RESUMEN
Errors in clinical decision-making are disturbingly common. Recent studies have found that 10 to 15% of all clinical decisions regarding diagnoses and treatment are inaccurate. Here, we experimentally study the ability of structured information-sharing networks among clinicians to improve clinicians' diagnostic accuracy and treatment decisions. We use a pool of 2,941 practicing clinicians recruited from around the United States to conduct 84 independent group-level trials, ranging across seven different clinical vignettes for topics known to exhibit high rates of diagnostic or treatment error (e.g., acute cardiac events, geriatric care, low back pain, and diabetes-related cardiovascular illness prevention). We compare collective performance in structured information-sharing networks to collective performance in independent control groups, and find that networks significantly reduce clinical errors, and improve treatment recommendations, as compared to control groups of independent clinicians engaged in isolated reflection. Our results show that these improvements are not a result of simple regression to the group mean. Instead, we find that within structured information-sharing networks, the worst clinicians improved significantly while the best clinicians did not decrease in quality. These findings offer implications for the use of social network technologies to reduce errors among clinicians.
Asunto(s)
Toma de Decisiones Clínicas , Difusión de la Información , Humanos , Anciano , Errores Médicos/prevención & controlRESUMEN
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, human-centered design work in San Francisco found video visits promising for Medicaid-insured pregnant individuals. They were deemed likely better than phone at addressing concerns about remoteness. We describe our experience with introducing video visits within a safety net clinic that had rapidly adopted phone visits as the standard telemedicine option early in the pandemic. By utilizing Kotter's change framework, providing an equity-focused vision, and supporting the implementation with a skilled, on-the-ground project manager, temporary uptake of offering video visits was achieved. However, competing priorities, staffing structure, and institutional culture were barriers to creating sustained change once grant funding ended, even after improvement of digital infrastructure. Efforts to increase video visit uptake in systems where telephone visits are the norm-as is in many safety net systems-may have limited success without leadership-driven prioritization and culture change at all levels.
RESUMEN
Current digital health approaches have not engaged diverse end users or reduced health or health care inequities, despite their promise to deliver more tailored and personalized support to individuals at the right time and the right place. To achieve digital health equity, we must refocus our attention on the current state of digital health uptake and use across the policy, system, community, individual, and intervention levels. We focus here on (a) outlining a multilevel framework underlying digital health equity; (b) summarizingfive types of interventions/programs (with example studies) that hold promise for advancing digital health equity; and (c) recommending future steps for improving policy, practice, and research in this space.
Asunto(s)
Equidad en Salud , Política de Salud , Humanos , Determinantes Sociales de la Salud , Disparidades en el Estado de SaludRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Accessing professional medical interpreters for brief, low risk exchanges can be challenging. Machine translation (MT) for verbal communication has the potential to be a useful clinical tool, but few evaluations exist. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the quality of three MT applications for English-Spanish and English-Mandarin two-way interpretation of low complexity brief clinical communication compared with human interpretation. DESIGN: Audio-taped phrases were interpreted via human and 3 MT applications. Bilingual assessors evaluated the quality of MT interpretation on four assessment categories (accuracy, fluency, meaning, and clinical risk) using 5-point Likert scales. We used a non-inferiority design with 15% inferiority margin to evaluate the quality of three MT applications with professional medical interpreters serving as gold standards. MAIN MEASURES: Proportion of interpretation exchanges deemed acceptable, defined as a composite score of 16 or greater out of 20 based on the four assessment categories. KEY RESULTS: For English to Spanish, the proportion of MT-interpreted phrases scored as acceptable ranged from 0.68 to 0.84, while for English to Mandarin, the range was from 0.62 to 0.76. Both Spanish/Mandarin to English MT interpretation had low acceptable scores (range 0.36 to 0.41). No MT interpretation met the non-inferiority threshold. CONCLUSION: While MT interpretation was better for English to Spanish or Mandarin than the reverse, the overall quality of MT interpretation was poor for two-way clinical communication. Clinicians should advocate for easier access to professional interpretation in all clinical spaces and defer use of MT until these applications improve.
