The broader picture on guideline adherence

Guideline adherence of physiotherapists in the treatment of patients with low back pain: A qualitative study

RATIONALE

Adherence rates to guidelines show room for improvement, and increase in adherence to guidelines may potentially lead to better outcomes and reduced costs of treatment. To improve adherence, it is essential to understand the considerations of physiotherapists regarding the assessment and management of low back pain (LBP). The purpose of this study is to gain insight in the considerations of Dutch physiotherapists on adherence to the national physiotherapy guideline in the treatment of patients with LBP.

METHODS

This is a qualitative study, using an interpretive approach of semi-structured interviews with 14 physiotherapists who regularly treat patients with LBP. Thematic analysis was conducted with open coding using an existing framework. This framework distinguishes five components to adherence based on patient factors, provider factors, guideline characteristics, institutional factors and the implementation process.

RESULTS

Participating physiotherapists mentioned that the guideline should provide more information about psychosocial prognostic factors and psychosocial treatment options. The participants experienced difficulties in addressing patient expectations that conflict with guideline recommendations. The implementation process of the guideline was considered insufficient. Physiotherapists might rely too much on their experience, and knowledge of evidence-based treatment might be improved. In general, the interviewed physiotherapists thought they were mainly non-adherent to the guidelines. However, when comparing their considerations with the actual guideline recommendations they were mainly adherent.

CONCLUSION

To improve adherence, the guideline should provide more information about addressing psychosocial prognostic factors, and Dutch physiotherapists might be trained in communication skills to better address patient expectations. A more extensive implementation process is warranted for the next guideline to increase the physiotherapists' knowledge of evidence-based treatment.

A Clinical Vignette-Based Study of Physicians' Adherence to Guidelines for Dental Referrals of Young Children

OBJECTIVES

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends an oral health risk assessment and referral to a dental home by a child's first birthday. We evaluated the adherence of primary care providers (PCPs) to AAP dental referral guidelines for children age <4 years and barriers to implementation of these guidelines.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of PCPs randomly selected from the 435 practices in North Carolina identified as providing well-child visits for Medicaid children age <4 years was completed in 2013. The PCPs' referral recommendations were assessed using 4 vignettes of 18-month-old children at various risk of dental caries (low, moderate, high, or highest) and different levels of dentist supply (adequate or inadequate). Barriers to guideline adherence specified in the Cabana framework were analyzed for their associations with PCP adherence, using logistic regression models stratified by caries risk and dentist supply.

RESULTS

The survey yielded 219 (50%) usable responses from the sample of 435 PCPs. On average for all vignettes, 61% of providers chose a referral recommendation in agreement with guidelines. Underreferral averaged 40%. With adequate workforce, guideline-adherent responses varied from 26% for low-risk children to >90% for high-risk children. An inadequate workforce reduced adherence for most levels of risk. Generally, correct knowledge of risk status, barriers to risk assessment, and pediatric practice were associated with adherence, but not always in the hypothesized direction.

CONCLUSIONS

PCPs' adherence to referral guidelines varies according to caries risk and dentist supply, but generally they underrefer low- to moderate-risk patients by a significant degree.

Psychiatric and Cognitive Aspects of Phenylketonuria: The Limitations of Diet and Promise of New Treatments

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a recessive disorder of phenylalanine metabolism due to mutations in the gene for phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). Reduced PAH activity results in significant hyperphenylalaninemia, which leads to alterations in cerebral myelin and protein synthesis, as well as reduced levels of serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline in the brain. When untreated, brain development is grossly disrupted and significant intellectual impairment and behavioral disturbance occur. The advent of neonatal heel prick screening has allowed for diagnosis at birth, and the institution of a phenylalanine restricted diet. Dietary treatment, particularly when maintained across neurodevelopment and well into adulthood, has resulted in markedly improved outcomes at a cognitive and psychiatric level for individuals with PKU. However, few individuals can maintain full dietary control lifelong, and even with good control, an elevated risk remains of-in particular-mood, anxiety, and attentional disorders across the lifespan. Increasingly, dietary recommendations focus on maintaining continuous dietary treatment lifelong to optimize psychiatric and cognitive outcomes, although the effect of long-term protein restricted diets on brain function remains unknown. While psychiatric illness is very common in adult PKU populations, very little data exist to guide clinicians on optimal treatment. The advent of new treatments that do not require restrictive dietary management, such as the enzyme therapy Pegvaliase, holds the promise of allowing patients a relatively normal diet alongside optimized mental health and cognitive functioning.

