Primary human papillomavirus testing by clinician- versus self-collection: Awareness and acceptance among cervical cancer screening-eligible women.

OBJECTIVES: Primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing by clinician-collection is endorsed by U.S. guideline organizations for cervical cancer screening, but uptake remains low and insights into patients' understanding are limited. This study aims to primarily address patient awareness of primary HPV screening by clinician-collection and acceptance of primary HPV screening by clinician- and self-collection, and secondarily assess factors associated with awareness and acceptance. SETTING: Primary care practices affiliated with an academic medical center. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study of screening-eligible women aged 30-65 years was conducted to assess awareness and acceptability of primary HPV screening. We analyzed bivariate associations of respondent characteristics with awareness of primary HPV screening by clinician-collection, willingness to have clinician- or self-collected primary HPV testing, and reasons for self-collection preference. RESULTS: Respondents (n = 351; response rate = 23.4%) reported cervical cancer screening adherence of 82.8% but awareness of clinician-collected primary HPV as an option was low (18.9%) and only associated with HPV testing with recent screening (p = 0.003). After reviewing a description of primary HPV screening, willingness for clinician-collected (81.8%) or home self-collected (76.1%) HPV testing was high, if recommended by a provider. Acceptability of clinician-collected HPV testing was associated with higher income (p = 0.009) and for self-collection was associated with higher income (p = 0.002) and higher education (p = 0.02). Higher education was associated with reporting self-collection as easier than clinic-collection (p = 0.02). Women expected self-collection to be more convenient (94%), less embarrassing (85%), easier (85%), and less painful (81%) than clinician-collection. CONCLUSIONS: Educational interventions are needed to address low awareness about the current clinician-collected primary HPV screening option and to prepare for anticipated federal licensure of self-collection kits. Informing women about self-collection allows them to recognize benefits which could address screening barriers.

The Evaluation of an Integrated Tobacco Treatment Specialist in Primary Care.

Background: Primary care providers play a key role in screening for tobacco use and assessing desire to quit. Tobacco treatment specialists (TTS) are certified in helping patients who desire tobacco cessation. A primary care nurse practitioner within one Midwestern healthcare organization obtained TTS certification and integrated specialized tobacco cessation visits within a primary care clinic from February 2021 to February 2022. Purpose: To determine the efficiency and effectiveness of an integrated TTS-certified nurse practitioner (TTS-NP) in a primary care setting 1-year postimplementation. Method: This program evaluation utilized retrospective electronic health record review and included thirty-three patients. The logic model served as a framework to define efficiency and effectiveness. Results: Patients were referred by a provider (57.6%), nurse (15.2%), or self (27.3). Patients opted for in-person initial visits (81.8%) more than virtual (18.2%). Of a total of 73 scheduled visits, 8 (11%) were no-showed. Patients who self-referred had the lowest no-show rate (5.6%) compared to those referred by a provider (12.8%) or nurse (12.5%). Of the patients included, 87.9% set a goal quit date. Average time until first and second follow-up was 34.6 and 130.4 days after goal quit date. Follow-up was defined as the date of the patient's first message reply to the TTS-NP, or first visit following the goal quit date. A total of 51.9% (n = 14) and 63% (n = 17) reported cessation at the first and second follow-up. TTS-NP visit's cost, independent of any other coverage, was less than other specialty visits in primary care. Conclusion: TTS-NP visits in primary care enabled patients to benefit from lower cost and longitudinal follow-up within a familiar setting. Over half of patients achieved cessation. Results of this program evaluation suggest support for TTS-certified providers in primary care.

Integration of a Tobacco Treatment Specialist into Primary Care: Perception from Multidisciplinary Team.

Background: Tobacco continues to be on the leading cause of avoidable death. Primary care practices are ideal locations to provide tobacco cessation visits. Tobacco treatment specialists are trained individuals with expertise in providing medication and counseling management to patients to help with tobacco cessation. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the integration of a tobacco treatment specialist into the primary care setting and the perception of this role from the multidisciplinary team. Method: We conducted an electronic cross-sectional survey to evaluate awareness and perception of the integration of a tobacco treatment specialist into a primary care facility that is part of a large Midwestern tertiary healthcare center. The sample for this study included all the primary clinic staff that directly work with patients and included licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, physician assistants, certified nurse practitioners, and medical doctors. Results: 55% (n = 22) of staff had utilized the tobacco treatment specialist with direct patient care. Reasons for using the specialist was for referral for follow-up tobacco cessation visit (54%), curbside consultations (21%), medication management (21%), and other reasons (5%). The majority of staff strongly agreed that utilizing the TTS was valuable. Conclusion: This study reinforced the positive impact a tobacco treatment specialist can have being integrated into the primary care practice from the perception of the multidisciplinary team.

Enhancing Adolescent Risk Perception of Electronic Cigarette Use.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent electronic cigarette use has been steadily increasing since first being introduced commercially in 2007. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this pilot study was to determine if adolescents who watched an educational video during a wellness visit would increase their perception of risk related to electronic cigarette use. METHOD: Seventy-nine adolescents participated and were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 40) or control (n = 39) group. Results included risk perception, perceived benefit, and provider discussion about electronic cigarettes. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between intervention and control groups for electronic cigarette risk or perceived electronic cigarette benefit. Adolescents who watched the video intervention compared to those who did not watch a video intervention were significantly more likely to report having discussed electronic cigarettes with their provider (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Watching a video intervention on electronic cigarettes increased the likelihood of a reported discussion between provider/patient about electronic cigarettes but did not increase risk perception or decrease perceived benefit of electronic cigarettes. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Utilizing video education is one tool that could potentially be used to augment provider education during wellness visits.

Impact of Electronic Point-of-Care Prompts on Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake in Retail Clinics.

INTRODUCTION: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates nationally are low. This study determined if an electronic point-of-care prompt in the retail clinic setting increases HPV vaccination rates among an eligible population. STUDY DESIGN: An interrupted time series assessed change in weekly HPV vaccination rates with the introduction of an electronic point-of-care prompt and rate change in post-intervention period. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: The study sites were two similar retail care clinics in Rochester, Minnesota. Participants were patients who presented to the retail clinics setting between the ages of 9 and 26 years from September 12, 2016, to September 30, 2017. INTERVENTION: HPV vaccine (nonavalent) was made available at both retail clinics. Staff completed a 2-hour lecture on HPV vaccine and one-on-one training for use of the prompt. Pre- and post-intervention rates of HPV vaccination after initiation of electronic point-of-care prompt were measured. A satisfaction survey was given to all patients or parents/guardians between the ages of 9 and 26 years regardless of HPV vaccine status. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HPV vaccination rates per week before and after the introduction of the electronic point-of-care prompt along with satisfaction with HPV vaccine availability and the point-of-care prompt in the retail clinic setting. Data analysis was completed January 2018. RESULTS: The point-of-care prompt increased the median weekly HPV vaccination rate by 8.6 per 100 patient visits (95% CI=5.8, 11.5, p<0.001). Patients thought it was convenient having HPV vaccine available and helpful to be reminded of the need for HPV vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a significant increase of HPV vaccine rates in the retail clinic setting with use of a point-of-care prompt.