Is clinical coordination across care levels different according to the secondary care medical speciality? Results from the Catalan health system.

BACKGROUND: Despite the scarce evidence, some studies suggest that cross-level clinical coordination may vary among secondary care (SC) doctors, influenced by their speciality and organisational model, including degree of decentralisation to primary care (PC). The aim was to determine the differences in experience and perception of cross-level clinical coordination and related factors according to the SC doctor's speciality in the Catalan health system. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, based on an on-line survey using the COORDENA-CAT questionnaire, to SC doctors (n = 1666). Descriptive and multivariate analysis were used to compare five groups of SC specialities (decentralised, hospital-based, internists/geriatricians, gynaecologist, and paediatricians), for experience, perception and factors related to coordination. RESULTS: When comparing with decentralised specialities, hospital-based specialities and internal medicine/geriatrics reported lower care consistency and follow up across levels, while gynaecology and paediatrics, higher accessibility. General perception of cross-level coordination was lower in hospital-based specialities (PR:0.80, 95% CI 0.72-0.89) and higher in gynaecology (PR:1.36, 95% CI 1.18-1.56). Moreover, hospital-based specialities reported a lower use of some coordination mechanisms and lower knowledge of the primary care doctors (PR:0.42, 95% CI 0.23-0.72), while gynaecology a higher knowledge (PR:2.04, 95% CI 1.22-3.45). CONCLUSIONS: Results show differences in experience, perception of coordination, organisational and interactional factors across specialities. These differences may be explained by their complexity, coordination needs and organisational model. Further research is needed to clarify and understand the causes of such differences and the particular needs of coordination of each speciality to identify strategies to improve cross-level clinical coordination.

Effectiveness of the Transformation model, a model of care that integrates diabetes services across primary, secondary and community care: A retrospective study.

AIMS: The primary aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a model integrating diabetes services across primary, secondary and community care (Transformation model). The secondary aim was to understand whether changes resulted from the model. METHODS: The model was implemented In Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (UK) across three clinical commissioning groups, the acute trust and accompanying stakeholders. One clinical commissioning group (Leicester City) implemented the entire model and was the primary evaluation population. A quasi-experimental interrupted time series design was employed. The primary outcome was number of Type 2 diabetes-related bed-days per 1000 patients. RESULTS: In the primary population, the mean number of Type 2 diabetes-related bed-days per 1000 patients was increasing before model implementation by 0.33/month (95% confidence interval: -0.07, 0.72), whereas it was decreasing after implementation by a mean value of -0.14/month (-0.33, 0.06); a statistically significant difference (p = 0.04). Secondary analyses showed: nationally, there was no significant change between the pre- and post-periods so it is unlikely that large secular change drove the improvement; the other two Leicestershire clinical commissioning groups saw improvement or stability; underlying processes worked as hypothesised overall; diabetes biomedical markers deteriorated in the primary care population suggesting a change in case-mix due to moving some patients out of secondary care. CONCLUSIONS: Given that the initial aim was to shift services from secondary to primary care without causing harm, an improvement is better than expected. This observational evaluation cannot show conclusively that improvements were due to the Transformation model, but secondary analyses support this.

Parental income as a marker for socioeconomic position during childhood and later risk of developing a secondary care-diagnosed mental disorder examined across the full diagnostic spectrum: a national cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Links between parental socioeconomic position during childhood and subsequent risks of developing mental disorders have rarely been examined across the diagnostic spectrum. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of parental income level, including income mobility, during childhood and risks for developing mental disorders diagnosed in secondary care in young adulthood. METHODS: National cohort study of persons born in Denmark 1980-2000 (N = 1,051,265). Parental income was measured during birth year and at ages 5, 10 and 15. Follow-up began from 15th birthday until mental disorder diagnosis or 31 December 2016, whichever occurred first. Hazard ratios and cumulative incidence were estimated. RESULTS: A quarter (25.2%; 95% CI 24.8-25.6%) of children born in the lowest income quintile families will have a secondary care-diagnosed mental disorder by age 37, versus 13.5% (13.2-13.9%) of those born in the highest income quintile. Longer time spent living in low-income families was associated with higher risks of developing mental disorders. Associations were strongest for substance misuse and personality disorders and weaker for mood disorders and anxiety/somatoform disorders. An exception was eating disorders, with low parental income being associated with attenuated risk. For all diagnostic categories examined except for eating disorders, downward socioeconomic mobility was linked with higher subsequent risk and upward socioeconomic mobility with lower subsequent risk of developing mental disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Except for eating disorders, low parental income during childhood is associated with subsequent increased risk of mental disorders diagnosed in secondary care across the diagnostic spectrum. Early interventions to mitigate the disadvantages linked with low income, and better opportunities for upward socioeconomic mobility could reduce social and mental health inequalities.

