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Tierney AA, Payán DD, Brown TT, Aguilera A, Shortell SM, Rodriguez HP. Telehealth Use, Care Continuity, and Quality: Diabetes and Hypertension Care in Community Health Centers Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Med Care 2023; 61:S62-S69. [PMID: 36893420 PMCID: PMC9994572 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community health centers (CHCs) pivoted to using telehealth to deliver chronic care during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. While care continuity can improve care quality and patients' experiences, it is unclear whether telehealth supported this relationship. OBJECTIVE We examine the association of care continuity with diabetes and hypertension care quality in CHCs before and during COVID-19 and the mediating effect of telehealth. RESEARCH DESIGN This was a cohort study. PARTICIPANTS Electronic health record data from 166 CHCs with n=20,792 patients with diabetes and/or hypertension with ≥2 encounters/year during 2019 and 2020. METHODS Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the association of care continuity (Modified Modified Continuity Index; MMCI) with telehealth use and care processes. Generalized linear regression models estimated the association of MMCI and intermediate outcomes. Formal mediation analyses assessed whether telehealth mediated the association of MMCI with A1c testing during 2020. RESULTS MMCI [2019: odds ratio (OR)=1.98, marginal effect=0.69, z=165.50, P<0.001; 2020: OR=1.50, marginal effect=0.63, z=147.73, P<0.001] and telehealth use (2019: OR=1.50, marginal effect=0.85, z=122.87, P<0.001; 2020: OR=10.00, marginal effect=0.90, z=155.57, P<0.001) were associated with higher odds of A1c testing. MMCI was associated with lower systolic (β=-2.90, P<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (β=-1.44, P<0.001) in 2020, and lower A1c values (2019: β=-0.57, P=0.007; 2020: β=-0.45, P=0.008) in both years. In 2020, telehealth use mediated 38.7% of the relationship between MMCI and A1c testing. CONCLUSIONS Higher care continuity is associated with telehealth use and A1c testing, and lower A1c and blood pressure. Telehealth use mediates the association of care continuity and A1c testing. Care continuity may facilitate telehealth use and resilient performance on process measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron A. Tierney
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Denise D. Payán
- Department of Health, Society, and Behavior, University of California, Irvine
| | - Timothy T. Brown
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Adrian Aguilera
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Stephen M. Shortell
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Hector P. Rodriguez
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley
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Connolly MJ, Weppner WG, Fortuna RJ, Snyder ED. Continuity and Health Outcomes in Resident Clinics: A Scoping Review of the Literature. Cureus 2022; 14:e25167. [PMID: 35747006 PMCID: PMC9206854 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.25167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Continuity of care is an essential component of primary care, resulting in improved satisfaction, management of chronic conditions, and adherence to screening recommendations. The impact of continuity of care in teaching practices remains unclear. We performed a scoping review of the literature to understand the impact of continuity on patients and trainees in teaching practices. A systematic search was performed through PubMed to identify articles published prior to January 2020 addressing continuity of care and health outcomes in resident primary care clinic settings. A total of 543 abstracts were evaluated by paired independent reviewers. In total, 24 articles met the inclusion criteria and were abstracted by four authors. These articles included a total of 6,973 residents (median = 96, range = 9-5,000) and over 1,000,000 patients (median = 428, range = 70-1,000,000). Most publications demonstrated that higher continuity was associated with better diabetic care (71%, n = five of seven), receipt of preventive care per guidelines (60%, n = three of five), and lower costs or administrative burden of care (100%, n = three of three). A smaller proportion of publications reported a positive association between continuity and hypertension control (28%, n = two of seven). The majority of publications evaluating patient/resident satisfaction demonstrated that better continuity was associated with higher patient (67%, n = four of six) and resident (67%, n = six of nine) satisfaction. A review of the existing literature revealed that higher continuity of care in resident primary care clinics was associated with better patient health outcomes and patient/resident satisfaction. Interventions to improve continuity in training settings are needed.
