Procedural Fairness in Physician-Patient Communication: A Predictor of Health Outcomes in a Cohort of Adults with Overweight or Obesity.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore whether patients' perception of procedural fairness in physicians' communication was associated with willingness to follow doctor's recommendations, self-efficacy beliefs, dietary behaviors, and body mass index. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of baseline data from 489 primary care patients with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (43.6% Black, 40.7% Hispanic/Latino, 55.8% female, mean age = 50 years), who enrolled in a weight management study in two New York City healthcare institutions. We conducted ordinary least squares path analyses with bootstrapping to explore direct and indirect associations among procedural fairness, willingness to follow recommendations, self-efficacy, dietary behaviors, and body mass index, while controlling for age and gender. RESULTS: Serial, multiple mediator models indicated that higher procedural fairness was associated with an increased willingness to follow recommendations which, in turn, was associated with healthier dietary behaviors and a lower BMI (indirect effect = - .02, SE = .01; 95% CI [- .04 to - .01]). Additionally, higher procedural fairness was associated with elevated dietary self-efficacy, which was, in turn, was associated with healthier dietary behaviors and lower BMI (indirect effect = - .01, SE = .003; 95% CI [- .02 to - .002]). CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of incorporating procedural fairness in physician-patient communication concerning weight management in diverse primary care patients.

The Digital Therapeutics Real-World Evidence Framework: An Approach for Guiding Evidence-Based Digital Therapeutics Design, Development, Testing, and Monitoring.

Digital therapeutics (DTx) are a promising way to provide safe, effective, accessible, sustainable, scalable, and equitable approaches to advance individual and population health. However, developing and deploying DTx is inherently complex in that DTx includes multiple interacting components, such as tools to support activities like medication adherence, health behavior goal-setting or self-monitoring, and algorithms that adapt the provision of these according to individual needs that may change over time. While myriad frameworks exist for different phases of DTx development, no single framework exists to guide evidence production for DTx across its full life cycle, from initial DTx development to long-term use. To fill this gap, we propose the DTx real-world evidence (RWE) framework as a pragmatic, iterative, milestone-driven approach for developing DTx. The DTx RWE framework is derived from the 4-phase development model used for behavioral interventions, but it includes key adaptations that are specific to the unique characteristics of DTx. To ensure the highest level of fidelity to the needs of users, the framework also incorporates real-world data (RWD) across the entire life cycle of DTx development and use. The DTx RWE framework is intended for any group interested in developing and deploying DTx in real-world contexts, including those in industry, health care, public health, and academia. Moreover, entities that fund research that supports the development of DTx and agencies that regulate DTx might find the DTx RWE framework useful as they endeavor to improve how DTxcan advance individual and population health.

The GROWBABY Research Network: A Framework for Advancing Health Equity Through Community Engaged Practice-Based Research.

PURPOSE: Preventive health care, delivered through well child care visits, serves as a universal and primary entry point for promoting child wellbeing, yet children with lower socioeconomic status and children of color receive less consistent and lower quality preventive health care. Currently, limited research exists comparing models for delivering preventive care to children and their impact on longstanding racial/ethnic and socioeconomic inequities. DESCRIPTION: Practice-based research networks can help to advance health equity by more rapidly studying and scaling innovative, local models of care to reduce racial/ethnic and socioeconomic inequities in primary care and preventive care utilization. This paper outlines a framework of community engagement that can be utilized by practice-based research networks to advance health equity and details the application of the framework using the GROWBABY Research Network (GROup Wellness Visits for BABies and FamilY Research Network). ASSESSMENT: The GROWBABY Research Network launched in 2020, engaged clinical practices utilizing this unique model of group well childcare - CenteringParenting® - with the following goals: to promote collaboration among researchers, clinicians, patients, and community members; facilitate practice-based research; and increase the use of shared assessment measures and protocols. As a research collaborative, the GROWBABY Research Network connects clinical partners facing similar challenges and creates opportunities to draw upon the assets and strengths of the collective to identify solutions to the barriers to research participation. CONCLUSION: Primary care, practice-based research networks like the GROWBABY Research Network that intentionally integrate community engagement principles and community-based participatory research methods can advance equitable health care systems and improve child wellbeing.

