Long-term implications of a single home-based educational intervention in patients with heart failure

Pleural effusions identified by thoracic ultrasound predict poor quality of life in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

INTRODUCTION

Pleural effusion (PE) is a common manifestation of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF); however, its influence on the quality of life (QoL) is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To identify whether PE detected using thoracic ultrasound (TUS) is associated with poorer QoL in patients with ADHF and a reduced ejection fraction (≤40 %).

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, longitudinal, descriptive, observational, single-center study at a university hospital in Mexico. We included participants with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction who were admitted for ADHF. We performed TUS and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) within the first 48 h of hospitalization.

RESULTS

Forty patients with ADHF (30 males and 10 females; mean age, 51.24 ± 16.942 years) were included in this study. The participants were categorized into two groups: those with (n = 25, 62.5 %) or without (n = 15, 37.5 %) PE on TUS. We found a statistically significant association between the presence of PEs and a worse perception of QoL. The mean MLHFQ score in the group of patients with PEs was 40 points, compared to 12 points in the group without PEs (p < 0.001). Poorer QoL was associated with a higher quantity of pleural fluid, as evidenced by the greater number of intercostal spaces occupied by the PE (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ADHF and a reduced ejection fraction who present with PE have a worse perception of QoL than patients without PE.

Elements Characterising Multicomponent Interventions Used to Improve Disease Management Models and Clinical Pathways in Acute and Chronic Heart Failure: A Scoping Review

This study aimed to summarise different interventions used to improve clinical models and pathways in the management of chronic and acute heart failure (HF). A scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, The Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were searched for systematic reviews (SR) published in the period from 2014 to 2019 in the English language. Primary articles cited in SR that fulfil inclusion and exclusion criteria were extracted and examined using narrative synthesis. Interventions were classified based on five chosen elements of the Chronic Care Model (CCM) framework (self-management support, decision support, community resources and policies, delivery system, and clinical information system). Out of 155 SRs retrieved, 7 were considered for the extraction of 166 primary articles. The prevailing setting was the patient's home. Only 46 studies specified the severity of HF by reporting the level of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) impairment in a heterogeneous manner. However, most studies targeted the populations with LVEF ≤ 45% and LVEF < 40%. Self-management and delivery systems were the most evaluated CCM elements. Interventions related to community resources and policy and advising/reminding systems for providers were rarely evaluated. No studies addressed the implementation of a disease registry. A multidisciplinary team was available with similarly low frequency in each setting. Although HF care should be a multi-component model, most studies did not analyse the role of some important components, such as the decision support tools to disseminate guidelines and program planning that includes measurable targets.

A telephone support program for patients with home enteral nutrition contributes to nutrition status and quality of life maintenance and reduces health resource use

BACKGROUND

Appropriate patient/caregiver training and continuity of care after hospital discharge are key factors for the success of home enteral nutrition (HEN). This study aims to assess the effects of a specific patient support program (PSP) on the nutrition status, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and healthcare resource utilization and associated costs of patients with HEN.

METHODS

Observational study of adult patients with HEN enrolled in a PSP. Sociodemographic variables (baseline), HRQoL (NutriQoL) and nutrition status (Mini Nutritional Assessment [MNA]) (baseline, 6 months after PSP enrollment), and use of unplanned HEN-related healthcare resources (6 months prior to or after PSP enrollment) were recorded. HEN-related resource cost was estimated from total resources used (all patients) and each resource cost. Data were analyzed with Stata program (v. 14), considering P < 0.05 as significant.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients were included in the study (mean age, 72 years [SD = 21]; 54% women; mean HEN duration, 4 years [SD = 5]). A total of 401 calls were recorded in the PSP, 7% made proactively by the patient. HRQoL and nutrition status remained stable during the study period (NutriQoL baseline, 64; 6-months, 66; P = 0.3737; MNA baseline, 10; 6-months, 10; P = 0.0675). Unplanned resources amounted to €6229 (US $5563) and €4711 (US $4207) before and after PSP enrollment, respectively. Cost savings, representing €1518 (US $1356), were related to fewer emergency visits.

CONCLUSIONS

Health advice provided through a PSP and close patient monitoring in the hospital can help to maintain patients' nutrition status and HRQoL and to reduce the use of certain unplanned HEN-related resources, leading to cost savings.

