aids (PtDAs) can supplement SDM by providing information to guide communication between patients and healthcare providers. Because of the prevalence of chronic conditions, where decisions may be extended or recurring, we sought to explore how effectively these tools have been leveraged in this context. Methods We conducted a narrative review of the literature on both SDM and PtDAs, searching PubMed and Boston University's library database search tool for English‐language articles published from January 2005 until March 2021. Additional search terms focused on temporality. Drawing from our findings, we developed a combined framework to highlight areas for future research using the discussion of end‐of‐life decisions as an exemplar to illustrate its relevance to chronic care contexts. Results After screening 57 articles, we identified 25 articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria on SDM, PtDA use and temporality for chronic care. The literature on SDM highlighted time outside of the medical visit and opportunity to include outside decision partners as important elements of the process. PtDAs were commonly evaluated for process‐related and proximal outcomes, but less often for distal outcomes. Early evidence points to the value of comparative outcome evaluation based on the timing of PtDA distribution. Conclusion Our review of the literature on SDM and PtDAs reveals less attention to the timing of PtDAs relative to that of SDM. We highlight the need for further study of timing in PtDA use to improve longitudinal SDM for chronic care. The model that we propose in our discussion provides a starting point for future research on PtDA efficacy. Patient or Public Contribution Five patient consultants provided input and feedback on the development and utility of our model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara R LoBrutto
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston & VA Bedford Healthcare Systems, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gemmae Fix
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston & VA Bedford Healthcare Systems, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Renda S Wiener
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston & VA Bedford Healthcare Systems, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amy M Linsky
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston & VA Bedford Healthcare Systems, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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Damschroder LJ, Sussman JB, Pfeiffer PN, Kurlander JE, Freitag MB, Robinson CH, Spoutz P, Christopher MLD, Battar S, Dickerson K, Sedgwick C, Wallace-Lacey AG, Barnes GD, Linsky AM, Ulmer CS, Lowery JC. Maintaining Implementation through Dynamic Adaptations (MIDAS): protocol for a cluster-randomized trial of implementation strategies to optimize and sustain use of evidence-based practices in Veteran Health Administration (VHA) patients. Implement Sci Commun 2022; 3:53. [PMID: 35568903 PMCID: PMC9107220 DOI: 10.1186/s43058-022-00297-z] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The adoption and sustainment of evidence-based practices (EBPs) is a challenge within many healthcare systems, especially in settings that have already strived but failed to achieve longer-term goals. The Veterans Affairs (VA) Maintaining Implementation through Dynamic Adaptations (MIDAS) Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) program was funded as a series of trials to test multi-component implementation strategies to sustain optimal use of three EBPs: (1) a deprescribing approach intended to reduce potentially inappropriate polypharmacy; (2) appropriate dosing and drug selection of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs); and (3) use of cognitive behavioral therapy as first-line treatment for insomnia before pharmacologic treatment. We describe the design and methods for a harmonized series of cluster-randomized control trials comparing two implementation strategies. Methods For each trial, we will recruit 8–12 clinics (24–36 total). All will have access to relevant clinical data to identify patients who may benefit from the target EBP at that clinic and provider. For each trial, clinics will be randomized to one of two implementation strategies to improve the use of the EBPs: (1) individual-level academic detailing (AD) or (2) AD plus the team-based Learn. Engage. Act. Process. (LEAP) quality improvement (QI) learning program. The primary outcomes will be operationalized across the three trials as a patient-level dichotomous response (yes/no) indicating patients with potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) among those who may benefit from the EBP. This outcome will be computed using month-by-month administrative data. Primary comparison between the two implementation strategies will be analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE) with clinic-level monthly (13 to 36 months) percent of PIMs as the dependent variable. Primary comparative endpoint will be at 18 months post-baseline. Each trial will also be analyzed independently. Discussion MIDAS QUERI trials will focus on fostering sustained use of EBPs that previously had targeted but incomplete implementation. Our implementation approaches are designed to engage frontline clinicians in a dynamic optimization process that integrates the use of actional clinical data and making incremental changes, designed to be feasible within busy clinical settings. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05065502. Registered October 4, 2021—retrospectively registered. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43058-022-00297-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Damschroder
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA.