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Youens D, Robinson S, Doust J, Harris MN, Moorin R. Associations between regular GP contact, diabetes monitoring and glucose control: an observational study using general practice data. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e051796. [PMID: 34758997 PMCID: PMC8587472 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Continuity and regularity of general practitioner (GP) contacts are associated with reduced hospitalisation in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We assessed associations of these GP contact patterns with intermediate outcomes reflecting patient monitoring and health. DESIGN Observational longitudinal cohort study using general practice data 2011-2017. SETTING 193 Australian general practices in Western Australia and New South Wales participating in the MedicineInsight programme run by NPS MedicineWise. PARTICIPANTS 22 791 patients aged 18 and above with T2DM. INTERVENTIONS Regularity was assessed based on variation in the number of days between GP visits, with more regular contacts assumed to indicate planned, proactive care. Informational continuity (claims for care planning incentives) and relational continuity (usual provider of care index) were assessed separately. OUTCOME MEASURES Process of care indicators were glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) test underuse (8 months without test), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) underuse (14 months) and HbA1c overuse (two tests within 80 days). The clinical indicator was T2DM control (HbA1c 6.5% (47.5 mmol/mol)-7.5% (58.5 mmol/mol)). RESULTS The quintile with most regular contact had reduced odds of HbA1c and eGFR underuse (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.81 and OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.86, respectively), but increased odds of HbA1c overuse (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.38). Informational continuity was associated with reduced odds of HbA1c underuse (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.56), reduced eGFR underuse (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.67) and higher odds of HbA1c overuse (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.64). Neither had significant associations with HbA1c level. Results for relational continuity differed. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that regularity and continuity influence processes of care in the management of patients with diabetes, though this did not result in the recording of HbA1c within target range. Research should capture these intermediate outcomes to better understand how GP contact patterns may influence health rather than solely assessing associations with hospitalisation outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Youens
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Suzanne Robinson
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jenny Doust
- Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Research, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark N Harris
- School of Accounting, Economics & Finance, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Rachael Moorin
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Population & Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Jones MP, Zhao Y, Guthridge S, Russell DJ, Ramjan M, Humphreys JS, Wakerman J. Effects of turnover and stability of health staff on quality of care in remote communities of the Northern Territory, Australia: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e055635. [PMID: 34667018 PMCID: PMC8527144 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055635] [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] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the relationship between markers of staff employment stability and use of short-term healthcare workers with markers of quality of care. A secondary objective was to identify clinic-specific factors which may counter hypothesised reduced quality of care associated with lower stability, higher turnover or higher use of short-term staff. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study (Northern Territory (NT) Department of Health Primary Care Information Systems). SETTING All 48 government primary healthcare clinics in remote communities in NT, Australia (2011-2015). PARTICIPANTS 25 413 patients drawn from participating clinics during the study period. OUTCOME MEASURES Associations between independent variables (resident remote area nurse and Aboriginal Health Practitioner turnover rates, stability rates and the proportional use of agency nurses) and indicators of health service quality in child and maternal health, chronic disease management and preventive health activity were tested using linear regression, adjusting for community and clinic size. Latent class modelling was used to investigate between-clinic heterogeneity. RESULTS The proportion of resident Aboriginal clients receiving high-quality care as measured by various quality indicators varied considerably across indicators and clinics. Higher quality care was more likely to be received for management of chronic diseases such as diabetes and least likely to be received for general/preventive adult health checks. Many indicators had target goals of 0.80 which were mostly not achieved. The evidence for associations between decreased stability measures or increased use of agency nurses and reduced achievement of quality indicators was not supported as hypothesised. For the majority of associations, the overall effect sizes were small (close to zero) and failed to reach statistical significance. Where statistically significant associations were found, they were generally in the hypothesised direction. CONCLUSIONS Overall, minimal evidence of the hypothesised negative effects of increased turnover, decreased stability and increased reliance on temporary staff on quality of care was found. Substantial variations in clinic-specific estimates of association were evident, suggesting that clinic-specific factors may counter any potential negative effects of decreased staff employment stability. Investigation of clinic-specific factors using latent class analysis failed to yield clinic characteristics that adequately explain between-clinic variation in associations. Understanding the reasons for this variation would significantly aid the provision of clinical care in remote Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Jones
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yuejen Zhao
- Population and Digital Health, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Steven Guthridge
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Deborah J Russell
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Mark Ramjan
- Clinical Governance, Darwin Region & Strategic Primary Health Care, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - John S Humphreys
- School of Rural Health, Monash University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Wakerman
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
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Chan KS, Wan EYF, Chin WY, Cheng WHG, Ho MK, Yu EYT, Lam CLK. Effects of continuity of care on health outcomes among patients with diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension: a systematic review. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2021; 22:145. [PMID: 34217212 PMCID: PMC8254900 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-021-01493-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT) has placed a tremendous burden on healthcare systems around the world, resulting in a call for more effective service delivery models. Better continuity of care (CoC) has been associated with improved health outcomes. This review examines the association between CoC and health outcomes in patients with DM and/or HT. METHODS This was a systematic review with searches carried out on 13 March 2021 through PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE and CINAHL plus, clinical trials registry and bibliography reviews. Eligibility criteria were: published in English; from 2000 onwards; included adult DM and/or HT patients; examined CoC as their main intervention/exposure; and utilised quantifiable outcome measures (categorised into health indicators and service utilisation). The study quality was evaluated with Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) appraisal checklists. RESULTS Initial searching yielded 21,090 results with 42 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. High CoC was associated with reduced hospitalisation (16 out of 18 studies), emergency room attendances (eight out of eight), mortality rate (six out of seven), disease-related complications (seven out of seven), and healthcare expenses (four out of four) but not with blood pressure (two out of 13), lipid profile (one out of six), body mass index (zero out of three). Six out of 12 studies on diabetic outcomes reported significant improvement in haemoglobin A1c by higher CoC. Variations in the classification of continuity of care and outcome definition were identified, making meta-analyses inappropriate. CASP evaluation rated most studies fair in quality, but found insufficient adjustment on confounders, selection bias and short follow-up period were common limitations of current literatures. CONCLUSION There is evidence of a strong association between higher continuity of care and reduced mortality rate, complication risks and health service utilisation among DM and/or HT patients but little to no improvement in various health indicators. Significant methodological heterogeneity in how CoC and patient outcomes are assessed limits the ability for meta-analysis of findings. Further studies comprising sufficient confounding adjustment and standardised definitions are needed to provide stronger evidence of the benefits of CoC on patients with DM and/or HT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kam-Suen Chan
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F Ap Lei Chau Clinic, 161 Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, China
| | - Eric Yuk-Fai Wan
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F Ap Lei Chau Clinic, 161 Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, China.
