Novel Strategies to Increase COVID-19 Testing Among Underserved and Vulnerable Populations in West Virginia.

This project addressed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing barriers in rural West Virginia by providing testing enhancements that included (1) a flexible testing staff, (2) mobile testing, (3) essential supplies, and (4) specialized testing in communities of color. A total of 142 775 polymerase chain reaction tests were performed from December 2021 through February 2022; positivity rates were 21% and 17% in clinics and mobile testing venues, respectively. The project results showed that, within a statewide network of health care clinics, administrators quickly identified and distributed enhancements and thus reduced testing barriers. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(S9):S892-S895. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307004).

Amplifying Expertise in Rural West Virginia through Project ECHO: Impactful Partnerships and Community-Engagement.

BACKGROUND: Limited specialty care access is a major contributor to rural health disparities. Extensions for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) is an innovative training and education strategy to address the need for trained specialty care in rural areas, such as West Virginia (WV). This article describes the successful implementation of ECHO projects in diverse subject areas facilitated by unique partnerships between the WV Clinical and Translational Science Institute (WVCTSI) and its practice partners. WV Project ECHO aims to provide education and training in specialty areas through the use of technology and partnerships. METHODS: A case-based session coupled with a brief relevant didactic presentation is used to amplify rural provider specialty expertise through education of primary care physicians (PCPs) in specific clinical areas. Foundational partnerships and impact are described. CONCLUSIONS: Key lessons learned include leveraging existing partnerships and implementing projects based on provider needs. A unique result of WV Project ECHO is WV Medicaid's decision to accept case presentations made during the Hepatitis C ECHO session as the specialty consultation requirement (e.g., hepatologist or infectious diseases) for Medicaid coverage of hepatitis C drugs, thus increasing the number of patients receiving Hepatitis C treatment. A multi-partnered community approach facilitated by the widespread use of a technology-based provider education platform has facilitated the availability of curative therapy for a potentially fatal disease.

Feasibility of a mHealth Approach to Nutrition Counseling in an Appalachian State.

West Virginia is a rural state with an aging population that may experience barriers to accessing nutritional and lifestyle counseling. This study examined feasibility of an online personalized nutrition tracking application, Good Measures (GM), with patients at seven health care clinics throughout the state. Fourteen healthcare providers and 64 patients 18 years or older with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 and access to the Internet were recruited for this 12-week feasibility study. Patient participants logged meals and exercise into the GM application via smart phone, tablet, or computer and virtually engaged with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) in one-on-one sessions. The primary endpoint was to examine feasibility of the program by usage of the application and feedback questions regarding the benefits and challenges of the application. Participants were predominately white (92%) and female (76%). Minimal improvements in weight and systolic blood pressure were found. Participant attitude survey data declined from 4-weeks to 12-weeks of the intervention. Interestingly though, patients in a rural clinic had lesser declines in attitudes than peri-urban participants. Qualitative feedback data identified participants predominately had a positive overall feeling toward the approach. Participants expressed favorability of RDN access, the variety of foods, but did give suggestions for in-person meetings and more updating of the application. Implementing a technology approach to nutrition in rural areas of West Virginia using a mobile application with RDN access may be one strategy to address public health issues such as obesity.

Residents' Views on Research and Quality Improvement Training Can Guide Practice-Based Research Network Collaboration.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted by the West Virginia Practice-Based Research Network Learning Collaborative to assess research activity, confidence, and attitudes toward residency programs' research and quality improvement requirements and inform the integration of the state-wide practice-based research network (PBRN) as mentors to support practice transformation implementation initiatives across various resident training sites in West Virginia. METHODS: This pilot study assessed residents' attitudes regarding (1) research activity, (2) confidence and (3) requirements of their program in research and quality improvement training by using an anonymous survey, administered during regular residency meetings. RESULTS: Of the 68 residents,representing four DO and MD Family Medicine residency programs in West Virginia, 40 (58.8%) responded to the survey. About 64 percent of residents had worked on a quality improvement project, and more than half of residents (52.5%) submitted a research project for a competitive presentation within the most recent year. Sixty-five percent felt satisfied with the residency program's research and quality improvement curriculum. However, only 55 percent felt confident to perform a project and 52 percent submitted a project to a competitive forum. CONCLUSION: Only half of the residents demonstrate activity and confidence in research and quality improvement. This shows an opportunity to assess current curriculums and provide new strategies to enhance their ability to conduct practice transformation initiatives.

Dissemination Approaches to Participating Primary Care Providers in a Quality Improvement Program Addressing Opioid Use in Central Appalachia.

OBJECTIVES: Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) have been described as new clinical laboratories for primary care research and dissemination. PBRNs, however, have struggled to disseminate research results in a meaningful way to participating providers and clinics. METHODS: The Central Appalachia Inter-Professional Pain Education Collaborative was developed to work with PBRN clinics using quality improvement methods, deliver statewide continuing education activities to address the issue of opioid use in patients with chronic pain, and develop a multimodal mechanism to disseminate project results to clinics and participating providers. RESULTS: Successful change in the delivery of chronic pain care was dependent on the clinic's commitment to a team-based, patient-centered approach. Statistically significant improvements were shown in 10 of 16 process measures, and 80% of the participants agreed that the quality improvement process activity increased their knowledge and would improve their performance in managing patients with chronic pain, as well as patient outcomes in their practice. CONCLUSIONS: The Central Appalachia Inter-Professional Pain Education Collaborative project used an extensive and innovative dissemination plan under the rubric of "continual dissemination." Unlike traditional dissemination efforts that focus on summary presentations, this initiative used a continual dissemination approach that updated participants quarterly through multiple means throughout the project, which improved engagement in the project.