Decision support needs of kidney transplant candidates regarding the deceased donor waiting list: A qualitative study and conceptual framework.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant candidates face complex decisions about transplant options such as living donation or acceptance of lower quality kidneys. We sought to characterize knowledge and decision support needs regarding kidney transplant outcomes and options. METHODS: We conducted 10 interviews and four focus groups of 28 adult kidney transplant candidates from two centers in Minnesota. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using a grounded theory approach. RESULTS: We identified four themes: First, candidates have a limited understanding of treatment options and demonstrate confusion or a lack of awareness about waiting list outcomes and prognosis. Second, candidates desired frank discussions about likely outcomes and individualized prognosis. Third, emotional barriers impact how patients make informed decisions. Finally, participants relied on the support of family and friends to help process information, and many favored the medical community engaging their family and friends in their medical decisions. These findings were incorporated into a conceptual model to support kidney transplant candidates in medical decision making. CONCLUSIONS: Transplant candidates had limited understanding about treatment options and outcomes on the kidney transplant waiting list. Individualized risk information and cognitive approaches that recognize how patients process information and balance competing risks may improve informed decision making.

Contribution of patient, physician, and environmental factors to demographic and health variation in colonoscopy follow-up for abnormal colorectal cancer screening test results.

BACKGROUND: Patient, physician, and environmental factors were identified, and the authors examined the contribution of these factors to demographic and health variation in colonoscopy follow-up after a positive fecal occult blood test/fecal immunochemical test (FOBT/FIT) screening. METHODS: In total, 76,243 FOBT/FIT-positive patients were identified from 120 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities between August 16, 2009 and March 20, 2011 and were followed for 6 months. Patient demographic (race/ethnicity, sex, age, marital status) and health characteristics (comorbidities), physician characteristics (training level, whether primary care provider) and behaviors (inappropriate FOBT/FIT screening), and environmental factors (geographic access, facility type) were identified from VHA administrative records. Patient behaviors (refusal, private sector colonoscopy use) were estimated with statistical text mining conducted on clinic notes, and follow-up predictors and adjusted rates were estimated using hierarchical logistic regression. RESULTS: Roughly 50% of individuals completed a colonoscopy at a VHA facility within 6 months. Age and comorbidity score were negatively associated with follow-up. Blacks were more likely to receive follow-up than whites. Environmental factors attenuated but did not fully account for these differences. Patient behaviors (refusal, private sector colonoscopy use) and physician behaviors (inappropriate screening) fully accounted for the small reverse race disparity and attenuated variation by age and comorbidity score. Patient behaviors (refusal and private sector colonoscopy use) contributed more to variation in follow-up rates than physician behaviors (inappropriate screening). CONCLUSIONS: In the VHA, blacks are more likely to receive colonoscopy follow-up for positive FOBT/FIT results than whites, and follow-up rates markedly decline with advancing age and comorbidity burden. Patient and physician behaviors explain race variation in follow-up rates and contribute to variation by age and comorbidity burden. Cancer 2017;123:3502-12. Published 2017. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Similar perspectives on prostate cancer screening value and new guidelines across patient demographic and PSA level subgroups: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: In 2012, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based prostate cancer screening for all men. OBJECTIVE: To inform educational materials addressing patient questions and concerns about the 2012 USPSTF guidelines, we sought to: (i) characterize patient perceptions about prostate cancer screening benefits, harms and recommendations against screening, and (ii) compare perceptions across race, age and PSA level subgroups. METHODS: We conducted qualitative interviews with a sample of 26 men from the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, stratified by race (African American, other), age (50-69, 70-84) and PSA level (documented PSA level ≥4 in Veterans Health Administration electronic medical records vs no such documentation). We used an inductive approach informed by grounded theory to analyse transcribed interviews. RESULTS: Most men in all subgroups expressed misperceptions about the benefits of prostate cancer screening and had difficulty identifying harms associated with screening. In all subgroups, reactions to recommendations against screening ranged from unconditionally receptive to highly resistant. Some men in every subgroup initially resistant to the idea said they would accept a recommendation to discontinue screening from their provider. CONCLUSIONS: Given the similarity of perceptions and reactions across subgroups, materials targeted by race, age and PSA level may not be necessary. Efforts to inform decision making about prostate cancer screening should address misperceptions about benefits and lack of awareness of harms. Provider perspectives and recommendations may play a pivotal role in shaping patient reactions to new guidelines.

