Two randomized controlled trials for colorectal cancer screening invitations developed using a behavioral science approach

The effectiveness of behaviorally informed, targeted invitations to standard invitations and to no invitation (control arm, primary analysis) were compared in the context of an organized colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program. Two multi-arm, pragmatic randomized controlled trials in men (arms: male-specific, unisex, standard invitation, or no invitation) and in women (arms: unisex, standard invitation, or no invitation), were conducted in Ontario, Canada. Eligible persons aged 50-74, due for CRC screening, were randomized. Primary and secondary outcomes were completion of the guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) and uptake of any colorectal test, respectively, within 5 months of mailing. Impact of invitation type was assessed using logistic regression. Letters were mailed to 75,810 men and women; 38,673 males and 34,453 females were included in the analyses. Men who received the male-specific letter were most likely to screen with gFOBT compared to controls (odds ratio (OR) 7·24, 95% CI: 5·77, 9·09), followed by those receiving the unisex letter (OR 6·75, 95% CI: 5·37, 8·47) and the standard letter (OR 5·99, 95% CI: 4·76, 7·53). Women who received the unisex letter were most likely to be screened with gFOBT compared to controls (OR 7·07, 95% CI: 5·83, 8·59), followed by those receiving the standard letter (OR 6·76, 95% CI: 5·56, 8·21). In both trials, the findings were similar for the secondary outcome. Mailed invitations were effective for both men and women. With greater targeting using the behaviorally informed invitations, the magnitude of benefit relative to no invitation appeared to increase. (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02364895).

Non-equilibrium dynamics in the dual-wavelength operation of vertical external-cavity surface-emitting lasers

Microscopic many-body theory coupled with Maxwell's equation is used to study dual-wavelength operation in vertical external-cavity surface-emitting lasers. The intrinsically dynamic nature of coexisting emission wavelengths in semiconductor lasers is associated with characteristic non-equilibrium carrier dynamics, which causes significant deformations of the quasi-equilibrium gain and carrier inversion. Extended numerical simulations are employed to efficiently investigate the parameter space to identify the regime for dual-wavelength operation. Using a frequency selective intracavity etalon, two families of modes are stabilized with dynamical interchange of the strongest emission peaks. For this operation mode, anti-correlated intensity noise is observed in agreement with the experiment. A method using effective frequency selective filtering is suggested for stabilization of genuine dual-wavelength output.

High-temperature operation of electrical injection type-II (GaIn)As/Ga(AsSb)/(GaIn)As "W"-quantum well lasers emitting at 1.3 µm

Electrical injection lasers emitting in the 1.3 μm wavelength regime based on (GaIn)As/Ga(AsSb)/(GaIn)As type-II double "W"-quantum well heterostructures grown on GaAs substrate are demonstrated. The structure is designed by applying a fully microscopic theory and fabricated using metal organic vapor phase epitaxy. Temperature-dependent electroluminescence measurements as well as broad-area edge-emitting laser studies are carried out in order to characterize the resulting devices. Laser emission based on the fundamental type-II transition is demonstrated for a 975 μm long laser bar in the temperature range between 10 °C and 100 °C. The device exhibits a differential efficiency of 41 % and a threshold current density of 1.0 kA/cm2 at room temperature. Temperature-dependent laser studies reveal characteristic temperatures of T0 = (132 ± 3) K over the whole temperature range and T1 = (159 ± 13) K between 10 °C and 70 °C and T1 = (40 ± 1) K between 80 °C and 100 °C.

Evaluation of the effect of an audit and feedback reporting tool on screening participation: The Primary Care Screening Activity Report (PCSAR)

