Adapting a Financial Incentives Intervention for Smoking Cessation with Alaska Native Families: Phase 1 Qualitative Research to Inform the Aniqsaaq (To Breathe) Study.

INTRODUCTION: Alaska Native and American Indian (ANAI) peoples in Alaska currently experience a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality from tobacco cigarette use. Financial incentives for smoking cessation are evidence-based, but a family-level incentive structure has not been evaluated. We used a community-based participatory research and qualitative approach to culturally adapt a smoking cessation intervention with ANAI families. METHODS: We conducted individual, semi-structured telephone interviews with 12 ANAI adults who smoke, 12 adult family members, and 13 Alaska Tribal Health System stakeholders statewide between November 2022-March 2023. Through content analysis, we explored intervention receptivity, incentive preferences, culturally aligned recruitment and intervention messaging, and future implementation needs. RESULTS: Participants were receptive to the intervention. Involving a family member was viewed as novel and aligned with ANAI cultural values of commitment to community and familial interdependence. Major themes included choosing a family member who is supportive and understanding, keeping materials positive and encouraging, and offering cash and non-cash incentives for family members to choose (e.g., fuel, groceries, activities). Participants indicated that messaging should emphasize family collaboration and that cessation resources and support tips should be provided. Stakeholders also reinforced that program materials should encourage the use of other existing evidence-based cessation therapies (e.g., nicotine replacement, counseling). CONCLUSIONS: Adaptations, grounded in ANAI cultural strengths were made to the intervention and recruitment materials based on participant feedback. Next steps include a beta-test for feasibility and a randomized controlled trial for efficacy. IMPLICATIONS: This is the first study to design and adapt a financial incentives intervention promoting smoking cessation among Alaska Native or American Indian (ANAI) peoples and the first to involve the family system. Feedback from this formative work was used to develop a meaningful family-level incentive structure with ANAI people who smoke and family members and ensure intervention messaging is supportive and culturally aligned. The results provide qualitative knowledge that can inform future family-based interventions with ANAI communities, including our planned randomized controlled trial of the intervention.

Facebook Intervention to Connect Alaska Native People With Resources and Support to Quit Smoking: CAN Quit Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: There is some evidence that social media interventions can promote smoking cessation. This randomized controlled pilot study is the first to evaluate the feasibility and potential efficacy of a Facebook smoking cessation intervention among Alaska Native (AN) adults. AIMS AND METHODS: Recruitment and data collection occurred from December 2019 to March 2021. Participants were recruited statewide in Alaska using Facebook advertisements with a targeted sample of 60 enrolled. Participants were stratified by gender, age, and rural or urban residence and randomly assigned to receive referral resources on evidence-based cessation treatments (EBCTs) (control, n = 30) or these resources plus a 3-month, closed (private), culturally tailored, Facebook group (intervention, n = 31) that connected participants to EBCT resources and was moderated by two Alaska Native Trained Tobacco Specialists. Assessments were conducted online post-randomization at 1, 3, and 6 months. Outcomes were feasibility (recruitment, retention, and intervention engagement), self-reported use of EBCTs, and biochemically confirmed seven-day point-prevalence smoking abstinence. RESULTS: Of intervention participants, 90% engaged (eg posted, commented) more than once. Study retention was 57% at 6 months (no group differences). The proportion utilizing EBCTs was about double for intervention compared with the control group participants at 3 and 6 months. Smoking abstinence was higher for intervention than control participants at 3 months (6.5% vs. 0%, p = .16) but comparable at 6 months (6.4% vs. 6.7%, p = .97). CONCLUSIONS: While additional research is needed to promote long-term cessation, this pilot trial supports recruitment feasibility during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, consumer uptake, and a signal for intervention efficacy on the uptake of cessation treatment and short-term smoking abstinence. IMPLICATIONS: This study is the first evaluation of a social media intervention for smoking cessation among Indigenous people. We learned that statewide Facebook recruitment of AN adults who smoke was feasible and there was a signal for the efficacy of a Facebook intervention on the uptake of EBCT and short-term (3 months) biochemically verified smoking abstinence. Clinically, social media platforms may complement current care models by connecting AN individuals and others living in hard-to-reach communities to cessation treatment resources.

