"Advocates for Each Other": The creation and evaluation of a pragmatic peer navigation program for black patients in primary care with uncontrolled hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Black individuals in the U.S. and in our primary care clinic experience worse control of blood pressure compared to White individuals. OBJECTIVE: To address this inequity, our objectives were to (1) elicit from patients and community members their ideas for barriers and facilitators to blood pressure control; and (2) use their input to design and pilot a navigator program for Black patients in our clinic to improve blood pressure management. PATIENT INVOLVEMENT: We conducted three focus groups with 27 individuals and identified two main areas of need that informed the peer navigator program: (1) community-based services and (2) skill development for hypertension self-management. METHODS: Peer navigators from the Black community called participants at least monthly for 6-12 months and connected them with medical and social services. Available blood pressure data was used as the primary outcome to measure change pre- to post-peer navigation program. RESULTS: Among 499 eligible patients in the clinic, 53 (10.6%) enrolled in the peer navigation program. For those with baseline and follow-up blood pressure data, mean systolic blood pressure decreased from 155.9 to 142.4 mmHg after the program (change of -13.6, 95% CI -24.7 to -2.4) for the enrolled patients (N = 17) and from 139.1 to 137.1 mmHg (change of -2.5, -4.8 to 1.9) for unenrolled, comparison patients (N = 183). DISCUSSION: This community-informed peer navigation program to support Black patients with uncontrolled hypertension led to a 11.1 mmHg greater decrease in average systolic blood pressure for enrolled patients compared to the comparison group. However, the enrolled group started with a significantly higher systolic blood pressure at baseline with more room for improvement. While this study was conducted during the pandemic years, low uptake of this program needs to be addressed in expansion efforts. PRACTICAL VALUE: Clinic-based peer navigation for hypertension improved blood pressure control and was highly regarded by the subset of enrolled patients. Increasing uptake and sustainable funding for non-billable clinic roles remain areas of need. FUNDING: Grant from the Pacific Hospital Preservation & Development Authority.

Development and Evaluation of Integrated Diabetes Curricula for Teaching Gene by Environment Concepts to High School Health and Biology Students.

The authors designed an integrated type 2 diabetes (T2D) curricula to model real-world complexity for high school biology and health students, highlighting interactions between genetic, biologic, environmental, and social factors, and modeling prevention and intervention activities. We evaluated the curriculum with two samples of students (888 historical comparison [no exposure] and 2,122 intervention students [received the T2D curricula]). Students completed pre-post assessments that were analyzed for knowledge gains and changes in self-efficacy to engage in healthy behaviors. Correct posttest answers in the intervention group increased by 24% versus 1% (biology) and 3% (health) of comparison students (p < .001); mean (sd) self-efficacy scores increased for biology [3.2 (25.2)] and health [1.5 (7.2), both p < .0001)]. COVID-19 prompted mandatory online teaching starting in March 2020 resulting in more health (65%) than biology students (47%, p < .001) doing the curriculum in virtual/hybrid classrooms, yet posttest knowledge gains were similar for these students learning in class or online (p = .47). Students' "take-home" messages mentioned the importance of prevention (64%), physiological mechanisms for developing T2D (54%), and environmental factors (17%). The curricula successfully delivered cross-disciplinary content without placing undue burden on teachers to create and sustain integrated learning systems.

An Embedded Curriculum to Teach Critical Incident Debriefing to Internal Medicine Residents.

Background Internal medicine residents frequently experience distressing clinical events; critical event debriefing is one tool to help mitigate their effects. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a 1-hour workshop teaching residents a novel, efficient approach to leading a team debrief after emotionally charged clinical events. Methods An internal needs assessment identified time and confidence as debriefing barriers. In response, we created the STREAM (Structured, Timely, Reflection, tEAM-based) framework, a 15-minute structured approach to leading a debrief. Senior residents participated in a 1-hour workshop on the first day of an inpatient medicine rotation to learn the STREAM framework. To evaluate learning outcomes, participants completed the same survey immediately before and after the session, and at the end of their 4-week rotation. Senior residents at another site who did not complete the workshop also evaluated their comfort leading debriefs. Results Fifty out of 65 senior residents (77%) participated in the workshop. After the workshop, participants felt more prepared to lead debriefs, learned a structured format for debriefing, and felt they had enough time to lead debriefs. Thirty-four of 50 (68%) workshop participants and 20 of 41 (49%) comparison residents completed the end-of-rotation survey. Senior residents who participated in the workshop were more likely than nonparticipants to report feeling prepared to lead debriefs. Conclusions A brief workshop is an effective method for teaching a framework for leading a team debrief.

