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This national cohort survey of older adults assesses which health-related concerns they consider to be most salient in the 2024 election.
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Importance: Evidence-based weight management treatments (WMTs) are underused; strategies are needed to increase WMT use and patients' weight loss. Objective: To evaluate the association of a primary care-based weight navigation program (WNP) with WMT use and weight loss. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study comprised a retrospective evaluation of a quality improvement program conducted from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021. Data analysis was performed from August 2, 2022, to March 7, 2024. Adults with obesity and 1 or more weight-related condition from intervention and control sites in a large academic health system in the Midwestern US were propensity matched on sociodemographic and clinical factors. Exposure: WNP, in which American Board of Obesity Medicine-certified primary care physicians offered weight-focused visits and guided patients' selection of preference-sensitive WMTs. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were feasibility measures, including rates of referral to and engagement in the WNP. Secondary outcomes were mean weight loss, percentage of patients achieving 5% or more and 10% or more weight loss, referral to WMTs, and number of antiobesity medication prescriptions at 12 months. Results: Of 264 patients, 181 (68.6%) were female and mean (SD) age was 49.5 (13.0) years; there were no significant differences in demographic characteristics between WNP patients (n = 132) and matched controls (n = 132). Of 1159 WNP-eligible patients, 219 (18.9%) were referred to the WNP and 132 (11.4%) completed a visit. In a difference-in-differences analysis, WNP patients lost 4.9 kg more than matched controls (95% CI, 2.11-7.76; P < .001), had 4.4% greater weight loss (95% CI, 2.2%-6.4%; P < .001), and were more likely to achieve 5% or more weight loss (odds ratio [OR], 2.90; 95% CI, 1.54-5.58); average marginal effects, 21.2%; 95% CI, 8.8%-33.6%) and 10% or more weight loss (OR, 7.19; 95% CI, 2.55-25.9; average marginal effects, 17.4%; 95% CI, 8.7%-26.2%). Patients in the WNP group were referred at higher rates to WMTs, including bariatric surgery (18.9% vs 9.1%; P = .02), a low-calorie meal replacement program (16.7% vs 3.8%; P < .001), and a Mediterranean-style diet and activity program (10.6% vs 1.5%; P = .002). There were no between-group differences in antiobesity medication prescribing. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this cohort study suggest that WNP is feasible and associated with greater WMT use and weight loss than matched controls. The WNP warrants evaluation in a large-scale trial.
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Obesidad , Atención Primaria de Salud , Pérdida de Peso , Programas de Reducción de Peso , Humanos , Femenino , Masculino , Atención Primaria de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto , Obesidad/terapia , Programas de Reducción de Peso/métodos , Programas de Reducción de Peso/estadística & datos numéricos , Navegación de Pacientes , Mejoramiento de la Calidad , Estudios de CohortesRESUMEN
Appearance is an indicator of age and life stage, which are linked to socially salient stereotypes and prejudices. Older adults' appearance-related perceptions and behaviors may affect their experiences of aging within broader society, which may in turn influence health. This study examined associations between two measures related to aging appearance-assessment of one's aging appearance relative to same-age peers and investing time or effort to look younger-positive and negative experiences of aging, and health using multivariable regression. Cross-sectional data were from a nationally representative sample of 2006 U.S. adults ages 50-80 (Mage = 63, 52% women, 71% White) who completed Wave 6 of the National Poll on Healthy Aging in 2019. The majority (59%) reported appearing relatively younger than peers, while fewer reported appearing the same age (35%) or older (6%). About a third (35%) reported investing in looking younger. Appearing relatively younger was associated with more positive (p < .001) and less negative experiences of aging (p = .019). Appearing relatively older showed the opposite relationships (p values < .001). Investing in looking younger was associated with more positive and more negative experiences of aging (p values < .001). Few sociodemographic variations were detected. More positive and less negative experiences of aging were associated with better physical and mental health (p values < .001). While aging appearance is often the basis for jokes, it may affect the quality of older adults' experiences of aging and associated health outcomes. Nuanced findings caution against framing youthful biases in aging appearance and investments in looking younger as solely negative (or positive). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Envejecimiento , Humanos , Anciano , Femenino , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Envejecimiento/psicología , Envejecimiento/fisiología , Estados Unidos , Estudios Transversales , Autoimagen , Estado de SaludRESUMEN