Lessons Learned From Beta-Testing a Facebook Group Prototype to Promote Treatment Use in the "Connecting Alaska Native People to Quit Smoking" (CAN Quit) Study.

Social media provides an effective tool to reach, engage, and connect smokers in cessation efforts. Our team developed a Facebook group, CAN Quit (Connecting Alaska Native People to Quit smoking), to promote use of evidence-based smoking cessation resources for Alaska Native people living in Alaska, which are underused despite their effectiveness. Often separated by geography and climate, Alaska Native people prefer group-based approaches for tobacco cessation that support their culture and values. Such preferences make Alaska Native people candidates for social media-based interventions that promote connection. This viewpoint discusses the steps involved and lessons learned in building and beta-testing our Facebook group prototype, which will then be evaluated in a pilot randomized controlled trial. We describe the process of training moderators to facilitate group engagement and foster community, and we describe how we developed and tested our intervention prototype and Facebook group. All parts of the prototype were designed to facilitate use of evidence-based cessation treatments. We include recommendations for best practices with the hope that lessons learned from the CAN Quit prototype could provide a model for others to create similar platforms that benefit Alaska Native and American Indian people in the context of smoking cessation.

Developing a Social Media Intervention to Connect Alaska Native People Who Smoke with Resources and Support to Quit Smoking: The Connecting Alaska Native Quit Study.

BACKGROUND: Face-to-face tobacco cessation has had limited reach and efficacy in Alaska Native (AN) communities. We describe our two-phased approach to develop content for Connecting Alaska Native People to Quit Smoking, a Facebook group intervention to reduce barriers to evidence-based smoking cessation treatment for AN people in Alaska. METHODS: Phase 1 included semi-structured telephone interviews with 30 AN people who smoke and ten stakeholders. They provided feedback on existing content from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tips campaign and AN digital stories. Phase 2 included an online survey with a new group of 40 AN smokers who provided feedback on existing content via a measure of perceived effectiveness and cultural relevance. RESULTS: Phase I results revealed participants evaluated content based upon story strength, relevance to AN culture, emotional appeal, relatability to AN people, and favorite video. No single posting was rated highly across all themes. All perceived effectiveness (PE) and cultural relevance median scores fell between 3.5 and 4.4 (range 1-5). PE scores varied across participant demographic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Content embodying characteristics perceived to be most appealing, effective, and culturally relevant were selected for the private Facebook group content library with refinements made to incorporate images of AN people engaged in AN activities. PE scores indicate a need for a wide variety of content that moderators could pull from when conducting the intervention. IMPLICATIONS: Social media content targeting specific population sectors, such as American Indian/AN people for tobacco cessation needs to be culturally tailored. Our approach provides a model others can follow to determine what is appealing, relevant, and effective messaging. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03645941.

Communication of genetic test results to family and health-care providers following disclosure of research results.

PURPOSE: Few studies have examined methods to promote communication following the return of DNA mismatch repair genetic test results obtained during research. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate a telephone protocol for returning research results of DNA mismatch repair gene testing to identify Lynch syndrome. METHODS: We invited individuals with known DNA mismatch repair mutations in their family, who were enrolled in the Colon Cancer Family Registry at the Mayo Clinic, to participate in this study. Participants completed surveys before and 6 months after DNA mismatch repair test result disclosure. RESULTS: Among 107 participants, 79% opted to learn their DNA mismatch repair test results; of these, 44 (41%) carried DNA mismatch repair mutations. After disclosure, 54% reported screening for any type of cancer. Among carriers, >74% reported communicating results to family; communication was predicted by baseline confidence in coping with the genetic test result (Z = 1.97; P = 0.04). Result disclosure to a physician was predicted by greater perceived cancer risk (Z = 2.08; P = 0.03) and greater intention to share results with family (Z = 3.07; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Research versus clinically based gene disclosure presents challenges. A telephone disclosure process for the return of research-based results among Lynch syndrome families led to high rates of result uptake and participant communication of results to providers and family members.