Health, social care and technological interventions to improve functional ability of older adults living at home: An evidence and gap map

Background

By 2030, the global population of people older than 60 years is expected to be higher than the number of children under 10 years, resulting in major health and social care system implications worldwide. Without a supportive environment, whether social or built, diminished functional ability may arise in older people. Functional ability comprises an individual's intrinsic capacity and people's interaction with their environment enabling them to be and do what they value.

Objectives

This evidence and gap map aims to identify primary studies and systematic reviews of health and social support services as well as assistive devices designed to support functional ability among older adults living at home or in other places of residence.

Search Methods

We systematically searched from inception to August 2018 in: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsycINFO, AgeLine, Campbell Library, ASSIA, Social Science Citation Index and Social Policy & Practice. We conducted a focused search for grey literature and protocols of studies (e.g., ProQuest Theses and Dissertation Global, conference abstract databases, Help Age, PROSPERO, Cochrane and Campbell libraries and ClinicalTrials.gov).

Selection Criteria

Screening and data extraction were performed independently in duplicate according to our intervention and outcome framework. We included completed and on-going systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials of effectiveness on health and social support services provided at home, assistive products and technology for personal indoor and outdoor mobility and transportation as well as design, construction and building products and technology of buildings for private use such as wheelchairs, and ramps.

Data Collection and Analysis

We coded interventions and outcomes, and the number of studies that assessed health inequities across equity factors. We mapped outcomes based on the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) adapted categories: intrinsic capacities (body function and structures) and functional abilities (activities). We assessed methodological quality of systematic reviews using the AMSTAR II checklist.

Main Results

After de-duplication, 10,783 records were screened. The map includes 548 studies (120 systematic reviews and 428 randomized controlled trials). Interventions and outcomes were classified using domains from the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. Most systematic reviews (n = 71, 59%) were rated low or critically low for methodological quality.The most common interventions were home-based rehabilitation for older adults (n = 276) and home-based health services for disease prevention (n = 233), mostly delivered by visiting healthcare professionals (n = 474). There was a relative paucity of studies on personal mobility, building adaptations, family support, personal support and befriending or friendly visits. The most measured intrinsic capacity domains were mental function (n = 269) and neuromusculoskeletal function (n = 164). The most measured outcomes for functional ability were basic needs (n = 277) and mobility (n = 160). There were few studies which evaluated outcome domains of social participation, financial security, ability to maintain relationships and communication.There was a lack of studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and a gap in the assessment of health equity issues.

Authors' Conclusions

There is substantial evidence for interventions to promote functional ability in older adults at home including mostly home-based rehabilitation for older adults and home-based health services for disease prevention. Remotely delivered home-based services are of greater importance to policy-makers and practitioners in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This map of studies published prior to the pandemic provides an initial resource to identify relevant home-based services which may be of interest for policy-makers and practitioners, such as home-based rehabilitation and social support, although these interventions would likely require further adaptation for online delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a need to strengthen assessment of social support and mobility interventions and outcomes related to making decisions, building relationships, financial security, and communication in future studies. More studies are needed to assess LMIC contexts and health equity issues.

Development of a Home-Based Nursing Intervention Model for Patients With Heart Failure: A Qualitative Feasibility Study

AIM

To develop and verify the feasibility of a personalized home-based heart failure (HF) nursing intervention model to support HF patients, promote self-management, and avoid HF exacerbation and re-hospitalization.

METHODS

Based on processes established in previous studies, literature reviews, and evidence-based guidelines and theories, we developed the nursing intervention model for patients with HF. The goal of this model is to harmonize symptom deterioration prevention behavior and individual lifestyle. After intervention, we conducted semi-structured interviews with participants, and data were transcribed verbatim, after which qualitative content analysis was employed. The contents of visiting nursing practice, opinions on this nursing model, and self-management in patients with HF were analyzed qualitatively and inductively from the viewpoint of practicality and acceptability.

RESULTS

Five nurses who provided interventions, as well as five patients with HF, participated in this study. Accordingly, our findings showed that the framework, assessment, and nursing intervention contents of this model can be practical for everyday home nursing visitations.

