Interprofessional Curriculum Delivery: Experience of a Primary Care Education Program.

Few post-graduate training programs offer a comprehensive curriculum that includes structured clinical experiences to teach interprofessional care. To address this need, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Academic Affiliations funded the Centers of Excellence in Primary Care Education (CoEPCE) from 2011-2019 to provide interprofessional curricula for health profession trainees (HPTs), including physician residents, nurse practitioner residents, pharmacy residents, and psychology residents. We examined changes over time in curricular domains, system impacts, and program practices based on HPT survey data and the qualitative evaluation of narrative feedback. An annual survey was administered to participants. Indirect standardized ratios were calculated for interprofessional professional education (IPE) program domains, system impacts, and program practices. Qualitative responses were coded based on curricular domains and key program components. The study cohort included 369 HPTs. Site and profession standardized indirect ratios across all professions indicated improvements in curricular domains, system impacts, and program practices, with significant differences observed for associated health HPTs as compared to other HPTs for performance improvement. Qualitative data indicated that profession was associated with differences in perceptions of the curriculum. Although improvements occurred over time, our findings support the need for the thoughtful consideration of profession-specific identity characteristics when designing interprofessional curricula.

Interprofessional transformation of clinical education: The first six years of the Veterans Affairs Centers of Excellence in Primary Care Education.

This paper describes the Centers of Excellence in Primary Care Education (CoEPCE), a seven-site collaborative project funded by the Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) within the Veterans Health Administration of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The CoEPCE was established to fulfill OAA's vision of large-scale transformation of the clinical learning environment within VA primary care settings. This was accomplished by funding new Centers within VA facilities to develop models of interprofessional education (IPE) to teach health professions trainees to deliver high quality interprofessional team-based primary care to Veterans. Using reports and data collected and maintained by the National Coordinating Center over the first six years of the project, we describe program inputs, the multicomponent intervention, activities undertaken to develop the intervention, and short-term outcomes. The findings have implications for lessons learned that can be considered by others seeking large-scale transformation of education within the clinical workplace and the development of interprofessional clinical learning environments. Within the VA, the CoEPCE has laid the foundation for IPE and collaborative practice, but much work remains to disseminate this work throughout the national VA system.

Health Systems Education Leadership: Learning From the VA Designated Education Officer Role.

Background: The US Department of Veterans Affairs designated education officer (DEO) is a unique facility-based leadership role responsible for training of > 40 health professions in cooperation with affiliated academic institutions. Methods: We conducted mixed methods analyses of data from a DEO needs assessment. Quantitative analysis identified differences between DEOs who are physicians and DEOs who are other professions on role characteristics and self-perceived task effectiveness. Qualitative analysis using rapid analysis procedures was applied to open-ended responses on facilitators and barriers. Results: Responses were received from 127 DEOs (96% response rate). About 80% were physicians. There were no statistically significant differences between physician and other professional DEOs self-ratings for general tasks. For profession-specific tasks, physician DEOs were significantly less confident than other professional DEOs in working with associated health (P < .001-.01) and nurse training programs (P < .001-.03). DEOs identified multiple facilitators that assist their individual effectiveness (eg, training, mentorship, communication) and common barriers (eg, not enough staff). Conclusions: Our findings are supportive of individuals from various health disciplines serving in the DEO role with responsibilities that span multiple health profession training programs. Future quantitative and qualitative work should include additional measures of individual and organizational characteristics, and actual measures of educational effectiveness.

Developing Interprofessional Primary Care Teams: Alumni Evaluation of the Department of Veterans Affairs Centers of Excellence in Primary Care Education Program.

