Results of a National Text Message Poll of Youth: Perspectives on Primary Care.

PURPOSE: There is a significant interest in improving adolescent access to primary care, yet limited attempts to incorporate youth feedback within these efforts. The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences related to primary care among a large national sample of adolescents to improve patient-centered care. METHODS: Youth were sent open-ended text message prompts via an ongoing study of 14- to 24-year-olds in the U.S. Text responses were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis, including descriptive coding, consensus building, and theme development. Secondary quantitative analyses were conducted to determine differences by demographics. RESULTS: Of 1,123 eligible participants, 789 (70.2%) responded to at least one prompt. Four themes were developed: (1) youth recognized the importance of primary care, but barriers exist that limited their utilization; (2) youth felt that improving convenience would increase the use of primary care; (3) youth were unsure how to transition between primary care settings; and (4) feeling respected was essential to youth having positive experiences in a primary care health care setting. Older youth and those identifying as female, nonbinary, or transgender were more likely to report previous bad experiences with primary care. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings describe barriers and possible solutions to primary care among youth. Because attitudes toward health and health care are established during adolescence, a transformation is needed to create more patient-centered care that aligns with young people's values and experiences. Thus, primary care providers have the opportunity to positively impact the health of young people today and the adults of the future.

The Adolescent Champion Model: Primary Care Becomes Adolescent-Centered via Targeted Quality Improvement.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of implementing the Adolescent Champion model, a novel quality improvement program targeted at helping primary care sites become more adolescent-centered. STUDY DESIGN: Nine primary care sites from pediatrics, family medicine, and medicine-pediatrics implemented the Adolescent Champion model. Each site identified a multidisciplinary champion team to undergo training on adolescent-centered care, deliver prepackaged trainings to other staff and providers, make youth-friendly site changes, implement a standardized flow to confidentially screen for risky behaviors, and complete a quality improvement project regarding confidentiality practices. Adolescent patients, staff, and providers were surveyed at baseline, year-end, and 1-year follow-up to assess changes. RESULTS: Adolescent patients' experiences with both their provider and the site overall significantly improved (P values from <.0001 to .004, N = 474 baseline, 386 year-end). Staff perceived an improvement in clinic practices relating to adolescents and in their ability to make institutional and personal change (P < .0001, N = 121 baseline, 109 year-end). The majority of changes were sustained 1-year postintervention. Frequently noted site improvements included: (1) initiating a method to gather feedback from adolescent patients; (2) adding trainings on confidentiality, cultural humility, and using a nonjudgmental approach; (3) updating immunizations at every visit; and (4) training providers in long acting reversible contraception via implant training. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing the Adolescent Champion model successfully helped primary care sites become more adolescent-centered. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of this model on patient outcomes.

Comparative effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention to improve adherence to annual colorectal cancer screening in community health centers: a randomized clinical trial.

IMPORTANCE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are lower among Latinos and people living in poverty. Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) is one recommended screening modality that may overcome cost and access barriers. However, the ability of FOBT to reduce CRC mortality depends on high rates of adherence to annual screening. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a multifaceted intervention increases adherence to annual FOBT compared with usual care. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Patient-level randomized controlled trial conducted in a network of community health centers. Included were 450 patients who had previously completed a home FOBT from March 2011 through February 2012 and had a negative test result: 72% of participants were women; 87% were Latino; 83% stated that Spanish was their preferred language; and 77% were uninsured. INTERVENTIONS: Usual care at participating health centers included computerized reminders, standing orders for medical assistants to give patients home fecal immunochemical tests (FIT), and clinician feedback on CRC screening rates. The intervention group also received (1) a mailed reminder letter, a free FIT with low-literacy instructions, and a postage-paid return envelope; (2) an automated telephone and text message reminding them that they were due for screening and that a FIT was being mailed to them; (3) an automated telephone and text reminder 2 weeks later for those who did not return the FIT; and (4) personal telephone outreach by a CRC screening navigator after 3 months. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Completion of FOBT within 6 months of the date the patient was due for annual screening. RESULTS: Intervention patients were much more likely than those in usual care to complete FOBT (82.2% vs 37.3%; P < .001). Of the 185 intervention patients completing screening, 10.2% completed prior to their due date (intervention was not given), 39.6% within 2 weeks (after initial intervention), 24.0% within 2 to 13 weeks (after automated call/text reminder), and 8.4% between 13 and 26 weeks (after personal call). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This intervention greatly increased adherence to annual CRC screening; most screenings were achieved without personal calls. It is possible to improve annual CRC screening for vulnerable populations with relatively low-cost strategies that are facilitated by health information technologies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01453894.

Design of a randomized controlled trial to assess the comparative effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention to improve adherence to colorectal cancer screening among patients cared for in a community health center.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is common and leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Although screening with fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) or endoscopy has been shown to decrease CRC mortality, screening rates remain suboptimal. Screening rates are particularly low for people with low incomes and members of underrepresented minority groups. FOBT should be done annually to detect CRC early and to reduce CRC mortality, but this often does not occur. This paper describes the design of a multifaceted intervention to increase long-term adherence to FOBT among poor, predominantly Latino patients, and the design of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of this intervention compared to usual care. METHODS: In this RCT, patients who are due for repeat FOBT are identified in the electronic health record (EHR) and randomized to receive either usual care or a multifaceted intervention. The usual care group includes multiple point-of-care interventions (e.g., standing orders, EHR reminders), performance measurement, and financial incentives to improve CRC screening rates. The intervention augments usual care through mailed CRC screening test kits, low literacy patient education materials, automated phone and text message reminders, in-person follow up calls from a CRC Screening Coordinator, and communication of results to patients along with a reminder card highlighting when the patient is next due for screening. The primary outcome is completion of FOBT within 6 months of becoming due. DISCUSSION: The main goal of the study is to determine the comparative effectiveness of the intervention compared to usual care. Additionally, we want to assess whether or not it is possible to achieve high rates of adherence to CRC screening with annual FOBT, which is necessary for reducing CRC mortality. The intervention relies on technology that is increasingly widespread and declining in cost, including EHR systems, automated phone and text messaging, and FOBTs for CRC screening. We took this approach to ensure generalizability and allow us to rapidly disseminate the intervention through networks of community health centers (CHCs) if the RCT shows the intervention to be superior to usual care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01453894.