An investigation of the colorectal cancer experience and receptivity to family-based cancer prevention programs.

PURPOSE: Cancer is a shared family experience and may provide a "teachable moment" to motivate at-risk family members to adopt cancer prevention and health promotion behaviors. This study explored how a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is experienced by family members and may be used to develop a family-based CRC prevention program. Preferences regarding content, timing, and modes of program delivery were examined. Social cognitive theory provided the conceptual framework for the study. METHODS: This study employed mixed methodology (semi-structured interviews and self-report questionnaires). Participants included 73 adults (21 patients, 52 family members) from 23 families (two patients were deceased prior to being interviewed). Most patients (n = 14; 67 %) were interviewed 1-5 years post-diagnosis. Individual interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and content analyzed. RESULTS: For many, a CRC diagnosis was described as a shared family experience. Family members supported each other's efforts to prevent CRC through screening, exercising, and maintaining a healthy diet. Teachable moments for introducing a family-based program included the time of the patient's initial cancer surgery and post-chemotherapy. Reported willingness to participate in a family-based program was associated with risk perception, self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and the social/community context in which the program would be embedded. Program preferences included cancer screening, diet/nutrition, weight management, stress reduction, and exercise. Challenges included geographic dispersion, variation in education levels, generational differences, and scheduling. CONCLUSIONS: CRC patients and family members are receptive to family-based programs. Feasibility concerns, which may be mitigated but not eliminated with technological advances, must be addressed for successful family-based programs.

Demographics and Social Factors Associated With Persistent Nonuse of Video Appointments at a Multisite Health Care Institution: Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 outbreak, video appointments became a popular method for health care delivery, particularly in the early stages of the pandemic. Although Mayo Clinic aimed to reduce face-to-face (F2F) appointments to prevent the spread of the virus, some patients continued seeing their health care providers in person. In the later stages of the pandemic, many patients became comfortable with video appointments, even if they were initially hesitant. However, a subset of patients continued to avoid video appointments. It is not yet clear what sociodemographic factors may be associated with this group of patients. OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aimed to examine demographic and social determinant of health (SDoH) factors associated with persistent nonusers of video appointments among a sample of patients within a multistate health care organization. We also explored patient beliefs about the use of video for health care appointments. METHODS: We conducted a 1-time cross-sectional paper survey, mailed between July and December 2022, of patients matching the eligibility criteria: (1) aged ≥18 years as of April 2020, (2) Mayo Clinic Midwest, Florida, or Arizona patient, (3) did not use video appointment services during April-December 2020 but attended F2F appointments in the departments of primary care and psychiatry/psychology. The survey asked patients, "Have you ever had a video appointment with a healthcare provider?" "Yes" respondents were defined as "users" (adapted to video appointments), and "no" respondents were defined as "persistent nonusers" of video appointments. We analyzed demographics, SDoH, and patient beliefs toward video appointments in 2 groups: persistent nonusers of video appointments and users. We used chi-square and 2-tailed t tests for analysis. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that patients who were older, lived in rural areas, sought care at Mayo Clinic Midwest, and did not have access to the patient portal system were likely to be persistent nonusers of video appointments. Only 1 SDoH factor (not having a disability, handicap, or chronic disease) was associated with persistent nonuse of video appointments. Persistent nonusers of video appointments held personal beliefs such as discomfort with video communication, difficulty interpreting nonverbal cues, and personal preference for F2F appointments over video. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified demographic (older age and rural residence), sociodemographic factors (not having a disability, handicap, or chronic disease), and personal beliefs associated with patients' decisions to choose between video versus F2F appointments for health care delivery. Health care institutions should assess patients' negative attitudes toward technology prior to introducing them to digital health care services. Failing to do so may result in its restricted usage, negative patient experience, and wasted resources. For patients who hold negative beliefs about technology but are willing to learn, a "digital health coordinator" could be assigned to assist with various digital health solutions.