| | - Jeremy B Sussman
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Paul N Pfeiffer
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jacob E Kurlander
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Michelle B Freitag
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA
| | - Claire H Robinson
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA
| | - Patrick Spoutz
- Veterans Health Affairs VISN 20 Pharmacy Benefits Management, Vancouver, WA, USA
| | - Melissa L D Christopher
- Pharmacy Benefits Management Services, Veterans Health Administration, 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington DC, 20420, USA
| | - Saraswathy Battar
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.,Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Christopher Sedgwick
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Heartland Network (VISN 15), Kansas City, MO, USA
| | | | - Geoffrey D Barnes
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Amy M Linsky
- Section of General Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Health Organizations and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.,Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christi S Ulmer
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT) Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Julie C Lowery
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA
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Shrestha S, Poudel A, Reeve E, Linsky AM, Steadman KJ, Nissen LM. Development and validation of a tool to understand health care professionals' attitudes towards deprescribing (HATD) in older adults with limited life expectancy. Res Social Adm Pharm 2022; 18:3596-3601. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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19
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Davila H, Rosen AK, Stolzmann K, Zhang L, Linsky AM. Factors influencing providers' willingness to deprescribe medications. J Am Coll Clin Pharm 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jac5.1537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Heather Davila
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research VA Boston Healthcare System Boston Massachusetts USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine Boston University School of Medicine Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Amy K. Rosen
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research VA Boston Healthcare System Boston Massachusetts USA
- Department of Surgery Boston University School of Medicine Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Kelly Stolzmann
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research VA Boston Healthcare System Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Libin Zhang
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research VA Boston Healthcare System Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Amy M. Linsky
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research VA Boston Healthcare System Boston Massachusetts USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine Boston University School of Medicine Boston Massachusetts USA
- General Internal Medicine VA Boston Healthcare System Boston Massachusetts USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemmae M Fix
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Bedford & VA Boston Healthcare Systems, Bedford & Boston, MA, USA.
- General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Amy M Linsky
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Bedford & VA Boston Healthcare Systems, Bedford & Boston, MA, USA
- General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- General Internal Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
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21
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Zimmerman KM, Linsky AM. A narrative review of updates in deprescribing research. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021; 69:2619-2624. [PMID: 33991423 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Deprescribing is a strategy intended to reduce harms associated with potentially inappropriate medications. Reflective of the growing interest in deprescribing, there has been an increase in related research to better understand the landscape, opportunities for improvement, how best to develop and implement interventions, and remaining knowledge gaps that can be addressed with additional study. DESIGN We conducted a narrative review of recent deprescribing literature. SETTING As part of the US Deprescribing Network's inaugural conference in October 2020, we presented a narrative review of recent deprescribing literature to an audience with a range of clinical and research expertise. PARTICIPANTS We searched four databases for English-language articles published between January 1, 2019 and August 31, 2020. MEASUREMENTS We evaluated titles, abstracts, and full-length manuscripts for relevance, novelty, rigor and variety of methods; we also aimed for broad representation of authors, institutions, and nations. RESULTS The initial search returned 199 citations, from which we reviewed 18 full-length manuscripts, selecting 10 articles to present. Salient themes included missed opportunities to deprescribe in potentially eligible patients, with variable impact of medication- and patient-level factors, along with differing perspectives and behaviors between geriatricians, internists, and cardiologists. Clinical, financial, and economic drivers were also evaluated. Finally, attention was given to issues applicable to deprescribing research, including difficulty recruiting trial participants, perspectives of investigators, and integration of findings into clinical practice. CONCLUSION This narrative review summarizes key advances in the field while also identifying priority areas for additional research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin M Zimmerman
- Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcomes Science, VCU School of Pharmacy, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Amy M Linsky
- General Internal Medicine and Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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22
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Bloomfield HE, Greer N, Linsky AM, Bolduc J, Naidl T, Vardeny O, MacDonald R, McKenzie L, Wilt TJ. Deprescribing for Community-Dwelling Older Adults: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Gen Intern Med 2020; 35:3323-3332. [PMID: 32820421 PMCID: PMC7661661 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06089-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polypharmacy and use of inappropriate medications have been linked to increased risk of falls, hospitalizations, cognitive impairment, and death. The primary objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness, comparative effectiveness, and harms of deprescribing interventions among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS We searched OVID MEDLINE Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library from 1990 through February 2019 for controlled clinical trials comparing any deprescribing intervention to usual care or another intervention. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, hospitalizations, health-related quality of life, and falls. The secondary outcome was use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). Interventions were categorized as comprehensive medication review, educational initiatives, and computerized decision support. Data abstracted by one investigator were verified by another. We used the Cochrane criteria to rate risk of bias for each study and the GRADE system to determine certainty of evidence (COE) for primary outcomes. RESULTS Thirty-eight low and medium risk of bias clinical trials were included. Comprehensive medication review may have reduced all-cause mortality (OR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.95, I2 = 0, k = 12, low COE) but probably had little to no effect on falls, health-related quality of life, or hospitalizations (low to moderate COE). Nine of thirteen trials reported fewer PIMs in the intervention group. Educational interventions probably had little to no effect on all-cause mortality, hospitalizations, or health-related quality of life (low to moderate COE). The effect on falls was uncertain (very low COE). All 11 education trials that included PIMs reported fewer in the intervention than in the control groups. Two of 4 computerized decision support trials reported fewer PIMs in the intervention arms; none included any primary outcomes. DISCUSSION In community-dwelling people aged 65 years and older, medication deprescribing interventions may provide small reductions in mortality and use of potentially inappropriate medications. REGISTRY INFORMATION PROSPERO - CRD42019132420.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna E Bloomfield
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, USA.