Asunto(s)
Comunicación , Traducción , Humanos , Técnicos Medios en Salud , Barreras de ComunicaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Inequitable follow-up of abnormal cancer screening tests may contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in colon and breast cancer outcomes. However, few multi-site studies have examined follow-up of abnormal cancer screening tests and it is unknown if racial/ethnic disparities exist. OBJECTIVE: This report describes patterns of performance on follow-up of abnormal colon and breast cancer screening tests and explores the extent to which racial/ethnic disparities exist in public hospital systems. DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from five California public hospital systems. We used multivariable robust Poisson regression analyses to examine whether patient-level factors or site predicted receipt of follow-up test. MAIN MEASURES: Using data from five public hospital systems between July 2015 and June 2017, we assessed follow-up of two screening results: (1) colonoscopy after positive fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) and (2) tissue biopsy within 21 days after a BIRADS 4/5 mammogram. KEY RESULTS: Of 4132 abnormal FITs, 1736 (42%) received a follow-up colonoscopy. Older age, Medicaid insurance, lack of insurance, English language, and site were negatively associated with follow-up colonoscopy, while Hispanic ethnicity and Asian race were positively associated with follow-up colonoscopy. Of 1702 BIRADS 4/5 mammograms, 1082 (64%) received a timely biopsy; only site was associated with timely follow-up biopsy. CONCLUSION: Despite the vulnerabilities of public-hospital-system patients, follow-up of abnormal cancer screening tests occurs at rates similar to that of patients in other healthcare settings, with colon cancer screening test follow-up occurring at lower rates than follow-up of breast cancer screening tests. Site-level factors have larger, more consistent impact on follow-up rates than patient sociodemographic traits. Resources are needed to identify health system-level factors, such as test follow-up processes or data infrastructure, that improve abnormal cancer screening test follow-up so that effective health system-level interventions can be evaluated and disseminated.
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Neoplasias de la Mama , Neoplasias Colorrectales , Humanos , Femenino , Estudios Retrospectivos , Detección Precoz del Cáncer , Estudios de Seguimiento , Neoplasias de la Mama/diagnóstico , Colonoscopía , California/epidemiología , Neoplasias Colorrectales/diagnósticoRESUMEN
Telehealth services, specifically telemedicine audio-video and audio-only patient encounters, expanded dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic through temporary waivers and flexibilities tied to the public health emergency. Early studies demonstrate significant potential to advance the quintuple aim (patient experience, health outcomes, cost, clinician well-being, and equity). Supported well, telemedicine can particularly improve patient satisfaction, health outcomes, and equity. Implemented poorly, telemedicine can facilitate unsafe care, worsen disparities, and waste resources. Without further action from lawmakers and agencies, payment will end for many telemedicine services currently used by millions of Americans at the end of 2024. Policymakers, health systems, clinicians, and educators must decide how to support, implement, and sustain telemedicine, and long-term studies and clinical practice guidelines are emerging to provide direction. In this position statement, we use clinical vignettes to review relevant literature and highlight where key actions are needed. These include areas where telemedicine must be expanded (e.g., to support chronic disease management) and where guidelines are needed (e.g., to prevent inequitable offering of telemedicine services and prevent unsafe or low-value care). We provide policy, clinical practice, and education recommendations for telemedicine on behalf of the Society of General Internal Medicine. Policy recommendations include ending geographic and site restrictions, expanding the definition of telemedicine to include audio-only services, establishing appropriate telemedicine service codes, and expanding broadband access to all Americans. Clinical practice recommendations include ensuring appropriate telemedicine use (for limited acute care situations or in conjunction with in-person services to extend longitudinal care relationships), that the choice of modality be done through patient-clinician shared decision-making, and that health systems design telemedicine services through community partnerships to ensure equitable implementation. Education recommendations include developing telemedicine-specific educational strategies for trainees that align with accreditation body competencies and providing educators with protected time and faculty development resources.
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COVID-19 , Telemedicina , Humanos , Estados Unidos , Pandemias , Medicina Interna , PolíticasRESUMEN
The exponential growth of telemedicine in ambulatory care triggered by the COVID-19 public health emergency has undoubtedly impacted the quality of care and patient safety. In particular, the increased adoption of remote care has impacted communication, care teams, and patient engagement, which are key factors that impact patient safety in ambulatory care. In this perspective, we draw on a scoping review of the literature, our own clinical experiences, and conversations with patient safety experts to describe how changes in communication, care teams, and patient engagement have impacted two high priority areas in ambulatory safety: diagnostic errors and medication safety. We then provide recommendations for research funders, researchers, healthcare systems, policy makers, and healthcare payors for how to improve patient safety in telemedicine based on what is currently known as well as next steps for how to advance understanding of the safety implications of telemedicine utilization.