Design of the PROstate cancer follow-up care in Secondary and Primary hEalth Care study (PROSPEC): a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of primary care-based follow-up of localized prostate cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: In its 2006 report, From cancer patient to cancer survivor: lost in transition, the U.S. Institute of Medicine raised the need for a more coordinated and comprehensive care model for cancer survivors. Given the ever increasing number of cancer survivors, in general, and prostate cancer survivors, in particular, there is a need for a more sustainable model of follow-up care. Currently, patients who have completed primary treatment for localized prostate cancer are often included in a specialist-based follow-up care program. General practitioners already play a key role in providing continuous and comprehensive health care. Studies in breast and colorectal cancer suggest that general practitioners could also consider to provide survivorship care in prostate cancer. However, empirical data are needed to determine whether follow-up care of localized prostate cancer survivors by the general practitioner is a feasible alternative. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, non-inferiority study will compare specialist-based (usual care) versus general practitioner-based (intervention) follow-up care of prostate cancer survivors who have completed primary treatment (prostatectomy or radiotherapy) for localized prostate cancer. Patients are being recruited from hospitals in the Netherlands, and randomly (1:1) allocated to specialist-based (N = 195) or general practitioner-based (N = 195) follow-up care. This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of primary care-based follow-up, in comparison to usual care, in terms of adherence to the prostate cancer surveillance guideline for the timing and frequency of prostate-specific antigen assessments, the time from a biochemical recurrence to retreatment decision-making, the management of treatment-related side effects, health-related quality of life, prostate cancer-related anxiety, continuity of care, and cost-effectiveness. The outcome measures will be assessed at randomization (≤6 months after treatment), and 12, 18, and 24 months after treatment. DISCUSSION: This multicenter, prospective, randomized study will provide empirical evidence regarding the (cost-) effectiveness of specialist-based follow-up care compared to general practitioner-based follow-up care for localized prostate cancer survivors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Registry, Trial NL7068 (NTR7266). Prospectively registered on 11 June 2018.

Patient-initiated appointment systems for adults with chronic conditions in secondary care.