Implementing a Metabolism-Informed Approach for Smoking Cessation in an Alaska Tribal Health System: Study Protocol for a Single-Arm Implementation Pilot Trial.

Background: Individualized treatment for commercial tobacco smoking cessation, such as through the utilization of the nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR), offers substantial clinical benefit. NMR is a metabolism-informed biomarker that can be used to guide medication selection. NMR testing is particularly promising for tobacco cessation efforts in populations with high rates of smoking, such as some Alaska Native and American Indian (AN/AI) communities. To date, no prior study has evaluated the implementation of NMR-guided tobacco cessation with AN/AI populations. Methods: The present "QUIT" protocol is a two-phase study that will occur at Southcentral Foundation (SCF), an Alaska Native-owned health system, serving 70,000 AN/AI people, based in Anchorage, Alaska. In Phase one, qualitative interviews with customer-owners (patients), providers and administrators (n = 36) and a 10-participant beta-test will be used to refine a strategy to implement NMR testing in the health system. Phase two will involve a single-arm pilot trial (n = 50) and qualitative interviews throughout data collection (n = 48) to evaluate the implementation strategy and explore the real-world acceptability and feasibility of NMR testing to guide tobacco cessation with AN/AI populations. Discussion: This study utilizes a community-based participatory approach to refine and implement a nicotine metabolism-informed smoking cessation program in a Tribal healthcare setting. The process and findings from this study will reflect the importance of customer-owner choice and honor the lived experience involved in quitting commercial tobacco. Pilot study data will inform the effect and sample sizes required for a future pragmatic trial of NMR-guided smoking cessation.

Wiidookaage'Win: A Community-Based Qualitative Approach to Developing a Facebook Group Intervention for Native Women to Support Recovery From Opioid Use.

PURPOSE: To develop a culturally-tailored American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women's Facebook group supporting opioid recovery as an adjunct to medication. DESIGN: Community-based, qualitative approach. SETTING: Minnesota, U.S. PARTICIPANTS: AI/AN women in opioid recovery, interested parties, and a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) of AI/AN women with lived experience, health care providers, and community members. INTERVENTION: We developed evidence-based content focusing on stress/trauma and substance use, mindfulness, responding to triggers, and supportive community resources. Additional content centered on AI/AN culture was also selected. METHOD: Interviews were conducted by two women, then transcribed and coded using content analysis with NVivo software. Results were presented to CAC for further content refinement. RESULTS: CAC members (n = 10) guided study methods, intervention development, and dissemination activities. 14 AI/AN women (mean age 36.4 years; mean 6.7 months opioid abstinence) and 12 interested parties (7 men, 5 women) were receptive to an AI/AN gender-specific Facebook group, preferring content with AI/AN people and/or text resonating with AI/AN culture (e.g., Native traditions, family, personal stories, historical trauma). Recommendations included (1) protect confidentiality, (2) retain positivity, (3) incorporate resources and exercises to build coping skills, and (4) moderators should be authentic and relatable to build trust. CONCLUSIONS: Our approach provides a model for developing culturally tailored, appealing and effective social media interventions to support AI/AN women in recovery from opioid use disorder.

Wiidookaage'win: Beta-test of a Facebook group intervention for Native women to support opioid use recovery.

