Outreach work in Belgian primary care practices during COVID-19: results from the cross-sectional PRICOV-19 study.

BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) have a vital role in reaching out to vulnerable populations during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, they experience many challenges to fulfill this role. This study aimed to examine associations between practice characteristics, patient population characteristics and the extent of deprivation of practice area on the one hand, and the level of outreach work performed by primary care practices (PCPs) during the COVID-19 pandemic on the other hand. METHODS: Belgian data from the international PRICOV-19 study were analyzed. Data were collected between December 2020 and August 2021 using an online survey in PCPs. Practices were recruited through randomized and convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed. Four survey questions related to outreach work constitute the outcome variable. The adjusted models included four practice characteristics (practice type, being a teaching practice for GP trainees; the presence of a nurse or a nurse assistant and the presence of a social worker or health promotor), two patient population characteristics (social vulnerability and medical complexity) and an area deprivation index. RESULTS: Data from 462 respondents were included. First, the factors significantly associated with outreach work in PCPs are the type of PCP (with GPs working in a group performing more outreach work), and the presence of a nurse (assistant), social worker or health promotor. Second, the extent of outreach work done by a PCP is significantly associated with the social vulnerability of the practice's patient population. This social vulnerability factor, affecting outreach work, differed with the level of medical complexity of the practice's patient population and with the level of deprivation of the municipality where the practice is situated. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, outreach work in PCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic is facilitated by the group-type cooperation of GPs and by the support of at least one staff member of the disciplines of nursing, social work, or health promotion. These findings suggest that improving the effectiveness of outreach efforts in PCPs requires addressing organizational factors at the practice level. This applies in particular to PCPs having a more socially vulnerable patient population.

Developing a competency assessment framework for medical laboratory technologists in primary healthcare settings in India.

Medical Laboratory Technologists play a significant role in delivering quality laboratory Services. The competency assessment of MLTs is a critical driver for enhancing primary healthcare performance. While several countries have developed competency frameworks for MLTs in primary care, such frameworks are lacking in the Indian context. This study aimed to create a competency assessment framework to assess the competencies of MLTs (Medical Laboratory Technologists) working in Indian public primary healthcare facilities. The research followed a five-step process, starting with a review of existing literature on MLTs' competencies in primary healthcare. Expert consultations were then conducted to establish a consensus on these competencies. Following this, assessment tools were developed based on the literature review and expert input. Another round of expert consultations was held to ensure agreement on the assessment tools. Finally, the developed tools were tested in a public primary healthcare facility. The literature review identified 86 competencies across 11 domains: safe work practices, data/ sample collection, specimen preparation equipment instruments and regiments, assessment and analysis, recording and reporting, infection control, quality management, critical thinking, communication and interaction, and professional practice. Expert consultations resulted in the consensus on ninety-five competencies in ten domains of MLTs in primary healthcare settings. Competencies for each domain were discussed and agreed upon. A competency assessment tool was finalized after unanimous agreement among experts. The competency assessment tool was later finalized after pre-testing on MLTs in a clinical laboratory part of a public primary health care facility. This study successfully developed a competency assessment framework for in-service MLTs in Indian public primary healthcare settings. The framework encompasses ninety-five competencies covering ten domains of MLT responsibilities. It provides a comprehensive tool for assessing MLT's competencies and identifying competency gaps. The framework can be used to capacitate MLTs, improve their performance in primary healthcare settings, and enhance the delivery of healthcare services in India. It bridges a critical gap in the existing literature and can aid as a valuable resource for policymakers, educators, and healthcare professionals involved in practicing medical laboratory Services in primary healthcare settings.

Medical Insurance Representatives Perceptions on National Health Insurance Primary Healthcare Re-Engineering in South Africa: A Qualitative Study.

The South African government is moving toward universal health coverage (UHC) with the passing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill. Access to quality primary healthcare (PHC) is the cornerstone of UHC principles. The South African governmental health department have begun focusing efforts on improving the efficiency and functionality of this system; that includes the involvement of private healthcare professionals and medical insurance companies. This study sought to explore perceptions of medical insurance company personnel on PHC re-engineering as part of NHI restructuring. A qualitative research design was adopted in this study. Semi-structured interviewed were conducted on 10 participants. Their responses were audio recorded and transcribed utilizing Microsoft Word® documents. Nvivo® was used to facilitate the analysis of data. A thematical approach was used to categories codes into themes. Although participants were in agreement with the current healthcare reform in South Africa. The findings of this study have highlighted several gaps in the NHI Bill at the current point in time. In order to achieve standardized quality of care at a primary level; it is imperative that reimbursement frameworks with clearly detailed service provision and accountability guidelines are developed.