CONCLUSIONS

The content has been revised so that more visiting nurses can use them, including those who have less cardiovascular nursing experience.

Cost-utility analysis of home-based cardiac rehabilitation as compared to usual post-discharge care: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

INTRODUCTION

Determining cost-utility differences between home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) on the one hand, and usual post-discharge care (UC) on the other, can improve resource-allocation in healthcare settings.

AREAS COVERED

In June 2019, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane library were searched for randomized controlled HBCR trials. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) of cost and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) between HBCRs and UCs were calculated using random effect models. Heterogeneity was assessed by inconsistency index (I2) and publication bias by funnel plot and Egger's regression test. Thirteen articles, representing 2,992 participants, were deemed representative for final analysis. In the meta-analysis, a significant difference with respect to QALYs favored HBCR, while no significant cost difference was observed between HBCR and UC. However, subgroup-analysis of trials with different follow-up durations revealed somewhat different results, and HBCR was found to be significantly better with regard to both cost and QALYs for patients with heart failure. Cost-utility analysis categorizing interventions as 'dominant', 'effective', 'doubtful', and 'dominated', found HBCRs dominant.

EXPERT OPINION

Although HBCR tended to be superior compared to UC in this review, larger and more robust trials addressing specific patients groups are needed for definitive results.

Supportive Care Interventions to Promote Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Living With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Supportive care (physical, psychosocial, and spiritual) may be beneficial as a coping resource in the care of patients with heart failure (HF). Nurses may provide individualised supportive care to offer positive emotional support, enhance the patients' knowledge of self-management, and meet the physical and psychosocial needs of patients with HF. The aim of this study was to examine the potential effectiveness of supportive care interventions in improving the health- related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with HF. Related outcomes of depression and anxiety were also examined. A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library was performed to locate randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that implemented any supportive care interventions in patients with HF published in the English language. Identified articles were further screened for additional studies. Ten (10) RCTs were selected for the meta-analysis. Effect sizes were estimated between the comparison groups over the overall follow-up period, and presented along with confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical heterogeneity for each comparison was estimated using Q (chi square test) and I² statistics with 95% CIs. Statistical heterogeneity was observed in all study variables (i.e., HRQoL and dimensions). There was a positive, but not statistically significant, effect of social support on HRQoL (mean difference [MD], 5.31; 95% CI, -8.93 to 19.55 [p=0.46]). The results of the two dimensions suggested a positive and statistically significant effect of the supportive care interventions (physical: MD, 7.90; 95% CI, 11.31-4.50 [p=0.00]; emotional dimension: MD, 4.10; 95% CI, 6.14-2.06; [p=0.00]). The findings of the current study highlight the need to incorporate supportive care to meet the needs of patients with HF. Patients with HF have care needs that change continuously and rapidly, and there is a need of a continuous process in order to address the holistic needs of patients with HF at all times and not just in a cardiology department or an acute care setting. Patients with HF have multiple needs, which remain unmet. Supportive care is a holistic, ongoing approach that may be effective in identifying and meeting the care needs of patients with HF along with the patient. This review includes all interventions provided in individuals with HF, giving clinicians the opportunity to choose the most suitable ones in improving the clinical outcomes of their patients with HF.

The role of community-based nursing interventions in improving outcomes for individuals with cardiovascular disease: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To examine the role of community-based nursing interventions in improving outcomes for community-dwelling individuals with cardiovascular disease.

DESIGN

A systematic review and narrative synthesis.

DATA SOURCES

Seven electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Global Health, LILACS, Africa-Wide Information, IMEMR and WPRIM) were searched from inception to 16 March 2018 without language restrictions.

REVIEW METHODS

We included studies evaluating the outcomes of interventions led by, or primarily delivered by, nurses for individuals with cardiovascular disease in community settings. Study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessments were performed by at least two independent reviewers.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Community-based nursing interventions improved outcomes in four key areas: (1) self-care, (2) health, (3) healthcare utilisation, and (4) quality of care. Significant improvements were reported in patients' knowledge and ability to self-manage, severity of disease, functional status, quality of life, risk of death, hospital readmission days, emergency department visits, healthcare costs and satisfaction with care. Facilitators to intervention effectiveness included the use of an individualised approach, multidisciplinary approach, specially trained nurses, family involvement and the home setting. Conversely, barriers to intervention success included limitations in nurses' time and skills, ineffective interdisciplinary collaboration and insufficient intervention intensity.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall evidence is positive regarding the role of community-based nursing interventions in improving outcomes for individuals with cardiovascular disease. However, this review highlights the need for more robust research establishing definitive relationships between different types of interventions and outcomes as well as evaluating the cost-effectiveness of these interventions to aid the development of sustainable policy solutions.

