Trends in and factors associated with family physician-performed screening colonoscopies in the United States: 2016-2021.

PURPOSE: Family physician (FP)-performed screening colonoscopies can serve as 1 strategy in the multifaceted strategy necessary to improve national colorectal cancer screening rates, particularly in rural areas where specialist models can fail. However, little research exists on the performance of this strategy in the real world. In this study, we evaluated trends in and factors associated with FP-performed screening colonoscopies in the United States between 2016 and 2021. METHODS: Using national data from Merative's Marketscan insurance claims database, we estimate the proportion of screening colonoscopies performed by FPs. We use logistic regression models to evaluate factors independently associated with FP-performed colonoscopies. RESULTS: The percentage of screening colonoscopies performed by FPs exhibited a downward trend from 11.32% in 2016 to 6.73% in 2021, with the largest decrease occurring among patients from the most rural areas. FPs were more likely to perform colonoscopies on slightly older patients, male patients, and rural patients. Patients were less likely to receive FP-performed colonoscopies in large metropolitan areas compared to lesser populated areas. Patients were more likely to receive FP-performed colonoscopies in the Midwest, South, and West, even after accounting for urban-rural classification. CONCLUSION: Despite a downward trajectory, FPs perform a substantial proportion of screening colonoscopies in the United States. Changes to the business side of health care delivery may be contributing to the observed decreasing rate. Whether through spatial or relational proximity, FPs may be better positioned to provide colonoscopy to some rural, male, and older patients who otherwise may not have been screened. Policy changes to expand the FP workforce, particularly in rural areas, are likely necessary to slow or reverse the downward trend of FP-performed screening colonoscopies.

External vs Internal Focus of Attention in Procedural Skills Learning: A Randomized Study.

PURPOSE: The Optimizing Performance Through Intrinsic Motivation and Attention for Learning theory postulates that directing attention to the intended movement effect or outcome (external focus) is more effective than directing attention to the internal body motion or body part (internal focus). This study compared external vs internal focus of attention as novice students learned ultrasound-guided peripheral cannulation. The authors hypothesized that conditions promoting an external (vs internal) focus of attention would result in better performance on immediate and delayed (retention) testing. METHOD: The authors conducted a randomized, experimental study from October 2022 to February 2023 comparing external and internal focus using ultrasound-guided peripheral venous cannulation followed by practice using an ultrasound training block. Undergraduate health science students performed 4 practice trials with instructions to focus on the needle tip (external focus) or their hands (internal focus), followed by an immediate assessment and a retention assessment 2 weeks later. The primary outcome was time to successful cannulation. Results were compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and parametric survival analysis regression (accelerated failure time) models. RESULTS: Seventy participants completed the immediate assessment. The external focus group completed successful cannulation a mean of 2.33 times faster (95% CI = 1.47, 3.67; P < .001) than those in the internal focus group (median time, 12.0 vs 29.5 seconds). Results also favored the external focus group during practice, with the external focus group successfully completing the task a mean of 1.83 times faster (95% CI = 1.04, 3.21; P = .04) than the internal focus group. In the retention assessment, the external focus group successfully completed the task a mean of 2.37 times faster (95% CI = 1.19, 4.74; P = .02) than the internal focus group. CONCLUSIONS: External focus of attention compared with internal focus of attention improves medical motor skill learning in novice learners.

