Who participates in chronic disease self-management (CDSM) programs? Differences between participants and nonparticipants in a population of multimorbid older adults

Understanding barriers to participation in group chronic disease self-management (CDSM) programs: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors that influence enrollment in and attendance of chronic disease self-management (CDSM) group programs.

METHODS

A scoping review of peer-reviewed publications that reported on factors of enrollment or attendance in group CDSM programs for adults with any type of chronic condition. Screening was completed by two reviewers and data extraction was checked for accuracy. Data were summarized and key themes were identified in collaboration with the study team.

RESULTS

Following screening, 52 of 2774 articles were included. Attendance rates that varied from 10.4-98.5% (mean =72.5%). There is considerable overlap between enrollment and attendance factors. These included Competing Commitments, Logistics, Personal characteristics, Perception of illness/health status, Health service provision, and Group dynamics.

CONCLUSIONS

Varied and individualized factors can facilitate or impede enrollment or attendance in group CDSM programs. Consideration of these factors and tailoring of programs is needed to facilitate patient ability to take part. Participatory co-design is a growing approach to ensure programs meet individual and community needs. More research is needed to identify the specific impact of using codesign on enrollment and attendance in group CDSM programs.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Including community members and service users in design and implementation may enhance CDSM program access.

The influence of demographic, health and psychosocial factors on patient uptake of the English NHS diabetes prevention programme

BACKGROUND

The prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a major concern for health services around the world. The English NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS-DPP) offers a group face-to-face behaviour change intervention, based around exercise and diet, to adults with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (NDH), referred from primary care. Previous analysis of the first 100,000 referrals revealed just over half of those referred to the NHS-DPP took up a place. This study aimed to identify the demographic, health and psychosocial factors associated with NHS-DPP uptake to help inform the development of interventions to improve uptake and address inequities between population groups.

METHODS

Drawing on the Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization we developed a survey questionnaire to collect data on a wide range of demographic, health and psychosocial factors that might influence uptake of the NHS-DPP. We distributed this questionnaire to a cross-sectional random sample of 597 patients referred to the NHS-DPP across 17 general practices, chosen for variation. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with NHS-DPP uptake.

RESULTS

325 out of 597 questionnaires were completed (54%). Only a third of responders took up the offer of a place. The best performing model for uptake (AUC = 0.78) consisted of four factors: older age; beliefs concerning personal vulnerability to T2DM; self-efficacy for reducing T2DM risk; and the efficacy of the NHS-DPP. After accounting for these, demographic and health-related factors played only a minor role.

CONCLUSION

Unlike fixed demographic characteristics, psychosocial perceptions may be amenable to change. NHS-DPP uptake rates may be improved by targeting the beliefs of patients about their risk of developing T2DM, their ability to carry out and sustain behaviours to reduce this risk, and the efficacy of the NHS-DPP in providing the necessary understanding and skills required. The recently introduced digital version of the NHS DPP could help address the even lower uptake amongst younger adults. Such changes could facilitate proportional access from across different demographic strata.

Towards reduction of preventable hospital readmission: Older people and family members' views on planned self-management of care at home

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To reduce the likelihood of preventable readmissions, the aim was to investigate how older people (with their family members) managed their chronic health conditions at home following hospital discharge. The objectives explored older people and their family members' perspectives on how discharge plans assisted self-management of their chronic conditions, their recognition of deterioration and when to seek treatment/re-attend hospital.

BACKGROUND

Chronic conditions have challenged older adults' self-management, particularly after hospital discharge and can impact on preventable readmission. Few studies have examined patients' and their family members' perspectives on the management of their conditions at home after hospitalisation.

DESIGN

A qualitative exploratory design known as Interpretive Description was utilised.

METHODS

Purposeful sampling involved 27 community-dwelling older adults; nineteen were discharged patients with one or more chronic health conditions. Eight nominated family members were also recruited to enhance understanding of the older persons' self-management at home. Interviews were undertaken and thematic data analysis followed the COREQ guidelines.

RESULTS

Five themes emerged: (1) Post-Discharge Advice; (2) Managing at Home; (3) Recognition and Response to Deterioration; (4) Community Care and Support; and (5) The "Burden" on Others of Post-Discharge Care.