Interventions to Promote Early Discharge and Avoid Inappropriate Hospital (Re)Admission: A Systematic Review

Increasing pressure on limited healthcare resources has necessitated the development of measures promoting early discharge and avoiding inappropriate hospital (re)admission. This systematic review examines the evidence for interventions in acute hospitals including (i) hospital-patient discharge to home, community services or other settings, (ii) hospital discharge to another care setting, and (iii) reduction or prevention of inappropriate hospital (re)admissions. Academic electronic databases were searched from 2005 to 2018. In total, ninety-four eligible papers were included. Interventions were categorized into: (1) pre-discharge exclusively delivered in the acute care hospital, (2) pre- and post-discharge delivered by acute care hospital, (3) post-discharge delivered at home and (4) delivered only in a post-acute facility. Mixed results were found regarding the effectiveness of many types of interventions. Interventions exclusively delivered in the acute hospital pre-discharge and those involving education were most common but their effectiveness was limited in avoiding (re)admission. Successful pre- and post-discharge interventions focused on multidisciplinary approaches. Post-discharge interventions exclusively delivered at home reduced hospital stay and contributed to patient satisfaction. Existing systematic reviews on tele-health and long-term care interventions suggest insufficient evidence for admission avoidance. The most effective interventions to avoid inappropriate re-admission to hospital and promote early discharge included integrated systems between hospital and the community care, multidisciplinary service provision, individualization of services, discharge planning initiated in hospital and specialist follow-up.

Home Healthcare Visits Following Hospital Discharge: Does the Timing of Visits Affect 30-Day Hospital Readmission Rates for Heart Failure Patients?

The purpose of this study was to determine if the timing of home care visits post hospitalization for heart failure influenced hospital readmission rates. Using a randomized control study design, hospital readmission data were collected from 67 recently discharged patients with heart failure. The control group (n = 32) received the usual care, whereas the intervention group (n = 35) received an altered scheduling of home care visits. Seven study participants were readmitted during the study time frame (control group n = 3; intervention group n = 4). Emergency room visits occurred three times (control group n = 1; intervention group n = 2). The timing of the home healthcare visit did not affect hospital readmission. Adherence to weight monitoring, fluid restriction, and medication administration improved with the home care visits. Greater attention to these activities should be the focus of home healthcare visits as they may decrease hospital readmissions.

Korean Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure

The prevalence of heart failure (HF) is skyrocketing worldwide, and is closely associated with serious morbidity and mortality. In particular, HF is one of the main causes for the hospitalization and mortality in elderly individuals. Korea also has these epidemiological problems, and HF is responsible for huge socioeconomic burden. However, there has been no clinical guideline for HF management in Korea. 
The present guideline provides the first set of practical guidelines for the management of HF in Korea and was developed using the guideline adaptation process while including as many data from Korean studies as possible. The scope of the present guideline includes the definition, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic HF with reduced/preserved ejection fraction of various etiologies.

Case Management for Patients with Complex Multimorbidity: Development and Validation of a Coordinated Intervention between Primary and Hospital Care

In the past few years, healthcare systems have been facing a growing demand related to the high prevalence of chronic diseases. Case management programs have emerged as an integrated care approach for the management of chronic disease. Nevertheless, there is little scientific evidence on the impact of using a case management program for patients with complex multimorbidity regarding hospital resource utilisation.

We evaluated an integrated case management intervention set up by community-based care at outpatient clinics with nurse case managers from a telemedicine unit. The hypothesis to be tested was whether improved continuity of care resulting from the integration of community-based and hospital services reduced the use of hospital resources amongst patients with complex multimorbidity.

