Increasing Adherence to Adjuvant Hormone Therapy Among Patients With Breast Cancer: A Smart Phone App-Based Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: This study tested the feasibility and efficacy of using a text-based intervention to increase initiation, decrease discontinuation, and improve adherence as prescribed to adjuvant hormone therapy (AHT) among hyphenate post-menopausal breast cancer survivors. METHODS: The 3-month intervention consisted of daily text message reminders to take medication, coupled with a dynamic (eg, feedback on progress) tailored intervention using weekly interactive surveys delivered by a smartphone app. Five clinic sites within the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology participated. Hormone levels were measured prior to AHT initiation and at study exit. RESULTS: Of the 39 patients recruited to the pilot study, 27 (69.2%) completed all study requirements (completed both the baseline and the exit surveys, both blood draws, and did not miss more than 2 weekly surveys). Significant improvements were observed pre- to postintervention for self-reported medication adherence (P = .015), mental health functioning (P = .007), and perceived stress (P = .04). Significant decreases in estradiol, estrogen, and estrone hormone levels were observed from baseline to study exit (P < .001), indicating the accuracy of self-reported AHT adherence. Participants (91.9%) and physicians (100%) agreed that participant participation in the intervention was beneficial. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study established the general feasibility and efficacy of an app-based intervention to support patient AHT adherence. Larger controlled, randomized trials are needed to examine the effectiveness of the app-based intervention in improving AHT and quality of life among breast cancer survivors.

Hispanic breast cancer patients' symptom experience and patient-physician communication during chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Patient-clinician communication difficulties are a major barrier to effective symptom management during chemotherapy especially among non-English-speaking and minority patients. This study sought to examine how information is exchanged between patients and clinicians during chemotherapy treatment regarding pain, depression, fatigue, and nausea experienced among the most prevalent non-English-speaking group in the USA, Hispanic breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Hispanic breast cancer patients and clinicians participated in focus groups to examine Hispanic breast cancer survivors' experience and patient-physician communication of symptoms during chemotherapy. Three separate focus groups (English language with patients, Spanish language with patients, and English language with clinicians) were conducted. All participants completed a demographic questionnaire. RESULTS: Six breast cancer survivors participated in the English-language focus group, ten breast cancer survivors participated in the Spanish-language focus group, and five clinicians participated. Presence and communication of depressive symptoms between the English- and Spanish-language groups differed, with the majority of the English-language group sharing their experiences of depressive symptoms while those in the Spanish-language group did not report depressive symptoms. Results also indicated that most patients were unhappy with the response of clinicians regarding their reported symptoms. Several barriers to effective patient-clinician communication, including limited physician time, lack of patient knowledge, timidity, and language, were identified. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study underscore the need to improve patient-physician communication during chemotherapy to reduce the symptom burden among Hispanic breast cancer patients.

A social-contextual investigation of smoking among rural women: multi-level factors associated with smoking status and considerations for cessation.

INTRODUCTION: The social-contextual model of tobacco control and the potential mechanisms of the maintenance or cessation of smoking behavior among disadvantaged women, including rural residents, have yet to be comprehensively studied. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between selected individual, interpersonal, workplace, and neighborhood characteristics and smoking status among women in Appalachia, a US region whose residents experience a disproportionate prevalence of tobacco-related health disparities. These findings may assist in efforts to design and test scientifically valid tobacco control interventions for this and other disadvantaged populations. METHODS: Women, 18 years of age and older, residing in three rural Ohio Appalachian counties, were recruited using a two-phase address-based sampling methodology for a cross-sectional interview-administered survey between August 2012 and October 2013 (N=408). Multinomial logistic regression was employed to determine associations between select multilevel factors (independent variables) and smoking status (dependent variable). The sample included 82 (20.1%) current smokers, 92 (22.5%) former smokers, and 234 (57.4%) women reporting never smoking (mean age 51.7 years). RESULTS: In the final multivariable multinomial logistic regression model, controlling for all other significant associations, constructs at multiple social-contextual levels were associated with current versus either former or never smoking. At the individual level, for every additional year in age, the odds of being a former or never smoker increased by 7% and 6% (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval(CI)): 1.07 (1.0-1.11) and 1.06 (1.02-1.09)), respectively, as compared to the odds of being a current smoker. With regard to depression, for each one unit increase in the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score, the odds of being a former or never smoker were 5% and 7% lower (OR(95%CI): 0.95(0.91-0.999) and 0.93(0.88-0.98)), respectively. Five interpersonal factors were associated with smoking status. As the social influence injunctive norm score increased by one unit, indicating perception of smoking to be more acceptable, the odds of being a former or never smoker decreased by 23% and 30%, respectively. For every one unit increase in the social participation score, indicating past-year engagement in one additional activity type, the odds of being a former or never smoker increased by 17% and 36%, respectively. For every 10% increase in the percentage of social ties in the participant's advice network who smoked, the odds of being a former or never smoker were 24% and 28% less, respectively. For every 0.1 unit increase in the E/I index, indicating increasing homophily on smoking in one's social network, the odds of being a former or never smoker were 20% and 24% less, respectively, in the time network, and 18% and 20% less, respectively, in the advice network. At the neighborhood level, for every one unit increase in neighborhood cohesion score, indicating increasing cohesion, the odds of being a former smoker or never smoker were 12% and 14% less, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that a social-contextual approach to tobacco control may be useful for narrowing a widening trajectory of smoking disparity for rural women. Interpersonal context, in particular, must be considered in the development of culturally targeted cessation interventions for Ohio Appalachian women.