Variable Practice, Variable Results: Impact of Postinterview Communication Practices Among Critical Care Medicine/Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Applicants and Program Directors.

BACKGROUND: Although postinterview communication (PIC) guidelines exist, adherence is voluntary. There are no studies of PIC practices in critical care medicine (CCM) and pulmonary and critical care medicine (PCCM) fellowship recruitment. RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the frequency, format, goals, and content of PIC between CCM/PCCM applicants and program directors? What is the impact of PIC on applicant and program rank order lists (ROLs)? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: CCM/PCCM applicants and program directors were separately surveyed after the 2022-2023 National Resident Matching Program Specialty Match. Surveys included multiple-choice, Likert-scale, and two free text questions. Thematic content analysis of free text responses was performed. RESULTS: One-third of eligible participants responded (applicants: n = 373 [34%]; program directors: n = 86 [32%]). Applicant respondents applied to CCM (19%), PCCM (69%), or both (12%). Program directors represented CCM (17%), PCCM (57%), or both (26%) programs. Applicant (66%) and program director (49%) respondents reported initiating PIC. PIC did not impact ROL decision for most applicants (73%) or program directors (83%), though 21% of applicants and 17% of program directors moved programs or applicants up on their ROL in response to PIC. One-quarter (23%) of applicants strongly agreed or agreed that PIC was helpful in creating their ROL, 27% strongly disagreed or disagreed, and 29% were neutral. PIC challenges identified by both groups included time; lack of uniformity; peer pressure; misleading language; and uncertainty about motives, rules, and response protocols. INTERPRETATION: PIC is common among CCM/PCCM applicants and program directors. About 50% of applicants and 20% of program directors share ranking intentions via PIC. Although PIC did not impact ROL for most applicants and program directors, a minority of applicants and program directors moved programs up on their ROL after receiving PIC from the other party. Applicants have mixed perspectives on PIC value. Applicants and program directors alike desire clear guidance on PIC to minimize ambiguous and misleading communication.

Addiction Services for Veterans: Opportunities in Acute Care.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the proportion of total hospital discharges that involved a primary or secondary substance-related diagnosis code (SubDx) on inpatient medicine, psychiatry, and surgery services as part of a needs assessment for inpatient addiction consultation at our large, academic-affiliated Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital. METHODS: We first calculated the percentage of total and service-specific discharges with a primary or secondary substance-related International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision , code on all inpatient services (medicine, psychiatry, and surgery) in Fiscal Year 2017, 2018, and 2019, using facility-level data. Second, we calculated the proportion of total discharges that involved alcohol- and opioid-related diagnoses. RESULTS: Over the 3 years studied, 29% of total discharges had a SubDx (4469 of 15,575). The proportion of total discharges that involved a SubDx was 23% (1246 of 5449) in 2017, 31% (1664 of 5332) in 2018, and 33% in 2019 (1559 of 4794), a statistically significant increase ( P < 0.001). As a percentage of service-specific discharges, 65% of discharges from psychiatry (1446 of 2217) had a SubDx, compared with 25% from medicine (2469 of 9713), and 15% from surgery (554 of 3645). Medicine services had the most discharges with SubDx, with a year-over-year increase in the number of discharges with SubDx. The percentage of total discharges that involved alcohol- and opioid-related diagnoses was 14% and 4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Substance-related diagnoses are prevalent at our hospital and are increasing over time. The largest number of discharges with SubDx was found on medicine services. Alcohol-related diagnoses were nearly 4 times more prevalent than opioid-related diagnoses. We found focused need around alcohol use and alcohol withdrawal.

Peri-procedural code status for transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Absence of program policies and standard practices.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about policies and practices for patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) who have a documented preference for Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) status at time of referral. We investigated how practices across TAVR programs align with goals of care for patients presenting with DNR status. METHODS: Between June and September 2019, we conducted semi-structured interviews with TAVR coordinators from 52/73 invited programs (71%) in Washington and California (TAVR volume > 100/year:34%; 50-99:36%; 1-50:30%); 2 programs reported no TAVR in 2018. TAVR coordinators described peri-procedural code status policies and practices and how they accommodate patients' goals of care. We used data from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Valve Therapy Registry, stratified by programs' DNR practice, to examine differences in program size, patient characteristics and risk status, and outcomes. RESULTS: Nearly all TAVR programs (48/50: 96%) addressed peri-procedural code status, yet only 26% had established policies. Temporarily rescinding DNR status until after TAVR was the norm (78%), yet time frames for reinstatement varied (38% <48 h post-TAVR; 44% 48 h-to-discharge; 18% >30 days post-discharge). For patients with fluctuating code status, no routine practices for discharge documentation were well-described. No clinically substantial differences by code status practice were noted in Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality risk score, peri-procedural or in-hospital cardiac arrest, or hospice disposition. Six programs maintaining DNR status recognized TAVR as a palliative procedure. Among programs categorically reversing patients' DNR status, the rationale for differing lengths of time to reinstatement reflect divergent views on accountability and reporting requirements. CONCLUSIONS: Marked heterogeneity exists in management of peri-procedural code status across TAVR programs, including timeframe for reestablishing DNR status post-procedure. These findings call for standardization of DNR decisions at specific care points (before/during/after TAVR) to ensure consistent alignment with patients' health-related goals and values.

