Factors Influencing Patient Receptivity to Brief Alcohol Interventions in Primary Care: An Application of Conjoint Analysis.

Background: Brief alcohol interventions (BAIs) are an evidence-based practice for addressing hazardous alcohol use in primary care settings. However, numerous barriers to implementation of BAIs in routine practice have been identified, including concerns about patient receptivity to BAIs. Despite this being a commonly identified barrier to BAI implementation, little BAI implementation research has focused on patient receptivity. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the treatment preferences of primary care patients who screened positive for hazardous alcohol use and to evaluate factors that may influence patients' receptivity to BAIs delivered in primary care. We conducted a mailed survey of primary care patients (N = 245) who screened positive for hazardous alcohol use on annual screening measures based on electronic medical record data. Patients completed measures assessing treatment preferences and a conjoint analysis questionnaire designed to evaluate the relative importance of three factors (focus of the BAI, tailoring of the BAI, and familiarity with the provider delivering the BAI) for patient receptivity. Results: Conjoint analysis results revealed that familiarity with provider (with patients preferring BAIs delivered by providers they have previously met) was the most important factor in predicting patients' receptivity to BAIs. Additionally, patients preferred to discuss alcohol use in the context of another concern (focus of the BAI) and preferred personalized information tailored based on their specific health concerns (tailoring of the BAI), although these factors were not statistically significant when accounting for familiarity with provider. Conclusions: Findings of the present study have potential to inform future research on implementation of BAIs.

Prevalence and predictors of team-based care activities between primary care providers and embedded behavioral health providers: a national survey.

Primary care (PC) settings increasingly use team-based care activities with embedded behavioral health providers (BHPs) to enhance patient care via group medical visits, conjoint appointments, team huddles, and warm handoffs. Aim 1 was to describe the variation of team-based care activities within integrated PC clinics. Aim 2 was to explore whether factors associated with the BHP (e.g., gender, training, and experience) and the PC setting (e.g., perceived teamwork) predict engagement in team-based activities. A national sample of eligible BHPs (n = 345; 14.2% response rate) completed an anonymous survey assessing the presence/intensity of team-based care activities. 90% of BHPs reported regularly engaging in team-based care activities with PC teams. Most engagement occurred when providing feedback to PC providers (90.4% at least daily) and during warm handoffs (90.4% at least once daily). Engagement in team-based care was predicted by the level of teamwork occurring within the PC clinic (ßs = .41-.47; ps < .001) and BHP characteristics, such as the number of years spent in PC (ßs = .24-.26, ps < .001). Although these data are promising, with many BHPs reportedly engaging in team-based activities with PC teams, there is significant variation. Researchers should continue to explore whether the engagement in these team-based care activities enhances patient care.

Suicide risk among Veteran primary care patients with current anxiety symptoms.

Background: Although anxiety is prevalent in primary care, the association between anxiety symptoms and suicide risk remains understudied. Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to (i) assess the prevalence of suicide risk among Veteran primary care patients with anxiety symptoms and (ii) compare suicide risk between patients with a positive (versus negative) depression screen. Methods: Participants were 182 adult primary care patients (84.6% male, Mage = 58.3 years) with current anxiety symptoms, but no psychotherapy in specialty care in the past year, at a Veterans Health Administration medical center in New York. Participants completed self-report measures of anxiety, depression and suicide risk via telephone. Results: Forty percent endorsed ≥1 suicide risk item. Suicide risk was more common among those screening positive (versus negative) for depression (50.5% versus 26.5%, χ2 (1) = 10.88; P = 0.001). Participants with a negative depression screen constituted 31% of all those with any suicide risk. Logistic regression revealed that anxiety symptom severity was not associated with suicide risk (P = 0.14) after controlling for age, sex and depression screen status (P = 0.01). Conclusions: A substantial proportion of primary care patients with anxiety was classified as at risk for suicide, even in the absence of a positive depression screen. Primary care providers should assess suicide risk among patients with anxiety symptoms, even if the patients are not seeking specialty mental health treatment, the anxiety symptoms are not severe or do not rise to the level of an anxiety disorder, and comorbid depressive symptoms are not present.

Military and veteran health behavior research and practice: challenges and opportunities.