Práticas de Enfermagem na Coordenação do Cuidado na Atenção Primária à Saúde / Nursing Practices In Coordination Care In Primary Health Care / Prácticas de Enfermería Coordinación Del Cuidado En La Atención Primaria da Salud

Objetivo: analisar as características das equipes e as práticas associadas ao acompanhamento e coordenação do cuidado no Pará e compreender como ocorre essa prática executada pelo enfermeiro como membro da equipe na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Métodos: estudo de métodos mistos. Os participantes foram enfermeiros da atenção básica do Pará. A coleta ocorreu entre novembro de 2019 a agosto de 2021, através de um formulário eletrônico e entrevista. A análise integrativa dos dados foi feita pela conexão dos métodos qualitativos e quantitativos. Resultados: A proporção de enfermeiros que acompanha e coordena os usuários que estão em uso de outros serviços foi de 50% (90/180). Houve associação significativa (p <0,05) entre o acompanhamento e coordenação do cuidado e o tipo de equipe, carga horária de trabalho, regulação das demandas locais na perspectiva da rede, articulação com profissionais de saúde de outros níveis de atenção, trabalhos com profissionais de outras formações e a condução da clínica ampliada/ matriciamento. As categorias temáticas "relação da Atenção Primária à Saúde com a rede de atenção" e "práticas de coordenação e continuidade do cuidado horizontal e vertical" apresentaram convergência com os dados quantitativos e a categoria temática "Práticas de coordenação do cuidado sob a forma do trabalho em equipe" converge com os dados quantitativos, mas divergem no apoio matricial. Conclusão: Os enfermeiros realizam o acompanhamento e coordenação do cuidado, porém enfrentam dificuldades que resultam em sobrecarga e realização de atribuições que não são da categoria profissional. (AU)

Objective: to analyze the characteristics of the teams and the practices associated with the monitoring and coordination of care in Pará and to understand how this practice is carried out by the nurse as a member of the team in Primary Health Care. Methods: study of mixed methods. The participants were primary care nurses in Pará. The collection took place between November 2019 and August 2021, through an electronic form and interview. The integrative data analysis was performed by connecting qualitative and quantitative methods. Results: The proportion of nurses who monitor and coordinate users who are using other services was 50% (90/180). There was a significant association (p <0.05) between monitoring and coordination of care and the type of team, workload, regulation of local demands from the perspective of the network, articulation with health professionals from other levels of care, work with professionals from other backgrounds and conducting the expanded clinic/matrix support. The thematic categories "relationship between Primary Health Care and the care network" and "practices of coordination and continuity of horizontal and vertical care" showed convergence with the quantitative data and the thematic category "Practices of coordination of care in the form of work in a team" converges with the quantitative data, but differs in matrix support. Conclusion: Nurses carry out monitoring and coordination of care, but they face difficulties that result in overload and carrying out tasks that are not of the professional category. (AU)

Objetivo: analizar las características de los equipos y las prácticas asociadas al seguimiento y coordinación del cuidado en Pará y comprender cómo esa práctica es realizada por el enfermero como miembro del equipo en la Atención Primaria de Salud. Métodos: estudio de métodos mixtos. Los participantes eran enfermeros de atención primaria de Pará. La recolección se realizó entre noviembre de 2019 y agosto de 2021, a través de formulario electrónico y entrevista. El análisis integrador de datos se realizó conectando métodos cualitativos y cuantitativos. Resultados: La proporción de enfermeros que acompañan y coordinan usuarios que utilizan otros servicios fue del 50% (90/180). Hubo asociación significativa (p<0,05) entre el seguimiento y coordinación de la atención y el tipo de equipo, carga de trabajo, regulación de las demandas locales desde la perspectiva de la red, articulación con profesionales de salud de otros niveles de atención, trabajo con profesionales de otros antecedentes y dirigiendo el apoyo clínico/matriz ampliado. Las categorías temáticas "relación entre la Atención Primaria de Salud y la red de atención" y "prácticas de coordinación y continuidad del cuidado horizontal y vertical" mostraron convergencia con los datos cuantitativos y la categoría temática "Prácticas de coordinación del cuidado en la forma de trabajo en un team" converge con los datos cuantitativos, pero difiere en el soporte de la matriz. Conclusión: Los enfermeros realizan seguimiento y coordinación de los cuidados, pero enfrentan dificultades que resultan en sobrecarga y realización de tareas que no son de categoría profesional. (AU)

