Effect of case management on glycemic control and behavioral outcomes for chinese people with type 2 diabetes: A 2-year study

Quality improvement strategies for diabetes care: Effects on outcomes for adults living with diabetes

BACKGROUND

There is a large body of evidence evaluating quality improvement (QI) programmes to improve care for adults living with diabetes. These programmes are often comprised of multiple QI strategies, which may be implemented in various combinations. Decision-makers planning to implement or evaluate a new QI programme, or both, need reliable evidence on the relative effectiveness of different QI strategies (individually and in combination) for different patient populations.

OBJECTIVES

To update existing systematic reviews of diabetes QI programmes and apply novel meta-analytical techniques to estimate the effectiveness of QI strategies (individually and in combination) on diabetes quality of care.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL) and trials registers (ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP) to 4 June 2019. We conducted a top-up search to 23 September 2021; we screened these search results and 42 studies meeting our eligibility criteria are available in the awaiting classification section.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised trials that assessed a QI programme to improve care in outpatient settings for people living with diabetes. QI programmes needed to evaluate at least one system- or provider-targeted QI strategy alone or in combination with a patient-targeted strategy. - System-targeted: case management (CM); team changes (TC); electronic patient registry (EPR); facilitated relay of clinical information (FR); continuous quality improvement (CQI). - Provider-targeted: audit and feedback (AF); clinician education (CE); clinician reminders (CR); financial incentives (FI). - Patient-targeted: patient education (PE); promotion of self-management (PSM); patient reminders (PR). Patient-targeted QI strategies needed to occur with a minimum of one provider or system-targeted strategy.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We dual-screened search results and abstracted data on study design, study population and QI strategies. We assessed the impact of the programmes on 13 measures of diabetes care, including: glycaemic control (e.g. mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)); cardiovascular risk factor management (e.g. mean systolic blood pressure (SBP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), proportion of people living with diabetes that quit smoking or receiving cardiovascular medications); and screening/prevention of microvascular complications (e.g. proportion of patients receiving retinopathy or foot screening); and harms (e.g. proportion of patients experiencing adverse hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia). We modelled the association of each QI strategy with outcomes using a series of hierarchical multivariable meta-regression models in a Bayesian framework. The previous version of this review identified that different strategies were more or less effective depending on baseline levels of outcomes. To explore this further, we extended the main additive model for continuous outcomes (HbA1c, SBP and LDL-C) to include an interaction term between each strategy and average baseline risk for each study (baseline thresholds were based on a data-driven approach; we used the median of all baseline values reported in the trials). Based on model diagnostics, the baseline interaction models for HbA1c, SBP and LDL-C performed better than the main model and are therefore presented as the primary analyses for these outcomes. Based on the model results, we qualitatively ordered each QI strategy within three tiers (Top, Middle, Bottom) based on its magnitude of effect relative to the other QI strategies, where 'Top' indicates that the QI strategy was likely one of the most effective strategies for that specific outcome. Secondary analyses explored the sensitivity of results to choices in model specification and priors.  Additional information about the methods and results of the review are available as Appendices in an online repository. This review will be maintained as a living systematic review; we will update our syntheses as more data become available.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 553 trials (428 patient-randomised and 125 cluster-randomised trials), including a total of 412,161 participants. Of the included studies, 66% involved people living with type 2 diabetes only. Participants were 50% female and the median age of participants was 58.4 years. The mean duration of follow-up was 12.5 months. HbA1c was the commonest reported outcome; screening outcomes and outcomes related to cardiovascular medications, smoking and harms were reported infrequently. The most frequently evaluated QI strategies across all study arms were PE, PSM and CM, while the least frequently evaluated QI strategies included AF, FI and CQI. Our confidence in the evidence is limited due to a lack of information on how studies were conducted.  Four QI strategies (CM, TC, PE, PSM) were consistently identified as 'Top' across the majority of outcomes. All QI strategies were ranked as 'Top' for at least one key outcome. The majority of effects of individual QI strategies were modest, but when used in combination could result in meaningful population-level improvements across the majority of outcomes. The median number of QI strategies in multicomponent QI programmes was three.  Combinations of the three most effective QI strategies were estimated to lead to the below effects:  - PR + PSM + CE: decrease in HbA1c by 0.41% (credibility interval (CrI) -0.61 to -0.22) when baseline HbA1c < 8.3%; - CM + PE + EPR: decrease in HbA1c by 0.62% (CrI -0.84 to -0.39) when baseline HbA1c > 8.3%;  - PE + TC + PSM: reduction in SBP by 2.14 mmHg (CrI -3.80 to -0.52) when baseline SBP < 136 mmHg; - CM + TC + PSM: reduction in SBP by 4.39 mmHg (CrI -6.20 to -2.56) when baseline SBP > 136 mmHg;  - TC + PE + CM: LDL-C lowering of 5.73 mg/dL (CrI -7.93 to -3.61) when baseline LDL < 107 mg/dL; - TC + CM + CR: LDL-C lowering by 5.52 mg/dL (CrI -9.24 to -1.89) when baseline LDL > 107 mg/dL. Assuming a baseline screening rate of 50%, the three most effective QI strategies were estimated to lead to an absolute improvement of 33% in retinopathy screening (PE + PR + TC) and 38% absolute increase in foot screening (PE + TC + Other).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant body of evidence about QI programmes to improve the management of diabetes. Multicomponent QI programmes for diabetes care (comprised of effective QI strategies) may achieve meaningful population-level improvements across the majority of outcomes. For health system decision-makers, the evidence summarised in this review can be used to identify strategies to include in QI programmes. For researchers, this synthesis identifies higher-priority QI strategies to examine in further research regarding how to optimise their evaluation and effects. We will maintain this as a living systematic review.

Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults With Chronic Conditions

IMPORTANCE

Demand is increasing for occupational therapy practitioners to help the growing population of adults with chronic conditions manage their conditions.

OBJECTIVE

This Practice Guideline, which is informed by systematic reviews of the literature on the use of self-management interventions, is meant to guide occupational therapy practitioners' clinical decision making when working with community-dwelling adults with chronic conditions. The chronic conditions included heart disease, chronic lung conditions, diabetes, and kidney disease. The self-management interventions addressed ADLs and sleep and rest; IADLs; education, work, volunteering, leisure, and social participation; and the caregiver role.

METHOD

We reviewed, discussed, and integrated the clinical recommendations developed from four systematic reviews, supporting literature, and expert opinion to provide recommendations for practice.

RESULTS

A total of 102 articles were included in the systematic reviews, which served as the primary basis for the practice recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Strong to moderate evidence supports clinical recommendations for the use of self-management interventions when working with clients with chronic conditions. We recommend the use of a multimodal approach that includes three components-education, goal setting, and problem solving-over an extended period to assist clients in establishing self-management habits and routines. On the basis of emerging evidence and expert opinion, we recommend that occupational therapy practitioners consider using a prevention approach, helping clients establish habits and routines, and emphasizing shared goal setting when addressing clients' self-management of chronic conditions. What This Article Adds: This Practice Guideline provides a summary of strong to moderate evidence that supports clinical recommendations for the use of self-management interventions with clients with chronic conditions. When guided by this evidence, occupational therapy practitioners are better able to help clients meet their occupational challenges.

Behavior change interventions in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review of the effects on self-management and A1c

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify the characteristics of interventions employed to promote behavior change in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and their impact on disease self-management and glycated hemoglobin (A1c).

METHODS

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to guide the protocol development for this systematic review. Randomized controlled clinical trials which compared behavior change interventions to controls in adults with T2DM and investigated disease self-management and glycated hemoglobin (A1c) measured by validated methods were eligible for this study. The risk of bias and quality of evidence was assessed respectively by Cochrane's tool and grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE).

