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McGowan M, Rose D, Paez M, Stewart G, Stockdale S. Frontline perspectives on adoption and non-adoption of care management tools for high-risk patients in primary care. HEALTHCARE (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 11:100719. [PMID: 37748215 DOI: 10.1016/j.hjdsi.2023.100719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Population health management tools (PHMTs) embedded within electronic health records (EHR) could improve management of high-risk patients and reduce costs associated with potentially avoidable emergency department visits or hospitalizations. Adoption of PHMTs across the Veterans Health Administration (VA) has been variable and previous research suggests that understaffed primary care (PC) teams might not be using the tools. METHODS We conducted a retrospective content analysis of open-text responses (n = 1804) from the VA's 2018 national primary care personnel survey to, 1) identify system-level and individual-level factors associated with why clinicians are not using the tools, and 2) to document clinicians' recommendations to improve tool adoption. RESULTS We found three themes pertaining to low adoption and/or tool use: 1) IT burden and administrative tasks (e.g., manually mailing letters to patients), 2) staffing shortages (e.g., nurses covering multiple teams), and 3) no training or difficulty using the tools (e.g., not knowing how to access the tools or use the data). Frontline clinician recommendations included automating some tasks, reconfiguring team roles to shift administrative work away from providers and nurses, consolidating PHMTs into a centralized, easily accessible repository, and providing training. CONCLUSIONS Healthcare system-level factors (staffing) and individual-level factors (lack of training) can limit adoption of PHMTs that could be useful for reducing costs and improving patient outcomes. Future research, including qualitative interviews with clinicians who use/don't use the tools, could help develop interventions to address barriers to adoption. IMPLICATIONS Shifting more administrative tasks to clerical staff would free up clinician time for population health management but may not be possible for understaffed PC teams. Additionally, healthcare systems may be able to increase PHMT use by making them more easily accessible through the electronic health record and providing training in their use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael McGowan
- Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation, & Policy, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, USA.
| | - Danielle Rose
- Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation, & Policy, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, USA
| | - Monica Paez
- Center for Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City VA Healthcare System, USA
| | - Gregory Stewart
- Center for Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City VA Healthcare System, USA; Department of Management and Organizations, Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa, USA
| | - Susan Stockdale
- Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation, & Policy, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Kim B, Benzer JK, Afable MK, Fletcher TL, Yusuf Z, Smith TL. Care transitions from the specialty to the primary care setting: A scoping literature review of potential barriers and facilitators with implications for mental health care. J Eval Clin Pract 2023; 29:1338-1353. [PMID: 36938857 DOI: 10.1111/jep.13832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This scoping review aimed to understand potential barriers and facilitators in transitioning patients from specialty to primary care settings, to inform the implementation of an intervention to promote active consideration of psychiatrically stable patients for transition from the specialty mental health setting back to primary care. METHODS Guided by Levac and colleagues' six-stage methodological framework for conducting scoping studies, we systematically searched electronic article databases for peer-reviewed literature from January 2000 to May 2016. We included identified articles that discuss findings related to potential barriers and facilitators in transitioning patients from specialty to primary care settings. We performed descriptive and thematic analyses of results to generate emergent codes and their categorizations. RESULTS Our database search yielded 906 unique articles, 23 of which we included in our scoping review. All but one of the included studies were conducted in North America. Identified potential barriers and facilitators spanned eight emergent themes-(i) primary care accessibility, especially in terms of timely availability of appointments, (ii) clarity in respective roles of specialty care and primary care in managing a patient, (iii) timely exchange of information, (iv) transition process management, (v) perceived ability of primary care providers to manage specialty conditions, (vi) perceived ability of patients to self-manage, (vii) leadership support and (viii) support for implementing initiatives to promote transitions. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this scoping review enable an increased understanding of current practices and considerations regarding care transitions from specialty to primary care settings. The importance of role clarification, shared clinical information systems, confidence in care competency, and adequate organizational support to promote appropriate transitions were themes most widely reported across the reviewed studies. Few studies specifically examined the transition from specialty mental health to primary care. Future studies should account for mental health-specific symptomatic patterns and recovery trajectories, such as prevalent chronicity and frequency of relapse, in planning and conducting transitions from specialty mental health back to primary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Kim
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Justin K Benzer
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Integrated Service Network 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | | | - Terri L Fletcher
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Health Services Research & Development Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zenab Yusuf
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research & Development Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tracey L Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Abstract
Late-life depression is common but underrecognized and undertreated leading to significant morbidity and mortality, including from suicide. The presence of comorbidities necessitates screening followed by a careful history in order to make the diagnosis of depression. Because older adults tend to take longer to respond to treatment and have higher relapse rates than younger patients, they benefit most from persistent, attentive therapy. Although both pharmacotherapy and psychosocial treatments, or a combination of the two, are considered as the first-line therapy for late-life depression, most data support a combined, biopsychosocial treatment approach provided by an interdisciplinary team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Gundersen
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop B178 Academic Office One, 12631 E. 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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Leung LB, Rubenstein LV, Jaske E, Taylor L, Post EP, Nelson KM, Rosland AM. Association of Integrated Mental Health Services with Physical Health Quality Among VA Primary Care Patients. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:3331-3337. [PMID: 35141854 PMCID: PMC9550947 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-07287-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Integrated care for comorbid depression and chronic medical disease improved physical and mental health outcomes in randomized controlled trials. The Veterans Health Administration (VA) implemented Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI) across all primary care clinics nationally to increase access to mental/behavioral health treatment, alongside physical health management. OBJECTIVE To examine whether widespread, pragmatic PC-MHI implementation was associated with improved care quality for chronic medical diseases. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective cohort study included 828,050 primary care patients with at least one quality metric among 396 VA clinics providing PC-MHI services between October 2013 and September 2016. MAIN MEASURE(S) For outcome measures, chart abstractors rated whether diabetes and cardiovascular quality metrics were met for patients at each clinic as part of VA's established quality reporting program. The explanatory variable was the proportion of primary care patients seen by integrated mental health specialists in each clinic annually. Multilevel logistic regression models examined associations between clinic PC-MHI proportion and patient-level quality metrics, adjusting for regional, patient, and time-level effects and clinic and patient characteristics. KEY RESULTS Median proportion of patients seen in PC-MHI per clinic was 6.4% (IQR=4.7-8.7%). Nineteen percent of patients with diabetes had poor glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c >9%). Five percent had severely elevated blood pressure (>160/100 mmHg). Each two-fold increase in clinic PC-MHI proportion was associated with 2% lower adjusted odds of poor glycemic control (95% CI=0.96-0.99; p=0.046) in diabetes. While there was no association with quality for patients diagnosed with hypertension, patients without diagnosed hypertension had 5% (CI=0.92-0.99; p=0.046) lower adjusted odds of having elevated blood pressures. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Primary care clinics where integrated mental health care reached a greater proportion of patients achieved modest albeit statistically significant gains in key chronic care quality metrics, providing optimism about the expected effects of large-scale PC-MHI implementation on physical health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucinda B Leung
- Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation, & Policy, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, 11301 Wilshire Blvd (111G), Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA. .,Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Lisa V Rubenstein
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Health Policy & Management, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Erin Jaske
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Edward P Post
- VA Ann Arbor, Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Karin M Nelson
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ann-Marie Rosland