PURPOSE: The Centers of Excellence in Primary Care Education (CoEPCE) is an interprofessional graduate training program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In this project, we describe career paths of CoEPCE graduates, their perceptions of CoEPCE program value, their overall satisfaction with the training, and suggestions for program improvement to enhance interprofessional education and workforce development. METHODS: The Graduate Participant Survey was developed and administered in 2018 to CoEPCE graduates from 2012 to 2017. Quantitative data from closed-ended questions were analyzed through descriptive and non-parametric statistics to test for significant differences by profession. Qualitative data from the single open-ended question were analyzed using content analysis with inductive and deductive approaches. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 180 graduates. Greater proportions of pharmacists and psychologists than nurse practitioners and physicians were employed in VA, and greater proportions of nurse practitioners and pharmacists than physicians and psychologists were employed in primary care. Although smaller proportions of physicians were currently employed in primary care (P < .0001), a greater proportion completed advanced training programs (P < .0001). Overall, graduates perceived that their CoEPCE training was highly valued by advanced training programs and employers and improved their chances of finding a job. They reported high levels of satisfaction (mean = 4.3 ± 0.9 out of 5 total) with the training program, continued to use skills they learned during training, and believe their CoEPCE experiences made them better health care providers. CONCLUSIONS: Ninety-four percent of the CoEPCE graduates were employed at the VA and/or primary care at the completion of their training, although there were significant differences by profession. Graduates continued to practice interprofessional skills learned during their training and were highly satisfied with the program. Taken together, the findings indicate that continued enhancements to the interprofessional clinical learning environment are warranted.

Effects of contralateral versus ipsilateral cane use on gait in people with knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the immediate effects of contralateral versus ipsilateral cane use on spatiotemporal gait parameters and peak vertical ground force in overweight or obese adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: An academic tertiary Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight overweight or obese subjects with symptomatic knee OA who had not used a cane for the past 30 days. METHODS: Spatiotemporal gait data were obtained with an optical motion capture system while subjects walked without a cane, with a cane contralateral to the more painful lower limb, or with a cane ipsilateral to the more painful lower limb at self-selected speeds. An in-shoe dynamic pressure distribution system was used to measure the vertical ground reaction force. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Spatiotemporal measures of gait and peak vertical ground reaction force on both lower limbs were recorded for each walking condition: no cane, contralateral cane, and ipsilateral cane. RESULTS: Walking with a cane either contralateral or ipsilateral to the more symptomatic limb led to significant reductions in gait velocity (14%-16%), cadence (12%-14%), and peak vertical ground reaction force (normalized for body weight; 11%-12%) on the more painful lower limb compared with walking unaided (P < .05). There were no significant differences in the peak vertical ground reaction force on either lower limbs when comparing walking with a cane contralateral to the more painful limb or walking with a cane ipsilateral to the more painful limb. Subjects also experienced a significant decrease in gait velocity with contralateral or ipsilateral cane use compared with walking without a cane; the lower walking speed was due to a decrease in cadence. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the prescription of a single-point cane to offload a lower limb with painful knee OA by holding the cane either ipsilateral or contralateral to the more painful lower limb.

Association of calcified carotid atheromas visualized on panoramic images and aortic arch calcifications seen on chest radiographs of postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Occult atherosclerotic disease is the leading cause of death among older women. The authors hypothesized that women with calcified carotid artery plaque (CCAP) visualized on panoramic images were more likely to have aortic arch calcifications (AAC) that were visible on chest radiographs (CRs), a risk indicator of experiencing cardiovascular events, than would matched cohorts who did not have atheromas. METHODS: The authors obtained the CRs of 36 female veterans (≥ 50 years) who had CCAP and atherogenically risk-matched them to those of 36 women without CCAP. A radiologist evaluated the CRs for AAC. Other study variables included age, ethnicity, body mass index and presence or absence of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. The authors computed descriptive and bivariate statistics. RESULTS: Women 60 years or older who had evidence of CCAP on their panoramic radiographs were significantly (P = .022; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.298-26.223) more likely to have evidence of AAC on their CRs than were similarly aged women who did not have evidence of CCAP. This association was not evident in women younger than 60 years. Among women who were both younger and older than 60 years, there was no evident association between the presence of CCAP and the severity (on a four point scale [0-3]) of AAC calcification. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of carotid plaque on panoramic images of women 60 years or older is significantly associated with presence of aortic arch calcifications on CRs. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Panoramic images of women 60 years or older must be evaluated for CCAP, given their association with AAC. Patients with atheromas should be referred to their physicians for further evaluation given the systemic implications.

Do carotid atheromas on panoramic images prognosticate arterial calcifications on mammograms: acknowledged markers of future adverse cardiovascular events?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between calcified carotid artery plaque (CCAP) on panoramic images and breast arterial calcifications (BAC) on mammograms, a validated independent risk indicator of fatal myocardial infarctions and strokes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women ≥55 years old having CCAP diagnosed by their dentists had their mammograms evaluated for BAC by a physician. Other study variables were age, ethnicity, body mass index, and medications for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Descriptive and bivariate statistics and logistic regression were computed. RESULTS: Researchers identified 40 women (mean age 62.2 ± 6.2 years old) with CCAP, of whom 9 (prevalence rate 22.5%) also had BAC. The women with BAC tended to be older (65.1 vs 61.3 years old), more frequently hypertensive (100% vs 80.6%), and more frequently black than those without BAC, although these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: CCAP on panoramic images of women is unrelated to the presence of BAC on mammograms.