Outcomes of a health coaching intervention delivered by medical students for older adults with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

Effective strategies are needed to address the health behaviors of older patients with diabetes. One approach is health coaching, the practice of health education and health promotion through a structured partnership designed to enhance well-being and facilitate the achievement of individuals' health-related goals. The aim of this study was to describe the development of a pilot health coaching curriculum, investigate its effects on geriatric patient outcomes, and examine qualitative feedback by older patients and medical students to the curriculum. This mixed-methods study involved 29 first-year medical students randomly paired with 29 older adults with uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), stage of change movement, diabetes knowledge, locus of control, Body Mass Index (BMI), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were assessed. Focus groups were used to evaluate patients' and medical students' experiences. Results showed significant increases in patients' HRQoL and stage of change for exercise improved significantly over time. There were no significant changes in stage of change for healthy diet and medication, diabetes knowledge, BMI, and HbA1c from baseline to end of study. Focus group data indicated positive responses by older patients and the medical students. A health coaching curriculum may improve patient outcomes and can provide medical students the skills needed to provide compassionate care for geriatric patients.

Social Networks and Smoking in Rural Women: Intervention Implications.

OBJECTIVES: We characterized the social network characteristics of women in Ohio Appalachia according to smoking status. METHODS: Women ≥18 years of age were recruited from 3 Ohio Appalachian counties to complete a cross-sectional survey. Sociodemographic and smoking-related information was collected by face-to-face interview. A description of women's time (ie, spends time with) and advice (ie, gets support and advice) social network ties were obtained. An egocentric social network analysis was completed, according to the woman's smoking status. RESULTS: Of the 408 women enrolled, 20.1% were current smokers. Time networks were larger (p < .001), more dense (p < .001), and more redundant (p < .001) than advice networks. Current smokers had a greater proportion of smoking ties in their networks compared to non-smokers (p < .001). Daily face-to-face contact with non-smoking ties was greater in time compared to advice networks (p < .001). Current smokers in advice networks tended to have less daily contact with non-smoking ties than non-smokers (p = .06). CONCLUSIONS: Differences existed in characteristics of time versus advice egocentric networks. Smoking status was associated with these differences. Results will assist with future development of a network-based smoking cessation intervention.

Testing Interventions to Motivate and Educate (TIME): A multi-level intervention to improve colorectal cancer screening.

OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening intervention directed at three levels (clinic, provider, patient) in a primary care setting. METHOD: We conducted a group randomized trial (Clinical Trials registration no. NCT01568151) among 10 primary care clinics in Columbus, Ohio that were randomized to a study condition (intervention or usual care). We determined the effect of a multi-level, stepped behavioral intervention on receipt of a CRC screening test among average-risk patients from these clinics over the study period. RESULTS: Patients (n=527) who were outside of CRC screening recommendations were recruited. Overall, 35.4% of participants in the intervention clinics had received CRC screening by the end of the study compared to 35.1% of participants who were in the usual care clinics. Time to CRC screening was also similar across arms (HR=0.97, 95% CI=0.65-1.45). CONCLUSION: The multi-level intervention was not effective in increasing CRC screening among participants who needed a test, perhaps due to low participation of patients in the stepped intervention. Future studies utilizing evidence-based strategies to encourage CRC screening are needed.

Effects of Patient Navigation on Patient Satisfaction Outcomes.