- VA Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Santos WJ, Graham ID, Lalonde M, Demery Varin M, Squires JE. The effectiveness of champions in implementing innovations in health care: a systematic review. Implement Sci Commun 2022; 3:80. [PMID: 35869516 PMCID: PMC9308185 DOI: 10.1186/s43058-022-00315-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Champions have been documented in the literature as an important strategy for implementation, yet their effectiveness has not been well synthesized in the health care literature. The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether champions, tested in isolation from other implementation strategies, are effective at improving innovation use or outcomes in health care. METHODS The JBI systematic review method guided this study. A peer-reviewed search strategy was applied to eight electronic databases to identify relevant articles. We included all published articles and unpublished theses and dissertations that used a quantitative study design to evaluate the effectiveness of champions in implementing innovations within health care settings. Two researchers independently completed study selection, data extraction, and quality appraisal. We used content analysis and vote counting to synthesize our data. RESULTS After screening 7566 records titles and abstracts and 2090 full text articles, we included 35 studies in our review. Most of the studies (71.4%) operationalized the champion strategy by the presence or absence of a champion. In a subset of seven studies, five studies found associations between exposure to champions and increased use of best practices, programs, or technological innovations at an organizational level. In other subsets, the evidence pertaining to use of champions and innovation use by patients or providers, or at improving outcomes was either mixed or scarce. CONCLUSIONS We identified a small body of literature reporting an association between use of champions and increased instrumental use of innovations by organizations. However, more research is needed to determine causal relationship between champions and innovation use and outcomes. Even though there are no reported adverse effects in using champions, opportunity costs may be associated with their use. Until more evidence becomes available about the effectiveness of champions at increasing innovation use and outcomes, the decision to deploy champions should consider the needs and resources of the organization and include an evaluation plan. To further our understanding of champions' effectiveness, future studies should (1) use experimental study designs in conjunction with process evaluations, (2) describe champions and their activities and (3) rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of champions' activities. REGISTRATION Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/ba3d2 ). Registered on November 15, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilmer J. Santos
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Ian D. Graham
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Michelle Lalonde
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON Canada
- Institut du Savoir Montfort, Hôpital Montfort, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Melissa Demery Varin
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Janet E. Squires
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON Canada
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Carlsson KS, Brommels M. Integrated Health and Social Services for People With Chronic Mental Health Problems: People Are More Important Than Processes. Insights From a Multiple Case Study in Swedish Psychiatry. Front Public Health 2022; 10:845201. [PMID: 35812519 PMCID: PMC9257072 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.845201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Three mental health organizations, one merged with, one formally cooperating with, and one without formal links to social services were analyzed through the experience of staff, patients and relatives in order to elucidate what approaches best promoted service coordination. Seventeen staff and eight patients or relatives, recruited from the three organizations, participated in semi-structured interviews, guided by pre-selected categories derived from previous research about coordination and care processes. Directed content analysis was used to identify and categorize meaning units. Both staff and patients raised the same concerns. Organized collaboration between psychiatric care and social services addressed only some of patients' challenges. More important was patient access to financial and social assistance. The organizational arrangements were not referred to, whereas case management was seen as crucial. In many instances relatives have to act as case managers. Service integration in mental health has to include, in addition to social services, other authorities like social insurance and employment agencies. A case manager knowledgeable about all welfare services is best positioned to promote that “extended integration”. Relatives often have to take this responsibility to support this fragile group of patients. This observed importance of case management is supported by previous research in mental health and primary care. The role of relatives should be acknowledged and supported by those services.
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Russell V, Loo CE, Walsh A, Bharathy A, Vasudevan U, Looi I, Smith SM. Clinician perceptions of common mental disorders before and after implementation of a consultation-liaison psychiatry service: a longitudinal qualitative study in government-operated primary care settings in Penang, Malaysia. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e043923. [PMID: 34193478 PMCID: PMC8246375 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore primary care clinician perceptions of barriers and facilitators in delivering care for common mental disorders (CMD) before and after implementation of a consultation-liaison psychiatry service (Psychiatry in Primary Care (PIPC)) in government-operated primary care clinics and to explore the clinicians' experience of the PIPC service itself. DESIGN This longitudinal qualitative study was informed by the Normalisation Process Model and involved audiotaped semi-structured individual interviews with front-line clinicians before (Time 1) and after (Time 2) the PIPC intervention. The Framework Method was used in the thematic analysis of pre/post interview transcripts. SETTING Two government-operated primary care clinics in Penang, Malaysia. PARTICIPANTS 17 primary care medical, nursing and allied health staff recruited purposely to achieve a range of disciplines and a balanced representation from both clinics. INTERVENTION Psychiatrists, accompanied by medical students in small numbers, provided one half-day consultation visit per week, to front-line clinicians in each clinic over an 8-month period. The service involved psychiatric assessment of patients with suspected CMDs, with face-to-face discussion with the referring clinician before and after the patient assessment. RESULTS At Time 1 interviewees tended to equate CMDs with stress and embraced a holistic model of care while also reporting considerable autonomy in mental healthcare and positively appraising their current practices. At Time 2, post-intervention, participants demonstrated a shift towards greater understanding of CMDs as treatable conditions. They reported time pressures and the demands of key performance indicators in other areas as barriers to participation in PIPC. Yet they showed increased awareness of current service deficits and of their potential in delivering improved mental healthcare. CONCLUSIONS Despite resource-related and structural barriers to implementation of national mental health policy in Malaysian primary care settings, our findings suggest that front-line clinicians are receptive to future interventions designed to improve the mental healthcare capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Russell
- Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ching Ee Loo
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Institute for Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health, Shah Alam, Malaysia
| | - Aisling Walsh
- Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Irene Looi
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Seberang Jaya, Seberang Jaya, Malaysia
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Shea CM. A conceptual model to guide research on the activities and effects of innovation champions. IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2021; 2. [PMID: 34541541 PMCID: PMC8445003 DOI: 10.1177/2633489521990443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The importance of having a champion to promote implementation efforts has been discussed in the literature for more than five decades. However, the empirical literature on champions remains underdeveloped. As a result, health organizations commonly use champions in their implementation efforts without the benefit of evidence to guide decisions about how to identify, prepare, and evaluate their champions. The goal of this article is to present a model of champion impact that draws upon previous literature and is intended to inform future research on champions and serve as a guide for practitioners serving in a champion role. Methods The proposed model is informed by existing literature, both conceptual and empirical. Prior studies and reviews of the literature have faced challenges in terms of operationalizing and reporting on champion characteristics, activities, and impacts. The proposed model addresses this challenge by delineating these constructs, which allows for consolidation of factors previously discussed about champions as well as new hypothesized relationships between constructs. Results The model proposes that a combination of champion commitment and champion experience and self-efficacy influence champion performance, which influences peer engagement with the champion, which ultimately influences the champion's impact. Two additional constructs have indirect effects on champion impact. Champion beliefs about the innovation and organizational support for the champion affect champion commitment. Conclusion The proposed model is intended to support prospective studies of champions by hypothesizing relationships between constructs identified in the champion literature, specifically relationships between modifiable factors that influence a champion's potential impact. Over time, the model should be modified, as appropriate, based on new findings from champion-related research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Shea
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Treatment Differences in Primary and Specialty Settings in Veterans with Major Depression. J Am Board Fam Med 2021; 34:268-290. [PMID: 33832996 PMCID: PMC8439361 DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2021.02.200475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) supports the nation's largest primary care-mental health integration (PC-MHI) collaborative care model to increase treatment of mild to moderate common mental disorders in primary care (PC) and refer more severe-complex cases to specialty mental health (SMH) settings. It is unclear how this treatment assignment works in practice. METHODS Patients (n = 2610) who sought incident episode VHA treatment for depression completed a baseline self-report questionnaire about depression severity-complexity. Administrative data were used to determine settings and types of treatment during the next 30 days. RESULTS Thirty-four percent (34.2%) of depressed patients received treatment in PC settings, 65.8% in SMH settings. PC patients had less severe and fewer comorbid depressive episodes. Patients with lowest severity and/or complexity were most likely to receive PC antidepressant medication treatment; those with highest severity and/or complexity were most likely to receive combined treatment in SMH settings. Assignment of patients across settings and types of treatment was stronger than found in previous civilian studies but less pronounced than expected (cross-validated AUC = 0.50-0.68). DISCUSSION By expanding access to evidence-based treatments, VHA's PC-MHI increases consistency of treatment assignment. Reasons for assignment being less pronounced than expected and implications for treatment response will require continued study.
