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Voightman C, Littlewolf C, Helbling R, Hammer KDP, Montgomery A, Turner S. Cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp oil use in veterans using a VA Pain Clinic: a cross-sectional survey study. J Addict Dis 2024:1-4. [PMID: 38973138 DOI: 10.1080/10550887.2024.2355365] [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: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many United States veterans utilize prescription opioids to treat chronic pain symptoms and are subsequently at risk for opioid and alcohol misuse. As more states legalized the use of cannabis for medical use, increasing numbers of people are using cannabis pharmacotherapy for pain. The veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directive 1315, July 28, 2023 prohibits any medical staff on recommending, making referral to, and complete forms for a state approved program. Also, a veterans medical center does not provide marijuana to veterans. State laws do not change the status of CBD under federal law. CBD is illegal in the federal system. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of cannabidiol product usage in Veterans and the association with changes in self-reported pain. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive survey offering questionnaires to patients greater than 18 years of age receiving care at the Fargo Veteran Health Administration medical center Pain Clinic (2101 Elm St N, Fargo ND, 58102). RESULTS A total of 218 veterans participated of which 81.2% were male and 52.3% were in the age range of 60-80 years. Twenty-one participants reported cannabidiol usage (9.6%), with 52.4% using to treat pain symptoms. Average pain scores pre-usage of 6.37 were reduced to 4.05 post-usage indicating a statistically significant reduction in pain (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our study broadened the baseline knowledge of cannabidiol use in the Veteran population. Limitations include results being self-reported and the inability to verify cannabinoid constituents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ciciley Littlewolf
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Regan Helbling
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
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Dufour S, Banaag A, Schoenfeld AJ, Adams RS, Koehlmoos TP, Gray JC. Diagnostic profiles associated with long-term opioid therapy in active duty servicemembers. PM R 2024; 16:14-24. [PMID: 37162022 PMCID: PMC10786620 DOI: 10.1002/pmrj.12994] [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: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over-prescription of opioids has diminished in recent years; however, certain populations remain at high risk. There is a dearth of research evaluating prescription rates using specific multimorbidity patterns. OBJECTIVE To identify distinct clinical profiles associated with opioid prescription and evaluate their relative odds of receiving long-term opioid therapy. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of the complete military electronic health record. We assessed demographics and 26 physiological, psychological, and pain conditions present during initial opioid prescription. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified unique clinical profiles using diagnostic data. Logistic regression measured the odds of these classes receiving long-term opioid therapy. SETTING All electronic health data under the TRICARE network. PARTICIPANTS All servicemembers on active duty during fiscal years 2016 through 2019 who filled at least one opioid prescription. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number and qualitative characteristics of LCA classes; odds ratios (ORs) from logistic regression. We hypothesized that LCA classes characterized by high-risk contraindications would have significantly higher odds of long-term opioid therapy. RESULTS A total of N = 714,446 active duty servicemembers were prescribed an opioid during the study window, with 12,940 (1.8%) receiving long-term opioid therapy. LCA identified five classes: Relatively Healthy (82%); Musculoskeletal Acute Pain and Substance Use Disorders (6%); High Pain, Low Mental Health Burden (9%); Low Pain, High Mental Health Burden (2%), and Multisystem Multimorbid (1%). Logistic regression found that, compared to the Relatively Healthy reference, the Multisystem Multimorbid class, characterized by multiple opioid contraindications, had the highest odds of receiving long-term opioid therapy (OR = 9.24; p < .001; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.56, 9.98). CONCLUSION Analyses demonstrated that classes with greater multimorbidity at the time of prescription, particularly co-occurring psychiatric and pain disorders, had higher likelihood of long-term opioid therapy. Overall, this study helps identify patients most at risk for long-term opioid therapy and has implications for health care policy and patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Dufour
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
- Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA
| | - Amanda Banaag
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD
| | - Andrew J. Schoenfeld
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Rachel Sayko Adams
- Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston, MA
