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Harrington J, Rao VN, Leyva M, Oakes M, Mentz RJ, Bosworth HB, Pagidipati NJ. Improving Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy for Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Review of Implementation Strategies. J Card Fail 2024; 30:376-390. [PMID: 38142886 DOI: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in the use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), achievement of target GDMT use and up-titration to goal dosages continue to be modest. In recent years, a number of interventional approaches to improve the usage of GDMT have been published, but many are limited by single-center experiences with small sample sizes. However, strategies including the use of multidisciplinary teams, dedicated GDMT titration algorithms and clinician audits with feedback have shown promise. There remains a critical need for large, rigorous trials to assess the utility of differing interventions to improve the use and titration of GDMT in HFrEF. Here, we review existing literature in GDMT implementation for those with HFrEF and discuss future directions and considerations in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Harrington
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology Duke University, Durham, NC; Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC.
| | - Vishal N Rao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology Duke University, Durham, NC; Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC
| | - Monica Leyva
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Durham, NC
| | - Megan Oakes
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Durham, NC
| | - Robert J Mentz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology Duke University, Durham, NC; Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC
| | - Hayden B Bosworth
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology Duke University, Durham, NC; Department of Population Health Sciences, Durham, NC
| | - Neha J Pagidipati
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology Duke University, Durham, NC; Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC
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Forsetlund L, O'Brien MA, Forsén L, Reinar LM, Okwen MP, Horsley T, Rose CJ. Continuing education meetings and workshops: effects on professional practice and healthcare outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 9:CD003030. [PMID: 34523128 PMCID: PMC8441047 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd003030.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Educational meetings are used widely by health personnel to provide continuing medical education and to promote implementation of innovations or translate new knowledge to change practice within healthcare systems. Previous reviews have concluded that educational meetings can result in small changes in behaviour, but that effects vary considerably. Investigations into which characteristics of educational meetings might lead to greater impact have yielded varying results, and factors that might explain heterogeneity in effects remain unclear. This is the second update of this Cochrane Review. OBJECTIVES • To assess the effects of educational meetings on professional practice and healthcare outcomes • To investigate factors that might explain the heterogeneity of these effects SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, ERIC, Science Citation Index Expanded (ISI Web of Knowledge), and Social Sciences Citation Index (last search in November 2016). SELECTION CRITERIA We sought randomised trials examining the effects of educational meetings on professional practice and patient outcomes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. One review author assessed the certainty of evidence (GRADE) and discussed with a second review author. We included studies in the primary analysis that reported baseline data and that we judged to be at low or unclear risk of bias. For each comparison of dichotomous outcomes, we measured treatment effect as risk difference adjusted for baseline compliance. We expressed adjusted risk difference values as percentages, and we noted that values greater than zero favour educational meetings. For continuous outcomes, we measured treatment effect as per cent change relative to the control group mean post test, adjusted for baseline performance; we expressed values as percentages and noted that values greater than zero favour educational meetings. We report means and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and, when appropriate, medians and interquartile ranges to facilitate comparisons to previous versions of this review. We analysed professional and patient outcomes separately and analysed 22 variables that were hypothesised a priori to explain heterogeneity. We explored heterogeneity by using univariate meta-regression and by inspecting violin plots. MAIN RESULTS We included 215 studies involving more than 28,167 health professionals, including 142 new studies for this update. Educational meetings as the single intervention or the main component of a multi-faceted intervention compared with no intervention • Probably slightly improve compliance with desired practice when compared with no intervention (65 comparisons, 7868 health professionals for dichotomous outcomes (adjusted risk difference 6.79%, 95% CI 6.62% to 6.97%; median 4.00%; interquartile range 0.29% to 13.00%); 28 comparisons, 2577 health professionals for continuous outcomes (adjusted relative percentage change 44.36%, 95% CI 41.98% to 46.75%; median 20.00%; interquartile range 6.00% to 65.00%)) • Probably slightly improve patient outcomes compared with no intervention (15 comparisons, 2530 health professionals for dichotomous outcomes (adjusted risk difference 3.30%, 95% CI 3.10% to 3.51%; median 0.10%; interquartile range 0.00% to 4.00%); 28 comparisons, 2294 health professionals for continuous outcomes (adjusted relative percentage change 8.35%, 95% CI 7.46% to 9.24%; median 2.00%; interquartile range -1.00% to 21.00%)) The certainty of evidence for this comparison is moderate. Educational meetings alone compared with other interventions • May improve compliance with desired practice when compared with other interventions (6 studies, 1402 health professionals for dichotomous outcomes (adjusted risk difference 9.99%, 95% CI 9.47% to 10.52%; median 16.5%; interquartile range 0.80% to 16.50%); 2 studies, 72 health professionals for continuous outcomes (adjusted relative percentage change 12.00%, 95% CI 9.16% to 14.84%; median 12.00%; interquartile range 0.00% to 24.00%)) No studies met the inclusion criteria for patient outcome measurements. The certainty of evidence for this comparison is low. Interactive educational meetings compared with didactic (lecture-based) educational meetings • We are uncertain of effects on compliance with desired practice (3 studies, 370 health professionals for dichotomous outcomes; 1 study, 192 health professionals for continuous outcomes) or on patient outcomes (1 study, 54 health professionals for continuous outcomes), as the certainty of evidence is very low Any other comparison of different formats and durations of educational meetings • We are uncertain of effects on compliance with desired practice (1 study, 19 health professionals for dichotomous outcomes; 1 study, 20 health professionals for continuous outcomes) or on patient outcomes (1 study, 113 health professionals for continuous outcomes), as the certainty of evidence is very low. Factors that might explain heterogeneity of effects Meta-regression suggests that larger estimates of effect are associated with studies judged to be at high risk of bias, with studies that had unit of analysis errors, and with studies in which the unit of analysis was the provider rather than the patient. Improved compliance with desired practice may be associated with: shorter meetings; poor baseline compliance; better attendance; shorter follow-up; professionals provided with additional take-home material; explicit building of educational meetings on theory; targeting of low- versus high-complexity behaviours; targeting of outcomes with high versus low importance; goal of increasing rather than decreasing behaviour; teaching by opinion leaders; and use of didactic versus interactive teaching methods. Pre-specified exploratory analyses of behaviour change techniques suggest that improved compliance with desired practice may be associated with use of a greater number of behaviour change techniques; goal-setting; provision of feedback; provision for social comparison; and provision for social support. Compliance may be decreased by the use of follow-up prompts, skills training, and barrier identification techniques. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Compared with no intervention, educational meetings as the main component of an intervention probably slightly improve professional practice and, to a lesser extent, patient outcomes. Educational meetings may improve compliance with desired practice to a greater extent than other kinds of behaviour change interventions, such as text messages, fees, or office systems. Our findings suggest that multi-strategy approaches might positively influence the effects of educational meetings. Additional trials of educational meetings compared with no intervention are unlikely to change the review findings; therefore we will not further update this review comparison in the future. However, we note that randomised trials comparing different types of education are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary Ann O'Brien
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lisa Forsén
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Mbah P Okwen
- Centre for the Development of Best Practices in Health (CDBPH), Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Tanya Horsley
- Research Unit, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Ottawa, Canada
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Mahadzir MDA, Quek KF, Ramadas A. Nutrition and Lifestyle Behavior Peer Support Program for Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: Outcomes and Lessons Learned from a Feasibility Trial. Nutrients 2020; 12:E1091. [PMID: 32326541 PMCID: PMC7230344 DOI: 10.3390/nu12041091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While peer support interventions have shown to benefit adults with certain chronic conditions, there is limited evidence on its feasibility and effectiveness among people with metabolic syndrome (MetS). This paper describes the outcomes of a pre-post feasibility trial of "PEeR SUpport program for ADults with mEtabolic syndrome" (PERSUADE), an evidence-based and community-specific nutrition and lifestyle behavior peer support program for Malaysian adults with MetS. METHODS We recruited 48 peers (median age: 46 (IQR = 11) years old) into four peer groups, who underwent 3 months of PERSUADE, followed by 3 months of follow-up period. Statistical analyses were conducted at post-intervention and post-follow-up to assess the changes in nutrition intake, anthropometry, and metabolic parameters. RESULTS Although there were significant overall increases in total carbohydrate intake and glycemic load (both p < 0.001), we noted significant reductions in the intakes of total energy and fat (both p < 0.001). Physical activity (total METS/week) also showed a significant improvement (p < 0.001). Overall, significant but marginal improvements in anthropometric and vital metabolic parameters were also observed. CONCLUSIONS The feasibility trial supported the adoption of PERSUADE, though there is a need to assess the long-term impact of the peer support program in local community settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Daniel Azlan Mahadzir
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia;
| | | | - Amutha Ramadas
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia;
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Shanbhag D, Graham ID, Harlos K, Haynes RB, Gabizon I, Connolly SJ, Van Spall HGC. Effectiveness of implementation interventions in improving physician adherence to guideline recommendations in heart failure: a systematic review. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e017765. [PMID: 29511005 PMCID: PMC5855256 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The uptake of guideline recommendations that improve heart failure (HF) outcomes remains suboptimal. We reviewed implementation interventions that improve physician adherence to these recommendations, and identified contextual factors associated with implementation success. METHODS We searched databases from January 1990 to November 2017 for studies testing interventions to improve uptake of class I HF guidelines. We used the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care and Process Redesign frameworks for data extraction. Primary outcomes included: proportion of eligible patients offered guideline-recommended pharmacotherapy, self-care education, left ventricular function assessment and/or intracardiac devices. We reported clinical outcomes when available. RESULTS We included 38 studies. Provider-level interventions (n=13 studies) included audit and feedback, reminders and education. Organisation-level interventions (n=18) included medical records system changes, multidisciplinary teams, clinical pathways and continuity of care. System-level interventions (n=3) included provider/institutional incentives. Four studies assessed multi-level interventions. We could not perform meta-analyses due to statistical/conceptual heterogeneity. Thirty-two studies reported significant improvements in at least one primary outcome. Clinical pathways, multidisciplinary teams and multifaceted interventions were most consistently successful in increasing physician uptake of guidelines. Among randomised controlled trials (RCT) (n=10), pharmacist and nurse-led interventions improved target dose prescriptions. Eleven studies reported clinical outcomes; significant improvements were reported in three, including a clinical pathway, a multidisciplinary team and a multifaceted intervention. Baseline assessment of barriers, staff training, iterative intervention development, leadership commitment and policy/financial incentives were associated with intervention effectiveness. Most studies (n=20) had medium risk of bias; nine RCTs had low risk of bias. CONCLUSION Our study is limited by the quality and heterogeneity of the primary studies. Clinical pathways, multidisciplinary teams and multifaceted interventions appear to be most consistent in increasing guideline uptake. However, improvements in process outcomes were rarely accompanied by improvements in clinical outcomes. Our work highlights the need for improved research methodology to reliably assess the effectiveness of implementation interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepti Shanbhag
- Bachelor of Health Sciences Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ian D Graham
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen Harlos
- Department of Business and Administration, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - R Brian Haynes
- Department of Medicine and Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Itzhak Gabizon
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stuart J Connolly
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harriette Gillian Christine Van Spall
- Department of Medicine and Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Yilmaz A, Ak M, Cim A, Palanci Y, Kilinc F. Factors influencing insulin usage among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A study in Turkish primary care. Eur J Gen Pract 2016; 22:255-261. [PMID: 27652800 DOI: 10.1080/13814788.2016.1230603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DM (diabetes mellitus) patients with poorly regulated blood glucose levels are at risk of increased morbidity and mortality. There are different factors that cause resistance to the initiation of insulin therapy such as beliefs and perceptions concerning diabetes and its treatment and the nature and consequences of insulin therapy. OBJECTIVES We aimed to explore the reasons for this reluctance and how these obstacles could be overcome so that DM patients who require insulin could initiate therapy. METHODS This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study of diabetic patients with glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) levels above 7.0%, who were followed-up at a primary care and endocrinology outpatient clinic. RESULTS Ninety-four patients (57.4% females, 42.6% males) were recruited for this study. Most patients (57.4%) considered that insulin was a drug of last resort. Among all patients, 34.1% thought that insulin lowered blood glucose levels to an extreme degree and 14.9% disagreed. The patients thought that self-injection was hard (27.6%), required someone else to administer the injection (27.6%), insulin injection was painful (33.0%). 59.6% of all patients believed that their religion did not restrict the use of insulin, 52.1% stated that their family physicians had sufficiently informed them. CONCLUSION Our most significant finding is that a lack of adequate information relating to insulin appears to be the major factor behind DM patients' refusal of insulin treatment. The fact that patients consider insulin treatment as a final solution to DM could be related to resistance to the initiation of insulin therapy. [Box: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Yilmaz
