Factors associated with health intentions and behaviour among health checkup participants in Japan.

Health intentions and behaviours are essential for improving the health of individuals and society. This study used cross-sectional data from 20,155 health checkup participants in the Yamagata study to identify factors associated with health intentions and behaviours. Information regarding the current level of health intentions and behaviours was collected using a baseline survey questionnaire. Participants were categorised into three groups: having no intention (no intention), having intentions to improve but not acting on them (intention), and already active (action). The associations between background factors and the presence/absence of health intentions and behaviours were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Of the participants, 35.4%, 37.7%, and 26.9% belonged to the no intention, intention, and action groups, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the factors associated with health intentions were being young, being female, longer duration of education, higher body mass index and abdominal circumference, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia. The factors associated with health behaviours were being older and male, not consuming alcohol, not smoking, performing daily exercise, and having diabetes. These results indicate that health guidance considering background factors, including age, gender, education, and comorbidities, may be useful for effectively promoting health intentions and health behaviours in the Japanese population.

Patient experience of telephone consultations in gynaecology: a service evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate patient perspective of telephone consultations (TCs) in gynaecology and identify which patients benefit most from a telemedicine system. DESIGN: Service evaluation. SETTING: Gynaecology outpatient services at a tertiary referral hospital. POPULATION: Patients who received a TC during May and June 2020. METHODS: Postal questionnaire combining three validated tools: QQ-10, Patient Enablement Index (PEI) and National Health Service Friends and Family Test (NHS-FFT). Quantitative data and free text responses were analysed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Responses to QQ-10, PEI and NHS-FFT. RESULTS: In total, 1307 patients were contacted and 504 patients responded (39%). Most (89%) described their experience as 'Very good' or 'Good' (NHS-FFT). Positive themes from responses included 'convenience', 'effectiveness' and 'equivalent care'. QQ-10 responses demonstrated a high Value score of 79 (0-100) and a low Burden score of 15. PEI scores suggested that most patients felt better or much better able to understand and cope with their condition following TC. The majority of patients (77%) would 'Strongly agree' or 'Mostly agree' to a repeat TC. Regarding patient outcomes, 21% were discharged and 71% required follow up. Menopause, fertility and endometriosis follow-up clinic patients benefited most from TC. Gynaecology-oncology patients found TC least acceptable. CONCLUSION: We report a large questionnaire survey of patient experience of TC in gynaecology. Telemedicine is convenient, acceptable and effective for conducting care in selected groups. TC can support patients in communicating intimate symptoms. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Telephone consultations are a convenient, acceptable and effective medium for conducting patient care in gynaecology.

Impacts of doctor-shopping behavior on diabetic patients' health: A retrospective longitudinal study in Taiwan.

The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between doctor-shopping behavior and clinical conditions, and to clearly outline the effects of both the number of clinic visits and the number of doctor changes on patients' health conditions. Data from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2004 was collected from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. After randomly selecting one million people, we extracted 5-year longitudinal data, about the number of clinic visits, number of doctor changes, and changes in self-health status for each patient with diabetes over the age of 18. We developed a relationship among the variables by using the generalized estimating equation. The results revealed that the number of clinic visits on the change of health status is a U curve, suggesting that health condition could be optimal with an appropriate number of clinic visits. The effect of the number of doctor changes is linearly correlated with health deterioration. The results suggest that disease conditions can only be controlled with an adequate number of clinic visits. Excessively frequent clinic visits are not only unfavorable to patients' health status but are also wasteful of limited medical resources. For diabetic mellitus patients, the more they change doctors, the worse their health status. All of these results are important for patients to stay healthy and to save medical resources.

