Exploring the role of motivational interviewing in adolescent patient-provider communication about type 1 diabetes

Pain Self-Efficacy Can Improve During a Visit With an Orthopedic Surgeon

BACKGROUND

Greater pain self-efficacy (PSE) is associated with reduced pain, fewer limitations, and increased quality of life after treatment for orthopedic conditions. The aims of this study were to (1) assess if PSE improves during a visit with an orthopedic surgeon and (2) identify modifiable visit factors that are associated with an increase in PSE.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a prospective observational study of orthopedic clinic visits at a multispecialty clinic from February to May 2022. New patients who presented to one of six orthopedic surgeons were approached for the study. Patients who provided consent completed a pre-visit questionnaire including the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) and demographic questions. A trained research member recorded the five-item Observing Patient Involvement in Decision Making Instrument (OPTION-5) score, number of questions asked, and visit duration. Immediately after the visit, patients completed a post-visit questionnaire consisting of the PSEQ and Perceived Involvement in Care Scale (PICS).

RESULTS

Of 132 patients enrolled, 61 (46%) had improved PSE after the orthopedic visit, with 38 (29%) having improvement above a clinically significant threshold. There were no significant differences between patients with increased PSE and those without increased PSE when comparing the PICS, OPTION-5, questions asked, or visit duration.

CONCLUSION

Almost half of the patients had improvement in PSE during an orthopedic visit. The causal pathway to how to improve PSE and the durability of the improved PSE have implications in strategies to improve patient outcomes in orthopedic surgery, such as communication methods and shared decision-making. Future research can focus on studying different interventions that facilitate improving PSE. [Orthopedics. 2024;47(4):e197-e203.].

Impact of Negative or Stigmatizing Messages on Diabetes Outcomes: An Integrative Review

PURPOSE

The purpose was to determine if negative or stigmatizing language and messaging have an impact on diabetes distress, outcomes, or care behaviors in people with diabetes. Since 2012, when the first language position statement was published, the way health care professionals talk to people with diabetes has been an ongoing topic of discussion. However, there have been no recent literature reviews evaluating the impact of problem language on outcomes among people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

An integrative review was conducted using 4 electronic databases: CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, and Medline (Ovid). Studies reporting on diabetes, language, stigma, diabetes distress, glycemic outcomes, and self-care behaviors were included.

RESULTS

The review included 9 studies, all of which were of high quality. The impact of negative or stigmatizing language on self-care behaviors was the most commonly addressed outcome. Whereas some studies revealed no change, others reported a decrease in self-care behaviors by people with diabetes who had negative perceptions of provider messages. Actual or perceived use of negative or stigmatizing language is linked to higher A1C. Four studies reported an association between messages and diabetes distress.

CONCLUSIONS

Negative/stigmatizing language has both an immediate and long-term effect on people with diabetes. The inconsistent approaches to studying language in diabetes makes it challenging to compare outcomes and identify themes. Future research is needed to identify effective interventions to change the messages in diabetes.

Study design and rationale for TEENS+REACH: Evaluating ripple effects of a family-based lifestyle intervention to untreated family members

Background

Understanding the effects of family-based lifestyle intervention beyond the treated adolescent is important, given that obesity is a familial disease and there are likely bidirectional relations between an adolescent's treatment success and broader household changes. However, it is unknown if recommended household-wide changes are adopted or if untreated family members experience weight-related benefits.

Methods

TEENS + REACH leverages our ongoing randomized clinical trial of TEENS+, a family-based lifestyle intervention for adolescents with obesity, to determine: 1) if household-wide changes to the shared home environment are implemented, 2) if ripple effects to untreated family members are observed, and 3) whether these changes are predictive of adolescents' weight management success. TEENS + REACH will expand trial assessments to include comprehensive assessments of the shared home feeding, weight, and physical activity environment of the target adolescents. Specifically, we will enroll untreated children (8-17yrs) and caregivers living in the same household as the target parent/adolescent dyad (N = 60 families). At 0, 2, 4 (primary endpoint), and 8-months, the target parent/adolescent dyad and other untreated children and caregivers in the home will complete anthropometric assessments.

