Adherence to Cardiovascular Prevention Guidelines in an Academic Centre.

Background: Adherence to guidelines is associated with better patient outcomes. Although studies show suboptimal adherence to cardiovascular prevention guidelines among general practitioners, adherence among specialist physicians is understudied. The aim of this analysis was to identify practice gaps among cardiologists in a tertiary academic centre. Methods: We retrospectively audited cardiology outpatient clinic notes taken at the Cardiology Clinic at the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), from the period January 1, 2019 to February 28, 2019. Data were abstracted from hospital medical records. The primary outcome of interest was the rate of adherence to cardiovascular prevention guidelines. We compared the chart-documented practice at our centre to the Canadian hypertension, lipid, diabetes, antiplatelet, and heart failure guidelines in effect at the time of the audit. We also collected information regarding discussions of smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and diet. Results: A total of 2503 patients were included, with a mean age of 65.6 ± 14.5 years. Dyslipidemia occurred in 63% of patients, hypertension in 55%, and coronary artery disease in 41%. Optimal low-density lipoprotein control was documented as having been achieved in just 39% of cases. Blood pressure control was adequate for 65% of patients, and glycemic control was achieved in 47% of patients with diabetes. Heart failure treatment was optimal in 34% of patients. Nearly all patients with coronary artery disease (95%) had appropriate antithrombotic therapy. The incidence of discussion of nonpharmacologic interventions varied, ranging from 91% (smoking) to 16% (diet). Conclusions: Primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events was found to be suboptimal in an academic tertiary-care outpatient cardiology clinic and may be representative of similar shortcomings nationwide. Strategies to ensure guideline adherence are needed.

Contexte: Le respect des lignes directrices est associé à de meilleurs résultats pour les patients. Bien que les études montrent que les omnipraticiens adhèrent de façon sous-optimale aux lignes directrices en matière de prévention des événements cardiovasculaires, l'observance chez les médecins spécialistes n'a pas été assez étudiée. Notre analyse a pour objectif de déceler les lacunes dans la pratique des cardiologues exerçant dans des centres universitaires de soins tertiaires. Méthodologie: Nous avons examiné de manière rétrospective les notes cliniques consignées au dossier des patients du Centre cardiovasculaire du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) et résumé les données issues des consultations ayant eu lieu du 1er janvier au 28 février 2019. Le principal résultat d'intérêt était le taux d'adhésion aux lignes directrices en matière de prévention des événements cardiovasculaires. Nous avons comparé les pratiques enregistrées dans les dossiers de notre centre aux lignes directrices canadiennes sur la prise en charge de l'hypertension, de la lipidémie, du diabète, du traitement antiplaquettaire et de l'insuffisance cardiaque en place au moment de l'évaluation. Nous avons aussi recueilli de l'information sur les discussions entourant le tabagisme, la consommation d'alcool, l'activité physique et l'alimentation. Résultats: Les données de 2 503 patients, âgés en moyenne de 65,6 ± 14,5 ans, ont été retenues. De ces patients, 63 % présentaient une dyslipidémie, 55 %, une hypertension et 41 %, une maladie coronarienne. Le taux de lipoprotéines de basse densité n'était maîtrisé de façon optimale que dans 39 % des cas. La normalisation de la pression artérielle était adéquate chez 65 % des patients, et 47 % des patients diabétiques atteignaient les cibles glycémiques. L'insuffisance cardiaque était optimalement traitée chez 34 % des patients. Presque tous les patients atteints de maladie coronarienne (95 %) recevaient un traitement antithrombotique approprié. La fréquence des discussions sur les interventions non pharmacologiques variait, allant de 91 % dans le cas du tabagisme à 16 % dans celui de l'alimentation. Conclusions: La prévention primaire et secondaire des événements cardiovasculaires s'est révélée sous-optimale dans une clinique externe de cardiologie d'un hôpital universitaire et pourrait être représentative de lacunes similaires dans l'ensemble du pays. Des stratégies visant à assurer le respect des lignes directrices sont nécessaires.