A retrospective cohort study was performed using a sample of 714 adult patients admitted to the program between January 2012 and January 2015. We found a significant decrease in the number of emergency room visits, unplanned hospitalizations, and length of stay, and an expected increase in the home care hospital-based episodes. These results support the hypothesis that case management interventions can reduce the use of unplanned hospital admissions when applied to patients with complex multimorbidity.

Strategies to Modify the Risk of Heart Failure Readmission: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background:

Human factors play an important role in health-care outcomes of heart failure (HF) patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trial studies on HF hospitalization may yield positive proofs of the beneficial effect of specific care management strategies.

Purpose:

To investigate how the 8 guiding principles of choice, rest, environment, activity, trust, interpersonal relationships, outlook, and nutrition reduce HF readmissions.

Basic Procedures:

Appropriate keywords were identified related to the (1) independent variable of hospitalization and treatment, (2) the moderating variable of care management principles, (3) the dependent variable of readmission, and (4) the disease of HF to conduct searches in 9 databases. Databases searched included CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ERIC, MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycInfo, Science Direct, and Web of Science. Only prospective studies associated with HF hospitalization and readmissions, published in English, Chinese, Spanish, and German journals between January 1, 1990, and August 31, 2015, were included in the systematic review. In the meta-analysis, data were collected from studies that measured HF readmission for individual patients.

Main Findings:

The results indicate that an intervention involving any human factor principles may nearly double an individual’s probability of not being readmitted. Participants in interventions that incorporated single or combined principles were 1.4 to 6.8 times less likely to be readmitted.

Principal Conclusions:

Interventions with human factor principles reduce readmissions among HF patients. Overall, this review may help reconfigure the design, implementation, and evaluation of clinical practice for reducing HF readmissions in the future.

Impact of Transitional Care Services for Chronically Ill Older Patients: A Systematic Evidence Review

Transitions in care from hospital to primary care for older patients with chronic diseases (CD) are complex and lead to increased mortality and service use. In response to these challenges, transitional care (TC) interventions are being widely implemented. They encompass education on self-management, discharge planning, structured follow-up and coordination among the different healthcare professionals. We conducted a systematic review to determine the effectiveness of interventions targeting transitions from hospital to the primary care setting for chronically ill older patients.. Randomized controlled trials were identified through Medline, CINHAL, PsycInfo, EMBASE (1995-2015). Two independent reviewers performed the study selection, data extraction and assessment of study quality (Cochrane "Risk of Bias"). Risk differences (RD) and number needed to treat (NNT) or mean differences (MD) were calculated using a random-effects model. From 10,234 references, 92 studies were included. Compared to usual care, significantly better outcomes were observed: a lower mortality at 3 (RD: -0.02 [-0.05, 0.00]; NNT: 50), 6, 12 and 18 months post-discharge, a lower rate of ED visits at 3 months (RD: -0.08 [-0.15, -0.01]; NNT: 13), a lower rate of readmissions at 3 (RD: -0.08 [-0.14, -0.03]; NNT: 7), 6, 12 and 18 months and a lower mean of readmission days at 3 (MD: -1.33; [-2.15, -0.52]), 6, 12 and 18 months. No significant differences were observed in quality of life. In conclusion, TC improves transitions for older patients and should be included in the reorganization of healthcare services.

Comparative effectiveness of transitional care services in patients discharged from the hospital with heart failure: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

AIMS

To compare the effectiveness of transitional care services in decreasing all-cause death and all-cause readmissions following hospitalization for heart failure (HF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Clinical Trials Register for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in 2000-2015 that tested the efficacy of transitional care services in patients hospitalized for HF, provided ≥1 month of follow-up, and reported all-cause mortality or all-cause readmissions. Our network meta-analysis included 53 RCTs (12 356 patients). Among services that significantly decreased all-cause mortality compared with usual care, nurse home visits were most effective [ranking P-score 0.6794; relative risk (RR) 0.78, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.62-0.98], followed by disease management clinics (DMCs) (ranking P-score 0.6368; RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.67-0.97). Among services that significantly decreased all-cause readmission, nurse home visits were most effective [ranking P-score 0.8365; incident rate ratio (IRR) 0.65, 95% CI 0.49-0.86], followed by nurse case management (NCM) (ranking P-score 0.6168; IRR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63-0.95), and DMCs (ranking P-score 0.5691; IRR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66-0.97). There was no significant difference in the comparative effectiveness of services that improved each outcome. Nurse home visits had the greatest pooled cost-savings (3810 USD, 95% CI 3682-3937), followed by NCM (3435 USD, 95% CI 3224-3645), and DMCs (245 USD, 95% CI -70 to 559). Telephone, telemonitoring, pharmacist, and education interventions did not significantly improve clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Nurse home visits and DMCs decrease all-cause mortality after hospitalization for HF. Along with NCM, they also reduce all-cause readmissions, with no significant difference in comparative effectiveness. These services reduce healthcare system costs to varying degrees.