Factors Associated With Missed and Cancelled Colonoscopy Appointments at Veterans Health Administration Facilities.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Cancelled and missed colonoscopy appointments waste resources, increase colonoscopy delays, and can adversely affect patient outcomes. We examined individual and organizational factors associated with missed and cancelled colonoscopy appointments in Veteran Health Administration facilities. METHODS: From 69 facilities meeting inclusion criteria, we identified 27,994 patients with colonoscopy appointments scheduled for follow-up, on the basis of positive fecal occult blood test results, between August 16, 2009 and September 30, 2011. We identified factors associated with colonoscopy appointment status (completed, cancelled, or missed) by using hierarchical multinomial regression. Individual factors examined included age, race, sex, marital status, residence, drive time to nearest specialty care facility, limited life expectancy, comorbidities, colonoscopy in the past decade, referring facility type, referral month, and appointment lead time. Organizational factors included facility region, complexity, appointment reminders, scheduling, and prep education practices. RESULTS: Missed appointments were associated with limited life expectancy (odds ratio [OR], 2.74; P = .0004), no personal history of polyps (OR, 2.74; P < .0001), high facility complexity (OR, 2.69; P = .007), dual diagnosis of psychiatric disorders and substance abuse (OR, 1.82; P < .0001), and opt-out scheduling (OR, 1.57; P = .02). Cancelled appointments were associated with age (OR, 1.61; P = .0005 for 85 years or older and OR, 1.44; P < .0001 for 65-84 years old), no history of polyps (OR, 1.51; P < .0001), and opt-out scheduling (OR, 1.26; P = .04). Additional predictors of both outcomes included race, marital status, and lead time. CONCLUSIONS: Several factors within Veterans Health Administration clinic control can be targeted to reduce missed and cancelled colonoscopy appointments. Specifically, developing systems to minimize referrals for patients with limited life expectancy could reduce missed appointments, and use of opt-in scheduling and reductions in appointment lead time could improve both outcomes.

Rates and correlates of potentially inappropriate colorectal cancer screening in the Veterans Health Administration.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate use of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening procedures can inflate healthcare costs and increase medical risk. Little is known about the prevalence or causes of inappropriate CRC screening. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of potentially inappropriate CRC screening, and its association with patient and facility characteristics in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) . DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of all VHA patients aged 50 years and older who completed a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or a screening colonoscopy between 1 October 2009 and 31 December 2011 (n = 1,083,965). MAIN MEASURES: Measures included: proportion of patients whose test was classified as potentially inappropriate; associations between potentially inappropriate screening and patient demographic and health characteristics, facility complexity, CRC screening rates, dependence on FOBT, and CRC clinical reminder attributes. KEY RESULTS: Of 901,292 FOBT cases, 26.1 % were potentially inappropriate (13.9 % not due, 7.8 % limited life expectancy, 11.0 % receiving FOBT when colonoscopy was indicated). Of 134,335 screening colonoscopies, 14.2 % were potentially inappropriate (10.4 % not due, 4.4 % limited life expectancy). Each additional 10 years of patient age was associated with an increased likelihood of undergoing potentially inappropriate screening (ORs = 1.60 to 1.83 depending on screening mode). Compared to facilities scoring in the bottom third on a measure of reliance on FOBT (versus screening colonoscopy), facilities scoring in the top third were less likely to conduct potentially inappropriate FOBTs (OR = 0.,78) but more likely to conduct potentially inappropriate colonoscopies (OR = 2.20). Potentially inappropriate colonoscopies were less likely to be conducted at facilities where primary care providers were assigned partial responsibility (OR = 0.74) or full responsibility (OR = 0.73) for completing the CRC clinical reminder. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial number of VHA CRC screening tests are potentially inappropriate. Establishing processes that enforce appropriate screening intervals, triage patients with limited life expectancies, and discourage the use of FOBTs when a colonoscopy is indicated may reduce inappropriate testing.

