Preoperative Communication Between Anesthesia, Surgery, and Primary Care Providers for Older Surgical Patients.

BACKGROUND: Suboptimal communication between clinicians remains a frequent driver of preventable adverse health care-related events, increased costs, and patient and physician dissatisfaction. METHODS: Cross-sectional surveys on preoperative interspecialty communication, tailored by stakeholder type, were administered to (1) primary care providers in northern New England, (2) anesthesia providers working in the perioperative clinic of a tertiary rural academic medical center, (3) surgeons from the same center, and (4) older surgical patients who underwent preoperative assessment at the same center. RESULTS: In total, 107/249 (43.0%) providers and 103/265 (39.9%) patients completed the survey. Preoperative communication was perceived as logistically challenging (59.8%), particularly across health systems. More than 77% of anesthesia and surgery providers indicated that they communicate frequently or sometimes, but 92.5% of primary care providers indicated that they rarely or never communicate with anesthesia providers. Some of the most common reasons for preoperative communication were discussion of complex patients, perioperative medication management, and optimization of comorbidities. Although 96.1% of older surgical patients reported that preoperative communication between providers is important, only 40.4% felt that their providers communicate very or extremely well. Many patients emphasized the importance of preoperative communication between providers to ensure transfer of critical clinical information. CONCLUSION: Surgeons and anesthesiologists infrequently communicate with primary care providers in one rural tertiary center, in contrast to patient expectations and values. These study results will help identify priorities and potentially resolvable barriers to bridging the gap between the inpatient perioperative and outpatient primary care teams. Future studies should focus on strategies to improve communication between hospital and community providers to prevent complications and readmission.

"If you're strung out and female, they will take advantage of you": A qualitative study exploring drug use and substance use service experiences among women in Boston and San Francisco.

BACKGROUND: Significant disparities in substance use severity and treatment persist among women who use drugs compared to men. Thus, we explored how identifying as a woman was related to drug use and treatment experiences. METHODS: The study recruited participants for a qualitative interview study in Boston and San Francisco from January-November 2020. Self-identified women, age ≥ 18 years, with nonprescribed opioid use in the past 14 days were eligible for inclusion. The study team developed deductive codes based on intersectionality theory and inductive codes generated from transcript review, and identified themes using grounded content analysis. RESULTS: The study enrolled thirty-six participants. The median age was 46; 58 % were White, 16 % were Black, 14 % were Hispanic, and 39 % were unstably housed. Other drug use was common with 81 % reporting benzodiazepine, 50 % cocaine, and 31 % meth/amphetamine use respectively. We found that gender (i.e., identifying as a woman) intersected with drug use and sex work practices and exacerbated experiences of marginalization. Violence was ubiquitous in drug use environments. Some women reported experiences of gender-based violence in substance use service settings that perpetuated cycles of trauma and reinforced barriers to care. Substance use services that were women-led, safe, and responsive to women's needs were valued and sought after. CONCLUSION: Women reported a cycle of trauma and drug use exacerbated by oppression in substance use services settings. In addition to increasing access to gender-responsive care, our study highlights the need for greater research and examination of practices within substance use service settings that may be contributing to gender-based violence.

Sociodemographic Variations in Women's Reports of Discussions With Clinicians About Breast Density.