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine-induced immune responses in rheumatoid arthritis.

Our objective was to characterize T and B cell responses to vaccination with SARS-CoV-2 antigens in immunocompromised rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. In 22 RA patients, clinical and biological variables were analyzed before and 4 weeks after each of 3 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine doses and compared with unmatched healthy individuals. Sequentially sampled peripheral blood mononuclear cells and sera were collected to determine immune profiles and to analyze the T cell response to a spike peptide pool and B cell specificity to the receptor-binding domain (RBD). Anti-spike antibodies were detectable in 6 of 22 RA patients after 1 dose of vaccine with increasing titers after each booster dose, although the overall response was lower compared with that in healthy control individuals. Responding patients after the first dose were more likely to have RA antibodies and a higher baseline proportion of circulating follicular B cells. In RA patients, the mRNA vaccine elicited a robust CD4+ T response to a spike peptide pool following the first and second doses. Consistent with the serologies, RBD-specific B cells exhibited a modest increase after the first dose and the second dose resulted in marked increases only in a fraction of the RA patients to both ancestral and omicron RBD. Our results highlight the importance of multidose COVID-19 vaccination in RA patients to develop a protective humoral response. However, these patients rapidly develop specific T CD4+ responses, despite delayed B cell responses.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction to improve depression, pain and high patient global assessment in controlled rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: The aim was to improve distressing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) that persisted in RA patients with clinically controlled inflammation (controlled RA). Methods: In a pragmatic pilot study, we offered mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), a group intervention, to controlled RA patients who had high (≥16) Centre for Evaluation Studies depression (CES-D) scores and/or patient general assessment of disease activity (PGA) at least 2/10 larger than evaluator general assessment (EGA) (PGA-EGA: Delta). Evaluations before, 6 and 12 months after MBSR included CES-D, PGA, modified HAQ, simple disease activity index (SDAI), anxiety (general anxiety disorder 7; GAD-7), coping strategies (coping with health injuries and problems; CHIP), sleep disturbance and pain. Facilitators and obstacles to recruitment and participation were identified. A subset of patients was interviewed for qualitative analysis of their experience. Results: Out of 306 screened patients, 65 were referred, 39 (60%) agreed and 28 (43%) completed MBSR. Anticipated burden, timing and frequency of group meetings, commuting issues, age extremes and co-morbidities were barriers to participation. Up to 12 months after MBSR, anxiety, depression, emotion-oriented coping, sleep and function significantly improved. Nonetheless, no significant impact was observed on pain, PGA, Delta or SDAI. The interviews revealed that benefits, including integration of effective coping strategies, were maintained. Conclusion: We addressed MBSR feasibility issues and selection of outcomes in controlled RA patients with distressing PROs. For patients who chose to participate in MBSR, lasting benefits were evident for anxiety, depression, sleep and function. Larger studies are required to evaluate the weaker impact of MBSR on RA-related pain and PGA.

Evolution of Antithrombotic Management of Atrial Fibrillation After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Over 10 Years and Guidelines Uptake.

BACKGROUND: The management of atrial fibrillation and/or flutter (AF) patients requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has evolved significantly. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society AF guidelines, last updated in 2020, seek to aid physicians in balancing both bleeding and thrombotic risks. METHODS: A tertiary academic centre registry of patients with AF who had PCI was examined for the antithrombotic therapy at discharge in 4 time periods (cohort 2010-2011; cohort 2014-2015; cohort 2017; cohort 2019). Discharge prescription patterns were compared among the cohorts, using the χ2 test. In addition, antithrombotic management in cohorts 2017 and 2019 were compared to guideline-expected therapy, using the χ2 test. RESULTS: A total of 576 AF patients undergoing PCI were included. Clinical and procedural characteristics were similar among cohorts, except for an increase in drug-eluting stent use in the most recent cohort (94% vs 99%; P = 0.04). The rate of oral anticoagulation increased over time (75% vs 89%; P < 0.01), driven primarily by an increase in direct oral anticoagulants prescription (63% vs 84%; P < 0.01). In contrast to previous cohorts, there was no significant difference between the observed and the guideline-expected anticoagulation rate in cohort 2019 (89% vs 94%; P = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS: A combination of expert guidance and educational initiatives in the past decade contributed to dramatic changes in the management of patients with AF undergoing PCI.