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Weng-Yee Chin
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F Ap Lei Chau Clinic, 161 Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, China
| | - Will Ho-Gi Cheng
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F Ap Lei Chau Clinic, 161 Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, China
| | - Margaret Kay Ho
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F Ap Lei Chau Clinic, 161 Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, China
| | - Esther Yee-Tak Yu
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F Ap Lei Chau Clinic, 161 Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cindy Lo-Kuen Lam
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F Ap Lei Chau Clinic, 161 Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, China
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Kern LM, Rajan M, Ringel JB, Colantonio LD, Muntner PM, Casalino LP, Pesko M, Reshetnyak E, Pinheiro LC, Safford MM. Healthcare Fragmentation and Incident Acute Coronary Heart Disease Events: a Cohort Study. J Gen Intern Med 2021; 36:422-429. [PMID: 33140281 PMCID: PMC7878592 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06305-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Highly fragmented ambulatory care (i.e., care spread across many providers without a dominant provider) has been associated with excess tests, procedures, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. Whether fragmented care is associated with worse health outcomes, or whether any association varies with health status, is unclear. OBJECTIVE To determine whether fragmented care is associated with the risk of incident coronary heart disease (CHD) events, overall and stratified by self-rated general health. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS We conducted a secondary analysis of the nationwide prospective Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort study (2003-2016). We included participants who were ≥ 65 years old, had linked Medicare fee-for-service claims, and had no history of CHD (N = 10,556). MAIN MEASURES We measured fragmentation with the reversed Bice-Boxerman Index. We used Cox proportional hazards models to determine the association between fragmentation as a time-varying exposure and adjudicated incident CHD events in the 3 months following each exposure period. KEY RESULTS The mean age was 70 years; 57% were women, and 34% were African-American. Over 11.8 years of follow-up, 569 participants had CHD events. Overall, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for the association between high fragmentation and incident CHD events was 1.14 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92, 1.39). Among those with very good or good self-rated health, high fragmentation was associated with an increased hazard of CHD events (adjusted HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.06, 1.73; p = 0.01). Among those with fair or poor self-rated health, high fragmentation was associated with a trend toward a decreased hazard of CHD events (adjusted HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.29, 1.01; p = 0.052). There was no association among those with excellent self-rated health. CONCLUSION High fragmentation was associated with an increased independent risk of incident CHD events among those with very good or good self-rated health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Paul M Muntner
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Nam JH, Lee C, Kim N, Park KY, Ha J, Yun J, Shin DW, Shin E. Impact of Continuous Care on Health Outcomes and Cost for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Analysis Using National Health Insurance Cohort Database. Diabetes Metab J 2019; 43:776-784. [PMID: 31701688 PMCID: PMC6943271 DOI: 10.4093/dmj.2018.0189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of the study was to determine the impact of continuous care on health outcomes and cost of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Korea. METHODS A nationwide retrospective, observational case-control study was conducted. Continuity of treatment was measured using Continuity of Care (COC) score. Information of all patients newly diagnosed with T2DM in 2004 was retrieved from the National Health Insurance database for the period of 2002 to 2013. The study examined 2,373 patients after applying exclusion criteria, such as for patients who died from conditions not related to T2DM. Statistical analyses were performed using frequency distribution, simple analysis (t-test and chi-squared test), and multi-method analysis (simple linear regression, logistic regression, and survival analysis). RESULTS The overall COC score was 0.8±0.24. The average incidence of diabetic complications was 0.39 per patient with a higher COC score, whereas it was 0.49 per patient with a lower COC score. In both survival and logistic analyses, patients who had high COC score were significantly less likely to have diabetic complications (hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.54 to 0.88). The average medical cost was approximately 3,496 United States dollar (USD) per patient for patients with a higher COC score, whereas it was 3,973 USD per patient for patients with a lower COC score during the 2006 to 2013 period, with a difference of around 477 USD, which is statistically significant after adjusting for other factors (β=-0.152). CONCLUSION Continuity of care for diabetes significantly reduced health complications and medical costs from patients with T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hyun Nam
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Changwoo Lee
- School of Public Health, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Nayoung Kim
- Korea Institute of Child Care and Education, Seoul, Korea
| | - Keun Young Park
- National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeonghoon Ha