The complete European guidelines on phenylketonuria: diagnosis and treatment

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of phenylalanine metabolism caused by deficiency in the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. If left untreated, PKU results in increased phenylalanine concentrations in blood and brain, which cause severe intellectual disability, epilepsy and behavioural problems. PKU management differs widely across Europe and therefore these guidelines have been developed aiming to optimize and standardize PKU care. Professionals from 10 different European countries developed the guidelines according to the AGREE (Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation) method. Literature search, critical appraisal and evidence grading were conducted according to the SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) method. The Delphi-method was used when there was no or little evidence available. External consultants reviewed the guidelines. Using these methods 70 statements were formulated based on the highest quality evidence available. The level of evidence of most recommendations is C or D. Although study designs and patient numbers are sub-optimal, many statements are convincing, important and relevant. In addition, knowledge gaps are identified which require further research in order to direct better care for the future.

Key European guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with phenylketonuria

We developed European guidelines to optimise phenylketonuria (PKU) care. To develop the guidelines, we did a literature search, critical appraisal, and evidence grading according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network method. We used the Delphi method when little or no evidence was available. From the 70 recommendations formulated, in this Review we describe ten that we deem as having the highest priority. Diet is the cornerstone of treatment, although some patients can benefit from tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). Untreated blood phenylalanine concentrations determine management of people with PKU. No intervention is required if the blood phenylalanine concentration is less than 360 μmol/L. Treatment is recommended up to the age of 12 years if the phenylalanine blood concentration is between 360 μmol/L and 600 μmol/L, and lifelong treatment is recommended if the concentration is more than 600 μmol/L. For women trying to conceive and during pregnancy (maternal PKU), untreated phenylalanine blood concentrations of more than 360 μmol/L need to be reduced. Treatment target concentrations are as follows: 120-360 μmol/L for individuals aged 0-12 years and for maternal PKU, and 120-600 μmol/L for non-pregnant individuals older than 12 years. Minimum requirements for the management and follow-up of patients with PKU are scheduled according to age, adherence to treatment, and clinical status. Nutritional, clinical, and biochemical follow-up is necessary for all patients, regardless of therapy.

Implementation of a checklist to assess factors relevant for work ability assessments of employees on long-term sick leave

OBJECTIVE

To implement the use of a checklist with factors relevant for work ability assessments of employees on long-term sick leave in daily practice of Dutch insurance physicians (IPs).

SUBJECTS/DESIGN

Two hundred and twenty IPs were asked to participate in a nationwide implementation study.

METHODS

A context analysis identified the barriers and promoting factors for the implementation. Then, participants were asked to assess, identify and report the factors that hinder or promote return to work (RTW) of employees on long-term sick leave using the checklist during six work ability assessments in daily practice. The outcome measure was the percentage of IPs that used the checklist in at least three of six work ability assessments. The use of the checklist was defined as the assessment of at least one of nine factors from the checklist. A frequency analysis was performed. Official work ability assessment records were analysed to determine whether the IPs reported the assessed factors.

RESULTS

Most identified barriers and facilitators were related to the potential users, the work environment and the characteristics of the checklist. The implementation goal was achieved. A total of 79 IPs participated. Almost all the IPs (96 %) assessed at least one factor; 89 % used the checklist in at least 3 work ability assessments. An analysis of 474 official work ability assessment records indicated that 90 % of the IPs reported at least one of the factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of a checklist to assess barriers and facilitators for RTW of long-term sick-listed employees was successful.