- University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, USA.
- Minneapolis VA Medical Center (151), 1 Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN, 55417, USA.
| | - Nancy Greer
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, USA
- Minneapolis VA Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Amy M Linsky
- VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | | | - Todd Naidl
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Orly Vardeny
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, USA
- University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, USA
- Minneapolis VA Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Roderick MacDonald
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, USA
- Minneapolis VA Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Lauren McKenzie
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, USA
- Minneapolis VA Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Timothy J Wilt
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, USA
- University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, USA
- Minneapolis VA Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis, USA
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Hawley CE, Genovese N, Owsiany MT, Triantafylidis LK, Moo LR, Linsky AM, Sullivan JL, Paik JM. Rapid Integration of Home Telehealth Visits Amidst COVID-19: What Do Older Adults Need to Succeed? J Am Geriatr Soc 2020; 68:2431-2439. [PMID: 32930391 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our objective was to identify and address patient-perceived barriers to integrating home telehealth visits. DESIGN We used an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design to conduct patient needs assessments, a home telehealth pilot, and formative evaluation of the pilot. SETTING Veterans Affairs geriatrics-renal clinic. PARTICIPANTS Patients with scheduled clinic visits from October 2019 to April 2020. MEASUREMENTS We conducted an in-person needs assessment and telephone postvisit interviews. RESULTS Through 50 needs assessments, we identified patient-perceived barriers in interest, access to care, access to technology, and confidence. A total of 34 (68%) patients were interested in completing a home telehealth visit, but fewer (32 (64%)) had access to the necessary technology or were confident (21 (42%)) that they could participate. We categorized patients into four phenotypes based on their interest and capability to complete a home telehealth visit: interested and capable, interested and incapable, uninterested and capable, and uninterested and incapable. These phenotypes allowed us to create trainings to overcome patient-perceived barriers. We completed 32 home telehealth visits and 12 postvisit interviews. Our formative evaluation showed that our pilot was successful in addressing many patient-perceived barriers. All interviewees reported that the home telehealth visits improved their well-being. Home telehealth visits saved participants an average of 166 minutes of commute time. Five participants borrowed a device from a family member, and five visits were finished via telephone. All participants successfully completed a home telehealth visit. CONCLUSIONS We identified patient-perceived barriers to home telehealth visits and classified patients into four phenotypes based on these barriers. Using principles of implementation science, our home telehealth pilot addressed these barriers, and all patients successfully completed a visit. Future study is needed to understand methods to deploy larger-scale efforts to integrate home telehealth visits into the care of older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea E Hawley
- New England Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicole Genovese
- Department of Pharmacy, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Montgomery T Owsiany
- New England Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Lauren R Moo
- New England Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Bedford VA Medical Center, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA.,Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amy M Linsky
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,General Internal Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer L Sullivan
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Julie M Paik
- New England Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Renal Section, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Mitchell NS, Stolzmann K, Benning LV, Wormwood JB, Linsky AM. Effect of a Scoring Rubric on the Review of Scientific Meeting Abstracts. J Gen Intern Med 2020; 36:2483-2485. [PMID: 32748347 PMCID: PMC8342698 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-05960-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nia S Mitchell
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, 200 Morris St., 3rd Floor, Durham, NC, USA.