RESULTS

A total of 27 studies were included involving 4464 participants. Behavior change was mainly promoted by education sessions on diabetes care delivered face-to-face, monthly, or every other month, lasting more than 60 min, involving blood glucose monitoring, healthy eating, exercise, and medication. Four studies showed significant improvement in both disease self-management and A1c. The risk of bias was classified as high in most studies. A meta-analysis could not be performed for A1c and self-management due to the high differences in intervention parameters (delivery mode, number, duration, and frequency) and self-management assessments.

CONCLUSION

Low evidence of improvement in disease self-management and A1c considering only validated assessment methods were found for behavior change interventions, mainly promoted by education sessions on diabetes care. The quality of studies and probably the differences in intervention protocols contributed to this finding.

PROSPERO NUMBER

CRD42020161162.

Health education interventions to promote health literacy in adults with selected non-communicable diseases living in low-to-middle income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Health illiteracy is an important contributor to the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs); in particular in settings where health illiteracy is part of a perpetuating system of risk factors. Interventions that promote health literacy may provide an important tool in the primary and secondary prevention of NCDs. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of health literacy interventions on health literacy in the management of patients with selected NCDs living in low-to-middle income countries (LMIC).

METHODS

Seven electronic databases were searched (October 29, 2020) for RCTs aimed at improving health literacy in adults with NCDs in LMICs. Eligible NCDs included those pertaining to cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic respiratory disease (CRD) or Diabetes. Studies were included that explicitly focussed on improving health literacy, and reported comprehensive measures of health literacy, or components thereof (ie, knowledge, attitude or behaviour). Random-effect meta-analyses were conducted for continuous outcome measures (Hedges-g).

RESULTS

The completed search yielded 2573 unique results of which 53 unique studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies included patients with cancer (n = 1, 2%), CRD (n = 8, 15%), CVD (n = 11, 21%) or Diabetes (n = 33, 62%). A significant (P < .01) summary effect was found for disease knowledge (SES = 1.27 [n = 23, 95%CI = 1.05-1.49]), attitude (SES = 1.17 [n = 20, 95%CI = 0.88-1.47]), and behaviour (SES = 1.20 [n = 31, 95%CI = 0.94-1.46]).

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the conclusion that there is compelling evidence, in particular, for patients with Diabetes, that health-literacy interventions are effective in promoting disease knowledge, attitude and behaviour across four chronic conditions that drive the burden of NCDs.

A new kind of gatekeeper: The increasing prevalence of Advanced Practice Nurses as case managers in US hospitals

Case management is a representation of managed care, cost-containment organizational practices in healthcare, where managed care and its constitutive parts are situated against physician autonomy and decision-making. As a professional field, case management has evolved considerably, with the role recently taken up increasingly by Advanced Practice Nurses in various health care settings. We look at this evolution of a relatively new work task for Advanced Practice Nurses using a countervailing powers perspective, which allows us to move beyond discussions of case management effectiveness and best practices, and draw connections to trends in the social organization of healthcare, especially hospitals. We evaluated organizational (hospital-level) and environmental (county and state-level) characteristics associated with hospitals' use of Advanced Practice Nurses as case managers, using data from U.S. community acute care hospitals for 2016-2018, collected from three data sources: American Hospital Association annual survey (AHA), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and Area Resource File. Among organizational characteristics, we found that hospitals that are a part of established Accountable Care Organizations (OR = 2.55, p = 0.009; 95% CI = 1.26-5.14) and those that serve higher acuity patients, as indicated by possessing a higher Case Mix Index (OR = 1.32, p = 0.001; 95% CI = 1.13-1.55), were more likely to use Advanced Practice Nurses as case managers. Among environmental characteristics, having higher local Advanced Practice Nurses concentrations (OR = 1.24, p < 0.001; 95% CI = 1.11-1.39) was associated with hospital Advanced Practice Nurses case management service provision. Beyond the health impacts of Covid-19, its associated recession is placing families, governments and insurers under unprecedented financial stress. Governments and insurers alike are looking to reduce costs anywhere possible. This will inevitably result in increasing amounts of managed care, and decreasing reimbursements to hospitals, likely resulting in higher demand for APRN patient navigators.