Importance: Breast density notifications advise women to discuss breast density with their clinicians, yet little is known about such discussions. Objectives: To examine the content of women's reports of breast density discussions with clinicians and identify variations by women's sociodemographic characteristics (age, income, state legislation status, race and ethnicity, and literacy level). Design, Setting, and Participants: This US nationwide, population-based, random-digit dial telephone survey study was conducted from July 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020, among 2306 women aged 40 to 76 years with no history of breast cancer who underwent mammography in the prior 2 years and had heard the term dense breasts or breast density. Results were analyzed from a subsample of 770 women reporting a conversation about breast density with their clinician after their last mammographic screening. Statistical analysis was conducted in April and July 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Survey questions inquired whether women's clinicians had asked about breast cancer risk or their worries or concerns about breast density, had discussed mammography results or other options for breast cancer screening or their future risk of breast cancer, as well as the extent to which the clinician answered questions about breast density. Results: Of the 770 women (358 [47%] aged 50-64 years; 47 Asian [6%], 125 Hispanic [16%], 204 non-Hispanic Black [27%], 317 non-Hispanic White [41%], and 77 other race and ethnicity [10%]) whose results were analyzed, most reported that their clinicians asked questions about breast cancer risk (88% [670 of 766]), discussed mammography results (94% [724 of 768]), and answered patient questions about breast density (81% [614 of 761]); fewer women reported that clinicians had asked about worries or concerns about breast density (69% [524 of 764]), future risk of breast cancer (64% [489 of 764]), or other options for breast cancer screening (61% [459 of 756]). Women's reports of conversations varied significantly by race and ethnicity; non-Hispanic Black women reported being asked questions about breast cancer risk more often than non-Hispanic White women (odds ratio [OR], 2.08 [95% CI, 1.05-4.10]; P = .04). Asian women less often reported being asked about their worries or concerns (OR, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.20-0.86]; P = .02), and Hispanic and Asian women less often reported having their questions about breast density answered completely or mostly (Asian: OR, 0.28 [95% CI, 0.13-0.62]; P = .002; Hispanic: OR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.27-0.87]; P = .02). Women with low literacy were less likely than women with high literacy to report being asked about worries or concerns about breast density (OR, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.43-0.96]; P = .03), that mammography results were discussed with them (OR, 0.32 [95% CI, 0.16-0.63]; P = .001), or that their questions about breast density were answered completely or mostly (OR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.32-0.81]; P = .004). Conclusions and Relevance: In this survey study, although most women reported that their clinicians counselled them about breast density, the unaddressed worries or concerns and unanswered questions, especially among Hispanic and Asian women and those with low literacy, highlighted areas where discussions could be improved.

Talking numbers: how women and providers use risk scores during and after risk counseling - a qualitative investigation from the NRG Oncology/NSABP DMP-1 study.

OBJECTIVES: Little research exists on how risk scores are used in counselling. We examined (a) how Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT) scores are presented during counselling; (b) how women react and (c) discuss them afterwards. DESIGN: Consultations were video-recorded and participants were interviewed after the consultation as part of the NRG Oncology/National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Decision-Making Project 1 (NSABP DMP-1). SETTING: Two NSABP DMP-1 breast cancer care centres in the USA: one large comprehensive cancer centre serving a high-risk population and an academic safety-net medical centre in an urban setting. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty women evaluated for breast cancer risk and their counselling providers were included. METHODS: Participants who were identified as at increased risk of breast cancer were recruited to participate in qualitative study with a video-recorded consultation and subsequent semi-structured interview that included giving feedback and input after viewing their own consultation. Consultation videos were summarised jointly and inductively as a team.tThe interview material was searched deductively for text segments that contained the inductively derived themes related to risk assessment. Subgroup analysis according to demographic variables such as age and Gail score were conducted, investigating reactions to risk scores and contrasting and comparing them with the pertinent video analysis data. From this, four descriptive categories of reactions to risk scores emerged. The descriptive categories were clearly defined after 19 interviews; all 30 interviews fit principally into one of the four descriptive categories. RESULTS: Risk scores were individualised and given meaning by providers through: (a) presenting thresholds, (b) making comparisons and (c) emphasising or minimising the calculated risk. The risk score information elicited little reaction from participants during consultations, though some added to, agreed with or qualified the provider's information. During interviews, participants reacted to the numbers in four primary ways: (a) engaging easily with numbers; (b) expressing greater anxiety after discussing the risk score; (c) accepting the risk score and (d) not talking about the risk score. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the necessity that patients' experiences must be understood and put into relation to risk assessment information to become a meaningful treatment decision-making tool, for instance by categorising patients' information engagement into types. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01399359.

