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Fleury MJ, Cao Z, Grenier G, Rahme E. Profiles of quality of outpatient care among individuals with mental disorders based on survey and administrative data. J Eval Clin Pract 2024; 30:1373-1385. [PMID: 39031622 DOI: 10.1111/jep.14052] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Though it is crucial to contribute to patient recovery through access, diversity, continuity and regularity of outpatient care, still today most of these are deemed nonoptimal. Identifying patient profiles based on outpatient service use and quality of care indicators might help formulate more personalized interventions and reduce adverse outcomes. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This study aimed to identify profiles of individuals with mental disorders (MDs) patterned after their outpatient care use and quality of care received, and to link those profiles to individual characteristics and subsequent outcomes. METHODS A cohort of 5669 individuals with MDs was considered based on data from the 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 Canadian Community Health Survey, which were linked to administrative data from the Quebec health insurance registry. Latent class analysis generated profiles based on service use over the 12 months preceding each respondent's interview, and comparative analyses were used to associate profiles with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and health outcomes over the three following months. RESULTS Four profiles were identified. Profile 1 (P-1) was labelled 'Low service use'; P-2 'Moderate general practitioner (GP) care and continuity and regularity of care'; P-3 'High GP care, continuity and regularity of care, and low psychiatrist care'; and P-4 'High psychiatrist care and regularity of care, and low GP care'. Profiles 3 and 4 (~50% of the cohort) were provided with better care, but showed worse outcomes, mainly acute care use due to more complex conditions and unmet needs. Profiles 1 and 2 had better outcomes as they showed fewer risk factors such as being younger and having better social conditions. CONCLUSION Intensity, diversity and regularity of care were higher in profiles with more complex MDs, chronic physical illnesses, and worse perceived health conditions. Adapting specific interventions for each profile, such as assertive community treatment or intensive case management for Profile 4, is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhirong Cao
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Guy Grenier
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Elham Rahme
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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2
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Fleury MJ, Cao Z, Grenier G. Emergency Department Use among Patients with Mental Health Problems: Profiles, Correlates, and Outcomes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:864. [PMID: 39063441 PMCID: PMC11276606 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21070864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Patients with mental health (MH) problems are known to use emergency departments (EDs) frequently. This study identified profiles of ED users and associated these profiles with patient characteristics and outpatient service use, and with subsequent adverse outcomes. A 5-year cohort of 11,682 ED users was investigated (2012-2017), using Quebec (Canada) administrative databases. ED user profiles were identified through latent class analysis, and multinomial logistic regression used to associate patients' characteristics and their outpatient service use. Cox regressions were conducted to assess adverse outcomes 12 months after the last ED use. Four ED user profiles were identified: "Patients mostly using EDs for accessing MH services" (Profile 1, incident MDs); "Repeat ED users" (Profile 2); "High ED users" (Profile 3); "Very high and recurrent high ED users" (Profile 4). Profile 4 and 3 patients exhibited the highest ED use along with severe conditions yet received the most outpatient care. The risk of hospitalization and death was higher in these profiles. Their frequent ED use and adverse outcomes might stem from unmet needs and suboptimal care. Assertive community treatments and intensive case management could be recommended for Profiles 4 and 3, and more extensive team-based GP care for Profiles 2 and 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Josée Fleury
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033, Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Blvd., Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada; (Z.C.); (G.G.)
| | - Zhirong Cao
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Blvd., Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada; (Z.C.); (G.G.)
| | - Guy Grenier
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6875 LaSalle Blvd., Montreal, QC H4H 1R3, Canada; (Z.C.); (G.G.)
