Storylines of family medicine XI: professional identity formation-nurturing one's own story.

Storylines of Family Medicine is a 12-part series of thematically linked mini-essays with accompanying illustrations that explore the many dimensions of family medicine, as interpreted by individual family physicians and medical educators in the USA and elsewhere around the world. In 'XI: professional identity formation-nurturing one's own story', authors address the following themes: 'The social construction of professional identity', 'On becoming a family physician', 'What's on the test?-professionalism for family physicians', 'The ugly doc-ling', 'Teachers-the essence of who we are', 'Family medicine research-it starts in the clinic', 'Socially accountability in medical education', 'Personal philosophy and how to find it' and 'Teaching and learning with Storylines of Family Medicine'. May these essays encourage readers to find their own creative spark in medicine.

Examining the differences of perceptions and experience with online health information accessibility between deaf and hearing individuals: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: Describe and compare the experiences and preferences of Deaf and hearing individuals with different levels of health literacy in accessing, interpreting, and acting upon online health information. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 Deaf and 10 hearing participants with high and low health literacy from three healthcare sites. We conducted thematic analysis of the transcripts to explore information navigation experiences, information sources and dissemination preferences. RESULTS: We found thematic differences between Deaf and hearing participants with high and low health literacy in terms of information needs, information search experiences, information search perceptions, and preferred information dissemination approaches. Relative to hearing counterparts, Deaf participants were more likely to encounter challenges in accessing and understanding online information. Deaf participants with low health literacy were more likely to rely on visual graphics to support their understanding of the information than those with high health literacy. Deaf participants advocated for tailored approaches to disseminate health information to Deaf communities. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that differences in online health information navigation experiences and accessibility may inform disparities in health literacy outcomes between Deaf and hearing individuals. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Online health information should be presented in a manner accessible to Deaf community members.

Institutional Review Boards' Assessment of Local Context: A Mixed Methods Study.

The nature of the review of local context by institutional review boards (IRBs) is vague. Requirements for single IRB review of multicenter trials create a need to better understand interpretation and implementation of local-context review and how to best implement such reviews centrally. We sought a pragmatic understanding of IRB local-context review by exploring stakeholders' attitudes and perceptions. Semistructured interviews with 26 IRB members and staff members, institutional officials, and investigators were integrated with 80 surveys of similar stakeholders and analyzed with qualitative theme-based text analysis and descriptive statistical analysis. Stakeholders described what they considered to be local context, the value of local-context review, and key processes used to implement review of local context in general and for emergency research conducted with an exception from informed consent. Concerns and potential advantages of centralized review of local context were expressed. Variability in perspectives suggests that local-context review is not a discrete process, which presents opportunities for defining pathways for single IRB review.

Primary Care Physician and Urologist Perspectives on Optimizing Active Surveillance for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: We conducted a study to understand primary care physician (PCP) and urologist perspectives on determinants of active surveillance care delivery for men with low-risk prostate cancer. METHODS: We conducted in-depth, semistructured, virtual interviews with a purposive sample of 19 PCPs and 15 urologists between June 2020 and March 2021. We used the behavioral theory-informed Theoretical Domains Framework to understand barriers to and facilitators of active surveillance care delivery. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and deductively coded into framework domains and constructs by 3 independent coders. Participant recruitment continued until data saturation by group. RESULTS: Our study included 19 PCPs (9 female; 4 in community practices, 15 in academic medical centers) and 15 urologists (3 female; 5 in private practice, 3 in academic medical centers). The most commonly reported Theoretical Domains Framework domains affecting active surveillance care were (1) knowledge and (2) environmental context and resources. Although urologists were knowledgeable about active surveillance, PCPs mentioned limitations in their understanding of active surveillance (eg, what follow-up entails). Both groups noted the importance of an informed patient, especially how a patient's understanding of active surveillance facilitates their receipt of recommended follow-up. Physicians viewed patient loss to follow-up as a barrier, but identified a favorable organizational culture/climate (eg, good communication between physicians) as a facilitator. CONCLUSIONS: With patients increasingly involving their PCPs in their cancer care, our study presents factors both PCPs and urologists perceive (or identify) as affecting optimal active surveillance care delivery. We provide insights that can help inform multilevel supportive interventions for patients, physicians, and organizations to ensure the success of active surveillance as a management strategy for low-risk prostate cancer.