Cancer Epidemiology in the Northeastern United States (2013-2017).

We tested the hypotheses that adult cancer incidence and mortality in the Northeast region and in Northern New England (NNE) were different than the rest of the United States, and described other related cancer metrics and risk factor prevalence. Using national, publicly available cancer registry data, we compared cancer incidence and mortality in the Northeast region with the United States and NNE with the United States overall and by race/ethnicity, using age-standardized cancer incidence and rate ratios (RR). Compared with the United States, age-adjusted cancer incidence in adults of all races combined was higher in the Northeast (RR, 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.08) and in NNE (RR 1.06; CI 1.05-1.07). However compared with the United States, mortality was lower in the Northeast (RR, 0.98; CI 0.98-0.98) but higher in NNE (RR, 1.05; CI 1.03-1.06). Mortality in NNE was higher than the United States for cancers of the brain (RR, 1.16; CI 1.07-1.26), uterus (RR, 1.32; CI 1.14-1.52), esophagus (RR, 1.36; CI 1.26-1.47), lung (RR, 1.12; CI 1.09-1.15), bladder (RR, 1.23; CI 1.14-1.33), and melanoma (RR, 1.13; CI 1.01-1.27). Significantly higher overall cancer incidence was seen in the Northeast than the United States in all race/ethnicity subgroups except Native American/Alaska Natives (RR, 0.68; CI 0.64-0.72). In conclusion, NNE has higher cancer incidence and mortality than the United States, a pattern that contrasts with the Northeast region, which has lower cancer mortality overall than the United States despite higher incidence. Significance: These findings highlight the need to identify the causes of higher cancer incidence in the Northeast and the excess cancer mortality in NNE.

A Survey of Cancer Risk Behaviors, Beliefs, and Social Drivers of Health in New Hampshire and Vermont.

Compared with urban areas, rural areas have higher cancer mortality and have experienced substantially smaller declines in cancer incidence in recent years. In a New Hampshire (NH) and Vermont (VT) survey, we explored the roles of rurality and educational attainment on cancer risk behaviors, beliefs, and other social drivers of health. In February-March 2022, two survey panels in NH and VT were sent an online questionnaire. Responses were analyzed by rurality and educational attainment. Respondents (N = 1,717, 22%) mostly lived in rural areas (55%); 45% of rural and 25% of urban residents had high school education or less and this difference was statistically significant. After adjustment for rurality, lower educational attainment was associated with smoking, difficulty paying for basic necessities, greater financial difficulty during the COVID-19 pandemic, struggling to pay for gas (P < 0.01), fatalistic attitudes toward cancer prevention, and susceptibility to information overload about cancer prevention. Among the 33% of respondents who delayed getting medical care in the past year, this was more often due to lack of transportation in those with lower educational attainment (21% vs. 3%, P = 0.02 adjusted for rurality) and more often due to concerns about catching COVID-19 among urban than rural residents (52% vs. 21%; P < 0.001 adjusted for education). In conclusion, in NH/VT, smoking, financial hardship, and beliefs about cancer prevention are independently associated with lower educational attainment but not rural residence. These findings have implications for the design of interventions to address cancer risk in rural areas. Significance: In NH and VT, the finding that some associations between cancer risk factors and rural residence are more closely tied to educational attainment than rurality suggest that the design of interventions to address cancer risk should take educational attainment into account.

A population-based survey of self-reported delays in breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancer screening.

