Patients' Perceived Continuity of Care and Adherence to Oral Anticancer Therapy: a Prospective Cohort Mediation Study.

BACKGROUND: Oral anticancer therapy (OACT) poses adherence-related challenges to patients while generating a setting in which both primary care physicians (PCPs) and oncologists are involved in the active treatment of cancer. Continuity of care (COC) was shown to be associated with medication adherence. While maintaining COC is a central role of the PCP, how this affects continuity with oncologists, and jointly affects OACT adherence, is yet unknown. OBJECTIVES: To explore how aspects of COC act together to promote OACT adherence. Specifically, to examine whether better personal continuity with the PCP leads to better personal continuity with the oncologist, which together lead to better cross-boundary continuity between the oncologist and the PCP, jointly leading to good adherence to OACT. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective cohort study conducted in five oncology centers in Israel. A bootstrapping method was used to test the serial mediation model. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients (age > 18 years) receiving a first OACT prescription (n = 119) were followed for 120 days. MAIN MEASURES: The Nijmegen Continuity Questionnaire was used to assess patients' perceived personal and cross-boundary continuity. The medication possession ratio was used to measure adherence. KEY RESULTS: Better personal continuity with the PCP was associated with better personal continuity with the oncologist (B = 0.35, p < 0.001), which was associated with better cross-boundary continuity (B = 0.33, p < 0.001), which, in turn, was associated with good adherence to OACT (B = 0.46, p = 0.03). Additionally, the indirect effect of personal continuity with the PCP on adherence to OACT through the mediation of personal continuity with the oncologist and cross-boundary continuity was found to be statistically significant (B = 0.053, 95% CI 0.0006-0.17). CONCLUSIONS: In a system where the PCP is the case manager, cancer patients' perceived personal continuity with the PCP has an essential role for initiating a sequence of care delivery events that positively affect OACT adherence.

The association between patients' perceived continuity of care and beliefs about oral anticancer treatment.

PURPOSE: To explore factors associated with necessity beliefs and concerns among patients receiving oral anticancer therapy (OACT) and, specifically, to examine the relationship between continuity of care (COC) and patients' beliefs about OACT. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients from four oncology centers receiving OACT (either targeted, hormonal, or chemotherapy). Two months after OACT initiation, patients were asked to participate in a face-to-face or telephone survey. The Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire was used to examine patients' perceptions of their personal necessity for OACT and concerns about potential adverse effects. The Nijmegen Continuity Questionnaire was used to assess patients' perceived COC. Data on clinical characteristics were collected from medical records. RESULTS: Participants' beliefs about OACT necessity (n = 91) were found to be associated with COC within the oncology team, and with COC between the oncology specialist and the primary care physicians (ß = 0.27, p = 0.003; ß = 0.22, p = 0.02, respectively), beyond age, depression, and cancer type (ΔR2 = 0.14, p < 0.001). Additionally, the difference between participants' beliefs about OACT necessity and their OACT-related concerns was associated with COC within the oncology team (ß = 0.30, p = 0.001), beyond age, income, family status, and cancer type (ΔR2 = 0.09, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that cancer patients' perceptions about the COC between care providers are related to their beliefs about OACT necessity, thus providing evidence for the importance of health care delivery approaches that support COC within the oncology team and between the oncology specialist and the primary care physician.

Reliability and validity of the Hebrew version of the Nijmegen Continuity Questionnaire for measuring patients' perceived continuity of care in oral anticancer therapy.

To assess the validity and reliability of the Nijmegen Continuity Questionnaire in Hebrew (NCQ-H) for measuring patients' perceived continuity of care in the multiprovider setting of oral anticancer therapy (OACT). Following forward-backward translation of the original instrument into Hebrew, the NCQ-H was administered to adult cancer patients in five oncology centres in Israel, 2-3 months after initiation of OACT (either targeted, hormonal or chemotherapy). Confirmatory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha were used to assess the validity and reliability of the NCQ-H respectively. A total of 135 patients completed the questionnaire. The postanalysis models for measuring "personal continuity with care provider" (eight items for each provider: the oncology specialist and the primary care physician), and "team/cross-boundary continuity" (four items for each setting: within the oncology team, and between the oncology specialist and the primary care physician) showed good fit for the observed data (root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.02; RMSEA = 0.015; for each model respectively). Cronbach's alpha was 0.79-0.95 for all subscales. Conclusions. This study provides preliminary evidence for the reliability and validity of the NCQ-H in assessing cancer patients' experience with continuity of care and for its usability in the context of OACT.

Primary care physicians' role perception and self-reported performance in glaucoma care: a survey study.