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Regional Adoption of Primary Care-Mental Health Integration in Veterans Health Administration Patient-Centered Medical Homes. J Healthc Qual 2020; 41:297-305. [PMID: 31135605 DOI: 10.1097/jhq.0000000000000206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Behavioral health integration is important, yet difficult to implement, in patient-centered medical homes. The Veterans Health Administration (VA) mandated evidence-based collaborative care models through Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI) in large PC clinics. This study characterized PC-MHI programs among all PC clinics, including small sites exempt from program implementation, in one VA region. METHODS Researchers administered a cross-sectional key informant organizational survey on PC-MHI among VA PC clinics in Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico (n = 69 distinct sites) from February to May 2018. Researchers analyzed PC clinic leaders' responses to five items about organizational structure and practice management. RESULTS Researchers received surveys from 65 clinics (94% response rate). Although only 38% were required to implement on-site PC-MHI programs, 95% of participating clinics reported providing access to such services. The majority reported having integrated, colocated, or tele-MH providers (94%) and care management (77%). Most stated same-day services (59%) and "warm" handoffs (56%) were always available, the former varying significantly based on clinic size and distance from affiliated VA hospitals. CONCLUSIONS Regional adoption of PC-MHI was high, including telemedicine, among VA patient-centered medical homes, regardless of whether implementation was required. Small, remote PC clinics that voluntarily provide PC-MHI services may need more support.
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Ritchie MJ, Kirchner JE, Townsend JC, Pitcock JA, Dollar KM, Liu CF. Time and Organizational Cost for Facilitating Implementation of Primary Care Mental Health Integration. J Gen Intern Med 2020; 35:1001-1010. [PMID: 31792866 PMCID: PMC7174254 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-019-05537-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Integrating mental health services into primary care settings is complex and challenging. Although facilitation strategies have successfully supported implementation of primary care mental health integration and other complex innovations, we know little about the time required or its cost. OBJECTIVE To examine the time and organizational cost of facilitating implementation of primary care mental health integration. DESIGN Descriptive analysis. PARTICIPANTS One expert external facilitator and two internal regional facilitators who helped healthcare system stakeholders, e.g., leaders, managers, clinicians, and non-clinical staff, implement primary care mental health integration at eight clinics. INTERVENTION Implementation facilitation tailored to the needs and resources of the setting and its stakeholders. MAIN MEASURES We documented facilitators' and stakeholders' time and types of activities using a structured spreadsheet collected from facilitators on a weekly basis. We obtained travel costs and salary information. We conducted descriptive analysis of time data and estimated organizational cost. KEY RESULTS The external facilitator devoted 263 h (0.09 FTE), including travel, across all 8 clinics over 28 months. Internal facilitator time varied across networks (1792 h versus 1169 h), as well as clinics. Stakeholder participation time was similar across networks (1280.6 versus 1363.4 person hours) but the number of stakeholders varied (133 versus 199 stakeholders). The organizational cost of providing implementation facilitation also varied across networks ($263,490 versus $258,127). Stakeholder participation accounted for 35% of the cost of facilitation activities in one network and 47% of the cost in the other. CONCLUSIONS Although facilitation can improve implementation of primary care mental health integration, it requires substantial organizational investments that may vary by site and implementation effort. Furthermore, the cost of using an external expert to transfer facilitation skills and build capacity for implementation efforts appears to be minimal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona J Ritchie
- VA Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) Program for Team-Based Behavioral Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, North Little Rock, AR, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
| | - JoAnn E Kirchner
- VA Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) Program for Team-Based Behavioral Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, North Little Rock, AR, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - James C Townsend
- VA Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) Program for Team-Based Behavioral Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, North Little Rock, AR, USA
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Jeffery A Pitcock
- VA Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) Program for Team-Based Behavioral Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, North Little Rock, AR, USA
| | | | - Chuan-Fen Liu
- Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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12
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Warnecke AJ, Teng E. Measurement-Based Care in the Veteran's Health Administration: A Critique and Recommendations for Future Use in Mental Health Practice. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2019; 27:795-804. [PMID: 31659593 DOI: 10.1007/s10880-019-09674-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Measurement-based care (MBC), a mechanism through which feedback is given to providers and patients, is increasingly being used in mental health care and has a number of benefits. These include providing information about treatment progress, encouraging a discussion around these topics, providing a method for shared decision-making and personalized treatment, and improving treatment outcomes. Although there are many benefits to using MBC, it is still not being used regularly. Barriers include time to administer measures and uncertainty regarding which measures to administer. This paper will briefly describe MBC and its use in mental health care and then will focus on the use and implementation of MBC within the Veteran's Health Administration (VHA). The VHA is a large healthcare system in which there have been ongoing efforts to implement MBC. Suggestions for successful implementation will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlee J Warnecke
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, USA. .,Battle Creek VA Medical Center, Battle Creek, MI, 49037, USA.
| | - Ellen Teng
- Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, USA.,Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA.,South Central Mental Illness Research Education, and Clinical Center, Houston, USA
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13
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The role of organizational context in the implementation of a statewide initiative to integrate mental health services into pediatric primary care. Health Care Manage Rev 2019; 43:206-217. [PMID: 28614167 DOI: 10.1097/hmr.0000000000000169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although there is evidence that mental health services can be delivered in pediatric primary care with good outcomes, few changes in service delivery have been seen over the past decade. Practices face a number of barriers, making interventions that address determinants of change at multiple levels a promising solution. However, these interventions may need appropriate organizational contexts in place to be successfully implemented. PURPOSE The objective of this study was to test whether organizational context (culture, climate, structures/processes, and technologies) influenced uptake of a complex intervention to implement mental health services in pediatric primary care. METHODOLOGY/APPROACH We incorporated our research into the implementation and evaluation of Ohio Building Mental Wellness Wave 3, a learning collaborative with on-site trainings and technical assistance supporting key drivers of mental health care implementation. Simple linear regression was used to test the effects of organizational context and external or fixed organizational characteristics on program uptake. RESULTS Culture, structure/processes, and technologies scores indicating a more positive organizational context for mental health at the project's start, as well as general cultural values that were more group/developmental, were positively associated with uptake. Patient-centered medical home certification and use of electronic medical records were also associated with greater uptake. Changes in context over the course of Building Mental Wellness did not influence uptake. CONCLUSION Organizational culture, structures/processes, and technologies are important determinants of the uptake of activities to implement mental health services in pediatric primary care. Interventions may be able to change these aspects of context to make them more favorable to integration, but baseline characteristics more heavily influence the more proximal uptake of program activities. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Pediatric primary care practices would benefit from assessing their organizational context and taking steps to address it prior to or in a phased approach with mental health service implementation.