Participatory action research to develop and implement multicomponent, multilevel strategies for implementing colorectal cancer screening interventions in American Indian communities in New Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Despite the effectiveness of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, American Indians (AIs) have low screening rates in the US. Many AIs receive care at Indian Health Services, Tribal, and Urban Indian (I/T/U) healthcare facilities, where published evidence regarding the implementation of CRC screening interventions is lacking. To address this gap, the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center collaborated with two tribally-operated healthcare facilities in New Mexico with the goal of improving CRC screening rates among New Mexico's AI communities. METHODS: Guided by the principles of Community Based Participatory Research, we engaged providers from the two tribal healthcare facilities and tribal community members through focus group (two focus groups with providers (n = 15) and four focus group and listening sessions with community members (n = 65)), to elicit perspectives on the feasibility and appropriateness of implementing The Guide to Community Preventive Services (The Community Guide) recommended evidence-based interventions (EBIs) and strategies for increasing CRC screening. Within each tribal healthcare facility, we engaged a Multisector Action Team (MAT) that participated in an implementation survey to document the extent to which their healthcare facilities were implementing EBIs and strategies, and an organizational readiness survey that queried whether their healthcare facilities could implement additional strategies to improve uptake of CRC screening. RESULTS: The Community Guide recommended EBIs and strategies that received the most support as feasible and appropriate from community members included: one-on-one education from providers, reminders, small media, and interventions that reduced structural barriers. From the providers' perspective, feasible and acceptable strategies included one-on-one education, patient and provider reminders, and provider assessment and feedback. Universally, providers mentioned the need for patient navigators who could provide culturally appropriate education about CRC and assist with transportation, and improved support for coordinating clinical follow-up after screening. The readiness survey highlighted overall readiness of the tribal facility, while the implementation survey highlighted that few strategies were being implemented. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study contribute to the limited literature around implementation research at tribal healthcare facilities and informed the selection of specific implementation strategies to promote the uptake of CRC screening in AI communities.

Peritoneal Dialysis Technique Survival: A Cohort Study.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Reasons for transfer from peritoneal dialysis (PD) to hemodialysis (HD) remain incompletely understood. Among incident and prevalent patients receiving PD, we evaluated the association of clinical factors, including prior treatment with HD, with PD technique survival. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Adults who initiated PD at a Dialysis Clinic, Inc (DCI) outpatient facility between January 1, 2010, and September 30, 2019. EXPOSURE: The primary exposure of interest was timing of PD start, categorized as PD-first, PD-early, or PD-late. Other covariates included demographics, clinical characteristics, and routine laboratory results. OUTCOME: Modality switch from PD to HD sustained for more than 90 days. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Multivariable Fine-Gray models with competing risks and time-varying covariates, stratified at 9 months to account for lack of proportionality. RESULTS: Among 5,224 patients who initiated PD at a DCI facility, 3,174 initiated dialysis with PD ("PD-first"), 942 transitioned from HD to PD within 90 days ("PD-early"), and 1,108 transitioned beyond 90 days ("PD-late"); 1,472 (28%) subsequently transferred from PD to HD. The PD-early and PD-late patients had a higher risk of transfer to HD as compared with PD-first patients (in the first 9 months: adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.51 [95% CI, 1.17-1.96] and 2.41 [95% CI, 1.94-3.00], respectively; and after 9 months: AHR, 1.16 [95% CI, 0.99-1.35] and AHR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.24-1.65], respectively). More peritonitis episodes, fewer home visits, lower serum albumin levels, lower residual kidney function, and lower peritoneal clearance calculated with weekly Kt/V were additional risk factors for PD-to-HD transfer. LIMITATIONS: Missing data on dialysis adequacy and residual kidney function, confounded by short PD technique survival. CONCLUSIONS: Initiating dialysis with PD is associated with greater PD technique survival, though many of those who initiate PD-late in their dialysis course still experience substantial time on PD. Peritonitis, lower serum albumin, and lower Kt/V are risk factors for PD-to-HD transfer that may be amenable to intervention. PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an important kidney replacement modality with several potential advantages compared with in-center hemodialysis (HD). However, a substantial number of patients transfer to in-center HD early on, without having experienced the quality-of-life and other benefits that come with sustained maintenance of PD. Using retrospective data from a midsize national dialysis provider, we found that initiating dialysis with PD is associated with longer maintenance of PD, compared with initiating dialysis with HD and a later switch to PD. However, many of those who initiate PD-late in their dialysis course still experience substantial time on PD. Peritonitis, lower serum albumin, and lower small protein removal are other risk factors for PD-to-HD transfer that may be amenable to intervention.

Developing questions to assess and measure patients' perceived survival benefit from adjuvant endocrine therapy in breast cancer: a mixed methods pilot study.