Examining the surgical stress effects (SSE) framework in practice: A qualitative assessment of perceived sources and consequences of intraoperative stress in surgical teams.

BACKGROUND: Surgical adverse events persist despite extensive improvement efforts. Emotional and behavioral responses to stressors may influence intraoperative performance, as illustrated in the surgical stress effects (SSE) framework. However, the SSE has not been assessed using "real world" data. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with all surgical team roles at one midwestern VA hospital and elicited narratives involving intraoperative stress. Two coders inductively identified codes from transcripts. The team identified themes among codes and assessed concordance with the SSE framework. RESULTS: Throughout 28 interviews, we found surgical stress was ubiquitous, associated with a variety of factors, including adverse events. Stressors often elicited frustration, anger, fear, and anxiety; behavioral reactions to negative emotions frequently were perceived to degrade individual/team performance and compromise outcomes. Narratives were consistent with the SSE framework and support adding a process outcome (efficiency) and illustrating how adverse events can feedback and acutely increase job demands and stress. CONCLUSION: This qualitative study describes narratives of intraoperative stress, finding they are consistent with the SSE while also allowing minor improvements to the current framework.

Bringing an organizational perspective to the optimal number of colorectal cancer screening options debate.

Improving colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates represents a challenge for primary care providers. Some have argued that offering a choice of CRC screening modes to patients will improve the currently low adherence rates. Others have raised concerns that offering numerous CRC screening options in practice could overwhelm patients and thus dampen enthusiasm for screening. In this article we assemble evidence to critically evaluate the relative merit of these opposing views. We find little evidence to support the hypothesis that the number of options offered will affect adherence (either positively or negatively), or that expanding the modalities offered beyond FOBT and colonoscopy will improve patient satisfaction. Therefore, we assert future decisions about the number of CRC screening modes to offer would more productively be focused on considerations such as what benefit the health-care organization would derive from offering additional modes, and how this change would affect other critical components of a successful screening program such as timely diagnosis. In light of these organizational level considerations, we agree with the assertion made by others that a screening program limited to FOBT and colonoscopy is likely to be ideal in most settings.

Levels and variation in overuse of fecal occult blood testing in the Veterans Health Administration.

BACKGROUND: Policy-makers have called for efforts to reduce overuse of cancer screening tests, including colorectal cancer screening (CRCS). Overuse of CRCS tests other than colonoscopy has not been well documented. OBJECTIVE: To estimate levels and correlates of fecal occult blood test (FOBT) overuse in a national Veterans Health Administration (VHA) sample. DESIGN: Observational PARTICIPANTS: Participants included 1,844 CRCS-eligible patients who responded to a 2007 CRCS survey conducted in 24 VHA facilities and had one or more FOBTs between 2003 and 2009. MAIN MEASURES: We combined survey data on race, education, and income with administrative data on region, age, gender, CRCS procedures, and outpatient visits to estimate overuse levels and variation. We coded FOBTs as overused if they were conducted <10 months after prior FOBT, <9.5 years after prior colonoscopy, or <4.5 years after prior barium enema. We used multinomial logistic regression models to examine variation in overuse by reason (sooner than recommended after prior FOBT; sooner than recommended after colonoscopy, barium enema, or a combination of procedures), adjusting for clustering of procedures within patients, and patients within facilities. KEY RESULTS: Of 4,236 FOBTs received by participants, 885 (21 %) met overuse criteria, with 323 (8 %) sooner than recommended after FOBT, and 562 (13 %) sooner than recommended after other procedures. FOBT overuse varied across facilities (9-32 %, p<0.0001) and region (12-23 %, p< .0012). FOBT overuse after prior FOBT declined between 2003 and 2009 (8 %-5 %, p= .0492), but overuse after other procedures increased (11-19 %, p= .0002). FOBT overuse of both types increased with number of outpatient visits (OR 1.15, p<0.001), but did not vary by patient demographics. More than 11 % of overused FOBTs were followed by colonoscopy within 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Many FOBTs are performed sooner than recommended in the VHA. Variation in overuse by facility, region, and outpatient visits suggests addressing FOBT overuse will require system-level solutions.