- a Department of Family Physicians , Dicle University Medical Faculty , Diyarbakir , Turkey
| | - Muharrem Ak
- b Department of Family Physicians , Zirve University Medical Faculty , Gaziantep , Turkey
| | - Abdullah Cim
- c Department of Medical Genetics , Dicle University Medical Faculty , Diyarbakir , Turkey
| | - Yilmaz Palanci
- d Department of Public Health , Dicle University Medical Faculty , Diyarbakir , Turkey
| | - Faruk Kilinc
- e Department of Endocrinology , Dicle University Medical Faculty , Diyarbakir , Turkey
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Bazzano LAL, Marshall MK, Harrold R, Pak KJ, van Driel ML. Interventions to improve evidence-based prescribing in heart failure. Hippokratia 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011253.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lydia AL Bazzano
- Ochsner Health System; Internal Medicine Residency/Dept of Hospital Medicine-Ochsner; 1514 Jefferson Hwy New Orleans Louisiana USA 70121
| | - Marilyn K Marshall
- University of Queensland Ochsner Clinical School at Ochsner Medical Center; School of Medicine; 1415 Jefferson Hwy New Orleans Louisiana USA 70121
| | - Robert Harrold
- University of Queensland Ochsner Clinical School at Ochsner Medical Center; School of Medicine; 1415 Jefferson Hwy New Orleans Louisiana USA 70121
| | - Kirk J Pak
- Ochsner Clinic Foundation; Department of Internal Medicine; 1514 Jefferson Hwy New Orleans Louisiana USA 70121
| | - Mieke L van Driel
- The University of Queensland; Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine; Brisbane Queensland Australia 4029
- Ghent University; Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care; 1K3, De Pintelaan 185 Ghent Belgium 9000
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Thepwongsa I, Kirby C, Schattner P, Shaw J, Piterman L. Type 2 diabetes continuing medical education for general practitioners: what works? A systematic review. Diabet Med 2014; 31:1488-97. [PMID: 25047877 DOI: 10.1111/dme.12552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Revised: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To perform a systematic review of studies that have assessed the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve healthcare professionals' care of patients with diabetes and to assess the effects of educational interventions targeted at general practitioners' diabetes management. METHODS A computer search was conducted using the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, Informit, Google scholar and ERIC from the earliest date of each database up until 2013. A supplementary review of reference lists from each article obtained was also carried out. Measured changes in general practitioners' satisfaction, knowledge, practice behaviours and patient outcomes were recorded. RESULTS Thirteen out of 1255 studies met the eligibility criteria, but none was specifically conducted in rural or remote areas. Ten studies were randomized trials. Fewer than half of the studies (5/13, 38.5%) reported a significant improvement in at least one of the following outcome categories: satisfaction with the programme, knowledge and practice behaviour. There was little evidence of the impact of general practitioner educational interventions on patient outcomes. Of the five studies that examined patient outcomes, only one reported a positive impact: a reduction in patient HbA1c levels. CONCLUSIONS Few studies examined the effectiveness of general practitioner Type 2 diabetes education in improving general practitioner satisfaction, knowledge, practices and/or patient outcomes. Evidence to support the effectiveness of education is partial and weak. To determine effective strategies for general practitioner education related to Type 2 diabetes, further well designed studies, accompanied by valid and reliable evaluation methods, are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Thepwongsa
- Department of General Practice, School of Primary Health Care, Monash University, Notting Hill
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Unverzagt S, Peinemann F, Oemler M, Braun K, Klement A. Meta-regression analyses to explain statistical heterogeneity in a systematic review of strategies for guideline implementation in primary health care. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110619. [PMID: 25343450 PMCID: PMC4208765 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study is an in-depth-analysis to explain statistical heterogeneity in a systematic review of implementation strategies to improve guideline adherence of primary care physicians in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases. The systematic review included randomized controlled trials from a systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, conference proceedings and registers of ongoing studies. Implementation strategies were shown to be effective with substantial heterogeneity of treatment effects across all investigated strategies. Primary aim of this study was to explain different effects of eligible trials and to identify methodological and clinical effect modifiers. Random effects meta-regression models were used to simultaneously assess the influence of multimodal implementation strategies and effect modifiers on physician adherence. Effect modifiers included the staff responsible for implementation, level of prevention and definition pf the primary outcome, unit of randomization, duration of follow-up and risk of bias. Six clinical and methodological factors were investigated as potential effect modifiers of the efficacy of different implementation strategies on guideline adherence in primary care practices on the basis of information from 75 eligible trials. Five effect modifiers were able to explain a substantial amount of statistical heterogeneity. Physician adherence was improved by 62% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 29 to 104%) or 29% (95% CI 5 to 60%) in trials where other non-medical professionals or nurses were included in the implementation process. Improvement of physician adherence was more successful in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases by around 30% (30%; 95% CI -2 to 71% and 31%; 95% CI 9 to 57%, respectively) compared to tertiary prevention. This study aimed to identify effect modifiers of implementation strategies on physician adherence. Especially the cooperation of different health professionals in primary care practices might increase efficacy and guideline implementation seems to be more difficult in tertiary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Unverzagt
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Informatics, University Halle/Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Frank Peinemann
- Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Matthias Oemler
- Section of General Practice, Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Informatics, University Halle/Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Kristin Braun
- Section of General Practice, Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Informatics, University Halle/Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Andreas Klement