- Veterans Health Administration, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, CO
| | - Tracey Perez Koehlmoos
- Center for Health Services Research, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Joshua C. Gray
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
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Perry A, Wheeler-Martin K, Terlizzi K, Krawczyk N, Jent V, Hasin DS, Neighbors C, Mannes ZL, Doan LV, Pamplin II JR, Townsend TN, Crystal S, Martins SS, Cerdá M. Evaluating chronic pain as a risk factor for COVID-19 complications among New York State Medicaid beneficiaries: a retrospective claims analysis. PAIN MEDICINE (MALDEN, MASS.) 2023; 24:1296-1305. [PMID: 37651585 PMCID: PMC10690846 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnad121] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether chronic pain increases the risk of COVID-19 complications and whether opioid use disorder (OUD) differentiates this risk among New York State Medicaid beneficiaries. DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS This was a retrospective cohort study of New York State Medicaid claims data. We evaluated Medicaid claims from March 2019 through December 2020 to determine whether chronic pain increased the risk of COVID-19 emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and complications and whether this relationship differed by OUD status. We included beneficiaries 18-64 years of age with 10 months of prior enrollment. Patients with chronic pain were propensity score-matched to those without chronic pain on demographics, utilization, and comorbidities to control for confounders and were stratified by OUD. Complementary log-log regressions estimated hazard ratios (HRs) of COVID-19 ED visits and hospitalizations; logistic regressions estimated odds ratios (ORs) of hospital complications and readmissions within 0-30, 31-60, and 61-90 days. RESULTS Among 773 880 adults, chronic pain was associated with greater hazards of COVID-related ED visits (HR = 1.22 [95% CI: 1.16-1.29]) and hospitalizations (HR = 1.19 [95% CI: 1.12-1.27]). Patients with chronic pain and OUD had even greater hazards of hospitalization (HR = 1.25 [95% CI: 1.07-1.47]) and increased odds of hepatic- and cardiac-related events (OR = 1.74 [95% CI: 1.10-2.74]). CONCLUSIONS Chronic pain increased the risk of COVID-19 ED visits and hospitalizations. Presence of OUD further increased the risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations and the odds of hepatic- and cardiac-related events. Results highlight intersecting risks among a vulnerable population and can inform tailored COVID-19 management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Perry
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Katherine Wheeler-Martin
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Kelly Terlizzi
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Noa Krawczyk
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Victoria Jent
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Deborah S Hasin
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, United States
| | - Charles Neighbors
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Zachary L Mannes
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, United States
| | - Lisa V Doan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - John R Pamplin II
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, United States
| | - Tarlise N Townsend
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
| | - Stephen Crystal
- Center for Health Services Research, Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, United States
| | - Silvia S Martins
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, United States
| | - Magdalena Cerdá
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States
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Chu C, Stanley IH, Marx BP, King AJ, Vogt D, Gildea SM, Hwang IH, Sampson NA, O’Brien R, Stein MB, Ursano RJ, Kessler RC. Associations of vulnerability to stressful life events with suicide attempts after active duty among high-risk soldiers: results from the Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers-longitudinal study (STARRS-LS). Psychol Med 2023; 53:4181-4191. [PMID: 35621161 PMCID: PMC9701247 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722000915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transition from military service to civilian life is a high-risk period for suicide attempts (SAs). Although stressful life events (SLEs) faced by transitioning soldiers are thought to be implicated, systematic prospective evidence is lacking. METHODS Participants in the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (STARRS) completed baseline self-report surveys while on active duty in 2011-2014. Two self-report follow-up Longitudinal Surveys (LS1: 2016-2018; LS2: 2018-2019) were subsequently administered to probability subsamples of these baseline respondents. As detailed in a previous report, a SA risk index based on survey, administrative, and geospatial data collected before separation/deactivation identified 15% of the LS respondents who had separated/deactivated as being high-risk for self-reported post-separation/deactivation SAs. The current report presents an investigation of the extent to which self-reported SLEs occurring in the 12 months before each LS survey