BACKGROUND: Missed hospital outpatient appointments is a commonly reported problem in healthcare services around the world; for example, they cost the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK millions of pounds every year and can cause operation and scheduling difficulties worldwide. In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a report highlighting the need for a model of care that more readily meets the needs of people with chronic conditions. Patient-initiated appointment systems may be able to meet this need at the same time as improving the efficiency of hospital appointments. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of patient-initiated appointment systems compared with consultant-led appointment systems for people with chronic or recurrent conditions managed in secondary care. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, and six other databases. We contacted authors of identified studies and conducted backwards and forwards citation searching. We searched for current/ongoing research in two trial registers. Searches were run on 13 March 2019. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised trials, published and unpublished in any language that compared the use of patient-initiated appointment systems to consultant-led appointment systems for adults with chronic or recurrent conditions managed in secondary care if they reported one or more of the following outcomes: physical measures of health status or disease activity (including harms), quality of life, service utilisation or cost, adverse effects, patient or clinician satisfaction, or failures of the 'system'. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently screened all references at title/abstract stage and full-text stage using prespecified inclusion criteria. We resolved disagreements though discussion. Two review authors independently completed data extraction for all included studies. We discussed and resolved discrepancies with a third review author. Where needed, we contacted authors of included papers to provide more information. Two review authors independently assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care 'Risk of bias' tool, resolving any discrepancies with a third review author. Two review authors independently assessed the certainty of the evidence using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS: The 17 included randomised trials (3854 participants; mean age 41 to 76 years; follow-up 12 to 72 months) covered six broad health conditions: cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. The certainty of the evidence using GRADE ratings was mainly low to very low. The results suggest that patient-initiated clinics may make little or no difference to anxiety (odds ratio (OR) 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68 to 1.12; 5 studies, 1019 participants; low-certainty evidence) or depression (OR 0.79 95% CI 0.51 to 1.23; 6 studies, 1835 participants; low-certainty evidence) compared to the consultant-led appointment system. The results also suggest that patient-initiated clinics may make little or no difference to quality of life (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.12, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.25; 7 studies, 1486 participants; low-certainty evidence) compared to the consultant-led appointment system. Results for service utilisation (contacts) suggest there may be little or no difference in service utilisation in terms of contacts between the patient-initiated and consultant-led appointment groups; however, the effect is not certain as the rate ratio ranged from 0.68 to 3.83 across the studies (median rate ratio 1.11, interquartile (IQR) 0.93 to 1.37; 15 studies, 3348 participants; low-certainty evidence). It is uncertain if service utilisation (costs) are reduced in the patient-initiated compared to the consultant-led appointment groups (8 studies, 2235 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The results suggest that adverse events such as relapses in some conditions (inflammatory bowel disease and cancer) may have little or no reduction in the patient-initiated appointment group in comparison with the consultant-led appointment group (MD -0.20, 95% CI -0.54 to 0.14; 3 studies, 888 participants; low-certainty evidence). The results are unclear about any differences the intervention may make to patient satisfaction (SMD 0.05, 95% CI -0.41 to 0.52; 2 studies, 375 participants) because the certainty of the evidence is low, as each study used different questions to collect their data at different time points and across different health conditions. Some areas of risk of bias across all the included studies was consistently high (i.e. for blinding of participants and personnel and blinding of outcome assessment, other areas were largely of low risk of bias or were affected by poor reporting making the assessment unclear). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Patient-initiated appointment systems may have little or no effect on patient anxiety, depression and quality of life compared to consultant-led appointment systems. Other aspects of disease status and experience also appear to show little or no difference between patient-initiated and consultant-led appointment systems. Patient-initiated appointment systems may have little or no effect on service utilisation in terms of service contact and there is uncertainty about costs compared to consultant-led appointment systems. Patient-initiated appointment systems may have little or no effect on adverse events such as relapse or patient satisfaction compared to consultant-led appointment systems.

Do primary and secondary care doctors have a different experience and perception of cross-level clinical coordination? Results of a cross-sectional study in the Catalan National Health System (Spain).

BACKGROUND: Clinical coordination across care levels is a priority for health systems around the world, especially for those based on primary health care. The aim of this study is to analyse the degree of clinical information and clinical management coordination across healthcare levels in the Catalan national health system experienced by primary (PC) and secondary care (SC) doctors and explore the associated factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on an online survey using the self-administered questionnaire COORDENA-CAT. DATA COLLECTION: October-December 2017. STUDY POPULATION: PC and SC (acute and long term) doctors of the Catalan national health system. Participation rate was 21%, with a sample of 3308 doctors. OUTCOME VARIABLES: cross-level clinical information coordination, clinical management coordination, and perception of cross-level coordination within the area. Explanatory variables: socio-demographic, employment characteristics, attitude towards job, type of area (according to type of hospital and management), interactional factors, organizational factors and knowledge of existing coordination mechanisms. Stratification variable: level of care. Descriptive and multivariate analysis by logistic regression. RESULTS: The degree of clinical coordination experienced across levels of care was high for both PC and SC doctors, although PC doctors experienced greater exchange and use of information and SC doctors experienced greater consistency of care. However, only 32.13% of PC and 35.72% of SC doctors found that patient care was coordinated across care levels within their area. In both levels of care, knowing the doctors of the other level, working in an area where the same entity manages SC and majority of PC, and holding joint clinical case conferences were factors positively associated with perceiving high levels of clinical coordination. Other associated factors were specific to the care level, such as being informed of a patient's discharge from hospital for PC doctors, or trusting in the clinical skills of the other care level for SC doctors. CONCLUSIONS: Interactional and organizational factors are positively associated with perceiving high levels of clinical coordination. Introducing policies to enhance such factors can foster clinical coordination between different health care levels. The COORDENA questionnaire allows us to identify fields for improvement in clinical coordination.