Discussion

Results will determine the familial reach of TEENS+ and reveal potential mediators of treatment response, which can inform future efforts to optimize family-based lifestyle interventions.

Trial registration

TEENS + REACH was retrospectively registered in Clinicaltrials.gov March 22, 2023 (NCT05780970) as an observational study ancillary to the TEENS + clinical trial, registered February 22, 2019 (NCT03851796).

Adolescents, parents, and providers' experiences of triadic encounters in paediatric diabetes clinics: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

Adolescents with Type 1 diabetes are a cohort whose self-management of their diabetes care often declines during adolescence which can lead to adverse health outcomes. Research indicates that providers find it challenging to engage adolescents in communication exchanges during triadic encounters in diabetes clinics. Our study aimed to explore adolescents, parents, and providers' experiences of clinic encounters.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted with a convenience sample of 13 adolescents with Type 1 diabetes (aged 11-17), 14 parents, and seven providers. Participants were recruited from two outpatient diabetes clinics in two urban children's hospitals, Ireland. Data were obtained using a combination of interviews and focus groups. Data were analysed thematically.

RESULTS

Adolescents and their parents appeared to hold both positive and negative experiences of diabetes clinic encounters. Providers reported challenges associated with engaging adolescents in communication exchanges. The structure, focus and style of clinic encounters created barriers that potentially led to suboptimal adolescent participation and impaired provider-adolescent communication during clinic visits.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings provide insights into the challenges associated with adolescents' engagement in communication encounters in diabetes clinics. Healthcare providers could encourage adolescents to be more actively involved in their diabetes management, by taking an adolescent-centred approach and creating a nonjudgemental milieu. Focusing on adolescent's agenda could lead to more meaningful and relevant discussions between providers and adolescents and ensure more tailored education in the time available. Adolescence is a risky period for nonadherence and adverse health complications; therefore, it is critical that providers make every contact count in diabetes clinic encounters.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

The study's design and delivery were guided by two advisory groups, comprising (1) five adolescents living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and (2) five parents of an adolescent with T1D.

Adolescent Perceptions of Adult-Mediated Healthcare Communication

Adolescence is a time of rapid growth and development and may be accompanied by increased risk-taking behaviors and independence. Youth are particularly at risk for high levels of stress, decreased physical activity, unsafe sexual activity, abuse, depression, and suicide. Considering the unique health risks adolescents face, healthcare service access and utilization can play a pivotal role in promoting positive long term health outcomes throughout adulthood. At the same time, adolescents must often rely on parents/caregivers to mediate their healthcare access. Understanding how adolescents perceive adult interactions within healthcare is important for developing interventions that increase youth access to healthcare. We found that adolescents perceived adult-mediated healthcare experiences as either supportive (Subthemes: Recognition Builds Trust and Validation) or unsupportive (Subthemes: Adult-Focused Communication and Lack of Privacy). Based on our findings, we argue that prevention-focused interventions should include communication-based strategies. We discuss social work and healthcare practice and policy implications of these findings.

Medication adherence in youths with CKD: habits for success

BACKGROUND

Poor adherence habits are key contributors to nonadherence but there are few clinically feasible methods for evaluating adherence habits, particularly for youths with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study investigated how participants' qualitative responses to three interview questions about adherence habits mapped to primary principles of habit formation and objectively measured medication adherence in youths with CKD.

METHODS

Participants (ages 11-21 years) were recruited from a pediatric nephrology clinic as part of a larger study. Participants' daily objective antihypertensive medication adherence was measured with an electronic pill bottle over a 4-week baseline period. Qualitative interviews about adherence habits and routines were conducted with a subset of participants (N = 18).