might have mediated/modified the association between this SA risk index and post-separation/deactivation SAs. RESULTS The 15% of respondents identified as high-risk had a significantly elevated prevalence of some post-separation/deactivation SLEs. In addition, the associations of some SLEs with SAs were significantly stronger among predicted high-risk than lower-risk respondents. Demographic rate decomposition showed that 59.5% (s.e. = 10.2) of the overall association between the predicted high-risk index and subsequent SAs was linked to these SLEs. CONCLUSIONS It might be possible to prevent a substantial proportion of post-separation/deactivation SAs by providing high-risk soldiers with targeted preventive interventions for exposure/vulnerability to commonly occurring SLEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Chu
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ian H. Stanley
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian P. Marx
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew J. King
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dawne Vogt
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah M. Gildea
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Irving H. Hwang
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nancy A. Sampson
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert O’Brien
- VA Health Services Research and Development Service, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Murray B. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- School of Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert J. Ursano
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ronald C. Kessler
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Bahraini N, Adams RS, Caban J, Kinney A, Forster JE, Hoffmire CA, Monteith LL, Brenner LA. Racial and Ethnic Differences in Deaths by Suicide, Drug Overdose, and Opioid-Related Overdose in a National Sample of Military Members With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, 1999-2019. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2023; 38:114-124. [PMID: 36883894 PMCID: PMC10399302 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine racial and ethnic differences in suicide and drug and opioid-related overdose deaths among a population-based cohort of military service members who were diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) during military service. DESIGN Retrospective cohort. SETTING Military personnel receiving care within the Military Health System between 1999 and 2019. PARTICIPANTS In total, 356 514 military members aged 18 to 64 years, who received an mTBI diagnosis as their index TBI between 1999 and 2019, while on active duty or activated. MAIN MEASURES Death by suicide, death by drug overdose, and death by opioid overdose were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes within the National Death Index. Race and ethnicity were captured from the Military Health System Data Repository. RESULTS Overall crude rates were 38.67 per 100 000 person-years for suicide; 31.01 per 100 000 person-years for drug overdose death; and 20.82 per 100 000 person-years for opioid overdose death. Crude and age-specific rates for military members who self-identified as Other were higher than all other racial/ethnic groups for all 3 mortality outcomes. Adjusting for age, suicide rates for those classified as Other were up to 5 times that of other racial/ethnic groups for suicide, and up to 11 and 3.5 times that of other race/ethnicity groups for drug and opioid overdose death, respectively. CONCLUSION Findings extend previous knowledge regarding risk for suicide and deaths by drug overdose among those with mTBI and highlight new important areas for understanding the impact of race and ethnicity on mortality. Methodological limitations regarding classification of race and ethnicity must be addressed to ensure that future research provides a better understanding of racial and ethnic disparities in suicide and drug overdose mortality among military members with TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Bahraini
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Rachel Sayko Adams
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado
- Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Jesus Caban
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Bethesda, Maryland
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Adam Kinney
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jeri E. Forster
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Claire A. Hoffmire
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Lindsey L. Monteith
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Lisa A. Brenner