- Section of General Practice, Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Informatics, University Halle/Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Trietsch J, Leffers P, van Steenkiste B, Grol R, van der Weijden T. The balanced incomplete block design is not suitable for the evaluation of complex interventions. J Clin Epidemiol 2014; 67:1295-8. [PMID: 25223303 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2014.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2013] [Revised: 11/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In quality of care research, the balanced incomplete block (BIB) design is regularly claimed to have been used when evaluating complex interventions. In this article, we reflect on the appropriateness of using this design for evaluating complex interventions. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING Literature study using PubMed and handbooks. RESULTS After studying various articles on health services research that claim to have applied the BIB and the original methodological literature on this design, it became clear that the applied method is in fact not a BIB design. CONCLUSION We conclude that the use of this design is not suited for evaluating complex interventions. We stress that, to prevent improper use of terms, more attention should be paid to proper referencing of the original methodological literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper Trietsch
- Department of General Practice, School for Public health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Pieter Leffers
- Department of Epidemology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ben van Steenkiste
- Department of General Practice, School for Public health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Richard Grol
- IQ Healthcare, Radbout University Nijmegen, PO Box 9101 (144), 6500HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Trudy van der Weijden
- Department of General Practice, School for Public health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Unverzagt S, Oemler M, Braun K, Klement A. Strategies for guideline implementation in primary care focusing on patients with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review. Fam Pract 2014; 31:247-66. [PMID: 24367069 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmt080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guidelines should reduce inappropriate practice and improve the efficiency of treatment. Not only methodological quality but also acceptance and successful implementation in daily practice are crucial for the benefit on patients. Focusing on cardiovascular diseases (CVD), it is still unclear which implementation strategy can improve physician adherence to the recommendations of guidelines in primary care. METHODS We conducted a systematic review on randomized controlled trials about guideline implementation strategies on CVD. Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, conference proceedings and registers of ongoing studies were searched. RESULTS Eighty-four trials met our predefined inclusion criteria, of them 54 trials compared unimodal strategies and 30 multimodal strategies to usual care. Concerning unimodal strategies, 15 trials investigated provider reminder systems, 3 audit and feedback, 15 provider education, 4 patient education, 5 promotion of self-management and 14 organizational change. The strongest benefit of a unimodal implementation strategy was found due to organizational change (odds ratio 1.96; 95% CI 1.4 to 2.75), followed by patient education, provider education and provider reminder systems. Trials on the efficacy of audit and feedback and patient self-management showed differing results or small advantages in terms of physician adherence. Multimodal interventions showed almost similar effect measures and ranking of strategies. CONCLUSION The use of implementation strategies for the distribution of guidelines on CVD can be convincingly effective on physician adherence, regardless whether based on a unimodal or multimodal design. Three distinct strategies should be well considered in such an attempt: organizational changes in the primary care team, patient education and provider education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Unverzagt
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Informatics and
| | - Matthias Oemler
- Section of General Practice, Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Informatics, University Halle/Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Kristin Braun
- Section of General Practice, Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Informatics, University Halle/Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Andreas Klement
- Section of General Practice, Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Informatics, University Halle/Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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MacCarthy D, Kallstrom L, Kadlec H, Hollander M. Improving primary care in British Columbia, Canada: evaluation of a peer-to-peer continuing education program for family physicians. BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION 2012; 12:110. [PMID: 23140230 PMCID: PMC3508962 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6920-12-110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2012] [Accepted: 10/31/2012] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An innovative program, the Practice Support Program (PSP), for full-service family physicians and their medical office assistants in primary care practices was recently introduced in British Columbia, Canada. The PSP was jointly approved by both government and physician groups, and is a dynamic, interactive, educational and supportive program that offers peer-to-peer training to physicians and their office staff. Topic areas range from clinical tools/skills to office management relevant to General Practitioner (GP) practices and "doable in real GP time". PSP learning modules consist of three half-day learning sessions interspersed with 6-8 week action periods. At the end of the third learning session, all participants were asked to complete a pen-and-paper survey that asked them to rate (a) their satisfaction with the learning module components, including the content and (b) the perceived impact the learning has had on their practices and patients. METHODS A total of 887 GPs (response rates ranging from 26.0% to 60.2% across three years) and 405 MOAs (response rates from 21.3% to 49.8%) provided responses on a pen-and-paper survey administered at the last learning session of the learning module. The survey asked respondents to rate (a) their satisfaction with the learning module components, including the content and (b) the perceived impact the learning has had on their practices and patients. The psychometric properties (Chronbach's alphas) of the satisfaction and impact scales ranged from .82 to .94. RESULTS Evaluation findings from the first three years of the PSP indicated consistently high satisfaction ratings and perceived impact on GP practices and patients, regardless of physician characteristics (gender, age group) or work-related variables (e.g., time worked in family practice). The Advanced Access Learning Module, which offers tools to improve office efficiencies, decreased wait times for urgent, regular and third next available appointments by an average of 1.2, 3.3, and by 3.4 days across all physicians. For the Chronic Disease Management module, over 87% of all GP respondents developed a CDM patient registry and reported being able to take better care of their patients. After attending the Adult Mental Health module: 94.1% of GPs agreed that they felt more comfortable helping patients who required mental health care; over 82% agreed that their skills and their confidence in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions had improved; and 41.0% agreed that their frequency of prescribing medications, if appropriate, had decreased. Additionally for the Adult Mental Health module, a 3-6 month follow-up survey of the GPs indicated that the implemented changes were sustained over time. CONCLUSION GP and medical office assistant participant ratings show that the PSP learning modules were consistently successful in providing GPs and their staff with new learning that was relevant and could be implemented and used in "real-GP-time".