RESULTS

Clear qualitative differences emerged in how participants with high-medium adherence (80-100%) discussed adherence habits compared to participants with low adherence (0-79%). Participants with high-medium adherence discussed situational cues for taking medicine, including locations that cue adherence, step-by-step events leading up to taking medicine, and people who cue adherence. Participants with high-medium adherence regularly described taking medicine as "automatic," "second nature," and a "habit." Participants with low adherence rarely discussed these habit features nor did they explicitly acknowledge currently missing doses. Participants with low adherence tended to discuss challenges with organization and routines for taking medicine.

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluating patient responses to questions about adherence habits may uncover challenges with adherence habit formation, provide direction for habit-strengthening intervention focused on developing automatic cues for taking medication, and support adherence successes for youths with CKD.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03651596. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Adolescents and young adults communicating with gastroenterologists: variation in inflammatory bowel disease clinical communication

OBJECTIVES

This study explored the variation in emerging adults' communication with gastroenterologists around the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

Nineteen emerging adults with IBD aged 18-25 and seven gastroenterologists participated in the study. Outpatient specialist consultations of consenting participants were audio-recorded and transcribed. Transcribed consultations were analysed in terms of the linguistic structure of the consultations and the gastroenterologist-patient role relationship.

RESULTS

Variations in the emerging adults' communication with their gastroenterologists stem partly from variation in their ability, opportunity, or need to contribute to the different phases of the consultation and partly from variations in the gastroenterologists' style of communication. Gastroenterologists differed in the construction of their role relationship with the patient, resulting in variations in employing empowering strategies including eliciting, exploring, and clarifying the patient's concerns, sharing clinical reasoning, and validating the patient experience. Variations were also observed in the length of appointments and the gastroenterologists' assessment and addressing of adherence issues. Techniques used by the gastroenterologist varied (1) from simply confirming adherence, to a comprehensive assessment of the patient's understanding of their management plan and their feedback, and (2) from use of persuasion to values calibration.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence-based consumer interventions and communication guidelines for clinicians are needed to address the identified variations in providing care to emerging adults living with chronic conditions.

Development and Implementation of a Pilot Transition Preparation Intervention for Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes in an Integrated Healthcare Setting

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a multisystem transition preparation intervention, SHIFT, for young adults (YAs) with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

A single-arm, clinic-based pilot was conducted with 25 YAs with T1D (M age = 18.9 ± 1.0 years; 80% female), their parents (n = 25), and their providers (n = 10). Young adults and parents participated in a 6-month intervention designed to enhance transition readiness and independent diabetes management. Providers viewed a video module highlighting their role preparing YAs for transition and received individualized reports of YA's goals and transition readiness. Intervention feasibility (i.e., recruitment, retention, and engagement) and acceptability (e.g., program satisfaction) were assessed. Assessments of transition readiness, diabetes engagement, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and related psychosocial variables were conducted at baseline, post-intervention (6 m), and follow-up (9 m). Paired t-tests examined 0-6 m and 0-9 m changes in study constructs.

RESULTS

SHIFT was feasible, evidenced by recruitment (100% of sample recruited in 4 m), retention (100% at 6 m), and YA session attendance (100%). Program satisfaction was high for YAs, parents, and providers (9.12 ± 1.40, 8.79 ± 1.56, 8.20 ± 1.30, respectively, [out of 10]). Significant improvements (with effect sizes ranging from small to medium) were observed in parent and YA-reported transition readiness at 6 and 9 m (ps<.05) and diabetes engagement at 9 m (ps<.05). Although based on limited data due to COVID-19-related disruptions, a potential reduction in HbA1c was also observed.

CONCLUSION

Findings support the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of SHIFT (although limited by the single arm design and homogeneous sample), and suggest a larger randomized controlled trial is warranted.