INTRODUCTION: The ongoing opioid misuse epidemic has had a marked impact on American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. Culture- and gender-specific barriers to medically assisted recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) have been identified, exacerbating its impact for AI/AN women. Wiidookaage'win is a community-based participatory research study that aims to develop a culturally tailored, moderated, private Facebook group intervention to support Minnesotan AI/AN women in medically assisted recovery from OUD. The current study assessed the preliminary feasibility and acceptability of the intervention in a beta-test to inform refinements before conducting a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT). METHODS: The intervention was beta-tested for 30 days. Moderators were trained prior to delivering the intervention. Study assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention. The post-intervention assessments included substance use (self-report and urine drug screen), treatment acceptability, mental health, and spirituality outcomes. We examined intervention engagement patterns using Facebook metrics and qualitatively explored common topics that emerged in participant posts and comments. RESULTS: Ten AI/AN women taking medication for OUD (MOUD) were accrued (age range 25-62 years). Participants had been in opioid recovery a mean of 15.2 months (SD = 16.1; range = 3-60). The study participation rate (accrued/eligible) was 91 %. Nine participants completed the post-intervention survey assessment and eight completed a UDS. Acceptability was high based on the mean treatment satisfaction score (M = 4.8, SD = 0.2 out of a possible 5.0), Facebook group engagement, and positive qualitative feedback. All participants retained at post-intervention continued their MOUD treatment, and none had returned to opioid use. CONCLUSIONS: The beta-test indicated that the Facebook platform and study procedures generally worked as intended and that the intervention was largely acceptable to study participants. The results of this study phase provided valuable insights to inform refinements prior to conducting a pilot RCT to further assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of the intervention.

Receptivity and preferences of pancreatic cancer family members for participating in lifestyle programs to reduce cancer risk.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a shared family experience that might provide an opportunity for lifestyle change among at-risk family members. The purpose of this study was to assess receptivity and preferences for cancer risk reduction programs among at-risk family members with two or more relatives affected with pancreas cancer. METHODS: We surveyed 401 at-risk family members in an existing pancreatic cancer family registry. Participants completed a mailed survey which examined demographic, medical, and psychosocial correlates of willingness to participate in lifestyle cancer risk reduction programs. Multivariable generalized estimating equation approaches were used to model preferences. RESULTS: Overall, 85% (n = 342) of at-risk family members were receptive to lifestyle cancer risk reduction programs. Participant preferred programs focused on nutrition (36%, n = 116) and weight management (33%, n = 108), with Web/Internet (46%, n = 157) being the most preferred delivery channel. Most respondents preferred to participate in programs with their family or friends (74%, n = 182), rather than alone (25%, n = 85). In multivariable analysis, younger age (p = 0.008) and higher perceived likelihood of developing cancer (p = 0.03) were associated with willingness to participate in lifestyle programs. CONCLUSIONS: Family members of those with pancreatic cancer are receptive to cancer risk reduction programs focusing on nutrition and weight management delivered via the internet. Further research is indicated to determine how to best incorporate a family-based approach when designing lifestyle intervention programs.

Development of a tobacco cessation intervention for Alaska Native youth.

Tobacco cessation treatments have not been evaluated among Alaska Native (AN) adolescents. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a targeted cessation intervention developed for AN youth. Intervention components were informed by prior focus groups assessing treatment preferences among AN youth, a social cognitive theoretical framework and feedback obtained from a teen advisory group. The intervention consisted of a weekend program where youth traveled by small airplane from their villages to stay overnight with other adolescents who quit tobacco use together. The program included recreational activities, talking circles, personal stories from elders and teen advisors, and cognitive behavioral counseling. Two intervention pilots were conducted from October 2010 to January 2011 using a non-randomized, uncontrolled study design with assessments at baseline and six-week follow-up. One village in Western Alaska was selected for each pilot with a targeted enrollment of 10 adolescents each. Participants were recruited for each pilot within five days, but recruitment challenges and ''lessons learned'' are described. The first pilot enrolled nine adolescents (all female) aged 13-16 years; all nine attended the intervention program and 78% (7/9) completed follow-up. The second pilot enrolled 12 adolescents (eight females, four males) aged 12-17 years, of which seven attended the intervention program. Six of these seven participants (86%) completed follow-up. In both pilots, participants rated the intervention as highly acceptable. A targeted cessation intervention was feasible and acceptable to AN youth. The intervention will be tested for efficacy in a subsequent randomized controlled trial.