CONCLUSION

Older people sought a clear plan for self-management at home prior to discharge. This plan should contain potential signs of deterioration and guidance on future action. We found that support given to older people from family and friends was critical to prevent readmission. In addition, their local General Practitioner and Pharmacist played an essential part in the support of their care. For some, social support services were also important. Nurse telephone follow-up in the week following discharge was mostly absent. However, this strategy would be strongly recommended.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

To mitigate against preventable readmission, we recommend the above strategies to assist the older person at home with self-management of their chronic conditions.

Urban RCT participants were healthier than non-participants or rural women

OBJECTIVE

To investigate sociodemographic characteristics and physical and mental health indicators between participants and nonparticipants of a large-scale 2-year exercise RCT including noninvited women living in nearby rural area in Finland.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

From a previous OSTPRE study cohort, 914 women (aged 72-84) participated in Kuopio Fall Prevention Study in 2016-2019. The participants were compared to non-participants (n = 4,536) and noninvited OSTPRE women (n = 7,119) living outside the urban recruitment area.

RESULTS

Participants were younger (P< 0.001) with higher education (P< 0.001) and had more often regular hobbies (P< 0.001) and physical exercising (P< 0.001) than nonparticipants or noninvited. They reported better functional capability (P< 0.001), mental (P< 0.001) and subjective health (P< 0.001), lower number of medications (P< 0.001), less fear of falls (P< 0.001), but more frequent falls (P= 0.002) and more often musculoskeletal diseases (P= 0.006).  Participants also showed better functional capacity in the clinical measurements. In register analysis, urban-rural differences in the prevalence of diseases were detected.

CONCLUSION

In population-based exercise interventions, participants are more likely to be better off in respect to physical and mental wellbeing, functional capability and sociodemographic status. Recruiting participants only from cities increases unavoidable selection bias due to urban-rural differences which should be noticed when interpreting and generalizing RCT results.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02665169.

The Impact of Illness Perceptions and Coping Strategies on Use of Supportive Care for Cancer

Simple Summary

Cancer survivorship support programmes improve wellbeing, but most oncology patients and survivors do not use them. The current study examined whether people who saw themselves as having greater personal control over their illness used more problem-focused coping strategies, and if this resulted in higher use of survivorship support services. The study also examined the possibility that use of supportive care services was higher amongst those patients who used more emotion-focused coping strategies and who were experiencing greater emotional distress about their cancer. We found that people using more survivorship support services tended to have a greater belief in their ability to do something to control their cancer but were not emotionally distressed.

Abstract

Despite evidence that survivorship support programmes enhance physical and psychosocial wellbeing, cancer patients and survivors often do not use these supportive care services. This study investigated the utility of the Common Sense Model of Self-Regulation for predicting supportive care use following cancer, and the mediating role of coping strategies. Cancer patients and survivors (n = 336 from Australia, n = 61 from the UK; 191 males, 206 females) aged 20–83 years (Mean (M) = 62.73, Standard Deviation (SD) = 13.28) completed an online questionnaire. Predictor variables were cognitive and emotional representations of cancer, as measured by the Illness Perception Questionnaire—Revised (IPQ-R), and problem- and emotion-focused coping strategies, as measured by the Brief-Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced inventory (Brief-COPE). The outcome variable was survivorship support programme use within the preceding month. Perceived personal control over cancer predicted supportive care use, but cancer-related emotional distress did not. Coping was an inconsistent mediator of the relationships. Problem-focused coping mediated the relationship between personal control and supportive care use; emotion-focused coping did not mediate between emotional responses to cancer and the uptake of survivorship support programmes. The Common Sense Model provides a useful framework for understanding survivorship support programme use. However, more clarity around the relationship between illness beliefs and coping is required.

Attendance, activation and health profiles of participants, a prospective study on a regional cardiometabolic disease self-management program in Laval, Canada

Background

Chronic diseases are responsible for over 70% of all deaths globally. While some self-management programs have been shown to be efficacious in preventing or altering trajectories for some chronic conditions, scaling-up and sustaining such programs beyond tightly-controlled study conditions remain a major challenge. CISSS-Laval partnered with the Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program team to co-develop Cible-santé/prévention and evaluate the first cohort of participants enrolled in the program, in order to better understand the program’s implementation and scope. The objective of the current study was to describe the profile of attendees and the level of engagement of participants in a new, region-wide cardiometabolic disease self-management program offered in Laval, Canada.