Assessing Barriers to Implementation of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence-Based Tools in Critical Care: Web-Based Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: Although there is considerable interest in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) in critical care, the implementation of effective algorithms into practice has been limited. OBJECTIVE: We sought to understand physician perspectives of a novel intubation prediction tool. Further, we sought to understand health care provider and nonprovider perspectives on the use of ML in health care. We aim to use the data gathered to elucidate implementation barriers and determinants of this intubation prediction tool, as well as ML/AI-based algorithms in critical care and health care in general. METHODS: We developed 2 anonymous surveys in Qualtrics, 1 single-center survey distributed to 99 critical care physicians via email, and 1 social media survey distributed via Facebook and Twitter with branching logic to tailor questions for providers and nonproviders. The surveys included a mixture of categorical, Likert scale, and free-text items. Likert scale means with SD were reported from 1 to 5. We used student t tests to examine the differences between groups. In addition, Likert scale responses were converted into 3 categories, and percentage values were reported in order to demonstrate the distribution of responses. Qualitative free-text responses were reviewed by a member of the study team to determine validity, and content analysis was performed to determine common themes in responses. RESULTS: Out of 99 critical care physicians, 47 (48%) completed the single-center survey. Perceived knowledge of ML was low with a mean Likert score of 2.4 out of 5 (SD 0.96), with 7.5% of respondents rating their knowledge as a 4 or 5. The willingness to use the ML-based algorithm was 3.32 out of 5 (SD 0.95), with 75% of respondents answering 3 out of 5. The social media survey had 770 total responses with 605 (79%) providers and 165 (21%) nonproviders. We found no difference in providers' perceived knowledge based on level of experience in either survey. We found that nonproviders had significantly less perceived knowledge of ML (mean 3.04 out of 5, SD 1.53 vs mean 3.43, SD 0.941; P<.001) and comfort with ML (mean 3.28 out of 5, SD 1.02 vs mean 3.53, SD 0.935; P=.004) than providers. Free-text responses revealed multiple shared concerns, including accuracy/reliability, data bias, patient safety, and privacy/security risks. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that providers and nonproviders have positive perceptions of ML-based tools, and that a tool to predict the need for intubation would be of interest to critical care providers. There were many shared concerns about ML/AI in health care elucidated by the surveys. These results provide a baseline evaluation of implementation barriers and determinants of ML/AI-based tools that will be important in their optimal implementation and adoption in the critical care setting and health care in general.

Enhancing review criteria for dissemination and implementation science grants.

BACKGROUND: The existing grant review criteria do not consider unique methods and priorities of Dissemination and Implementation Science (DIS). The ImplemeNtation and Improvement Science Proposals Evaluation CriTeria (INSPECT) scoring system includes 10 criteria based on Proctor et al.'s "ten key ingredients" and was developed to support the assessment of DIS research proposals. We describe how we adapted INSPECT and used it in combination with the NIH scoring system to evaluate pilot DIS study proposals through our DIS Center. METHODS: We adapted INSPECT to broaden considerations for diverse DIS settings and concepts (e.g., explicitly including dissemination and implementation methods). Five PhD-level researchers with intermediate to advanced DIS knowledge were trained to conduct reviews of seven grant applications using both the INSPECT and NIH criteria. The INSPECT overall scores range from 0 to 30 (higher scores are better), and the NIH overall scores range from 1 to 9 (lower scores are better). Each grant was independently reviewed by two reviewers, then discussed in a group meeting to compare the experiences using both criteria to evaluate the proposal and to finalize scoring decisions. A follow-up survey was sent to grant reviewers to solicit further reflections on each scoring criterion. RESULTS: Averaged across reviewers, the INSPECT overall scores ranged from 13 to 24, while the NIH overall scores ranged from 2 to 5. Reviewer reflections highlighted the unique value and utility for each scoring criterion. The NIH criteria had a broad scientific purview and were better suited to evaluate more effectiveness-focused and pre-implementation proposals not testing implementation strategies. The INSPECT criteria were easier to rate in terms of the quality of integrating DIS considerations into the proposal and to assess the potential for generalizability, real-world feasibility, and impact. Overall, reviewers noted that INSPECT was a helpful tool to guide DIS research proposal writing. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed complementarity in using both scoring criteria in our pilot study grant proposal review and highlighted the utility of INSPECT as a potential DIS resource for training and capacity building. Possible refinements to INSPECT include more explicit reviewer guidance on assessing pre-implementation proposals, providing reviewers with the opportunity to submit written commentary with each numerical rating, and greater clarity on rating criteria with overlapping descriptions.

