Changes in Health Services Use Among Commercially Insured US Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed unprecedented strain on patients and health care professionals and institutions, but the association of the pandemic with use of preventive, elective, and nonelective care, as well as potential disparities in use of health care, remain unknown. Objective: To examine changes in health care use during the first 2 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in March and April of 2020 relative to March and April of 2019 and 2018, and to examine whether changes in use differ by patient's zip code-level race/ethnicity or income. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study analyzed health insurance claims for patients from all 50 US states who receive health insurance through their employers. Changes in use of preventive services, nonelective care, elective procedures, prescription drugs, in-person office visits, and telemedicine visits were examined during the first 2 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 relative to existing trends in 2019 and 2018. Disparities in the association of the pandemic with health care use based on patient's zip code-level race and income were also examined. Results: Data from 5.6, 6.4, and 6.8 million US individuals with employer-sponsored insurance in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively, were analyzed. Patient demographics were similar in all 3 years (mean [SD] age, 34.3 [18.6] years in 2018, 34.3 [18.5] years in 2019, and 34.5 [18.5] years in 2020); 50.0% women in 2018, 49.5% women in 2019, and 49.5% women in 2020). In March and April 2020, regression-adjusted use rate per 10 000 persons changed by -28.2 (95% CI, -30.5 to -25.9) and -64.5 (95% CI, -66.8 to -62.2) for colonoscopies; -149.1 (95% CI, -162.0 to -16.2) and -342.1 (95% CI, -355.0 to -329.2) for mammograms; -60.0 (95% CI, -63.3 to -54.7) and -118.1 (95% CI, -112.4 to -113.9) for hemoglobin A1c tests; -300.5 (95% CI, -346.5 to -254.5) and -369.0 (95% CI, -414.7 to -323.4) for child vaccines; -4.6 (95% CI, -5.3 to -3.9) and -10.9 (95% CI, -11.6 to -10.2) for musculoskeletal surgery; -1.1 (95% CI, -1.4 to -0.7) and -3.4 (95% CI, -3.8 to -3.0) for cataract surgery; -13.4 (95% CI, -14.6 to -12.2) and -31.4 (95% CI, -32.6 to -30.2) for magnetic resonance imaging; and -581.1 (95% CI, -612.9 to -549.3) and -1465 (95% CI, -1496 to -1433) for in-person office visits. Use of telemedicine services increased by 227.9 (95% CI, 221.7 to 234.1) per 10 000 persons and 641.6 (95% CI, 635.5 to 647.8) per 10 000 persons. Patients living in zip codes with lower-income or majority racial/ethnic minority populations experienced smaller reductions in in-person visits (≥80% racial/ethnic minority zip code: 200.0 per 10 000 [95% CI, 128.9-270.1]; 79%-21% racial/ethnic minority zip code: 54.2 per 10 000 [95% CI, 33.6-74.9]) but also had lower rates of adoption of telemedicine (≥80% racial/ethnic minority zip code: -71.6 per 10 000 [95% CI, -87.6 to -55.5]; 79%-21% racial/ethnic minority zip code: -15.1 per 10 000 [95% CI, -19.8 to -10.4]). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study of a large US population with employer-sponsored insurance, the first 2 months of the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with dramatic reductions in the use of preventive and elective care. Use of telemedicine increased rapidly but not enough to account for reductions in in-person primary care visits. Race and income disparities at the zip code level exist in use of telemedicine.

An Employer-Sponsored Musculoskeletal Care Coordination Service Can Improve Clinical Outcomes and Self-Reported Productivity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of participation with a novel musculoskeletal care coordination service on clinical outcomes, self-reported productivity, and satisfaction. METHODS: Prospective analysis of participants using the service from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. RESULTS: One hundred eighty nine participants were enrolled; 54 participants completed their recommended clinical pathway. Low back pain was the most common musculoskeletal issue (N = 86, 46%). 88 participants (47%) were triaged to home exercise and 59 (31%) to physical therapy. Behavioral health issues were common: 47 participants (25%) were referred to their EAP. Only 30 participants (16%) required a medical referral. Engagement was associated with improvements in pain, physical function, mood, and self-reported productivity (P < 0.01). The net promotor score for this service was 95. CONCLUSIONS: Employers with populations for whom musculoskeletal complaints are common might benefit from integrating a musculoskeletal care coordination service in their benefits offering.

Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment of Impostor Syndrome: a Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Impostor syndrome is increasingly presented in the media and lay literature as a key behavioral health condition impairing professional performance and contributing to burnout. However, there is no published review of the evidence to guide the diagnosis or treatment of patients presenting with impostor syndrome. PURPOSE: To evaluate the evidence on the prevalence, predictors, comorbidities, and treatment of impostor syndrome. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO (January 1966 to May 2018) and bibliographies of retrieved articles. STUDY SELECTION: English-language reports of evaluations of the prevalence, predictors, comorbidities, or treatment of impostor syndrome. DATA EXTRACTION: Two independent investigators extracted data on study variables (e.g., study methodology, treatments provided); participant variables (e.g., demographics, professional setting); diagnostic tools used, outcome variables (e.g., workplace performance, reductions in comorbid conditions); and pre-defined quality variables (e.g., human subjects approval, response rates reported). DATA SYNTHESIS: In total, 62 studies of 14,161 participants met the inclusion criteria (half were published in the past 6 years). Prevalence rates of impostor syndrome varied widely from 9 to 82% largely depending on the screening tool and cutoff used to assess symptoms and were particularly high among ethnic minority groups. Impostor syndrome was common among both men and women and across a range of age groups (adolescents to late-stage professionals). Impostor syndrome is often comorbid with depression and anxiety and is associated with impaired job performance, job satisfaction, and burnout among various employee populations including clinicians. No published studies evaluated treatments for this condition. LIMITATIONS: Studies were heterogeneous; publication bias may be present. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians and employers should be mindful of the prevalence of impostor syndrome among professional populations and take steps to assess for impostor feelings and common comorbidities. Future research should include evaluations of treatments to mitigate impostor symptoms and its common comorbidities.

Integrating behavioral health services at employer-sponsored health clinics: A descriptive analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately, 20% of adults in the United States have a behavioral health concern, resulting in $732M in direct medical spending and over 5 million lost workdays annually. Employers bear a substantial share of these costs. The objective of this study was to describe the integration of behavioral health services at employer-sponsored health clinics. METHOD: Retrospective cohort analysis of patients seen for individual behavioral health services from 1/1/2018 to 12/31/2018 in employer-sponsored clinics. RESULTS: Among the 2,954 patients cared for by a behavioral health provider, 49% met criteria for moderate or severe depression and/or anxiety. The median duration between appointment scheduling and a behavioral health triage visit was 2 days (SD = 7.2 days), and median interval to an initial psychotherapy visit was 10 days (SD = 14 days). The mean number of visits with a behavioral health provider within the initial 3 months after presenting for care was 5.3 visits (SD = 2.8 visits). During the course of treatment, anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7] scores) decreased by 31% and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9] scores) decreased by 24%. Patient satisfaction with their behavioral health care was excellent. DISCUSSION: Integrating behavioral health services into employer-sponsored clinics can result in timely access to psychotherapy, improvements in clinical symptoms, and excellent patient satisfaction. Employers interested in providing greater access to behavioral health care should evaluate integrating such services into onsite or near-site health clinics. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Integrated Physical Medicine at Employer-Sponsored Health Clinics Improves Quality of Care at Reduced Cost.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical and economic outcomes associated with integrating physical medicine in employer-sponsored clinics. METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis comparing clinical and economic outcomes of physical medicine services delivered in employer-sponsored clinics with the community. RESULTS: Integrating physical medicine in employer-sponsored clinics decreased wait times to access these services to 7 days (2 to 4× faster than in the community). Patients receiving care in employer-sponsored clinics experienced marked improvements in fear of pain avoidance behaviors (P < 0.00001) and functional status (P < 0.01) in eight fewer visits than in the community (P < 0.0001), resulting in $472 to $630 savings/patient episode. Noncancer patients received 1/10th the opioid prescriptions in employer-sponsored clinics compared with the community (2.8% vs 20%). Patients were highly likely to recommend integrated employer-sponsored care (Net Promoter Score  = 84.7). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest robust clinical and economic benefits of integrating physical medicine services into employer-sponsored clinics.