A Christian Faith-Based Facebook Intervention for Smoking Cessation in Rural Communities (FAITH-CORE): Protocol for a Community Participatory Development Study.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking remains the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States, with significant rural-urban disparities. Adults who live in rural areas of the United States have among the highest tobacco smoking rates in the nation and experience a higher prevalence of smoking-related deaths and deaths due to chronic diseases for which smoking is a causal risk factor. Barriers to accessing tobacco use cessation treatments are a major contributing factor to these disparities. Adults living in rural areas experience difficulty accessing tobacco cessation services due to geographical challenges, lack of insurance coverage, and lack of health care providers who treat tobacco use disorders. The use of digital technology could be a practical answer to these barriers. OBJECTIVE: This report describes a protocol for a study whose main objectives are to develop and beta test an innovative intervention that uses a private, moderated Facebook group platform to deliver peer support and faith-based cessation messaging to enhance the reach and uptake of existing evidence-based smoking cessation treatment (EBCT) resources (eg, state quitline coaching programs) for rural adults who smoke. METHODS: We will use the Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change, surface or deep structure frameworks to guide intervention development, and the community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to identify and engage with community stakeholders. The initial content library of moderator postings (videos and text or image postings) will be developed using existing EBCT material from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tips from Former Smokers Campaign. The content library will feature topics related to quitting smoking, such as coping with cravings and withdrawal and using EBCTs with faith-based message integration (eg, Bible quotes). A community advisory board and a community engagement studio will provide feedback to refine the content library. We will also conduct a beta test of the intervention with 15 rural adults who smoke to assess the recruitment feasibility and preliminary intervention uptake such as engagement, ease of use, usefulness, and satisfaction to further refine the intervention based on participant feedback. RESULTS: The result of this study will create an intervention prototype that will be used for a future randomized controlled trial. CONCLUSIONS: Our CBPR project will create a prototype of a Facebook-delivered faith-based messaging and peer support intervention that may assist rural adults who smoke to use EBCT. This study is crucial in establishing a self-sufficient smoking cessation program for the rural community. The project is unique in using a moderated social media platform providing peer support and culturally relevant faith-based content to encourage adult people who smoke to seek treatment and quit smoking. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/52398.

Rural and urban residents' attitudes and preferences toward COVID-19 prevention behaviors in a midwestern community.

Rural populations are more vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19 compared to their urban counterparts as they are more likely to be older, uninsured, to have more underlying medical conditions, and live further from medical care facilities. We engaged the Southeastern MN (SEMN) community (N = 7,781, 51% rural) to conduct a survey of motivators and barriers to masking to prevent COVID-19. We also assessed preferences for types of and modalities to receive education/intervention, exploring both individual and environmental factors primarily consistent with Social Cognitive Theory. Our results indicated rural compared to urban residents performed fewer COVID-19 prevention behaviors (e.g. 62% rural vs. 77% urban residents reported wearing a mask all of the time in public, p<0.001), had more negative outcome expectations for wearing a mask (e.g. 50% rural vs. 66% urban residents thought wearing a mask would help businesses stay open, p<0.001), more concerns about wearing a mask (e.g. 23% rural vs. 14% urban were very concerned about being 'too hot', p<0.001) and lower levels of self-efficacy for masking (e.g. 13.9±3.4 vs. 14.9±2.8, p<0.001). It appears that masking has not become a social norm in rural SEMN, with almost 50% (vs. 24% in urban residents) disagreeing with the expectation 'others in my community will wear a mask to stop the spread of Coronavirus'. Except for people (both rural and urban) who reported not being at all willing to wear a mask (7%), all others expressed interest in future education/interventions to help reduce masking barriers that utilized email and social media for delivery. Creative public health messaging consistent with SCT tailored to rural culture and norms is needed, using emails and social media with pictures and videos from role models they trust, and emphasizing education about when masks are necessary.

Aniqsaaq (To Breathe): Study protocol to develop and evaluate an Alaska Native family-based financial incentive intervention for smoking cessation.