Poor Adherence to Guidelines for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection at Primary Care and Referral Practices.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guidelines for treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have changed with time. We assessed rates of treatment evaluation and initiation in patients with chronic HBV infection from different practice settings in the past 14 years. METHODS: Treatment-naive patients with chronic HBV infection were recruited from different practice settings in California from January 2002 through December 2016. The study population comprised 4130 consecutive, treatment-naive patients with chronic HBV infection seen by community primary care physicians (n = 616), community gastroenterologists (n = 2251), or university hepatologists (n = 1263). Treatment eligibility was assessed using data from the first 6 months after initial presentation based on AASLD criteria adjusted for changes over time. RESULTS: Within the first 6 months of care, the proportions of patients evaluated by all 3 relevant tests (measurements of alanine aminotransferase, hepatitis B virus e antigen, and HBV DNA levels) were as follows: 36.69% in community primary care, 59.80% in gastroenterologist care, and 79.97% in hepatology care (P < .0001 among the 3 groups). Higher proportions of patients were eligible for treatment in specialty practices: 12.76% in community primary care, 24.96% in gastroenterologist care, and 29.43% in hepatology care (P < .0001). Among treatment-eligible patients, there was no significant difference in the proportions of patients who began antiviral therapy between those receiving treatment from a gastroenterologist (55.65%) vs a hepatologist (57.90%; P = .56). Of 243 evaluable patients receiving community primary care, only 31 were eligible for treatment and only 12 of these (38.71%) received treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In an analysis of patients receiving care for chronic HBV infection, we found the proportions evaluated and receiving treatment to be suboptimal, according to AASLD criteria, in all practice settings. However, rates of evaluation and treatment were lowest for patients receiving community primary care.

Patients' understanding of cellulitis and views about how best to prevent recurrent episodes: mixed-methods study in primary and secondary care.

BACKGROUND: Cellulitis is a common painful infection of the skin and underlying tissues that recurs in approximately one-third of cases. The only proven strategy to reduce the risk of recurrence is long-term, low-dose antibiotics. Given current concerns about antibiotic resistance and the pressure to reduce antibiotic prescribing, other prevention strategies are needed. OBJECTIVES: To explore patients' views about cellulitis and different ways of preventing recurrent episodes. METHODS: Adults aged ≥ 18 years with a history of first-episode or recurrent cellulitis were invited through primary care, hospitals and advertising to complete a survey, take part in an interview or both. RESULTS: Thirty interviews were conducted between August 2016 and July 2017. Two hundred and forty surveys were completed (response rate 17%). Triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data showed that people who have had cellulitis have wide-ranging beliefs about what can cause cellulitis and are often unaware of risk of recurrence or potential strategies to prevent recurrence. Enhanced foot hygiene, applying emollients daily, exercise and losing weight were more popular potential strategies than the use of compression stockings or long-term antibiotics. Participants expressed caution about long-term oral antibiotics, particularly those who had experienced only one episode of cellulitis. CONCLUSIONS: People who have had cellulitis are keen to know about possible ways to prevent further episodes. Enhanced foot hygiene, applying emollients daily, exercise and losing weight were generally viewed to be more acceptable, feasible strategies than compression or antibiotics, but further research is needed to explore uptake and effectiveness in practice.