The early COVID-19 pandemic was associated with cessation of screening services, but the prevalence of ongoing delays in cancer screening into the third year of the pandemic are not well-characterized. In February/March 2022, a population-based survey assessed cancer needs in New Hampshire and Vermont. The associations between cancer screening delays (breast, cervical, colorectal or lung cancer) and social determinants of health, health care access, and cancer attitudes and beliefs were tested. Distributions and Rao-Scott chi-square tests were used for hypothesis testing and weighted to represent state populations. Of 1717 participants, 55% resided in rural areas, 96% identified as White race, 50% were women, 36% had high school or less education. Screening delays were reported for breast cancer (28%), cervical cancer (30%), colorectal cancer (24%), and lung cancer (30%). Delays were associated with having higher educational attainment (lung), urban living (colorectal), and having Medicaid insurance (breast, cervical). Low confidence in ability to obtain information about cancer was associated with screening delays across screening types. The most common reason for delay was the perception that the screening test was not urgent (31% breast, 30% cervical, 28% colorectal). Cost was the most common reason for delayed lung cancer screening (36%). COVID-19 was indicated as a delay reason in 15-29% of respondents; 12-20% reported health system capacity during the pandemic as a reason for delay, depending on screening type. Interventions that address sub-populations and reasons for screening delays are needed to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer burden and mortality.

Characterizing Referrals for Prostate Cancer Genetic Services in a Safety-Net Hospital.

PURPOSE: Little is known about the uptake of germline genetic testing for patients with prostate cancer after 2018 guideline changes. This study characterizes genetic service referral patterns and predictors of referrals among patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using electronic health record data was conducted at an urban safety-net hospital. Individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer between January 2011 and March 2020 were eligible. The primary outcome was referral to genetic services after diagnosis. Using multivariable logistic regression, we identified patient characteristics associated with referrals. Interrupted time series analysis using a segmented Poisson regression examined whether guideline changes resulted in higher rates of referral after implementation. RESULTS: The cohort included 1,877 patients. Mean age was 65 years; 44% identified as Black, 32% White; and 17% Hispanic or Latino. The predominant insurance type was Medicaid (34%) followed by Medicare or private insurance (25% each). Most were diagnosed with local disease (65%), while 3% had regional and 9% had metastatic disease. Of the 1,877 patients, 163 (9%) had at least one referral to genetics. In multivariable models, higher age was negatively associated with referral (odds ratio [OR], 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94 to 0.98), while having regional (OR, 4.51; 95% CI, 2.44 to 8.34) or metastatic disease (OR, 4.64; 95% CI, 2.98 to 7.24) versus local only disease at diagnosis was significantly associated with referral. The time series analysis demonstrated a 138% rise in referrals 1 year after guideline implementation (relative risk, 3.992; 97.5% CI, 2.20 to 7.24; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Referrals to genetic services increased after guideline implementation. The strongest predictor of referral was clinical stage, suggesting opportunities to raise awareness about guideline eligibility for patients with advanced local or regional disease who may benefit from genetic services.

Women's Reactions to Breast Density Information Vary by Sociodemographic Characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Breast density information aims to increase awareness of breast density and its risks and to foster more informed future breast screening decisions among women with dense breasts. We explored associations between such information and outcomes including anxiety, confusion, or feeling informed, and whether they varied by race/ethnicity or literacy, or differentially affected future mammography plans. METHODS: A national telephone survey of a diverse sample of women previously informed of personal breast density (N = 1,322) assessed reactions to receipt of breast density information and future mammography plans. RESULTS: Most women (86%) felt informed after receiving personal breast density information; however, some felt anxious (15%) or confused (11%). Reactions varied significantly by sociodemographics; non-Hispanic Black, Asian, and Hispanic women and women with low literacy were nearly two to three times more likely to report anxiety than non-Hispanic White women (all ps < .05). Asian women and those with low literacy less often felt informed and more often felt confused. Non-Hispanic Black and Asian women were nearly twice as likely to report that knowing their breast density made them more likely to have future mammograms. Women with low literacy were more likely to change mammography plans, with some being more likely and others less likely to plan to have future mammograms. Greater anxiety and confusion were associated with higher likelihood of planning future mammograms; those feeling informed were less likely to plan future mammography. CONCLUSIONS: Differential reactions to breast density information are concerning if associated with disparate future screening plans. Future breast density education efforts should ensure that such information is readily accessible and understandable to all women in order to lead to desired effects.