Methods

This was a prospective study with no comparison group. Potential participants were identified and referred to the program from April to December 2015 by their primary care health professional practicing in one of the city’s interdisciplinary primary care clinics. They had their blood pressure, waist circumference and body mass index measured by trained volunteers, and completed a questionnaire on health habits, level of activation and the risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes over the next 10 years.

Results

A descriptive analysis of the first cohort of 141 Cible-Santé/prévention participants showed very low attendance. Furthermore, only 1 in 10 of enrolled participants completed the full program. The program typically attracted adults with some risk factors associated with their conditions (high waist circumference, obesity), but with an already high level of knowledge, skills and confidence to participate in self-management activities.

Conclusion

This study provides a portrait of new participants to a self-management cardiometabolic disease program, which highlights the potential of supporting patients ready to make changes but also exposes the difficulty of attracting a larger number and diversity of participants and in encouraging completion of the program.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10558-6.

Promoting chronic disease management in persons with complex social needs: A qualitative descriptive study

While there are both ethical and practical imperatives to address health inequity issues related to chronic disease management for persons with social complexity, existing programs often do not appropriately address the needs of these individuals. This leads to low levels of participation in programs, suboptimal chronic disease management, and higher health-care utilization. The aims of this project were to describe the challenges related to availability, accessibility, and acceptability faced by socially complex patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) who were eligible, but declined enrollment in a traditional Chronic Disease Management Program (CDMP). Using a qualitative descriptive study approach informed by a health equity lens, interviews with participants, managers, and a focus group with providers were used to gather data addressing the above aims. Qualitative data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s theoretical thematic analysis approach. The ability of participants to manage chronic disease was profoundly influenced by contextual and personal factors, such as poverty, disability, personal attitudes and beliefs (including shame, mistrust, and hopelessness), and barriers inherent in the organization of the health-care system. The existing chronic disease management program did not adequately address the most critical needs of socially complex patients. Challenges with accessibility and acceptability of chronic disease management and health services played important roles in the ways these socially complex participants managed their chronic illness. The individualistic approach to self-management of chronic illness inherent in conventional CDMP can be poorly aligned with the needs, capacity, and circumstances of many socially complex patients. Innovative models of care that promote incremental and guided approaches to enhancing health and improving self-efficacy need further development and evaluation.

Interventions to Enhance Patient and Family Engagement Among Adults With Multiple Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Scoping Review

PURPOSE

In the United States, 42% of adults, and 81% of adults over 65 years of age live with multiple chronic condition (MCC). Current interventions to facilitate engagement in care focus primarily on the patient; however, many individuals with MCC manage and live with their conditions within the context of their family. This review sought to identify interventions used to facilitate patient and/or family engagement among adults with MCC.

METHODS

We adhered as closely as possible to PRISMA guidelines and conducted a systematic scoping review using a modified approach by Arksey and O'Malley. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using terms related to MCC, patient and family engagement, and intervention. We included articles that: (1) were published in English; (2) were peer-reviewed; (3) described an engagement intervention (with or without a comparator); and (4) targeted individuals with MCC. We abstracted data from included articles and classified them using the Multidimensional Framework for Patient and Family Engagement in Health and Health Care, and the Classification Model of Patient Engagement.

RESULTS

We identified 21 discrete interventions. Six (29%) were classified as having the highest degree of engagement. Eighteen (85%) focused on engagement at the direct care level. Only one was specifically designed to engage families.

CONCLUSIONS

Many engagement interventions currently exist for adults with MCC. Few of these interventions foster the highest degree of engagement; most focus on engagement at the level of direct care and do not specifically target family member involvement.

What impact do chronic disease self-management support interventions have on health inequity gaps related to socioeconomic status: a systematic review

Background

The social gradient in chronic disease (CD) is well-documented, and the ability to effectively self-manage is crucial to reducing morbidity and mortality from CD. This systematic review aimed to assess the moderating effect of socioeconomic status on self-management support (SMS) interventions in relation to participation, retention and post-intervention outcomes.