There are 2.1 million current military servicemembers and 21 million living veterans in the United States. Although they were healthier upon entering military service compared to the general U.S. population, in the longer term veterans tend to be of equivalent or worse health than civilians. One primary explanation for the veterans' health disparity is poorer health behaviors during or after military service, especially areas of physical activity, nutrition, tobacco, and alcohol. In response, the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs continue to develop, evaluate, and improve health promotion programs and healthcare services for military and veteran health behavior in an integrated approach. Future research and practice is needed to better understand and promote positive health behavior during key transition periods in the military and veteran life course. Also paramount is implementation and evaluation of existing interventions, programs, and policies across the population using an integrated and person centered approach.

Hookah Tobacco Smoking During the Transition to College: Prevalence of Other Substance Use and Predictors of Initiation.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of hookah tobacco smoking is increasing, and the transition to college is a vulnerable time for initiation. Hookah use is associated with other forms of substance use, but most research has been cross-sectional, thus limiting our understanding of temporal patterns of use. The goals of this longitudinal study were to assess the prevalence of hookah use and initiation, as well as other forms of substance use among hookah users, and identify which forms of substance use predicted hookah initiation during the first 30 days of college. METHODS: Incoming students (N = 936, 50% female) reported on past 30-day substance use prior to the start of the Fall 2011 semester and again 30 days later (n = 817). Substances included hookah, cigarettes, other forms of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and other illegal drugs. RESULTS: Current prevalence of hookah use increased from 9.0% before college to 13.1% during the first month of college. At baseline and follow-up, current hookah users were more likely than nonusers to report current use of cigarettes, cigars/little cigars/clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol. Among pre-college hookah never users, 13.8% initiated hookah use in the first month of college. Alcohol (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05, 1.17) and marijuana (AOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.03, 1.65) were the only substances predictive of hookah initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that hookah prevention and intervention is needed during the transition to college, and interventions may need to address comorbid alcohol, marijuana, and hookah use. IMPLICATIONS: To our knowledge this is the first longitudinal study examining predictors of hookah initiation among male and female incoming first-year college students. While hookah users were more likely than nonusers to use all other substances before and during the first month of college, pre-college marijuana and alcohol use were the only two predictors of hookah initiation during the first 30 days of college. Collectively, these findings provide additional support for the need for efficacious hookah prevention and intervention programs. The transition to college appears to be an ideal time to deliver prevention programs given the increased prevalence of hookah use during the first 30 days of college. In addition to prevention, former users may benefit from targeted relapse prevention as one-fifth of former hookah smokers resumed use during the first 30 days of college.

Likelihood of Attending Treatment for Anxiety Among Veteran Primary Care Patients: Patient Preferences for Treatment Attributes.

Anxiety is common, but under-treated, in primary care. Behavioral health providers embedded in primary care can help address this treatment gap. Guidance on anxiety treatment preferences would help inform tailoring of clinical practice and new interventions to be more patient-centered and increase treatment engagement. We surveyed 144 non-treatment seeking Veteran primary care patients (82.6 % male, 85.4 % White, age M = 59.8 years, SD = 13.9) reporting current anxiety symptoms (M = 13.87, SD = 3.66, on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Questionnaire) on their likelihood of attending anxiety treatment featuring various levels of 11 attributes (modality, type, location, format, provider, visit frequency, visit length, treatment duration, type of psychotherapy, symptom focus, and topic/skill). Participants indicated clear preferences for individual, face-to-face treatment in primary care, occurring once a month for at least 30 min and lasting at least three sessions. They also tended to prefer a stress management approach focused on trouble sleeping or fatigue, but all topics/skills were rated equivalently. For most attributes, the highest rated options were consistent with characteristics of integrated care. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Implementation of universal behavioral health screening in a university health setting.

Universal screening at university health centers can facilitate early identification and treatment of behavioral health problems common among college students. This article describes the (a) process of implementing behavioral health screening at a university health center and (b) results of universal screening for depression, suicidal ideation, alcohol misuse, tobacco use, and sleep problems. We discuss the decision points involved in screening, including what to screen for, whom to screen, how to implement the screening measure, and how to deal with patients who screen positive. During the Spring and Fall 2010 academic semesters, 4,126 screening questionnaires were completed by students (62% female) accessing a university health center. Each semester, 9-13% of students screened positive for depression, 2.5-3% for suicidal ideation, and 33-38% for alcohol misuse, while 10% wanted help with smoking cessation and 12-13% with sleep problems. The results suggest that behavioral health screening in a university health center can help identify students with behavioral health concerns to increase access to care.