Outpatient endometrial ablation: audit of outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Endometrial ablation in outpatient setting is associated with shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery. The primary outcome of this observational study was initiation and completion of procedure and secondary outcome measures were pain during the procedure and complications. The study was conducted in outpatient women's health clinic of Bolton Foundation NHS Trust UK, between March 2015 and July 2017. Out of 151 patients, all had oral analgesia at home. The procedure was initiated and completed in 83% cases. The median time for procedure was 78.5 s with range (34-120 s). The median intraoperative and immediate post-op pain score was 8 and 2, respectively. Post-procedure hysteroscopy confirmed intact cavity in all. Post-op analgesia was required in 2% cases. Eight-nine percent were discharged immediately, 10% had to be rested and observed for 30-60 min. None had serious complications. Ninety percent were satisfied with outpatient service and would recommend to friends and family.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Second-generation endometrial ablation is an effective first-line management option for heavy menstrual bleeding. Outpatient procedure is associated with shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery and avoids general anaesthesia and its complications.What do the results of this study add? This observational study confirmed that it was suitable to start the procedure in 83% cases. Once started, it was possible to complete in 100%. The most common cause for not being able to start the procedure was intolerability to the patients. The median immediate post-procedure pain score was 2 which was highly acceptable to patients. 90% of patients who underwent the outpatient endometrial ablation would choose to have further hysteroscopic procedures as outpatient.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Patients should be given choice for endometrial ablation either with or without general anaesthesia. Patients should be carefully selected for outpatient procedure taking into account informed consent, tolerability of speculum examination and endometrial pipelle biopsy as well as understanding anticipation of some discomfort. Further randomised controlled trials should be carried out to determine patient satisfaction with endometrial ablation with or without general anaesthesia.

Chemotherapy Wait Times in a Network of Pediatric Oncology Clinics.

Patient satisfaction with medical care delivery is an important aspect of value-based health care. Providers strive to provide optimal patient satisfaction. Among a network of ambulatory pediatric oncology affiliate clinics, we conducted patient satisfaction surveys and found that the lowest scores were related to delays in the administration of chemotherapy. To address this shortcoming, we used continuous improvement methodologies to reduce the delay in chemotherapy administration in 3 affiliate clinics. To evaluate the efficacy of the quality improvement interventions implemented at each affiliate clinic, we measured the time from patient arrival to the start of chemotherapy administration over a 2-week period before and after the interventions. Wait times for chemotherapy administration were reduced in each clinic by 7% to 15%, exceeding the preestablished goal of a 5% reduction without affecting patient safety. Patient satisfaction for chemotherapy wait times was also marginally increased. In conclusion, implementation of quality improvement interventions across a clinical network can improve specific aspects of patient satisfaction, thereby improving the overall patient experience.

Spiritual Well-Being in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy in an Outpatient Setting: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: To assess the spiritual well-being (SWB) of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in an outpatient setting. Method: Quantitative, cross-sectional, and descriptive study. A convenience sample of 150 participants was obtained. Data collection instrument was a self-reported questionnaire that included the SWB Questionnaire (SWBQ), whose scores range from 20 to 100. SPSS software, version 21, was used in data analysis. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. Results: Patients' ages ranged between 35 and 83 years; most were female (64.7%), married (68.0%), Catholic (86.7%), and with breast cancer (35.3%) and colorectal cancer (25.3%). The average SWBQ total score was 65.91 (SD = 12.177). The highest score of the SWBQ was obtained in females, widows and singles, Evangelic and Catholic, and with lower educational level and professional occupation. The Cronbach α was 0.89, and the subscales αs ranged between 0.78 and 0.94. Conclusion: The SWBQ scores were reasonable. These results can guide nurses' clinical reasoning, as the assessment of SWB may precede the diagnosis of risk for spiritual distress, readiness for enhanced SWB, or spiritual distress. Thus, the use of this instrument may facilitate spirituality being effectively implemented in clinical practice, favoring holistic health care.