Patient navigation (PN) may reduce cancer health disparities. Few studies have investigated the effects of PN on patient-reported satisfaction with care or assessed patients' satisfaction with navigators. The objectives of this study are to test the effects of PN on patient satisfaction with cancer care, assess patients' satisfaction with navigators, and examine the impact of barriers to care on satisfaction for persons with abnormal cancer-related screening tests or symptoms. Study participants included women and men with abnormal breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening tests and/or symptoms receiving care at 18 clinics. Navigated (n=416) and non-navigated (n=292) patients completed baseline and end-of-study measures. There was no significant difference between navigated and non-navigated patients in change in patient satisfaction with cancer care from baseline to exit. African-American (p<0.001), single (p=0.03), low income (p<0.01), and uninsured patients (p<0.001) were significantly less likely to report high patient satisfaction at baseline. A significant effect was found for change in satisfaction over time by employment status (p=0.04), with full-time employment showing the most improvement. The interaction between satisfaction with navigators and satisfaction with care over time was marginally significant (p=0.08). Baseline satisfaction was lower for patients who reported a barrier to care (p=0.02). Patients reporting other-focused barriers (p=0.03), including transportation (p=0.02), had significantly lower increases in satisfaction over time. Overall, results suggested that assessing barriers to cancer care and tailoring navigation to barrier type could enhance patients' experiences with health care. PN may have positive effects for healthcare organizations struggling to enhance quality of care.

Do better-rated navigators improve patient satisfaction with cancer-related care?

Patient navigation has emerged as a promising strategy for addressing racial-ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in cancer-related care. However, little is known about the impact of patients' perception of the quality of navigation on patient outcomes. We examined the impact of better-rated navigators on patients' satisfaction with cancer-related care. The sample included 1,593 adults (85.8% with abnormal cancer screening and 14.2% with confirmed cancer diagnosis) who received patient navigation. We defined better-rated navigators as those scoring above the first quartile of mean scores on the Patient Satisfaction with Interpersonal Relationship with Navigator scale. We defined patient satisfaction based on scores above or below the median of the Patient Satisfaction with Cancer-Related Care (PSCC) scale. We controlled for patient and site characteristics using backward selection logistic regression analyses. Among patients with abnormal screening, having a better-rated navigator was associated with higher score on the PSCC (p < 0.05). After controlling for other bivariate predictors of satisfaction (e.g., age, race, income, and household size), navigation by better-rated navigators was associated with a greater likelihood of having higher patient satisfaction [odds ratio (OR), 1.38; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05-1.82]. Similar findings between better-rated navigators and score on the PSCC were found for participants with diagnosed cancer (OR, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.56-6.0). Patients navigated by better-rated navigators reported higher satisfaction with their cancer-related care.

Improving symptom communication through personal digital assistants: the CHAT (Communicating Health Assisted by Technology) project.

BACKGROUND: Communication problems impede effective symptom management during chemotherapy. The primary aim of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to test the effects of a personal digital assistant-delivered communication intervention on pain, depression, and fatigue symptoms among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Secondary aims included assessment of 1) study feasibility, 2) patient and clinician responses to study participation, and 3) intervention effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and communication self-efficacy. METHODS: Intervention group participants (n = 27) completed symptom inventories at baseline, once per week during treatment, and at posttreatment. Depending on symptom severity, they viewed race-concordant videos on how to communicate about pain, depression and/or fatigue, using the personal digital assistant. Symptom records were tracked and shared with clinicians. Control group participants (n = 23) received usual care. Longitudinal random effects modeling assessed the changes in average symptom scores over time. Descriptive statistics assessed study feasibility and intervention effects on HRQoL and communication self-efficacy. Postintervention focus groups, interviews, and surveys assessed responses to study participation. RESULTS: Mean age of the participants was 51.0 years; 42 participants (84%) were white. In comparison with control, intervention group participants reported lower average pain severity over time (P = .015). Mean pain interference scores over time were marginally different between groups (P = .07); mean depression and fatigue scores over time were statistically nonsignificant. Feasibility outcomes and perspectives about study participation were positive. Mean pre-post decreases in HRQoL were generally higher among intervention group participants; pre-post changes in communication self-efficacy were equivalent. CONCLUSION: Mixed findings of the study indicate the need for future research.

The Ohio Patient Navigation Research Program: does the American Cancer Society patient navigation model improve time to resolution in patients with abnormal screening tests?

BACKGROUND: Patient navigation (PN) has been suggested as a way to reduce cancer health disparities; however, many models of PN exist and most have not been carefully evaluated. The goal of this study was to test the Ohio American Cancer Society model of PN as it relates to reducing time to diagnostic resolution among persons with abnormal breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening tests or symptoms. METHODS: A total of 862 patients from 18 clinics participated in this group-randomized trial. Chart review documented the date of the abnormality and the date of resolution. The primary analysis used shared frailty models to test for the effect of PN on time to resolution. Crude HR were reported as there was no evidence of confounding. RESULTS: HRs became significant at 6 months; conditional on the random clinic effect, the resolution rate at 15 months was 65% higher in the PN arm (P = 0.012 for difference in resolution rate across arms; P = 0.009 for an increase in the HR over time). CONCLUSIONS: Participants with abnormal cancer screening tests or symptoms resolved faster if assigned to PN compared with those not assigned to PN. The effect of PN became apparent beginning six months after detection of the abnormality. IMPACT: PN may help address health disparities by reducing time to resolution after an abnormal cancer screening test.

