A conceptual model of the role of complexity in the care of patients with multiple chronic conditions.

BACKGROUND: Effective healthcare for people with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) is a US priority, but the inherent complexity makes both research and delivery of care particularly challenging. As part of AHRQ Multiple Chronic Conditions Research Network (MCCRN) efforts, the Network developed a conceptual model to guide research in this area. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize methodological and topical issues relevant to MCC patient care into a framework that can improve the delivery of care and advance future research about caring for patients with MCC. METHODS: The Network synthesized essential constructs for MCC research identified from roundtable discussion, input from expert advisors, and previously published models. RESULTS: The AHRQ MCCRN conceptual model defines complexity as the gap between patient needs and healthcare services, taking into account both the multiple considerations that affect the needs of MCC patients, as well as the contextual factors that influence service delivery. The model reframes processes and outcomes to include not only clinical care quality and experience, but also patient health, well being, and quality of life. The single-condition paradigm for treating needs one-by-one falls apart and highlights the need for care systems to address dynamic patient needs. CONCLUSIONS: Defining complexity in terms of the misalignment between patient needs and services offers new insights in how to research and develop solutions to patient care needs.

Effect of 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin on prepulse inhibition of startle supports a central etiology of primary monosymptomatic enuresis.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP) has an effect on prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle in patients with primary monosymptomatic enuresis (PME), thus indicating a central effect. STUDY DESIGN: Patients with PME (n = 21, age 6 to 12 years) were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, cross-over study. Startle reflexes and PPI were measured under dDAVP treatment versus placebo. RESULTS: The data show that dDAVP has a significant effect on PPI, raising it from 38.88% under placebo to the age-related normal level of 62.6% with dDAVP treatment (P = .0127). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revive the concept of a central pathophysiology of PME and offer a different explanation for the effects of dDAVP, which not only acts on the kidney, but also is (as is AVP) a central neurotransmitter with a signal cascade on relevant reflex mechanisms.

Finding common ground: patient-centeredness and evidence-based chronic illness care.

Health outcomes for patients with major chronic illnesses depend on the appropriate use of proven pharmaceuticals and other therapeutic technologies, and effective self-management by patients. Effective chronic illness care then bases clinical decisions on the best, rigorous scientific evidence, or evidence-based medicine. Effective support for patient self-management includes efforts to increase patient participation in care and collaborative goal-setting and planning of treatment. These interventions appear somewhat consistent with recent conceptualizations of patient-centered care. The consistent delivery of proven therapies and information and support for self-management requires practice systems organized for that purpose. The Chronic Care Model is a compilation of those practice system changes shown to improve chronic care. This paper explores the concept of patient-centeredness and its relationship to the Chronic Care Model. We conclude that the Model is both evidence-based and patient-centered and that these can be properties of health systems, and not just of individual practitioners.

Development and validation of the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC).

RATIONALE: There is a need for a brief, validated patient self-report instrument to assess the extent to which patients with chronic illness receive care that aligns with the Chronic Care Model-measuring care that is patient-centered, proactive, planned and includes collaborative goal setting; problem-solving and follow-up support. SAMPLE: A total of 283 adults reporting one or more chronic illness from a large integrated health care delivery system were studied. METHODS: Participants completed the 20-item Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) as well as measures of demographic factors, a patient activation scale, and subscales from a primary care assessment instrument so that we could evaluate measurement performance, construct, and concurrent validity of the PACIC. RESULTS: The PACIC consists of 5 scales and an overall summary score, each having good internal consistency for brief scales. As predicted, the PACIC was only slightly correlated with age and gender, and unrelated to education. Contrary to prediction, it was only slightly correlated (r = 0.13) with number of chronic conditions. The PACIC demonstrated moderate test-retest reliability (r = 0.58 during the course of 3 months) and was correlated moderately, as predicted (r = 0.32-0.60, median = 0.50, P < 0.001) to measures of primary care and patient activation. DISCUSSION: The PACIC appears to be a practical instrument that is reliable and has face, construct, and concurrent validity. The resulting questionnaire is in the public domain, and recommendations for its use in research and quality improvement are outlined.

Case management and the chronic care model: a multidisciplinary role.

The core functions of case management, assessment, planning, linking, monitoring, advocacy, and outreach assume a new perspective in the context of systems that have adopted the Chronic Care Model. This article considers case management through the experience of three systems that have implemented the Chronic Care Model. A movement toward condition neutral case management, focused on care that is more wholly patient centric, is also examined.