Effect of patient education on palliative care knowledge and acceptability of outpatient palliative care services among gynecologic oncology patients: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: A randomized control trial (RCT) to estimate the effect of an interventional video on improving palliative care knowledge, acceptability and attendance to outpatient services in gynecologic oncology patients. METHODS: Women receiving treatment for gynecologic malignancy recruited at an academic tertiary care center were randomized to: palliative care educational video or non-directive cancer center video. The primary outcome was referral to palliative care. Function and knowledge were assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy and the Palliative Care Knowledge Scale. Data analyses were performed using t-tests, Wilcoxon rank sum or Fisher's exact tests with significance level of α = 0.05. RESULTS: 111 women were enrolled. Demographic characteristics were equally distributed between groups with respect to age, race, cancer, and stage. There was no statistical difference in knowledge scores or in referral to palliative care between the patients that watched the educational versus control video (29% vs. 27%; p = .79). Secondary analysis showed a statistically significant increase in utilization of palliative care services compared to historic institutional data (8.8% to 31.5%; p ≤.001). Further, those referred had significantly worse baseline functional scores. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a palliative care educational video did not increase knowledge or acceptability of palliative services within this RCT. However, the rate of patients referred to palliative care tripled compared to historic rates. Further studies should investigate whether discussion regarding palliative care services alone may increase desire for referral, and if use of Fact-G scores may identify patients in greatest need of services.

Enhancing palliative care patient access to psychological counseling through outreach telehealth services.

CONTEXT: Palliative care encompasses an interdisciplinary team, including mental health care professionals, to address psychological distress of cancer patients. OBJECTIVES: To present the implementation of an outreach counseling program via videoconferencing or telephone to patients receiving care in an outpatient palliative care clinic and to compare patients using this service to those who only received psychological counseling in our outpatient clinic. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of cancer patients seen for psychology counseling services in an outpatient supportive care center between June 2015 and March 2017. RESULTS: We reviewed 2072 unique patients (52% of the total patients seen at the outpatient Supportive Care Center), who had 4567 total counseling encounters across outreach and outpatient settings. A total of 452 (22%) patients participated in a combination of outpatient and outreach counseling services. Patients who participated in outreach services had significantly more encounters (311 [69%] had two to five sessions) compared with those who had outpatient services only (1137 [70%] had one session only) (P < .001). Outreach patients also had shorter times between the initial and follow-up encounters (median 14 days) compared with those who had outpatient services only (median 30 days) (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Outreach telehealth counseling services was found to enhance palliative care patient access to psychological counseling. These services represent an additional modality for providing continuous psychological care.

Conscious Sedation in Dentistry.

Invasive dental procedures can be performed only with local anesthesia; in some cases, it may be useful to combine the administration of drugs to obtain anxiolysis with local anesthesia. Sedation required level should be individually adjusted to achieve a proper balance between the needs of the patient, the operator, and the safety of the procedure. Surgical time is an important factor for post-operative phases, and this could be greatly increased by whether the patient interrupts the surgeon or if it is not collaborative. In this manuscript some dentistry-used methods to practice conscious sedation have been evaluated. This manuscript could be a useful reading on the current state of conscious sedation in dentistry and an important starting point for future perspectives. Surely the search for safer drugs for our patients could have beneficial effects for them and for the clinicians.

Patient satisfaction, an indicator to consider in the colorectal cancer process.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most relevant diseases worldwide because of its incidence, prevalence and mortalitye. It is the third most common tumor in men, after lung and prostate cancer, and the second most common tumor in women, after breast cancer. A recent systematic analysis showed global data referring to age-standardized incidence rates for CRC, which increased by 9.5% from 1990 to 2017, whereas mortality rates decreased by 13.5%. This might be due to the introduction of CRC prevention programs, which facilitate early identification and higher survival chances.

Attitudes towards child life specialists and their utilization within pediatric urology.

INTRODUCTION: The American Academy of Pediatrics views Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) as "an important component of pediatric hospital based care to address the psychosocial concerns that accompany hospitalization." CCLSs help patients and parents navigate the complex medical system in order to minimize psychosocial and emotional stress by implementing age appropriate coping skills. This survey explores the perceptions towards CCLS and their utilization with pediatric urology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Survey Monkey questionnaire was developed and distributed to Society for Pediatric Urology members (SPU) (n = 314). Providers were queried about CCLS implementation and their perception regarding CCLS's role in improving health related quality of life (HRQOL). RESULTS: There was a 34.1% response rate (n = 107). Ninety-four providers (87.9%) reported CCLS interaction with their patients and greater than 95% of providers felt CCLS imparted some degree of benefit to their patients' HRQOL. Only 4.7% felt CCLS offered no benefit to the patients. CCLS were consistently used in a minority of inpatient and outpatient settings and never in the radiological setting. They were used at least 50% of the time by the most responders in inpatient and radiological setting and nearly the same in the ambulatory surgery setting. CONCLUSIONS: This survey illuminates that the majority of providers interact with CCLS in clinical settings and believe their involvement is beneficial. However, CCLSs are under-utilized during invasive urological procedures where patient anxiety is high. By understanding perceptions of providers and their practice patterns we can overcome barriers to CCLS use and improve their quality of life.