Perception and Emotional Experiences of Infant Feeding Among Women Living With HIV in a High-Income Setting: A Longitudinal Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: The recommendation of breastfeeding avoidance for women living with HIV in high-income settings may be influenced by cultural beliefs and come at an emotional cost. This multicenter, longitudinal, convergent mixed methods study aimed to compare differences in attitudes, concerns, and experiences surrounding breastfeeding in women living with HIV of Nordic and non-Nordic origin. SETTING: High-income setting. METHODS: Pregnant women living with HIV in the Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, and Sweden were recruited in 2019-2020. Quantitative data on attitudes surrounding infant feeding were assessed using the Positive Attitudes Concerning Infant Feeding questionnaire completed in the third trimester (T1), and 3 (T2) and 6 (T3) months postpartum. Women who completed the survey were also invited to participate in semistructured interviews at T1 and T3. The findings from the quantitative survey and qualitative interviews were brought together through merging to assess for concordance, complementarity, expansion, or discordance between the data sets and to draw metainferences. RESULTS: In total, 44 women completed the survey, of whom 31 also participated in qualitative interviews. The merged analyses identified three overarching domains representing commonalities across the quantitative and qualitative data: emotional impact, justifying not breastfeeding, and coping strategies. Not being able to breastfeed was emotionally challenging. Cultural expectations influenced the women's experiences and the strategies they used to justify their infant feeding choice. CONCLUSIONS: For women living with HIV in Nordic countries not breastfeeding was a complex, multilayered process substantially influenced by social and cultural expectations.

Patient perspectives on factors influencing active surveillance adherence for low-risk prostate cancer: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States. Treatment guidelines recommend active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer, which involves monitoring for progression, to avoid or delay definitive treatments and their side effects. Despite increased uptake, adherence to surveillance remains a challenge. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured, qualitative, virtual interviews based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), with men (15) who were or had been on active surveillance for their low-risk prostate cancer in 2020. Interviews were transcribed and coded under TDF's behavioral theory-based domains. We analyzed domains related to adherence to surveillance using constructivist grounded theory to identify themes influencing decision processes in adherence. RESULTS: The TDF domains of emotion, beliefs about consequences, environmental context and resources, and social influences were most relevant to surveillance adherence-. From these four TDF domains, three themes emerged as underlying decision processes: trust in surveillance as treatment, quality of life, and experiences of self and others. Positive perceptions of these three themes supported adherence while negative perceptions contributed to non-adherence (i.e., not receiving follow-up or stopping surveillance). The relationship between the TDF domains and themes provided a theoretical process describing factors impacting active surveillance adherence for men with low-risk prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Men identified key factors impacting active surveillance adherence that provide opportunities for clinical implementation and practice improvement. Future efforts should focus on multi-level interventions that foster trust in surveillance as treatment, emphasize quality of life benefits and enhance patients' interpersonal experiences while on surveillance to optimize adherence.

Health Providers' Response to Female Adolescent Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Demand Side Barriers in the Utilization of Support Services in Urban Low-Income Communities of Nigeria.

Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) are often hindered in their quest to access quality healthcare. This has a significant effect towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal SDG Target 3.7. to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services. This study is focused on identifying some of the demand side barriers in accessing health care services, particularly among young girls who are survivors of SGBV within intimate relationships in poor urban areas in Nigeria. The study used an ethnographic approach to solicit information from health providers, adolescents, and young women (AYW) in 10 low-income communities in two major cities in Nigeria, Ibadan and Lagos. Findings showed that there are structural limitations within the primary health care (PHC) system that posed a great challenge for survivors of SGBV to access services. Some of these include non-existing counseling services, a lack of rehabilitation centers, poor referral, and a lack of training for health providers in handling survivors of SGBV. There is also a lack of skills among health service providers that have negative influence on support services to survivors of SGBV. On the demand side, poor knowledge of possible health seeking pathways, a lack of education, and social support are barriers to accessing appropriate services among adolescent and young SGBV survivors. The study concluded that integrated services at the PHC level should include adequate and timely treatment for survivors of SGBV and targeted intervention to upscale skills and knowledge of health care providers.