Lean Belt Certification: Pathway for Student, Resident, and Faculty Development and Scholarship.

Since July 2013, 20 trainee participants have completed the quality improvement curriculum within the Indiana University Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, including 7 otolaryngology residents, 6 otolaryngology-bound medical students, and 7 psychiatry residents. Nine faculty and staff attended. Participants were highly satisfied with the quality and effectiveness of the program. Following program implementation, 2 otolaryngology residents and 2 medical students initiated their own quality improvement projects. Lean training directly resulted in oral and poster presentations at national conferences, journal publications, and institutional research and quality awards. Students completing the program established a local affiliate group of an international health care quality organization. Quality improvement training can be successfully incorporated into residency training with overwhelming program satisfaction and results in greater scholarly and professional development for motivated participants. The skillset acquired by participants leads to projects that improve patient care, increase value, and justify equipment and personnel retention and expansion.

Lean Six Sigma Applied to Ultrasound Guided Needle Biopsy in the Head and Neck.

OBJECTIVES: (1) Confirm the positive value stream of office-based ultrasound using Lean Six Sigma; (2) demonstrate how ultrasound reduces time to diagnosis, costs, patient inconvenience and travel, exposure to ionizing radiation, intravenous contrast, and laboratory tests. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with historical controls using chart review. SETTING: Tertiary Veterans Administration Hospital (university-affiliated). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with a consult request or decision for ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (USFNA) from 2006 to 2012. Process evaluation using Lean Six Sigma methodologies; years study conducted: 2006-2012; outcome measurements: type of diagnostic tests and imaging studies including CT scans with associated radiation exposure, time to preliminary and final cytopathologic diagnosis, episodes of patient travel. RESULTS: Value stream mapping prior to and after implementing office-based ultrasound confirmed the time from consult request or decision for USFNA to completion of the USFNA was reduced from a range of 0 to 286 days requiring a maximum 17 steps to a range of 0 to 48 days, necessitating only a maximum of 9 steps. Office-based USFNA for evaluation of head and neck lesions reduced costs, time to diagnosis, risks and inconvenience to patients, radiation exposure, unnecessary laboratory, and patient complaints while increasing staff satisfaction. In addition, office-based ultrasound also changed the clinical management of specific patients. CONCLUSION: Lean Six Sigma reduces waste and optimizes quality and accuracy in manufacturing. This is the first known application of Lean Six Sigma to office-based USFNA in the evaluation of head and neck lesions. The literature supports the value of office-based ultrasound to patients and health care systems.

A Rapid Usability Evaluation (RUE) Method for Health Information Technology.

Usability testing can help generate design ideas to enhance the quality and safety of health information technology. Despite these potential benefits, few healthcare organizations conduct systematic usability testing prior to software implementation. We used a Rapid Usability Evaluation (RUE) method to apply usability testing to software development at a major VA Medical Center. We describe the development of the RUE method, provide two examples of how it was successfully applied, and discuss key insights gained from this work. Clinical informaticists with limited usability training were able to apply RUE to improve software evaluation and elected to continue to use this technique. RUE methods are relatively simple, do not require advanced training or usability software, and should be easy to adopt. Other healthcare organizations may be able to implement RUE to improve software effectiveness, efficiency, and safety.