1
|
Drew KJ, Homer C, Radley D, Jones S, Freeman C, Bakhai C, Ells L. Normalisation and equity of referral to the NHS Low Calorie Diet programme pilot; a qualitative evaluation of the experiences of health care staff. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:152. [PMID: 38200463 PMCID: PMC10782747 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17526-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health and wellbeing can be profoundly impacted by both obesity and type 2 diabetes, while the normalisation and equity of care for people living with these non-communicable diseases remain as challenges for local health systems. The National Health Service Low Calorie Diet programme in England, aims to support people to achieve type 2 diabetes remission, while also reducing health inequalities. We have explored the experiences of health care staff who have made a referral to the LCD programme, while identifying effective and equitable delivery of programme referrals, and their normalisation into routine care. METHODS Nineteen individual semi-structured interviews were completed health care staff in the first year of the Low Calorie Diet programme. Interviewees were purposively sampled from the ten localities who undertook the Low Calorie Diet programme pilot. Each interview explored a number of topics of interest including communication and training, referrals, equity, and demands on primary care, before being subjected to a thematic analysis. RESULTS From the data, five core themes were identified: Covid-19 and the demands on primary care, the expertise and knowledge of referrers, patient identification and the referral process, barriers to referrals and who gets referred to the NHS LCD programme. Our findings demonstrate the variation in the real world settings of a national diabetes programme. It highlights the challenge of COVID-19 for health care staff, whereby the increased workload of referrals occurred at a time when capacity was curtailed. We have also identified several barriers to referral and have shown that referrals had not yet been normalised into routine care at the point of data collection. We also raise issues of equity in the referral process, as not all eligible people are informed about the programme. CONCLUSIONS Referral generation had not yet been consistently normalised into routine care, yet our findings suggest that the LCD programme runs the risk of normalising an inequitable referral process. Inequalities remain a significant challenge, and the adoption of an equitable referral process, normalised at a service delivery level, has the capacity to contribute to the improvement of health inequalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J Drew
- Obesity Institute, School of Health, Leeds Beckett University, City Campus, Leeds, LS6 3QW, UK.
| | - Catherine Homer
- Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Olympic Legacy Park, 2 Old Hall Road, Sheffield, S9 3TU, UK
| | - Duncan Radley
- Obesity Institute, School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Headingley Campus, Leeds, LS6 3QW, UK
| | - Susan Jones
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, Tees Valley, TS1 3BX, UK
| | - Charlotte Freeman
- Public Health Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Halifax, HX1 1TS, UK
| | - Chirag Bakhai
- Larkside Practice, Churchfield Medical Centre, 322 Crawley Green Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 9SB, UK
| | - Louisa Ells
- Obesity Institute, School of Health, Leeds Beckett University, City Campus, Leeds, LS6 3QW, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sipma WS, de Jong MFC, Ahaus KCTB. "It's My Life and It's Now or Never"-Transplant Recipients Empowered From a Service-Dominant Logic Perspective. Transpl Int 2023; 36:12011. [PMID: 38188696 PMCID: PMC10766819 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.12011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Patient well-being after an organ transplant is a major outcome determinant and survival of the graft is crucial. Before surgery, patients are already informed about how they can influence their prognosis, for example by adhering to treatment advice and remaining active. Overall, effective selfmanagement of health-related issues is a major factor in successful long-term graft survival. As such, organ transplant recipients can be considered as co-producers of their own health status. However, although keeping the graft in good condition is an important factor in the patient's well-being, it is not enough. To have a meaningful life after a solid organ transplant, patients can use their improved health status to once again enjoy time with family and friends, to travel and to return to work -in short to get back on track. Our assertion in this article is twofold. First, healthcare providers should look beyond medical support in enhancing long-term well-being. Second, organ recipients should see themselves as creators of their own well-being. To justify our argument, we use the theoretical perspective of service-dominant logic that states that patients are the true creators of real value-in-use. Or as Bon Jovi sings, "It's my life and it's now or never."