Background: Alaska Native and American Indian (ANAI) communities in Alaska are disproportionately affected by commercial tobacco use. Financial incentive interventions promote cigarette smoking cessation, but family-level incentives have not been evaluated. We describe the study protocol to adapt and evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a remotely delivered, family-based financial incentive intervention for cigarette smoking among Alaskan ANAI people. Methods: The study has 3 phases: 1) qualitative interviews with ANAI adults who smoke, family members, and stakeholders to inform the intervention, 2) beta-test of the intervention, and 3) randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating intervention reach and effectiveness on verified, prolonged smoking abstinence at 6- and 12-months post-treatment. In the RCT, adult dyads (ANAI person who smokes [index participant] and family member) recruited throughout Alaska will be randomized to a no-incentives control condition (n = 328 dyads) or a 6-month incentive intervention (n = 328 dyads). All dyads will receive cessation support and family wellness materials. Smoking status will be assessed weekly for four weeks and at three and six months. Intervention index participants will receive escalating incentives for verified smoking abstinence at each time point (maximum $750 total); the family member will receive rewards of equal value. Results: A community advisory committee contributed input on the study design and methods for relevance to ANAI people, particularly emphasizing the involvement of families. Conclusion: Our study aligns with the strength and value AIAN people place on family. Findings, processes, and resources will inform how Indigenous family members can support smoking cessation within incentive interventions. Clinical Trials Registry: NCT05209451.

Patient Telemedicine Perceptions During the COVID-19 Pandemic Within a Multi-State Medical Institution: Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, to prevent the spread of the virus, federal regulatory barriers around telemedicine were lifted, and health care institutions encouraged patients to use telemedicine, including video appointments. Many patients, however, still chose face-2-face (f2f) appointments for nonemergent clinical care. OBJECTIVE: We explored patients' personal and environmental barriers to the use of video appointments from April 2020 to December 2020. METHODS: We conducted qualitative telephone interviews of Mayo Clinic patients who attended f2f appointments at the Mayo Clinic from April 2020 to December 2020 but did not utilize Mayo Clinic video appointment services during that time frame. RESULTS: We found that, although most patients were concerned about preventing COVID-19 transmission, they trusted Mayo Clinic to keep them safe when attending f2f appointments. Many expressed that a video appointment made it difficult to establish rapport with their providers. Other common barriers to video appointments were perceived therapeutic benefits of f2f appointments, low digital literacy, and concerns about privacy and security. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides an in-depth investigation into barriers to engaging in video appointments for nonemergent clinical care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings corroborate many barriers prevalent in the prepandemic literature and suggest that rapport barriers need to be analyzed and problem-solved at a granular level.

Exploring the perceived effectiveness and cultural acceptability of COVID-19 relevant social media intervention content among Alaska Native people who Smoke: The CAN Quit study.

Social media platforms have potential for reach and effectiveness to motivate smoking cessation and use of evidence-based cessation treatment, even during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. This study builds on our prior community participatory approach to developing content postings for the CAN Quit Facebook intervention among Alaska Native (AN) people who smoke. With input from a community advisory committee, we selected new content on COVID-19 preventive practices (e.g., masking) and evaluated them using a validated, six-item perceived effectiveness scale and a single item assessing cultural relevance. We obtained feedback on six content postings (two videos and four text/pictures) from an online survey administered to 41 AN people (14 men, 27 women; age range 22-61 years) who smoke in Alaska statewide with 49 % residing in rural Alaska. Perceived effectiveness scale scores were high across postings, ranging from 3.9 to 4.4 out of a maximum score of 5.0. Cultural relevance item scores ranged from 3.9 to 4.3. We found no appreciable differences by sex, age, or rural/urban location for either score. This study adds new information on the adaptation, acceptability, and perceived effectiveness of content on COVID-19 preventive practices for future inclusion in a social media-based intervention for smoking cessation specifically tailored for AN people.