Persistent physical symptoms reduction intervention: a system change and evaluation in secondary care (PRINCE secondary) - a CBT-based transdiagnostic approach: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Persistent physical symptoms (PPS), also known as medically unexplained symptoms (MUS), affect approximately 50% of patients in secondary care and are often associated with disability, psychological distress and increased health care costs. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has demonstrated both short- and long-term efficacy with small to medium effect sizes for PPS, with larger treatment effects for specific PPS syndromes, including non-cardiac chest pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Research indicates that PPS conditions share similar cognitive and behavioural responses to symptoms, such as avoidance and unhelpful beliefs. This suggests that a transdiagnostic approach may be beneficial for patients with PPS. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a transdiagnostic CBT-based intervention for PPS. 322 participants with PPS will be recruited from secondary care clinics. Participants stratified by clinic and disability level will be randomised to CBT plus standard medical care (SMC) versus SMC alone. The intervention consists of 8 CBT sessions delivered by a qualified therapist over a period of 20 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at 9, 20, 40- and 52-weeks post randomisation. Efficacy will be assessed by examining the difference between arms in the primary outcome Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) at 52 weeks after randomisation. Secondary outcomes will include mood, symptom severity and clinical global impression at 9, 20, 40 and 52 weeks. Cost-effectiveness will be evaluated by combining measures of health service use, informal care, loss of working hours and financial benefits at 52 weeks. DISCUSSION: This trial will provide a powered evaluation of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a transdiagnostic CBT approach versus SMC for patients with PPS. It will also provide valuable information about potential healthcare pathways for patients with PPS within the National Health Service (NHS). TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02426788. Registered 27 April 2015. Overall trial status: Ongoing; Recruitment status: No longer recruiting.

Palliative care in end-stage heart failure: experience of a collaborative approach in a secondary care setting.

Heart failure remains an ultimately fatal condition that causes significant symptoms as it progresses. The involvement by palliative services in this patient group has been suboptimal despite many years of guidance from international cardiac societies who recommend a palliative focus for these patients. At Hutt hospital, we have implemented a cardiology supportive care clinic in an attempt to improve the care of our advanced heart failure patients. Our initial experience is that the clinic has resulted in improvements in communication with patients and their families. Management plans and goals of care have been clearly documented, and there has been clarification of roles between the key stakeholders who manage end-stage heart failure patients. A formal integrated palliative approach has been helpful for our end-stage heart failure patients and there is potential for this concept to be beneficial for other end-stage medical conditions.

Interventional management of hyperhidrosis in secondary care: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Hyperhidrosis is uncontrollable excessive sweating, which occurs at rest, regardless of temperature. The symptoms of hyperhidrosis can significantly affect quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To undertake a systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and safety of treatments available in secondary care for the management of primary hyperhidrosis. METHODS: Fifteen databases (including trial registers) were searched to July 2016 to identify studies of secondary-care treatments for primary hyperhidrosis. For each intervention randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included where available; where RCT evidence was lacking, nonrandomized trials or large prospective case series were included. Outcomes of interest included disease severity, sweat rate, quality of life, patient satisfaction and adverse events. Trial quality was assessed using a modified version of the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results were pooled in pairwise meta-analyses where appropriate, otherwise a narrative synthesis was presented. RESULTS: Fifty studies were included in the review: 32 RCTs, 17 nonrandomized trials and one case series. The studies varied in terms of population, intervention and methods of outcome assessment. Most studies were small, at high risk of bias and poorly reported. The interventions assessed were iontophoresis, botulinum toxin (BTX) injections, anticholinergic medications, curettage and newer energy-based technologies that damage the sweat gland. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence for the effectiveness and safety of treatments for primary hyperhidrosis is limited overall, and few firm conclusions can be drawn. However, there is moderate-quality evidence to support the use of BTX for axillary hyperhidrosis. A trial comparing BTX with iontophoresis for palmar hyperhidrosis is warranted.

Survey of postoperative pain control in different types of hospitals: a multicenter observational study.