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3
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Lapointe-Shaw L, Salahub C, Austin PC, Bai L, Bhatia RS, Bird C, Glazier RH, Hedden L, Ivers NM, Martin D, Shuldiner J, Spithoff S, Tadrous M, Kiran T. Virtual Visits With Own Family Physician vs Outside Family Physician and Emergency Department Use. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2349452. [PMID: 38150254 PMCID: PMC10753397 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.49452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Virtual visits became more common after the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is unclear in what context they are best used. Objective To investigate whether there was a difference in subsequent emergency department use between patients who had a virtual visit with their own family physician vs those who had virtual visits with an outside physician. Design, Setting, and Participants This propensity score-matched cohort study was conducted among all Ontario residents attached to a family physician as of April 1, 2021, who had a virtual family physician visit in the subsequent year (to March 31, 2022). Exposure The type of virtual family physician visit, with own or outside physician, was determined. In a secondary analysis, own physician visits were compared with visits with a physician working in direct-to-consumer telemedicine. Main Outcome and Measure The primary outcome was an emergency department visit within 7 days after the virtual visit. Results Among 5 229 240 Ontario residents with a family physician and virtual visit, 4 173 869 patients (79.8%) had a virtual encounter with their own physician (mean [SD] age, 49.3 [21.5] years; 2 420 712 females [58.0%]) and 1 055 371 patients (20.2%) had an encounter with an outside physician (mean [SD] age, 41.8 [20.9] years; 605 614 females [57.4%]). In the matched cohort of 1 885 966 patients, those who saw an outside physician were 66% more likely to visit an emergency department within 7 days than those who had a virtual visit with their own physician (30 748 of 942 983 patients [3.3%] vs 18 519 of 942 983 patients [2.0%]; risk difference, 1.3% [95% CI, 1.2%-1.3%]; relative risk, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.63-1.69]). The increase in the risk of emergency department visits was greater when comparing 30 216 patients with definite direct-to-consumer telemedicine visits with 30 216 patients with own physician visits (risk difference, 4.1% [95% CI, 3.8%-4.5%]; relative risk, 2.99 [95% CI, 2.74-3.27]). Conclusions and Relevance In this study, patients whose virtual visit was with an outside physician were more likely to visit an emergency department in the next 7 days than those whose virtual visit was with their own family physician. These findings suggest that primary care virtual visits may be best used within an existing clinical relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Lapointe-Shaw
- University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Women’s College Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University Health Network and Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Peter C. Austin
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Li Bai
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - R. Sacha Bhatia
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cardiology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Richard H. Glazier
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lindsay Hedden
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Noah M. Ivers
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Women’s College Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danielle Martin
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Shuldiner
- Women’s College Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sheryl Spithoff
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mina Tadrous
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Women’s College Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tara Kiran
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Lee H, Park G, Khang AR. Factors Associated with Diabetic Complication Index among Type 2 Diabetes Patients: Focusing on Regular Outpatient Follow-up and HbA1c Variability. Asian Nurs Res (Korean Soc Nurs Sci) 2023; 17:259-268. [PMID: 37952878 DOI: 10.1016/j.anr.2023.11.004] [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: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Preventing diabetic complications involves regular outpatient follow-up and maintaining low variability in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. This study investigated the factors associated with diabetic complications, with a specific focus on the impact of regular outpatient follow-up and HbA1c variability, among patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS The study design was secondary data analysis of electronic medical records from a university hospital in Korea. It included patients aged 40-79 with type 2 diabetes who were prescribed diabetes medication within three months of their first HbA1c test by an endocrinologist and were followed up for at least five years. Follow-up regularity, adjusted standard deviation of HbA1c levels, and diabetic complication indices were collected. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, independent t-test, repeated measures analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS The study included 1566 patients. Lower follow-up regularity was observed in patients of older age, with comorbidities, diabetic complications, insulin treatment, a history of hospitalization, lower baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and total cholesterol (TC), and higher HbA1c variability. Higher HbA1c variability was observed in younger patients without comorbidity but with insulin treatment, a history of hospitalization, higher baseline blood glucose (BG), HbA1c, TC, and triglyceride levels. HbA1c variability had the strongest influence on BG and HbA1c levels at the five-year follow-up. Baseline eGFR and TC were the most influential factors for their respective levels at the five-year follow-up. Follow-up regularity significantly affected BG, HbA1c, eGFR, and TC at five-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS It has been shown that several variables besides regular follow-up and HbA1c variability have an influence. However, these are the two that can be corrected through nursing intervention and are important, so intervention on these is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haejung Lee
- College of Nursing, Pusan National University, Yangsan, South Korea
| | - Gaeun Park
- College of Nursing, Pusan National University, Yangsan, South Korea.