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Smith TL, Kim B, Benzer JK, Yusuf Z, Fletcher TL, Walder AM. FLOW: Early results from a clinical demonstration project to improve the transition of patients with mental health disorders back to primary care. Psychol Serv 2019; 18:23-32. [PMID: 30869978 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Access to mental health (MH) care is of paramount concern to U.S. health care delivery systems, including the Veterans Health Administration. To improve access, there is a need to better focus existing MH resources toward care for those most in need of specialty-level MH treatment. This article provides early results of Project FLOW's (not an acronym) approach to developing and evaluating electronic medical record (EMR)-based criteria to identify clinically stable patients and promote their effective transition from specialty MH back to primary care (PC). Implementation utilized a blended facilitation approach consistent with Integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (iPARIHS). The Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework guided measurement of implementation outcomes. During FLOW, 424 unique MH patients transitioned from MH to PC; of those, only 9 (2.1%) returned to MH after that transition. Most of those patients (n = 335; 79.0%) were first identified on the MH FLOW report, but 89 (21.0%) were other MH patients. The total number of patients discharged due to recovery or stabilization was 411. The 335 patients represent 21.3% of all unique patients (n = 1,566) who met the EMR criteria during the project. The 411 recovered/stabilized patients are 16.4% of all unique MH patients (n = 2,504) treated at the site. These early results suggest that this EMR-based system, combined with sound clinical practices, can be used to identify MH patients who are candidates for transition and foster their effective transition to care management in PC. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bo Kim
- Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research
| | - Justin K Benzer
- Veterans Integrated Service Network 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans
| | - Zenab Yusuf
- South Central Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Care, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Terri L Fletcher
- South Central Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Care, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine
| | - Annette M Walder
- South Central Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Care, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine
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15
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Brooke-Sumner C, Petersen-Williams P, Kruger J, Mahomed H, Myers B. 'Doing more with less': a qualitative investigation of perceptions of South African health service managers on implementation of health innovations. Health Policy Plan 2019; 34:132-140. [PMID: 30863845 PMCID: PMC6481285 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czz017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Building resilience in health systems is an imperative for low- and middle- income countries. Health service managers' ability to implement health innovations may be a key aspect of resilience in primary healthcare facilities, promoting adaptability and functionality. This study investigated health service managers' perceptions and experiences of adopting health innovations. We aimed to identify perceptions of constraints to adoption and emergent behaviours in response to these constraints. A convenience sample of 34 facility, clinical service and sub-district level managers was invited to participate. Six did not respond and were not contactable. In-depth individual interviews in a private space at participants' place of work were conducted with 28 participants. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. NVivo 11 was used to store data and facilitate framework analysis. Study participants described constraints to innovation adoption including: staff lack of understanding of potential benefits; staff personalities, attitudes and behaviours which lead to resistance to change; high workload related to resource constraints and frequent policy changes inducing resistance to change; and suboptimal communication through health system structures. Managers reported employing various strategies to mitigate these constraints. These comprised (1) technical skills including participatory management skills, communication skills, community engagement skills and programme monitoring and evaluation skills, and (2) non-technical skills including role modelling positive attitudes, understanding staff personalities, influencing perceptions of innovations, influencing organizational climate and building trusting relationships. Managers have a vital role in the embedding of service innovations into routine practice. We present a framework of technical and non-technical skills that managers need to facilitate the adoption of health innovations. Future efforts to build managers' capacity to implement health innovations should target these competencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie Brooke-Sumner
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie Van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, J-Block, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Petal Petersen-Williams
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie Van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, J-Block, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - James Kruger
- Western Cape Government: Health, Norton Rose House, 8 Riebeeck Street, Cape Town, South Africa and
| | - Hassan Mahomed
- Western Cape Government: Health, Norton Rose House, 8 Riebeeck Street, Cape Town, South Africa and
- Division of Health Systems and Public Health, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Francie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Bronwyn Myers
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie Van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, J-Block, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
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16
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Moye J, Harris G, Kube E, Hicken B, Adjognon O, Shay K, Sullivan JL. Mental Health Integration in Geriatric Patient-Aligned Care Teams in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2019; 27:100-108. [PMID: 30409549 PMCID: PMC6676903 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To inform geriatric mental health policy by describing the role of behavioral healthcare providers within a geriatric patient-aligned care team (GeriPACT), a patient-centered medical home model of care within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), serving older veterans with chronic disease, functional dependency, cognitive decline, and psychosocial challenges, and/or those who have elder abuse, risk of long-term care placement, or impending disability. METHODS The authors used mixed methods, consisting of a national survey and site visits between July 2016 and February 2017, at VHA outpatient clinics. The participants, 101 GeriPACTs at 44 sites, completed surveys, and 24 medical providers were interviewed. A standardized survey and semi-structured interview guide were developed based on the program handbook, with input from experts in the VHA Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Science Research. RESULTS Of surveyed GeriPACTs, 42.6% had a mental health provider on the team-a psychiatrist (28.7%) and/or psychologist (23.8%). Of these, the mean was 0.27 full-time equivalent psychiatrists and 0.44 full-time equivalent psychologists per team (suggested panel = 800 patients). In surveys, teams with behavioral health providers were more likely to manage psychosocial χ2 = 8.87, cognitive χ2 = 8.68, and depressive χ2 = 11.85 conditions in their panel than those without behavioral health providers. CONCLUSION GeriPACT mental health integration is less than 50%. Population differences between general primary care and geriatric primary care may require different care approaches and provider competencies and need further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Moye
- VA New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (JM), VA Boston Healthcare System, Jamaica Plain, MA; Department of Psychiatry (JM), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
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Murphy J, Corbett KK, Linh DT, Oanh PT, Nguyen VC. Barriers and facilitators to the integration of depression services in primary care in Vietnam: a mixed methods study. BMC Health Serv Res 2018; 18:641. [PMID: 30115050 PMCID: PMC6097413 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-3416-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the prevalence of depression in Vietnam is on par with global rates, services for depression are limited. The government of Vietnam has prioritized enhancing depression care through primary healthcare (PHC) and efforts are currently underway to test and scale-up psychosocial interventions throughout the country. With these initiatives in progress, it is important to understand implementation factors that might influence the successful integration of depression services into PHC. As the implementers of these new interventions, primary care providers (PHPs) are well placed to provide important insight into implementation factors affecting the integration of depression services into PHC. This mixed-methods study examines factors at the individual, organizational and structural levels that may act as barriers and facilitators to the integration of depression services into PHC in Vietnam from the perspective of PHPs. METHODS Data collection took place in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2014. We conducted semi-structured interviews with PHPs (n = 30) at commune health centres and outpatient clinics in one rural and one urban district of Hanoi. Theoretical thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data. We administered an online survey to PHPs at n = 150 randomly selected communes across Hanoi. N = 226 PHPs responded to the survey. We used descriptive statistics to describe the study variables acting as barriers and facilitators and used a chi-square test of independence to indicate statistically significant (p < .05) associations between study variables and the profession, location and gender of PHPs. RESULTS Individual-level barriers include low level of knowledge and familiarity with depression among PHPs. Organizational barriers include low resource availability in PHC and low managerial discretion. Barriers at the structural level include limited mental health training among all PHPs and the existing programmatic structure of PHC in Vietnam, which sets mental health apart from general services. Facilitators at the individual level include positive attitudes among PHPs towards people with depression and interest in undergoing enhanced training in depression service delivery. CONCLUSIONS While facilitating factors at the individual level are encouraging, considerable barriers at the structural level must be addressed to ensure the successful integration of depression services into PHC in Vietnam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Murphy
- Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Suite 2400, 515 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 5K3, Canada.