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan MacCarthy
- Practice Support and Quality, British Columbia Medical Association, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Liza Kallstrom
- Practice Support Program, British Columbia Medical Association, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Helena Kadlec
- Hollander Analytical Services Ltd, Victoria, BC, Canada
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Assessing the effectiveness of strategies to implement clinical guidelines for the management of chronic diseases at primary care level in EU Member States: a systematic review. Health Policy 2012; 107:168-83. [PMID: 22940062 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2012.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2012] [Revised: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/07/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE AND SETTING This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies to implement clinical guidelines for chronic disease management in primary care in EU Member States. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of interventional studies assessing the implementation of clinical guidelines. We searched five databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Eppi-Centre and Clinicaltrials.gov) following a strict Cochrane methodology. We included studies focusing on the management of chronic diseases in adults in primary care. RESULTS A total of 21 studies were found. The implementation strategy was fully effective in only four (19%), partially effective in eight (38%), and not effective in nine (43%). The probability that an intervention would be effective was only slightly higher with multifaceted strategies, compared to single interventions. However, effect size varied across studies; therefore it was not possible to determine the most successful strategy. Only eight studies evaluated the impact on patients' health and only two of those showed significant improvement, while in five there was an improvement in the process of care which did not translate into an improvement in health outcomes. Only four studies reported any data on the cost of the implementation but none undertook a cost-effectiveness analysis. Only one study presented data on the barriers to the implementation of guidelines, noting a lack of awareness and agreement about clinical guidelines. CONCLUSION Our results reveal that there are only a few rigorous studies which assess the effectiveness of a strategy to implement clinical guidelines in Europe. Moreover, the results are not consistent in showing which strategy is the most appropriate to facilitate their implementation. Therefore, further research is needed to develop more rigorous studies to evaluate health outcomes associated with the implementation of clinical guidelines; to assess the cost-effectiveness of implementing clinical guidelines; and to investigate the perspective of service users and health service staff.
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Williamson M, Cardona-Morrell M, Elliott JD, Reeve JF, Stocks NP, Emery J, Mackson JM, Gunn JM. Prescribing Data in General Practice Demonstration (PDGPD) project--a cluster randomised controlled trial of a quality improvement intervention to achieve better prescribing for chronic heart failure and hypertension. BMC Health Serv Res 2012; 12:273. [PMID: 22913571 PMCID: PMC3515472 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-12-273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Accepted: 07/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research literature consistently documents that scientifically based therapeutic recommendations are not always followed in the hospital or in the primary care setting. Currently, there is evidence that some general practitioners in Australia are not prescribing appropriately for patients diagnosed with 1) hypertension (HT) and 2) chronic heart failure (CHF). The objectives of this study were to improve general practitioner's drug treatment management of these patients through feedback on their own prescribing and small group discussions with peers and a trained group facilitator. The impact evaluation includes quantitative assessment of prescribing changes at 6, 9, 12 and 18 months after the intervention. METHODS A pragmatic multi site cluster RCT began recruiting practices in October 2009 to evaluate the effects of a multi-faceted quality improvement (QI) intervention on prescribing practice among Australian general practitioners (GP) in relation to patients with CHF and HT. General practices were recruited nationally through General Practice Networks across Australia. Participating practices were randomly allocated to one of three groups: two groups received the QI intervention (the prescribing indicator feedback reports and small group discussion) with each group undertaking the clinical topics (CHF and HT) in reverse order to the other. The third group was waitlisted to receive the intervention 6 months later and acted as a "control" for the other two groups.De-identified data on practice, doctor and patient characteristics and their treatment for CHF and HT are extracted at six-monthly intervals before and after the intervention. Post-test comparisons will be conducted between the intervention and control arms using intention to treat analysis and models that account for clustering of practices in a Network and clustering of patients within practices and GPs. DISCUSSION This paper describes the study protocol for a project that will contribute to the development of acceptable and sustainable methods to promote QI activities within routine general practice, enhance prescribing practices and improve patient outcomes in the context of CHF and HT. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), Trial # 320870.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Williamson
- Research & Development Team, National Prescribing Service, Level 7, 418a Elizabeth St, Surry Hills, NSW 2012, Australia
| | - Magnolia Cardona-Morrell
- Research & Development Team, National Prescribing Service, Level 7, 418a Elizabeth St, Surry Hills, NSW 2012, Australia
| | - Jeffrey D Elliott
- Program Implementation Team, National Prescribing Service, Level 7, 418a Elizabeth St, Surry Hills, NSW 2012, Australia
| | - James F Reeve
- e-Health and Decision Support Team, National Prescribing Service, Level 6, 176 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Nigel P Stocks
- Discipline of General Practice, The University of Adelaide, 178 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Jon Emery
- Department of General Practice, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Judith M Mackson
- Program Implementation Team, National Prescribing Service, Level 7, 418a Elizabeth St, Surry Hills, NSW 2012, Australia
| | - Jane M Gunn
- General Practice and Primary Health Care Academic Centre, The University of Melbourne, 200 Berkeley Street, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia
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van Lieshout J, Steenkamer B, Knippenberg M, Wensing M. Improvement of primary care for patients with chronic heart failure: a study protocol for a cluster randomised trial comparing two strategies. Implement Sci 2011; 6:28. [PMID: 21439047 PMCID: PMC3072349 DOI: 10.1186/1748-5908-6-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2010] [Accepted: 03/25/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), a common condition with high morbidity and mortality rates, receive treatment in primary care. To improve the management of CHF in primary care, we developed an implementation programme comprised of educational and organisational components, with support by a practice visitor and focus both on drug treatment and lifestyle advice, and on organisation of care within the practice and collaboration with other healthcare providers. Tailoring has been shown to improve the success of implementation programmes, but little is known about what would be best methods for tailoring, specifically with respect to CHF in primary care. Methods/design We describe the study protocol of a cluster randomised controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of tailoring a CHF implementation programme to general practices compared to a standardised way of delivering a programme. The study population will consist of 60 general practitioners (GPs) and the CHF patients they include. GPs are randomised in blocks of four, stratified according to practice size. With a tailored implementation programme GPs prioritise the issues that will form the bases of the support for the practice visits. These may comprise several issues, both educational and organizational. The primary outcome measures are patient's experience of receiving structured primary care for CHF (PACIC, a questionnaire related to the Chronic Care Model), patients' health-related utilities (EQ-5D), and drugs prescriptions using the guideline adherence index. Patients being clustered in practices, multilevel regression analyses will be used to explore the effect of practice size and type of intervention programme. In addition we will examine both changes within groups and differences at follow-up between groups with respect to drug dosages and advice on lifestyle issues. Furthermore, in interviews the feasibility of the programme and goal attainment, organisational changes in CHF care, and formalised cooperation with other disciplines will be assessed. Discussion In the tailoring of the programme we will present the GPs a list with barriers; GPs will assess relevance and possibility to solve these barriers. The list is rigorously developed and tested in various projects. The factors for ordering the barriers are related to the innovation, the healthcare professional, the patient, and the context. CHF patients do not form a homogeneous group. Subgroup analyses will be performed based on the distinction between systolic CHF and CHF with preserved left ventricular function (diastolic CHF). Trial registration ISRCTN: ISRCTN18812755
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan van Lieshout
- Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, P,O, Box 9101, 114 IQ Healthcare, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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van Lieshout J, Wensing M, Grol R. Improvement of primary care for patients with chronic heart failure: a pilot study. BMC Health Serv Res 2010; 10:8. [PMID: 20064198 PMCID: PMC2820039 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-10-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2009] [Accepted: 01/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) receive treatment in primary care, but data have shown that the quality of care for these patients needs to be improved. We aimed to evaluate the impact and feasibility of a programme for improving primary care for patients with CHF. Methods An observational study was performed in 19 general practices in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands, evaluation involving 15 general practitioners and 77 CHF patients. The programme for improvement comprised educational and organizational components and was delivered by a trained practice visitor to the practices. The evaluation was based on case registration forms completed by health professionals and telephone interviews. Results Management relating to diet and physical exercise seemed to have improved as eight patients were referred to dieticians and five to physiotherapists. The seasonal influenza vaccination rate increased from 94% to 97% (75/77). No impact on smoking was observed. Pharmaceutical treatment was adjusted according to guideline recommendations in 12% of the patients (9/77); 7 patients started recommended medication and 2 patients received dosage adjustments. General practitioners perceived the programme to be feasible. Clinical task delegation to nurses and assistants increased in some practices, but collaboration with other healthcare providers remained limited. Conclusions The improvement programme proved to have moderate impact on patient care. Its effectiveness should be tested in a larger rigorous evaluation study using modifications based on the pilot experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan van Lieshout
- Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, 114 IQ healthcare, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Peters-Klimm F, Campbell S, Müller-Tasch T, Schellberg D, Gelbrich G, Herzog W, Szecsenyi J. Primary care-based multifaceted, interdisciplinary medical educational intervention for patients with systolic heart failure: lessons learned from a cluster randomised controlled trial. Trials 2009; 10:68. [PMID: 19678944 PMCID: PMC2736948 DOI: 10.1186/1745-6215-10-68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2008] [Accepted: 08/13/2009] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic (systolic) heart failure (CHF) is a common and disabling condition. Adherence to evidence-based guidelines in primary care has been shown to improve health outcomes. The aim was to explore the impact of a multidisciplinary educational intervention for general practitioners (GPs) (Train the trainer = TTT) on patient and performance outcomes. Methods This paper presents the key findings from the trial and discusses the lessons learned during the implementation of the TTT trial. Primary care practices were randomly assigned to the TTT intervention or to the control group. 37 GPs (18 TTT, 19 control) were randomised and 168 patients diagnosed with ascertained CHF (91 TTT, 77 control) were enrolled. GPs in the intervention group attended four meetings addressing clinical practice guidelines and pharmacotherapy feedback. The primary outcome was patient self-reported quality of life at seven months, using the SF-36 Physical Functioning scale. Secondary outcomes included other SF-36 scales, the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), total mortality, heart failure hospital admissions, prescribing, depressive disorders (PHQ-9), behavioural change (European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale), patient-perceived quality of care (EUROPEP) and improvement of heart failure using NT-proBNP-levels. Because recruitment targets were not achieved an exploratory analysis was conducted. Results There was high baseline achievement in both groups for many outcomes. At seven months, there were no significant mean difference between groups for the primary outcome measure (-3.3, 95%CI -9.7 to 3.1, p = 0.30). The only difference in secondary outcomes related to the prescribing of aldosterone antagonists by GPs in the intervention group, with significant between group differences at follow-up (42 vs. 24%, adjusted OR = 4.0, 95%CI 1.2–13; p = 0.02). Conclusion The intervention did not change the primary outcome or most secondary outcomes. Recruitment targets were not achieved and the under-recruitment of practices and patients alongside a selection bias of participating GPs, prohibit definite conclusions, but the CI indicates a non-effectiveness of the intervention in this sample. We describe the lessons learned from conducting the trial for the future planning and conduct of confirmatory trials in primary care. Trial registration ISRCTN08601529.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Peters-Klimm
- Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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de Belvis AG, Pelone F, Biasco A, Ricciardi W, Volpe M. Can primary care professionals' adherence to Evidence Based Medicine tools improve quality of care in type 2 diabetes mellitus? A systematic review. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2009; 85:119-31. [PMID: 19539391 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2009.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2009] [Revised: 05/05/2009] [Accepted: 05/07/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our aim is to review the effectiveness of EBM tools available to primary care professionals to improve the quality of Type 2 diabetes disease management. METHODS A systematic review of RCT was performed according to the Cochrane methods. RESULTS Starting from an overall number of 1737 references found, a total of 13 studies met all the inclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS The adherence to EBM instruments is likely to improve process of care, rather than patient outcomes. In addition, our review outlines that feedback reports and use of ICT devices are likely to be effective in diabetes disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G de Belvis
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
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AB E, Denig P, van Vliet T, Dekker JH. Reasons of general practitioners for not prescribing lipid-lowering medication to patients with diabetes: a qualitative study. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2009; 10:24. [PMID: 19383116 PMCID: PMC2676243 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2296-10-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2008] [Accepted: 04/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lipid-lowering medication remains underused, even in high-risk populations. The objective of this study was to determine factors underlying general practitioners' decisions not to prescribe such drugs to patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews using real cases was conducted to explore reasons for not prescribing lipid-lowering medication after a guideline was distributed that recommended the use of statins in most patients with type 2 diabetes. Seven interviews were conducted with general practitioners (GPs) in The Netherlands, and analysed using an analytic inductive approach. RESULTS Reasons for not-prescribing could be divided into patient and physician-attributed factors. According to the GPs, some patients do not follow-up on agreed medication and others object to taking lipid-lowering medication, partly for legitimate reasons such as expected or perceived side effects. Furthermore, the GPs themselves perceived reservations for prescribing lipid-lowering medication in patients with short life expectancy, expected compliance problems or near goal lipid levels. GPs sometimes postponed the start of treatment because of other priorities. Finally, barriers were seen in the GPs' practice organisation, and at the primary-secondary care interface. CONCLUSION Some of the barriers mentioned by GPs seem to be valid reasons, showing that guideline non-adherence can be quite rational. On the other hand, treatment quality could improve by addressing issues, such as lack of knowledge or motivation of both the patient and the GP. More structured management in general practice may also lead to better treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth AB
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Forsetlund L, Bjørndal A, Rashidian A, Jamtvedt G, O'Brien MA, Wolf F, Davis D, Odgaard-Jensen J, Oxman AD. Continuing education meetings and workshops: effects on professional practice and health care outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009; 2009:CD003030. [PMID: 19370580 PMCID: PMC7138253 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd003030.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 649] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Educational meetings are widely used for continuing medical education. Previous reviews found that interactive workshops resulted in moderately large improvements in professional practice, whereas didactic sessions did not. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of educational meetings on professional practice and healthcare outcomes. SEARCH STRATEGY We updated previous searches by searching the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care Group Trials Register and pending file, from 1999 to March 2006. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials of educational meetings that reported an objective measure of professional practice or healthcare outcomes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality. Studies with a low or moderate risk of bias and that reported baseline data were included in the primary analysis. They were weighted according to the number of health professionals participating. For each comparison, we calculated the risk difference (RD) for dichotomous outcomes, adjusted for baseline compliance; and for continuous outcomes the percentage change relative to the control group average after the intervention, adjusted for baseline performance. Professional and patient outcomes were analysed separately. We considered 10 factors to explain heterogeneity of effect estimates using weighted meta-regression supplemented by visual analysis of bubble and box plots. MAIN RESULTS In updating the review, 49 new studies were identified for inclusion. A total of 81 trials involving more than 11,000 health professionals are now included in the review. Based on 30 trials (36 comparisons), the median adjusted RD in compliance with desired practice was 6% (interquartile range 1.8 to 15.9) when any intervention in which educational meetings were a component was compared to no intervention. Educational meetings alone had similar effects (median adjusted RD 6%, interquartile range 2.9 to 15.3; based on 21 comparisons in 19 trials). For continuous outcomes the median adjusted percentage change relative to control was 10% (interquartile range 8 to 32%; 5 trials). For patient outcomes the median adjusted RD in achievement of treatment goals was 3.0 (interquartile range 0.1 to 4.0; 5 trials). Based on univariate meta-regression analyses of the 36 comparisons with dichotomous outcomes for professional practice, higher attendance at the educational meetings was associated with larger adjusted RDs (P < 0.01); mixed interactive and didactic education meetings (median adjusted RD 13.6) were more effective than either didactic meetings (RD 6.9) or interactive meetings (RD 3.0). Educational meetings did not appear to be effective for complex behaviours (adjusted RD -0.3) compared to less complex behaviours; they appeared to be less effective for less serious outcomes (RD 2.9) than for more serious outcomes. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Educational meetings alone or combined with other interventions, can improve professional practice and healthcare outcomes for the patients. The effect is most likely to be small and similar to other types of continuing medical education, such as audit and feedback, and educational outreach visits. Strategies to increase attendance at educational meetings, using mixed interactive and didactic formats, and focusing on outcomes that are likely to be perceived as serious may increase the effectiveness of educational meetings. Educational meetings alone are not likely to be effective for changing complex behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Forsetlund
- Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services, PO Box 7004, St Olavs plass, Oslo, Norway, 0130.