Dificuldades no atendimento às situações de urgências e emergências psiquiátricas / Difficulties in psychiatric emergency situations

A assistência à emergência psiquiátrica é encarada como um dos tópicos mais difíceis e estratégicos no processo da Reforma Psiquiátrica. Essa assistência psicossocial requer buscar formas de atuação que, além de perceber o indivíduo em situação de emergência como ser singular, complexo e entrelaçado por uma rede familiar e social, valorize também a subjetividade. O objetivo desse estudo é reconhecer os obstáculos descritos no acervo literário sobre o atendimento nas situações de urgências e emergências psiquiátricas. Adotou-se a da literatura que se refere à análise sistemática e ampla de estudos científicos, proporcionando uma síntese do conhecimento contemplando o tema escolhido. De uma maneira geral os estudos e pesquisas analisadas relataram que as dificuldades encontradas no cuidado à pessoa em sofrimento psíquico, devem-se à falta de conhecimentos específicos da área de saúde mental, pois a formação profissional não é frequente nessa área de atuação. Observou-se que em muitas situações o profissional não se sente capacitado a atender a esse público. Com isso, sugere-se o fortalecimento da educação continuada para os profissionais atuantes, como também para os acadêmicos, uma vez que estes serão inseridos no mercado de trabalho.

Psychiatric emergency care is seen as one of the most difficult and strategic topics in the Psychiatric Reform process. This psychosocial assistance requires looking for ways of acting that, in addition to perceiving the individual in an emergency situation as being singular, complex and intertwined by a family and social network, also values subjectivity. The purpose of this study is to recognize the obstacles described in the literature on care in psychiatric emergency situations. A literature review was developed on the systematic and extensive analysis of scientific studies, providing a synthesis of the knowledge about the chosen topic. In general, the studies and research analyzed reported that the difficulties faced in caring for the person suffering from mental diseases are due to the lack of specific knowledge in the area of mental health, since professionals are not frequently trained on that field. It could be observed that in many situations the professional does not feel able to care for this kind of patient. Therefore, this study suggests the strengthening of continuing education for working professionals as well as for graduation students, since they will soon be inserted in the job.

Satisfaction with care in colorectal cancer patients: inpatient versus outpatient study.

BACKGROUND: satisfaction with healthcare is focused on the patient and is known as "patient-centered care". However, user satisfaction is not always synonymous with good care. Healthcare practitioners should determine and understand what patients need and expect in order to improve the quality of care. AIMS: the main objective of this study was to determine the perceived quality of care of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in our unit. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was performed in all patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) that underwent staging studies and were hospitalized in the Gastroenterology Department from May 2013 to October 2013. Furthermore, outpatients with rapid consultations for CRC staging from November 2013 to November 2014 were also included. Two questionnaires were administered: a) a survey of 20 questions with closed responses regarding the competence of treating physicians and nurses, the information received and the waiting time; b) the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-INFO25: information on the disease, medical tests, treatment and other services, with eight single items. RESULTS: there were no differences in the perceived healthcare quality, delays in starting treatment, the tumor stage, symptoms (performance status) or the time spent studying the disease. In-patients and those with advanced disease started treatment earlier than outpatients and those with disease stage I or II. Likewise, outpatients perceived a better psychological support. CONCLUSIONS: outpatient study did not reduce the quality of care and did not delay treatment.