BACKGROUND: Current pain assessment and treatment does not address every patient's requirements. Although the Polish national guidelines for post-operative pain management have been published, many patients experience severe pain in the postoperative period. The main goal of our study was to assess pain severity among patients from different types of hospitals (primary, secondary, and tertiary centers) after similar types of surgeries. We also aimed to determine if there were any differences in pain severity associated with anesthesia technique, type of surgery, and the patient's age and sex. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study. A questionnaire form was used to collect demographic data, type of hospital, surgery, anesthesia, and patient satisfaction of pain control in the postoperative period. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure pain severity at four time points after surgery (4, 8, 12, and 24 h). RESULTS: The study was conducted from November 2015 to June 2016 in seven hospitals in Eastern Poland, and 269 women and 293 men participated. At the 4-h measurement, 39.32% of patients assessed the pain as moderate and 19.75% as severe. A difference was found in pain intensity between patients treated in primary and secondary hospitals. Vascular surgery patients had the lowest pain intensity (19 (13-26)), especially in comparison to those undergoing thoracic surgery (30 (27-33)). A sudden elevation in pain severity among patients anesthetized with single-shot spinal technique was observed. Only 4.9% of participants received strong opioids during the first 24 h after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative pain control seems to be unexpectedly poor after single-shot subarachnoid anesthesia. Despite concerns, the use of analgesics may be insufficient in some groups of patients. Our study indicates new variables that influence the severity of pain, such as operated region, anesthetic technique, and type of surgical department. The results obtained in our study are in discrepancy with recommendations presented by the national guidelines for post-operative pain management.

The Emotional Resources Group: Provisional outcome data for a pilot six-session emotion regulation programme for secondary care.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of a new, six-session emotion regulation group intervention designed for the secondary care setting: The Emotional Resources Group (ERG). METHOD: In this pilot study, participants were recruited by referral from secondary care mental health services. Forty-seven individuals participated in the study. Participants who attended the ERG were compared on measures of emotion regulation, well-being, and self-efficacy, pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Intent-to-treat analyses indicated highly statistically significant improvements in measures of emotion regulation, well-being, and self-efficacy, accompanied by large effect sizes. In addition, improvements in emotion regulation produced good rates of both reliable and clinically significant change. CONCLUSIONS: The ERG may be an effective, brief intervention to improve emotion regulation in the secondary care setting, worthy of further evaluation. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Clinical implications Emotion regulation may be an appropriate treatment target to improve well-being and self-efficacy in a transdiagnostic population. The ERG may be effective as a brief emotion regulation intervention for secondary care mental health settings. Outcomes of the ERG appear to be equivalent to other more intensive group-based emotion regulation interventions. The ERG's tailored design may be responsible for positive outcomes. Limitations There was a small sample size. There was no control group. There was no follow-up data.

Risk classification of patients referred to secondary care for low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Nonspecific low back pain is characterized by a wide range of possible triggering and conserving factors, and initial screening needs to scope widely with multilevel addressment of possible factors contributing to the pain experience. Screening tools for classification of patients have been developed to support clinicians. The primary aim of this study was to assess the criterion validity of STarT Back Screening Tool (STarT Back) against the more comprehensive Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (ÖMPSQ), in a Norwegian sample of patients referred to secondary care for low back pain. Secondary aims were to assess risk classification of the patients, as indicated by both instruments, and to compare pain and work characteristics between patients in the different STarT Back risk categories. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional survey among patients with low back pain referred to outpatient secondary care assessment at Trondheim University Hospital, Norway. Cohen's Kappa coefficient, Pearson's r and a Bland-Altman plot were used to assess criterion validity of STarT Back against ÖMPSQ. Furthermore, linear regression was used to estimate mean differences with 95% CI in pain and work related variables between the risk groups defined by the STarT Back tool. RESULTS: A total of 182 persons participated in the study. The Pearsons correlation coefficient for correspondence between scores on ÖMPSQ and STarT Back was 0.76. The Kappa value for classification agreement between the instruments was 0.35. Risk group classification according to STarT Back allocated 34.1% of the patients in the low risk group, 42.3% in the medium risk, and 23.6% in the high risk group. According to ÖMPSQ, 24.7% of the participants were allocated in the low risk group, 28.6% in the medium risk, and 46.7% in the high risk group. Patients classified with high risk according to Start Back showed a higher score on pain and work related characteristics as measured by ÖMPSQ. CONCLUSION: The correlation between score on the screening tools was good, while the classification agreement between the screening instruments was low. Screening for work factors may be important in patients referred to multidisciplinary management in secondary care.