Promoting High-Quality Health Communication Between Young Adults With Diabetes and Health Care Providers

Young adults with diabetes assume increasing responsibility for communicating with their health care providers, and engaging in high-quality health communication is an integral component of overall diabetes self-management. This article provides an overview of the main features of health communication, factors that may influence communication quality, interventions to promote communication skills, and practical strategies for clinicians working with young adults with diabetes. The review concludes with a comprehensive summary of future directions for health communication research.

Efficacy of Motivational Interviewing to Improve Utilization of Mental Health Services Among Youths With Chronic Medical Conditions: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Despite the high prevalence of anxiety and depression in youths with chronic medical conditions (CMCs), physicians encounter substantial barriers in motivating these patients to access mental health care services.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of motivational interviewing (MI) training for pediatricians in increasing youths' use of mental health care.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The COACH-MI (Chronic Conditions in Adolescents: Implementation and Evaluation of Patient-Centered Collaborative Healthcare-Motivational Interviewing) study was a single-center cluster randomized clinical trial at the University Children's Hospital specialized outpatient clinics in Düsseldorf, Germany. Treating pediatricians were cluster randomized to a 2-day MI workshop or treatment as usual (TAU). Patient recruitment and MI conversations occurred between April 2018 and May 2020 with 6-month follow-up and 1-year rescreening. Participants were youths aged 12 to 20 years with CMCs and comorbid symptoms of anxiety and depression; they were advised by their MI-trained or untrained physicians to access psychological counseling services. Statistical analysis was performed from October 2020 to April 2021.

INTERVENTIONS

MI physicians were trained through a 2-day, certified MI training course; they recommended use of mental health care services during routine clinical appointments.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome of uptake of mental health care services within the 6-month follow-up was analyzed using a logistic mixed model, adjusted for the data's cluster structure. Uptake of mental health services was defined as making at least 1 appointment by the 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Among 164 youths with CMCs and conspicuous anxiety or depression screening, 97 (59%) were female, 94 (57%) had MI, and 70 (43%) had TAU; the mean (SD) age was 15.2 (1.9) years. Compared with patients receiving TAU, the difference in mental health care use at 6 months among patients whose physicians had undergone MI training was not statistically significant (odds ratio [OR], 1.96; 95% CI, 0.98-3.92; P = .06). The effect was moderated by the subjective burden of disease (F2,158 = 3.42; P = .04). Counseling with an MI-trained physician also led to lower anxiety symptom scores at 1-year rescreening (F1,130 = 4.11; P = .045). MI training was associated with longer conversations between patients and physicians (30.3 [16.7] minutes vs 16.8 [12.5] minutes; P < .001), and conversation length significantly influenced uptake rates across conditions (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06; P = .005).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, use of MI in specialized pediatric consultations did not increase the use of mental health care services among youths with CMCs but did lead to longer patient-physician conversations and lower anxiety scores at 1 year. Additional research is required to determine whether varying scope and duration of MI training for physicians could encourage youths with CMCs to seek counseling and thus improve integrated care models.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Trials Registry: DRKS00014043.

Real-world performance of hybrid closed loop in youth, young adults, adults and older adults with type 1 diabetes: Identifying a clinical target for hybrid closed-loop use

AIM

To describe real-world hybrid closed loop (HCL) use and glycaemic outcomes across the lifespan and identify a clinical threshold for HCL use associated with meeting the internationally recommended target of 70% sensor glucose time in range (TIR; 70-180 mg/dL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mixed models examined MiniMed 670G HCL use and glycaemic outcomes in 276 people with type 1 diabetes from four age groups: youth (aged <18 years), young adults (18-25 years), adults (26-49 years) and older adults (≥50 years) for 1 year. ROC analysis identified the minimum percentage HCL use associated with meeting the TIR goal of 70%.