Interventions for Increasing Digital Equity and Access (IDEA) among rural patients who smoke: Study protocol for a pragmatic randomized pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking prevalence is higher among rural compared with urban adults, yet access to cessation programming is reduced. The Increasing Digital Equity and Access (IDEA) study aims to evaluate three digital access and literacy interventions for promoting engagement with an online evidence-based smoking cessation treatment (EBCT) program among rural adults. METHODS: The pilot trial will use a pragmatic, three-arm, randomized, parallel-group design with participants recruited from a Midwest community-based health system in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. All participants will receive an online, 12-week, EBCT program, and written materials on digital access resources. Participants will be stratified based on state of residence and randomly assigned with 1:1:1 allocation to one of three study groups: (1) Control Condition-no additional study intervention (n = 30); (2) Loaner Digital Device-Bluetooth enabled iPad with data plan coverage loaned for the study duration (n = 30); (3) Loaner Digital Device + Coaching Support-loaner device plus up to six, 15-20 min motivational interviewing-based coaching calls to enhance participants' digital access and literacy (n = 30). All participants will complete study assessments at baseline and 4- and 12-weeks post-randomization. Outcomes are cessation program and trial engagement, biochemically confirmed smoking abstinence, and patient experience. RESULTS: A rural community advisory committee was formed that fostered co-design of the study protocol for relevance to rural populations, including the trial design and interventions. CONCLUSION: Study findings, processes, and resources may have relevance to other health systems aiming to foster digital inclusion in smoking cessation and chronic disease management programs and clinical trials in rural communities.

Willingness of cancer patients to help family members to quit smoking.

OBJECTIVES: The impact of social support on successful smoking cessation has been well documented. However, little is known about whether personal experience with cancer may motivate cancer survivors to support smoking cessation among their family members and friends. As a first step in this line of research, we sought to explore interest in playing a supportive role for smoking cessation as well as correlates of such interest among cancer survivors. METHODS: Cancer survivors undergoing radiation therapy (N=211) completed a 77-item pencil-paper questionnaire. A section of the survey assessed interest in helping a smoker quit and characteristics of the smoking social network member. Respondents provided information on their smoking status, medical status, and psychosocial and behavioral factors related to cigarette smoking. RESULTS: Over half of the respondents 114 (54%) reported having someone close to them (family member or friend) smoking cigarettes who they thought should quit. Of these respondents (44 females, 70 males) 78% (89/114) reported they were definitely or probably interested in helping a smoker quit. Nearly all respondents wanted to help a family member (typically an adult child). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest the potential feasibility of engaging cancer survivors to help family members quit smoking. Research is needed to determine the optimal methods and timing for engaging the cancer patient to maximize positive effects and minimize potential harms.

Importance of Shared Treatment Goal Discussions in Rheumatoid Arthritis-A Cross-Sectional Survey: Patients Report Providers Seldom Discuss Treatment Goals and Outcomes Improve When Goals Are Discussed.

OBJECTIVE: Treat-to-target (T2T) and shared decision-making are valued features of current guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management. Although T2T has demonstrated value for improving RA outcomes, implementation remains inconsistent and lacks standardization and procedures for including patient input. We sought to better understand the impact of shared decisions on T2T and how treatment goal discussions between patients and providers impact RA treatment improvement and satisfaction. METHODS: An anonymous, web-based questionnaire was presented to United States residents aged 18 years or older with a self-reported diagnosis of RA by a medical professional with 28 questions regarding socio-demographics, RA disease activity (DA), diagnosis, treatments, outcomes, and goals. Analyses included descriptive statistics with χ2 and rank sum tests for comparisons. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 907 people (mean age of 58 years; mean 11 years since diagnosis; 90% female). The majority (571; 63%) did not discuss RA treatment goals with providers. Patients engaging in treatment goal discussions with their providers were three times more likely to be satisfied with their treatment plans. Patients discussing treatment goals with their providers were more likely to have improved DA levels and 68% more likely to reach remission. CONCLUSION: A majority of patients with RA report having no treatment goal discussion with their providers; however, these discussions are associated with greater DA improvement and treatment satisfaction. Further research should seek understanding of how shared treatment goal discussions relate to successful RA management and explore the development of practical tools to implement them in regular clinic practice as part of a T2T regimen.