Unintended consequences of implementing a national performance measurement system into local practice.

BACKGROUND: Although benefits of performance measurement (PM) systems have been well documented, there is little research on negative unintended consequences of performance measurement systems in primary care. To optimize PM systems, a better understanding is needed of the types of negative unintended consequences that occur and of their causal antecedents. OBJECTIVES: (1) Identify unintended negative consequences of PM systems for patients. (2) Develop a conceptual framework of hypothesized relationships between PM systems, facility-level variables (local implementation strategies, primary care staff attitudes and behaviors), and unintended negative effects on patients. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, APPROACH: Qualitative study design using dissimilar cases sampling. A series of 59 in-person individual semi-structured interviews at four Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities was conducted between February and July 2009. Participants included members of primary care staff and facility leaders. Sites were selected to assure variability in the number of veterans served and facility scores on national VHA performance measures. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and content coded to identify thematic categories and relationships. RESULTS: Participants noted both positive effects and negative unintended consequences of PM. We report three negative unintended consequences for patients. Performance measurement can (1) lead to inappropriate clinical care, (2) decrease provider focus on patient concerns and patient service, and (3) compromise patient education and autonomy. We also illustrate examples of negative consequences on primary care team dynamics. In many instances these problems originate from local implementation strategies developed in response to national PM definitions and policies. CONCLUSIONS: Facility-level strategies undertaken to implement national PM systems may result in inappropriate clinical care, can distract providers from patient concerns, and may have a negative effect on patient education and autonomy. Further research is needed to ascertain how features of centralized PM systems influence whether measures are translated locally by facilities into more or less patient-centered policies and processes.

"It leaves me very skeptical" messaging in marketing prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy to veterans with PTSD.

OBJECTIVE: Direct-to-consumer marketing has the potential to increase demand for specific treatments, but little is known about how to best market evidence-based psychotherapies to veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The objective of this study was to gain an understanding of marketing messages that may impact veteran demand for prolonged exposure (PE) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT). METHOD: Veterans (n = 31) with full or subthreshold PTSD participated in semistructured interviews that queried attitudes about PTSD and recovery, current knowledge of PE and CPT, and reactions to existing educational materials. A 2-stage qualitative coding and analytic strategy was used to identify primary themes related to the marketing of PE and CPT. RESULTS: Veterans viewed the treatments' effectiveness as their primary selling point but questioned the credibility of improvement descriptions that didn't fit with their experiences or beliefs about PTSD. Participants had difficulties distinguishing CPT from non-trauma-focused approaches in which they had previously participated, leading to skepticism about promised treatment effects and decreased interest. Without targeting, women veterans assumed information regarding PTSD treatment options applied only to men. CONCLUSIONS: Examination of the impact of a direct-to-consumer marketing campaign including these messages on PE and CPT demand is needed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Evaluation of a VHA collaborative to improve follow-up after a positive colorectal cancer screening test.

BACKGROUND: In 2005, the Veterans Health Administration initiated a yearlong Colorectal Cancer Care Collaborative (C4) to improve timely follow-up after positive fecal occult blood tests. METHODS: Twenty-one facilities formed local quality improvement (QI) teams. Teams received QI training, created process flow maps, implemented process changes, and shared learning through 2 face-to-face meetings, conference calls, and a discussion board. We evaluated pre-post change in the timeliness of follow-up among C4 facilities and 3 control facilities. Outcome measures included the proportion of patients receiving a follow-up colonoscopy within 1 year, the proportion receiving 60-day follow-up (the focus of C4 teams), and average days to colonoscopy. Survey data from C4 team members was analyzed to identify predictors of facility-level improvement. RESULTS: Both C4 and control facilities improved on 1-year follow-up (10% and 9% increases, respectively, both P's<0.001). There was a statistically significant increase in the proportion receiving 60-day follow-up among C4 facilities (27% pre-C4 vs. 39% post-C4, P=0.008) but a nonsignificant decrease among control facilities (45% pre-C4 vs. 29% post-C4, P=0.14). Average days to colonoscopy decreased significantly among C4 facilities (129 pre-C4 vs. 103 post-C4, P=0.004) but increased significantly among control facilities (81 pre-C4 vs. 103 post-C4, P=0.04). Teams with the most improvement established clear roles/goals, had previous QI training, made more use of QI tools, and incorporated primary care education into their improvement work. CONCLUSIONS: A Veterans Health Administration improvement collaborative modestly decreased time to colonoscopy after a positive colorectal cancer screening test but significant room for improvement remains and benefits of participation were not realized by all facilities.