This mixed method study developed multiple question types to understand and measure women's perceived benefit from adjuvant endocrine therapy. We hypothesis that patients do not understand this benefit and sought to develop the questions needed to test this hypothesis and obtain initial patient estimates. From 8/2022 to 3/2023, qualitative interviews focused on assessing and modifying 9 initial varied question types asking about the overall survival (OS) benefit from adjuvant endocrine therapy. Subsequent focus groups modified and selected the optimal questions. Patients' self-assessment of their OS benefit was compared to their individualized PREDICT model results. Fifty-three patients completed the survey; 42% Hispanic, 30% rural, and 47% with income < $39,999 per year. Patients reported adequate health care literacy (61.5%) and average confidence about treatment and medication decisions 49.4 (95% CI 24.4-59.5). From the original 9 questions, 3 modified questions were ultimately found to capture patients' perception of this OS benefit, focusing on graphical and prose styles. Patients estimated an OS benefit of 42% compared to 4.4% calculated from the PREDICT model (p < 0.001). In this group with considerable representation from ethnic minority, rural and low-income patients, qualitative data showed that more than one modality of question type was needed to clearly capture patients' understanding of treatment benefit. Women with breast cancer significantly overestimated their 10-year OS benefit from adjuvant endocrine therapy compared to the PREDICT model.

Breast cancer screening attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of Zuni Pueblo women: identifying cornerstones for building effective mammogram screening intervention programs.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer is the leading form of cancer and has the second highest mortality rate of cancers for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women. Early screening is critical. This study examines the breast cancer-related knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors of Zuni women in the Southwest United States (U.S.). METHODS: In 2020 and 2021, a survey was administered to better understand cancer screening patterns in Zuni Pueblo; 110 women from 50 to 75 years of age were recruited to respond to the breast cancer screening portion. Inclusion criteria included self-identifying as AI, a member of the Zuni tribe, or married to a Zuni tribal member, and meeting the age and gender requirements. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were conducted examining the associations between measures of breast cancer knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors and breast cancer screening status (never, ever/non-compliant, and ever/compliant). RESULTS: Of survey participants, 47.3% have had a breast cancer screening and are up-to-date, 39.1% have had a screening in the past but are not up-to-date, and 13.6% have never been screened. Age was the only statistically significant socioeconomic predictor of breast cancer screening; the median (interquartile range) ages of each group are 62 (54, 68) ever/compliant, 56 (54, 68) ever/non-compliant, and 53 (51, 55) never (p-value < 0.001). Significant differences by health status and access to medical care include having a regular health care provider and going to see a provider for routine check-ups. The survey also shows differences in knowledge about breast cancer risk factors, beliefs, and behaviors. Women across all three screening statuses reported that they would get screened if encouraged by a health care provider. CONCLUSION: While survey respondents report a relatively high rate of ever having had a breast cancer screening, less than half are compliant with screening guidelines, which shows there is an opportunity to improve breast cancer screening rates. With culturally tailored interventions, providers have the potential to improve breast cancer screening for Zuni women.

A pilot randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of omega-3 fatty acids to prevent paclitaxel-associated acute pain syndrome in breast cancer patients: Alliance A22_Pilot2.

PURPOSE: Paclitaxel is associated with an acute pain syndrome (P-APS- and chronic chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). P-APS is associated with higher risk of CIPN. Omega-3 fatty acids have well-established anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. The primary purpose of this pilot study was to assess whether omega-3 fatty acids could decrease P-APS and thus CIPN. METHODS: Patients scheduled to receive weekly paclitaxel for breast cancer were randomized to receive 4 g of omega-3 acid ethyl esters (Lovaza) or placebo, beginning 1 week prior and continued until paclitaxel was stopped. Patients completed acute pain questionnaires at baseline, daily after each treatment, and 1 month after completion of therapy. RESULTS: Sixty patients (49 evaluable) were randomized to treatment versus placebo. Seventeen (68.0%) patients receiving the omega-3 fatty acids intervention experienced P-APS, compared to 15 (62.5%) of those receiving placebo during the first week of treatment (p = 0.77). Over the full 12-week study, 21 (84.0%) patients receiving the omega-3 fatty acid intervention experienced P-APS, compared to 21 (87.5%) of those receiving placebo (p = 1.0). Secondary outcomes suggested that those in the intervention arm used more over-the-counter analgesics (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 0.72-3.78, p = 0.23), used more opiates (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 0.55-7.75, p = 0.28), and experienced higher levels of CIPN (12.8, 95% CI: 7.6-19.4 vs. 8.4, 95% CI: 4.6-13.2, p = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study do not support further study of the use of omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention of the P-APS and CIPN. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Number: NCT01821833.

