Randomized Trial of Telegenetics vs. In-Person Cancer Genetic Counseling: Cost, Patient Satisfaction and Attendance.

Telegenetics-genetic counseling via live videoconferencing-can improve access to cancer genetic counseling (CGC) in underserved areas, but studies on cancer telegenetics have not applied randomized methodology or assessed cost. We report cost, patient satisfaction and CGC attendance from a randomized trial comparing telegenetics with in-person CGC among individuals referred to CGC in four rural oncology clinics. Participants (n = 162) were randomized to receive CGC at their local oncology clinic in-person or via telegenetics. Cost analyses included telegenetics system; mileage; and personnel costs for genetic counselor, IT specialist, and clinic personnel. CGC attendance was tracked via study database. Patient satisfaction was assessed 1 week post-CGC via telephone survey using validated scales. Total costs were $106 per telegenetics patient and $244 per in-person patient. Patient satisfaction did not differ by group on either satisfaction scale. In-person patients were significantly more likely to attend CGC than telegenetics patients (89 vs. 79 %, p = 0.03), with bivariate analyses showing an association between lesser computer comfort and lower attendance rate (Chi-square = 5.49, p = 0.02). Our randomized trial of telegenetics vs. in-person counseling found that telegenetics cost less than in-person counseling, with high satisfaction among those who attended. This study provides support for future randomized trials comparing multiple service delivery models on longer-term psychosocial and behavioral outcomes.

Relation between prefracture characteristics and perioperative complications in the elderly adult patient with hip fracture.

BACKGROUND: The exact relation among patient prefracture characteristics such as age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, fracture type, and prefracture mobility status with perioperative complications in elderly adult patients with hip fracture is still unclear. The aim of the study was to assess the relations among patient prefracture characteristics and perioperative complications. METHODS: Patients 65 years old and older admitted to our institution between January 2006 and May 2010 with the diagnosis of a low-energy hip fracture were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 389 patients met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in this investigation. Patient prefracture characteristics, comorbidities, and surgical and hospital courses were reviewed. RESULTS: Using logistic regression analysis, ASA class was found to be the only significant predictor of a patient having at least one or more perioperative complications (odds ratio [OR] 2.007). In addition to ASA class, prefracture mobility status was a significant predictor of delirium (OR 1.39) and pneumonia (OR 1.77), advanced age was a significant predictor of congestive heart failure (OR 1.73), and fracture type was a significant predictor of pneumonia (OR 1.6). None of the examined prefracture characteristics was found to be a significant predictor of pulmonary embolus, deep venous thrombosis, surgical wounds, transfusions, urinary tract infection, or death. CONCLUSIONS: At our institution, certain patient prefracture characteristics, particularly high ASA class, are related to certain perioperative complications. Recognition of patients who possess these risk factors can be used to alert the caregiving team about a potentially complicated hospital course.

Do nurse-led skill training interventions affect informal caregivers' out-of-pocket expenditures?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: This paper is a report of a study of the Assistance, Support, and Self-health Initiated through Skill Training (ASSIST) randomized control trial. The aim of this paper is to understand whether participating in ASSIST significantly changed the out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for family caregivers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: Secondary analysis of randomized control trial data, calculating average treatment effects of the intervention on OOP costs. Enrollment in the ASSIST trial occurred between 2002 and 2007 at 2 sites: Durham, North Carolina, and Birmingham, Alabama. We profile OOP costs for caregivers who participated in the ASSIST study and use 2-part expenditure models to examine the average treatment effect of the intervention on caregiver OOP expenditures. RESULTS: ASSIST-trained AD and PD caregivers reported monthly OOP expenditures that averaged $500-$600. The intervention increased the likelihood of caregivers spending any money OOP by 26 percentage points over usual care, but the intervention did not significantly increase overall OOP costs. IMPLICATIONS: The ASSIST intervention was effective and inexpensive to the caregiver in direct monetary outlays; thus, there are minimal unintended consequences of the trial on caregiver financial well-being.