Improving the follow-up of positive hemoccult screening tests: an electronic intervention.

BACKGROUND: Four population-based studies of screening for CRC with fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) have shown that mortality can be significantly reduced. However, nearly half of all positive screening tests are not appropriately evaluated. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated whether an electronic record intervention improved the follow-up of patients with a positive FOBT (FOBT+) result. DESIGN: We conducted a cluster randomized trial involving four Veteran's Affairs (VA) medical centers pair-matched by colonoscopy volume and randomized within the pair to receive the electronic intervention or usual care. PARTICIPANTS: All patients with FOBT+ results at participating facilities during a matched pre- and post-intervention time period. INTERVENTIONS: In the two intervention sites, an electronic consult that imported relevant clinical information was automatically submitted to the gastroenterology (GI) clinic for all FOBT+ patients at the time the result was recorded in the laboratory. In both intervention and control sites (usual care), PCPs continued to be notified of FOBT+ results in the usual manner MEASURES: Pre- and post-intervention changes in the proportion of FOBT+ patients having: (1) a GI consult or (2) a GI consult plus complete diagnostic evaluation (CDE) of the colon within 30, 90 and 180 days were compared across intervention and control sites. Log rank tests were used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: The 30-, 90- and 180-day GI consult rates improved 21-33 % (p < 0.001) among intervention sites, but did not change in the usual care sites. Thirty-, 90- and 180-day CDE rates improved 9-31% (p < 0.03) in intervention sites, but did not significantly change in the usual care sites. Time to GI consult and CDE decreased significantly over time in the intervention sites (p < 0.001), but remained unchanged in the usual care sites. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively simple electronic intervention evaluated can significantly improve the follow-up of FOBT+ results. Interventions such as this could improve patient care and may be applicable to other practice settings, as well as other types of tests.

Presence and correlates of racial disparities in adherence to colorectal cancer screening guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: We examined the presence and correlates of Black/White racial disparities in adherence to guidelines for colorectal cancer screening (CRCS). METHODS: The sample included 328 Black and 1827 White patients age 50-75 from 24 VA medical facilities who responded to a mailed survey with phone follow-up (response rate: 73% for Blacks and 89% for Whites). CRCS adherence and race were obtained through surveys and supplemented with administrative data. Logistic regressions estimated the contribution of demographic, health, cognitive, and environmental factors to racial disparities in adherence to CRCS guidelines. RESULTS: In unadjusted analyses, Blacks had slightly lower rates of adherence to CRCS guidelines than Whites (72% versus 77%, p<0.05). This racial disparity in CRCS adherence was explained by race differences in demographic, health, and environmental factors but not by cognitive factors. Tests for interactions revealed that the association of race with adherence varied significantly across levels of income, education, and marital status. In particular, among those who were married with higher levels of education, CRCS adherence was significantly higher for Whites; whereas among those who were unmarried, with low levels of education, adherence was significantly higher for Blacks. CONCLUSION: We found that disparities in CRCS are greatly attenuated in the VA system and both Whites and Blacks have substantially higher rates of CRCS than the national average. These results point to the success of the VA at implementing CRCS system-wide. Our findings also suggest additional initiatives may be needed for unmarried low income white men and higher income black men.