The effectiveness of patient activation intervention on type 2 diabetes mellitus glycemic control and self-management behaviors: A systematic review of RCTs

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus T2DM is a major health challenge and associated with several complications and mortality. Self-management behaviors SMBs such as healthy diet, physical activity, blood glucose self-monitoring, foot care and medication adherence are critical part of diabetic care. Empowered or activated patients, are more likely to practice better SMBs. However, the effectiveness of patient activation intervention on T2DM glycemic control and SMBs is not totally well understood.

AIM

To assess the effectiveness of patient activation intervention on T2DM glycemic control and SMBs.

METHOD

A systematic search was undertaken through five databases to find relevant studies published between 2004 and 2018. We included randomized controlled trials with sample size ≥120 and follow up period of ≥12 months and assess the effectiveness of patient activation intervention on T2DM glycemic control and SMBs.

RESULTS

10 RCTs were identified for analysis. The total sample size is 3728 and the combined mean age is 57.3 years. The combined mean BMI is 31.2kg/m² (obese). Seven intervention demonstrated a significant reduction in HbA1c, ranged from 0.36 to 0.80%. All interventions presented an improvement in at least one self-management behavior.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Patient activation intervention showed a significant positive effect on T2DM glycemic control and SMBs, particularly physical activity, healthy diet, foot care and blood glucose self-monitoring. The effectiveness on SMBs was seen across different intervention strategies, modes of delivery, length of intervention, and number of providers. Better effectiveness on HbA1c was associated with poorly controlled participants, culturally tailored-intervention, and in-person sessions intervention combined with telephone calls follow up.

Training in diabetes education: meanings attributed by primary care nurses

OBJECTIVE

seize meanings attributed by primary care nurses to training in diabetes education.

METHOD

exploratory and descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, with twenty primary care nurses; semistructured interview script, with interviews processed in the IRaMuTeQ software and analyzed through the Descending Hierarchical Classification. The results were subsidized in the Representational Theory of Meaning.

RESULTS

nurse training in diabetes education is insufficient for holistic action, although it allows the community to be instrumentalized in specific issues about the disease, using the limited tools available, especially lectures. Nurses find themselves in a context of challenges, improvisations, weaknesses, and limitations that determine the meaning attributed to diabetes education and subsequent actions.

CONCLUSION

the meanings attributed by the nurses revealed an incipient training, which limits the quality of care provided and instigates the search for qualification.

Assessing the influence of health systems on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus awareness, treatment, adherence, and control: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is reported to affect one in 11 adults worldwide, with over 80% of T2DM patients residing in low-to-middle-income countries. Health systems play an integral role in responding to this increasing global prevalence, and are key to ensuring effective diabetes management. We conducted a systematic review to examine the health system-level factors influencing T2DM awareness, treatment, adherence, and control.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

A protocol for this study was published on the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO 2016: CRD42016048185). Studies included in this review reported the effects of health systems factors, interventions, policies, or programmes on T2DM control, awareness, treatment, and adherence. The following databases were searched on 22 February 2017: Medline, Embase, Global health, LILACS, Africa-Wide, IMSEAR, IMEMR, and WPRIM. There were no restrictions on date, language, or study designs. Two reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility, extracted the data, and screened for risk of bias. Thereafter, we performed a narrative synthesis. A meta-analysis was not conducted due to methodological heterogeneity across different aspects of included studies. 93 studies were included for qualitative synthesis; 7 were conducted in LMICs. Through this review, we found two key health system barriers to effective T2DM care and management: financial constraints faced by the patient and limited access to health services and medication. We also found three health system factors that facilitate effective T2DM care and management: the use of innovative care models, increased pharmacist involvement in care delivery, and education programmes led by healthcare professionals.