Guided Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adult Depression and Anxiety in Routine Secondary Care: Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) is a promising new treatment method for depression and anxiety. However, it is important to determine whether its results can be replicated in routine care before its implementation on a large scale. Although many studies have demonstrated the efficacy of iCBT under controlled conditions, only a few studies have investigated its effectiveness in routine care. Furthermore, several effects of iCBT such as treatment effects in routine care are unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of iCBT for depression and anxiety in routine secondary care. METHODS: n a retrospective cohort study, we analysed patients treated for depression or anxiety in a dedicated iCBT clinic in secondary care in Denmark. Patients were examined before treatment and weekly thereafter by using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scales for the diagnoses of depression and anxiety, respectively. Primary analyses were conducted using a linear mixed-effects model with random slope and intercept. Secondary analyses were conducted using baseline characteristics as predictors (gender, age, highest level of education, occupational status, marital status, psychotropic medication use, consumption of alcohol, and leisure drugs). Additionally, logistic regression analyses were used to predict noncompletion of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 203 (depression, N=60; anxiety, N=143) patients were included. Participants were mainly female (78.3% with depression and 65.7% with anxiety), with a mean age of 36.03 (SD 10.97) years (range, 19-67 years) for patients with depression and 36.80 (SD 13.55) years (range, 19-69 years) for patients with anxiety. The completion rates were 62% (37) and 40% (57) for depression and anxiety treatments, respectively. The primary analyses revealed large and significant reductions in the symptom levels of depression (beta=-6.27, SE 0.83, P<.001, d=1.0) and anxiety (beta=-3.78, SE 0.43, P<.001, d=1.1). High baseline severity of the primary disorder was associated with high treatment gains (r=-0.31 for depression; r=-0.41 for anxiety). In patients with anxiety, high baseline severity also predicted a high risk of noncompletion (odds ratio=1.08, CI=1.01-1.16, P=.03). An increase in the baseline severity of the comorbid disorder slightly increased the risk of noncompletion for both disorders (depression: odds ratio=1.03, CI=1.01-1.06, P=.02; anxiety: odds ratio=1.08, CI=1.01-1.16, P=.03). CONCLUSIONS: iCBT can be clinically effective in routine care. Since depression and anxiety are costly and debilitating disorders that are vastly undertreated, this finding is important. Additionally, iCBT may help bridge the gap between the need for treatment and its provision. Our results are comparable to the within-group results of efficacy and effectiveness studies. Our noncompletion rates are similar to those observed in psychotherapy but are higher than those reported in similar clinics. Multiple factors predicted outcome and noncompletion. However, all predictor effects were statistically weak.

Missed opportunities to identify occupational asthma in acute secondary care.

Background: Occupational asthma (OA) accounts for one in six cases of new-onset adult asthma. Despite this it remains under-recognized in the UK. Delayed and missed diagnoses of OA lead to poor health outcomes for workers at significant cost to the UK economy. The burden of occupational aetiology on hospital admissions with asthma is not known. Aims: To measure how frequently medical professionals consider occupational aetiology in patients presenting to secondary care with acute asthma symptoms. Methods: We reviewed electronic records of working-age patients with asthma symptoms, presenting to three sites at a large West Midlands acute hospital NHS trust. We searched emergency department (ED) and acute medical unit (AMU) admission documents, looking specifically at documentation of employment status, job role and work effect on symptoms. We also examined the effect of using a prompt for enquiry about occupation contained within the clerking pro-forma. Results: We searched 100 ED and 100 AMU admission documents. Employment status was established in only 20-31% of patients and none were asked about the effect of their work on current asthma symptoms. The use of a clerking pro-forma, including a prompt for occupation, increased documentation to 63% from 10 to 14% where an enhanced pro-forma was not used. Conclusions: Enquiry into employment status and work effect in working-age patients with asthma symptoms presenting to the ED and the AMU is poor. These may be missed opportunities to identify OA. We propose medical education about high-risk exposures and the use of pro-formas including prompts about occupational exposures.