A comparison of small monetary incentives to convert survey non-respondents: a randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Maximizing response rates is critically important in order to provide the most generalizable and unbiased research results. High response rates reduce the chance of respondents being systematically different from non-respondents, and thus, reduce the risk of results not truly reflecting the study population. Monetary incentives are often used to improve response rates, but little is known about whether larger incentives improve response rates in those who previously have been unenthusiastic about participating in research. In this study we compared the response rates and cost-effectiveness of a $5 versus $2 monetary incentive accompanying a short survey mailed to patients who did not respond or refused to participate in research study with a face-to-face survey. METHODS: 1,328 non-responders were randomly assigned to receive $5 or $2 and a short, 10-question survey by mail. Reminder postcards were sent to everyone; those not returning the survey were sent a second survey without incentive. Overall response rates, response rates by incentive condition, and odds of responding to the larger incentive were calculated. Total costs (materials, postage, and labor) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were also calculated and compared by incentive condition. RESULTS: After the first mailing, the response rate within the $5 group was significantly higher (57.8% vs. 47.7%, p<.001); after the second mailing, the difference narrowed by 80%, resulting in a non-significant difference in cumulative rates between the $5 and $2 groups (67.3% vs. 65.4%, respectively, p=.47). Regardless of incentive or number of contacts, respondents were significantly more likely to be male, white, married, and 50-75 years old. Total costs were higher with the larger versus smaller incentive ($13.77 versus $9.95 per completed survey). CONCLUSIONS: A $5 incentive provides a significantly higher response rate than a $2 incentive if only one survey mailing is used but not if two survey mailings are used.

Identifying Needs and Barriers to Engage Family Members in Transplant Candidate Care.

INTRODUCTION: Friends and family members provide critical support to patients on the waitlist for deceased donor kidney transplantation. However, little is known about how best to support and engage them effectively to improve patient outcomes. METHODS: We conducted 5 focus groups with the family members of patients on the waitlist for a deceased donor kidney (n=23) to identify individual- and group-level targets for an intervention. Discussions encouraged participants to reflect on their support roles, experiences at the transplant evaluation, interactions with providers, knowledge of transplant options and expected outcomes. Transcripts of study sessions were coded using an iterative and inductive process. RESULTS: The thematic analysis produced two main themes related to experiences providing care to patients on the waitlist for kidney transplantation. First, participants revealed that supporting a patient on the waitlist created challenges that reverberate through their entire social structure. Family members discussed frustrations with adapting to their patient's kidney health needs, feelings of isolation, and barriers to identifying and building effective support networks. Second, participants described multiple challenges that prevented their patient-family unit from making informed decisions about transplant care. These challenges included communication with their patient, patients resisting help, difficulty understanding the information, and feeling helpless. CONCLUSION: Family members providing care to patients with end-stage kidney disease require targeted support to overcome the unique challenges associated with their role in helping to meet their patient's clinical needs. Interventions to engage friends and family members in the care of kidney transplant candidates need to effectively address these challenges.

Reactions to Recommendations and Evidence About Prostate Cancer Screening Among White and Black Male Veterans.

U.S. clinical guidelines recommend that prior to screening for prostate cancer with Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), men should have an informed discussion about the potential benefits and harms of screening. Prostate cancer disproportionately affects Black men. To understand how White and Black men reacted to a draft educational pamphlet about the benefits and harms of PSA screening, we conducted race-specific focus groups at a midwestern VA medical center in 2013 and 2015. White and Black men who had been previously screened reviewed the draft pamphlet using a semistructured focus group facilitator guide. Forty-four men, ages 55-81, participated in four White and two Black focus groups. Three universal themes were: low baseline familiarity with prostate cancer, surprise and resistance to the recommendations not to test routinely, and negative emotions in response to ambiguity. Discussions of benefits and harms of screening, as well as intentions for exercising personal agency in prevention and screening, diverged between White and Black focus groups. Discussion in White groups highlighted the potential benefits of screening, minimized the harms, and emphasized personal choice in screening decisions. Participants in Black groups devoted almost no discussion to benefits, considered harms significant, and emphasized personal and collective responsibility for preventing cancer through diet, exercise, and alternative medicine. Discussion in Black groups also included the role of racism and discrimination in healthcare and medical research. These findings contribute to our understanding of how men's varied perspectives and life experiences affect their responses to prostate cancer screening information.