A cluster-randomized study to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Assessment of Burden of Chronic Conditions (ABCC) tool in South Tyrolean primary care for patients with COPD, asthma, type 2 diabetes, and heart failure: the ABCC South Tyrol study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, type 2 diabetes, and heart failure, often coexist and contribute to a significant burden on individuals and health systems. The Assessment of Burden of Chronic Conditions (ABCC) tool, already in routine clinical use in the Netherlands, aims to comprehensively assess and visualize disease burden, stimulate self-management, and encourage shared decision-making. This study aims to validate the German and Italian versions of the ABCC tool and evaluate its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in the South Tyrolean Primary Care setting. METHODS: This is a cluster-randomized study involving approximately 400 patients with COPD, asthma, type 2 diabetes, and heart failure who received care from the South Tyrolean General Practices. Initially, the ABCC tool will be translated into German and Italian and validated. Subsequently, half of the participants will use the validated ABCC tool for patient-reported outcome measurement assessments, while the other half will receive usual care. The primary outcome measure is the change in the patients' perception of the quality of care after 18 months. The secondary outcomes included changes in quality of life, self-management behavior, and healthcare utilization. The missing data will be managed using multiple imputations. Additionally, a cost-effectiveness analysis that considers the direct medical costs reimbursed by the National Health Service will be conducted. DISCUSSION: This study provides insights into the application, validation, and efficacy of the ABCC tool in the South Tyrolean healthcare context. The tool's potential to enhance person-centered care, improve the quality of life, and possibly reduce healthcare costs could greatly contribute to sustainable healthcare. The challenges of implementation, such as software integration and the use of an EU data platform, will provide lessons for future international patient care data management. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN13531607. Registered on August 23, 2023.

A rapid review to inform the policy and practice for the implementation of chronic disease prevention and management programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in primary care.

BACKGROUND: More than 35% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults live with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. There is a pressing need for chronic disease prevention and management among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. Therefore, this review aimed to synthesise a decade of contemporary evidence to understand the barriers and enablers of chronic disease prevention and management for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with a view to developing policy and practice recommendations. METHODS: We systematically searched for peer-reviewed published articles between January 2014 to March 2023 where the search was performed using subject headings and keywords related to "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples," "Chronic Disease," and "Primary Health Care". Quality assessment for all included studies was conducted using the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quality Appraisal Tool. The data were extracted and summarised using a conventional content analysis approach and applying strength-based approaches. RESULTS: Database searches identified 1653 articles where 26 met inclusion criteria. Studies varied in quality, primarily reporting on 14 criteria of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quality Appraisal Tool. We identified six key domains of enablers and barriers of chronic disease prevention and management programs and implied a range of policy and practice options for improvement. These include culturally acceptable and safe services, patient-provider partnerships, chronic disease workforce, primary health care service attributes, clinical care pathways, and accessibility to primary health care services. This review also identified the need to address social and cultural determinants of health, develop the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous chronic disease workforce, support multidisciplinary teams through strengthening clinical care pathways, and engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in chronic disease prevention and management program design and delivery. CONCLUSION: Enabling place-based partnerships to develop contextual evidence-guided strategies that align with community priorities and aspirations, with the provision of funding mechanisms and models of care through policy and practice reforms will strengthen the chronic disease prevention and management program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Small Independent Primary Care Practices Serving Socially Vulnerable Urban Populations.

PURPOSE: This mixed methods study sought to describe the extent to which family physicians in urban communities serve socially vulnerable patients and to better understand their practices, their challenges, and the structural supports that could facilitate their patient care. METHODS: We conducted a quantitative analysis of questionnaire data from 100% of US physicians recertifying for family medicine from 2017 to 2020. We conducted qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with 22 physician owners of urban, small, independent practices who reported that the majority of their patients were socially vulnerable. RESULTS: In 2020, in urban areas across the United States, 19.3% of family physicians served in independent practices with 1 to 5 clinicians, down from 22.6% in 2017. Nearly one-half of these physicians reported that >10% of their patients were socially vulnerable. Interviews with 22 physicians who reported that the majority of their patients were socially vulnerable revealed 5 themes: (1) substantial time spent addressing access issues and social determinants of health, (2) minimal support from health care entities, such as independent practice associations and health plans, and insufficient connection to community-based organizations, (3) myriad financial challenges, (4) serious concerns about the future, and (5) deep personal commitment to serving socially vulnerable patients in independent practice. CONCLUSIONS: Small independent practices serving vulnerable patients in urban communities are surviving because deeply committed physicians are making personal sacrifices. Health equity-focused policies could decrease the burden on these physicians and bolster independent practices so that socially vulnerable patients continue to have options when seeking primary care.

Community-embedded follow-up management intervention for geriatric primary care: a mixed-methods study of an integrated health services model.