Developing Questions to Assess and Measure Patients' Perceived Survival Benefit from Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Breast Cancer: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study.

Purpose: This mixed methods study developed multiple question types to understand and measure women's perceived benefit from adjuvant endocrine therapy. We hypothesis that patients do not understand this benefit and sought to develop the questions needed to test this hypothesis and obtain initial patient estimates. Methods: From 8/2022 to 3/2023, qualitative interviews focused on assessing and modifying 9 initial varied question types asking about the overall survival (OS) benefit from adjuvant endocrine therapy. Subsequent focus groups modified and selected the optimal questions. Patients' self-assessment of their OS benefit was compared to their individualized PREDICT model results. Results: Fifty-three patients completed the survey; 42% Hispanic, 30% rural, and 47% with income <$39,999 per year. Patients reported adequate health care literacy (61.5%) and average confidence about treatment and medication decisions 49.4 (95% CI 24.4-59.5). From the original 9 questions, 3 modified questions were ultimately found to capture patients' perception of this OS benefit, focusing on graphical and prose styles. Patients estimated an OS benefit of 42% compared to 4.4% calculated from the PREDICT model (p < 0.001). Conclusion: In this group with considerable representation from ethnic minority, rural and low-income patients, qualitative data showed that more than one modality of question type was needed to clearly capture patients' understanding of treatment benefit. Women with breast cancer significantly overestimated their 10-year OS benefit from adjuvant endocrine therapy compared to the PREDICT model.

Cervical Cancer Knowledge and Screening Patterns in Zuni Pueblo Women in the Southwest United States.

American Indian women experience cervical cancer disparities, including later-stage diagnosis and a higher cervical cancer mortality rate. These disparities are interconnected and linked to cervical cancer screening disparities. Cervical cancer when identified early is highly treatable. Individual- and health system-level factors often contribute to gaps in cervical cancer screening. To better understand the source of these inequities experienced by American Indian women, specifically Zuni women, this paper examines how knowledge about cervical cancer and related risk factors is linked to cervical cancer screening for Zuni women using primary data gathered by the Zuni Health Initiative in 2020 and 2021. We find that of the women who completed the survey (n = 171), women with greater cervical cancer knowledge are statistically significantly more likely to have received cervical cancer screening. Closer examination of knowledge on the specific risk factors for cervical cancer provides evidence upon which to develop a cervical cancer education intervention.

Video-Based (Livestream) and In-Person Continuing Professional Development: Participant and Course Features Associated With Choice.

PURPOSE: Information on factors influencing learner choice between in-person and video-based continuing professional development (CPD) would help course leaders with planning and implementation. This study aimed to investigate how registration patterns differ between in-person and video-based offerings for the same CPD course. METHOD: The authors obtained data from 55 CPD courses offered in-person (at various U.S. locations) and via livestreamed video, January 2020 to April 2022. Participants included physicians, advanced practice providers, allied health professionals, nurses, and pharmacists. Registration rates were compared by participant and course features including professional role, age, country of residence, distance to and perceived desirability of the in-person destination, and timing of registration. RESULTS: Analyses included 11,072 registrations, of which 4,336 (39.2%) were for video-based learning. There was significant heterogeneity in video-based registrations across courses, ranging 14.3% to 71.4%. Multivariable analysis showed higher video-based registrations for advanced practice providers (vs physicians; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.80 [99% confidence interval, 1.55-2.10]), non-U.S. residents (AOR 3.26 [1.18-9.01]), longer distance (AOR 1.19 [1.16-1.23] for each doubling of distance), and courses in July-September 2021 (vs January-April 2022; AOR 1.59 [1.24-2.02]); video-based registrations were lower for current or former employees or trainees of our institution (AOR 0.53 [0.45-0.61]), destinations of moderate or high desirability (vs low; AOR 0.42 [0.34-0.51] and 0.44 [0.33-0.58], respectively), and early registration (AOR 0.67 [0.64-0.69] for each doubling of days between registration and course start). There was no significant difference by age (AOR 0.92 [0.82-1.05] for participants > 46 years old vs younger participants). The multivariable model correctly predicted actual registration 78.5% of the time. CONCLUSIONS: Video-based livestreamed CPD is popular (chosen by nearly 40% of participants), although choices varied widely by course. Professional role, institutional affiliation, distance traveled, location desirability, and registration timing have small but statistically significant associations with choice of video-based vs in-person CPD.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Adults in Zuni Pueblo: Factors Associated with FOBT and Colonoscopy Utilization.