A cross-stakeholder approach to improving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival.

BACKGROUND: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) affects over 300,000 individuals per year in the United States with poor survival rates overall. A remarkable 5-fold difference in survival-to-hospital discharge rates exist across United States communities. METHODS: We conducted a study using qualitative research methods comparing the system of care across sites in Michigan communities with varying OHCA survival outcomes, as measured by return to spontaneous circulation with pulse upon emergency department arrival. RESULTS: Major themes distinguishing higher performing sites were (1) working as a team, (2) devoting resources to coordination across agencies, and (3) developing a continuous quality improvement culture. These themes spanned the chain of survival framework for OHCA. By examining the unique processes, procedures, and characteristics of higher- relative to lower-performing sites, we gleaned lessons learned that appear to distinguish higher performers. The higher performing sites reported being the most collaborative, due in part to facilitation of system integration by progressive leadership that is willing to build bridges among stakeholders. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the distinguishing features of higher performing sites, we provide recommendations for toolkit development to improve survival in prehospital systems of care for OHCA.

Patient-reported outcomes in clinical HIV care: protocol for a single-centre, multistage, mixed-methods study in Denmark.

INTRODUCTION: People with HIV-1 (PWH) have worse health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared with the general population. Using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) may help reorient the focus of HIV care towards improving HRQoL. This study aims to develop, implement and evaluate the use of PROs in HIV care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a Danish single-centre, multistage mixed-methods study consisting of four substudies (studies I-IV). Study I is a qualitative focus group interview study aiming to identify relevant PRO domains, and barriers and benefits to PRO use. Participants are 5-10 PWH and 5-10 HIV healthcare providers (HCPs). Data are thematically analysed. Results will guide the design of a PRO measure (PROM). Study II is a quantitative study aiming to assess PWH's willingness and ability to engage with PRO. All PWH are consecutively invited to complete the PROMs before their next consultations. Demographic data are collected at enrolment. Differences between PWH who do/do not complete the PROMs are assessed. Study III is a quantitative before-and-after study aiming to assess the impact of PRO use on HCP awareness. Participants are all who complete the PROMs in Study II. In contrast to study II, HCPs are notified of the PROM results. The number of problems documented by the HCP in patients' medical records during studies II and III are compared using χ2 tests. Multiple regression models are used to identify factors associated with HCP awareness. Study IV is a qualitative study aiming to explore PWH and HCP experiences of using PROs. Participants are 15-20 PWH and 10-15 HCP. Data are collected from participant observation of PRO consultations and individual interviews. Data are analysed thematically. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study is approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency. Participants will provide written consent prior to participation. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Knowledge and practices of preconception care among rural Japanese women: findings from a mixed methods investigation.