Delivering Genetic Testing for Patients with Prostate Cancer: Moving Beyond Provider Knowledge as a Barrier to Care.

INTRODUCTION: The 2018 National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for prostate cancer genetic testing expanded access to genetic services. Few studies have examined how this change has affected provider practice outside of large cancer centers. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study of multi-disciplinary health care providers treating patients with prostate cancer at a safety-net hospital. Participants completed an interview that addressed knowledge, practices, and contextual factors related to providing genetic services to patients with prostate cancer. A thematic analysis using both inductive and deductive coding was undertaken. RESULTS: Seventeen providers completed interviews. Challenges in identifying eligible patients for genetic testing stemmed from a lack of a) systems that facilitate routine patient identification, and b) readily available family history data for eligibility determination. Providers identified non-medical patient characteristics that influenced their referral process, including health literacy, language, cultural beliefs, patient distress, and cost. Providers who see patients at different times along the cancer care continuum viewed benefits of testing differently. CONCLUSION: The use of digital technologies that systematically identify those eligible for genetic testing referrals may mitigate some but not all challenges identified in this study. Further research should determine how individual provider perceptions influence referral practices and patient access to genetics both within and across cancer specialties.

Perceptions of Breast Cancer Risks Among Women Receiving Mammograph Screening.

Importance: Breast density is an independent risk factor for breast cancer. Despite the proliferation of mandated written notifications about breast density following mammography, there is little understanding of how women perceive the relative breast cancer risk associated with breast density. Objective: To assess women's perception of breast density compared with other breast cancer risks and explore their understanding of risk reduction. Design, Setting, and Participants: This mixed-methods qualitative study used telephone surveys and semistructured interviews to investigate perceptions about breast cancer risk among a nationally representative, population-based sample of women. Eligible study participants were aged 40 to 76 years, reported having recently undergone mammography, had no history of prior breast cancer, and had heard of breast density. Survey participants who had been informed of their personal breast density were invited for a qualitative interview. Survey administration spanned July 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020, with 2306 women completing the survey. Qualitative interviews were conducted from February 1 to May 30, 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures: Respondents compared the breast cancer risk associated with breast density with 5 other risk factors. Participants qualitatively described what they thought contributed to breast cancer risk and ways to reduce risk. Results: Of the 2306 women who completed the survey, 1858 (166 [9%] Asian, 503 [27%] Black, 268 [14%] Hispanic, 792 [43%] White, and 128 [7%] other race or ethnicity; 358 [19%] aged 40-49 years, 906 [49%] aged 50-64 years, and 594 [32%] aged ≥65 years) completed the revised risk perception questions and were included in the analysis. Half of respondents thought breast density to be a greater risk than not having children (957 [52%]), having more than 1 alcoholic drink per day (975 [53%]), or having a prior breast biopsy (867 [48%]). Most respondents felt breast density was a lesser risk than having a first-degree relative with breast cancer (1706 [93%]) or being overweight or obese (1188 [65%]). Of the 61 women who were interviewed, 6 (10%) described breast density as contributing to breast cancer risk, and 43 (70%) emphasized family history as a breast cancer risk factor. Of the interviewed women, 17 (28%) stated they did not know whether it was possible to reduce their breast cancer risk. Conclusions and Relevance: In this qualitative study of women of breast cancer screening age, family history was perceived as the primary breast cancer risk factor. Most interviewees did not identify breast density as a risk factor and did not feel confident about actions to mitigate breast cancer risk. Comprehensive education about breast cancer risks and prevention strategies is needed.

Ensuring Clarity and Understandability of the FDA's Breast Density Notifications.

This Viewpoint discusses the use of breast density notifications to inform women with dense breast tissue of the potential need for supplemental cancer screening, as well as the need to ensure that such notifications are clear and understandable to women of all language backgrounds, literacy levels, educational levels, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Integrating community engagement with implementation science to advance the measurement of translational science.