Prevalence of calcified carotid artery atheromas on the panoramic images of patients with syndrome Z, coexisting obstructive sleep apnea, and metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of calcified carotid artery atheromas (CCAAs) on panoramic images of individuals (n = 31) with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with individuals (n = 117) with syndrome Z (SZ: OSA with concomitant metabolic syndrome [MetS]). STUDY DESIGN: Images of patients with OSA or SZ referred from the Sleep Service to Dentistry were evaluated. Descriptive statistics and t tests (Bonferroni correction) were conducted to determine significant differences between atheroma prevalence and proatherogenic factors (age, apnea-hypopnea index, body mass index, lipid profile, blood pressure, glucose) between OSA and SZ groups. RESULTS: Individuals with OSA had an atheroma prevalence of 35% and those with SZ 42% (P = .52). Individuals with SZ also had significantly more severe atherogenic profiles (obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia) than OSA patients (P ≤ .05). Greatest CCAA prevalence (63%) was evidenced by SZ patients with severe OSA and moderate MetS. CONCLUSION: Individuals with SZ have significantly greater atherogenic burden and slightly higher prevalence of CCAAs when compared with individuals with OSA.

Prevalence of comorbid obstructive sleep apnea and metabolic syndrome: syndrome Z and maxillofacial surgery implications.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of the recently identified syndrome Z (SZ), which is the co-occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; hypoxia, systemic and pulmonary hypertension, nocturnal arrhythmias) and metabolic syndrome (MetS; increased abdominal girth, hypertriglyceridemia, decreased high-density lipoprotein, hypertension, increased fasting glucose), which places the surgical patient at heightened risk of perioperative complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, pneumonia, wound infection). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic medical records of 296 male veterans were assessed for the presence of SZ using the American Academy of Sleep Medicine definition of OSA and a modified Adult Treatment Panel III definition of MetS, where obesity was defined by a body mass index of at least 30 kg/m(2) rather than by waist circumference. RESULTS: SZ was diagnosed in 59% of patients. These individuals commonly exhibited severe OSA and least commonly mild OSA. The more severe the OSA, the more likely (60%) that patients manifested moderate (4 risk markers) or severe (5 risk markers) MetS. Furthermore, with increasing apnea-hypopnea index values, the more severe were the MetS elements. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate the high prevalence rate of MetS in patients with OSA seeking treatment. Given the risk of perioperative complications, it is suggested that all patients scheduled for maxillofacial surgical procedures to treat OSA be evaluated for SZ.

Clinical and spatiotemporal gait effects of canes in hip osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of cane use on spatiotemporal gait parameters, pain, and function in adults with hip osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: An academic tertiary Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen adults with symptomatic hip OA and 13 healthy adults. METHODS: We undertook gait analysis in all subjects with an optoelectronic camera system. Pain, stiffness, and physical function in subjects with hip OA were assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Baseline spatiotemporal measures of unaided gait were obtained for healthy subjects. Baseline and 4-week spatiotemporal gait parameters were assessed for hip OA subjects while they walked with and without a cane. Participants with hip OA completed the WOMAC at baseline and after 4 weeks of cane use. RESULTS: At baseline when walking unaided, the subjects with hip OA (age range 60-75 years) had a significantly slower gait velocity, shorter affected limb stride length, and longer double-stance time compared with healthy control subjects. When walking with a cane, they had a reduction in gait velocity (P < .05) caused by a decrease in cadence (P < .05) compared with walking unaided. After 4 weeks of cane use, the participants with hip OA demonstrated significant improvements in gait velocity (P < .05) and double-stance time (P < .05) when walking with a cane in comparison with baseline data. There was no improvement in pain and function after 4 weeks of cane use, a period in which only approximately 60% of the hip OA subjects used the cane 6 or more times per week. CONCLUSIONS: Initial use of a cane led to decreased gait velocity and cadence in people with hip OA compared with walking unaided. This difference in gait velocity diminished after they practiced walking with the cane. Inconsistent use of the cane may have contributed to the lack of improvement in the subjects' hip OA pain and function.