Brief modular anxiety intervention for primary care: Hybrid I pilot randomized controlled trial of feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, and implementation potential.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety is highly prevalent, but undertreated, in primary care. Brief, non-pharmacological interventions are needed. Modular Anxiety Skills Training (MAST), a cognitive-behavioral anxiety intervention, was developed for primary care and tailored for a Veteran sample (MAST-V). The purpose of this mixed methods pilot study was to evaluate MAST-V's feasibility, acceptability, and implementation potential, and preliminarily examine its effectiveness compared to Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) usual care. METHODS: This hybrid I randomized controlled trial (conducted 2019-2021) assigned 35 primary care patients (Mage = 47, 17 % female, 27 % racial/ethnic minority) with clinically significant anxiety symptoms to receive MAST-V or PCBH usual care. Participants completed validated measures of anxiety symptoms and functional impairment at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. RESULTS: Participants attended more sessions in MAST-V than usual care. After necessary adjustments to reduce session duration, MAST-V will likely fit within PCBH practice parameters. Participants in both conditions valued treatment, but treatment satisfaction, credibility, and therapeutic alliance were higher for MAST-V. Study therapists achieved high treatment fidelity and rated MAST-V as highly feasible, acceptable, and appropriate for PCBH. They identified ways to address potential barriers to implementation. MAST-V was more effective than usual care in reducing anxiety symptoms and impairment. LIMITATIONS: This was a small pilot study at a single site using study therapists. Results should be considered preliminary until replicated in a full-scale clinical trial. CONCLUSIONS: This brief modular anxiety intervention, which was designed with implementation in mind, may help to address the anxiety treatment gap in primary care.

A Self-Help Crisis Outreach Effort for At-Risk Primary Care Patients: A Pilot Study of Veterans During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Stressful events can exacerbate symptoms of psychiatric disorders among primary care patients, putting them at increased risk for suicide. In a pilot study that ran from August to December of 2020, researchers evaluated the acceptability and implementation of Managing Emotions in Disaster and Crisis (MEDIC), a self-help intervention designed to assist at-risk primary care patients. A total of 108 at-risk veterans completed baseline and 6-week assessments. Results were promising, with high patient acceptability and engagement along with improvement in all measures of mental illness symptoms from baseline to posttreatment. Self-help interventions like MEDIC may offer a low-burden way for primary care providers to support more patients.

Peer review: The jury duty of science.

In this editorial, the authors explain the function and process of peer review, challenges they experienced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and strategies for ensuring that this fundamental process continues with integrity. In conclusion, the efforts of this editorial team to maintain a robust reviewer pool by inspiring, rewarding, training, and growing diversity cannot be the only efforts in this area. Those who "decline" jury duty may experience punitive consequences; however, there are no direct consequences for a qualified professional who declines to review, even routinely. Ultimately, the scientific community suffers, with a slower process that can then deteriorate. As a collective of professionals who value the contributions of science, we must all work to protect and grow participation in reviewing. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Does it work and can we do it? Hybrid research that answers both questions.

The perceived disconnect between research and clinic contexts may thus result in frontline clinicians and administrators questioning the approachability and applicability of science to their day-to-day work with patients and families in integrated care. Science grinds along so painstakingly slowly that even within the research community, some thought leaders have called for a moratorium on RCTs in favor of approaches that will yield more immediate public health impact (Kessler & Glasgow, 2011). The aim of this editorial is to describe a both/and research approach called "hybrid studies" and to discuss achievable strategies for doing this kind of work on the front lines. Sure, you can get a multimillion-dollar grant and do a formal research study, but real people on the frontlines can do this type of work too! Hybrid studies have the capacity to answer the two essential questions in healthcare science concurrently and advance the progress of science translation (usable science). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Brief, modular, transdiagnostic, cognitive-behavioral intervention for anxiety in veteran primary care: Development, provider feedback, and open trial.