Methods

Six databases were searched for studies of any design published until December 2018. Eligible studies reported on outcomes from SMS interventions for adults with chronic disease, where socioeconomic status was recorded and a between-groups comparison on SES was made. Possible outcomes were participation rates, retention rates and clinical or behavioural post-intervention results.

Results

Nineteen studies were retrieved, including five studies on participation, five on attrition and nine studies reporting on outcomes following SMS intervention. All participation studies reported reduced engagement in low SES cohorts. Studies assessing retention and post-intervention outcomes had variable results, related to the diversity of interventions. A reduction in health disparity was seen in longer interventions that were individually tailored. Most studies did not provide a theoretical justification for the intervention being investigated, although four studies referred to Bandura’s concept of self-efficacy.

Conclusions

The limited research suggests that socioeconomic status does moderate the efficacy of SMS interventions, such that without careful tailoring and direct targeting of barriers to self-management, SMS may exacerbate the social gradient in chronic disease outcomes. Screening for patient disadvantage or workload, rather than simply recording SES, may increase the chances of tailored interventions being directed to those most likely to benefit from them. Future interventions for low SES populations should consider focussing more on treatment burden and patient capacity.

Trial registration

PROSPERO registration CRD42019124760. Registration date 17/4/19.

Chronic disease self-management programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Factors influencing participation in an urban setting

ISSUE ADDRESSED

Evidence suggests that participation in a Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSM) program improves the health of clients. Many factors are known to influence participation in these programs for the broader Australian population. However, less is known about why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders choose to participate. This study identifies key factors that support or enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to participate in a CDSM program in an urban setting.

METHODS

Twelve focus groups were undertaken with a total of 102 participants who were diagnosed with or at risk of chronic disease. These participants were recruited from the Work It Out program, a CDSM program comprising exercise and health education. The Work It Out program is specifically designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and delivered by an Aboriginal led and community-controlled organisation in South-East and Central Queensland. The study received ethical clearance through the Behavioural and Social Sciences Ethical Review Committee at The University of Queensland (Approval Number 2011001283).

RESULTS

Findings indicate that key features of program design based on a culturally responsive approach influences participation. The main features are as follows: providing easy access to the program; permitting flexibility in attendance; a group environment; the approach of program staff that prioritises relationship building; personalised and integrated care; communicating result regularly; and ensuring community ownership of the program.

CONCLUSION

These findings are useful to consider when designing a health program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Programs which are culturally responsive and include the design features identified in this study are more likely to increase participation amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. SO WHAT?: Increasing participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in CDSM programs using the design features identified in the paper may contribute significantly in closing the health disparity gap.

Black American older adults' motivation to engage in osteoarthritis treatment recommendations for pain self-management: A mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, and four core treatments are recommended to minimize the interference of pain and symptoms on their daily function. However, older Black Americans have traditionally been at a disadvantage in regard to knowledge of and engagement in chronic disease self-management and self-care. Surprisingly, minimal research has addressed understanding motivational factors key to self-management behaviors. Thus, it is important to understand if older Black Americans' self-management is supported by current recommendations for the management of symptomatic osteoarthritis and what factors limit or motivate engagement in recommended treatments.

OBJECTIVE

Our objectives are to: (1) identify stage of engagement in four core recommended treatments for osteoarthritis, (2) describe the barriers and motivators to these recommended treatments, and (3) construct an understanding of the process of pain self-management motivation.

DESIGN

A mixed-methods concurrent parallel design.

SETTING

Participants were recruited from communities in northern Louisiana, USA.

PARTICIPANTS

Black Americans (≥50 years of age) with clinical osteoarthritis and/or provider-diagnosed osteoarthritis were enrolled. One hundred ten participants completed the study, and 18 of these individuals were also interviewed individually.

METHODS

Data were collected using in-person surveys and interviews. Over a period of 11 months, close- and open-ended surveys and in-depth interviews were conducted with participants. Descriptive statistics describe utilization/engagement level as well as barriers and motivators of recommended treatments for non-surgical osteoarthritis. Content and thematic analyses of interviews summarized perspectives on the process and role of motivation in pain self-management.

RESULTS

Overall, engagement levels in treatments ranged from very low to high. Over 55% of older Black Americans were actively engaged in two of the recommended treatments: land-based exercise and strength training. Major motivators included reduction in pain and stiffness and maintenance of mobility and good health. The majority of participants were not using water-based exercise and self-management education. Primary barriers were lack of access, time, and knowledge of resources.