Importance: Use of low-value care is common among older adults. It is unclear how to best engage clinicians and older patients to decrease use of low-value services. Objective: To test whether the Committing to Choose Wisely behavioral economic intervention could engage primary care clinicians and older patients to reduce low-value care. Design, Setting, and Participants: Stepped-wedge cluster randomized clinical trial conducted at 8 primary care clinics of an academic health system and a private group practice between December 12, 2017, and September 4, 2019. Participants were primary care clinicians and older adult patients who had diabetes, insomnia, or anxiety or were eligible for prostate cancer screening. Data analysis was performed from October 2019 to November 2023. Intervention: Clinicians were invited to commit in writing to Choosing Wisely recommendations for older patients to avoid use of hypoglycemic medications to achieve tight glycemic control, sedative-hypnotic medications for insomnia or anxiety, and prostate-specific antigen tests to screen for prostate cancer. Committed clinicians had their photographs displayed on clinic posters and received weekly emails with alternatives to these low-value services. Educational handouts were mailed to applicable patients before scheduled visits and available at the point of care. Main Outcomes and Measures: Patient-months with a low-value service across conditions (primary outcome) and separately for each condition (secondary outcomes). For patients with diabetes, or insomnia or anxiety, secondary outcomes were patient-months in which targeted medications were decreased or stopped (ie, deintensified). Results: The study included 81 primary care clinicians and 8030 older adult patients (mean [SD] age, 75.1 [7.2] years; 4076 men [50.8%] and 3954 women [49.2%]). Across conditions, a low-value service was used in 7627 of the 37â¯116 control patient-months (20.5%) and 7416 of the 46â¯381 intervention patient-months (16.0%) (adjusted odds ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65-0.97). For each individual condition, there were no significant differences between the control and intervention periods in the odds of patient-months with a low-value service. The intervention increased the odds of deintensification of hypoglycemic medications for diabetes (adjusted odds ratio, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.06-3.24) but not sedative-hypnotic medications for insomnia or anxiety. Conclusions and Relevance: In this stepped-wedge cluster randomized clinical trial, the Committing to Choose Wisely behavioral economic intervention reduced low-value care across 3 common clinical situations and increased deintensification of hypoglycemic medications for diabetes. Use of scalable interventions that nudge patients and clinicians to achieve greater value while preserving autonomy in decision-making should be explored more broadly. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03411525.
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Diabetes Mellitus , Neoplasias de la Próstata , Trastornos del Inicio y del Mantenimiento del Sueño , Masculino , Humanos , Anciano , Economía del Comportamiento , Detección Precoz del Cáncer , Atención de Bajo Valor , Trastornos del Inicio y del Mantenimiento del Sueño/tratamiento farmacológico , Antígeno Prostático Específico , Diabetes Mellitus/tratamiento farmacológico , Hipoglucemiantes/uso terapéutico , Hipnóticos y Sedantes/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
This cross-sectional study examines the preoperative concerns among US adults aged 50 to 80 years who considered elective surgery.
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Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Electivos , Periodo Preoperatorio , Anciano , Humanos , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
Introduction: Legal access to and attitudes toward cannabis are changing rapidly. Most of the United States and territories allow adults to use medical and/or recreational cannabis. Recent trends demonstrate increasing cannabis use among older U.S. adults. However, little research has examined cannabis use among older adults since 2019, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused major changes in patterns of substance use. Methods: The National Poll on Healthy Aging is a nationally cross-sectional survey that asked U.S. adults ages 50-80 in January 2021 about their cannabis use in the past year. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify demographic and health characteristics associated with cannabis use. Results: Among 2023 participants aged 50-80 (52.7% female), 12.1% reported cannabis use in the past year. Among those who reported cannabis use, 34.2% reported using cannabis products 4 or more days per week. In multivariable logistic regression, cannabis use was less likely among people who identified as Hispanic ethnicity or as "other" races compared with non-Hispanic white respondents. Cannabis use was more likely among unmarried/unpartnered and unemployed respondents. Those who consumed alcohol were more likely to use cannabis. Conclusions: More than one in 10 U.S. adults aged 50-80 used cannabis in the 1st year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many used cannabis frequently. As access to and use of cannabis continue to increase nationally, clinicians and policymakers should monitor and address the potential risks among older adults.