A systematic review of dissemination and implementation science capacity building programs around the globe.

BACKGROUND: Research centers and programs focused on dissemination and implementation science (DIS) training, mentorship, and capacity building have proliferated in recent years. There has yet to be a comprehensive inventory of DIS capacity building program (CBP) cataloging information about activities, infrastructure, and priorities as well as opportunities for shared resources, collaboration, and growth. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide the first inventory of DIS CBPs and describe their key features and offerings. METHODS: We defined DIS CBPs as organizations or groups with an explicit focus on building practical knowledge and skills to conduct DIS for health promotion. CBPs were included if they had at least one capacity building activity other than educational coursework or training alone. A multi-method strategy was used to identify DIS CBPs. Data about the characteristics of DIS CBPs were abstracted from each program's website. In addition, a survey instrument was developed and fielded to gather in-depth information about the structure, activities, and resources of each CBP. RESULTS: In total, 165 DIS CBPs met our inclusion criteria and were included in the final CBP inventory. Of these, 68% are affiliated with a United States (US) institution and 32% are internationally based. There was one CBP identified in a low- and middle-income country (LMIC). Of the US-affiliated CBPs, 55% are embedded within a Clinical and Translational Science Award program. Eighty-seven CBPs (53%) responded to a follow-up survey. Of those who completed a survey, the majority used multiple DIS capacity building activities with the most popular being Training and Education (n=69, 79%) followed by Mentorship (n=58, 67%), provision of DIS Resources and Tools (n=57, 66%), Consultation (n=58, 67%), Professional Networking (n=54, 62%), Technical Assistance (n=46, 52%), and Grant Development Support (n=45, 52%). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study to catalog DIS programs and synthesize learnings into a set of priorities and sustainment strategies to support DIS capacity building efforts. There is a need for formal certification, accessible options for learners in LMICs, opportunities for practitioners, and opportunities for mid/later stage researchers. Similarly, harmonized measures of reporting and evaluation would facilitate targeted cross-program comparison and collaboration.

Process evaluation of an academic dissemination and implementation science capacity building program.

The UC San Diego Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute Dissemination and Implementation Science Center (DISC) launched in 2020 to provide dissemination and implementation science (DIS) training, technical assistance, community engagement, and research advancement. DISC developed a program-wide logic model to inform a process evaluation of member engagement and impact related to DISC services. The DISC Logic Model (DLM) served as the framework for a process evaluation capturing quantitative and qualitative information about scientific activities, outputs, and outcomes. The evaluation involved a multimethod approach with surveys, attendance tracking, feedback forms, documentation of grant outcomes, and promotions metrics (e.g., Twitter engagement). There were 540 DISC Members at the end of year 2 of the DISC. Engagement in the DISC was high with nearly all members endorsing at least one scientific activity. Technical assistance offerings such as DISC Journal Club and consultation were most frequently used. The most common scientific outputs were grant submission (65, 39%), formal mentoring for career award (40, 24%), and paper submission (34, 21%). The DLM facilitated a comprehensive process evaluation of our center. Actionable steps include prioritizing technical assistance, strengthening networking opportunities, identifying streamlined approaches to facilitate DIS grant writing through writing workshops, as well as "office hours" or organized writing leagues.