Although strategies to mitigate barriers to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening have proven successful in some parts of the US, few of these strategies have been studied in rural, American Indian communities that may exhibit unique culturally driven attitudes toward and knowledge of colorectal cancer and experience increased barriers to healthcare access. In this study, we describe the results of a survey among CRC screen-eligible members of Zuni Pueblo (N = 218) on an array of questions regarding CRC screening behaviors, knowledge, satisfaction with and access to healthcare services, social support for CRC screening, perceptions toward FOBT, and preference for evidence-based interventions or strategies for improving CRC screening rates. Results from the multivariable model suggest age, having a regular healthcare provider, and harboring fewer negative perceptions toward FOBT are key drivers of ever completing CRC screening. Respondents reported strong support for Community Guide-recommended interventions and strategies for increasing CRC screening for nearly all proposed interventions. Results confirm the need for multilevel, multicomponent interventions, with a particular focus on improving Zuni Pueblo community members' access to a regular source of care, improving knowledge of CRC risk factor, and addressing negative perceptions toward CRC screening. These results provide critical, community-specific insight into better understanding the drivers of low guideline-adherent screening rates and inform local healthcare providers and community leaders of context-specific strategies to improve CRC screening in Zuni Pueblo.

Sessile serrated lesion detection rates continue to increase: 2008-2020.

Background and study aims We assessed sessile serrated lesion detection rate (SSLDR) at a large academic medical center from 2008 to 2020 and modeled a local, aspirational target SSLDR. We also assessed SSLDRs among all gastroenterology fellows to better understand the relationship between SSLDRs and total colonoscopies performed. Patients and methods SSL-positive pathology results were flagged from a dataset composed of all screening colonoscopies for average-risk patients from 2008 to 2020. Unadjusted SSLDRs were calculated for individual endoscopists by year. A mixed effects logistic regression was used to estimate the log odds of SSL detection, with one model estimating division-wide predictors of SSL detection and a second model focused exclusively on colonoscopies performed by fellows. Model-adjusted SSLDRs were estimated for all 13 years and across both categories of all endoscopists and fellows only. Results Adjusted SSLDRs showed a consistent improvement in SSLDR from a low of 0.37 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.10-0.63) in 2008 to a high of 7.94 % (95 % CI: 6.34-9.54) in 2020. Among fellows only, the odds of SSL detection were significantly lower during their first year compared to their second year (OR: 0.80, 95 % CI: 0.66-0.98) but not significantly higher in their third year compared to their second year (OR: 1.09, 95 % CI: 0.85-1.4). Conclusions SSLDR increased steadily and significantly throughout our study period but variance among endoscopists persists. The peak SSLDR from 2020 of 7.94 % should serve as the local aspirational target for this division's attendings and fellows but should be continuously reevaluated.

Health Literacy, Health Numeracy, and Cancer Screening Patterns in the Zuni Pueblo: Insights from and Limitations of "Standard" Questions.

American Indians experience disparities in cancer screening, stage at disease diagnoses, and 5-year cancer survival. This study investigates how health literacy and health numeracy may be linked to cancer screening behaviors of Zuni Pueblo members using a survey exploring screening behaviors related to breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. As part of a larger community-based cancer prevention and control project, Zuni Health Initiative staff conducted surveys from October 2020 through April 2021 of 281 participants (men ages 50-75 and women ages 21-75) from the Zuni Pueblo. Bivariate and multivariable analyses investigated associations between health literacy/numeracy measures and cancer screening behaviors. Bivariate analyses showed some associations between distinct measures of health literacy/numeracy and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, including both colonoscopy (health literacy) and fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) (health numeracy), as well as cervical cancer screening (health literacy). There were no statistically significant associations between health literacy/numeracy measures and mammogram screening for breast cancer. In multivariable analyses, there were no consistent patterns between health literacy/numeracy and screening for any cancer. There are some individual findings worth noting, such as statistically significant findings for health numeracy and FOBT (those reporting lower health numeracy were less likely to report FOBT). An important finding of this study is that questions used to assess health literacy/numeracy did not identify associations aligned with previous research. We reflect on the ways the "standard" questions may not be sufficiently tailored to the Zuni experience and may contribute to health equity barriers.