CONCLUSIONS

In order to maximize the benefits of osteoarthritis pain self-management, older Black Americans must be equipped with the motivation, resources, information and skills, and time to engage in recommended treatment options. Their repertoire of behavioral self-management did not include two key treatments and is inconsistent with what is recommended, predominantly due to barriers that are difficult to overcome. In these cases, motivation alone is not optimal in promoting self-management. Providers, researchers, and community advocates should work collaboratively to expand access to self-management resources, particularly when personal and community motivation are high.

Assessing the Impact of a Game-Centered Mobile App on Community-Dwelling Older Adults' Health Activation

Background:

Older adults experience normative age-graded declines in physical and cognitive performance and many must manage one or more chronic conditions. Exercise programs can help to improve both their physical health and their knowledge, skill, and confidence in managing aspects of their own healthcare, yet a significant barrier is motivating them to adhere to such programs. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of a game-centered mobile app (Bingocize®) on older adults’ knowledge, skill, and confidence for managing aspects of their healthcare.

Methods:

Community-dwelling older adults (N=84) with mobility and not engaged in any structured exercise program were recruited from rural community senior centers in Kentucky and Tennessee. Participants were randomly assigned to (a) a version that included health education, or (b) health education and an exercise component. Participants used the app in a group setting for 10 weeks, twice per week, for one hour. The Patient Activation Measure (PAM-10) was used to assess group changes in knowledge, skill, and confidence for managing aspects of their healthcare. The design was a two (Group: Exercise + Health Education vs. Health Education-only) x two (Time: Pre- vs. Post-intervention) and an analyses of variance, with significance p<.05, was used to detect within and between group differences.

Results:

PAM-10 values significantly increased from pre- to post-intervention for both groups, as did knowledge of the health topics (all p < 0.05). Attendance was >93% in both groups.

Conclusions:

Bingocize® engendered high attendance and improved health activation of older adults; however, additional research is needed to examine whether changes in activation result in long-term changes in health behaviour. The Bingocize® mobile app is an enjoyable and effective way to increase health activation in community-dwelling older adults.

Symptom burden and self-management in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Purpose

Self-management is crucial for effective COPD management. This study aimed at identifying associations between self-management and sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and symptom burden in people with COPD.

Patients and methods

In this cross-sectional study with 225 participants diagnosed with COPD grades II–IV, multiple linear regression analysis was conducted, using sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and symptom burden (COPD Assessment Test) as the independent variables and the eight self-management domains of the Health Education Impact Questionnaire (heiQ) as the outcome variables.

Results

Higher symptom burden was significantly associated with worse scores in all self-management domains (p<0.003), except for self-monitoring and insight (p=0.012). Higher disease severity (p=0.004) and numbers of comorbidities (p<0.001) were associated with more emotional distress, and women scored higher than men on positive and active engagement in life (p=0.001). Higher score in pack-years smoking was associated with lower score in health-directed activities (p=0.006) and self-monitoring and insight (p<0.001), and participation in organized physical training was associated with higher score in health-directed activities (p<0.001). The final models explained 3.7%–31.7% of variance (adjusted R²) across the eight heiQ scales.

Conclusion

A notable finding of this study was that higher symptom burden was associated with worse scores in all self-management domains, except for self-monitoring and insight. In addition, sex, disease severity, comorbidity, pack-years smoking, and participation in organized physical training were associated with one or two self-management domains. The study contributes to improved understanding of self-management in COPD. However, the explained variance levels indicate that more research needs to be done to uncover what else explains self-management domains in COPD.

Self-Management of Multiple Chronic Conditions by Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Concept Analysis

The proportion of the aging population living with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) is increasing. Self-management is valuable in helping individuals manage MCC. The purpose of this study was to conduct a concept analysis of self-management in community-dwelling older adults with MCC using Walker and Avant's method. The review included 30 articles published between 2000 and 2017. The following attributes were identified: (a) using financial resources for chronic disease management, (b) acquiring health- and disease-related education, (c) making use of ongoing social supports, (d) responding positively to health changes, (e) ongoing engagement with the health system, and (f) actively participating in sustained disease management. Self-management is a complex process; the presence of these attributes increases the likelihood that an older adult will be successful in managing the symptoms of MCC.