Participation in cancer screening is critical to its effectiveness in reducing the burden of cancer. The Primary Care Screening Activity Report (PCSAR), an electronic report, was developed as an innovative audit and feedback tool to increase screening participation in Ontario's cancer screening programs. This study aims to assess its impact on patient screening participation. This study used a retrospective cohort design to evaluate the effectiveness of the 2014 PCSAR on screening participation in Ontario's three screening programs (breast, cervix and colorectal). The 3 cohorts comprised all participants eligible for each of the programs enrolled with a primary care physician in Ontario. Two exposures were evaluated for each cohort: enrollment with a physician who was registered to receive the PCSAR and enrollment with a registered physician who also logged into the PCSAR. Logistic regression modelling was used to assess the magnitude of the effect of PCSAR on participation, adjusting for participant and physician characteristics. Across all three screening programs, 63% of eligible physicians registered to receive the PCSAR and 38% of those registered logged-in to view it. Patients of physicians who registered were significantly more likely to participate in screening, with odds ratios ranging from 1.06 [1.04;1.09] to 1.15 [1.12;1.19]. The adjusted odds ratios associated with PCSAR log-in were 1.07 [1.03;1.12] to 1.18 [1.14;1.22] across all screening programs. Implementation of the PCSAR was associated with a small increase in screening participation. The PCSAR appears to be modestly effective in assisting primary care physicians in optimizing cancer screening participation among their patients.

Impact of invitation and reminder letters on cervical cancer screening participation rates in an organized screening program

Study's Objective was to explore the impact of invitation and reminder letters on cervical cancer screening participation among eligible Ontario women 30 to 69years of age. A cross-sectional study was used to describe factors and screening patterns for 1,150,783 eligible women. A cohort design was used to compare the impact of invitation and reminder letters on Pap uptake comparing women who received the intervention (n=99,278) with a historical non-intervention group (n=130,181). Factors that might influence screening participation were included as covariates in a multivariable logistic regression models. Overall, 26.7% of women who had a Pap test 3 to 5years prior and 9.8% of women with no Pap test in the previous 5years were screened within 9months after the intervention. On cohort analysis, 14.1% of women in the intervention group and 8.5% of women in the non-intervention group were screened within 9months. Being mailed an invitation letter was associated with greater likelihood of screening (OR=1.8, CI 1.7-1.8). Controlling for covariates, the letter intervention was associated with 9month screening for both women with a Pap test 3 to 5years prior (AOR=1.7, CI 1.6-1.8) and those with no Pap test in the previous 5years (AOR=1.8, CI 1.7-1.9). There was a significant effect of all covariates on the participation. The invitation and reminder letter strategy increased cervical cancer screening participation. Additional strategies that could encourage eligible women to participate and/or removing barriers to screening for eligible women may be necessary.

Novel type-II material system for laser applications in the near-infrared regime

The design and experimental realization of a type-II "W"-multiple quantum well heterostructure for emission in the λ > 1.2 μm range is presented. The experimental photoluminescence spectra for different excitation intensities are analyzed using microscopic quantum theory. On the basis of the good theory-experiment agreement, the gain properties of the system are computed using the semiconductor Bloch equations. Gain values comparable to those of type-I systems are obtained.

Meaningful reporting in primary care: An evaluation of the screening activity report

173

Background: Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) developed the ColonCancerCheck Screening Activity Report (CCC SAR) as a supplementary tool for primary care physicians (PCPs) who are part of a patient enrolment model in Ontario, Canada to support them in increasing their colorectal cancer screening rates and appropriate follow-ups. The report provides PCPs with a summary of their eligible patients’ colorectal cancer screening-related history and was designed with the intent of supporting both population health management and opportunistic screening. Delivered through an online platform, the SAR offers PCPs access to data to facilitate quality cancer screening practices aligned with CCO’s evidence-based clinical guidelines. Methods: The report leverages provincial datasets to summarize screening activities on a per-patient level and actionable follow-up recommendations based on CCO’s clinical guidelines. To evaluate the impact of the reports on colorectal screening participation rates, a Generalized Estimating Equation model was used. Results: Results on the report’s impact on colorectal cancer screening participation rates from the first release (February 2013) are promising. By identifying for PCPs which patients are overdue for screening, the SAR demonstrated a modest and statistically significant 6% increased likelihood of patients being screened using a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) if their PCP was registered to access the online report, compared to patients of unregistered PCPs. The impact to screening increased to 25% when comparing registered PCPs who logged in and viewed their SAR to registered PCPs who did not login; however, this analysis is at a greater risk of a volunteer bias. Such PCPs may be more likely to screen their patients independent of viewing their SAR. Conclusions: By equipping PCPs with patient-level data grounded in CCO’s evidence-based clinical guidelines, the SAR is innovative in its potential to increase screening rates and the appropriate follow-up of abnormal results. The successful launch of two online CCC SARs, sharing meaningful colorectal cancer screening data to frontline providers, has driven the report’s expansion to include breast and cervical cancer screening data in spring of 2014.