Rapid implementation mapping to identify implementation determinants and strategies for cervical cancer control in Nigeria.

Background: Cervical cancer constitutes a huge burden among women in Nigeria, particularly HIV-infected women. However, the provision and uptake of cervical cancer screening and treatment is limited in Nigeria. Understanding implementation determinants is essential for the effective translation of such evidence-based interventions into practice, particularly in low-resource settings. COVID-19 pandemic necessitated online collaboration making implementation mapping challenging in some ways, while providing streamlining opportunities. In this study, we describe the use of a virtual online approach for implementation mapping (steps 1-3) to identify implementation determinants, mechanisms, and strategies to implement evidence-based cervical cancer screening and treatment in existing HIV infrastructure in Nigeria. Methods: This study used a mixed methods study design with a virtual modified nominal group technique (NGT) process aligning with Implementation Mapping steps 1-3. Eleven stakeholders (six program staff and five healthcare providers and administrators) participated in a virtual NGT process which occurred in two phases. The first phase utilized online surveys, and the second phase utilized an NGT and implementation mapping process. The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment (EPIS) framework was used to elicit discussion around determinants and strategies from the outer context (i.e., country and regions), inner organizational context of existing HIV infrastructure, bridging factors that relate to bi-directional influences, and the health innovation to be implemented (in this case cervical cancer screening and treatment). During the NGT, the group ranked implementation barriers and voted on implementation strategies using Mentimeter. Results: Eighteen determinants to integrating cervical cancer screening and treatment into existing comprehensive HIV programs were related to human resources capacity, access to cervical cancer services, logistics management, clinic, and client-related factors. The top 3 determinants included gaps in human resources capacity, poor access to cervical cancer services, and lack of demand for services resulting from lack of awareness about the disease and servicesA set of six core implementation strategies and two enhanced implementation strategies were identified. Conclusions: Rapid Implementation Mapping is a feasible and acceptable approach for identifying and articulating implementation determinants, mechanisms, and strategies for complex healthcare interventions in LMICs.

The core functions and forms paradigm throughout EPIS: designing and implementing an evidence-based practice with function fidelity.

There are numerous frameworks for implementing evidence-based practices (EBPs) in novel settings to achieve "fidelity." However, identifying appropriate referents for fidelity poses a challenge. The Core Functions and Forms paradigm offers a model that can inform adaptation decisions throughout all phases of the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework. We applied the Core Functions-Forms paradigm throughout the Exploration and Preparation phases of EPIS in the design of two EBPs targeting family protective factors among Latinos in San Diego, as well as describe plans for its use in Implementation and Sustainment. We employed a distinct approach for each intervention element to contrast adaptation decisions that prioritize adherence to either form or function fidelity. We describe our application of the functions-forms paradigm within the EPIS framework, focusing on the Preparation phase. We also provide functions-forms matrices that map out the relationship between individual intervention components (forms) and the essential processes (functions) by which components are theorized to exert their impact. This case study of how the core functions-forms framework can be mapped onto EPIS can support a conceptual shift from prioritizing form fidelity to also focusing on function fidelity. This might allow interventionists to target appropriate fidelity referents when adapting an EBP, rather than defaulting to maintaining fidelity to forms as described in the protocol. We see great promise for using this framework for guiding actions throughout all EPIS phases and informing future applications of this paradigm to foster more robust fidelity to function.

Testing Go/No-Go training effects on implicit evaluations of unhealthy and healthy snack foods.