RESULTS

HCL use at month 1 was 70.7% ± 2.9% for youth, 71.0% ± 3.8% for young adults, 78.9% ± 2.1% for adults and 84.7% ± 3.8% in older adults. HCL use declined significantly at 12 months to 49.3% ± 3.2% in youth (P < .001) and 55.7% ± 4.3% in young adults (P = .002). HCL use was sustained at 12 months in adults (76.4% ± 2.2%, P = .36) and older adults (80.4% ± 3.9%, P = .36). HCL use of 70.6% was associated with 70% TIR (sensitivity 58.3%, specificity 85%, AUC 0.77). Older age, 80% or higher continuous glucose monitor use and four or more blood glucose checks per day were associated with attaining the HCL-use threshold.

CONCLUSIONS

HCL use of 70% or higher may be a useful target for clinicians to use to assist people with diabetes in attaining glycaemic goals. Youth may struggle with HCL use more than adults and require clinical intervention to help sustain HCL use across time.

Pathways of emotional autonomy, problem-solving ability, self-efficacy, and self-management on the glycemic control of adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A prospective study

This prospective study tested a model to depict associations between a number of individual characteristics and 6-month glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Adolescents (N = 232) aged 10-19 years with T1D were recruited from a medical center in Taiwan. Demographic characteristics, emotional autonomy, problem-solving ability, self-efficacy at baseline, and self-management information three months after baseline were collected using a self-reported questionnaire. HbA1c levels 6 months after study commencement were obtained from medical records. Structural equation modeling was used to test the model. Higher baseline self-efficacy and self-management at 3 months were directly associated with lower 6-month HbA1c levels. Higher baseline problem-solving ability and self-efficacy were directly associated with higher 3-month self-management, and higher baseline problem-solving ability was directly associated with higher baseline self-efficacy. Higher baseline emotional autonomy was directly associated with lower 6-month HbA1c levels but indirectly associated with higher 6-month HbA1c levels through the mediation of lower problem-solving ability, self-efficacy, and 3-month self-management. Findings indicate that improving self-management is essential to improving subsequent glycemic control, which might be achieved by enhancing problem-solving ability and self-efficacy. Strengthening problem-solving ability could diminish the negative impact of emotional autonomy on subsequent glycemic control in adolescents with T1D.

Engagement and Affective Communication During Pediatric Nephrology Clinic Visits: Associations with Medication Adherence

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether engagement and affective communication among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic kidney disease (CKD), caregivers, and pediatric nephrology providers during outpatient clinic visits predicts antihypertensive medication adherence.

METHODS

AYAs (n = 60, M age = 15.4 years, SD = 2.7, 40% female, 43% African American/Black) and caregivers (n = 60, 73% female) attended audio-recorded clinic visits with pediatric nephrologists (n = 12, 75% female). Recordings were analyzed using global affect ratings of the Roter Interactional Analysis System. Antihypertensive medication adherence was monitored electronically before and after clinic visits. A linear regression model evaluated associations between affect ratings and post-visit adherence.

RESULTS

AYAs took 84% of doses (SD = 20%) pre-visit and 82% of doses (SD = 24%) post-visit. Higher AYA engagement (β = 0.03, p = .01) and the absence of provider negative affect (β=-0.15, p = .04) were associated with higher post-visit adherence, controlling for pre-visit adherence, AYA sex, age, and race, and clustered by provider.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-visit adherence was higher when AYAs were rated as more engaged and providers as less negative.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

AYAs with lower engagement may benefit from further adherence assessment. Communication strategies designed to more actively engage AYAs in their care and diminish provider conveyance of negative affect during clinic visits may positively influence adherence among AYAs with CKD.