Influence of many-body interactions during the ionization of gases by short intense optical pulses

The excitation of atomic gases by short high-intensity optical pulses leads to significant electron ionization. In dilute systems, the generated distribution of ionized electrons is highly anisotropic, reflecting the quantum mechanical properties of the atomic states involved in the many photon transitions. For higher atomic densities, the Coulomb interaction in the electron-ion system leads to the development of an isotropic electron plasma. To study the ionization process in the presence of the many-body interaction, a fully microscopic model is developed that combines a generalized version of the optical Bloch equations describing the optical excitation with a microscopic description of the many-body interactions. The numerical evaluation shows that the Coulomb interaction significantly modifies the distribution anisotropy already during the excitation process. Whereas a reduced anisotropy is still present after the pulse for low ionization degrees and pressures, it is completely absent for elevated gas densities. An ionization degree is predicted that is significantly enhanced by the many-body interactions.

Quantum theory of terahertz emission due to ultrashort pulse ionization of gases

A microscopic model is developed to analyze terahertz (THz) emission after ultrashort one- and two-color laser-pulse excitations of an atomic gas. Optical Bloch equations are derived to describe the pulse-induced ionization in the many-atom system including the Coulombic scattering of the ionized electrons. The model captures the continuous transition between the tunneling and the multiphoton ionization regimes. Numerical evaluations for a wide range of pulse configurations identify optimized excitation conditions for strong THz emission.

Babies admitted to NICU/ICU: province of birth and mode of delivery matter

Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and intensive care units (ICUs) provide care for newborns in need of specialized medical attention. Across Canada, rates of NICU/ICU admission vary. Due to the high cost of monitoring and interventions these admissions cost more than general newborn stays - whether the newborn is in a specialized NICU or in an ICU in those facilities without specialized units for newborns. This study explores the variation in NICU/ICU admissions and the characteristics of mothers and newborns associated with an increased likelihood of NICU/ICU admission. We focus further on the association between NICU/ICU admission and Caesarean section (C-section). After excluding multiple births, preterm births, small for gestational age births and those delivered by women with select complications, we find an increased risk for NICU/ICU admission for babies born by C-section as their only indication. NICU/ICU admission following C-section alone may not represent the most desirable pathway of care for these newborns.

Outcomes in multiple gestation pregnancies among Canadian women age 35 years and older

Multiple gestations are associated with an increased risk of maternal morbidity and mortality independent of maternal age. Previous reports by the Canadian Institute for Health Information established the overall association between advanced maternal age and complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. This article takes a more focused look at the association between advanced maternal age and maternal outcomes in multiple gestation pregnancies. We found, for mothers aged 35 years and older carrying multiples--after adjusting for mothers' parity, neighbourhood income and residence (rural/urban)--an increased risk of pregnancy complications including pre-existing hypertension, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, gestational diabetes and placenta previa and an increased risk for Caesarean delivery.

Impact of rural hospital closures in Saskatchewan, Canada

Canada's health care system has undergone major changes since 1990. In Saskatchewan, 52 small rural hospitals funded for less than eight beds stopped receiving funding for acute care services in 1993. Most were subsequently converted to primary health care centers. Since then, concerns have been raised about the impact of the changes on rural residents' access to care, their health status, and the viability of rural communities. To assess the impact of hospital closures on the affected communities, we conducted a multi-faceted, province-wide study. We looked at hospital use patterns, health status, rural residents' perceptions of the impact of these hospital closures, and how communities responded to the changes. We found the hospital closures did not adversely affect rural residents' health status or their access to inpatient hospital services. Despite widespread fears that health status would decline, residents in these communities reported that hospital closures did not adversely affect their own health. Although some communities continue to struggle with changes to health care delivery, others appear to have adapted as a result of strong community leadership, the development of widely accepted alternative services, and local support for creating innovative solutions. Good rural health care does not depend on the presence of a very small hospital that cannot, in today's environment, provide genuinely acute care. It requires creative approaches to the provision of primary care, good emergency services, and good communication with the public on the intent and outcomes of change.