American Indian/Alaska Native and black colon cancer patients have poorer cause-specific survival based on disease stage and anatomic site of diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: Studies of race-specific colon cancer (CC) survival differences between right- vs. left-sided CC typically focus on Black and White persons and often consider all CC stages as one group. To more completely examine potential racial and ethnic disparities in side- and stage-specific survival, we evaluated 5-year CC cause-specific survival probabilities for five racial/ethnic groups by anatomic site (right or left colon) and stage (local, regional, distant). METHODS: We obtained cause-specific survival probability estimates from National Cancer Institute's population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) for CC patients grouped by five racial/ethnic groups (Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native [AIAN], Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander [API], Hispanic, Non-Hispanic Black [NHB], and Non-Hispanic White [NHW]), anatomic site, stage, and other patient and SEER registry characteristics. We used meta-regression approaches to identify factors that explained differences in cause-specific survival. RESULTS: Diagnoses of distant-stage CC were more common among NHB and AIAN persons (>22 %) than among NHW and API persons (< 20 %). Large disparities in anatomic site-specific survival were not apparent. Those with right-sided distant-stage CC had a one-year cause-specific survival probability that was 16.4 % points lower (99 % CI: 12.2-20.6) than those with left-sided distant-stage CC; this difference decreased over follow-up. Cause-specific survival probabilities were highest for API, and lowest for NHB, persons, though these differences varied substantially by stage at diagnosis. AIAN persons with localized-stage CC, and NHB persons with regional- and distant-stage CC, had significantly lower survival probabilities across follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in CC presentation according to anatomic site and disease stage among patients of distinct racial and ethnic backgrounds. This, coupled with the reality that there are persistent survival disparities, with NHB and AIAN persons experiencing worse prognosis, suggests that there are social or structural determinants of these disparities. Further research is needed to confirm whether these CC cause-specific survival disparities are due to differences in risk factors, screening patterns, cancer treatment, or surveillance, in order to overcome the existing differences in outcome.

Patient, provider, and nurse preferences of patient reported outcomes (PRO) and side effect management during cancer treatment of underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups, rural and economically disadvantaged patients: a mixed methods study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient, oncologist and nurse perspectives on side effects and patient reported outcomes (PROs) with the question of how to optimize side effect management and PRO tools in this unique population. METHODS: This pilot study utilized a mixed method explanatory design. Patients receiving intravenous (IV) chemotherapy from June to August 2020 were surveyed about side effect burden and PRO system preferences. Providers and nurses (PN) completed complementary surveys. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted among a subset of each group. RESULTS: Of 90 patient surveys collected; 51.1% minority, 35.6% rural, and 40.0% income < $30,000, 48% felt side effect management was a significant issue. All patients reported access to a communication device but 12.2% did not own a cell phone; 68% smart phone, 20% cell phone, 22% landline, 53% computer, and 39% tablet. Patients preferred a response to reported side effects within 0-3 h (73%) while only 29% of the 55 PN surveyed did (p < 0.0001). Interviews reinforced that side effect burden was a significant issue, the varied communication devices, and a PRO system could improve side effect management. CONCLUSION: In a non-White, rural and low-income patient population, 87.8% of patients reported owning a cell phone. Although all agreed side effect management was a prominent issue, expectations between patients and PN differed substantially. Qualitative data echoed the above and providing concrete suggestions to inform development of a PRO program and side effect mitigation strategies among a diverse patient population.

Reaching the "Hard-to-Reach" Sexual and Gender Diverse Communities for Population-Based Research in Cancer Prevention and Control: Methods for Online Survey Data Collection and Management.