Assessing Patient Activation among High-Need, High-Cost Patients in Urban Safety Net Care Settings

We sought to examine the literature using the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) or the Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI) with high-need, high-cost (HNHC) patients receiving care in urban safety net settings. Urban safety net care management programs serve low-income, racially/ethnically diverse patients living with multiple chronic conditions. Although many care management programs track patient progress with the PAM or the PEI, it is not clear whether the PAM or the PEI is an effective and appropriate tool for HNHC patients receiving care in urban safety net settings in the United States. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO for articles published between 2004 and 2015 that used the PAM and between 1998 and 2015 that used the PEI. The search was limited to English-language articles conducted in the United States and published in peer-reviewed journals. To assess the utility of the PAM and the PEI in urban safety net care settings, we defined a HNHC patient sample as racially/ethnically diverse, low socioeconomic status (SES), and multimorbid. One hundred fourteen articles used the PAM. All articles using the PEI were conducted outside the U.S. and therefore were excluded. Nine PAM studies (8%) included participants similar to those receiving care in urban safety net settings, three of which were longitudinal. Two of the three longitudinal studies reported positive changes following interventions. Our results indicate that research on patient activation is not commonly conducted on racially and ethnically diverse, low SES, and multimorbid patients; therefore, there are few opportunities to assess the appropriateness of the PAM in such populations. Investigators expressed concerns with the potential unreliability and inappropriate nature of the PAM on multimorbid, older, and low-literacy patients. Thus, the PAM may not be able to accurately assess patient progress among HNHC patients receiving care in urban safety net settings. Assessing progress in the urban safety net care setting requires measures that account for the social and structural challenges and competing demands of HNHC patients.

A latent profile analysis on patient empowerment programme in a Hong Kong primary care setting

OBJECTIVE

This study identified the profiles of subgroups of type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients of the Patient Empowerment Programme (PEP) by different levels of benefits gained in diabetic self-management behaviors, self-efficacy, and health literacy.

METHODS

This study adopted a non-experimental repeated-measures design on T2DM patients who joined PEP, using structured questionnaires. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify patterns of participants' change on the outcome measures.

RESULTS

Findings of LPA revealed that participants who were older, unemployed, weaker in diabetic self-management, and having a higher self-perception in personal disease risk were more likely to join the empowerment sessions and gained more benefits from the program. Participants with lower impairment in energy function and lower autonomy in personal health care showed more improvement in the outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The study identified significant factors associated with patients' participation on and benefits gained from a service delivery model integrating health education and patient empowerment in a primary care setting.

PRACTICE IMPLICATION

Findings from this study shed light on strategies to improve the PEP design in order to meet the needs of individuals with different health-related profiles.

Methodological review: quality of randomized controlled trials in health literacy

BACKGROUND

The growing move towards patient-centred care has led to substantial research into improving the health literacy skills of patients and members of the public. Hence, there is a pressing need to assess the methodology used in contemporary randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions directed at health literacy, in particular the quality (risk of bias), and the types of outcomes reported.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic database search for RCTs involving interventions directed at health literacy in adults, published from 2009 to 2014. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess quality of RCT implementation. We also checked the sample size calculation for primary outcomes. Reported evidence of efficacy (statistical significance) was extracted for intervention outcomes in any of three domains of effect: knowledge, behaviour, health status. Demographics of intervention participants were also extracted, including socioeconomic status.

RESULTS

We found areas of methodological strength (good randomization and allocation concealment), but areas of weakness regarding blinding of participants, people delivering the intervention and outcomes assessors. Substantial attrition (losses by monitoring time point) was seen in a third of RCTs, potentially leading to insufficient power to obtain precise estimates of intervention effect on primary outcomes. Most RCTs showed that the health literacy interventions had some beneficial effect on knowledge outcomes, but this was typically for less than 3 months after intervention end. There were far fewer reports of significant improvements in substantive patient-oriented outcomes, such as beneficial effects on behavioural change or health (clinical) status. Most RCTs featured participants from vulnerable populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our evaluation shows that health literacy trial design, conduct and reporting could be considerably improved, particularly by reducing attrition and obtaining longer follow-up. More meaningful RCTs would also result if health literacy trials were designed with public and patient involvement to focus on clinically important patient-oriented outcomes, rather than just knowledge, behaviour or skills in isolation.