Anxiety is undertreated in primary care, and most treatment provided is pharmacological rather than behavioral. Integrating behavioral health providers (BHPs) using the Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model can help address this treatment gap, but brief interventions suitable for use in PCBH practice are needed. We developed a modular, cognitive-behavioral anxiety intervention, Modular Anxiety Skills Training (MAST), that is evidence-based, transdiagnostic, feasible for PCBH, and patient-centered. MAST comprises up to six 30-min sessions emphasizing skills training. This article describes the rationale for and development of MAST as well as pilot work in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) to tailor and refine MAST for delivery to Veterans in VA primary care (MAST-V) to improve feasibility for VA BHPs and acceptability to Veterans. We used a convergent mixed-methods design with concurrent data collection. In phase one, we interviewed five BHPs to obtain feedback on the treatment manual. BHPs assessed MAST-V to be highly compatible with PCBH and provided suggestions to enhance feasibility. In phase two, we conducted an open trial in which six Veterans experiencing clinically significant anxiety received and provided feedback on all nine possible modules; we also assessed changes in mental health symptoms and functioning as well as treatment satisfaction and credibility. Veterans found MAST-V to be highly acceptable, and pre-post clinical outcomes were very promising with large effect sizes. Findings from this initial pilot provide preliminary support for the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of MAST-V and suggest further research with a randomized clinical trial is warranted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Barriers to and facilitators of using evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral anxiety interventions in integrated primary care practice.

Cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders and symptoms remains underutilized in integrated primary care (IPC), in part because the many treatments developed for specialty care are not readily translated to this unique setting. The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators to behavioral health providers (BHPs) delivering evidence-based cognitive--behavioral anxiety interventions within IPC practice. We conducted semistructured interviews with a national sample of 18 BHPs (50% psychologists, 33% social workers, 17% registered nurses) working in IPC in the Veterans Health Administration. We assessed barriers to and facilitators of using psychoeducation, exposure, cognitive therapy, relaxation training, mindfulness/meditation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based interventions, and problem-solving therapy. Qualitative coding and conventional content analysis revealed barriers and facilitators at three levels: IPC, provider, and patient. Themes suggested key barriers of poor fit with the IPC model, BHP training deficits, and lack of patient buy-in, and key facilitators of good perceived fit of the intervention (e.g., scope, duration) with the IPC model, BHPs feeling well equipped, and utility for patients. BHPs select interventions based on fit for the individual patient. Some results were consistent with prior work from specialty care, but the IPC model itself introduces significant implementation challenges. BHPs would benefit from flexible intervention options and training on IPC treatment goals and how to deliver the essence of evidence-based interventions in small doses. Our findings will help to inform adaptation of behavioral anxiety interventions to better fit IPC practice and development of beneficial training and resources for BHPs to reduce implementation challenges. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in Families, Systems, & Health.

Our annual coeditors' retreat is a time to step back from the words on the page and reflect on our values for this work. Our values set the course for goals and subsequent actions for the year. In our 3 days away from the office to focus on the journal, we have the quiet space to set intentions. Then, we set timelines, we send emails, we put things in motion. We came to this year's retreat prepared to consider a critical topic: equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). That Families, Systems, & Health (FSH) recruit, welcome, review, and publish science that is representative of the widest range of experience and perspective is a core value for us as coeditors. We feel we have a moral and ethical obligation as leaders, scientists, and humans, to pursue social justice and equitable health outcomes for all. Such efforts are needed to help rectify the longstanding history of systemic racism and discrimination against minoritized communities that continues even today. In the context of recent events including protests against racial injustices as well as health disparities experienced by people of color during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the scientific community is realizing we can no longer remain bystanders. Our role as coeditors of a journal affords the opportunity to support equitable and inclusive practices representing a diverse array of individuals and communities throughout the peer review and publication process, which not only enhances equity but also improves science. In exploratory conversations with our leadership team (i.e., coeditors, associate editors, and department editors) and editorial board, we knew that all of us were of a mind in our values and aspirations to improve EDI in FSH. We write this editorial to transparently communicate in a way that provides context for recent and upcoming changes in journal processes designed to support EDI. We want to clearly state our intentions to work on improving EDI throughout all aspects of FSH. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Building research and evaluation into the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association with intention.