INTRODUCTION: La prise en charge des patients atteints de fibrillation auriculaire et/ou de flutter (FA) qui ont besoin d'une intervention coronarienne percutanée (ICP) a considérablement évolué. La dernière révision, en 2020, des lignes directrices sur la FA de la Société canadienne de cardiologie vise à aider les médecins à établir l'équilibre entre les risques d'hémorragie et de thrombose. MÉTHODES: Nous avons fouillé le registre d'un centre universitaire en soins tertiaires portant sur des patients atteints de FA qui avaient subi une ICP pour nous pencher sur le traitement antithrombotique offert à la sortie de l'hôpital de quatre périodes (cohorte 2010­2011; cohorte 2014­2015; cohorte 2017; cohorte 2019). Nous avons comparé les pratiques en matière d'ordonnances à la sortie de l'hôpital entre les cohortes à l'aide du test du χ2 . De plus, nous avons comparé la prise en charge des cohortes de 2017 et de 2019 qui avaient reçu le traitement antithrombotique à celles qui avaient reçu le traitement prévu dans les lignes directrices à l'aide du test du χ2 . RÉSULTATS: Nous avons sélectionné un total de 576 patients atteints de FA qui avaient subi une ICP. Les caractéristiques cliniques et interventionnelles étaient similaires entre les cohortes, à l'exception d'une augmentation de l'utilisation d'une endoprothèse médicamentée dans la plus récente cohorte (94 % vs 99 %; P = 0,04). Le taux d'anticoagulation par voie orale qui avait augmenté au fil du temps (75 % vs 89 %; P < 0,01) était principalement attribuable à l'augmentation des ordonnances d'anticoagulants d'action directe par voie orale (63 % vs 84 %; P < 0,01). Contrairement aux cohortes précédentes, il n'y avait aucune différence significative entre le taux d'anticoagulation observé et le taux d'anticoagulation prévu dans les lignes directrices dans la cohorte de 2019 (89 % vs 94 %; P = 0,23). CONCLUSIONS: La combinaison des conseils d'experts et des initiatives éducationnelles de la dernière décennie a contribué à des changements radicaux dans la prise en charge des patients atteints de FA qui subissaient une ICP.

Does spaced education improve clinical knowledge among Family Medicine residents? A cluster randomized controlled trial.

Spaced education is a learning strategy to improve knowledge acquisition and retention. To date, no robust evidence exists to support the utility of spaced education in the Family Medicine residency. We aimed to test whether alerts to encourage spaced education can improve clinical knowledge as measured by scores on the Canadian Family Medicine certification examination. METHOD: We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial to empirically and pragmatically test spaced education using two versions of the Family Medicine Study Guide mobile app. 12 residency training programs in Canada agreed to participate. At six intervention sites, we consented 335 of the 654 (51%) eligible residents. Residents in the intervention group were sent alerts through the app to encourage the answering of questions linked to clinical cases. At six control sites, 299 of 586 (51%) residents consented. Residents in the control group received the same app but with no alerts. Incidence rates of case completion between trial arms were compared using repeated measures analysis. We linked residents in both trial arms to their knowledge scores on the certification examination of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. RESULTS: Over 67 weeks, there was no statistically significant difference in the completion of clinical cases by participants. The difference in mean exam scores and the associated confidence interval did not exceed the pre-defined limit of 4 percentage points. CONCLUSION: Further research is recommended before deploying spaced educational interventions in the Family Medicine residency to improve knowledge.

Central neurogenic hyperventilation in conscious patients due to CNS neoplasm: a case report and review of the literature on treatment.