- Center for Community and Population Health Improvement, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Kelly Stolzmann
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lauren V Benning
- Family Medicine Residency, McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence, SC, USA
| | - Jolie B Wormwood
- Department of Psychology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Hospital, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Amy M Linsky
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
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25
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Mull HJ, Shin MH, Engle RL, Linsky AM, Kalver E, Lamkin R, Sullivan JL. Veterans Perceptions of Satisfaction and Convenience with Anticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation: Warfarin versus Direct Oral Anticoagulants. Patient Prefer Adherence 2020; 14:1911-1922. [PMID: 33116435 PMCID: PMC7569027 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s279621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Traditionally, AFib was treated with warfarin, yet recent evidence suggests patients may favor direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Variation in preferences is common and we explored patients' perceptions of satisfaction and convenience of DOACs versus warfarin within the Veterans Health Administration (VA). PATIENTS AND METHODS We administered a cross-sectional survey, the Perception of Anticoagulant Treatment Questionnaire 2 (PACT-Q2), to Veterans residing in New England, age ≥65, diagnosed with AFib, and actively taking anticoagulant medication in fiscal year 2018. Survey recipients were randomly selected among patients on warfarin (n=200) or DOACs (n=200). A selection of survey respondents agreed to a follow-up semi-structured interview (n=16) to further investigate perceptions of satisfaction and convenience. RESULTS Of 400 patients, 187 completed the PACT-Q2 survey (49% on DOACs; 51% on warfarin). DOACs received significantly higher convenience ratings than warfarin (87.6, SD 13.5 vs 81.1, SD 18.8; p=0.007); there was no difference in satisfaction (64.2, SD 20.5 SD, warfarin vs, 67.3, SD 19.4, DOACs). Interview results showed that participants perceived their treatment to be convenient. However, participants expressed challenges related to the convenience of taking warfarin or DOACs, such as warfarin users having to follow dietary recommendations or DOAC users desiring some additional monitoring to answer questions or concerns. Overall, warfarin and DOAC users reported satisfaction with ongoing monitoring methods, although a few DOAC users expressed uncertainties with the frequency of monitoring. For most participants, concerns about side effects did not differ by anticoagulant type nor affect satisfaction. CONCLUSION Our survey and interview results showed variable patient satisfaction and perceptions of convenience with both DOACs and warfarin. Although DOACs are increasingly prescribed for AFib, some Veterans felt that regular follow-up on warfarin was advantageous. Our findings demonstrate the importance of patient-centered decision-making in AFib treatment in the VA patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hillary J Mull
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Correspondence: Hillary J Mull VA Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Boston, MA, USATel +1-857-364-2766 Email
| | - Marlena H Shin
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ryann L Engle
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy M Linsky
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Boston, MA, USA
- General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- General Internal Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily Kalver
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca Lamkin
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer L Sullivan
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Zimmerman KM, Linsky AM, Donohoe KL, Hobgood SE, Sargent L, Salgado TM. An Interprofessional Workshop to Enhance De-prescribing Practices Among Health Care Providers. J Contin Educ Health Prof 2020; 40:49-57. [PMID: 32149948 DOI: 10.1097/ceh.0000000000000280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION De-prescribing is a complex behavior that benefits from a multifaceted approach to learning. We sought to create and deliver a 1-day interprofessional workshop to enhance de-prescribing knowledge and skills among health care professionals. METHODS Workshop development was based on the Adult Learning Theory and the Theoretical Domains Framework. The workshop addressed provider-related barriers, was created and delivered by an interprofessional team, and combined didactic and active learning techniques. Targeted participants included physicians, advanced practice providers (nurse practitioners and physician's assistants), pharmacists, and clinic staff. Interprofessional workgroups were created a priori. Participants were asked to complete a postprogram evaluation, including whether they would implement changes to practice, teaching, research, or administrative duties after participation. RESULTS We created an in-person, 5.5 credit hour, interprofessional de-prescribing workshop that comprised six sessions: (1) polypharmacy and de-prescribing overview; (2) identification of potentially inappropriate medications; (3) prioritization of medications for de-prescribing; (4) design and implementation of a de-prescribing plan; (5) principles for a patient-centered approach; and (6) suggestions for successful collaboration. Forty-one participants attended the workshop, and 38 (92.7%) completed the postprogram assessment. Participants felt they were likely to implement changes in practice, teaching, research, or administrative duties, rating themselves with a mean of 9.2 (SD = 1.06) on a 1 to 10 scale. Ultimately, 96.6% would recommend the workshop to others. DISCUSSION Based on participant feedback, the workshop catalyzed intention to change practice, teaching, research, or administrative duties. Other institutions seeking to change the complex behavior of de-prescribing may wish to model this development and delivery strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin M Zimmerman
- Mrs. Zimmerman: Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA. Dr. Linsky: Assistant Professor, VA Boston Healthcare System, Department of Medicine, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, and Assistant Professor, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Dr. Donohoe: Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA. Dr. Hobgood: Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA. Dr. Sargent: Assistant Professor, Department of Adult Health and Nursing Systems, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing, Richmond, VA. Dr. Salgado: Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, Richmond, VA
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