CONCLUSIONS

This review points to the importance of reducing, or possibly eliminating, out-of-pocket costs for diabetes medication and self-monitoring supplies. It also points to the potential of adopting more innovative and integrated models of care, and the value of task-sharing of care with pharmacists. More studies which identify the effect of health system arrangements on various outcomes, particularly awareness, are needed.

Substantial effects of empowerment case management on physical health of type 2 diabetic patients

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of empowerment case management on the physical health of patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is a global health issue. Case management is often used on diabetes management at various levels. Empowerment has been used for chronic situation management, but its effects have not been widely studied in diabetic populations.

DESIGN

Purposive sampling was used to recruit 125 participants with type 2 diabetes aged 18 years or older from a regional teaching hospital in Taiwan.

METHODS

Empowerment case management was applied for 42 participants, while the other 83 received normal case management. Survey items included demographics, preprandial (AC) and postprandial (PC) blood sugar levels, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and the presence or absence of acute and chronic complications. Descriptive statistics and a generalised estimating equation were used to analyse the model's effects on the two groups.

RESULTS

The PC blood sugar levels of patients receiving empowerment case management declined at 3 months (B = -34.26, p < .01), and this decrease was maintained at 6 months (B = -83.66, p < .001). As of 6 months after starting the intervention, patients receiving empowerment case management enjoyed better physical health. These patients' AC blood sugar levels (B = -50.16, p < .001), HbA1C (B = -0.98, p < .001), systolic blood pressure (B = -8.24, p < .001), diastolic blood pressure (B = -5.73, p < .01) and total cholesterol (B = -13.74, p < .05) all experienced a continuous drop and were controlled well, and no diabetes-related acute or chronic complications were observed either. Patients with type 2 diabetes who received empowerment case management managed their physical health better. Moreover, its greatest effect was that patients were able to form exercise groups and continue to maintain their health.

CONCLUSIONS

Empowerment case management was shown to have a substantial effect on the physical health and self-care of patients with diabetes, thus making it a suitable intervention tool for managing diabetes cases.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The study results showed that empowerment case management is suitable for managing diabetes cases. It has a substantial effect on the maintenance of physical health, occurrence of complications and effectiveness of self-care among patients with diabetes. For better care outcomes, empowerment case management should be integrated into the guidelines of diabetes management.

Adesão e empoderamento de usuários com diabetes mellitus para práticas de autocuidado: ensaio clínico randomizado

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a adesão e o empoderamento do usuário com diabetes mellitus para as práticas de autocuidado e controle glicêmico na educação em grupo. Método: Ensaio clínico randomizado por cluster, com a participação de usuários com diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Todos os usuários estavam vinculados às Unidades de Estratégia de Saúde da Família do município de Divinópolis/MG, Brasil, durante os anos de 2014 e 2015. Foram coletados dados com relação à adesão às práticas de autocuidado, ao empoderamento e à hemoglobina glicada para comparação entre grupos na linha de base, assim como comparação entre o antes e o depois intragrupo. Foi considerado um nível de significância de 0,05. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 183 usuários, sendo que 72 foram alocados no grupo intervenção e 111 no grupo controle. Os resultados revelaram uma redução estatisticamente significativa (< 0,001) para o valor de hemoglobina glicada e um aumento dos escores referentes à adesão ao autocuidado e à escala de empoderamento para os participantes do grupo intervenção (< 0,001). Conclusão: Os efeitos da educação em grupo proporcionaram o aumento nas escalas da adesão e empoderamento às práticas de autocuidado, além de melhora dos níveis glicêmicos, evidenciada pelos resultados da hemoglobina glicada. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos: RBR-92j38t.