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Ostini R, Hegney D, Jackson C, Williamson M, Mackson JM, Gurman K, Hall W, Tett SE. Systematic Review of Interventions to Improve Prescribing. Ann Pharmacother 2009; 43:502-13. [DOI: 10.1345/aph.1l488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To update 2 comprehensive reviews of systematic reviews on prescribing interventions and identify the latest evidence about the effectiveness of the interventions. Data Sources: Systematic searches for English-language reports of experimental and quasi-experimental research were conducted in PubMed(1951–May 2007). EMBASE (1974–March 2008), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970–March 2008), and 11 other bibliographic databases of medical, social science, and business research. Following an initial title screening process and after selecting 6 specific intervention categories (identified from the previous reviews) in community settings, 2 reviewers independently assessed abstracts and then full studies for relevance and quality and extracted relevant data using formal assessment and data extraction tools. Results were then methodically incorporated into the findings of the 2 earlier reviews of systematic reviews. Data Selection And Synthesis: Twenty-nine of 26,314 articles reviewed were assessed to be of relevant, high-quality research. Audit and feedback, together with educational outreach visits, were the focus of the majority of recent, high-quality research into prescribing interventions. These interventions were also the most effective in improving prescribing practice. A smaller number of studies included a patient-mediated intervention; this intervention was not consistently effective. There is insufficient recent research into manual reminders to confidently update earlier reviews and there remains insufficient evidence to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of local consensus processes or multidisciplinary teams. Conclusions: Educational outreach as well as audit and feedback continue to dominate research into prescribing interventions. These 2 prescribing interventions also most consistently show positive results. Much less research is conducted into other types of interventions and there is still very little effort to systematically test why interventions do or do not work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remo Ostini
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Desley Hegney
- UQ/Blue Care Research & Practice Development Centre, School of Nursing & Midwifery, The University of Queensland
| | | | - Margaret Williamson
- Research and Development, National Prescribing Service Ltd., Surry Hills, Australia
| | - Judith M Mackson
- Education and Quality Assurance Program, National Prescribing Service Ltd
| | - Karin Gurman
- Education and Quality Assurance Program, National Prescribing Service Ltd
| | - Wayne Hall
- School of Population Health, The University of Queensland
| | - Susan E Tett
- Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Queensland
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Peters-Klimm F, Müller-Tasch T, Remppis A, Szecsenyi J, Schellberg D. Improved guideline adherence to pharmacotherapy of chronic systolic heart failure in general practice--results from a cluster-randomized controlled trial of implementation of a clinical practice guideline. J Eval Clin Pract 2008; 14:823-9. [PMID: 19018915 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2753.2008.01060.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND AIMS Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) reflect the evidence of effective pharmacotherapy of chronic (systolic) heart failure (CHF) which needs to be implemented. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a new, multifaceted intervention (educational train-the-trainer course plus pharmacotherapy feedback = TTT) compared with standard education on guideline adherence (GA) in general practice. METHOD Thirty-seven participating general practitioners (GPs) were randomized (18 vs. 19) and included 168 patients with ascertained symptomatic CHF [New York Heart Association (NYHA) II-IV]. Groups received CPG, the TTT intervention consisted of four interactive educational meetings and a pharmacotherapy feedback, while the control group received a usual lecture (Standard). Outcome measure was GA assessed by prescription rates and target dosing of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (ACE-I) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), beta-blockers (BB) and aldosterone antagonists (AA) at baseline and 7-month follow-up. Group comparisons at follow-up were adjusted to GA, sex, age and NYHA stage at baseline. RESULTS Prescription rates at baseline (n = 168) were high (ACE-I/ARB 90, BB 79 and AA 29%) in both groups. At follow up (n = 146), TTT improved compared with Standard regarding AA (43% vs. 23%, P = 0.04) and the rates of reached target doses of ACE-I/ARB (28% vs. 15%, P = 0.04). TTT group achieved significantly higher mean percentages of daily target dose (52% vs. 42%, mean difference 10.3%, 95% CI 0.84-19.8, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION Despite of pre-existing high GA in both groups and an active control group, the multifaceted intervention was effective in quality of care measured by GA. Further research is needed on the choice of interventions in different provider populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Peters-Klimm
- Department of Genral Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany.
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van Driel ML, Coenen S, Dirven K, Lobbestael J, Janssens I, Van Royen P, Haaijer-Ruskamp FM, De Meyere M, De Maeseneer J, Christiaens T. What is the role of quality circles in strategies to optimise antibiotic prescribing? A pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial in primary care. Qual Saf Health Care 2007; 16:197-202. [PMID: 17545346 PMCID: PMC2464984 DOI: 10.1136/qshc.2006.018663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect on antibiotic prescribing of an intervention in existing local quality circles promoting an evidence-based guideline for acute rhinosinusitis. DESIGN A pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial comparing standard dissemination of the guideline by mail with an additional strategy using quality circles. SETTING General practice in Flanders, Belgium. PARTICIPANTS General practitioners (GPs) in 18 local quality circles were randomly allocated to two study arms. All GPs received the guideline by mail. GPs in the nine quality circles allocated to the intervention arm received an additional group intervention, which consisted of one self-led meeting using material introduced to the group moderator by a member of the research team. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Adherence to the guideline was measured as differences in the proportion of antibiotic prescriptions, including the choice of antibiotic, between the two study arms after the intervention period. GPs registered their encounters with patients presenting with signs and symptoms of acute rhinosinusitis in a booklet designed for the study. RESULTS A total of 75 doctors (29% of GPs in the participating quality circles) registered 408 consultations. In the intervention group, 56.9% of patients received an antibiotic compared with 58.3% in the control group. First-choice antibiotics were issued in 34.5% of antibiotic prescriptions in the intervention group compared with 29.4% in the control group. After adjusting for patient and GP characteristics, the ORadj for antibiotics prescribed in the intervention arm compared with the control arm was 0.63 (95% CI 0.29 to 1.37). There was no effect on the choice of antibiotic (ORadj 1.07, 95% CI 0.34 to 3.37). CONCLUSION A single intervention in quality circles of GPs integrated in the group's normal working procedure did not have a significant effect on the quality of antibiotic prescribing. More attention to the context and structure of primary care practice, and insight into the process of self-reflective learning may provide clues to optimise the effectiveness of quality circles.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L van Driel
- Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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