BACKGROUND: To propose a community-embedded follow-up management model to provide health services for elderly patients with osteoporosis who live alone. METHODS: Researchers randomly selected 396 people with osteoporosis living alone from five communities in Nantong, China, for the study. These participants were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Twenty-four community physicians in five communities provided professional support based on a community-embedded follow-up management model. Participants completed quantitative questionnaires at baseline and after the 6-month follow-up intervention, and some participants underwent semi-structured face-to-face interviews. The primary outcome is the effectiveness of the community-embedded follow-up management model in improving the quality of life of elderly patients with osteoporosis living alone. Based on an objective quantitative assessment, the qualitative study explains and adds essential components of this community-based follow-up management model. RESULTS: The quantitative study showed that scores in physical functioning, ability to perform daily activities, self-efficacy, and mental status were significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The most significant improvements were found in "mental status" (p = 0.012) and "self-care skills" (p = 0.003). The qualitative study reported the essential elements of a community healthcare model for older people living alone with osteoporosis, including professional support, personalized services, social support, and empowerment. CONCLUSIONS: Community-embedded follow-up management meets the need for elderly patients with osteoporosis living alone. It helps to improve health perception, promote physical and mental health, and optimize the quality of life in this population. Personalized services and professional support are two major contributing factors to effective embedded follow-up management in the community.

Patient-reported outcome measures for monitoring primary care patients with depression: the PROMDEP cluster RCT and economic evaluation.

Background: Guidelines on the management of depression recommend that practitioners use patient-reported outcome measures for the follow-up monitoring of symptoms, but there is a lack of evidence of benefit in terms of patient outcomes. Objective: To test using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 questionnaire as a patient-reported outcome measure for monitoring depression, training practitioners in interpreting scores and giving patients feedback. Design: Parallel-group, cluster-randomised superiority trial; 1 : 1 allocation to intervention and control. Setting: UK primary care (141 group general practices in England and Wales). Inclusion criteria: Patients aged ≥ 18 years with a new episode of depressive disorder or symptoms, recruited mainly through medical record searches, plus opportunistically in consultations. Exclusions: Current depression treatment, dementia, psychosis, substance misuse and risk of suicide. Intervention: Administration of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 questionnaire with patient feedback soon after diagnosis, and at follow-up 10-35 days later, compared with usual care. Primary outcome: Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd edition, symptom scores at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes: Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd edition, scores at 26 weeks; antidepressant drug treatment and mental health service contacts; social functioning (Work and Social Adjustment Scale) and quality of life (EuroQol 5-Dimension, five-level) at 12 and 26 weeks; service use over 26 weeks to calculate NHS costs; patient satisfaction at 26 weeks (Medical Informant Satisfaction Scale); and adverse events. Sample size: The original target sample of 676 patients recruited was reduced to 554 due to finding a significant correlation between baseline and follow-up values for the primary outcome measure. Randomisation: Remote computerised randomisation with minimisation by recruiting university, small/large practice and urban/rural location. Blinding: Blinding of participants was impossible given the open cluster design, but self-report outcome measures prevented observer bias. Analysis was blind to allocation. Analysis: Linear mixed models were used, adjusted for baseline depression, baseline anxiety, sociodemographic factors, and clustering including practice as random effect. Quality of life and costs were analysed over 26 weeks. Qualitative interviews: Practitioner and patient interviews were conducted to reflect on trial processes and use of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 using the Normalization Process Theory framework. Results: Three hundred and two patients were recruited in intervention arm practices and 227 patients were recruited in control practices. Primary outcome data were collected for 252 (83.4%) and 195 (85.9%), respectively. No significant difference in Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd edition, score was found at 12 weeks (adjusted mean difference -0.46, 95% confidence interval -2.16 to 1.26). Nor were significant differences found in Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd Edition, score at 26 weeks, social functioning, patient satisfaction or adverse events. EuroQol-5 Dimensions, five-level version, quality-of-life scores favoured the intervention arm at 26 weeks (adjusted mean difference 0.053, 95% confidence interval 0.013 to 0.093). However, quality-adjusted life-years over 26 weeks were not significantly greater (difference 0.0013, 95% confidence interval -0.0157 to 0.0182). Costs were lower in the intervention arm but, again, not significantly (-£163, 95% confidence interval -£349 to £28). Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses, therefore, suggested that the intervention was dominant over usual care, but with considerable uncertainty around the point estimates. Patients valued using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 to compare scores at baseline and follow-up, whereas practitioner views were more mixed, with some considering it too time-consuming. Conclusions: We found no evidence of improved depression management or outcome at 12 weeks from using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, but patients' quality of life was better at 26 weeks, perhaps because feedback of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores increased their awareness of improvement in their depression and reduced their anxiety. Further research in primary care should evaluate patient-reported outcome measures including anxiety symptoms, administered remotely, with algorithms delivering clear recommendations for changes in treatment. Study registration: This study is registered as IRAS250225 and ISRCTN17299295. Funding: This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: 17/42/02) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 28, No. 17. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Depression is common, can be disabling and costs the nation billions. The National Health Service recommends general practitioners who treat people with depression use symptom questionnaires to help assess whether those people are getting better over time. A symptom questionnaire is one type of patient-reported outcome measure. Patient-reported outcome measures appear to benefit people having therapy and mental health care, but this approach has not been tested thoroughly in general practice. Most people with depression are treated in general practice, so it is important to test patient-reported outcome measures there, too. In this study, we tested whether using a patient-reported outcome measure helps people with depression get better more quickly. The study was a 'randomised controlled trial' in general practices, split into two groups. In one group, people with depression completed the Patient Health Questionnaire, or 'PHQ-9', patient-reported outcome measure, which measures nine symptoms of depression. In the other group, people with depression were treated as usual without the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. We fed the results of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 back to the people with depression themselves to show them how severe their depression was and asked them to discuss the results with the practitioners looking after them. We found no differences between the patient-reported outcome measure group and the control group in their level of depression; their work or social life; their satisfaction with care from their practice; or their use of medicines, therapy or specialist care for depression. However, we did find that their quality of life was improved at 6 months, and the costs of the National Health Service services they used were lower. Using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 can improve patients' quality of life, perhaps by making them more aware of improvement in their depression symptoms, and less anxious as a result. Future research should test using a patient-reported outcome measure that includes anxiety and processing the answers through a computer to give practitioners clearer advice on possible changes to treatment for depression.