In 2013, a bunch of us ran around collecting paper surveys off chairs after a plenary address at the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association's (CFHA) annual conference. From 150 responses, we found that less than a quarter would take the time to attend a workshop about research and evaluation. Fast forward 5 years: The organization showed robust attendance at research and evaluation training sessions, and interest in a preconference had risen to 77%. What prompted this shift? In response to survey findings, the Research and Evaluation Committee (REC), supported by the CFHA, engaged a data-informed and stakeholder-responsive approach to cultivating empiricism within the CFHA. The activities led by the REC demonstrate the need for creativity and leadership in this area and the CFHA's strong. organizational values around such efforts. As past and present leaders in the CFHA's REC initiatives, we write this editorial to make explicit the value of research to the organization and the value of the organization to the evidence base. In addition, we document some key institutional history in this area and, with input from the CFHA's current chief executive officer, Neftali Serrano, and REC chair, Will Lusenhop, forecast a vision for the future. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Sexual assault predicts unhealthy weight management among college women: A longitudinal, prospective study.

Objective: To examine whether sexual assault prospectively predicts unhealthy weight management behaviors in college women. Method: Participants were female college students (N = 483) with monthly assessments across the first year, including the frequency and severity of sexual assault and unhealthy weight management behaviors. Results: Frequency of sexual assault prior to college predicted dieting, purging, and diet pill use, over the first year. Severity of those experiences predicted dieting and diet pill use. Frequency of sexual assault during the first semester predicted purging and diet pill use during the second semester. Severity predicted all three unhealthy weight management behaviors. Findings held consistently when controlling for socioeconomic status (SES), race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), and pre-college mood, anxiety, and eating disorders, as well as unhealthy weight management behaviors during the first semester in longitudinal analyses. Reverse models were non-significant. Conclusions: This research documents the detrimental effects of sexual assault on unhealthy weight management behaviors in college women, and highlights the importance of prevention and intervention.

Relationship Health and Intimate Partner Violence in Integrated Primary Care: Individual Characteristics and Preferences for Relationship Support across Risk Levels.

This study explores differences in characteristics and relationship treatment preferences across different levels of intimate partner violence (IPV) among Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care patients. In Fall 2019, we sent a mail-in survey assessing relationship healthcare needs to N = 299 Veterans randomly sampled from 20 northeastern VA primary care clinics (oversampling female and younger Veterans). We compared those reporting past year use or experience of physical/sexual aggression, threats/coercion, or injury (Severe IPV; 21%), to those only reporting yelling and screaming (Verbal Conflict; 51%), and denying any IPV (No IPV; 28%). Participants across groups desired 2-6 sessions of face-to-face support for couples' health and communication. No IPV participants were older and had preferred treatment in primary care. The Verbal Conflict and Severe IPV groups were both flagged by IPV screens and had similar interest in couple treatment and relationship evaluation. The Severe IPV group had higher rates of harms (e.g., depression, alcohol use disorder, relationship dissatisfaction, fear of partner) and higher interest in addressing safety outside of VA. Exploratory analyses suggested differences based on use vs. experience of Severe IPV. Findings highlight ways integrated primary care teams can differentiate services to address dissatisfaction and conflict while facilitating referrals for Severe IPV.

Anxiety treatment preferences among veteran primary care patients: Demographic, mental health, and treatment-related correlates.

INTRODUCTION: Anxiety symptoms are common, yet undertreated, among primary care patients. Accommodating patient treatment preferences improves engagement and retention. In contrast to depression, little is known about primary care patients' preferences for anxiety treatment. METHOD: Participants were 144 veterans experiencing anxiety symptoms but not receiving psychotherapy who were recruited from primary care. Preferences for 11 anxiety treatment attributes (method; location; type; format; provider; frequency, length, and number of appointments; psychotherapy orientation; symptom focus; and topic/skill) and demographic, mental health (e.g., anxiety symptom severity), and treatment-related (e.g., psychotherapy history) variables were assessed via mailed survey. We used chi-square goodness of fit tests to identify patient preferences for each attribute and multivariate multinomial logistic regression models to explore demographic, mental health, and treatment-related correlates of treatment preferences. RESULTS: Patient preferences were largely consistent with integrated primary care models, particularly Primary Care Behavioral Health, with a few exceptions. Patients preferred longer appointments (e.g., 45-60 minutes) and a longer duration of treatment (e.g., ≥13 appointments) than is typically offered in primary care. Several variables, particularly education level, perceived need for help, anxiety symptom severity, and attitudes toward psychotherapy, were repeatedly associated with preferences for various anxiety treatment attributes. DISCUSSION: Results from this study suggest that patients tend to have distinct preferences for anxiety treatment in primary care that are largely consistent with common integrated primary care models. Results also identify several variables that may be associated with specific preferences, which may help match patients to their preferred type of care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).