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COVID-19 , Telemedicina , Instituciones de Atención Ambulatoria , Atención a la Salud , Humanos , Seguridad del PacienteRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Racial/ethnic disparities in anticoagulation management are well established. Differences in warfarin monitoring can contribute to these disparities and should be measured. OBJECTIVE: We assessed for differences in international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring by race/ethnicity and language preference across safety-net care systems serving predominantly low-income, ethnically diverse populations. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of process and safety data shared from the Safety Promotion Action Research and Knowledge Network (SPARK-Net) initiative, a consortium of five California safety-net hospital systems. PARTICIPANTS: Eligible patients were at least 18 years old, received warfarin for at least 56 days during the measurement period from July 2015 to June 2017, and had INR testing in an ambulatory care setting at a participating healthcare system. MAIN MEASURES: We conducted a scaled Poisson regression for adjusted rate ratio of having at least one INR checked per 56-day time period for which a patient had a warfarin prescription. Adjusting for age, sex, healthcare system, and insurance status/type, we assessed for racial/ethnic and language disparities in INR monitoring. KEY RESULTS: Of 8129 patients, 3615 (44%) were female; 1470 (18%), Black/African American; 3354 (41%), Hispanic/Latinx; 1210 (15%), Asian; 1643 (20%), White; and 452 (6%), other. Three thousand five hundred forty-nine (45%) were non-English preferring. We did not observe statistically significant disparities in the rate of appropriate INR monitoring by race/ethnicity or language; the primary source of variation was by healthcare network. Older age, female gender, and uninsured patients had a slightly higher rate of appropriate INR monitoring, but differences were not clinically significant. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find a race/ethnicity nor language disparity in INR monitoring; safety-net site was the main source of variation.
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Etnicidad , Warfarina , Adolescente , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Relación Normalizada Internacional , Lenguaje , Masculino , Warfarina/efectos adversosRESUMEN
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To evaluate how self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring interventions impact hypertension equity. RECENT FINDINGS: While a growing number of studies have recruited participants from safety-net settings, racial/ethnic minority groups, rural areas, or lower socio-economic backgrounds, few have reported on clinical outcomes with many choosing to evaluate only patient-reported outcomes (e.g., satisfaction, engagement). The studies with clinical outcomes demonstrate that SMBP monitoring (a) can be successfully adopted by historically excluded patient populations and safety-net settings and (b) improves outcomes when paired with clinical support. There are few studies that explicitly evaluate how SMBP monitoring impacts hypertension disparities and among rural, low-income, and some racial/ethnic minority populations. Researchers need to design SMBP monitoring studies that include disparity reduction outcomes and recruit from broader populations that experience worse hypertension outcomes. In addition to assessing effectiveness, studies must also evaluate how to mitigate multi-level barriers to real-world implementation of SMBP monitoring programs.
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Hipertensión , Presión Sanguínea/fisiología , Monitoreo Ambulatorio de la Presión Arterial , Etnicidad , Humanos , Grupos MinoritariosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented expansion of outpatient telemedicine in the United States in all types of health systems, including safety-net health systems. These systems generally serve low-income, racially/ethnically/linguistically diverse patients, many of whom face barriers to digital health access. These patients' perspectives are vital to inform ongoing, equitable implementation efforts. METHODS: Twenty-five semi-structured interviews exploring a theoretical framework of technology acceptability were conducted from March through July 2020. Participants had preferred languages of English, Spanish, or Cantonese and were recruited from three clinics (general medicine, obstetrics, and pulmonary) within the San Francisco Health Network. Both deductive and inductive coding were performed. In a secondary analysis, qualitative data were merged with survey data to relate perspectives to demographic factors and technology access/use. RESULTS: Participants were diverse with respect to language (52% non-English-speaking), age (range 23-71), race/ethnicity (24% Asian, 20% Black, 44% Hispanic/Latinx, 12% White), & smartphone use (80% daily, 20% weekly or less). All but 2 had a recent telemedicine visit (83% telephone). Qualitative results revealed that most participants felt telemedicine visits fulfilled their medical needs, were convenient, and were satisfied with their telemedicine care. However, most still preferred in-person visits, expressing concern that tele-visits relied on patients' abilities to access telemedicine, as well as monitor and manage their own health without in-person physical evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: High satisfaction with telemedicine can co-exist with patient-expressed hesitations surrounding the perceived effectiveness, self-efficacy, and digital access barriers associated with a new model of care. More research is needed to guide how healthcare systems and clinicians make decisions and communicate about visit modalities to support high-quality care that responds to patients' needs and circumstances.