| | - Kitty K Corbett
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. West, Waterloo, ON, N2L3G1, Canada
| | - Dang Thuy Linh
- Institute of Population, Health and Development, 18 Lane 132, Hoa Bang, Yen Hoa, Hanoi, 122667, Vietnam
| | - Pham Thi Oanh
- Institute of Population, Health and Development, 18 Lane 132, Hoa Bang, Yen Hoa, Hanoi, 122667, Vietnam
| | - Vu Cong Nguyen
- Institute of Population, Health and Development, 18 Lane 132, Hoa Bang, Yen Hoa, Hanoi, 122667, Vietnam
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Miech EJ, Rattray NA, Flanagan ME, Damschroder L, Schmid AA, Damush TM. Inside help: An integrative review of champions in healthcare-related implementation. SAGE Open Med 2018; 6:2050312118773261. [PMID: 29796266 PMCID: PMC5960847 DOI: 10.1177/2050312118773261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/aims: The idea that champions are crucial to effective healthcare-related implementation has gained broad acceptance; yet the champion construct has been hampered by inconsistent use across the published literature. This integrative review sought to establish the current state of the literature on champions in healthcare settings and bring greater clarity to this important construct. Methods: This integrative review was limited to research articles in peer-reviewed, English-language journals published from 1980 to 2016. Searches were conducted on the online MEDLINE database via OVID and PubMed using the keyword “champion.” Several additional terms often describe champions and were also included as keywords: implementation leader, opinion leader, facilitator, and change agent. Bibliographies of full-text articles that met inclusion criteria were reviewed for additional references not yet identified via the main strategy of conducting keyword searches in MEDLINE. A five-member team abstracted all full-text articles meeting inclusion criteria. Results: The final dataset for the integrative review consisted of 199 unique articles. Use of the term champion varied widely across the articles with respect to topic, specific job positions, or broader organizational roles. The most common method for operationalizing champion for purposes of analysis was the use of a dichotomous variable designating champion presence or absence. Four studies randomly allocated of the presence or absence of champions. Conclusions: The number of published champion-related articles has markedly increased: more articles were published during the last two years of this review (i.e. 2015–2016) than during its first 30 years (i.e. 1980–2009). The number of champion-related articles has continued to increase sharply since the year 2000. Individual studies consistently found that champions were important positive influences on implementation effectiveness. Although few in number, the randomized trials of champions that have been conducted demonstrate the feasibility of using experimental design to study the effects of champions in healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Miech
- VA Precision Monitoring (PRIS-M) QUERI, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,William M. Tierney Center for Health Services Research, Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Nicholas A Rattray
- VA Precision Monitoring (PRIS-M) QUERI, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Mindy E Flanagan
- VA Precision Monitoring (PRIS-M) QUERI, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Laura Damschroder
- VA Health Services Research & Development Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Arlene A Schmid
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University, College of Health and Human Sciences, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Teresa M Damush
- VA Precision Monitoring (PRIS-M) QUERI, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,William M. Tierney Center for Health Services Research, Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Geriatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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19
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Lipschitz JM, Benzer JK, Miller C, Easley SR, Leyson J, Post EP, Burgess JF. Understanding collaborative care implementation in the Department of Veterans Affairs: core functions and implementation challenges. BMC Health Serv Res 2017; 17:691. [PMID: 29017488 PMCID: PMC5635567 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-017-2601-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The collaborative care model is an evidence-based practice for treatment of depression in which designated care managers provide clinical services, often by telephone. However, the collaborative care model is infrequently adopted in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Almost all VA medical centers have adopted a co-located or embedded approach to integrating mental health care for primary care patients. Some VA medical centers have also adopted a telephone-based collaborative care model where depression care managers support patient education, patient activation, and monitoring of adherence and progress over time. This study evaluated two research questions: (1) What does a dedicated care manager offer in addition to an embedded-only model? (2) What are the barriers to implementing a dedicated depression care manager? METHODS This study involved 15 qualitative, multi-disciplinary, key informant interviews at two VA medical centers where reimbursement options were the same- both with embedded mental health staff, but one with a depression care manager. Participant interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to identify descriptive and analytical themes. RESULTS Findings suggested that some of the core functions of depression care management are provided as part of embedded-only mental health care. However, formal structural attention to care management may improve the reliability of care management functions, in particular monitoring of progress over time. Barriers to optimal implementation were identified at both sites. Themes from the care management site included finding assertive care managers to hire, cross-discipline integration and collaboration, and primary care provider burden. Themes from interviews at the embedded site included difficulty getting care management on leaders' agendas amidst competing priorities and logistics (staffing and space). CONCLUSIONS Providers and administrators see depression care management as a valuable healthcare service that improves patient care. Barriers to implementation may be addressed by team-building interventions to improve cross-discipline integration and communication. Findings from this study are limited in scope to the VA healthcare system. Future investigation of whether alternative barriers exist in implementation of depression care management programs in non-VA hospital systems, where reimbursement rates may be a more prominent concern, would be valuable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Lipschitz
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain,, Boston, MA, 02130, USA. .,Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, USA.