BACKGROUND: Preconception care is not widespread in Japan and there is a pressing need to improve the practice. The present study assessed the knowledge and behavior of preconception care among women to seek effective intervention. Our research questions were: 1) How much do women know about preconception care? 2) How much are they practicing preconception care and what are the information sources of their behavior? 3) Do the women's preconception care behavior associated with accurate knowledge? METHODS: The research was conducted in a rural town in central Japan. Using an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, we undertook interviews, developed a survey based on the qualitative results, and then conducted a survey. The interviews explored how preconception care was perceived and practiced in women of childbearing age. The survey was designed to investigate the knowledge of preconception care among women with and without pregnancy experience, their practice behavior of preconception care, and whether the behavior is associated with knowledge. RESULTS: The participants were 13 for the interview and 232 for the survey. They had limited access to preconception care recommendations and advice for specific actions was given by obstetricians and gynecologists after pregnancy. There was a large gap in knowledge about preconception care between parous and nulliparous women, especially about the need for folic acid supplementation. Practices that were manageable in their daily lives, such as cessation of smoking and alcohol, diet, and weight management, were considered common sense. In contrast, recommended practices that require medical attention, such as screening for sexually transmitted diseases and cervical cancer, tended to be less accurately known and practiced. Participants' sources of information about preconception care were the Internet, family and friends and mass media. CONCLUSION: In rural Japan, women of childbearing age lack knowledge about preconception care, especially before their first pregnancy. Primary care providers should try outreach to schools and women's groups in the community, promote information sharing among family and close friends, and utilize information technology to enhance the knowledge and practice of preconception care.

Joint Display of Integrated Data Collection for Mixed Methods Research: An Illustration From a Pediatric Oncology Quality Improvement Study.

PURPOSE: Researchers often struggle to integrate quantitative and qualitative data. Joint displays of data collected using mixed methods provide a framework for supporting integration, yet the literature lacks methodologic articles illustrating in detail the iterative nature of constructing such displays. We demonstrate the process for creating a joint display for integrating the collection of data obtained by qualitative and quantitative methods. METHODS: Within a convergent mixed methods cohort study, the Early Discharge of Febrile Neutropenic Children with Cancer Study, we constructed a joint display to inform integrated collection of 2 forms of data (quantitative and qualitative) from 2 sources (a patient-caregiver mixed methods survey and a manual abstraction of medical records). RESULTS: In a first step, we used a data sources table to align related quantitative and qualitative data. The resulting table consisted of 2 side-by-side columns based on the mixed survey data. After several additional iterative steps, we constructed a final 6-column joint display. This final display delineated the separate data sources, linked constructs to the quantitative and qualitative variables within each source, and integrated the constructs across the separate data sources. CONCLUSIONS: Challenges of integration, though not unique to prospective mixed methods cohort studies, stem from the sheer volume of qualitative and quantitative information and the need to logically organize the data in preparation for integrated data analysis. Tailoring joint displays to specific studies is challenging, but mixed methods researchers who embrace the methodologic malleability can produce effective joint displays to illustrate the mixed data collection linkages and create a preliminary structure ultimately for organizing mixed data findings.

Enhancing Nonverbal Communication Through Virtual Human Technology: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Communication is a critical component of the patient-provider relationship; however, limited research exists on the role of nonverbal communication. Virtual human training is an informatics-based educational strategy that offers various benefits in communication skill training directed at providers. Recent informatics-based interventions aimed at improving communication have mainly focused on verbal communication, yet research is needed to better understand how virtual humans can improve verbal and nonverbal communication and further elucidate the patient-provider dyad. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to enhance a conceptual model that incorporates technology to examine verbal and nonverbal components of communication and develop a nonverbal assessment that will be included in the virtual simulation for further testing. METHODS: This study will consist of a multistage mixed methods design, including convergent and exploratory sequential components. A convergent mixed methods study will be conducted to examine the mediating effects of nonverbal communication. Quantitative (eg, MPathic game scores, Kinect nonverbal data, objective structured clinical examination communication score, and Roter Interaction Analysis System and Facial Action Coding System coding of video) and qualitative data (eg, video recordings of MPathic-virtual reality [VR] interventions and student reflections) will be collected simultaneously. Data will be merged to determine the most crucial components of nonverbal behavior in human-computer interaction. An exploratory sequential design will proceed, consisting of a grounded theory qualitative phase. Using theoretical, purposeful sampling, interviews will be conducted with oncology providers probing intentional nonverbal behaviors. The qualitative findings will aid the development of a nonverbal communication model that will be included in a virtual human. The subsequent quantitative strand will incorporate and validate a new automated nonverbal communication behavior assessment into the virtual human simulation, MPathic-VR, by assessing interrater reliability, code interactions, and dyadic data analysis by comparing Kinect responses (system recorded) to manually scored records for specific nonverbal behaviors. Data will be integrated using building integration to develop the automated nonverbal communication behavior assessment and conduct a quality check of these nonverbal features. RESULTS: Secondary data from the MPathic-VR randomized controlled trial data set (210 medical students and 840 video recordings of interactions) were analyzed in the first part of this study. Results showed differential experiences by performance in the intervention group. Following the analysis of the convergent design, participants consisting of medical providers (n=30) will be recruited for the qualitative phase of the subsequent exploratory sequential design. We plan to complete data collection by July 2023 to analyze and integrate these findings. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study contribute to the improvement of patient-provider communication, both verbal and nonverbal, including the dissemination of health information and health outcomes for patients. Further, this research aims to transfer to various topical areas, including medication safety, informed consent processes, patient instructions, and treatment adherence between patients and providers. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/46601.