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COVID-19 , Cannabis , Humanos , Femenino , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , Masculino , Cannabis/efectos adversos , Prevalencia , Estudios Transversales , Pandemias , COVID-19/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented stress on older adults. Resiliency could mitigate deleterious effects of pandemic stressors. We described trends in resilience among US adults aged 50-80 years approximately one and half years after the onset of the pandemic, compared with before the pandemic, and evaluated associations between relationships and resilience. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were from the National Poll on Healthy Aging (N=2,100) in August 2021. Respondents rated their resiliency as compared with before the pandemic (more, about the same, or less) and different types of relationships (spouse/partner, friends, neighbors) as sources of joy and/or stress during the pandemic (a lot, some, very little, and not at all). Multinomial logistic regressions (complete-case analysis) estimated the relationships between each joyful and stressful relationships and resiliency. RESULTS: Most participants reported feeling as resilient as before the pandemic (70.6%) with 14.5% feeling less resilient. More women than men felt less resilient than before the pandemic (16.7% vs. 12.8%, p=0.006). Feeling a lot of stress from one's spouse or neighbors was associated with increased likelihood of feeling less resilient than before the pandemic (OR=3.7; 95% CI: 1.8, 7.7 and OR=4.5; 95% CI: 1.5, 13.9, respectively) which was stronger among women (OR=15.1; 95% CI: 4.8, 45.6) than men (OR=1.03; 95% CI: 0.4, 2.7). DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Social relationships may have been more important for women than for men in supporting resiliency during the pandemic. Understanding patterns of resiliency can help to inform policymaking and support the well-being of older adults.
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OBJECTIVES: To investigate the preparations made by adults to age in place and identify disparities. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among U.S. adults ages 50-80 years old (n = 2277). Individual, environmental, social, and community factors influencing readiness for aging in place were examined using chi-square tests and logistic regression. RESULTS: Income, disability status, and household composition, emerged as influential factors, often negatively affecting minority aging. Participants' consideration of aging in place was related to their disability status (OR 1.80 [1.32, 2.45]) and age (OR age 60-69 2.06 [1.54, 2.74], age 70-80 (OR 1.98 [1.46,2.67]), compared with age 50-59). Indigenous and Black older adults reported significantly higher levels of consideration for aging in place than White older adults (Indigenous OR 7.89 [2.35, 26.42], Black OR 1.71 [1.11, 2.64]). CONCLUSION: Aging in place is best facilitated by inclusive communities that prioritize adaptive homes and accessible community services.
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Vida Independiente , Grupos Raciales , Humanos , Anciano , Estados Unidos , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Estudios Transversales , Renta , EnvejecimientoRESUMEN
This JAMA Patient Page describes the problem of polypharmacy and its consequences, and how deprescribing can reduce polypharmacy.