The interrelationships between and contributions of background, cognitive, and environmental factors to colorectal cancer screening adherence.

OBJECTIVES: We examined the interrelationships between and contributions of background, cognitive, and environmental factors to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening adherence. METHODS: In this study, 2,416 average risk patients aged 50-75 from 24 Veterans Affairs medical facilities responded to a mailed survey with phone follow-up (response rate 81%). Survey data (attitudes, behaviors, demographics) were linked to facility (organizational complexity) and medical records data (diagnoses, screening history). Patients with a fecal occult blood test within 15 months, sigmoidoscopy or barium enema within 5.5 years, or colonoscopy within 11 years of the survey were considered adherent. Logistic regressions estimated the association between adherence and background, cognitive, and environmental factors. Deviance ratios examined interrelationships between factors. Population attributable risks (PAR) were used to identify intervention targets. RESULTS: The association of background factors with adherence was partially explained by cognitive and environmental factors. The association of environmental factors with adherence was partially explained by cognitive factors. Cognitive and environmental factors contributed equally to adherence. Factors with the highest PARs for non-adherence were age 50-64, less than two comorbidities, and lack of physician recommendation. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to increase physician screening recommendations for younger, healthy patients at facilities with the lowest screening rates may improve CRC adherence in this setting.

Mental health, frequency of healthcare visits, and colorectal cancer screening.

BACKGROUND: Research regarding the association between mental health and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has produced mixed results. Variations may be explained by methodology, including whether potential confounders such as frequency of healthcare visits are considered. OBJECTIVE: We examined the association between mental health and CRC screening, before and after controlling for demographics, comorbidities, and outpatient visit frequency. DESIGN: Observational study based on a retrospective cohort. SUBJECTS: A total of 855 veterans receiving care at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. MEASURES: Medical record data were used to assess CRC screening rates and mental health status (number of diagnoses and the presence of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance, or psychotic disorders). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between mental health diagnoses and CRC screening, before and after controlling for covariates. RESULTS: Bivariate analyses suggested that CRC screening rates were higher for patients with a history of one or more mental health diagnoses (57% vs. 47%, P < 0.01). However, adjusting for timing of mental health diagnosis and outpatient visit frequency resulted in significant negative associations between CRC screening and all measures of mental health except posttraumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Estimates of the association between mental health and CRC screening that do not adjust for outpatient visit frequency may be misleading. Veterans with mental health diagnoses were significantly less likely to be screened for CRC than their counterparts with no mental health diagnoses and an equal number of outpatient visits.

Variation in estimates of limited health literacy by assessment instruments and non-response bias.

OBJECTIVES: This paper compares estimates of poor health literacy using two widely used assessment tools and assesses the effect of non-response on these estimates. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A total of 4,868 veterans receiving care at four VA medical facilities between 2004 and 2005 were stratified by age and facility and randomly selected for recruitment. Interviewers collected demographic information and conducted assessments of health literacy (both REALM and S-TOFHLA) from 1,796 participants. Prevalence estimates for each assessment were computed. Non-respondents received a brief proxy questionnaire with demographic and self-report literacy questions to assess non-response bias. Available administrative data for non-participants were also used to assess non-response bias. RESULTS: Among the 1,796 patients assessed using the S-TOFHLA, 8% had inadequate and 7% had marginal skills. For the REALM, 4% were categorized with 6th grade skills and 17% with 7-8th grade skills. Adjusting for non-response bias increased the S-TOFHLA prevalence estimates for inadequate and marginal skills to 9.3% and 11.8%, respectively, and the REALM estimates for < or = 6th and 7-8th grade skills to 5.4% and 33.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Estimates of poor health literacy varied by the assessment used, especially after adjusting for non-response bias. Researchers and clinicians should consider the possible limitations of each assessment when considering the most suitable tool for their purposes.