This special communication provides an approach for applying implementation science frameworks to a Clinical and Translational Science Institutes (CTSIs) community engagement (CE) program that measures the use of implementation strategies and outcomes that promote the uptake of CE in research. Using an iterative multi-disciplinary group process, we executed a four-phased approach to developing an evaluation plan: 1) creating an evaluation model adapted from Proctor's conceptual model of implementation research; 2) mapping implementation strategies to CTSI CE program interventions that support change in research practice; 3) identifying and operationalizing measures for each strategy; and 4) conducting an evaluation. Phase 2 employed 73 implementation strategies across 9 domains generated by the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change project. The nine domains were used to classify each CE program implementation strategy. In Phase 3, the group used the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework to define measures for each individual strategy. Phase 4 demonstrates the application of this framework and measures Year 1 outcomes for the strategy providing interactive assistance, which we implemented using a centralized consultation model. This approach can support the CTSA program in operationalizing CE program measurement to demonstrate which activities and strategies may lead to benefits derived by the program, institution, and community.

Patient navigation to address sociolegal barriers for patients with cancer: A comparative-effectiveness study.

BACKGROUND: Sociolegal barriers to cancer care are defined as health-related social needs like affordable healthy housing, stable utility service, and food security that may be remedied by public policy, law, regulation, or programming. Legal support has not been studied in cancer care. METHODS: The authors conducted a randomized controlled trial of patients who had newly diagnosed cancer at a safety-net medical center in Boston from 2014 through 2017, comparing standard patient navigation versus enhanced navigation partnered with legal advocates to identify and address sociolegal barriers. English-speaking, Spanish-speaking, or Haitian Creole-speaking patients with breast and lung cancer were eligible within 30 days of diagnosis. The primary outcome was timely treatment within 90 days of diagnosis. Secondary outcomes included patient-reported outcomes (distress, cancer-related needs, and satisfaction with navigation) at baseline and at 6 months. RESULTS: In total, 201 patients with breast cancer and 19 with lung cancer enrolled (response rate, 78%). The mean patient age was 55 years, 51% of patients were Black and 22% were Hispanic, 20% spoke Spanish and 8% spoke Haitian Creole, 73% had public health insurance, 77% reported 1 or more perceived sociolegal barrier, and the most common were barriers to housing and employment. Ninety-six percent of participants with breast cancer and 73% of those with lung cancer initiated treatment within 90 days. No significant effect of enhanced navigation was observed on the receipt of timely treatment among participants with breast cancer (odds ratio, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.17-4.52) or among those with lung cancer (odds ratio, 4.00; 95% CI, 0.35-45.4). No differences in patient-reported outcomes were observed between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Navigation enhanced by access to legal consultation and support had no impact on timely treatment, patient distress, or patient needs. Although most patients reported sociolegal barriers, few required intensive legal services that could not be addressed by navigators. LAY SUMMARY: In patients with cancer, the experience of sociolegal barriers to care, such as unstable housing, utility services, or food insecurity, is discussed. Addressing these barriers through legal information and assistance may improve care. This study compares standard patient navigation versus enhanced navigation partnered with legal advocates for patients with breast and lung cancers. Almost all patients in both navigation groups received timely care and also reported the same levels of distress, needs, and satisfaction with navigation. Although 75% of patients in the study had at least 1 sociolegal barrier identified, few required legal advocacy beyond what a navigator who received legal information and coaching could provide.

A letter is not enough: Women's preferences for and experiences of receiving breast density information.