Attitudes and personal attributes regarding patient receptivity towards the participation of medical students in gynecological consultations: A cross-sectional study / Atitudes e atributos pessoais relativos à receptividade das pacientes à participação de estudantes de medicina em consultas ginecológicas: Um estudo de corte transversal

Abstract Objective To evaluate the association between the acceptance on the part of the patients and their reasons to consent to or refuse medical student attendance during gynecological outpatient care, considering the participants' demographic characteristics, consultation experience, and gender bias or lack thereof. Methods Face-to-face interviews with patients waiting for gynecological consultations that had been scheduled in advance at Hospital Universitário de Brasília. Contingency analyses were used to determine the levels of association among the patient variables. The accepted significance level was values of p<0.05. Results We interviewed 469 patients. The comfort level with the presence of a student was strongly related to the number of students present during the consultation (Cramér V=0.671). The inclination to grant consent (a series of reasons to consent to or refuse student attendance) was significantly related (p<0.001) to the overall receptivity to student participation (ρ=0.482), the positive appraisal of student-doctor demeanor in previous consultations (ρ=0.253, N=408), and to greater levels of schooling (ρ=0.158). The patients' receptivity was significantly related (p<0.001) to the lack of bias regarding the gender of the physician (CramérV=0.388), previous experience with students (Cramér V=0.235) and awareness of the fact that they would be present (Cramér V=0.217), older age (ρ=0.136, p=0.003), and multiparity (ρ=0.102, p=0.027). Conclusion Greater receptivity to student participation related significantly to five conditions in decreasing order of strength of association: lack of bias regarding the gender of the Ob-Gyn, previous experience with student involvement, awareness of the presence of students, older age, and multiparity. We also found that a more positive inclination to consent to student attendance correlated positively with a greater receptivity to student participation and to a suitable student-doctor demeanor.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar a associação entre as razões das pacientes para consentir ou recusar a presença de estudantes de medicina no ambulatório de Ginecologia, considerando seus fatores demográficos, experiência prévia com alunos, e sensibilidade com relação ao gênero. Métodos Entrevistas com as pacientes que aguardavam consultas ginecológicas previamente agendadas no Hospital Universitário de Brasília. Análises de contingência foram utilizadas para determinar os níveis de associação entre as variáveis das pacientes. Valores de p<0.05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Resultados Foram entrevistadas 469 pacientes. Observou-se forte associação entre o conforto com a presença do estudante e o número destes presentes à consulta (V de Cramér=0.671). A tendência ao consentimento (relação de motivos para consentir ou discordar da presença do estudante) relacionou-se significativamente (p<0.001) à maior receptividade à participação dos alunos (ρ=0.482), a uma avaliação positiva do comportamento aluno-médico em consultas anteriores (ρ =0.253, N=408), e a maior escolaridade das pacientes (ρ =0.158). Observou-se associação significativa entre receptividade das pacientes (p<0.001) e ausência de discriminação quanto ao gênero do médico (V de Cramér=0.388), experiência prévia com estudantes (V de Cramér =0.235), ciência de que estariam presentes à consulta (V Cramér=0.217), idade mais avançada (ρ=0.136; p=0.003), e multiparidade (ρ=0.102; p=0.027). Conclusão Maior receptividade à participação dos estudantes relacionou-se a cinco condições em ordem decrescente de força de associação: ausência de discriminação quanto ao gênero do médico ginecologista-obstetra, experiência prévia com estudantes, conhecimento antecipado sobre a presença deles, idade mais avançada, e multiparidade. Também foi observada correlação positiva entre maior tendência ao consentimento e maior receptividade à participação dos alunos e comportamento adequado médico-estudante.