Purpose: Around 5% of United States (U.S.) population identifies as Sexual and Gender Diverse (SGD), yet there is limited research around cancer prevention among these populations. We present multi-pronged, low-cost, and systematic recruitment strategies used to reach SGD communities in New Mexico (NM), a state that is both largely rural and racially/ethnically classified as a "majority-minority" state. Methods: Our recruitment focused on using: (1) Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) program, by the United States Postal Services (USPS); (2) Google and Facebook advertisements; (3) Organizational outreach via emails to publicly available SGD-friendly business contacts; (4) Personal outreach via flyers at clinical and community settings across NM. Guided by previous research, we provide detailed descriptions on using strategies to check for fraudulent and suspicious online responses, that ensure data integrity. Results: A total of 27,369 flyers were distributed through the EDDM program and 436,177 impressions were made through the Google and Facebook ads. We received a total of 6,920 responses on the eligibility survey. For the 5,037 eligible respondents, we received 3,120 (61.9%) complete responses. Of these, 13% (406/3120) were fraudulent/suspicious based on research-informed criteria and were removed. Final analysis included 2,534 respondents, of which the majority (59.9%) reported hearing about the study from social media. Of the respondents, 49.5% were between 31-40 years, 39.5% were Black, Hispanic, or American Indian/Alaskan Native, and 45.9% had an annual household income below $50,000. Over half (55.3%) were assigned male, 40.4% were assigned female, and 4.3% were assigned intersex at birth. Transgender respondents made up 10.6% (n=267) of the respondents. In terms of sexual orientation, 54.1% (n=1371) reported being gay or lesbian, 30% (n=749) bisexual, and 15.8% (n=401) queer. A total of 756 (29.8%) respondents reported receiving a cancer diagnosis and among screen-eligible respondents, 66.2% reported ever having a Pap, 78.6% reported ever having a mammogram, and 84.1% reported ever having a colonoscopy. Over half of eligible respondents (58.7%) reported receiving Human Papillomavirus vaccinations. Conclusion: Study findings showcase effective strategies to reach communities, maximize data quality, and prevent the misrepresentation of data critical to improve health in SGD communities.

Autonomy and focus of attention in medical motor skills learning: a randomized experiment.

BACKGROUND: The 'OPTIMAL' (Optimizing Performance Through Intrinsic Motivation and Attention for Learning) theory of motor learning suggests that autonomy, external focus of attention, and perceived competence can improve learning of simple motor tasks. The authors hypothesized that enhanced (vs. routine) autonomy and external (vs. internal) focus of attention would improve first-try performance of two medical motor tasks. METHODS: The authors conducted a randomized two-by-two factorial design study with high school students as participants. Task instructions promoted either enhanced or routine autonomy, and either external or internal focus of attention. These conditions were replicated in a crossover design for two common medical tasks (chest compressions on a manikin and a Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery peg transfer task). Primary outcomes were objective measures of task performance (chest compression deviation from target depth; peg transfer time with penalties for errors). Secondary outcomes included subjective perceptions of confidence, autonomy, and workload. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-three high school students participated in this study. The primary outcomes concerning enhanced vs. routine autonomy demonstrated no statistically significant difference in either task (chest compression depth deviation: difference -0.7 mm [score range 0 to 37.5 mm]; 95% confidence interval (CI95) -3.85, 2.41; p = .65; peg transfer penalized time: rate ratio 1.03; CI95 0.91, 1.31; p = .79). The authors likewise found no statistically significant difference for external vs. internal focus of attention (depth deviation: difference 1.1 mm; CI95 -2.04, 4.17; p = .50; penalized time: rate ratio 0.89; CI95 0.75, 1.13; p = .33). The authors found no statistically significant differences for either comparison in confidence, autonomy and workload (p > .09; differences ranged from -0.83 to 0.79 [scale range 0 to 10]). CONCLUSIONS: First-try performance of chest compressions and peg transfer by novice learners is not significantly affected by enhanced (vs. routine) autonomy or external (vs. internal) focus of attention.