Trust and distrust among Appalachian women regarding cervical cancer screening: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore Appalachian women's perceptions of trust and distrust of healthcare providers and the medical care system as they relate to views about cervical cancer and screening. METHODS: Thirty-six Ohio Appalachia female residents participated in community focus groups conducted by trained facilitators. Discussion topics included factors related to cervical cancer, and the issues of trust and distrust in medical care. The tape-recorded focus groups were transcribed and analyzed to identify salient themes. RESULTS: Five themes emerged related to trust in healthcare. Patient-centered communication and encouragement from a healthcare provider led women to trust their physicians and the medical care system. In contrast, lack of patient-centered communication by providers and perceptions of poor quality of care led to distrust. Physician gender concordance also contributed to trust as women reported trust of female physicians and distrust of male physicians; trust in male physicians was reported to be increased by the presence of a female nurse. CONCLUSIONS: Important factors associated with trust and distrust of providers and the medical care system may impact health-seeking behaviors among underserved women. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Opportunities to improve patient-centered communication around the issues of prevention and cervical cancer screening (such as providing patient-focused information about access to appropriate screening tests) could be used to improve patient care and build patients' trust.

Patients' question-asking behavior during primary care visits: a report from the AAFP National Research Network.

PURPOSE: The Ask Me 3 (AM3) health communication program encourages patients to ask specific questions during office visits with the intention of improving understanding of their health conditions and adherence to treatment recommendations. This study evaluated whether implementing AM3 improves patients' question-asking behavior and increases adherence to prescription medications and lifestyle recommendations. METHODS: This randomized trial involved 20 practices from the American Academy of Family Physicians National Research Network that were assigned to an AM3 intervention group or a control group. Forty-one physicians in the practices were each asked to enroll at least 20 patients. The patients' visits were audio recorded, and recordings were reviewed to determine whether patients asked questions and which questions they asked. Patients were interviewed 1 to 3 weeks after the visit to assess their recall of physicians' recommendations, rates of prescription filling and taking, and attempts at complying with lifestyle recommendations. RESULTS: The study enrolled 834 eligible patients in 20 practices. There were no significant difference between the AM3 and control patients in the rate of asking questions, but this rate was high (92%) in both groups. There also were no differences in rates of either filling or taking prescriptions, although rates of these outcomes were fairly high, too. Control patients were more likely to recall that their physician recommended a lifestyle change, however (68% vs 59%, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: In a patient population in which asking questions already occurs at a high rate and levels of adherence are fairly high, we found no evidence that the AM3 intervention results in patients asking specific questions or more questions in general, or in better adherence to prescription medications or lifestyle recommendations.

Psychosocial predictors of adherence to risk-appropriate cervical cancer screening guidelines: a cross sectional study of women in Ohio Appalachia participating in the Community Awareness Resources and Education (CARE) project.

OBJECTIVE: We describe factors, in the context of the Social Determinants of Health model, associated with receiving Pap smears within risk-appropriate guidelines (i.e., guidelines that specify screening intervals based upon a woman's individual risk of developing cervical cancer). METHODS: Completed in June 2006, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of women from 14 health clinics in Ohio Appalachia pertaining to psychosocial, demographic, biological, and health-related factors. A logistic regression model was constructed to predict whether or not a woman was within risk-appropriate cervical cancer screening guidelines. RESULTS: Of 562 women with a date of last Pap smear, 380 (68%) were within risk-appropriate guidelines. Logistic regression showed that, compared to women with low-level SES, women with middle- and high-level SES had 3.39 [1.85, 6.21] and 3.86 [2.03, 7.34] times the odds, respectively, of being within risk-appropriate guidelines. Odds of being within guidelines increased 1.09 [1.04, 1.15] fold for each decrease of one major life event. Additionally, women that were financially better off or financially worse off than their parents at the same age had lower odds (0.41 [0.23, 0.73] and 0.49 [0.24, 0.98], respectively) of being within guidelines than women who reported their finances were the same as their parents. Results also showed an interaction between marital status and age at first intercourse (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The results suggest an impact of psychosocial factors on Pap smear testing behaviors, and illustrate the need to examine risk-appropriate interventions to improve screening.