Primary care physicians' perspectives and challenges on managing multimorbidity for patients with dementia: a Japan-Michigan qualitative comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity management can be extremely challenging in patients with dementia. This study aimed to elucidate the approaches of primary care physicians in Japan and the United States (US) in managing multimorbidity for patients with dementia and discuss the challenges involved. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted through one-on-one semi-structured interviews among primary care physicians, 24 each from Japan and Michigan, US. Thematic and content analyses were performed to explore similarities and differences among each country's data. RESULTS: Primary care physicians in Japan and Michigan applied a relaxed adherence to the guidelines for patients' chronic conditions. Common challenges were the suboptimal consultation time, the insufficient number or ability of care-coordinating professionals, patients' conditions such as difficulties with self-management, living alone, behavioral issues, and refusal of care support. Unique challenges in Japan were free-access medical systems and not being sure about the patients' will in end-of-life care. In Michigan, physicians faced challenges in distance and lack of transportation between clinics and patients' homes and in cases where patients lacked the financial ability to acquire good care. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the quality of care for patients with multimorbidity and dementia, physicians would benefit from optimal time and compensation allocated for this patient group, guidelines for chronic conditions to include information regarding changing priority for older adults with dementia, and the close collaboration of medical and social care and community resources with support of skilled care-coordinating professionals.

Expanding Our Methodological Toolbox to Improve Quality: The Role of Mixed-Methods Evaluations.

The care delivered to patients with cardiovascular disease involves coordination among a multitude of clinical team members spanning diverse inpatient and outpatient settings. The majority of quality improvement interventions in cardiovascular care have been developed based on quantitative evidence, which neither fully accounts for multilevel determinants (eg, patient, clinician, and institution) nor contextualization from key informants. The rigor and effectiveness of these interventions would be enhanced by mixed-methods studies whose strengths include (1) the use of qualitative research methodologies (eg, eliciting patient or clinician perspectives on barriers and facilitators of best practices) and (2) integrating qualitative and quantitative data and analyses to understand more fully effective strategies for achieving optimal care and outcomes for these patients across diverse settings. This article illustrates the application of a complex mixed-methods design to advance an evidence-based, customizable infection prevention toolkit for durable left ventricular assist device therapy. The study (1) uses quantitative clinical data merged with Medicare claims to evaluate interhospital variability in the incidence of infection; (2) uses qualitative methods to understand local practice patterns across low- and high-performing centers; and (3) integrates both data sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the overall findings.