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COVID-19 , Telemedicina , Femenino , Humanos , Pandemias , Satisfacción del Paciente , Satisfacción Personal , Embarazo , SARS-CoV-2 , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic increased the use of digital tools in health care (eg, patient portal, telemedicine, and web-based scheduling). Studies have shown that older individuals, racial/ethnic minority groups, or populations with lower educational attainment or income have lower rates of using digital health tools. Digitalization of health care may exacerbate already existing access barriers in these populations. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated how use of digital tools to asynchronously communicate with clinicians, schedule appointments, and view medical records changed near the beginning of the pandemic. METHODS: Using 2020 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) data, we examined internet use and 7 digital health technology use outcomes (electronic communication with a provider, electronic appointment scheduling, electronic test result viewing, patient portal access, portal use to download health records, portal use for patient-provider communication, and portal use to view test results). The HINTS surveyors designated surveys received after March 11, 2020, as postpandemic responses. Using weighted logistic regression, we investigated the impact of the pandemic after adjusting for sociodemographic traits (age, race/ethnicity, income, education, and gender), digital access (having ever used the internet and smartphone/tablet ownership), and health-related factors (insurance coverage, caregiver status, having a regular provider, and chronic diseases). To explore differences in changes in outcomes among key sociodemographic groups, we tested for significant interaction terms between the pandemic variable and race/ethnicity, age, income, and educational attainment. RESULTS: There were 3865 respondents (1437 prepandemic and 2428 postpandemic). Of the 8 outcomes investigated, the pandemic was only significantly associated with higher odds (adjusted odds ratio 1.99, 95% CI 1.18-3.35) of using electronic communication with a provider. There were significant interactions between the pandemic variable and 2 key sociodemographic traits. Relative to the lowest income group (Asunto(s)
COVID-19
, COVID-19/epidemiología
, Ecosistema
, Etnicidad
, Humanos
, Internet
, Uso de Internet
, Grupos Minoritarios
, Pandemias
, Encuestas y Cuestionarios
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Technology is being increasingly used to communicate health information, but there is limited knowledge on whether these strategies are effective for vulnerable populations, including non-English speaking or low-income individuals. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed how language preferences (eg, English, Spanish, or Chinese), smartphone ownership, and the type of clinic for usual source of care (eg, no usual source of care, nonintegrated safety net, integrated safety net, private or community clinic, academic tertiary medical center, or integrated payer-provider) affect technology use for health-related communication. METHODS: From May to September 2017, we administered a nonrandom, targeted survey to 1027 English-, Spanish-, and Chinese-speaking San Francisco residents and used weighted multivariable logistic regression analyses to assess predictors of five technology use outcomes. The three primary predictors of interest-language preference, smartphone ownership, and type of clinic for usual care-were adjusted for age, gender, race or ethnicity, limited English proficiency, educational attainment, health literacy, and health status. Three outcomes focused on use of email, SMS text message, or phone apps to communicate with clinicians. The two other outcomes were use of Web-based health videos or online health support groups. RESULTS: Nearly one-third of participants watched Web-based health videos (367/1027, 35.74%) or used emails to communicate with their clinician (318/1027, 30.96%). In adjusted analyses, individuals without smartphones had significantly lower odds of texting their clinician (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.27, 95% CI 0.13-0.56), using online health support groups (aOR 0.14, 95% CI 0.04-0.55), or watching Web-based health videos (aOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.15-0.64). Relative to English-speaking survey respondents, individuals who preferred Chinese had lower odds of texting their clinician (aOR 0.25, 95% CI 0.08-0.79), whereas Spanish-speaking survey respondents had lower odds of using apps to communicate with clinicians (aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.16-0.75) or joining an online support group (aOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.10-0.92). Respondents who received care from a clinic affiliated with the integrated safety net, academic tertiary medical center, or integrated payer-provider systems had higher odds than individuals without a usual source of care at using emails, SMS text messages, or apps to communicate with clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: In vulnerable populations, smartphone ownership increases the use of many forms of technology for health purposes, but device ownership itself is not sufficient to increase the use of all technologies for communicating with clinicians. Language preference impacts the use of technology for health purposes even after considering English proficiency. Health system factors impact patients' use of technology-enabled approaches for communicating with clinicians. No single factor was associated with higher odds of using technology for all health purposes; therefore, existing disparities in the use of digital health tools among diverse and vulnerable populations can only be addressed using a multipronged approach.