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wim S. Sipma
- Department of Health Services Management & Organisation, Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Kees C. T. B. Ahaus
- Department of Health Services Management & Organisation, Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Penno E, Atmore C, Maclennan B, Richard L, Wyeth E, Richards R, Doolan-Noble F, Gray AR, Sullivan T, Gauld R, Stokes T. How did New Zealand's regional District Health Board groupings work to improve service integration and health outcomes: a realist evaluation. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e079268. [PMID: 38081663 PMCID: PMC10729044 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), integration across the healthcare continuum has been a key approach to strengthening the health system and improving health outcomes. A key example has been four regional District Health Board (DHB) groupings, which, from 2011 to 2022, required the country's 20 DHBs to work together regionally. This research explores how this initiative functioned, examining how, for whom and in what circumstances regional DHB groupings worked to deliver improvements in system integration and health outcomes and equity. DESIGN We used a realist-informed evaluation study design. We used documentary analysis to develop programme logic models to describe the context, structure, capabilities, implementation activities and impact of each of the four regional groupings and then conducted interviews with stakeholders. We developed a generalised context-mechanisms-outcomes model, identifying key commonalities explaining how regional work 'worked' across NZ while noting important regional differences. SETTING NZ's four regional DHB groupings. PARTICIPANTS Forty-nine stakeholders from across the four regional groupings. These included regional DHB governance groups and coordinating regional agencies, DHB senior leadership, Māori and Pasifika leadership and lead clinicians for regional work streams. RESULTS Regional DHB working was layered on top of an already complex DHB environment. Organisational heterogeneity and tensions between local and regional priorities were key contextual factors. In response, regional DHB groupings leveraged a combination of 'hard' policy and planning processes, as well as 'soft', relationship-based mechanisms, aiming to improve system integration, population health outcomes and health equity. CONCLUSION The complexity of DHB regional working meant that success hinged on building relationships, leadership and trust, alongside robust planning and process mechanisms. As NZ reorients its health system towards a more centralised model underpinned by collaborations between local providers, our findings point to a need to align policy expectations and foster environments that support connection and collegiality across the health system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin Penno
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Carol Atmore
- Department of General Practice and Rural Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Brett Maclennan
- Ngāi Tahu Māori Health Research Unit, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Lauralie Richard
- Department of General Practice and Rural Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Emma Wyeth
- Ngāi Tahu Māori Health Research Unit, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Rosalina Richards
- Centre for Pacific Health, Va'a o Tautai, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Fiona Doolan-Noble
- Department of General Practice and Rural Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Andrew R Gray
- Biostatistics Centre, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Trudy Sullivan
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Robin Gauld
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Otago Business School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Tim Stokes
- Department of General Practice and Rural Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Markovič R, Grubelnik V, Završnik T, Blažun Vošner H, Kokol P, Perc M, Marhl M, Završnik M, Završnik J. Profiling of patients with type 2 diabetes based on medication adherence data. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1209809. [PMID: 37483941 PMCID: PMC10358769 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1209809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex, chronic disease affecting multiple organs with varying symptoms and comorbidities. Profiling patients helps identify those with unfavorable disease progression, allowing for tailored therapy and addressing special needs. This study aims to uncover different T2DM profiles based on medication intake records and laboratory measurements, with a focus on how individuals with diabetes move through disease phases. Methods We use medical records from databases of the last 20 years from the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology of the University Medical Center in Maribor. Using the standard ATC medication classification system, we created a patient-specific drug profile, created using advanced natural language processing methods combined with data mining and hierarchical clustering. Results Our results show a well-structured profile distribution characterizing different age groups of individuals with diabetes. Interestingly, only two main profiles characterize the early 40-50 age group, and the same is true for the last 80+ age group. One of these profiles includes individuals with diabetes with very low use of various medications, while the other profile includes individuals with diabetes with much higher use. The number in both groups is reciprocal. Conversely, the middle-aged groups are characterized by several distinct profiles with a wide range of medications that are associated with the distinct concomitant complications of T2DM. It is intuitive that the number of profiles increases in the later age groups, but it is not obvious why it is reduced later in the 80+ age group. In this context, further studies are needed to evaluate the contributions of a range of factors, such as drug development, drug adoption, and the impact of mortality associated with all T2DM-related diseases, which characterize these middle-aged groups, particularly those aged 55-75. Conclusion Our approach aligns with existing studies and can be widely implemented without complex or expensive analyses. Treatment and drug use data are readily available in healthcare facilities worldwide, allowing for profiling insights into individuals with diabetes. Integrating data from other departments, such as cardiology and renal disease, may provide a more sophisticated understanding of T2DM patient profiles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rene Markovič
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Vladimir Grubelnik
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Tadej Završnik
- University Clinical Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Helena Blažun Vošner
- Community Healthcare Center Dr. Adolf Drolc Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia
- Alma Mater Europaea - ECM, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Peter Kokol
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Matjaž Perc
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Alma Mater Europaea - ECM, Maribor, Slovenia
- Complexity Science Hub Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Physics, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Marko Marhl
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Education, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Matej Završnik
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Medical Center Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Jernej Završnik
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Community Healthcare Center Dr. Adolf Drolc Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Alma Mater Europaea - ECM, Maribor, Slovenia
- Science and Research Center Koper, Koper, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Integrated care systems and equity: prospects and plans. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE 2023. [DOI: 10.1108/jica-08-2022-0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
PurposePolicies on integrated care have waxed and waned over time in the English health and care sectors, culminating in the creation of 42 integrated care systems (ICSs) which were confirmed in law in July 2022. One of the four fundamental purposes of ICSs is to tackle health inequalities. This paper reports on the content of the overarching ICS plans in order to explore how they focus on health inequalities and the strategies they intend to employ to make progress. It explores how the integrated approach of ICSs may help to facilitate progress on equity.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on a sample of 23 ICS strategic plans using a framework to extract relevant information on health inequalities.FindingsThe place-based nature of ICSs and the focus on working across traditional health and care boundaries with non-health partners gives the potential for them to tackle not only the inequalities in access to healthcare services, but also to address health behaviours and the wider social determinants of health inequalities. The plans reveal a commitment to addressing all three of these issues, although there is variation in their approach to tackling the wider social determinants of health and inequalities.Originality/valueThis study adds to our knowledge of the strategic importance assigned by the new ICSs to tackling health inequalities and illustrates the ways in which features of integrated care can facilitate progress in an area of prime importance to society.
Collapse
|