| | - Justin K Benzer
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain,, Boston, MA, 02130, USA.,Department of Health Policy and Management, Texas A&M University School of Public Health, College Station, USA.,Central TX VA Healthcare System, VISN 17 Center for Research on Returning Veterans, Temple TX, USA
| | - Christopher Miller
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain,, Boston, MA, 02130, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, USA
| | - Siena R Easley
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain,, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Jenniffer Leyson
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain,, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Edward P Post
- VA Office of Primary Care Services, Ann Arbor, USA.,University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, Ann Arbor, USA.,VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - James F Burgess
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain,, Boston, MA, 02130, USA.,Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Health, Law, Policy and Management, Boston, USA
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Benzer JK, Charns MP, Hamdan S, Afable M. The role of organizational structure in readiness for change: A conceptual integration. Health Serv Manage Res 2016; 30:34-46. [PMID: 28166670 DOI: 10.1177/0951484816682396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to extend extant conceptualizations of readiness for change as an individual-level phenomenon. This review-of-reviews focuses on existing conceptual frameworks from the dissemination, implementation, quality improvement, and organizational transformation literatures in order to integrate theoretical rationales for how organization structure, a key dimension of the organizational context, may impact readiness for change. We propose that the organization structure dimensions of differentiation and integration impact readiness for change at the individual level of analysis by influencing four key concepts of relevance, legitimacy, perceived need for change, and resource allocation. We identify future research directions that focus on these four key concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin K Benzer
- 1 Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA.,2 Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning Veterans, Waco, TX, USA.,3 Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Martin P Charns
- 1 Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA.,4 Department of Health Policy, Law, and Management, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sami Hamdan
- 1 Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA.,5 School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Melissa Afable
- 1 Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Boston, MA, USA.,4 Department of Health Policy, Law, and Management, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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Guerrero EG, Heslin KC, Chang E, Fenwick K, Yano E. Organizational correlates of implementation of colocation of mental health and primary care in the Veterans Health Administration. ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2016; 42:420-8. [PMID: 25096986 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-014-0582-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study explored the role of organizational factors in the ability of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) clinics to implement colocated mental health care in primary care settings (PC-MH). The study used data from the VHA Clinical Practice Organizational Survey collected in 2007 from 225 clinic administrators across the United States. Clinic degree of implementation of PC-MH was the dependent variable, whereas independent variables included policies and procedures, organizational context, and leaders' perceptions of barriers to change. Pearson bivariate correlations and multivariable linear regression were used to test hypotheses. Results show that depression care training for primary care providers and clinics' flexibility and participation were both positively correlated with implementation of PC-MH. However, after accounting for other factors, regressions show that only training primary care providers in depression care was marginally associated with degree of implementation of PC-MH (p = 0.051). Given the importance of this topic for implementing integrated care as part of health care reform, these null findings underscore the need to improve theory and testing of more proximal measures of colocation in future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick G Guerrero
- School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA,
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22
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Measurement of Common Mental Health Conditions in VHA Co-located, Collaborative Care. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2016; 23:378-388. [DOI: 10.1007/s10880-016-9478-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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23
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Zubkoff L, Shiner B, Watts BV. Staff Perceptions of Substance Use Disorder Treatment in VA Primary Care-Mental Health Integrated Clinics. J Subst Abuse Treat 2016; 70:44-49. [PMID: 27692187 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2016.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Guidelines recommend that substance use disorder (SUD) treatment be available in primary care-mental health integrated clinics, which offer mental and behavioral health assessment and treatment in the primary care setting. Despite this recommendation it is unclear what barriers and facilitators exist to SUD treatment being provided in that setting. This work sought to understand current SUD services in such integrated clinics, explore other services may that be appropriate, and identify barriers to such services. METHODS We conducted qualitative interviews with 23 staff members from integrated clinics at 6 Veterans Affairs medical centers. We transcribed interviews and performed thematic analysis to identify emergent themes. RESULTS We identified seven themes affecting staff experience and ability to provide SUD services in the integrated clinic: clinical effectiveness, clinical requirements, regulatory requirements, program goals, proximity of the integrated clinic and SUD services, training on substance use disorder, and role specialization. CONCLUSIONS VA primary care-mental health integrated clinic staff members do not currently view SUD treatment as the focus of their work, but are open to offering SUD treatment including brief psychological interventions or medication. Several barriers to providing SUD treatment were identified, including the need for additional staff training around appropriate interventions for the integrated clinic setting, additional staffing and space, and a structured implementation strategy to promote the use of SUD treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Zubkoff
- White River Junction VAMC, White River Junction, VT; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH; VA National Center for Patient Safety, White River Junction, VT.
| | - Brian Shiner
- White River Junction VAMC, White River Junction, VT; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH; VA National Center for Patient Safety, White River Junction, VT
| | - Bradley V Watts
- White River Junction VAMC, White River Junction, VT; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH; VA National Center for Patient Safety, White River Junction, VT
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Walker KO, Stewart AL, Grumbach K. Development of a survey instrument to measure patient experience of integrated care. BMC Health Serv Res 2016; 16:193. [PMID: 27250117 PMCID: PMC4890282 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1437-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare systems are working to move towards more integrated, patient-centered care. This study describes the development and testing of a multidimensional self-report measure of patients' experiences of integrated care. METHODS Random-digit-dial telephone survey in 2012 of 317 adults aged 40 years or older in the San Francisco region who had used healthcare at least twice in the past 12 months. One-time cross-sectional survey; psychometric evaluation to confirm dimensions and create multi-item scales. Survey data were analyzed using VARCLUS and confirmatory factor analysis and internal consistency reliability testing. RESULTS Scales measuring five domains were confirmed: coordination within and between care teams, navigation (arranging appointments and visits), communication between specialist and primary care doctor, and communication between primary care doctor and specialist. Four of these demonstrated excellent internal consistency reliability. Mean scale scores indicated low levels of integration. CONCLUSION These scales measuring integrated care capture meaningful domains of patients' experiences of health care. The low levels of care integration reported by patients in the study sample suggest that these types of measures should be considered in ongoing evaluations of health system performance and improvement. Further research should examine whether differences in patient experience of integrated care are associated with differences in the processes and outcomes of care received.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara Odom Walker
- Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA. .,, 1828L Street NW, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Anita L Stewart
- Institute for Health & Aging, Center for Aging in Diverse Communities, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kevin Grumbach
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Mechanic D, Olfson M. The Relevance of the Affordable Care Act for Improving Mental Health Care. Annu Rev Clin Psychol 2016; 12:515-42. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-021815-092936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Provisions of the Affordable Care Act provide unprecedented opportunities for expanded access to behavioral health care and for redesigning the provision of services. Key to these reforms is establishing mental and substance abuse care as essential coverage, extending Medicaid eligibility and insurance parity, and protecting insurance coverage for persons with preexisting conditions and disabilities. Many provisions, including Accountable Care Organizations, health homes, and other structures, provide incentives for integrating primary care and behavioral health services and coordinating the range of services often required by persons with severe and persistent mental health conditions. Careful research and experience are required to establish the services most appropriate for primary care and effective linkage to specialty mental health services. Research providing guidance on present evidence and uncertainties is reviewed. Success in redesign will follow progress building on collaborative care and other evidence-based practices, reshaping professional incentives and practices, and reinvigorating the behavioral health workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mechanic