Women's health for a primary care workforce.

BACKGROUND: Primary care training should include competencies to provide reproductive health services. In the United Sates, primary care is often provided by general internal medicine physicians. Longitudinal training experiences for internal medicine residents in women's health increase knowledge, skills and retention in careers in women's health, but very little literature describes their implementation. The purpose of this paper is to describe the implementation and evaluation of a 2-year women's health training pathway in Internal Medicine. APPROACH: Using the Context, Input, Process, Product (CIPP) model, we describe the salient features of a complex, longitudinal educational intervention at the development, planning and evaluation stages within a large academic medical centre. EVALUATION: In 2019, we conducted interviews with the pathway participants (N = 6) in the first 3 years of the programme and used the CIPP framework and Kirkpatrick's Model as an a priori codebook for analysis. Participants reported high fidelity and that the training was relevant and appropriate to meet their needs. Practicing clinicians similarly reported that training was relevant and useful and met desired goals for knowledge and integrated approaches to care. Trainees reported unexpected benefits of identity formation and a community of practice. IMPLICATIONS: These results suggest that longitudinal training pathways are an effective way to train Internal Medicine residents to provide comprehensive care to women. This study has broader applications for health professions education, providing a model for implementation and evaluation of complex educational interventions in large organisations. Future research should focus on dissemination to train a workforce prepared to offer evidence-based care to women throughout their lifespan.

Acute and Posttraumatic Stress in Family Members of Children With a Prolonged Stay in a PICU: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of screening criteria for acute and posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSDs) and stress symptoms among family members of children in the PICU for more than 8 days and examine risk factors for stress symptoms. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial of a palliative care intervention conducted between 2010 and 2014. SETTING: An urban pediatric hospital in Seattle, WA. SUBJECTS: The sample included 377 family members of 220 children. INTERVENTIONS: Family Communication Study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Outcomes were symptom scores and diagnostic screening criteria for acute stress disorder (ASD) and PTSD. Predictors included demographic- and admission-related characteristics and hypothesized risk factors for developing stress-related mental health disorders. The mean score for acute stress symptoms during the ICU stay was 40.3 (sd = 13.8) and 59 family members in total met diagnostic screening criteria for ASD during hospitalization (15.6%). At 3-month follow-up, the mean score for posttraumatic stress symptoms was 30.8 (sd = 12.9) and 52 family members met diagnostic criteria for PTSD (13.8%). Factors associated with meeting ASD screening criteria were unplanned admission and poorer family relationships. Factors associated with PTSD symptoms and diagnosis were longer length of stay, meeting ASD criteria during admission, child's death, and less perceived social support. CONCLUSIONS: Meeting screening criteria for PTSD was associated with demographic, length of stay, and family relationships among family members of seriously ill children. PTSD outcomes were higher among family members whose child died. This study helps identify risk factors that can be used to target needed psychosocial screening, monitoring and support during and following a prolonged PICU admission, as well as family-centered interventions and supportive bereavement intervention for the family members of a deceased child.

Internal Medicine Residents' Perceptions of Virtual Morning Report: a Multicenter Survey.