| | - Ah Reum Khang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea
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Khazen M, Abu Ahmad W, Spolter F, Golan-Cohen A, Merzon E, Israel A, Vinker S, Rose AJ. Greater temporal regularity of primary care visits was associated with reduced hospitalizations and mortality, even after controlling for continuity of care. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:777. [PMID: 37474968 PMCID: PMC10360299 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09808-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that more temporally regular primary care visits are associated with improved patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE To examine the association of temporal regularity (TR) of primary care with hospitalizations and mortality in patients with chronic illnesses. Also, to identify threshold values for TR for predicting outcomes. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS We used data from the electronic health record of a health maintenance organization in Israel to study primary care visits of 70,095 patients age 40 + with one of three chronic conditions (diabetes mellitus, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). MAIN MEASURES We calculated TR for each patient during a two-year period (2016-2017), and divided patients into quintiles based on TR. Outcomes (hospitalization, death) were observed in 2018-2019. Covariates included the Bice-Boxerman continuity of care score, demographics, and comorbidities. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine TR's association with hospitalization and death, controlling for covariates. KEY RESULTS Compared to patients receiving the most regular care, patients receiving less regular care had increased odds of hospitalization and mortality, with a dose-response curve observed across quintiles (p for linear trend < 0.001). For example, patients with the least regular care had an adjusted odds ratio of 1.40 for all-cause mortality, compared to patients with the most regular care. Analyses stratified by age, sex, ethnic group, area-level SES, and certain comorbid conditions did not show strong differential associations of TR across groups. CONCLUSIONS We found an association between more temporally regular care in antecedent years and reduced hospitalization and mortality of patients with chronic illness in subsequent years, after controlling for covariates. There was no clear threshold value for temporal regularity; rather, more regular primary care appeared to be better across the entire range of the variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maram Khazen
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel.
- Department of Health Systems Management, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Yezreel Valley, Israel.
| | - Wiessam Abu Ahmad
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Faige Spolter
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Avivit Golan-Cohen
- Leumit Health Services, Research Institute, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eugene Merzon
- Leumit Health Services, Research Institute, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Ariel Israel
- Leumit Health Services, Research Institute, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shlomo Vinker
- Leumit Health Services, Research Institute, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Adam J Rose
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
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Edney LC, Roseleur J, Bright T, Watson DI, Arnolda G, Braithwaite J, Delaney GP, Liauw W, Mitchell R, Karnon J. DAta Linkage to Enhance Cancer Care (DaLECC): Protocol of a Large Australian Data Linkage Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5987. [PMID: 37297591 PMCID: PMC10252629 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20115987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, accounting for 250 Disability-Adjusted Life Years and 10 million deaths in 2019. Minimising unwarranted variation and ensuring appropriate cost-effective treatment across primary and tertiary care to improve health outcomes is a key health priority. There are few studies that have used linked data to explore healthcare utilisation prior to diagnosis in addition to post-diagnosis patterns of care. This protocol outlines the aims of the DaLECC project and key methodological features of the linked dataset. The primary aim of this project is to explore predictors of variations in pre- and post-cancer diagnosis care, and to explore the economic and health impact of any variation. The cohort of patients includes all South Australian residents diagnosed with cancer between 2011 and 2020, who were recorded on the South Australian Cancer Registry. These cancer registry records are being linked with state and national healthcare databases to capture health service utilisation and costs for a minimum of one-year prior to diagnosis and to a maximum of 10 years post-diagnosis. Healthcare utilisation includes state databases for inpatient separations and emergency department presentations and national databases for Medicare services and pharmaceuticals. Our results will identify barriers to timely receipt of care, estimate the impact of variations in the use of health care, and provide evidence to support interventions to improve health outcomes to inform national and local decisions to enhance the access and uptake of health care services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C. Edney
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Jackie Roseleur
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Tim Bright
- Oesophagogastric Surgery Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - David I. Watson
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- Oesophagogastric Surgery Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Gaston Arnolda
- Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Jeffrey Braithwaite
- Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Geoffrey P. Delaney
- Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Winston Liauw
- St. George Cancer Care Centre, St. George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
- St. George Hospital Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia
| | - Rebecca Mitchell
- Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Jonathan Karnon
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