Associations Between Physician Continuous Professional Development and Referral Patterns: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Both overuse and underuse of clinician referrals can compromise high-value health care. The authors sought to systematically identify and synthesize published research examining associations between physician continuous professional development (CPD) and referral patterns. METHOD: The authors searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Database on April 23, 2020, for comparative studies evaluating CPD for practicing physicians and reporting physician referral outcomes. Two reviewers, working independently, screened all articles for inclusion. Two reviewers reviewed all included articles to extract information, including data on participants, educational interventions, study design, and outcomes (referral rate, intended direction of change, appropriateness of referral). Quantitative results were pooled using meta-analysis. RESULTS: Of 3,338 articles screened, 31 were included. These studies enrolled at least 14,458 physicians and reported 381,165 referral events. Among studies comparing CPD with no intervention, 17 studies with intent to increase referrals had a pooled risk ratio of 1.91 (95% confidence interval: 1.50, 2.44; P < .001), and 7 studies with intent to decrease referrals had a pooled risk ratio of 0.68 (95% confidence interval: 0.55, 0.83; P < .001). Five studies did not indicate the intended direction of change. Subgroup analyses revealed similarly favorable effects for specific instructional approaches (including lectures, small groups, Internet-based instruction, and audit/feedback) and for activities of varying duration. Four studies reported head-to-head comparisons of alternate CPD approaches, revealing no clear superiority for any approach. Seven studies adjudicated the appropriateness of referral, and 9 studies counted referrals that were actually completed (versus merely requested). CONCLUSIONS: Although between-study differences are large, CPD is associated with statistically significant changes in patient referral rates in the intended direction of impact. There are few head-to-head comparisons of alternate CPD interventions using referrals as outcomes.

Comparison of Dialysis Unit and Home Blood Pressures: An Observational Cohort Study.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Prior studies of patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis have shown that, on average, blood pressure (BP) measured predialysis is higher than BP measured at home. We hypothesized that a subset of hemodialysis patients has BP that is higher when measured at home than when measured predialysis and this subgroup of patients has a higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 97 hypertensive hemodialysis patients enrolled in the Blood Pressure in Dialysis Study (BID), a randomized trial of comparing target predialysis BP ≤140/90 to 155-165/90 mm Hg. EXPOSURE: Differences between predialysis and next-day home systolic BP measured ≥6 times over 1 year. OUTCOME: Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: A hierarchical clustering analysis divided patients into 3 clusters based on the average and variability of differences in systolic predialysis and home BP. Clusters were compared with respect to clinical factors and LVMI. RESULTS: Mean differences between predialysis and home systolic BP were 19.1 (95% CI, 17.0 to 21.1) mm Hg for cluster 1 ("home lower"), 3.7 (95% CI, 1.6 to 5.8) mm Hg for cluster 2 ("home and predialysis similar"), and -9.7 (95% CI, -12.0 to -7.4) mm Hg for cluster 3 ("home higher"). Systolic BP declined during dialysis in clusters 1 and 2 but increased in cluster 3. Interdialytic weight gains did not differ. After adjusting for sex and treatment arm, LVMI was higher in cluster 3 than in clusters 1 and 2: differences in means of 10.6 ± 4.96 (SE) g/m2 (P = 0.04) and 12.0 ± 5.08 g/m2 (P = 0.02), respectively. LIMITATIONS: Limited statistical power. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one-third of participants had home BPs higher than predialysis BPs. These patients had LVMI higher than those with similar or lower BPs at home, indicating that their BP may have been undertreated.

Southwest Harvest for Health: Adapting a mentored vegetable gardening intervention for cancer survivors in the southwest.

Few diet and physical activity evidence-based interventions have been routinely used in community settings to achieve population health outcomes. Adapting interventions to fit the implementation context is important to achieve the desired results. Harvest for Health is a home-based vegetable gardening intervention that pairs cancer survivors with certified Master Gardeners from the Cooperative Extension Service with the ultimate goal of increasing vegetable consumption and physical activity, and improving physical functioning and health-related quality-of-life. Harvest for Health has potential for widespread dissemination since Master Gardener Programs exist throughout the United States. However, state- and population-specific adaptations may be needed to improve intervention adoption by other Master Gardener Programs. Our primary objective was to adapt this evidence-informed intervention that was initially incepted in Alabama, for the drastically different climate and growing conditions of New Mexico using a recommended adaptation framework. Our secondary objective was to develop a study protocol to support a pilot test of the adapted intervention, Southwest Harvest for Health. The adaptation phase is a critical first step towards widespread dissemination, implementation, and scale-out of an evidence-based intervention. This paper describes the adaptation process and outcomes, and the resulting protocol for the ongoing pilot study that is currently following 30 cancer survivors and their paired Extension Master Gardener mentors.