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Comunicación , Alfabetización en Salud/normas , Conducta en la Búsqueda de Información/fisiología , Salud Urbana/normas , Adulto , Anciano , Estudios de Cohortes , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Multilingüismo , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: In order to address health disparities, it is important to understand how vulnerable individuals seek information. This study used an adapted version of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) administered in English, Spanish, and Chinese to describe the behaviors and preferences of a diverse group of vulnerable urban residents. METHODS: We administered a modified HINTS survey in English, Spanish, and Chinese and used purposive sampling to ensure 50% were non-English speakers evenly divided between Spanish and Chinese speakers, and 50% of English-speakers identified as Black. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine characteristics associated with sources used for health information and preferences for delivery of health information. RESULTS: Among 1027survey respondents (514 English, 256 Spanish, 260 Chinese), 55% had adequate health literacy, and 50% reported household income <$20,000, but 77% reported owning a smartphone. A plurality sought health information on the Internet (39%) or from a health care provider (36%). In multivariable analyses, smartphone ownership predicted higher odds of seeking health information on the Internet [odds ratio, (OR) 2.98; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.81-4.91]. Participants most preferred email (41%) and brochures (40%) for delivery of health information, but non-English survey respondents were less likely to prefer email: Spanish (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.11-0.83) and Chinese (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.09-0.71). Smartphone ownership predicted an email preference (OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.43-3.36). CONCLUSIONS: Among vulnerable populations, smartphone ownership and language preferences impact preferences for seeking and receiving health information. These preferences need to be considered in designing health messages.
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Etnicidad/estadística & datos numéricos , Alfabetización en Salud , Conducta en la Búsqueda de Información , Multilingüismo , Población Urbana/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Estudios de Cohortes , Correo Electrónico/estadística & datos numéricos , Femenino , Humanos , Internet/estadística & datos numéricos , Dominio Limitado del Inglés , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , TraducciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Safety-net systems serve patients with limited health literacy and limited English proficiency (LEP) who face communication barriers. However, little is known about how diverse safety-net patients feel about increasing clinician electronic health record (EHR) use. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to better understand how safety-net patients, including those with LEP, view clinician EHR use. METHODS: We conducted focus groups in English, Spanish, and Cantonese (N=37) to elicit patient perspectives on how clinicians use EHRs during clinic visits. Using a grounded theory approach, we coded transcripts to identify key themes. RESULTS: Across multiple language groups, participants accepted multitasking and silent clinician EHR use if focused on their care. However, participants desired more screen share and eye contact, especially when demonstrating physical concerns. All participants, including LEP participants, wanted clinicians to include them in EHR use. CONCLUSIONS: Linguistically diverse patients accept the value of EHR use during outpatient visits but desire more eye contact, verbal warnings before EHR use, and screen-sharing. Safety-net health systems should support clinicians in completing EHR-related tasks during the visit using patient-centered strategies for all patients.
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Barreras de Comunicación , Comunicación , Registros Electrónicos de Salud/tendencias , Alfabetización en Salud/tendencias , Relaciones Médico-Paciente , Proveedores de Redes de Seguridad/tendencias , Atención Ambulatoria , Pueblo Asiatico , Computadores , Femenino , Hispánicos o Latinos , Humanos , Lenguaje , MasculinoAsunto(s)
Médicos Mujeres , Médicos , Acoso Sexual , Humanos , Gestión de Riesgos , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The extent of obesity prevention activities conducted by local health departments (LHDs) varies widely. The purpose of this qualitative study was to characterize how state obesity prevention program directors perceived the role of LHDs in obesity prevention and factors that impact LHDs' success in obesity prevention. METHODS: From June 2011 through August 2011, we conducted 28 semistructured interviews with directors of federally funded obesity prevention programs at 22 state and regional health departments. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed to identify recurring themes and key quotations. RESULTS: Main themes focused on the roles of LHDs in local policy and environmental change and on the barriers and facilitators to LHD success. The role LHDs play in obesity prevention varied across states but generally reflected governance structure (decentralized vs centralized). Barriers to local prevention efforts included competing priorities, lack of local capacity, siloed public health structures, and a lack of local engagement in policy and environmental change. Structures and processes that facilitated prevention were having state support (eg, resources, technical assistance), dedicated staff, strong communication networks, and a robust community health assessment and planning process. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide insight into successful strategies state and local practitioners are using to implement innovative (and evidence-informed) community-based interventions. The change in the nature of obesity prevention requires a rethinking of the state-local relationship, especially in centralized states.