Infections following left ventricular assist device implantation and 1-year health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation leads to substantial and sustained improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among patients. Infection following device implantation remains an important and frequent complication and adversely affects patient-reported HRQOL. METHODS: Patients in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons' Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support receiving a primary LVAD between April 2012 to October 2016 were included. The primary exposure was one-year post-implant infection, characterized by: (1) any infection; (2) total number of infections and (3) type (LVAD-specific, LVAD-related, non-LVAD). The association between infection and the primary composite adverse outcome (defined as EuroQoL Visual Analog Scale< 65, too sick to complete the survey, or death at 1-year) was estimated using inverse probability weighting and Cox regression. RESULTS: The study cohort included 11,618 patients from 161 medical centers with 4,768 (41.0%) patients developing an infection, and 2,282 (19.6%) patients having> 1 infection during the follow up period. The adjusted odds ratio for the primary composite adverse outcome was 1.22 (95% CI, 1.19-1.24, p < 0.001) for each additional infection. Each additional infection was associated with a 3.49% greater probability of the primary composite outcome and was associated with worse performance across multiple dimensions of HRQOL as assessed by the EQ-5D for patients who survived to 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing LVAD implantation, each additional infection within the first post-implantation year was associated with an incremental negative effect on survival free of impaired HRQOL.

Strategies for Enhancing Prehospital Outcomes for Cardiac Arrest (EPOC).

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a common, life-threatening event that is a leading cause of death in the United States. However, it is unclear how to design strategies that can be successfully implemented in emergency medical services (EMS) agencies and broader emergency response systems (such as fire, police, dispatch, and bystanders to OHCA events) in different communities to help improve daily care processes and outcomes in OHCA. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-funded Enhancing Prehospital Outcomes for Cardiac Arrest (EPOC) study lays the foundation for future quality improvement efforts in OHCA by identifying, understanding, and validating the best practices adopted within emergency response systems to address these life-threatening events and by addressing potential barriers to implementation of these practices. RAND researchers developed recommendations covering all levels of the prehospital OHCA incident response and the principles of change management necessary to implement those recommendations.

Patient-Reported Usefulness and Challenges in Using Hypoglycemia-Informing Features of Continuous Glucose Monitors to Manage Hypoglycemia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study series, which involves a questionnaire survey and qualitative interviews, was to (a) evaluate patient-reported usefulness of continuous glucose monitor (CGM) hypoglycemia-informing features and (b) identify challenges in using these features (ie, CGM glucose numbers, trend arrows, trend graphs, and hypoglycemia alarms) during hypoglycemia in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey study was conducted with adults who have T1DM and were using CGMs to assess the perceived usefulness of hypoglycemia-informing features. A semistructured interview study with T1DM CGM-using adults and inductive thematic analysis were subsequently performed to identify challenges in using CGM hypoglycemia-informing features to manage hypoglycemia. RESULTS: In the survey study (N = 252), the CGM glucose numbers, trend arrows, trend graphs, and hypoglycemia alarms were found to be very useful by 79%, 70%, 43%, and 64% of participants, respectively. Several challenges in using these features to manage hypoglycemia were identified in the qualitative study (N = 23): (1) hypoglycemia information not fully reliable,; (2) unpredictability of future blood glucose levels, (3) lack of awareness about how information can be used, and (4) disruptions associated with information. CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of T1DM adults found their CGMs' hypoglycemia-informing features helpful, challenges in optimally using these features persisted. Targeted knowledge and behavioral interventions could improve CGM use to reduce hypoglycemia.

A Pragmatic Cluster-Randomized Trial of Provider Education and Community Health Worker Support for Tobacco Cessation.

OBJECTIVE: Individuals with serious mental illness have a high prevalence of tobacco use disorder and related early mortality but underutilize smoking cessation medication. The authors determined whether clinician-delivered education to primary care providers regarding safety, efficacy, and importance of cessation medication (provider education [PE]) alone or combined with community health worker (CHW) support would increase tobacco abstinence in this population, compared with usual care. METHODS: All adult current tobacco smokers receiving psychiatric rehabilitation for serious mental illness through two community agencies in Greater Boston were eligible, regardless of readiness to quit smoking. Primary care clinics were cluster randomized to PE or usual care, with a nested, participant-level randomization to CHW or no CHW in PE-assigned clinics. The primary outcome was blindly assessed, biochemically verified tobacco abstinence at year 2. RESULTS: Overall, 1,010 eligible participants were enrolled. PE was delivered to providers in 53 of 55 assigned clinics; 220 of 336 CHW-assigned participants consented to CHW support. Year 2 abstinence rates were significantly higher among participants assigned to PE+CHW versus usual care (12% vs. 5%; adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.20-4.79) or PE alone (12% vs. 7%; AOR=1.84, 95% CI=1.04-3.24). No effect of PE alone on abstinence was detected. Compared with participants assigned to usual care, those assigned to PE+CHW had greater odds of varenicline use (OR=2.77, 95% CI=1.61-4.75), which was associated with higher year 2 abstinence (OR=1.97, 95% CI=1.16-3.33). CONCLUSIONS: Combined PE and CHW tobacco cessation support increased tobacco abstinence rates among adults with serious mental illness.