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness. The participation of primary care physicians (PCPs) in glaucoma care may improve health outcomes for glaucoma patients. OBJECTIVES: To investigate PCPs' attitudes towards their role in glaucoma care, perceived barriers, and self-reported performance in glaucoma management. METHODS: PCPs working in the Haifa and Western Galilee District of Clalit Health Services, Israel's largest Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) were asked to complete a self-administered structured questionnaire. Physicians were asked to rate their agreement with statements describing the PCP's role in glaucoma care, and to state how often they behave accordingly in their practice. In addition, physicians were asked to rate the extent that factors such as time constraints and knowledge gaps impede their performance in glaucoma care. RESULTS: Eighty-two physicians completed the questionnaire. The majority thought that PCPs have a major role in early detection of glaucoma (99 %), discussing the importance of adherence to treatment (93 %), and encouraging patients to make regular visits to their ophthalmologist (99 %). However, only 30 % reported asking patients about family history of glaucoma, 64 % reported discussing adherence to treatment, and only 35 % stated that they explain how to use eye drops, while most of respondents (87 %) regularly provide refill prescriptions for glaucoma medications. Sixty percent claimed that during their residency they had not acquired adequate knowledge and competence to allow them to take proper care of glaucoma patients. The main barriers reported were lack of time (43 %), lack of knowledge regarding treatment options and recommended follow-up (46 %), and not being familiar with glaucoma medications' side effects (54 %). CONCLUSIONS: There is a gap between PCPs' perceptions of their role in glaucoma care and their report on actual performance in early detection and management of glaucoma. Further research is needed to develop and assess interventions that aim at closing this gap.

Factors associated with adherence to glaucoma pharmacotherapy in the primary care setting.

BACKGROUND: Primary open-angle glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. OBJECTIVES: To identify factors associated with adherence to glaucoma pharmacotherapy in the primary care setting, focusing on physicians' role. METHODS: Patients were recruited from primary care clinics and telephone-interviewed using a structured questionnaire that addressed patient-, medication-, environment- and physicians-related factors. Patients' data on pharmacy claims were retrieved to calculate the medication possession ratio for measuring adherence. RESULTS: Seven hundred thirty-eight glaucoma patients were interviewed. The multivariate analysis identified eight variables that were associated independently with adherence. Barriers to adherence were found to be low income, believing that 'It makes no difference to my vision whether I take the drops or not' and relying on someone else for drop instillation (exp(B) = 1.91, P = 0.002; exp(B) = 2.61, P < 0.0001; exp(B) = 2.17, P = 0.001, respectively). Older age, having a glaucoma patient among close acquaintances, taking a higher number of drops per day, taking a prostaglandin drug and reporting that the ophthalmologist had discussed the importance of taking eye drops as prescribed, were found to promote adherence (exp(B) = 0.96, P < 0.0001; exp(B) = 0.54, P = 0.014; exp(B) = 0.81, P = 0.001; exp(B) = 0.37, P < 0.0001; exp(B) = 0.60, P = 0.034, respectively). No association was found between the patient's relationship with the family physician and adherence to glaucoma treatment. CONCLUSION: Adherence to glaucoma pharmacotherapy is associated with patient-related, medication-related, physician-related and environmental factors. Ophthalmologists have a significant role in promoting adherence. However, the potential role of family physicians is unfulfilled and unrecognized.

The use of abstract paintings and narratives to foster reflective capacity in medical educators: a multinational faculty development workshop.

Reflective capacity is integral to core healthcare professional practice competencies. Reflection plays a central role in teacher education as reflecting on teaching behaviours with critical analysis can potentially improve teaching practice. The humanities including narrative and the visual arts can serve as a valuable tool for fostering reflection. We conducted a multinational faculty development workshop aiming to enhance reflective capacity in medical educators by using a combination of abstract paintings and narratives. Twenty-three family physicians or physicians-in-training from 10 countries participated in the workshop. Qualitative assessment of the workshop showed that the combined use of art and narrative was well received and perceived as contributing to the reflective exercise. Participants generally felt that viewing abstract paintings had facilitated a valuable mood transformation and prepared them emotionally for the reflective writing. Our analysis found that the following themes emerged from participants' responses: (1) narratives from different countries are similar; (2) the use of art helped access feelings; (3) viewing abstract paintings facilitated next steps; (4) writing reflective narratives promoted examination of educational challenges, compassion for self and other, and building an action plan; and (5) sharing of narrative was helpful for fostering active listening and appreciating multiple perspectives. Future research might include comparing outcomes for a group participating in arts-narrative-based workshops with those of a control group using only reflective narrative or in combination with figurative art, and implementing a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods of assessment.

The influence of a professional physician network on clinical decision making.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the role of physicians' professional networks in decision-making processes. METHODS: A professional network was examined in three stages: content analysis and categorization of discussions concerning decision-making processes, in-depth interviews, and a questionnaire. RESULTS: The RAMBAM network has professional as well as social roles. On a professional level, physicians seek approval of their initial line of reasoning regarding their clinical cases, but will consider other approaches if such are suggested by persons of professional repute or if answers are based on evidence-based medicine and include referral to a relevant source. On a social level, physicians want to be part of their professional community and share information and experiences. CONCLUSION: Physicians' professional networks have a social role that is expressed by a feeling of belonging to a community, as well as a professional role of capturing and disseminating medical knowledge during physicians' decision-making processes. Professional networks constitute a unique source of tacit knowledge that extends existing formal knowledge resources. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The study can increase physicians' awareness of professional networks as a unique source of tacit knowledge and can assist in the future design of medical professional networks as knowledge resources for medical decision making.