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Rose AJ, Ahmad WA, Spolter F, Khazen M, Golan-Cohen A, Vinker S, Green I, Israel A, Merzon E. Patient-level predictors of temporal regularity of primary care visits. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:456. [PMID: 37158867 PMCID: PMC10169340 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09486-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with chronic diseases should meet with their primary care doctor regularly to facilitate proactive care. Little is known about what factors are associated with more regular follow-up. METHODS We studied 70,095 patients age 40 + with one of three chronic conditions (diabetes mellitus, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), cared for by Leumit Health Services, an Israeli health maintenance organization. Patients were divided into the quintile with the least temporally regular care (i.e., the most irregular intervals between visits) vs. the other four quintiles. We examined patient-level predictors of being in the least-temporally-regular quintile. We calculated the risk-adjusted regularity of care at 239 LHS clinics with at least 30 patients. For each clinic, compared the number of patients with the least temporally regular care with the number predicted to be in this group based on patient characteristics. RESULTS Compared to older patients, younger patients (age 40-49), were more likely to be in the least-temporally-regular group. For example, age 70-79 had an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 0.82 compared to age 40-49 (p < 0.001 for all findings discussed here). Males were more likely to be in the least-regular group (AOR 1.18). Patients with previous myocardial infarction (AOR 1.07), atrial fibrillation (AOR 1.08), and current smokers (AOR 1.12) were more likely to have an irregular pattern of care. In contrast, patients with diabetes (AOR 0.79) or osteoporosis (AOR 0.86) were less likely to have an irregular pattern of care. Clinic-level number of patients with irregular care, compared with the predicted number, ranged from 0.36 (fewer patients with temporally irregular care) to 1.71 (more patients). CONCLUSIONS Some patient characteristics are associated with more or less temporally regular patterns of primary care visits. Clinics vary widely on the number of patients with a temporally irregular pattern of care, after adjusting for patient characteristics. Health systems can use the patient-level model to identify patients at high risk for temporally irregular patterns of primary care. The next step is to examine which strategies are employed by clinics that achieve the most temporally regular care, since these strategies may be possible to emulate elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Rose
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Wiessam Abu Ahmad
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Faige Spolter
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Maram Khazen
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ein Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Shlomo Vinker
- Leumit Health Services, Research Institute, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ilan Green
- Leumit Health Services, Research Institute, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ariel Israel
- Leumit Health Services, Research Institute, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eugene Merzon
- Leumit Health Services, Research Institute, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
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Wang Q, Chen Y, Li L, Li C, Li L, Cao H, Yang H. Barriers to home exercise for patients with Parkinson's disease: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e061932. [PMID: 36754554 PMCID: PMC9923294 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the barriers to home exercise for patients with Parkinson's disease (PwPDs) and to provide guidelines for healthcare providers to build and implement home exercise strategies for PwPDs. DESIGN A qualitative descriptive method was used. Semistructured interviews were conducted and thematic analysis was employed. SETTING The study was conducted at the Department of Neurology at a grade 3 Class A general hospital in China. PARTICIPANTS A total of 24 participants were interviewed, including 10 PwPDs, 7 caregivers, 4 nurses, 1head nurse, and 2 Parkinson's clinicians. RESULTS Five themes were identified in this analysis. (1) Psychosomatic stress and low activity; (2) Lack of early rehabilitation authorisation; (3) Poor 'flow' state of home exercise; (4) iInaccessibility of continued service; (5) Sociocultural impact on family coping. CONCLUSION PwPDs, caregivers and specialised medical staff raised the challenges faced by patients' home exercises from different perspectives. We can improve services and integrate resources through the management of multi-disciplinary, early rehabilitation authorisation, exercise experience, continuous service mode, and family coping strategies under different cultures to gradually adjust the home exercise behaviour of PwPDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaohong Wang
- College of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Yiping Chen
- College of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Linbo Li
- College of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Chao Li
- College of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Neurology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Huili Cao
- College of Nursing, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
- Department of Nursing, Linfen Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Linfen, Shanxi, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Nursing, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
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Chen KY, Jones R, Lei S, Shanthikumar S, Sanci L, Carlin J, Hiscock H. Primary health care utilization and hospital readmission in children with asthma: a multi-site linked data cohort study. J Asthma 2023:1-8. [PMID: 36594684 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2022.2164200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To (1) describe primary health care utilization and (2) estimate the effect of primary care early follow-up, continuity, regularity, frequency, and long consultations on asthma hospital readmission, including secondary outcomes of emergency (ED) presentations, asthma preventer adherence, and use of rescue oral corticosteroids within 12 months. METHODS An Australian multi-site cohort study of 767 children aged 3-18 years admitted with asthma between 2017 and 2018, followed up for at least 12 months with outcome and primary care exposure data obtained through linked administrative datasets. We estimated the effect of primary care utilization through a modified Poisson