Defining core issues in utilizing information technology to improve access: evaluation and research agenda.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been at the vanguard of information technology (IT) and use of comprehensive electronic health records. Despite the widespread use of health IT in the VA, there are still a variety of key questions that need to be answered in order to maximize the utility of IT to improve patient access to quality services. This paper summarizes the potential of IT to enhance healthcare access, key gaps in current evidence linking IT and access, and methodologic challenges for related research. We also highlight four key issues to be addressed when implementing and evaluating the impact of IT interventions on improving access to quality care: 1) Understanding broader needs/perceptions of the Veteran population and their caregivers regarding use of IT to access healthcare services and related information. 2) Understanding individual provider/clinician needs/perceptions regarding use of IT for patient access to healthcare. 3) System/Organizational issues within the VA and other organizations related to the use of IT to improve access. 4) IT integration and information flow with non-VA entities. While the VA is used as an example, the issues are salient for healthcare systems that are beginning to take advantage of IT solutions.

Health and ambulatory care use among Native American veterans.

In 1995, the Veterans Health Administration reorganized its health services structure to emphasize ambulatory care. Successful health care planning and improving access to ambulatory care services now depends upon a better understanding of health care needs and outpatient services. Because the veteran population is heterogeneous, it is important to understand the health, access issues, and utilization of ambulatory care services in order to develop effective strategies and interventions to ensure access to and utilization of ambulatory care. Drawing on a focus group methodology with 86 Native American veterans, representing 34 tribes, this study is a qualitative examination of the health, access, use of the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care services, barriers to health care, and satisfaction with care experienced by Native American veterans. Results reveal problems in accessing care, receiving appropriate care, and coordinating care within the VA health care system. Policy and program recommendations include increasing outreach and education efforts regarding the availability of benefits and services, improving coordination of services between the Indian Health Service and the VA, and reemphasizing the importance of patient-centered care.

Feasibility study of home telerehabilitation for physically inactive veterans.

The aim of this study was to develop a system for and determine the feasibility of monitoring home exercise for physically inactive older adults using a Health Buddy (HB) text messaging device (Robert Bosch Healthcare; Palo Alto, California). Questions and messages related to exercise adherence are displayed on the HB screen and participants choose a response by pressing the corresponding button on the device. Responses are transmitted through a landline connection and high-risk responses are highlighted by the system for follow-up. We developed the questions and messages based on input from patient and clinician focus groups. We evaluated feasibility by administering the intervention to inpatient and outpatient adults aged 60 or older. We gave participants a choice of exercise monitoring by HB (n = 20) or telephone (n = 18). The results showed that home exercise monitoring by HB and telephone is safe, as evidenced by low adverse event rates. We saw a decline in exercise adherence rates to both the HB and telephone after 8 weeks, although adherence was better for HB than telephone. Taken together, the results demonstrate the feasibility of using text messaging to monitor home exercise adherence in physically inactive older adults.

Effects of racial/ethnic discrimination on the health status of minority veterans.

As the veteran population becomes ethnically diverse, it is important to understand complex interrelationships between racism and health. This study examined the association between perceptions of discrimination and self-reported mental and physical health for Asian/Pacific Islander, African American, and Hispanic veterans. The data for this study come from the 2001 Veteran Identity Program Survey, which measured utilization of outpatient care, discrimination, and health status across three minority veteran groups. Multivariate regression methods were used to model self-reported mental and physical health on perceptions of discrimination controlling for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Findings revealed that racial/ethnic discrimination during military service was significantly associated with lower physical, but not mental health. Satisfaction with health care provider's sensitivity toward racial/ethnic background was significantly associated with better mental health. Findings highlight the importance of developing policies that address racial/ethnic discrimination during military service while providing health care services for veterans.

Exploring veteran identity and health services use among Native American veterans.

The objectives of this study were to describe the military experiences of Native American veterans and to explore how factors related to veteran identity influence their use of health services. Study participants completed a demographic and health questionnaire, followed by participation in a focus group session. The findings revealed that, despite their negative experiences during military service, most participants had a positive veteran identity. Almost 46% of participants reported having a service-related illness or injury. Almost one-third (28.2%) used the Indian Health Service (IHS) exclusively for their health care, followed by those who used both IHS and Veterans Affairs (VA) services (23.5%), followed by VA-only users (21.2%). We conclude that Native American veterans highly identify with their military service but may turn to IHS for their medical care. The data support the current VA policy of strengthening coordination with the IHS to ensure that the medical needs of Native American veterans are addressed.