Mortality following durable left ventricular assist device implantation by timing and type of first infection.

OBJECTIVE: Although infections are common after left ventricular assist device implantation, the relationship between timing and type of first infection with regard to mortality is less well understood. METHODS: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support patients receiving a primary left ventricular assist device from April 2012 to May 2017 were included. The primary exposure was defined 3 ways: any infection, timing of first infection (early: ≤90 days; intermediate: 91-180 days; late: >180 days), and type (ventricular assist device specific, ventricular assist device related, non-ventricular assist device). The association between first infection and all-cause mortality was estimated using Cox regression. RESULTS: The cohort included 12,957 patients at 166 centers (destination therapy: 47.4%, bridge-to-transplant: 41.2%). First infections were most often non-ventricular assist device (54.2%). Rates of first infection were highest in the early interval (10.7/100 person-months). Patients with any infection had a significantly higher adjusted hazard of death (hazard ratio, 2.63; 2.46-2.86). First infection in the intermediate interval was associated with the largest increase in adjusted hazard of death (hazard ratio, 3.26; 2.82-3.78), followed by late (hazard ratio, 3.13; 2.77-3.53) and early intervals (hazard ratio, 2.37; 2.16-2.60). Ventricular assist device-related infections were associated with the largest increase in hazard of death (hazard ratio, 3.02; 2.69-3.40), followed by ventricular assist device specific (hazard ratio, 2.92; 2.57-3.32) and non-ventricular assist device (hazard ratio, 2.42; 2.20-2.65). CONCLUSIONS: Relative to those without infection, patients with any postimplantation infection had an increased risk of death. Ventricular assist device-related infections and infections occurring in the intermediate interval were associated with the largest increase in risk of death. After left ventricular assist device implantation, infection prevention strategies should target non-ventricular assist device infections in the first 90 days, then shift to surveillance/prevention of driveline infections after 90 days.

How health systems facilitate patient-centered care and care coordination: a case series analysis to identify best practices.

Large- and small-scale transformation of healthcare delivery toward improved patient experience through promotion of patient-centered and coordinated care continues to be at the forefront of health system efforts in the United States. As part of a Quality Improvement (QI) project at a large, midwestern health system, a case series of high-performing organizations was explored with the goal of identifying best practices in patient-centered care and/or care coordination (PCC/CC). Identification of best practices was done through rapid realist review of peer-reviewed literature supporting three PCC/CC interventions per case. Mechanisms responsible for successful intervention outcomes and associated institutional-level facilitators were evaluated, and cross-case analysis produced high-level focus items for health system leadership, including (1) institutional values surrounding PCC/CC, (2) optimization of IT infrastructure to enhance performance and communication, (3) pay structures and employment models that enhance accountability, and (4) organizing bodies to support implementation efforts. Health systems may use this review to gain insight into how institutional-level factors may facilitate small-scale PCC/CC behaviors, or to conduct similar assessments in their own QI projects. Based on our analysis, we recommend health systems seeking to improve PCC/CC at any level or scale to evaluate how IT infrastructure affects provider-provider and provider-patient communication, and the extent to which institutional prioritization of PCC/CC is manifest and held accountable in performance feedback, incentivization, and values shared among departments and settings. Ideally, this evaluation work should be performed and/or supported by cross-department organizing bodies specifically devoted to PCC/CC implementation work.