IMPORTANCE: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted graduate medical education, compelling training programs to abruptly transition to virtual educational formats despite minimal experience or proficiency. We surveyed residents from a national sample of internal medicine (IM) residency programs to describe their experiences with the transition to virtual morning report (MR), a highly valued core educational conference. OBJECTIVE: Assess resident views about virtual MR content and teaching strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Anonymous, web-based survey. PARTICIPANTS: Residents from 14 academically affiliated IM residency programs. MAIN MEASURES: The 25-item survey on virtual MR included questions on demographics; frequency and reason for attending; opinions on who should attend and teach; how the virtual format affects the learning environment; how virtual MR compares to in-person MR with regard to participation, engagement, and overall education; and whether virtual MR should continue after in-person conferences can safely resume. The survey included a combination of Likert-style, multiple option, and open-ended questions. RESULTS: Six hundred fifteen residents (35%) completed the survey, with a balanced sample of interns (39%), second-year (31%), and third-year (30%) residents. When comparing their overall assessment of in-person and virtual MR formats, 42% of residents preferred in-person, 18% preferred virtual, and 40% felt they were equivalent. Most respondents endorsed better peer-engagement, camaraderie, and group participation with in-person MR. Chat boxes, video participation, audience response systems, and smart boards/tablets enhanced respondents' educational experience during virtual MR. Most respondents (72%) felt that the option of virtual MR should continue when it is safe to resume in-person conferences. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual MR was a valued alternative to traditional in-person MR during the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents feel that the virtual platform offers unique educational benefits independent of and in conjunction with in-person conferences. Residents support the integration of a virtual platform into the delivery of MR in the future.

Harnessing the Electronic Health Record to Actively Support Providers with Guideline-Directed Telemetry Use.

BACKGROUND: Overuse of cardiac telemetry monitoring (telemetry) can lead to alarm fatigue, discomfort for patients, and unnecessary medical costs. Currently there are evidence-based recommendations describing appropriate telemetry use, but many providers are unaware of these guidelines. OBJECTIVES: At our multihospital health system, our goal was to support providers in ordering telemetry on acute care in accordance with evidence-based guidelines and discontinuing telemetry when it was no longer medically indicated. METHODS: We implemented a multipronged electronic health record (EHR) intervention at two academic medical centers, including: (1) an order set requiring providers to choose an indication for telemetry with a recommended duration based on American Heart Association guidelines; (2) an EHR-generated reminder page to the primary provider recommending telemetry discontinuation once the guideline-recommended duration for telemetry is exceeded; and (3) documentation of telemetry interpretation by telemetry technicians in the notes section of the EHR. To determine the impact of the intervention, we compared number of telemetry orders actively discontinued prior to discharge and telemetry duration 1 year pre- to 1 year post-intervention on acute care medicine services. We evaluated sustainability at years 2 and 3. RESULTS: Implementation of the EHR initiative resulted in a statistically significant increase in active discontinuation of telemetry orders prior to discharge: 15% (63.4-78.7%) at one site and 13% at the other (64.1-77.4%) with greater improvements on resident teams. Fewer acute care medicine telemetry orders were placed on medicine services across the system (1,503-1,305) despite an increase in admissions and the average duration of telemetry decreased at both sites (62 to 47 hours, p < 0.001 and 73 to 60, p < 0.001, respectively). Improvements were sustained 2 and 3 years after intervention. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that a low-cost, multipart, EHR-based intervention with active provider engagement and no additional education can decrease telemetry usage on acute care medicine services.

Prevalence and Characteristics of House Staff Quality and Safety Councils Within Clinical Learning Environments: Results of a National Survey.

House Staff Quality and Safety Councils (HQSCs) are relatively new multispecialty groups led by residents and fellows that focus on quality and safety activities at their training site. The authors sought to estimate the prevalence of HQSCs, describe their common characteristics and determine any perceived impacts. A national survey was conducted with Designated Institutional Officers (DIO) of graduate medical education programs in 2019. For institutions with an HQSC, a second survey was sent to program leaders to obtain additional details. Responses were obtained from 204 DIOs, 47% of whom currently have an HQSC. Forty-five percent of sites provided details about HQSC membership, leadership, funding, activities/initiatives, facilitators, and barriers. The majority reported positive program outcomes. This study found that HQSCs are common and share key characteristics, yet at the same time have many unique features tailored to their clinical learning environment. Participants report positive outcomes associated with these groups.

Internal Medicine Residents' Perceptions of Morning Report: a Multicenter Survey.