Feasibility and Impact Assessment of a Food Insecurity Protocol in a Large Urban Pediatric Primary Care Network.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: In 2022, 1 in 6 households with children experienced food insecurity (FI) in the United States. The negative impact of FI on child health is well documented and pediatric clinicians are encouraged to actively screen and intervene in clinical settings. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and impact of a FI management protocol implemented in 2017 at a pediatric primary care health network serving patients who are Medicaid-eligible in Washington, DC. METHODS: In 2019, an 18-item electronic survey was sent to a convenience sample of 42 pediatric clinicians within the health network to understand their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding implementation. Both quantitative and qualitative responses were collected and analyzed. We report frequencies of the Likert-type responses, including perceived compliance with protocol components and intervention efficacy. We evaluated the relationship between FI knowledge level and rates of clinician documentation compliance by chi square and Cramer's V statistic for effect size. Open-ended responses were reviewed, and common themes were identified and used to provide context for quantitative results. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Out of 42 clinicians invited to complete the survey, 35 completed responses. All respondents reported universal screening for FI (100%) at routine examinations, 80% reported frequently electronically documenting FI in medical records, and 91% of clinicians reported frequently referring families who screened positive for FI to at least one FI resource, with 24% reporting that resources met families' needs. Open-ended responses revealed increased awareness of FI prevalence and of patient experiences in households experiencing FI, increased satisfaction with clinical management of FI, but also concerns around having limited clinical time to do the protocol and the usefulness and accessibility of referred resources. In conclusion, implementing this pilot FI protocol was feasible, but clinicians perceived limited impact of the protocol on alleviating FI and desired more robust intervention options. Further improvements include shifting the burden of performing the protocol away from the clinician, such as by streamlining the protocol or identifying a resource staff member, and establishing more accessible and effective FI interventions such as "Food as Medicine" offerings in partnership with community organizations.

Moving forward after the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned in primary care from the multi-country PRICOV-19 study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the indispensable role of primary care. Objectives: Recognising this, the PRICOV-19 study investigated how 5,489 GP practices across 38 countries (Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kosovo*, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and United Kingdom) adapted their care delivery during the pandemic. METHODS: Based on a series of discussions on the results of the PRICOV-19 study group, eight recommendations to enhance primary care's preparedness for future crises were formulated and endorsed by EQuiP and WONCA Europe. RESULTS: The recommendations underscore the importance of recognising and sustaining the substantial strides made in patient safety within GP practices during the pandemic in current daily practices; acknowledging and supporting the pivotal role of GP practices in addressing health inequalities during crises; adopting interprofessional care models to enhance practices' resilience and adaptability to change; supporting training practices; creating healthy working environments; investing in infrastructure that supports adequate and safe care; and increasing funding for research on patient safety and primary care quality to inform evidence-based health policies and fostering international knowledge exchange among healthcare professionals and policymakers. CONCLUSION: Policymakers, primary care associations, and the broader healthcare system are urged to collaboratively take responsibility and increase support for GP practices to enhance their resilience, adaptability, and capacity to deliver safe and equitable healthcare during future crises.

Governments should recognise the critical role of family medicine in addressing inequity and prioritise carers' wellbeing to maintain quality care during crises.Associations for practitioners should lead in crisis management developments and advocate for primary care.PC facilities should participate in health system design to answer challenges posed by crises.