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
| | - Mark Olfson
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York 10032
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Padwa H, Teruya C, Tran E, Lovinger K, Antonini VP, Overholt C, Urada D. The Implementation of Integrated Behavioral Health Protocols In Primary Care Settings in Project Care. J Subst Abuse Treat 2016; 62:74-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2015.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Revised: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Beehler GP, Funderburk JS, King PR, Wade M, Possemato K. Using the Primary Care Behavioral Health Provider Adherence Questionnaire (PPAQ) to identify practice patterns. Transl Behav Med 2015; 5:384-92. [PMID: 26622911 DOI: 10.1007/s13142-015-0325-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary care-mental health integration (PC-MHI) is growing in popularity. To determine program success, it is essential to know if PC-MHI services are being delivered as intended. The investigation examines responses to the Primary Care Behavioral Health Provider Adherence Questionnaire (PPAQ) to explore PC-MHI provider practice patterns. Latent class analysis was used to identify clusters of PC-MHI providers based on their self-report of adherence on the PPAQ. Analysis revealed five provider clusters with varying levels of adherence to PC-MHI model components. Across clusters, adherence was typically lowest in relation to collaboration with other primary care staff. Clusters also differed significantly in regard to provider educational background and psychotherapy approach, level of clinic integration, and previous PC-MHI training. The PPAQ can be used to identify PC-MHI provider practice patterns that have relevance for future clinical effectiveness studies, development of provider training, and quality improvement initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory P Beehler
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare (116N), VA WNY Healthcare System, 3495 Bailey Ave, Buffalo, NY 14215 USA ; School of Nursing, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY USA ; School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Jennifer S Funderburk
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY USA ; Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY USA
| | - Paul R King
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare (116N), VA WNY Healthcare System, 3495 Bailey Ave, Buffalo, NY 14215 USA
| | - Michael Wade
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY USA
| | - Kyle Possemato
- VA Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY USA ; Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY USA
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Gold R, Hollombe C, Bunce A, Nelson C, Davis JV, Cowburn S, Perrin N, DeVoe J, Mossman N, Boles B, Horberg M, Dearing JW, Jaworski V, Cohen D, Smith D. Study protocol for "Study of Practices Enabling Implementation and Adaptation in the Safety Net (SPREAD-NET)": a pragmatic trial comparing implementation strategies. Implement Sci 2015; 10:144. [PMID: 26474759 PMCID: PMC4609090 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-015-0333-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little research has directly compared the effectiveness of implementation strategies in any setting, and we know of no prior trials directly comparing how effectively different combinations of strategies support implementation in community health centers. This paper outlines the protocol of the Study of Practices Enabling Implementation and Adaptation in the Safety Net (SPREAD-NET), a trial designed to compare the effectiveness of several common strategies for supporting implementation of an intervention and explore contextual factors that impact the strategies' effectiveness in the community health center setting. METHODS/DESIGN This cluster-randomized trial compares how three increasingly hands-on implementation strategies support adoption of an evidence-based diabetes quality improvement intervention in 29 community health centers, managed by 12 healthcare organizations. The strategies are as follows: (arm 1) a toolkit, presented in paper and electronic form, which includes a training webinar; (arm 2) toolkit plus in-person training with a focus on practice change and change management strategies; and (arm 3) toolkit, in-person training, plus practice facilitation with on-site visits. We use a mixed methods approach to data collection and analysis: (i) baseline surveys on study clinic characteristics, to explore how these characteristics impact the clinics' ability to implement the tools and the effectiveness of each implementation strategy; (ii) quantitative data on change in rates of guideline-concordant prescribing; and (iii) qualitative data on the "how" and "why" underlying the quantitative results. The outcomes of interest are clinic-level results, categorized using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, within an interrupted time-series design with segmented regression models. This pragmatic trial will compare how well each implementation strategy works in "real-world" practices. DISCUSSION Having a better understanding of how different strategies support implementation efforts could positively impact the field of implementation science, by comparing practical, generalizable methods for implementing clinical innovations in community health centers. Bridging this gap in the literature is a critical step towards the national long-term goal of effectively disseminating and implementing effective interventions into community health centers. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02325531.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Gold
- Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research, 3800 N. Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR, 97227, USA.
- OCHIN, Inc., 1881 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.
| | - Celine Hollombe
- Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research, 3800 N. Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR, 97227, USA.
| | - Arwen Bunce
- Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research, 3800 N. Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR, 97227, USA.
| | | | - James V Davis
- Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research, 3800 N. Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR, 97227, USA.
| | - Stuart Cowburn
- OCHIN, Inc., 1881 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.
| | - Nancy Perrin
- Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research, 3800 N. Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR, 97227, USA.
| | - Jennifer DeVoe
- OCHIN, Inc., 1881 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.
- Oregon Health Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Ned Mossman
- OCHIN, Inc., 1881 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.
| | - Bruce Boles
- Kaiser Permanente Care Management Institute, 1 Kaiser Plaza, 16 L, Oakland, CA, 94612, USA.
| | - Michael Horberg
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, 2101 East Jefferson Street 3 West, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA.
| | - James W Dearing
- College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Michigan State University, 404 Wilson Road, 473, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
| | - Victoria Jaworski
- Multnomah County Public Health Department, 426 SW Stark St, 8th Floor, Portland, OR, 97204, USA.
| | - Deborah Cohen
- Oregon Health Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - David Smith
- Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research, 3800 N. Interstate Avenue, Portland, OR, 97227, USA.
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Emotional exhaustion in primary care during early implementation of the VA's medical home transformation: Patient-aligned Care Team (PACT). Med Care 2015; 53:253-60. [PMID: 25675403 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Transformation of primary care to new patient-centered models requires major changes in healthcare organizations, including interprofessional expectations and organizational policies. Emotional exhaustion (EE) among workers can accompany major organizational change, threatening its success. Yet little guidance exists about the magnitude of associations with EE during primary care transformation. We assessed EE during the initial phase of national primary care transformation in the Veterans Health Administration. RESEARCH DESIGN Cross-sectional online surveys of primary care clinicians (PCCs) and staff in 23 primary care clinics within 5 healthcare systems in 1 veterans administration administrative region. We used descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable analyses adjusted for clinic membership and weighted for nonresponse. PARTICIPANTS 515 veterans administration employees (191 PCCs and 324 other primary care staff). MEASURES Outcome is the EE subscale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Predictors include clinic characteristics (from administrative data) and self-reported efficacy for change, experiences with transformation, and perspectives about the organization. RESULTS The overall response rate was 64% (515/811). In total, 53% of PCCs and 43% of staff had high EE. PCCs (vs. other primary care staff), female (vs. male), and non-Latino (vs. Latino) respondents reported higher EE. Respondents reporting higher efficacy for change and participatory decision making had lower EE scores, adjusting for sex and race. CONCLUSIONS Recognition by healthcare organizations of the potential for clinician and staff EE during primary care transformation is critical. Methods for reducing EE by increasing clinician and staff change efficacy and opportunities to participate in decision making should be considered, with attention to PCCs, and women.