BACKGROUND: Central neurogenic hyperventilation (CNH) is increasingly reported in conscious patients with a CNS neoplasm. We aimed to synthesize the available data on the treatment of this condition to guide clinicians in their approach. METHODS: We describe the case of a 39-year-old conscious woman with CNH secondary to glioma brainstem infiltration for whom hyperventilation was aborted with hydromorphone, dexamethasone, and brainstem radiotherapy. We then performed a review of the literature on the treatment of CNH in conscious patients due to a CNS neoplasm. RESULTS: A total of 31 studies reporting 33 cases fulfilled the selection criteria. The underlying neoplasm was lymphoma in 15 (45%) and glioma in 13 (39%) patients. Overall, CNH was aborted in 70% of cases. Opioids and sedatives overall seemed useful for symptom relief, but the benefit was often of short duration when the medication was administered orally or subcutaneously. Methadone and fentanyl were successful but rarely used. Chemotherapy was most effective in patients with lymphoma (89%), but not glioma (0%) or other neoplasms (0%). Patients with lymphoma (80%) and other tumors (100%) responded to radiotherapy more frequently than patients with glioma (43%). Corticosteroids were moderately effective. Subtotal surgical resection was successful in the 3 cases for which it was attempted. CONCLUSION: Definitive treatment of the underlying neoplasm may be more successful in aborting hyperventilation. Variable rates of palliation have been observed with opioids and sedatives. Treatment of CNH is challenging but successful in a majority of cases.

Evaluation of the implementation and associated effects of advanced access in university family medicine groups: a study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Timely access in primary health care is one of the key issues facing health systems. Among many interventions developed around the world, advanced access is the most highly recommended intervention designed specifically to improve timely access in primary care settings. Based on greater accessibility linked with patients' relational continuity and informational continuity with a primary care professional or team, this organizational model aims to ensure that patients obtain access to healthcare services at a time and date convenient for them when needed regardless of urgency of demand. Its implementation requires a major organizational change based on reorganizing the practices of all the administrative staff and health professionals. In recent years, advanced access has largely been implemented in primary care organizations. However, despite its wide dissemination, we observe considerable variation in the implementation of the five guiding principles of this model across organizations, as well as among professionals working within the same organization. The main objective of this study is to assess the variation in the implementation of the five guiding principles of advanced access in teaching primary healthcare clinics across Quebec and to better understand the influence of the contextual factors on this variation and on outcomes. METHODS: This study will be based on an explanatory sequential design that includes 1) a quantitative survey conducted in 47 teaching primary healthcare clinics, and 2) a multiple case study using mixed data, contrasted cases (n = 4), representing various implementation profiles and geographical contexts. For each case, semi-structured interviews and focus group will be conducted with professionals and patients. Impact analyses will also be conducted in the four selected clinics using data retrieved from the electronic medical records. DISCUSSION: This study is important in social and political context marked by accessibility issues to primary care services. This research is highly relevant in a context of massive media coverage on timely access to primary healthcare and a large-scale implementation of advanced access across Quebec. This study will likely generate useful lessons and support evidence-based practices to refine and adapt the advanced access model to ensure successful implementation in various clinical contexts facing different challenges.

Non-Contrast CT and CT-Angiogram for Late Window Ischemic Stroke Treatment Selection.

INTRODUCTION: The benefit of late window endovascular treatment (EVT) for anterior circulation ischemic stroke has been demonstrated using perfusion-based neuroimaging. We evaluated whether non-contrast CT (NCCT) and CT-angiogram (CTA) alone can select late-presenting patients for EVT. METHODS: We performed a retrospective comparison of all patients undergoing EVT at a single comprehensive stroke center from January 2016 to April 2017. Patients planned for EVT were divided into early (<6 hours from onset) and late (≥6 hours from onset or last time seen normal) window groups. Incidence of symptomatic hemorrhagic transformations (sHTs) at 24 hours and 3-month modified Rankin scores (mRSs) were compared. RESULTS: During the study period, 204 (82%) patients underwent EVT in the early and 44 (18%) in the late window. Median (interquartile range) NIH Stroke Scale Score was similar between groups (early: 18 [15-23] vs. late: 17 [13-21]), as were median ASPECT scores (early: 9 [8-10] vs. late: 9 [7-9]). In the late window, 42 (95%) strokes were of unknown onset. Similar proportions of sHT occurred at 24 hours (early: 12 [6%] vs. late: 4 [9%], p = 0.43). At 3 months, the proportion of patients achieving functional independence (mRS 0-2) were comparable in the early (80/192 [42%]) and late (16/41 [39%]) windows (p = 0.76). CONCLUSION: NCCT- and CTA-based patient selection led to similar functional independence outcomes and low proportions of sHT in the early and late windows. In centers without access to perfusion-based neuroimaging, this pragmatic approach could be safe, particularly for strokes of unknown onset.