How can we improve Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment for older people living with frailty in primary care and community settings? A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: With advancing age comes the increasing prevalence of frailty and increased risk of adverse outcomes (eg, hospitalisation). Evidence for comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), a multidimensional holistic model of care, is mixed in community settings. Uncertainties remain, such as the key components of CGA, who delivers it, and the use of technology. This study aimed to understand the perspectives, beliefs and experiences, of both older people and health professionals, to improve the current CGA and explore factors that may impact on CGA delivery in community settings. DESIGN: A qualitative interview study was conducted with older people and healthcare professionals (HCPs) identified using a maximum variation strategy. Data were analysed using an abductive analysis approach. The non-adoption, abandonment, scale-up, spread and sustainability framework and the theoretical framework of acceptability guided the categorisation of the codes and identified categories were mapped to the two frameworks. SETTING: England, UK. RESULTS: 27 people were interviewed, constituting 14 older people and 13 HCPs. We identified limitations in the current CGA: a lack of information sharing between different HCPs who deliver CGA; poor communication between older people and their HCPs and a lack of follow-up as part of CGA. When we discussed the potential for CGA to use technology, HCPs and older people varied in their readiness to engage with it. CONCLUSIONS: Viable solutions to address gaps in the current delivery of CGA include the provision of training and support to use digital technology and a designated comprehensive care coordinator. The next stage of this research will use these findings, existing evidence and stakeholder engagement, to develop and refine a model of community-based CGA that can be assessed for feasibility and acceptability.

Extra/ordinary medicine: Toward an anthropology of primary care.

Primary care is at the forefront of healthcare delivery. It is the site of disease prevention and health management and serves as the bridge between communities and the health care system As ethnographers of primary care, in this article we discuss what is gained by situating anthropological inquiry within primary care. We articulate how anthropologists can contribute to a better understanding of the issues that emerge in primary care. We provide a review of anthropological work in primary care and offer empirical data from two ethnographic case studies based in the United States, one focused on social risk screening in primary care and the other examining the diagnosis and care of people with dementia in primary care. Through these cases, we demonstrate how research of and within primary care can open important avenues for the study of the multidimensionality of primary care. This multidimensionality is apparent in the ways the medical field addresses the social and structural experiences of patients, scope of practice and disciplinary boundaries, and the intersection of ordinary and extraordinary medicine that emerge in the care of patients in primary care.

A Two-Generation, Early Childhood Advanced Primary Care Model.

It is well recognized that early experiences produce long-term impacts on health outcomes, yet many children are at risk of not achieving their full potential because of health and service disparities related largely to poverty and racism. Although many pediatric primary care (PPC) models address these needs, most are isolated, add-on efforts that struggle to be scalable and sustainable. We describe 3-2-1 IMPACT (Integrated Model for Parents and Children Together), an initiative to transform the model of PPC delivered within New York City Health + Hospitals, the largest public hospital system in the United States, to address the full range of child and family needs in early childhood. Taking advantage of the frequent contact with PPC in the early years and linking to prenatal services, the model assesses family mental, social, and physical health needs and offers evidence-based parenting supports and integrated mental health services. Launching and sustaining the model in our large health system has required coalition building and sustained advocacy at the state, city, and health system levels. Long-term sustainability of the IMPACT model will depend on the implementation of early childhood-focused advanced payment models, on which we have made substantial progress with our major contracted Medicaid managed care plans. By integrating multiple interventions into PPC and prenatal care across a large public-healthcare system, we hope to synergize evidence-based and evidence-informed interventions that individually have relatively small effect sizes, but combined, could substantially improve child and maternal health outcomes and positively impact health disparities.

The Impact of Market Factors on Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records Among Primary Care Providers: Evidence From Florida Using Resource Dependence Theory and Information Uncertainty Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Using federal funds from the 2009 Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services funded the 2011-2021 Medicaid electronic health record (EHR) incentive programs throughout the country. OBJECTIVE: Identify the market factors associated with Meaningful Use (MU) of EHRs after primary care providers (PCPs) enrolled in the Florida-EHR incentives program through Adopting, Improving, or Upgrading (AIU) an EHR technology. RESEARCH DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using 2011-2018 program records for 8464 Medicaid providers. MAIN OUTCOME: MU achievement after first-year incentives. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: The resource dependence theory and the information uncertainty perspective were used to generate key-independent variables, including the county's rurality, educational attainment, poverty, health maintenance organization penetration, and number of PCPs per capita. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: All the county rates were converted into 3 dichotomous measures corresponding to high, medium, and low terciles. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were calculated. A generalized hierarchical linear model was used because MU data were clustered at the county level (level 2) and measured at the practice level (level 1). RESULTS: Overall, 41.9% of Florida Medicaid providers achieved MU after receiving first-year incentives. Rurality was positively associated with MU ( P <0.001). Significant differences in MU achievements were obtained when we compared the "high" terciles with the "low" terciles for poverty rates ( P =0.002), health maintenance organization penetration rates ( P =0.02), and number of PCPs per capita ( P =0.01). These relationships were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Policy makers and health care managers should not ignore the contribution of market factors in EHR adoption.

Series: Public engagement with research. Part 2: GPs and primary care researchers working inclusively with minoritised communities in health research to help address inequalities.