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Zuchowski JL, Rose DE, Hamilton AB, Stockdale SE, Meredith LS, Yano EM, Rubenstein LV, Cordasco KM. Challenges in referral communication between VHA primary care and specialty care. J Gen Intern Med 2015; 30:305-11. [PMID: 25410884 PMCID: PMC4351287 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-014-3100-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Revised: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor communication between primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists is a significant problem and a detriment to effective care coordination. Inconsistency in the quality of primary-specialty communication persists even in environments with integrated delivery systems and electronic medical records (EMRs), such as the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to measure ease of communication and to characterize communication challenges perceived by PCPs and primary care personnel in the VHA, with a particular focus on challenges associated with referral communication. DESIGN The study utilized a convergent mixed-methods design: online cross-sectional survey measuring PCP-reported ease of communication with specialists, and semi-structured interviews characterizing primary-specialty communication challenges. PARTICIPANTS 191 VHA PCPs from one regional network were surveyed (54% response rate), and 41 VHA PCPs and primary care staff were interviewed. MAIN MEASURES/APPROACH PCP-reported ease of communication mean score (survey) and recurring themes in participant descriptions of primary-specialty referral communication (interviews) were analyzed. KEY RESULTS Among PCPs, ease-of-communication ratings were highest for women's health and mental health (mean score of 2.3 on a scale of 1-3 in both), and lowest for cardiothoracic surgery and neurology (mean scores of 1.3 and 1.6, respectively). Primary care personnel experienced challenges communicating with specialists via the EMR system, including difficulty in communicating special requests for appointments within a certain time frame and frequent rejection of referral requests due to rigid informational requirements. When faced with these challenges, PCPs reported using strategies such as telephone and e-mail contact with specialists with whom they had established relationships, as well as the use of an EMR-based referral innovation called "eConsults" as an alternative to a traditional referral. CONCLUSIONS Primary-specialty communication is a continuing challenge that varies by specialty and may be associated with the likelihood of an established connection already in place between specialty and primary care. Improvement in EMR systems is needed, with more flexibility for the communication of special requests. Building relationships between PCPs and specialists may also facilitate referral communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Zuchowski
- Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation and Policy, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Sepulveda, CA, USA,
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Chang ET, Wells KB, Young AS, Stockdale S, Johnson MD, Fickel JJ, Jou K, Rubenstein LV. The anatomy of primary care and mental health clinician communication: a quality improvement case study. J Gen Intern Med 2014; 29 Suppl 2:S598-606. [PMID: 24715400 PMCID: PMC4070235 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-013-2731-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high prevalence of comorbid physical and mental illnesses among veterans is well known. Therefore, ensuring effective communication between primary care (PC) and mental health (MH) clinicians in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system is essential. The VA's Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) initiative has further raised awareness of the need for communication between PC and MH. Improving such communication, however, has proven challenging. OBJECTIVE To qualitatively understand barriers to PC-MH communication in an academic community-based clinic by using continuous quality improvement (CQI) tools and then initiate a change strategy. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, AND APPROACH An interdisciplinary quality improvement (QI) work group composed of 11 on-site PC and MH providers, administrators, and researchers identified communication barriers and facilitators using fishbone diagrams and process flow maps. The work group then verified and provided context for the diagram and flow maps through medical record review (32 patients who received both PC and MH care), interviews (6 stakeholders), and reports from four previously completed focus groups. Based on these findings and a previous systematic review of interventions to improve interspecialty communication, the team initiated plans for improvement. KEY RESULTS Key communication barriers included lack of effective standardized communication processes, practice style differences, and inadequate PC training in MH. Clinicians often accessed advice or formal consultation based on pre-existing across-discipline personal relationships. The work group identified collocated collaborative care, joint care planning, and joint case conferences as feasible, evidence-based interventions for improving communication. CONCLUSIONS CQI tools enabled providers to systematically assess local communication barriers and facilitators and engaged stakeholders in developing possible solutions. A locally tailored CQI process focusing on communication helped initiate change strategies and ongoing improvement efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn T Chang
- Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA,
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Reddy A, Shea JA, Canamucio A, Werner RM. The effect of organizational climate on patient-centered medical home implementation. Am J Med Qual 2014; 30:309-16. [PMID: 24788252 DOI: 10.1177/1062860614532516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Organizational climate is a key determinant of successful adoption of innovations; however, its relation to medical home implementation is unknown. This study examined the association between primary care providers' (PCPs') perception of organization climate and medical home implementation in the Veterans Health Administration. Multivariate regression was used to test the hypothesis that organizational climate predicts medical home implementation. This analysis of 191 PCPs found that higher scores in 2 domains of organizational climate (communication and cooperation, and orientation to quality improvement) were associated with a statistically significantly higher percentage (from 7 to 10 percentage points) of PCPs implementing structural changes to support the medical home model. In addition, some aspects of a better organizational climate were associated with improved organizational processes of care, including a higher percentage of patients contacted within 2 days of hospital discharge (by 2 to 3 percentage points) and appointments made within 3 days of a patient request (by 2 percentage points).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Reddy
- VISN 4 Center for Evaluation of PACT, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Judy A Shea
- VISN 4 Center for Evaluation of PACT, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Anne Canamucio
- VISN 4 Center for Evaluation of PACT, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Rachel M Werner
- VISN 4 Center for Evaluation of PACT, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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Osei-Bonsu PE, Bokhour BG, Glickman ME, Rodrigues S, Mueller NM, Dell NS, Zhao S, Eisen SV, Elwy AR. The role of coping in depression treatment utilization for VA primary care patients. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2014; 94:396-402. [PMID: 24315160 PMCID: PMC4224269 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2013.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Revised: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/26/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of Veterans' coping strategies on mental health treatment engagement following a positive screen for depression. METHODS A mixed-methods observational study using a mailed survey and semi-structured interviews. Sample included 271 Veterans who screened positive for depression during a primary care visit at one of three VA medical centers and had not received a diagnosis of depression or prescribed antidepressants 12 months prior to screening. A subsample of 23 Veterans was interviewed. RESULTS Logistic regression models showed that Veterans who reported more instrumental support and active coping were more likely to receive depression or other mental health treatment within three months of their positive depression screen. Those who reported emotional support or self-distraction as coping strategies were less likely to receive any treatment in the same time frame. Qualitative analyses revealed that how Veterans use these and other coping strategies can impact treatment engagement in a variety of ways. CONCLUSIONS The relationship between Veterans' use of coping strategies and treatment engagement for depression may not be readily apparent without in-depth exploration. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS In VA primary care clinics, nurse care managers and behavioral health providers should explore how Veterans' methods of coping may impact treatment engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Princess E Osei-Bonsu
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, USA.
| | - Barbara G Bokhour
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Mark E Glickman
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Stephanie Rodrigues
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA
| | - Nora M Mueller
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, USA
| | - Natalie S Dell
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, USA
| | - Shibei Zhao
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, USA
| | - Susan V Eisen
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - A Rani Elwy
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
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Nuño-Solinís R, Zabalegui IB, Rodríguez LSM, Arce RS, Gagnon MP. Does interprofessional collaboration between care levels improve following the creation of an integrated delivery organisation? The Bidasoa case in the Basque Country. Int J Integr Care 2013; 13:e030. [PMID: 24179454 PMCID: PMC3812313 DOI: 10.5334/ijic.1118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Revised: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This article explores the impact of the creation of a new integrated delivery organisation on the evolution of interprofessional collaboration between primary and secondary care levels. In particular, the case of the Bidasoa Integrated Healthcare Organisation is analysed. THEORY AND METHODS The evolution of interprofessional collaboration is measured through a validated Spanish questionnaire, with 10 items and a 5-point Likert scale, based on the D'Amour's model of collaboration [20]. The final sample included 146 observations (doctors and nurses). RESULTS The questionnaire identified a significant improvement on the mean scores for interprofessional collaboration of 0.57 points before and after the intervention. A significant improvement was also found in the two dimensions of the measure of interprofessional collaboration used, with the size of the change being higher for the dimension related to the organisational setting (0.63) than for interpersonal relationships (0.47). CONCLUSIONS Before and after the creation of the Bidasoa Integrated Healthcare Organisation, an improvement in the perceived degree of interprofessional collaboration between primary and secondary care levels was observed. This finding supports the benefit of a multilevel and multidimensional approach to integration, as in the described Bidasoa case. DISCUSSION Results on the two dimensions of the measure of interprofessional collaboration used seem to point to the longer time required for interpersonal relationships to change compared to the organisational setting.
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Abstract
Collaborative care is a well-studied and effective model of integrating behavioural healthcare into primary care medical settings. Despite evidence of its effectiveness, it has been difficult to implement into the US healthcare system. The upcoming reorganisation of US healthcare will rely heavily on adaptations of this model to improve its uptake and cost-effectiveness.
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Feldman MD, Feldman S. The primary care behaviorist: a new approach to medical/behavioral integration. J Gen Intern Med 2013; 28:331-2. [PMID: 23334862 PMCID: PMC3579973 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-012-2330-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Kroenke
- />VA HSR&D Center on Implementing Evidence-Based Practice, Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
- />Department of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
- />Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
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