Establishing a new model of integrated primary and secondary care based around general practice: a case study of lessons learned and challenges.

This case study describes the development and implementation of an innovative integrated primary-secondary model of care for people with complex diabetes. The aim of the paper is to present the experiences of clinicians and researchers involved in implementing the 'Beacon' model by providing a discussion of the contextual factors, including lessons learned, challenges and solutions. Beacon-type models of community care for people with chronic disease are well placed to deliver on Australia's health care reform agenda, and this commentary provides rich contextual information relevant to the translation of such models into policy and practice.

Cough management in primary, secondary and tertiary settings.

This review reflects upon the management of cough in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings. It reviews the burden of cough, the diagnostic tools employed to investigate the cause of cough and pragmatic treatment strategies. A clinical case vignette presenting in primary care highlights the challenges of managing cough by family practitioners. An approach to establishing a persistent cough clinic service in secondary care is described. Finally, the entity of idiopathic cough in tertiary care and the specialist approaches to treating recalcitrant cough are addressed.

Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship interventions recommended by national toolkits in primary and secondary healthcare sectors in England: TARGET and Start Smart Then Focus.

OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions recommended within the national AMS toolkits, TARGET and Start Smart Then Focus, in English primary and secondary healthcare settings in 2014, to determine the prevalence of cross-sector engagement to drive AMS interventions and to propose next steps to improve implementation of AMS. METHODS: Electronic surveys were circulated to all 211 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs; primary sector) and to 146 (out of the 159) acute trusts (secondary sector) in England. Response rates were 39% and 63% for the primary and secondary sectors, respectively. RESULTS: The majority of CCGs and acute trusts reported reviewing national AMS toolkits formally or informally (60% and 87%, respectively). However, only 13% of CCGs and 46% of acute trusts had developed an action plan for the implementation of these toolkits. Only 5% of CCGs had antimicrobial pharmacists in post; however, the role of specialist antimicrobial pharmacists continued to remain embedded within acute trusts, with 83% of responding trusts having an antimicrobial pharmacist at a senior grade. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of healthcare organizations review national AMS toolkits; however, implementation of the toolkits, through the development of action plans to deliver AMS interventions, requires improvement. For the first time, we report the extent of cross-sector and multidisciplinary collaboration to deliver AMS interventions in both primary and secondary care sectors in England. Results highlight that further qualitative and quantitative work is required to explore mutual benefits and promote best practice. Antimicrobial pharmacists remain leaders for implementing AMS interventions across both primary and secondary healthcare sectors.

Outcome of patients with dual diagnosis in secondary psychiatric care.

BACKGROUND: Dual diagnosis (DD) is a common co-morbidity of mental illness and substance use disorder (SUD) and patients with DD are prone to complications. Better knowledge on the outcome, mortality and management of patients with DD in usual secondary psychiatric care would help to inform improved treatment strategies in the future. AIMS: To explore the functional outcome and mortality of patients with DD receiving psychiatric treatment. To assess the recognition of substance use disorders (SUDs) in terms of diagnosis, and the associations of clinically diagnosed SUDs with treatment-related variables. METHODS: The sample of 330 patients was collected by screening all currently treated patients with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and a question about other substances used. The inclusion criteria were AUDIT >7 and/or reported use of other substances during the preceding 12 months. The Global Assessment of Functioning scale was used to assess functional outcomes during a 2-year follow-up. Information concerning treatment and patient characteristics was collected retrospectively. RESULTS: Level of functioning remained stable among all study patients during follow-up. The mortality rate was not increased. Effective medication use was associated with improved functional outcomes. SUDs were underdiagnosed. A clinically diagnosed SUD seemed to have an impact on the regularity of appointments and the doses of prescribed medications. CONCLUSIONS: Given our results suggesting a stable level of functioning, patients with DD appear to be well managed within secondary psychiatric care. Attention should be paid to more precise diagnostics of SUDs and to effective use of medication.