Public engagement in health research is vital for addressing health disparities and promoting inclusivity among minoritised communities who often face barriers to accessing healthcare. Minoritised communities are groups, which have been made minorities by a dominant culture, race, ethnic group and/or social class and may experience health inequalities as a result. By incorporating diverse perspectives and lived experiences of minoritised communities, this approach aims to achieve contextually relevant research outcomes that reduce health inequalities and improve overall well-being. However, underrepresentation and lack of inclusivity challenges persist, necessitating the establishment of inclusive partnerships and grassroots participatory methodologies.To foster inclusive public engagement, it is important to overcome structural and cultural barriers, address socioeconomic challenges, and build trust with minoritised communities. This can be achieved by promoting a cultural shift that values inclusivity, providing comprehensive training to researchers, and collecting rigorous data on engagement demographics for transparency and accountability. Involving minoritised communities in decision-making through participatory research approaches enhances trust and yields successful outcomes. Additionally, allocating sufficient resources, collaborating in co-production, and prioritising the diverse needs and perspectives of stakeholders contribute to fostering inclusive public engagement in research.Overall, inclusive engagement practices particularly in primary care research have the potential to reduce health inequalities and cater to the unique requirements of minoritised communities, thereby creating more impactful outcomes and promoting equitable healthcare access.

There is an important need to engage with minoritised communities in primary care researchEngaging diverse communities in research helps produce relevant research to address health inequalities.The exclusion of minoritised communities from research can be addressed by taking action towards more inclusive engagement.

Primary care providers' preferences for pay-for-performance programs: a discrete choice experiment study in Shandong China.

BACKGROUND: Pay-for-performance (P4P) schemes are commonly used to incentivize primary healthcare (PHC) providers to improve the quality of care they deliver. However, the effectiveness of P4P schemes can vary depending on their design. In this study, we aimed to investigate the preferences of PHC providers for participating in P4P programs in a city in Shandong province, China. METHOD: We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) with 882 PHC providers, using six attributes: type of incentive, whom to incentivize, frequency of incentive, size of incentive, the domain of performance measurement, and release of performance results. Mixed logit models and latent class models were used for the statistical analyses. RESULTS: Our results showed that PHC providers had a strong negative preference for fines compared to bonuses (- 1.91; 95%CI - 2.13 to - 1.69) and for annual incentive payments compared to monthly (- 1.37; 95%CI - 1.59 to - 1.14). Providers also showed negative preferences for incentive size of 60% of monthly income, group incentives, and non-release of performance results. On the other hand, an incentive size of 20% of monthly income and including quality of care in performance measures were preferred. We identified four distinct classes of providers with different preferences for P4P schemes. Class 2 and Class 3 valued most of the attributes differently, while Class 1 and Class 4 had a relatively small influence from most attributes. CONCLUSION: P4P schemes that offer bonuses rather than fines, monthly rather than annual payments, incentive size of 20% of monthly income, paid to individuals, including quality of care in performance measures, and release of performance results are likely to be more effective in improving PHC performance. Our findings also highlight the importance of considering preference heterogeneity when designing P4P schemes.

[Temporal trend in the evaluation of adequate management for diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in primary health care in Brazil (2012-2018)]. / Tendência temporal da avaliação do manejo adequado para diagnóstico e tratamento da tuberculose na atenção primária à saúde no Brasil entre 2012-2018.

This study aimed to analyze the presence of infrastructure and adequate work processes in primary health care (PHC) for the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in Brazil from 2012 to 2018. This is a temporal trend study carried out with data from basic health units (BHU) evaluated in the cycles I (2012), II (2014), and III (2018) of the Brazilian National Program for Improvement of Access and Quality of Basic Care (PMAQ-AB). Variance-weighted least-squares regression was used to estimate annual changes, in percentage points, of the infrastructure and adequate work process of TB in relation to the macroregion, municipality size, Municipal Human Development Index, and Family Health Strategy coverage. The sample consisted of 13,842 BHU and 17,202 health teams in cycle I; 24,055 BHU and 29,778 teams in cycle II; and 28,939 BHU and 37,350 teams in cycle III. There was a gradual improvement in the proportion of infrastructure and work process for TB care over the three cycles of the PMAQ-AB, but none of the sites is fully adequate. The greatest trend of adequate infrastructure was observed in the South Region, and in 2018, 76.5% of the UBS had all the instruments for TB care. The greatest trend of adequate work process was in the North Region, and in 2018, 50.8% of the teams had all the items for TB care. The Brazilian National Program for Tuberculosis Control and the PMAQ-AB have contributed to these advances, but there is still a need to promote public policies that ensure the continuous improvement of TB care in PHC, the effectiveness of TB control and prevention measures.