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Deprescripciones , Polifarmacia , Humanos , Prescripción Inadecuada/prevención & control , Polifarmacia/prevención & controlRESUMEN
Introduction: All Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers offer the MOVE! Weight Management Program to help patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight through a calorie-restricted, low-fat diet and increased physical activity. Yet, most MOVE! participants do not achieve clinically significant weight loss of ≥5%. A carbohydrate-restricted diet may help more Veterans to achieve ≥5% weight loss. Methods: This was a single-arm explanatory sequential mixed methods pilot study conducted in one VA health care system. Veterans with prediabetes and body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 were invited to participate in a group-based, virtual, very low-carbohydrate Diabetes Prevention Program (VLC-DPP) consisting of 23 sessions over 12 months. Participants were taught to follow a very low-carbohydrate eating pattern, defined as 20-35 grams of net carbohydrates per day. The primary outcomes were measures of feasibility and acceptability, including program uptake and session attendance. Secondary outcomes included change in weight, hemoglobin A1c, lipids, and patient-reported measures of food cravings, stress eating, perceived health status, and motivation. Interviews were conducted at 6 months to identify factors that facilitated or hindered participants' achievement of ≥5% weight loss. Results: Among 108 screened Veterans, 21 enrolled in the study (19%), and 18 were included in the analytic cohort. On average, participants attended 12.4/16 weekly sessions and 3.6/8 bimonthly or monthly sessions. At 12 months, mean percent weight loss was 9.4% (SD = 10.7) with 9 participants (50%) achieving ≥5% weight loss. Three factors facilitated achievement of ≥5% weight loss among 10/16 interviewees: (1) enjoyment of low-carbohydrate foods; (2) careful monitoring of carbohydrate intake; and (3) reduced hunger and food cravings. Three factors hindered achievement of ≥5% weight loss among 6/16 interviewees: (1) food cravings, particularly for sweets; (2) challenges with maintaining a food log; and (3) difficulty with meal planning. Conclusion: A VLC-DPP is feasible and acceptable and shows preliminary efficacy among Veterans with prediabetes. The program's weight loss effectiveness compared to standard MOVE! should be evaluated in a larger-scale trial. Such a program may be offered in addition to the standard MOVE! program to expand the menu of evidence-based lifestyle counseling options for Veterans. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04881890, identifier NCT04881890.
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INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 necessitated a shift from in-person to virtual care for all patients, particularly older adults. It is unknown how older individuals' views of telehealth changed during this time and how this may affect their future use of telehealth services. METHODS: We used data from a cross-sectional online survey of a nationally representative sample of 2074 U.S. adults ages 50-80 who were participants in the National Poll on Healthy Aging. We performed a descriptive and multivariable analysis of individuals' perspectives on past and future telehealth visits, sociodemographics, and health status. RESULTS: Before March 2020, 5.8% of respondents had used telehealth, compared to 32.0% by June 2020. Of telehealth users, 36.1% indicated their most recent telehealth visit used audio-only (i.e., without video) technology. In multivariable analysis, those who never used video technology compared to those who were "very comfortable" (average marginal effect (AME) 49%, 95% CI: 36-63), identified as Hispanic (AME 19% vs White, non-Hispanic, 95% CI: 5-32), or were female (AME 9%, 95% CI: 1-17) were more likely to report audio-only use. Concerns remained about the inability to conduct physical exams (75%) and telehealth quality of care (67%), though most (64%) older adults indicated an interest in future telehealth visits. DISCUSSION: Telehealth use increased substantially among older U.S. adults during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, many reported using audio-only telehealth, an important consideration for policymakers and providers. Addressing older adults' concerns about and barriers to telehealth visits is needed to ensure telehealth does not exacerbate disparities in their care.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased use of telephone and video encounters in the Veterans Health Administration and many other healthcare systems. One important difference between these virtual modalities and traditional face-to-face encounters is the different cost-sharing, travel costs, and time costs that patients face. Making the full costs of different visit modalities transparent to patients and their clinicians can help patients obtain greater value from their primary care encounters. From April 6, 2020 to September 30, 2021 the VA waived all copayments for Veterans receiving care from the VA, but since this policy was temporary it is important that Veterans receive personalized information about their expected costs so they can obtain the most value from their primary care encounters. To test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of this approach, our team conducted a 12 week pilot project at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System from June-August 2021 in which we made personalized estimates of out-of-pocket, travel, and time costs available and transparent to patients and clinicians in advance of scheduled encounters and at the point of care. We found that it was feasible to generate and deliver personalized cost estimates in advance of visits, that this information was acceptable to patients, and that patients who used cost estimates during a visit with a clinician found this information helpful and would want to receive it again in the future. To achieve greater value in healthcare, systems must continue to pursue new ways to provide transparent information and needed support to patients and clinicians. This means ensuring clinical visits provide the highest levels of access, convenience, and return on patients' healthcare-associated spending while minimizing financial toxicity.