OBJECTIVE: Despite evidence of disparate uptake of breast density (BD) information, little is known about diverse women's preferences for and experiences learning about BD. METHODS: Telephone survey among 2306 racially/ethnically and literacy diverse women; qualitative interviews with 61 survey respondents. Responses by participant race/ethnicity and literacy were examined using bivariate, then multivariable analyses. Interviews were content-analyzed for themes. RESULTS: Most women (80%) preferred learning of personal BD from providers, with higher rates among Non-Hispanic Black (85%) than Non-Hispanic White women (80%); and among Non-Hispanic White than Asian women (72%, all ps<0.05). Women with low literacy less often preferred receiving BD information from providers (76% v. 81%), more often preferring written notification (21% vs. 10%); women with high literacy more often preferred learning through an online portal (9% vs 3%). Most women (93%) received BD information from providers (no between group differences). Qualitative findings detailed women's desires for obtaining BD information from providers, written information, and visual depictions of BD. CONCLUSIONS: When educating women about BD, one size does not fit all. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Additional educational methods are needed beyond written BD notifications to sufficiently address the varying informational needs and preferences of all USA women.

Women's Understandings and Misunderstandings of Breast Density and Related Concepts: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Most U.S. states require written notification of breast density after mammograms, yet effects of notifications on knowledge are mixed. Little is known about potential misunderstandings. Methods: We used a sequential mixed-methods study design to assess women's knowledge about breast density, after receiving a notification. We conducted a telephone survey among a racially/ethnically and health-literacy level diverse sample (N = 754) and qualitative interviews with 61 survey respondents. Results: In survey results, 58% of women correctly indicated that breast density is not related to touch, with higher accuracy among non-Hispanic White women and those with greater health literacy. Next, 87% of women recognized that breast density is identified visually via mammogram, with no significant differences in responses by race/ethnicity or health literacy. Most (81%) women recognized that a relationship exists between breast tissue types and density; Non-Hispanic White women were less likely to respond correctly. Only 47% of women correctly indicated that having dense breasts increases one's risk of breast cancer; women with low health literacy were more often correct. Qualitative results revealed additional dimensions of understanding: Some women incorrectly reported that density could be felt, or dense breasts were lumpier, thicker, or more compacted; others identified "dense" tissue as fatty. Interpretations of risk included that breast density was an early form of breast cancer. Conclusion: We found areas of consistent knowledge and identified misperceptions surrounding breast density across race/ethnicity and health literacy levels. Further education to address disparities and correct misunderstandings is essential to promote better knowledge, to foster informed decisions.

Limited English Proficiency and Clinical Outcomes After Hospital-Based Care in English-Speaking Countries: a Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Limited English proficiency (LEP) is common among hospitalized patients and may impact care. We synthesized the literature comparing clinical outcomes after in-hospital care for English-proficient(EP) versus LEP patients. METHODS: This systematic review searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from database inception through June 7, 2020, to identify research investigating clinical outcomes in patients receiving hospital-based care (in the emergency department, inpatient ward, surgical/procedural suite, or intensive care unit) that compared patients with LEP to an EP group. We assessed mortality, length of stay (LOS), readmissions/revisits, and complications. Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies met eligibility criteria. Study settings and populations were heterogeneous. Determination of primary language varied; a majority of studies (16/26) used patient self-report directly or via hospital records. Of 16 studies examining LEP and all-cause mortality, 13 found no significant association. Of 17 studies measuring LOS, 9 found no difference, 4 found longer LOS, 3 found shorter LOS, and 1 had mixed LOS results among patients with LEP. Several investigations suggested that LOS differences may be mediated at the hospital level. Nine studies evaluated inpatient readmissions. Among patients with LEP, there was evidence for increased readmissions in the setting of chronic medical conditions such as heart failure, but no evidence for increased readmissions among cohorts undergoing surgeries/procedures or with acute medical conditions. Five studies evaluated complications or harm related to a hospitalization, and no differences were found between language groups. DISCUSSION: The research community lacks a standardized definition of LEP. Most studies did not find an association between English proficiency and mortality or complications. LOS findings were mixed and may be influenced at the hospital level. Differences in readmissions by language were concentrated in chronic medical conditions. Given the paucity of studies examining LEP populations, additional research is imperative. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020143477.