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Recursos en Salud , Gobierno Local , Obesidad/prevención & control , Práctica de Salud Pública , Redes Comunitarias , Humanos , Administración en Salud Pública , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Challenges in implementing telemedicine disproportionately affect patients served in safety-net settings. Few studies have elucidated pragmatic, team-based strategies for successful telemedicine implementation in primary care, especially with a safety-net population. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted in-depth, semistructured qualitative interviews with primary care clinicians and staff in a large urban safety-net health care system on the facilitators, challenges, and impact of implementing team workflows for synchronous telemedicine video and audio-only visits. METHODS: Interviews were analyzed using modified grounded theory with multistage coding. Common themes were identified and reviewed to describe within-group and between-group variations. We used the Practical, Robust Implementation Sustainability Model framework to organize the final themes with an implementation science lens. RESULTS: Four themes emerged from 11 interviews: (1) having a dedicated individual preparing patients for video visits is a prerequisite for the successful introduction of video visits to patients with limited digital literacy; (2) health care maintenance during video and audio-only visits benefits from standardized workflows and communication; (3) the increased flexibility and accessibility of telemedicine visits were perceived benefits to patient care, despite barriers for subsets of patients; and (4) telemedicine visits generally have a positive impact on work experience for clinicians and staff due to increased efficiency, despite audio-only visits feeling less engaging. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding how to strategically use team-based workflows to expand video visit access while ensuring care quality of all telemedicine visits will allow primary care practices to maximize telemedicine's benefits to patients in the safety-net setting.
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Atención Primaria de Salud , Proveedores de Redes de Seguridad , Telemedicina , Flujo de Trabajo , Humanos , Telemedicina/organización & administración , Atención Primaria de Salud/organización & administración , Proveedores de Redes de Seguridad/organización & administración , Grupo de Atención al Paciente/organización & administración , Investigación Cualitativa , Femenino , Entrevistas como Asunto , Masculino , AdultoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of telehealth video use across the United States is uneven, with low uptake in safety-net health care delivery systems, which care for patient populations who face barriers to using digital technologies. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to increase video visit use in an urban safety-net delivery system. We piloted a telehealth ambassador program, in which volunteers offered technical support to patients with access to digital technologies to convert primary care visits already scheduled as telehealth audio-only visits to telehealth video visits. METHODS: We used a descriptive approach to assess the feasibility, efficacy, and acceptability of the pilot telehealth ambassador program. Feasibility was quantified by the percentage of eligible patients who answered calls from telehealth ambassadors. Program efficacy was measured in two ways: (1) the percentage of patients with access to digital technology who interacted with the navigators and were successfully prepared for a telehealth video visit, and (2) the percentage of prepared patients who completed their scheduled video visits. Program acceptability was ascertained by a structured telephone survey. RESULTS: Telehealth ambassadors attempted to contact 776 eligible patients; 43.6% (338/776) were reached by phone, among whom 44.4% (150/338) were provided digital support between March and May 2021. The mean call duration was 8.8 (range 0-35) minutes. Overall, 67.3% (101/150) of patients who received support successfully completed a telehealth video visit with their provider. Among the 188 patients who were contacted but declined video visit digital support, 61% (114/188) provided a reason for their decline; 42% (48/114) did not see added value beyond a telehealth audio-only visit, 20% (23/114) had insufficient internet access, and 27% (31/114) declined learning about a new technology. The acceptability of the telehealth ambassador program was generally favorable, although some patients preferred having in-real-time technology support on the day of their telehealth video visit. CONCLUSIONS: This high-touch program reached approximately one-half of eligible patients and helped two-thirds of interested patients with basic video visit capability successfully complete a video visit. Increasing the program's reach will require outreach solutions that do not rely solely on phone calls. Routinely highlighting the benefits of video visits, partnering with community-based organizations to overcome structural barriers to telehealth use, and offering in-real-time technology support will help increase the program's efficacy.