Implementing a fracture follow-up liaison service: perspective of key stakeholders.

Fracture liaison services (FLS) have been shown to prevent efficiently subsequent fragility fractures (FF). However, very few studies have examined their implementation in depth. The purpose of this research was to identify factors influencing the implementation of a FLS at three sites in Quebec, Canada. From 2013 to 2015, individual and group interviews focused on experiences of FLS stakeholders, including implementation committee members, coordinators, and orthopaedic surgeons and their teams. Emerging key implementation factors were triangulated with the FLS patients' clinico-administrative data. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research guided the analysis of perceived factors influencing four intervention outputs: investigation of FF risk (using the FRAX score), communication with the participant primary care provider, initiation of anti-osteoporosis medications (when relevant), and referral to organized fall prevention activities (either governmental or community based). Among the 454 FLS patients recruited to the intervention group, 83% were investigated for FF risk, communication with the primary care provider was established for 98% of the participants, 54% initiated medication, and 35% were referred to organized fall prevention activities. Challenges related to restricted rights to prescribe medication and access to organized fall prevention activities were reported. FLS coordinator characteristics to overcome those challenges included self-efficacy beliefs, knowledge of community resources, and professional background. This study highlighted the importance of enabling access to services for subsequent FF prevention, consolidating the coordinator's role to facilitate a more integrated intervention, and involving local leaders to promote the successful implementation of the FLS.

Implementing advanced access to primary care in an academic family medicine network: Participatory action research.

OBJECTIVE: To support the implementation of the advanced access model in a network of family medicine academic settings, and to identify solutions to teaching advanced access to family medicine residents. DESIGN: Participatory action research study using descriptive methods. SETTING: A network of 11 academic family medicine settings, mostly located in the province of Quebec. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen academic-setting directors and deputy directors and 125 clinical preceptors. METHODS: The study was carried out from August 2015 through January 2017. Settings were represented by a "community of practice" of academic-setting directors and deputy directors. Data were collected via questionnaires, online surveys, and 4, 60-minute focus groups. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics or thematic analysis. Findings were validated with the community of practice. MAIN FINDINGS: Nearly all of the academic family medicine settings implemented advanced access for their clinical preceptors (90.9%). Four main solutions to teaching advanced access were identified: establishing an optimal panel of patients; ensuring continuity of care during absences and away rotations; optimizing team collaboration; and creating a positive experience of immersion in advanced access. CONCLUSION: An academic-setting community of practice contributed to sharing solutions that were instrumental in broadly implementing the advanced access model and that also paved the way for the integration of advanced access for future family physicians, further supporting timely access to primary care.

Treatment recommendations based on fracture risk status are not consistently provided in osteoporosis guidelines.

We examined international osteoporosis guidelines to determine the tools used to assess fracture risk, the classification of fracture risk presented, and the recommendations based on fracture risk status. We conducted a document analysis of guidelines from the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) website retrieved as of May 10, 2018, focusing on guidelines written in English only. Two reviewers independently reviewed each document and the following data were extracted: (1) fracture risk tool(s) endorsed; (2) classification system used to describe fracture risk status (e.g., low, moderate, high); and (3) recommendations based on risk status (e.g., pharmacological treatment). Two additional reviewers verified all data extraction. A total of 112 guidelines were listed on the IOF website, of which 94 were located either through the provided link or through a PubMed search. Of 70 guidelines written in English, 63 guidelines discussed the concept of fracture risk of which, 39 endorsed FRAX. Twenty-eight guidelines defined fracture risk categories or thresholds which determined recommendations. In total, 26 provided a risk category or threshold which constituted an indication for pharmacotherapy. Twelve guidelines reported a moderate, medium, or intermediate risk category which was associated with variable recommendations for testing and treatment. Despite the generally accepted international shift to fracture risk as a basis for treatment decisions, the majority of guidelines in English did not provide treatment recommendations based on fracture risk status. In guidelines with recommendations based on fracture risk status, thresholds and recommendations varied making international comparisons of treatment difficult.