Mechanism of engaging self-management behavior in rural heart failure patients

AIM

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among self-efficacy, patient activation and SM in rural heart failure patients discharged from critical access hospitals.

BACKGROUND

Heart failure is one of the most disabling and resource-consuming chronic conditions. Compared to their urban counterparts, rural heart failure patients had higher healthcare utilizations and worse health outcomes. Self-management (SM) plays a significant role in improving patients' outcomes and reducing healthcare use. Despite persistent recommendations of SM, engagement in SM still remains low in rural heart failure patients. SM is a complex behavior, which is influenced by various factors. Evidence on the efficacy of interventions to promote SM is limited and inconsistent. One reason is that the mechanism of engagement of SM in the rural heart failure population has not been fully understood.

METHODS

A correlational study was conducted using secondary data from a randomized control trial aimed to improve SM adherence. Path analysis was used to test the hypothesis of patient activation mediating the effect of self-efficacy on SM.

RESULTS

Data were collected from a sample of 101 heart failure patients (37% males) with an average age of 70 years. The final model provided a good fit to the data, supporting the hypothesis that self-efficacy contributes to SM through activation.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed that effective SM interventions should be designed to include strategies to promote both self-efficacy and activation.

Translation of fit & strong! For middle-aged and older adults: examining implementation and effectiveness of a lay-led model in central Texas

The Fit & Strong! program is an evidence-based, multi-component program promoting physical activity among older adults, particularly those suffering from lower-extremity osteoarthritis. The primary purpose of the study is to examine if the Fit & Strong! program translated into a lay-leader model can produce comparable outcomes to the original program taught by physical therapists and/or certified exercise instructors. A single-group, pre–post study design was employed, and data were collected at the baseline (n = 136 participants) and the intervention conclusion (n = 71) with both baseline and post-intervention data. The measurements included socio-demographic information, health- and behavior-related information, and health-related quality of life. Various statistical tests were used for the program impact analysis and examination of the association between participant characteristics and program completion. As in the original study, there were statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements in self-efficacy for exercise, aerobic capacity, joint stiffness, level of energy, and amount and intensity of physical activities. The odds of completing the program were significantly lower for the participants from rural areas and those having multiple chronic conditions. Successful adaptation of the Fit & Strong! program to a lay-leader model can increase the likelihood of program dissemination by broadening the selection pool of instructors and, hence, reducing the potential issue of resource limitation. However, high program attrition rates (54.1%) emphasize the importance of adopting evidence-based strategies for improving the retention of the participants from rural areas and those with multiple chronic conditions.

What makes a difference to patients?

To make a difference to patients who increasingly suffer multiple chronic conditions, in a healthcare system that is capable of providing excellent care but is often ineffective and at cross-purposes in its application, means being prepared to take a different approach not only to the delivery of patient care, but to the education of physicians and other healthcare professionals. The model we must now practice and teach is one that emphasizes collaboration and prevention, quality and efficiency. Changes in practice recommended by the 2001 US Institute of Medicine report are being implemented system-wide, following the enactment of the US Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This paper discusses the evolving needs of patients with chronic psychiatric illness, and the psychiatrist's role in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape as a care provider, an interdisciplinary role model, and educator. In an aging population in which multi-morbidity is the norm, episodic, crisis-driven care is prohibitively expensive and does not serve patients well. Yet we still teach that model of care. The medications we prescribe for psychiatric illness, particularly antipsychotics, can cause and/or aggravate some of the commonest chronic medical illnesses; psychiatric educators must address the management of these complications. The management of chronic psychiatric illness in multi-morbid patients demands that we practice and teach a 'whole patient' approach to care, preferably delivered as part of a patient-centred team. The Affordable Care Act has mandated and created opportunities for new models designed to facilitate this, and a paradigm shift is needed in medical education. Clinicians must become adept at identifying underlying and contributing factors and collaborating with the patient, other providers, and the patient's family and significant others. Psychiatric formulation and patient care rely on these principles; we must now teach their application to other specialties, disciplines and professions.