OBJECTIVE: Despite intending to eat healthy foods, people often yield to temptation. In environments rife with unhealthy food options, a positive implicit evaluation of unhealthy foods may inadvertently influence unhealthy choices. This study investigates if and under which conditions implicit evaluations of unhealthy and healthy foods can be influenced by a computer-based Go/No-Go (GNG) training. DESIGN: Undergraduate student participants (N = 161 participants; 117 females, 44 males; Mage = 19 years, SD = 2 years) completed a GNG training with two healthy (grape and nut) and two unhealthy (potato chip and cookie) stimuli. Participants were either instructed to inhibit their responses to the potato chip (No-Go Chips/Go Grape) or to a grape (No-Go Grape/Go Chips). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Implicit evaluations of chips and grapes were assessed using the Extrinsic Affective Simon Task. RESULTS: This GNG training impacted implicit evaluations of chips, but not grapes. GNG training effects were stronger for participants with lower sensitivity for behavioural inhibition measured with the Behavioural Inhibition System scale. CONCLUSION: GNG training might help people change implicit food evaluations. More research is needed to understand how individual and training characteristics affect outcomes with the goal of tailoring and optimising the GNG training to produce the strongest effect.

Maternal Milk Provision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Mother-Infant Emotional Connection for Preterm Infants.

Maternal milk (MM) intake during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization is associated with improved neurodevelopment in preterm infants. Underlying mechanisms may include stronger mother-infant emotional connection. This paper examines associations between MM provision in the NICU with maternal connection to her infant using three factors validated in our sample: maternal sensitivity, emotional concern, and positive interaction/engagement. We studied 70 mothers of infants born <1500 g and/or <32 weeks' gestation. Associations between MM provision and mother-infant connection were modeled using median regression adjusted for clustering. Mothers who provided exclusive MM (i.e., 100% MM, no other milk) reported higher levels of maternal sensitivity by a median score of 2 units (ß = 2.00, 95% CI: 0.76, 3.24, p = 0.002) than the mixed group (i.e., MM < 100% days, other milk ≥1 days), as well as greater emotional concern (ß = 3.00, 95% CI: -0.002, 6.00, p = 0.05). Among mothers of very preterm infants, greater milk provision was associated with greater maternal sensitivity, but also with greater emotional concern about meeting the infant's needs. These findings highlight the importance of supporting MM provision and early infant care as an integrated part of lactation support. The findings may also provide insight into links between MM provision in the NICU and infant neurodevelopment.

A technology-assisted health coaching intervention vs. enhanced usual care for Primary Care-Based Obesity Treatment: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Goals for Eating and Moving (GEM) is a technology-assisted health coaching intervention to improve weight management in primary care at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) that we designed through prior rigorous formative studies. GEM is integrated within the patient-centered medical home and utilizes student health coach volunteers to counsel patients and encourage participation in VHA's intensive weight management program, MOVE!. The primary aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of GEM when compared to Enhanced Usual Care (EUC). Our secondary aim was to test the impact of GEM on weight, diet and physical activity when compared to EUC. METHODS: Veterans with a Body Mass Index ≥30 kg/m2 or 25-29.9 kg/m2 with comorbidities (n = 45) were recruited in two phases and randomized to GEM (n = 22) or EUC (n = 23). We collected process measures (e.g. number of coaching calls completed, number and types of lifestyle goals, counseling documentation) and qualitative feedback on quality of counseling and acceptability of call duration. We also measured weight and behavioral outcomes. RESULTS: GEM participants reported receiving high quality counseling from health coaches and that call duration and frequency were acceptable. They received 5.9 (SD = 3.7) of 12 coaching calls on average, and number of coaching calls completed was associated with greater weight loss at 6-months in GEM participants (Spearman Coefficient = 0.71, p < 0.001). Four participants from GEM and two from EUC attended the MOVE! program. PCPs completed clinical reminders in 12% of PCP visits with GEM participants. Trends show that GEM participants (n = 21) tended to lose more weight at 3-, 6-, and 12-months as compared to EUC, but this was not statistically significant. There were no significant differences in diet or physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: We found that a technology assisted health coaching intervention delivered within primary care using student health coaches was feasible and acceptable to Veteran patients. This pilot study helped elucidate challenges such as low provider engagement, difficulties with health coach continuity, and low patient attendance in MOVE! which we have addressed and plan to test in future studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03006328 Retrospectively registered on December 30, 2016.