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COVID-19 , Telemedicina , Veteranos , Humanos , Proyectos Piloto , Pandemias , Atención Primaria de SaludRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: A growing number of Americans are enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). Enrollees in HDHPs, particularly those with chronic conditions, face high out-of-pocket costs and often delay or forgo needed care owing to cost. These challenges could be mitigated by the use of cost-conscious strategies when seeking health care, such as discussing costs with providers, saving for medical expenses, and using web-based tools to compare prices, but few HDHP enrollees engage in such cost-conscious strategies. A novel behavioral intervention could enable HDHP enrollees with chronic conditions to adopt these strategies, but it is unknown which intervention features would be most valued and used by this patient population. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess preferences among HDHP enrollees with chronic conditions for a novel behavioral intervention that supports the use of cost-conscious strategies when planning for and seeking health care. METHODS: In an exploratory sequential mixed methods study among HDHP enrollees with chronic conditions, we conducted 20 semistructured telephone interviews and then surveyed 432 participants using a national internet survey panel. Participants were adult HDHP enrollees with diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or asthma. The interviews and survey assessed participants' health care experiences when using HDHPs and their preferences for the content, modality, and frequency of use of a novel intervention that would support their use of cost-conscious strategies when seeking health care. RESULTS: Approximately half (11/20, 55%) of the interview participants reported barriers to using cost-conscious strategies. These included not knowing where to find information and worrying that the use of cost-conscious strategies would be very time consuming. Most (18/20, 90%) interviewees who had discussed costs with providers, saved for medical expenses, or used web-based price comparison tools found these strategies to be helpful for managing their health care costs. Most (17/20, 85%) interviewees expressed interest in an intervention delivered through a website or phone app that would help them compare prices for services at different locations. Survey participants were most interested in learning to compare prices and quality, followed by discussing costs with their providers and putting aside money for care, through a website-based or email-based intervention that they would use a few times a year. CONCLUSIONS: Regular use of cost-conscious strategies could mitigate financial barriers faced by HDHP enrollees with chronic conditions. Interventions to encourage the use of cost-conscious strategies should be delivered through a web-based modality and focus on helping these patients in navigating their HDHPs to better manage their out-of-pocket spending.
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BACKGROUND: The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and metformin can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among patients with prediabetes. Yet, even when these evidence-based strategies are accessible and affordable, uptake is low. Thus, there is a critical need for effective, scalable, and sustainable approaches to increase uptake and engagement in these interventions. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, we will test whether financial incentives and automated messaging to promote autonomous motivation for preventing T2DM can increase DPP participation, metformin use, or both among adults with prediabetes. Participants (n = 380) will be randomized to one of four study arms. Control Arm participants will receive usual care and educational text messages about preventing T2DM. Incentives Arm participants will receive the Control Arm intervention plus financial incentives for DPP participation or metformin use. Tailored Messages Arm participants will receive the Control Arm intervention plus tailored messages promoting autonomous motivation for preventing T2DM. Combined Arm participants will receive the Incentives Arm and Tailored Messages Arm interventions plus messages to increase the personal salience of financial incentives. The primary outcome is change in hemoglobin A1c from baseline to 12 months. Secondary outcomes are change in body weight, DPP participation, and metformin use. DISCUSSION: If effective, these scalable and sustainable approaches to increase patient motivation to prevent T2DM can be deployed by health systems, health plans, and employers to help individuals with prediabetes lower their risk for developing T2DM.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Metformina , Estado Prediabético , Adulto , Humanos , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/prevención & control , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicaciones , Estado Prediabético/tratamiento farmacológico , Economía del Comportamiento , Metformina/uso terapéutico , Peso Corporal , Motivación , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como AsuntoRESUMEN
In October 2017, the National Poll on Healthy Aging surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,007 adults aged 50-80 years to assess attitudes toward influenza (flu) vaccination policies in long-term care facilities. Support for requiring vaccinations was lowest for visitors. Policy makers can use these findings to develop sustainable vaccination strategies.