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a presença de infraestrutura e processo de trabalho adequados na atenção primária à saúde (APS) para o diagnóstico, o monitoramento e o tratamento da tuberculose (TB) no Brasil de 2012 a 2018. Estudo de tendência temporal realizado com dados das unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) avaliadas nos ciclos I (2012), II (2014) e III (2018) do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB). Foi empregada a regressão de mínimos quadrados ponderada por variância para estimar as mudanças anuais, em pontos percentuais da infraestrutura e processo de trabalho adequado da TB em relação à macrorregião, ao porte do município e ao Índice Municipal de Desenvolvimento Humano e cobertura da Estratégia Saúde da Família. A amostra foi composta por 13.842 UBS e 17.202 equipes de saúde no ciclo I, 24.055 UBS e 29.778 equipes no II e 28.939 UBS e 37.350 equipes no III. Observou-se melhora gradual na proporção de infraestrutura e processo de trabalho ao atendimento da TB ao longo dos três ciclos do PMAQ-AB; contudo, nenhum local está integralmente adequado. A maior tendência de infraestrutura adequada foi verificada na Região Sul e no ano de 2018, em que 76,5% das UBS tinham todos os instrumentos para o cuidado à TB. A maior tendência de processo de trabalho adequado foi na Região Norte e no ano de 2018, em que 50,8% das equipes tinham a totalidade de itens para o cuidado à TB. O Programa Nacional de Controle da Tuberculose e o PMAQ-AB contribuíram para tais avanços, mas ainda é necessário o fomento de políticas públicas que garantam a melhoria contínua da assistência à TB na APS e a eficácia das medidas de controle e prevenção da doença.

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la presencia de infraestructura y proceso de trabajo adecuado en la atención primaria de salud (APS) para el diagnóstico, monitoreo y tratamiento de la tuberculosis (TB) en Brasil entre los años 2012 y 2018. Estudio de tendencia temporal realizado con datos de las unidades básicas de salud (UBS), evaluadas en los ciclos I (2012), II (2014) y III (2018) del Programa Nacional de Mejoría de Acceso y Calidad de la Atención Básica (PMAQ-AB). Se utilizó la regresión de mínimos cuadrados ponderada por varianza para estimar los cambios anuales, en puntos porcentuales de la infraestructura y el proceso de trabajo adecuado de la TB en relación con la macrorregión, el tamaño del municipio, el Índice Municipal de Desarrollo Humano y la cobertura de la Estrategia de Salud de la Familia. La muestra se compuso de 13.842 UBS y 17.202 equipos de salud en el ciclo I, 24.055 UBS y 29.778 equipos en el ciclo II y 28.939 UBS y 37.350 equipos en el ciclo III. Se observó una mejoría gradual en la proporción de infraestructura y proceso de trabajo en la atención de la TB a lo largo de los tres ciclos del PMAQ-AB, sin embargo, ningún local está completamente adecuado. Se verificó la mayor tendencia de infraestructura adecuada en la Región Sur y, en 2018, el 76,5% de las UBS tenían todas las herramientas para el cuidado de la TB. La Región Norte tuvo la mayor tendencia de proceso de trabajo adecuado y, en 2018, el 50,8% de los equipos tenían todo lo necesario para el cuidado de la TB. El Programa Nacional de Control de la Tuberculosis y el PMQA-AB contribuyeron para estos avances, pero aún es necesario promover políticas públicas que aseguren la mejoría continua de la asistencia de la TB en la APS y la eficacia de las medidas de control y prevención de la enfermedad.

Health-related quality of life, needs, and concerns among cancer survivors referred to rehabilitation in primary healthcare setting.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is a growing need for rehabilitation services beyond hospitals. This study aims to describe challenges faced by cancer survivors (CSs) referred for rehabilitation in primary healthcare, employing standardized scales measuring health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and open-ended questions. Furthermore, the study explores the applicability of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in comprehensively understanding challenges encountered by CSs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involves CSs referred for cancer rehabilitation in a primary healthcare setting, including those participating in PROs as a part of routine practice. HRQOL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G). The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framed the analysis of responses to open-ended questions 'what concerns you the most?' and 'what matters to you?'  Results: FACT-G showed the lowest scores for functional well-being (14.4) and emotional well-being (16.6), with higher scores for physical well-being (18.9) and social/family well-being (21.1). Responses to open-ended questions unveiled worries about everyday life and how cancer will impact family well-being presently and in the future. Furthermore, CSs reported a need to maintain normality and proactively address the challenges posed by the disease. INTERPRETATION: CSs referred for rehabilitation in primary healthcare experience comprehensive challenges necessitating a holistic rehabilitation approach. This includes interventions supporting CSs in dealing with uncertainty, regaining a sense of control, and addressing family well-being concerns. When using PROs for need assessment, the combination of validated HRQOL scales and open-ended questions is crucial for an in-depth understanding of CSs' challenges.