Urologists' attitudes regarding information sharing with prostate cancer patients--is there a common ground for collaboration with family physicians?

Clinicians often fail to adequately meet prostate cancer patients' information needs, and patients may receive different kinds of information from their doctors. This study aims to describe urologists' attitudes regarding information sharing with prostate cancer patients and to compare these findings with the previously published attitudes of Israeli family physicians. A questionnaire (11 items) was mailed to 87 board-certified practicing urologists. Fifty-four physicians (66%) completed the questionnaires. Sixty-one percent of respondents stated that patients should be told the complete truth about their disease. Ninety-six percent of respondents felt competent at breaking bad news and stated they would discuss emotions with patients. The majority of physicians would provide general information when referring for a medical procedure, discussing treatment options or a patient's prognosis. Fifty-seven percent of respondents preferred that patients be autonomous in their decision making. Only 26% of respondents believed that family physicians should communicate medical information to patients at the preliminary diagnostic stages. There was no significant difference in the attitudes expressed by urologists and family physicians towards the amount of information they would share with prostate cancer patients and in their preferences regarding treatment decision making. Urologists in Israel recognize the importance of sharing information with prostate cancer patients. Although urologists share similar attitudes with family physicians, they do not recognize the role that family physicians play in caring for prostate cancer patients. Further studies are needed to design and implement effective ways to improve the communication and collaboration between urologists and family physicians for the benefit of prostate cancer patients.

The effect of low back pain on work absenteeism among soldiers on active service.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective longitudinal study. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that influence absenteeism among soldiers with acute low back pain (ALBP). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Recommendations for the treatment of low back pain include continuing physical activity. Ninety-seven percent of patients return to work within 1 month. METHODS: This was a prospective longitudinal study using a questionnaire to assess morbidity from ALBP and the job being carried out by the soldier at the time of referral to the army clinic and 6 weeks later. Potential associations were investigated between prolonged absenteeism and variables including disease indexes, use of healthcare services, the soldier's army job, and their satisfaction with it. RESULTS.: The study population consisted of 160 soldiers with uncomplicated ALBP. Eighty-six percent of the participants returned to their job within 6 weeks. The rates of improvement in pain, the mental functioning under pain, satisfaction with jobs, and having combat status were higher among soldiers who returned to their jobs as compared with those who did not. Those who did not return to their jobs had higher rates of utilization of healthcare services. CONCLUSION: Nondisease factors are associated with the duration of absenteeism among soldiers with ALBP. Absenteeism is directly related to use of healthcare services.

Family physicians' perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes regarding information sharing with prostate cancer patients throughout the course of the disease.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe family physicians' perceptions regarding the concerns of men with prostate cancer as well as their beliefs and attitudes toward information sharing and decision making with prostate cancer patients throughout the course of their disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire (44 items) was mailed to 780 board-certified family physicians registered in the 2003 computerized database of Clalit Health Services, Israel's largest health maintenance organization. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-two (50%) physicians completed the questionnaires. Overall, respondents believed that patients have substantial concerns throughout the cancer trajectory and that the most troubling issue is the fear of disease progression. There were no significant differences in the amount of information physicians were willing to share with patients throughout the course of the disease. Sixty-four percent of respondents stated that they would tailor the information to the patients' wishes and characteristics. Seventy percent felt competent at breaking bad news and 74% would discuss emotions with patients. Fifty-five percent of respondents preferred that patients be autonomous in their decision making. CONCLUSIONS: Family physicians in Israel are aware of patients' concerns and recognize the importance of sharing information with prostate cancer patients. Further studies are needed to examine the practice of these attitudes and to verify whether they are compatible with patients' expectations in the relevant cultural and ethnic context.

Evaluation of an intervention designed to enhance involvement of older patients in their own care.

OBJECTIVE: To implement a programme for involvement of older patients aged 70+ in general practice, and to detect quality changes after its implementation. METHODS: The study was performed in 11 European countries as an uncontrolled before-and-after study, in which a number of GPs and patients answered a questionnaire before and after receiving an intervention. The intervention was aimed at motivating, instructing and facilitating GPs and older patients to increase patient involvement during consultation by use of a specially designed consultation leaflet. RESULTS: Valid data from seven countries exist. There was a total of 765 patients and 70 GPs in the pre-intervention phase, and 564 patients and 49 GPs in the post-intervention phase. In the post-intervention group, 43% of the patients thought that the consultation leaflet had improved the consultation and 62% of the GPs found it to be useful. There were no significant differences between pre- and post-intervention patient perceptions of the level of involvement, evaluations of consultations and perceptions of feeling enabled to deal with their health situation. CONCLUSION: Quality of consultations as measured by patient satisfaction and patient enablement did not improve as a result of the intervention, but nearly half of the patients and two thirds of the GPs found the intervention to be useful. Unselected use of this intervention on all patients cannot be advised without further studies on possible effects. Future studies should focus on the applicability and benefits of the methods for special patient groups.