BACKGROUND: Residents rate morning report (MR) as an essential educational activity. Little contemporary evidence exists to guide medical educators on the optimal content or most effective delivery strategies, particularly in the era of resident duty-hour limitations and shifts towards learner-centric pedagogy in graduate medical education. OBJECTIVE: Assess resident views about MR content and teaching strategies. DESIGN: Anonymous, online survey. PARTICIPANTS: Internal medicine residents from 10 VA-affiliated residency programs. MAIN MEASURES: The 20-item survey included questions on demographics; frequency and reason for attending; opinions on who should attend, who should teach, and how to prioritize the teaching; and respondents' comfort level with participating in MR. The survey included a combination of Likert-style and multiple-choice questions with the option for multiple responses. KEY RESULTS: A total of 497 residents (46%) completed the survey, with a balanced sample of R1s (33%), R2s (35%), and R3s (31%). Self-reported MR attendance was high (31% always attend; 39% attend > 50% of the time), with clinical duties being the primary barrier to attendance (85%). Most respondents felt that medical students (89%), R1 (96%), and R2/R3s (96%) should attend MR; there was less consensus regarding including attendings (61%) or fellows (34%). Top-rated educational topics included demonstration of clinical reasoning (82%), evidence-based medicine (77%), and disease pathophysiology (53%). Respondents valued time spent on diagnostic work-up (94%), management (93%), and differential building (90%). Overall, 82% endorsed feeling comfortable speaking; fewer R1s reported comfort (76%) compared with R2s (87%) or R3s (83%, p = 0.018). Most (81%) endorsed that MR was an inclusive learning environment (81%), with no differences by level of training. CONCLUSIONS: MR remains a highly regarded, well-attended educational conference. Residents value high-quality cases that emphasize clinical reasoning, diagnosis, and management. A supportive, engaging learning environment with expert input and concise, evidence-based teaching is desired.

Turning Towards Greater Equity and Access with Online Teacher Professional Development.

Access to professional development opportunities promotes equity for both teachers and students. We identified time, distance, and childcare needs as limiting factors for teachers seeking to attend our conference workshops and in-person professional development opportunities. Therefore, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid shift to online learning, the Genome Sciences Education Outreach (GSEO) program transitioned to online professional development for the NIGMS sponsored SEPA grant Genes Environment and Me Network (GEMNet) program. Our program was well positioned to support teachers in our network by providing online PD that included technology support and rapid access to our online curriculum for use for distance learning. Here we share the process of creating online PD as well as converting our materials to the digital environment. Additionally, we provide survey data and lessons learned from eight online PD trainings from January 2020 to January 2021 for both Health/Family and Consumer Science Teachers (n=20) and Biology Teachers (n=23). Notably, Teachers provided feedback affirming our initial reasons for providing online PD, and appreciated being supported at an overwhelmingly difficult time to be an educator. Our findings support the need for both online and in-person professional development opportunities for future programs.

Hospital and Health System Policies Concerning the California End of Life Option Act.

Background: The End of Life Option Act (EOLOA) legalized physician aid in dying for competent, terminally ill Californians in 2016. The law allows clinicians, hospitals, and health systems to decide whether to participate. About 4 in 10 California hospitals permit the EOLOA, but little is known about their approaches and concerns. Objective: Describe hospital EOLOA policies and challenges. Design and Measurements: Survey study of hospitals in California, administered September 2017 to March 2018. We describe hospital policies concerning the EOLOA and perform thematic analysis of open-ended questions about challenges, including availability of providers, process of implementing EOLOA, experiences of distress by providers and patients, and questions about medications. Results: Of 315 hospitals surveyed, 270 (86%) responded. Every surveyed hospital had established a position on the EOLOA. Among hospitals permitting EOLOA, 38% required safeguards not required in the law, 87% provided for referral to another provider if the patient's physician did not participate, and 65% counseled staff, if needed. Among hospitals not permitting the EOLOA, nearly all allowed providers to follow patients choosing to pursue the EOLOA elsewhere and most permitted a provider to refer to another provider or system. Most hospitals expressed concerns about implementation of the EOLOA and interest in sharing promising practices. Conclusions: This survey of California hospitals demonstrates considerable heterogeneity in implementing the EOLOA. For many Californians, access to the EOLOA depends on where one receives medical care. Implementation would be improved by hospitals and health systems sharing promising practices.

The Influence of Multimorbidity on Health Care Utilization at the End of Life for Patients with Chronic Conditions.

Objective: To evaluate the association between the number of chronic conditions and hospital utilization at the end of life. Background: An understanding of the association of multimorbidity with health care utilization at the end of life may inform interventions to improve quality of care for these patients. Methods: A mortality follow-back analysis using Washington State death records and electronic health records. Subject included patients in the UW Medicine system who had at least one chronic condition and died between 2010 and 2015. Utilization was measured by inpatient admissions, emergency department use, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in the last 30 days of life. Results: For all utilization types, patients with three or more chronic conditions (n = 5124) had significantly higher utilization (p < 0.001) in the last 30 days of life than those with two (n = 5775) or one condition (n = 11,169). Comparing 3 versus 2 versus 1 conditions, the following percentages of patients had each type of utilization: inpatient admissions (37% vs. 28% vs. 19%), ED admissions (5% vs. 4% vs. 2%), and ICU care (28% vs. 20% vs. 12%). Discussion: Multimorbidity was associated with greater health care utilization at the end of life among patients representing a range of ages and covered by diverse insurers.