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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Dunham J, Highland KB, Costantino R, Rutter WC, Rittel A, Kazanis W, Palmrose GH. Evaluation of an Opioid Overdose Composite Risk Score Cutoff in Active Duty Military Service Members. PAIN MEDICINE 2022; 23:1902-1907. [PMID: 35451483 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnac064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the current cutoff score and a recalibrated adaptation of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Risk Index for Serious Prescription Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression or Overdose (RIOSORD) in active duty service members. DESIGN Retrospective case-control. SETTING Military Health System. SUBJECTS Active duty service members dispensed ≥ 1 opioid prescription between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019. METHODS Service members with a documented opioid overdose were matched 1:10 to controls. An active duty-specific (AD) RIOSORD was constructed using the VHA RIOSORD components. Analyses examined the risk stratification and predictive characteristics of two RIOSORD versions (VHA and AD). RESULTS Cases (n = 95) were matched with 950 controls. Only 6 of the original 17 elements were retained in the AD RIOSORD. Long-acting or extended-release opioid prescriptions, antidepressant prescriptions, hospitalization, and emergency department visits were associated with overdose events. The VHA RIOSORD had fair performance (C-statistic 0.77, 95% CI 0.75, 0.79), while the AD RIOSORD did not demonstrate statistically significant performance improvement (C-statistic 0.78, 95% CI, 0.77, 0.80). The DoD selected cut point (VHA RIOSORD > 32) only identified 22 of 95 ORD outcomes (Sensitivity 0.23) while an AD-specific cut point (AD RIOSORD > 16) correctly identified 53 of 95 adverse events (Sensitivity 0.56). CONCLUSION Results highlight the need to continually recalibrate predictive models and to consider multiple measures of performance. Although both models had similar overall performance with respect to the C-statistic, an AD-specific index threshold improves sensitivity. The calibrated AD RIOSORD does not represent an end-state, but a bridge to a future model developed on a wider range of patient variables, taking into consideration features that capture both care received, and care that was not received.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Dunham
- Enterprise Intelligence and Data Solutions (EIDS) program office, Program Executive Office, Defense Healthcare Management Systems (PEO DHMS), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Krista B Highland
- Defense and Veterans Center for Integrative Pain Management, Department of Anesthesiology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814.,Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Rockville, MD
| | - Ryan Costantino
- Enterprise Intelligence and Data Solutions (EIDS) program office, Program Executive Office, Defense Healthcare Management Systems (PEO DHMS), San Antonio, TX, USA.,Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD
| | - W Cliff Rutter
- Enterprise Intelligence and Data Solutions (EIDS) program office, Program Executive Office, Defense Healthcare Management Systems (PEO DHMS), San Antonio, TX, USA.,Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - Alex Rittel
- Enterprise Intelligence and Data Solutions (EIDS) program office, Program Executive Office, Defense Healthcare Management Systems (PEO DHMS), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - William Kazanis
- Enterprise Intelligence and Data Solutions (EIDS) program office, Program Executive Office, Defense Healthcare Management Systems (PEO DHMS), San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Gregory H Palmrose
- Pharmacy Operations Division, Defense Health Agency, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Evaluation of the Use of Telehealth Video Visits for Veterans With Chronic Pain. Pain Manag Nurs 2022; 23:418-423. [PMID: 35331651 PMCID: PMC8934702 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telehealth video visits are essential for delivering timely care while mitigating exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth video visits have the potential to improve missed appointments, reduce costs associated with Veterans Affairs (VA) travel reimbursement, and lead to positive patient and provider satisfaction. AIMS This evidence-based improvement project sought to evaluate whether telehealth visits reduce the occurrence of missed appointments, determine cost savings associated with the VA travel reimbursement and assess patient and provider satisfaction with telehealth video visits. DESIGN Evidence-based improvement project. SETTING A retrospective chart review was conducted on military veterans with chronic pain who completed a telehealth video visit in the VA San Diego (VASD) pain clinic. METHODS Missed appointment rates were compared from before (April 1, 2019-October 1, 2019) to after (April 1, 2020-October 1, 2020) implementation of the telehealth video visits. Estimated travel reimbursement for qualified patients was calculated per VA policy. Electronic satisfaction surveys were administered to patients and nurse practitioners to assess satisfaction with telehealth video visits. RESULTS There was an 82.5% reduction in missed appointments from pre to post implementation of telehealth video visits. There was an estimated cost savings in travel reimbursements of $3,308.30. Overall, 93.62% of patients (n = 42) were satisfied with their video visits and there was a high degree of satisfaction in implementing video visits among the nurse practitioners (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS The use of telehealth video visits during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced missed appointments, exhibited cost savings in VA travel reimbursement, and led to positive patient and provider satisfaction.
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