The impact of patients' participation on physicians' patient-centered communication.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to add to a small, but growing body of research exploring how patients' communication style affects physicians' communication. In particular, we examine how patients' active participation (e.g., asking questions, providing information) affects physicians' use of patient-centered communication. METHODS: The same 25 physicians were observed interacting with high and low participation patients. High participation was defined as the frequency of information seeking/verifying, information provision, assertive utterances, and expressing concerns. On average, physicians interviewed 2.56 high participation patients and 3.44 low participation patients. Transcripts of the interviews were coded for physicians' patient-centered communication. High and low patient participation interviews were then compared using nested ANOVAs. RESULTS: When interacting with high participation patients, physicians engaged in significantly more patient-centered communication overall than when interacting with low participation patients. Analyses on separate components of patient-centeredness indicated that physicians engaged in significantly more exploring of patients' disease and illness, but did not engage in significantly more understanding of the whole person or finding of common ground. CONCLUSION: Patients who actively participate in medical interviews influence physicians to adopt a more patient-centered style of communication.

Acceptance of the HPV vaccine among women, parents, community leaders, and healthcare providers in Ohio Appalachia.

To assess HPV vaccine acceptability, focus groups of women (18-26 years), parents, community leaders, and healthcare providers were conducted throughout Ohio Appalachia. Themes that emerged among the 23 focus groups (n=114) about the HPV vaccine were: barriers (general health and vaccine specific), lack of knowledge (cervical cancer and HPV), cultural attitudes, and suggestions for educational materials and programs. Important Appalachian attitudes included strong family ties, privacy, conservative views, and lack of trust of outsiders to the region. There are differences in HPV vaccine acceptability among different types of community members highlighting the need for a range of HPV vaccine educational materials/programs to be developed that are inclusive of the Appalachian culture.

Determinants of colorectal cancer screening in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is serious, yet a minority of US adults receive within-guideline screening exams. METHODS: A random selection of patients attending clinics in 3 different settings completed a survey on CRC-related barriers, knowledge, and beliefs. RESULTS: Participants with fewer barriers, better knowledge, and more positive beliefs toward screening were significantly more likely to be within screening guidelines. A physician's screening recommendation was significantly related to screening in patients < 65 years, but was not significant for older patients. CONCLUSIONS: Large-scale studies are needed. Results can be used to develop multifaceted, tailored education programs to improve CRC screening in primary care.

Enhancing behavioral science education at the Ohio State University College of Medicine.

The social and behavioral sciences play key roles in patient health outcomes. Given this reality, successful development of social and behavioral science curricula in medical education is critically important to the quality of patients' lives and the effectiveness of health care delivery systems. The Institute of Medicine, in a recent report, recommended that medical schools enhance their curricula in these areas and identified four institutions as "exemplars" of social and behavioral science education. The authors describe an ongoing curriculum development and improvement process that produced one such exemplary program at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. The authors provide a historical perspective on behavioral science education, discuss issues that led to curricular change, and describe the principles and processes used to implement reform. Critical factors underlying positive change are addressed: increase active learning, recruit a core group of small-group facilitators who are primary care physicians, diversify teaching methods, support student-directed educational initiatives, enhance student-teacher relationships, centralize course administration, obtain funding, implement a faculty development program, and apply curriculum quality improvement methods. Outcome data from evaluations completed by both students and small-group physician faculty are presented, and future directions regarding further revision are outlined. The authors believe that the strategies they describe can be applied at other institutions and assist behavioral science educators who may experience the challenges typically encountered in this important field of medical education.

The other half of the whole: teaching patients to communicate with physicians.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A wide body of research suggests that the nature of communication between patients and physicians is strongly related to health outcomes. Interventions that involve teaching patients to communicate with physicians are important to assess in this context. METHODS: We conducted a review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the outpatient setting from 1975 to 2000. Patient communication interventions were classified as high, medium, or low intensive, depending on the length of the intervention, use of personnel, and estimated cost. Characteristics of 16 studies were examined, including sample populations, types of interventions, and the nature of health outcomes. RESULTS: Patient improvement in a variety of outcomes as a result of communication training was demonstrated. Positive change variables included patient communication, medical outcomes, functional status, and adherence to treatment. Studies revealed mixed findings on the outcome of patient satisfaction. All US studies suggested that pre-visit training had no effect on the overall length of the medical visit. CONCLUSIONS: Studies indicated improvement in a variety of patient outcomes. However, the wide variation in study design, interventions, and outcomes hinders the ability to draw well-founded conclusions. Future research needs to further address biopsychosocial outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and their relationship.