Diabetes education in pediatrics: How to survive diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is the most common abnormal carbohydrate metabolism disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by hyperglycemia as a result of ß-cell destruction or dysfunction by both genetic and environmental factors. Over time chronic hyperglycemia leads to microvascular (i.e., retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy) and macrovascular (i.e., ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease) complications of diabetes. Diabetes complication trials showed the importance of achieving near-normal glycemic control to prevent and/or reduce diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. There is a staggering rate of increased incidence of diabetes in youth, raising concerns for future generations' health, quality of life and its enormous economic burden. Despite advancements in the technology, diabetes management remains cumbersome. Training individuals with diabetes to gain life-long survival skills requires a comprehensive and ongoing diabetes education by a multidisciplinary team. Diabetes education and training start at the time of diagnosis of diabetes and should be continuous throughout the course of disease. The goal is to empower the individuals and families to gain diabetes self-management skills. Diabetes education must be individualized depending on the individual's age, education, family dynamics, and support. In this article, we review the history of diabetes, etiopathogenesis and clinical presentation of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children as well as adolescents. We then focus on diabetes management with education methods and materials.

Motivational Interviewing and Glycemic Control in Adolescents With Poorly Controlled Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

A multicenter randomized controlled pilot trial investigated whether motivational interviewing (MI) by diabetes physicians improves glycemic control and variability in the context of follow-up for adolescent patients with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes. Patients (n = 47) aged 12 to 15.9 years who showed poor glycemic control (HbA1c >75 mmol/mol/9.0%) were randomized to standard education (SE) only or MI+SE, with study physicians randomized to employ MI+SE (N = 24 patients) or SE only (N = 23). For one year of follow-up, the main outcome measurements were obtained at three-month visits (HbA1c) or six-monthly: time in range (TIR) and glycemic variability (CV). Mean adjusted 12-month change in HbA1c was similar between the MI+SE and SE-only group (-3.6 vs. -1.0 mmol/mol), and no inter-group differences were visible in the mean adjusted 12-month change in TIR (-0.8 vs. 2.6%; P = 0.53) or CV (-0.5 vs. -6.2; P = 0.26). However, the order of entering the study correlated significantly with the 12-month change in HbA1c in the MI+SE group (r = -0.5; P = 0.006) and not in the SE-only group (r = 0.2; P = 0.4). No link was evident between MI and changes in quality of life. The authors conclude that MI's short-term use by diabetes physicians managing adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes was not superior to SE alone; however, improved skills in applying the MI method at the outpatient clinic may produce greater benefits in glycemic control.

Uninterrupted continuous glucose monitoring access is associated with a decrease in HbA1c in youth with type 1 diabetes and public insurance

OBJECTIVE

Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) use is associated with improved glucose control. We describe the effect of continued and interrupted CGM use on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in youth with public insurance.

METHODS

We reviewed 956 visits from 264 youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and public insurance. Demographic data, HbA1c and two-week CGM data were collected. Youth were classified as never user, consistent user, insurance discontinuer, and self-discontinuer. Visits were categorized as never-user visit, visit before CGM start, visit after CGM start, visit with continued CGM use, visit with initial loss of CGM, visit with continued loss of CGM, and visit where CGM is regained after loss. Multivariate regression adjusting for age, sex, race, diabetes duration, initial HbA1c, and body mass index were used to calculate adjusted mean and delta HbA1c.

RESULTS

Adjusted mean HbA1c was lowest for the consistent user group (HbA1c 8.6%;[95%CI 7.9,9.3]). Delta HbA1c (calculated from visit before CGM start) was lower for visit after CGM start (-0.39%;[95%CI -0.78,-0.02]) and visit with continued CGM use (-0.29%;[95%CI -0.61,0.02]), whereas it was higher for visit with initial loss of CGM (0.40%;[95%CI -0.06,0.86]), visit with continued loss of CGM (0.46%;[95%CI 0.06,0.85]), and visit where CGM is regained after loss (0.57%;[95%CI 0.06,1.10]).

CONCLUSIONS

Youth with public insurance using CGM have improved HbA1c, but only when CGM use is uninterrupted. Interruptions in use, primarily due to gaps in insurance coverage of CGM, were associated with increased HbA1c. These data support both initial and ongoing coverage of CGM for youth with T1D and public insurance.