Knowledge and use of preventive health practices among Korean women in Los Angeles county.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study are to determine (1) knowledge and use of preventive health practices, and (2) the relationship between acculturation and preventive health practices, in Korean women. METHODS: The data came from the 2000 Korean American Health Survey (KAHS), which includes 656 women. The dependent variables included use of pap smears, physical examinations and mammograms, and use and knowledge of self-breast examinations. Independent variables included demographic and acculturation variables. Logistic regression modeling was used to assess the role of acculturation on dependent variables. RESULTS: Some of the acculturation variables significantly predicted preventive practices. Being married (P < 0.0001) and insured (P < 0.05) were significantly associated with receipt of preventive services. A married Korean woman was more likely than an unmarried Korean woman to have a pap smear within 2 years (P < 0.0001), physical exam within 1 year (P < 0.0001), and perform self-breast examinations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Factors related to acculturation influence use of preventive health practices by Korean American women, highlighting the need to consider cultural background in developing systems of care.

Time since immigration and health services utilization of Korean-American older adults living in Los Angeles County.

The aim of this study was to characterize ambulatory healthcare utilization of older Korean Americans and its association with length of time since immigration. It was hypothesized that older Korean Americans who were recent immigrants would use outpatient physician visits less often than early immigrants. The data are from the 2000 Korean-American Health Survey, which assessed the health status and medical needs of Korean Americans living in Los Angeles County. The dependent variable was the number of visits to a physician for check-up or consultation. Multivariate regression modeling was used to assess the influence of length of time since immigration on the dependent variable controlling for predisposing, enabling, and need variables for a sample of 208 Koreans Americans aged 65 and older. Results indicated that high school education in Korea and health insurance status were significant predictors of number of visits to a physician during the previous year (P<.05). The main variable of interest, the number of years living in the United States, approached significance at P=.09. It was concluded that enabling variables such as education and health insurance significantly influenced use of healthcare services in the older Korean-American population. The lack of studies regarding older minority populations and their access to healthcare further highlight theneed not only to characterize the access of these often-vulnerable populations, but also to generate interest for further studies.

Does membership in veterans' service organizations influence use of the Department of Veterans Affairs as the usual source of care?

Veterans' service organizations (VSOs) provide outreach regarding veterans' benefits. Medical care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is one such benefit that has improved health and quality of life. This study evaluates the characteristics of veterans who report VSO membership and who use the VA as their usual source of care, and it determines whether VSO membership influences the choice of a VA or non-VA facility as the usual source of care. The findings reveal that VSO members, compared with nonmembers, are Caucasian, older, retired, of lower income, and more functionally impaired. Veterans who use the VA, compared with non-VA users, are African American, of lower income, unemployed, and more functionally impaired. VSO members are more likely to use the VA as the usual source of care than are VSO non-members, with the effects varying according to race/ethnicity. Policy recommendations include increasing the diversity of VSO membership, because VSOs play an important outreach and informational role for veterans.

Living alone and outpatient care use by older veterans.

In nonveteran older adults, living alone influences outpatient care use, but its importance in the veteran population has not been well studied. The aims of this study are to describe the use of outpatient care by older veterans who live alone versus those who live with others and determine whether living alone influences outpatient use by older veterans. The data come from the 2001 Veteran Identity Program Survey designed to measure Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and non-VA outpatient care use. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted to examine distributional properties, associations, and subgroup differences in outpatient care use. Poisson regression was used to assess the role of living alone on outpatient care use, controlling for predisposing, other enabling, and need factors. Results found that older veterans who use the VA, whether they live alone or not, have similar numbers of VA outpatient visits. Older veterans who use VA and non-VA facilities and who live alone have greater total outpatient visits than those who live with others. Regression results indicate that living alone is a predictor of VA routine medical visits, VA prescription refill visits, and total VA and non-VA outpatient visits but does not influence VA emergency room visits. These findings suggest that living alone is associated with differences in outpatient care use by older veterans. It is important for the VA to understand this relationship with the aim of developing interventions to improve access, effectiveness, and efficiency of health services for older veterans.