Using Patients' Social Network to Improve Compliance to Outpatient Screening Colonoscopy Appointments Among Blacks: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Patient navigation improves colorectal cancer screening among underserved populations, but limited resources preclude widespread adoption in minority-serving institutions. We evaluated whether a patient's self-selected social contact person can effectively facilitate outpatient screening colonoscopy. METHODS: From September 2014 to March 2017 in an urban tertiary center, 399 black participants scheduled for outpatient screening colonoscopy self-selected a social contact person to be a facilitator and provided the person's phone number. Of these, 201 participants (50.4%) were randomly assigned to the intervention arm for their social contact persons to be engaged by phone. The study was explained to the social contact person with details about colonoscopy screening and bowel preparation process. The social contacts were asked to assist the participants, provide support, and encourage compliance with the procedures. The social contact person was not contacted in the usual care arm, n = 198 (49.6%). We evaluated attendance to the scheduled outpatient colonoscopy and adequacy of bowel preparation. Analysis was performed by intention to treat. RESULTS: The social contact person was reached and agreed to be involved for 130 of the 201 participants (64.7%). No differences were found in the proportion of participants who underwent screening colonoscopy (77.3% vs 77.2%; relative risk = 1.01; 95% confidence interval: 0.91-1.12), but there was a modest increase in the proportion with adequate bowel preparation with social contact involvement (89.1% vs 80.9%; relative risk = 1.10; 95% confidence interval: 1.00-1.21). DISCUSSION: Engaging a patient's social network to serve in the role of a patient navigator did not improve compliance to outpatient screening colonoscopy but modestly improved the adequacy of bowel preparation.

Doctor-Patient Communication in an Outpatient Setting

Aim To evaluate doctor patient communication within gynaecological oncology services in Ireland. Methods An anonymous and confidential 20 question survey was designed by the patient advocacy group ISGOPPI and distributed in three gynaecological oncology outpatient clinics in tertiary referral centres. Results A total of 84 patients completed the survey in the 3 Dublin hospitals. Doctors surveyed ranged from senior house officer to consultant level. Overall women were very satisfied with the communication they had received from their doctor. 85% felt that they the doctor listened to them and took their opinion into account. 84% of patients felt that the doctor's body language was appropriate throughout the consultation. One of the main issues for women surveyed was waiting times. 33% of women waited over an hour to see their doctor and over 30% of women did not receive contact details of the clinical nurse specialist. Conclusion Overall our study shows that patients in gynae-oncology clinics are satisfied with the communication from their doctors. The main issues for patients were waiting times and contact details for follow up questions.

Validez y confiabilidad de la escala de satisfacción de los usuarios de consulta médica ambulatoria en Perú / Validity and reliability of the satisfaction scale for outpatient care users in Peru

RESUMEN Objetivos. Evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la escala para medir la satisfacción de los usuarios de consulta médica ambulatoria (ESCOMA) en Instituciones Prestadoras de Servicios de Salud (IPRESS) del sistema de salud peruano (SSP). Materiales y Métodos. Llevamos a cabo un estudio de tipo instrumental con los datos del Cuestionario 1 de la Encuesta Nacional de Satisfacción de Usuarios de Salud (ENSUSALUD) del 2016; en la cual se administró una escala inicial de 19 ítems construidos por revisión bibliográfica, juicio de expertos y estudio piloto. Realizamos un análisis factorial exploratorio (AFE) para valorar la estructura interna de la escala y luego un análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) mediante el método de estimación de máxima verosimilitud robusta. Finalmente, desarrollamos análisis de invarianza de medición y evaluamos la confiabilidad con el coeficiente omega de McDonald. Resultados. Analizamos 13 814 observaciones en dos submuestras aleatorias para el AFE con lo cual definimos un modelo de tres dimensiones con 18 ítems. En el AFC encontramos índices de bondad de ajuste aceptables (CFI=0,945; TLI=0,937; SRMR=0,036). Las dimensiones resultantes fueron: procesos administrativos, infraestructura y atención médica. Evidenciamos invarianza fuerte para la edad, sexo, nivel educativo y región, e invarianza parcial para el tipo de institución (Ministerio de Salud, Seguro Social, Fuerzas Armadas y Policiales, y Clínicas Privadas). Todos los coeficientes de confiabilidad fueron adecuados (0,86<ω<0,92). Conclusiones. La ESCOMA presenta evidencia de validez y confiabilidad a nivel estructural y de invarianza de medición a diferentes niveles de atención y a nivel nacional en Perú.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To assess the psychometric properties of a scale to measure the satisfaction of individuals seeking services at outpatient clinics (ESCOMA) in public healthcare centers in Peru. Materials and Methods. We carried out a study based on a dataset from Questionnaire 1 of the National Health Users Satisfaction Survey (ENSUSALUD) 2016. ENSUSALUD applied an initial scale of 19 items constructed based on bibliographic review, expert judgment and a pilot study. We first performed an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in two random subsamples to assess the scale's internal structure. We then developed a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using robust maximum likelihood estimation. Lastly, we analyzed measurement invariance and assessed reliability using McDonald's Omega Coefficient (ω). Results : We randomly divided 13,814 observations into two subsamples for the EFA. Based on this analysis, we selected a best-fitting CFA model, which comprised three factors and 18 items. We found acceptable goodness-of-fit indices for the CFA (CFI = 0.945, TLI = 0.937, SRMR = 0.036). The three resulting factors were a) administrative processes, b) infrastructure and c) medical care. We found strong invariance for age, sex, educational level and area of residence, and partial invariance for type of institution. All reliability coefficients indicated adequate fit (0.86<ω<0.92). Conclusions. The ESCOMA demonstrates validity, reliability, and measurement invariance at different levels of care in a nationally representative Peruvian sample.