Self Managing Heart Failure in Remote Australia - Translating Concepts into Clinical Practice

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is an ambulatory health care condition characterized by episodes of decompensation and is usually without cure. It is a leading cause for morbidity and mortality and the lead cause for hospital admissions in older patients in the developed world. The long-term requirement for medical care and pharmaceuticals contributes to significant health care costs. CHF management follows a hierarchy from physician prescription to allied health, predominately nurse-led, delivery of care. Health services are easier to access in urban compared to rural settings. The differentials for more specialized services could be even greater. Remote Australia is thus faced with unique challenges in delivering CHF best practice. Chronic disease self-management programs (CDSMP) were designed to increase patient participation in their health and alleviate stress on health systems. There have been CDSMP successes with some diseases, although challenges still exist for CHF. These challenges are amplified in remote Australia due to geographic and demographic factors, increased burden of disease, and higher incidence of comorbidities. In this review we explore CDSMP for CHF and the challenges for our region.

What Is Known About the Benefits of Patient-Centered Care in Patients with Heart Failure

Treatment for chronic heart failure (CHF) has improved, and symptom burden has been identified as an important treatment goal. Because patient-centered care may ease the burden, we need to know its benefits for patients with CHF, hence this systematic literature review. We found that one benefit of person-centered care is an increase in quality of life in patients with CHF. Improvements were found in self-care, physical and mental status, health care costs, general uncertainty regarding illness and recovery, patient dignity, treatment, and systems of care. Improvements also were observed in symptom burden, self-efficacy, and quality of life. These findings indicate that person-centered care is a powerful approach to current and future health care. However, because an appropriate tool to measure person-centered care does not yet exist, it will be a challenge to determine whether the goal has been reached from a long-term and patient perspective.

The impact of patient support programs on adherence, clinical, humanistic, and economic patient outcomes: a targeted systematic review

BACKGROUND

Patient support programs (PSPs), including medication management and counseling, have the potential to improve care in chronic disease states with complex therapies. Little is known about the program's effects on improving clinical, adherence, humanistic, and cost outcomes.

PURPOSE

To conduct a targeted review describing medical conditions in which PSPs have been implemented; support delivery components (eg, face-to-face, phone, mail, and internet); and outcomes associated with implementation.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE - 10 years through March 2015 with supplemental handsearching of reference lists.

STUDY SELECTION

English-language trials and observational studies of PSPs providing at minimum, counseling for medication management, measurement of ≥1 clinical outcome, and a 3-month follow-up period during which outcomes were measured.

DATA EXTRACTION

Program characteristics and related clinical, adherence, humanistic, and cost outcomes were abstracted. Study quality and the overall strength of evidence were reviewed using standard criteria.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Of 2,239 citations, 64 studies met inclusion criteria. All targeted chronic disease processes and the majority (48 [75%]) of programs offered in-clinic, face-to-face support. All but 9 (14.1%) were overseen by allied health care professionals (eg, nurses, pharmacists, paraprofessionals). Forty-one (64.1%) reported at least one significantly positive clinical outcome. The most frequent clinical outcome impacted was adherence, where 27 of 41 (66%) reported a positive outcome. Of 42 studies measuring humanistic outcomes (eg, quality of life, functional status), 27 (64%) reported significantly positive outcomes. Only 15 (23.4%) programs reported cost or utilization-related outcomes, and, of these, 12 reported positive impacts.

CONCLUSION

The preponderance of evidence suggests a positive impact of PSPs on adherence, clinical and humanistic outcomes. Although less often measured, health care utilization and costs are also reduced following PSP implementation. Further research is needed to better quantify which support programs, delivery methods, and components offer the greatest value for any particular medical condition.