regression adjusting for child age, asthma severity, socioeconomic status and self-reported GP characteristics. RESULTS The median number of general practitioner (GP) consultations, unique GPs and clinics visited was 9, 5, and 4, respectively. GP care was irregular and lacked continuity, only 152 (19.8%) children visited their usual GP on more than 60% of occasions. After adjusting for confounders, there was overall weak indication of effects due to any of the exposures. Increased frequency of GP visits was associated with reduced readmissions (4-14 visits associated with risk ratio of 0.71, 95% CI 0.50-1.00, p = 0.05) and ED presentations (>14 visits associated risk ratio 0.62, 95% CI 0.42-0.91, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that primary care use by children with asthma is often irregular and lacking in continuity. This highlights the importance of improving accessibility, consistency in care, and streamlining discharge communication from acute health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Yh Chen
- Health Services Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of General Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Renee Jones
- Health Services Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Shaoke Lei
- Health Services Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Shivanthan Shanthikumar
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Respiratory Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lena Sanci
- Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - John Carlin
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Harriet Hiscock
- Health Services Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Community and Child Health, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Stephens AS, Dinh MM, Kinsman L. Patterns of emergency department use in rural and metropolitan New South Wales by socioeconomic status: A population-based study. Emerg Med Australas 2022; 35:489-495. [PMID: 36571146 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.14155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the patterns of ED use in metropolitan and rural New South Wales (NSW) by socioeconomic status (SES). METHODS We undertook a retrospective, population-based study of de-identified data from the NSW Emergency Department Data Collection (EDDC). The study population comprised of NSW residents who presented to an NSW public hospital ED in 2013-2019 and were registered in the NSW EDDC. Total ED presentations, negative binomial regression modelled annual changes in ED presentations over 2013-2019, and age- and sex-standardised rates of ED presentations in 2019 were assessed. RESULTS Overall, between 2013 and 2019, ED presentations increased in metropolitan and rural NSW, with mean annual percentage increases of 3.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.8-3.5) and 2.5% (95% CI 2.0-2.9), respectively. This growth varied by SES, with larger increases observed in higher SES groups. The bulk of presentations in rural NSW were from individuals living in disadvantaged areas. Standardised rates of ED presentations were highest in the most disadvantaged quintiles (SES 1) and progressively decreased with increasing SES in both rural and metropolitan NSW (negative gradients). Rates were higher in rural NSW compared to metropolitan NSW across all SES quintiles for total, low acuity and non-low acuity presentations. CONCLUSIONS Negative gradients in rates of ED presentations with increasing SES were observed in both metropolitan and rural NSW. At each SES quintile, rates of ED presentations were higher in rural compared to metropolitan areas. Further research exploring the underlying causal mechanisms leading to increased ED demand in rural NSW and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre S Stephens
- Northern New South Wales Local Health District, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael M Dinh
- Emergency Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Leigh Kinsman
- Mid North Coast Local Health District, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
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11
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Association between service scope of primary care facilities and prevalence of high-cost population: a retrospective study in rural Guizhou, China. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2022; 23:301. [PMID: 36434547 PMCID: PMC9700956 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-022-01914-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-cost (HC) patients, defined as the small percentage of the population that accounts for a high proportion of health care expenditures, are a concern worldwide. Previous studies have found that the occurrence of HC population is partially preventable by providing a greater scope of primary health care services. However, no study has examined the association between the service scope of primary care facilities and the prevalence of HC populations. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between the service scope of primary care facilities (PCFs) and the prevalence of HC populations within the same communities. METHODS A multistage, stratified, clustered sampling method was used to identify the service scope of PCFs as of 2017 in rural Guizhou, China. The claims data of 299,633 patients were obtained from the local information system of the New Rural Cooperation Medical Scheme. Patients were sorted by per capita inpatient medical expenditures in descending order, and the top 1%, top 5% and top 10% of patients who had incurred the highest costs were defined as the HC population. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between the service scope of PCFs and the prevalence of the HC population. RESULTS Compared with those in the 95% of the sample deemed as the general population, those in the top 5% of the sample deemed as the HC population were more likely to be over the age of 30 (P < 0.001), to be female (P = 0.014) and to be referred to high-level hospitals (P < 0.001). After controlling for other covariates, patients who lived in the communities serviced by the PCFs with the smallest service scope were more likely to be in the top 1%, top 5% and top 10% of the HC population. CONCLUSION A greater PCF service scope was associated with a reduction in the prevalence of the HC population, which would mean that providing a broader PCF service scope could reduce some preventable costs, thus reducing the prevalence of the HC population. Future policy efforts should focus on expanding the service scope of primary care providers to achieve better patient outcomes.