Clustered randomized controlled trial of a clinic-based problem-solving intervention to improve adherence in adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: In Cystic Fibrosis (CF), adherence to pulmonary medications is about 50% and decreases during adolescence. Effective interventions have not been integrated into CF care. This effectiveness study tested a brief, clinic-based behavioral intervention to improve adherence. METHODS: iCARE (I Change Adherence and Raise Expectations) was a pragmatic, clustered, 2-arm randomized controlled trial at 18 CF Centers. 607 adolescents with CF, ages 11-20 years, participated. Centers were randomized to IMPACT (n = 9; 300 adolescents), a brief problem-solving + education intervention, or standard care (SC; n = 9; 307 adolescents). IMPACT was delivered during a regularly scheduled clinic visit by a member of the clinical care team. The primary outcome was composite pulmonary medication possession ratio (cMPR); secondary endpoints were lung function, Body Mass Index percentile, courses of IV antibiotics, and health-related quality of life at 12 months. RESULTS: Effectiveness of the intervention was tested using mixed models, generalized estimating equations comparing IMPACT to SC. Fifty-eight percent of problem-solving sessions targeted barriers to airway clearance, exercise or nutrition, while 18% addressed pulmonary medications. Average intervention fidelity score was 67% (SD = 14%; Range = 25-100%). No significant intervention effects were found for cMPR or any of the secondary outcomes compared to SC. CONCLUSIONS: The IMPACT intervention did not improve medication adherence or health outcomes over 12 months. Challenges to implementing the intervention as intended during busy clinic visits were identified. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01232478; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Impact of lymphoma survivorship clinic visit on patient-centered outcomes.

PURPOSE: Cancer survivors may experience physical, social, and emotional effects of cancer and its treatments. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend the development of a survivorship care plan (SCP) for cancer patients following completion of treatment with curative intent. Our institution developed a lymphoma survivorship clinic (SC) to assess patient needs, provide education, and create and deliver SCPs. This study analyzed the impact of a SC visit on patient-centered outcomes. METHODS: Surveys were sent to lymphoma patients at Mayo Clinic Rochester within 4 weeks of their post-treatment visit to the SC that queried patient-reported outcomes, including experience of care, quality of life (QOL), and distress. We compared survey responses between those who attended the SC and those who were eligible but did not attend. RESULTS: From November 2013 to May 2015, 236 lymphoma patients were surveyed, 96 of whom had a SC visit and 140 of who were eligible but did not attend. Those who attended the SC were more likely to "definitely" recall discussion on improving health, preventing illness, and making changes in habits/lifestyle, diet, and exercise. There were no differences in QOL or distress. Adjusted analyses revealed that SC attendance was associated with better self-reported overall health among younger patients and better physical well-being in Hodgkin lymphoma patients compared to those with other subtypes of lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in the lymphoma SC improved patient education on survivorship issues, particularly health behaviors. There may be a particular benefit in younger patients. However, there were no differences in QOL or distress. Further study is needed to determine if improved survivorship education and SCP delivery leads to long-term health benefits in cancer survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Our study evaluates the clinical impact of a SC in patients treated for lymphoma. We demonstrate that a SC visit improves patient education regarding health behaviors.