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Vacunas contra la Influenza , Gripe Humana , Adulto , Humanos , Cuidados a Largo Plazo , Vacunación , Políticas , ActitudRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy is highly prevalent among older adults. This study's purpose was to provide nationally representative estimates of self-reported comprehensive medication review (CMR) receipt among older adults and describe factors associated with their receipt, as CMRs are available through the Medicare Part D program. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from the National Poll on Healthy Aging (NPHA), a nationally representative online survey of community-dwelling adults aged 50-80, administered in December 2019. Participants included older adults aged 65-80 with any health insurance (n = 960). Outcomes were self-reported CMR receipt, awareness of CMR insurance coverage, and interest in a future CMR with a pharmacist. Sociodemographic and health-related variables were included. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression with NPHA population sampling weights were used. RESULTS: Among older adults on 2 or more prescription medications, only 20.8% had received a CMR while 34.3% were interested in a future CMR. Among individuals who had not received a CMR, most (83.4%) were unaware their insurance might cover a CMR. Factors associated with higher odds of receiving a CMR included taking 5 or more prescription medications (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.59-4.38) and reporting food insecurity (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.07-7.93). Having fair or poor self-reported physical health was associated with lower odds of receiving a CMR (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.25-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Most older adults on 2 or more prescription medications with health insurance had not received a CMR and many were interested in one. Targeted strategies to increase older adults' awareness and receipt of CMRs are warranted.
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Medicare Part D , Medicamentos bajo Prescripción , Humanos , Anciano , Estados Unidos , Administración del Tratamiento Farmacológico , Estudios Transversales , Revisión de Medicamentos , Medicamentos bajo Prescripción/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To examine effects of a financial incentives program on follow-up and weight loss after bariatric surgery. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Consistent follow-up may improve weight loss and other health outcomes after bariatric surgery. Yet, rates of follow-up after surgery are often low. METHODS: Patients from 3 practices within a statewide collaborative were invited to participate in a 6-month financial incentives program. Participants received incentives for attending postoperative appointments at 1, 3, and 6 months which doubled when participants weighed less than their prior visit. Participants were matched with contemporary patients from control practices by demographics, starting body mass index and weight, surgery date, and procedure. Preintervention estimates used matched historic patients from the same program and control practices with the criteria listed above. Patients between the 2 historic groups were additionally matched on surgery date to ensure balance on matched variables. We conducted differ-ence-in-differences analyses to examine incentives program effects. Follow-up attendance and percent excess weight loss were measured postoperative months 1, 3, 6, and 12. RESULTS: One hundred ten program participants from January 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019 were matched to 203 historic program practice patients (November 20 to December 27, 2017). The control group had 273 preinter-vention patients and 327 postintervention patients. In difference-in-differ-ences analyses, the intervention increased follow-up rates at 1 month (+14.8%, P <0.0001), 3months (+29.4%, P <0.0001), and 6 months (+16.4%, P <0.0001), but not at 12 months. There were no statistically significant differences in excess weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: A financial incentives program significantly increased follow-up after bariatric surgery for up to 6 months, but did not increase weight loss. Our study supports use of incentivized approaches as one way to improve postoperative follow-up, but may not translate into greater weight loss without additional supports.
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Cirugía Bariátrica , Obesidad Mórbida , Humanos , Estudios de Seguimiento , Motivación , Cirugía Bariátrica/métodos , Pérdida de Peso , Índice de Masa Corporal , Obesidad Mórbida/cirugíaRESUMEN
Many Americans face high cost-sharing demands from their health insurers. While there is hope that prices for health services are becoming more and more transparent, even increased availability of price information will not always translate into optimal, equitable health and financial outcomes for patients. This commentary on a case argues why transparent pricing is an ethical imperative and identifies steps that health sector stakeholders should take to help patients and clinicians use pricing information to inform health decision making.