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12
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Butler D, Clifford-Motopi A, Mathew S, Nelson C, Brown R, Gardner K, Turner L, Coombe L, Roe Y, Gao Y, Ward J. Study protocol: primary healthcare transformation through patient-centred medical homes-improving access, relational care and outcomes in an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, a mixed methods prospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e061037. [PMID: 36175091 PMCID: PMC9528615 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION For over 40 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) in Australia have led strategic responses to address the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. Globally, there has been rapid growth in urban Indigenous populations requiring an adaptive primary healthcare response. Patient-centred medical homes (PCMH) are an evidenced-based model of primary healthcare suited to this challenge, underpinned by principles aligned with the ACCHS sector-relational care responsive to patient identified healthcare priorities. Evidence is lacking on the implementation and effectiveness of the PCMH model of care governed by, and delivered for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in large urban settings. METHOD AND ANALYSIS Our multiphased mixed-methods prospective cohort study will compare standard care provided by a network of ACCHS to an adapted PCMH model of care. Phase 1 using qualitative interviews with staff and patients and quantitative analysis of routine primary care health record data will examine the implementation, feasibility and acceptability of the PCMH. Phase 2 using linked survey, primary care and hospitalisation data will examine the impact of our adapted PCMH on access to care, relational and quality of care, health and wellbeing outcomes and economic costs. Phase 3 will synthesise evidence on mechanisms for change and discuss their implications for sustainability and transferability of PCMHs to the broader primary healthcare system ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has received approval from the University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (2021/HE00529). This research represents an Aboriginal led and governed partnership in response to identified community priorities. The findings will contribute new knowledge on how key mechanisms underpinning the success and implementation of the model can be introduced into policy and practice. Study findings will be disseminated to service providers, researchers, policymakers and, most importantly, the communities themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Butler
- Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Ltd, Windsor, Queensland, Australia
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | | | - Saira Mathew
- Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Ltd, Windsor, Queensland, Australia
| | - Carmel Nelson
- Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Ltd, Windsor, Queensland, Australia
- UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Renee Brown
- Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Ltd, Windsor, Queensland, Australia
- UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Nununccal
| | - Karen Gardner
- Business School, University of New South Wales Canberra at ADFA, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Lyle Turner
- Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Ltd, Windsor, Queensland, Australia
- UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Leanne Coombe
- UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yvette Roe
- Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Njikena Jawuru
| | - Yu Gao
- Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - James Ward
- UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Pitjantjatjara and Nukunu
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13
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Moe J, Wang YE, Schull MJ, Dong K, McGregor MJ, Hohl CM, Holroyd BR, McGrail KM. Characterizing people with frequent emergency department visits and substance use: a retrospective cohort study of linked administrative data in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C., Canada. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:127. [PMID: 35836121 PMCID: PMC9281237 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00673-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Substance use is common among people who visit emergency departments (EDs) frequently. We aimed to characterize subgroups within this cohort to better understand care needs/gaps, and generalizability of characteristics in three Canadian provinces. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study (April 1st, 2013 to March 31st, 2016) of ED patients in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia (B.C.) We included patients ≥ 18 years with substance use-related healthcare contact during the study period and frequent ED visits, defined as those in the top 10% of ED utilization when all patients were ordered by annual ED visit number. We used linked administrative databases including ED visits and hospitalizations (all provinces); mental heath-related hospitalizations (Ontario and Alberta); and prescriptions, physician services, and mortality (B.C.). We compared to cohorts of people with (1) frequent ED visits and no substance use, and (2) non-frequent ED visits and substance use. We employed cluster analysis to identify subgroups with distinct visit patterns and clinical characteristics during index year, April 1st, 2014 to March 31st, 2015. Results In 2014/15, we identified 19,604, 7,706, and 9,404 