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jaemoon Yun
- Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong Wook Shin
- Department of Family Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Euichul Shin
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
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Saint-Pierre C, Prieto F, Herskovic V, Sepulveda M. Team Collaboration Networks and Multidisciplinarity in Diabetes Care: Implications for Patient Outcomes. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform 2019; 24:319-329. [PMID: 30802876 DOI: 10.1109/jbhi.2019.2901427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has almost doubled in recent decades and commonly presents comorbidities and complications. T2DM is a multisystemic disease, requiring multidisciplinary treatment provided by teams working in a coordinated and collaborative manner. The application of social network analysis techniques in the healthcare domain has allowed researchers to analyze interaction between professionals and their roles inside care teams. We studied whether the structure of care teams, modeled as complex social networks, is associated with patient progression. For this, we illustrate a data-driven methodology and use existing social network analysis metrics and metrics proposed for this research. We analyzed appointment and HbA1c blood test result data from patients treated at three primary health care centers, representing six different practices. Patients with good metabolic control during the analyzed period were treated by teams that were more interactive, collaborative and multidisciplinary, whereas patients with worsening or unstable metabolic control were treated by teams with less collaboration and more continuity breakdowns. Results from the proposed metrics were consistent with the previous literature and reveal relevant aspects of collaboration and multidisciplinarity.
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Relationship between Continuity of Care in the Multidisciplinary Treatment of Patients with Diabetes and Their Clinical Results. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/app9020268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Multidisciplinary treatment and continuity of care throughout treatment are important for ensuring metabolic control and avoiding complications in diabetic patients. This study examines the relationship between continuity of care of the treating disciplines and clinical evolution of patients. Data from 1836 adult patients experiencing type 2 diabetes mellitus were analyzed, in a period between 12 and 24 months. Continuity was measured by using four well known indices: Usual Provider Continuity (UPC), Continuity of Care Index (COCI), Herfindahl Index (HI), and Sequential Continuity (SECON). Patients were divided into five segments according to metabolic control: well-controlled, worsened, moderately decompensated, highly decompensated, and improved. Well-controlled patients had higher continuity by physicians according to UPC and HI indices (p-values 0.029 and <0.003), whereas highly decompensated patients had less continuity in HI (p-value 0.020). Continuity for nurses was similar, with a greater continuity among well-controlled patients (p-values 0.015 and 0.001 for UPC and HI indices), and less among highly decompensated patients (p-values 0.004 and <0.001 for UPC and HI indices). Improved patients had greater adherence to the protocol than those who worsened. The SECON index showed no significant differences across the disciplines. This study identified a relationship between physicians and nurse’s continuity of care and metabolic control in patients with diabetes, consistent with qualitative findings that highlight the role of nurses in treatment.
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Walker J, Payne B, Clemans-Taylor BL, Snyder ED. Continuity of Care in Resident Outpatient Clinics: A Scoping Review of the Literature. J Grad Med Educ 2018; 10:16-25. [PMID: 29467968 PMCID: PMC5821030 DOI: 10.4300/jgme-d-17-00256.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Continuity between patients and physicians is a core principle of primary care and an accreditation requirement. Resident continuity clinics face challenges in nurturing continuity for their patients and trainees. OBJECTIVE We undertook a scoping review of the literature to better understand published benchmarks for resident continuity; the effectiveness of interventions to improve continuity; and the impact of continuity on resident and patient satisfaction, patient outcomes, and resident career choice. METHODS We developed a MEDLINE search strategy to identify articles that defined continuity in residency programs in internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics published prior to December 31, 2015, and used a quality evaluation tool to assess included studies. RESULTS The review includes 34 articles describing 12 different measures of continuity. The usual provider of care and continuity for physician formulas were most commonly utilized, and mean baseline continuity was 56 and 55, respectively (out of a total possible score of 100). Clinic and residency program redesign innovations (eg, advanced access scheduling, team-based care, and block scheduling) were studied and had mixed impact on continuity. Continuity in resident clinics is lower than published continuity rates for independently practicing physicians. CONCLUSIONS Interventions to enhance continuity in resident clinics have mixed effects. More research is needed to understand how changes in continuity affect resident and patient satisfaction, patient outcomes, and resident career choice. A major challenge to research in this area is the lack of empanelment of residents' patients, creating difficulties in scheduling and measuring continuity visits.
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