The representation of females in clinical trials for substance use disorder conducted in the United States (2010-19).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Women have historically been under-represented in clinical research, but the extent to which this is true for substance use disorder (SUD) trials is unknown. We aimed to determine the ratio of female:male participation in clinical trials for SUDs and describe the reporting of sex-specific outcomes from 2010 to 2019. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort review of clinical trials involving people with SUD. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: Clinical trials including people with SUD registered in clinicaltrials.gov and completed between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2019 were reviewed. Trials were excluded if they had < 30 participants, focused on SUD prevention, were conducted outside the United States and/or did not report data on participant sex or gender. MEASUREMENTS: The following were extracted for each trial: primary outcome, number of participants enrolled, analytical sample size, percentage of participants who were female, inclusion of transgender participants, whether sex-based analyses were performed, funding source, type of SUD and type of intervention. Relative representation in trials was examined using the female:male ratio, reported using median ratios and by year of trial completion. The proportion of females participating was adjusted using the underlying disease prevalence among females using National Survey on Drug Use and Health data. FINDINGS: A total of 316 trials met inclusion criteria: 274 were mixed-sex, 12 enrolled only males and 30 only females. In 274 mixed-sex trials, 40% of 57 544 participants were female. Only 22 trials (8%) reported any sex-specific analyses; four studies (1.5%) reported inclusion of transgender participants. Females represented 35% of participants in trials targeting illicit drug use disorder, 52% in nicotine use disorder and 29% in alcohol use disorder. Accounting for underlying disease prevalence revealed that women had the lowest relative enrollment in alcohol use disorder trials (median participation to prevalence ratio in 2017: 0.58; 95% confidence interval: 0.13, 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: A review of 316 US clinical trials for alcohol, nicotine and illicit substance use disorders completed between 2010 and 2019 showed that females were enrolled at lower rates than males overall. Only 8% of the trials reviewed reported sex-specific analyses and 1.5% reported transgender participants.

"No home to take methadone to": Experiences with addiction services during the COVID-19 pandemic among survivors of opioid overdose in Boston.

INTRODUCTION: We conducted a qualitative study to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on experiences with addiction treatment and harm reduction services. METHODS: The study recruited participants from Boston, Massachusetts, aged 18-65 who had a history of opioid use disorder and overdose, from a parent study (REpeated dose Behavioral intervention to reduce Opioid Overdose, REBOOT) to participate between August and October 2020. In-depth individual interviews explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on addiction service experiences. We conducted a grounded content analysis that examined codes related to addiction service access and engagement during the pandemic to compare and categorize participants according to their experiences. RESULTS: The study enrolled twenty participants. The mean age was 42 years; most identified as white (n = 16); ten participants identified as men, nine as cis-gender women, and one as a trans-gender woman. Participants described their experiences with COVID-19-driven changes to addiction care (methadone take homes, televisits for either buprenorphine or behavioral health services, and syringe service outreach) access and engagement as: 1) liberating (n = 7), 2) destabilizing (n = 8), or 3) unjust (n = 5). Participants in the liberating group found adaptations allowed for increased flexibility, freedom, and safety from COVID-19. This group was mostly housed and had strong social supports that facilitated participation in adapted treatment programs. COVID-19-related changes to addiction treatment disrupted routine and community supports among those in the destabilizing group. Participants in the unjust group felt that adaptations exacerbated inequities as a lack of housing and other social supports prohibited them from benefiting from the relaxed restrictions to methadone or buprenorphine. This group was mostly unhoused and found that adaptations did not adequately mitigate other inequities worsened by public health mandates for unhoused people who use drugs. CONCLUSION: Relaxed restrictions on medications for opioid use disorder created opportunities for improved patient-centered care. Concrete measures that address service barriers, such as phone or transportation access, may have reduced destabilizing and unjust experiences reported by our participants. However, addiction care inequities will persist if drivers of marginalization, specifically a lack of housing, remain unaddressed.