people with frequent ED visits and substance use in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C (median 37–43 years; 60.9–63.0% male), whose ED visits and hospitalizations were higher than comparison groups. In all provinces, cluster analyses identified subgroups with “extreme” and “moderate” frequent visits (median 13–19 versus 4–6 visits/year). “Extreme” versus “moderate” subgroups had more hospitalizations, mental health-related ED visits, general practitioner visits but less continuity with one provider, more commonly left against medical advice, and had higher 365-day mortality in B.C. (9.3% versus 6.6%; versus 10.4% among people with frequent ED visits and no substance use, and 4.3% among people with non-frequent ED visits and substance use). The most common ED diagnosis was acute alcohol intoxication in all subgroups. Conclusions Subgroups of people with “extreme” (13–19 visits/year) and “moderate” (4–6 visits/year) frequent ED visits and substance use had similar utilization patterns and characteristics in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C., and the “extreme” subgroup had high mortality. Our findings suggest a need for improved evidence-based substance use disorder management, and strengthened continuity with primary and mental healthcare. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12873-022-00673-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Moe
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Diamond Health Care Centre, 11th Floor - 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada. .,Department of Emergency Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, 920 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada. .,BC Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada.
| | - Yueqiao Elle Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Diamond Health Care Centre, 11th Floor - 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Michael J Schull
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, G1 06, 075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 27 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Kathryn Dong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta, 790 University Terrace Building, 8303 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2T4, Canada
| | - Margaret J McGregor
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, 3rd Floor David Strangway Building, 5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Corinne M Hohl
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Diamond Health Care Centre, 11th Floor - 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, 920 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Brian R Holroyd
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta, 790 University Terrace Building, 8303 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2T4, Canada.,Emergency Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, 14th Floor, North Tower, 10030 - 107 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, T5J 3E4, Canada
| | - Kimberlyn M McGrail
- School of Population and Public Health and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T1Z3, Canada
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14
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Hambisa MT, Dolja-Gore X, Byles J. Application of Andersen-Newman model to assess cataract surgery uptake among older Australian women: findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH). Aging Clin Exp Res 2022; 34:1673-1685. [PMID: 35184260 PMCID: PMC9246771 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-022-02091-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although Cataract Surgery Rate is increasing, the availability of surgery is outstripped by the increasing number of cataract cases as populations age. AIM The study aimed to identify factors associated with cataract surgery uptake in terms of predisposing, enabling, and need factors in very old Australian women. METHOD This study used ALSWH data included 6229 women aged 79-84 to 85-90 years. Women were asked whether they had undergone eye surgery (including cataracts) three years prior to each survey. Generalised estimating equation modelling was used to determine factors associated with these surgeries. RESULT At baseline (2005), more than half of the participants either had undergone surgery (43.5%) or had unoperated cataracts (7.6%). Increasing age (AOR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.15) and being current or ex-smokers (AOR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.29) were associated with higher odds of cataract surgery (predisposing factors). Women who had private health insurance had 27% higher odds of having surgery (AOR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.16, 1.39) (enabling factor). Need factors of more General Practitioner visits (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.09, 1.25) and skin cancer (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.17) also increased the odds of cataract surgery. Women who had no difficulty seeing newspaper print were more likely to have had cataract surgery (AOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.23, 1.48). CONCLUSION Need factors are the major drivers of cataract surgery; however, predisposing and enabling factors also play a role, including access to private health insurance. This finding indicates some inequity regarding access to cataract surgery in the Australian setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitiku Teshome Hambisa
- Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
- School of Public Health, Haramaya University College of Health and Medical Sciences, P. O. Box 235, Harar, Ethiopia.