Patient-Related Factors Associated with Adherence to Recommendations Made by a Fracture Liaison Service: A Mixed-Method Prospective Study.

A Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) has been calculated to be a cost-effective model of care for patients with fragility fracture (FF). Cost-effectiveness can be achieved when adherence to bone health recommendations from FLS staff is high. This prospective study combined participants’ telephone longitudinal survey data (intervention group, n = 354) and interviews with 16 individuals from FLS in three health regions of the province of Quebec (Canada). Participants were recruited between January 2013 and April 2015. Regression models were fit to examine the relationship between participant-related factors and adherence at 12 months to osteoporosis medication, vitamin D supplementation, and participation in physical activity. Participants acknowledging FF as a consequence of osteoporosis were more likely to adhere to medication (odds ratio (OR) 2.5; p = 0.001) and vitamin D supplementation (OR 2.3; p = 0.01). Paradoxically, the same participants were less prone to engage in physical activity (OR 0.5, p = 0.01). Qualitative interviews suggested that feedback from FLS coordinators helped participants understand the underlying cause of their FF. This study highlighted the key roles of FLS staff in helping patients to recognize FF as a sign of underlying bone disease and encouraging adherence to care recommendations.

Decisional needs assessment of patients with complex care needs in primary care: a participatory systematic mixed studies review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with complex care needs (PCCNs) often suffer from combinations of multiple chronic conditions, mental health problems, drug interactions and social vulnerability, which can lead to healthcare services overuse, underuse or misuse. Typically, PCCNs face interactional issues and unmet decisional needs regarding possible options in a cascade of interrelated decisions involving different stakeholders (themselves, their families, their caregivers, their healthcare practitioners). Gaps in knowledge, values clarification and social support in situations where options need to be deliberated hamper effective decision support interventions. This review aims to (1) assess decisional needs of PCCNs from the perspective of stakeholders, (2) build a taxonomy of these decisional needs and (3) prioritise decisional needs with knowledge users (clinicians, patients and managers). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This review will be based on the interprofessional shared decision making (IP-SDM) model and the Ottawa Decision Support Framework. Applying a participatory research approach, we will identify potentially relevant studies through a comprehensive literature search; select relevant ones using eligibility criteria inspired from our previous scoping review on PCCNs; appraise quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool; conduct a three-step synthesis (sequential exploratory mixed methods design) to build taxonomy of key decisional needs; and integrate these results with those of a parallel PCCNs' qualitative decisional need assessment (semistructured interviews and focus group with stakeholders). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This systematic review, together with the qualitative study (approved by the Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Service Sociaux du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean ethical committee), will produce a working taxonomy of key decisional needs (ontological contribution), to inform the subsequent user-centred design of a support tool for addressing PCCNs' decisional needs (practical contribution). We will adapt the IP-SDM model, normally dealing with a single decision, for PCCNs who experience cascade of decisions involving different stakeholders (theoretical contribution). Knowledge users will facilitate dissemination of the results in the Canadian primary care network. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42015020558.