| | - Xenia Dolja-Gore
- Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Julie Byles
- Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
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15
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Moe J, Wang EY, McGregor MJ, Schull MJ, Dong K, Holroyd BR, Hohl CM, Grafstein E, O'Sullivan F, Trimble J, McGrail KM. Subgroups of people who make frequent emergency department visits in Ontario and Alberta: a retrospective cohort study. CMAJ Open 2022; 10:E232-E246. [PMID: 35292481 PMCID: PMC8929427 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20210132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The population that visits emergency departments frequently is heterogeneous and at high risk for mortality. This study aimed to characterize these patients in Ontario and Alberta, compare them with controls who do not visit emergency departments frequently, and identify subgroups. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study that captured patients in Ontario or Alberta from fiscal years 2011/12 to 2015/16 in the Dynamic Cohort from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, which defined people with frequent visits to the emergency department in the top 10% of annual visits and randomly selected controls from the bottom 90%. We included patients 18 years of age or older and linked to emergency department, hospitalization, continuing care, home care and mental health-related hospitalization data. We characterized people who made frequent visits to the emergency department over time, compared them with controls and identified subgroups using cluster analysis. We examined emergency department visit acuity using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale. RESULTS The number of patients who made frequent visits to the emergency department ranged from 435 334 to 477 647 each year in Ontario (≥ 4 visits per year), and from 98 840 to 105 047 in Alberta (≥ 5 visits per year). The acuity of these visits increased over time. Those who made frequent visits to the emergency department were older and used more health care services than controls. We identified 4 subgroups of those who made frequent visits: "short duration" (frequent, regularly spaced visits), "older patients" (median ages 69 and 64 years in Ontario and Alberta, respectively; more comorbidities; and more admissions), "young mental health" (median ages 45 and 40 years in Ontario and Alberta, respectively; and common mental health-related and alcohol-related visits) and "injury" (increased prevalence of injury-related visits). INTERPRETATION From 2011/12 to 2015/16, people who visited emergency departments frequently had increasing visit acuity, had higher health care use than controls, and comprised distinct subgroups. Emergency departments should codevelop interventions with the identified subgroups to address patient needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Moe
- Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Wang, Hohl, Grafstein, O'Sullivan), and of Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; ICES (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Ottawa, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research (McGrail), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Elle Yuequiao Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Wang, Hohl, Grafstein, O'Sullivan), and of Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; ICES (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Ottawa, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research (McGrail), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Margaret J McGregor
- Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Wang, Hohl, Grafstein, O'Sullivan), and of Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; ICES (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Ottawa, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research (McGrail), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Michael J Schull
- Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Wang, Hohl, Grafstein, O'Sullivan), and of Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; ICES (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Ottawa, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research (McGrail), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Kathryn Dong
- Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Wang, Hohl, Grafstein, O'Sullivan), and of Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; ICES (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Ottawa, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research (McGrail), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Brian R Holroyd
- Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Wang, Hohl, Grafstein, O'Sullivan), and of Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; ICES (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Ottawa, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research (McGrail), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Corinne M Hohl
- Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Wang, Hohl, Grafstein, O'Sullivan), and of Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; ICES (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Ottawa, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research (McGrail), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Eric Grafstein
- Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Wang, Hohl, Grafstein, O'Sullivan), and of Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; ICES (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Ottawa, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research (McGrail), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Fiona O'Sullivan
- Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Wang, Hohl, Grafstein, O'Sullivan), and of Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; ICES (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Ottawa, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research (McGrail), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Johanna Trimble
- Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Wang, Hohl, Grafstein, O'Sullivan), and of Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; ICES (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Ottawa, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research (McGrail), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
| | - Kimberlyn M McGrail
- Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Wang, Hohl, Grafstein, O'Sullivan), and of Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; ICES (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Ottawa, Ont.; School of Population and Public Health and Centre for Health Services and Policy Research (McGrail), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
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16
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Lemire F. Continuity of care: A thing of the past? CANADIAN FAMILY PHYSICIAN MEDECIN DE FAMILLE CANADIEN 2021; 67:470. [PMID: 34127474 PMCID: PMC8202743 DOI: 10.46747/cfp.6706470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
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