A qualitative study of perceived needs and factors associated with the quality of care for common mental disorders in patients with chronic diseases: the perspective of primary care clinicians and patients.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders is high among patients with chronic diseases in primary care, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates. The detection and treatment of common mental disorders in patients with chronic diseases can be challenging in the primary care setting. This study aims to explore the perceived needs, barriers and facilitators for the delivery of mental health care for patients with coexisting common mental disorders and chronic diseases in primary care from the clinician and patient perspectives. METHODS: In this qualitative descriptive study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with clinicians (family physician, nurse, psychologist, social worker; n = 18) and patients (n = 10) from three primary care clinics in Quebec, Canada. The themes explored included clinician factors (e.g., attitudes, perception of roles, collaboration, management of clinical priorities) and patient factors (e.g., needs, preferences, access to care, communication with health professionals) associated with the delivery of care. Qualitative data analysis was conducted based on an interactive cyclical process of data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing and verification. RESULTS: Clinician interviews highlighted a number of needs, barriers and enablers in the provision of patient services, which related to inter-professional collaboration, access to psychotherapy, polypharmacy as well as communication and coordination of services within the primary care clinic and the local network. Two specific facilitators associated with optimal mental health care were the broadening of nurses' functions in mental health care and the active integration of consulting psychiatrists. Patients corroborated the issues raised by the clinicians, particularly in the domains of whole-person care, service accessibility and care management. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this project will contribute to the development of quality improvement interventions to increase the uptake of organizational and clinical evidence-based practices for patients with chronic diseases and concurrent common mental disorders, in priority areas including collaborative care, access to psychotherapy and linkages with specialized mental health care.

What Do We Know about Individuals Who Are Assessed as Being at Moderate Risk for Future Fracture in Canada?

OBJECTIVE: We examined what was known about individuals in Canada who were assessed as being at moderate risk for future fracture. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted. Eligible articles were Canadian studies published from 2010 onwards reporting on primary data that included patients at moderate risk for future fracture. We limited the search to Canada as fracture risk categorization is unique to each country. Studies were identified by searching relevant databases. Two reviewers independently reviewed titles and abstracts to determine each study's eligibility. General information about each study, demographic information about the moderate risk groups (including tool used to determine moderate risk (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX), Canadian Association of Radiologists and Osteoporosis Canada (CAROC)), and outcomes (number of patients: recommended treatment, prescribed treatment, initiating treatment, persisting with treatment after six months, who re-fractured, who died) were documented. RESULTS: We identified 1193 papers which were further screened for eligibility. Of the 1193 identified, 7 were eligible for the review but only 4 articles contained demographic or outcome data on moderate risk patients. In one study, 1.8% of moderate risk patients died over a mean 5.3 years of observation and in three studies, the risk of fracture was 5.9% over a median of 3 years of follow-up, 8.3% over a mean of 5.4 years, and 14.7% over 10 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: There is a wide knowledge gap in the literature concerning individuals who are assessed as moderate risk for future fracture in Canada.

The World Health Organization Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) underestimates incident and recurrent fractures in consecutive patients with fragility fractures.

CONTEXT: The World Health Organization Fracture Risk Assessment tool (FRAX) was developed to identify patients at risk of sustaining a fragility fracture (FF). OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate estimated FRAX probabilities of FF at the time of a FF and to compare them with the observed incidence of recurrent FF. METHODS: A prospective cohort included men and women older than 50 years at the time of a FF. FRAX scores without bone mineral density [FRAX-body mass index (BMI)] were calculated prior to and after the inclusion FF. Recurrent FFs were recorded over a 4-year follow-up. Determinants associated with recurrent FF were determined by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: FRAX-BMI scores were available in 1399 of the 1409 recruited patients. A high-risk FRAX-BMI score was present in only 42.7% patients before and 56.4% after the incident FF. Most FF patients at low or moderate risk before their initial FF were men, younger than 65 years, or without previous FF. Over a median follow-up of 3 years, recurrent FF occurred in 108 patients (2.69 per 100 patient-years). The overall sensitivity of post-FF FRAX to predict a recurrent FF was 71.3% and was specifically lower in patients younger than 65 years (13%) and without previous FF (63%) at inclusion. CONCLUSIONS: The FRAX-BMI scores were below the Canadian threshold for treatment in more than half the patients at the time of a FF and in close to a third of patients with recurrent FF. FRAX-BMI severely underestimates the FF risk in patients younger than 65 years old and after a single FF.