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Winter JD, Kerns JW, Qato DM, Winter KM, Brandt N, Wastila L, Winter C, Krist AH, Reves SR, Etz RS. Understanding Long-Stay Gabapentin Use Increases: A National Nursing Home Clinician Survey on Prescribing Intent. Clin Gerontol 2024:1-11. [PMID: 39016302 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2024.2379974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Explore the indications for long-stay gabapentin use and elucidate the factors spurring the rapid increase in gabapentin prescribing in nursing homes (NHs). METHODS National cross-sectional survey of NH prescribers distributed anonymously using SurveyMonkey. Sampling for convenience was obtained through crowdsourcing, leveraging collaborations with NH clinician organizations. Developed by a multidisciplinary team, pilot data/existing literature informed survey content. RESULTS A total of 131 surveys completed. Participants: 71% white, 52% female, 71% physicians. Off-label gabapentin prescribing was ubiquitous. Nearly every clinician used gabapentin for neuropathic pain, most for any form of pain. Many clinicians also prescribe gabapentin to moderate psychiatric symptoms and behaviors. Clinicians' prescribing was influenced by opioid, antipsychotic, and anxiolytic reduction policies because gabapentin was perceived as an unmonitored and safer alternative. CONCLUSIONS Off-label gabapentin increases are closely linked to opioid reduction efforts as more NH clinicians utilize gabapentin as an unmonitored opioid alternative. Our results highlight, however, the less recognized significance of long-stay prescribing for psychiatric symptoms and the similar contribution of psychotropic reduction initiatives, a phenomenon warranting further scrutiny. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Clinicians perceive gabapentin as safer than the drugs it is replacing. Whether this is true remains unclear; the individual- and population-level risks of increased gabapentin use are largely unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Winter
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Shenandoah Valley Family Practice Residency, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
| | - J William Kerns
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Shenandoah Valley Family Practice Residency, Front Royal, Virginia, USA
| | - Danya M Qato
- University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Nicole Brandt
- University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Linda Wastila
- University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy and Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher Winter
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Alex H Krist
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Sarah R Reves
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Larry A. Green Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Rebecca S Etz
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Larry A. Green Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Endo Y, Woldesenbet S, Tsilimigras DI, Munir MM, Khalil M, Khan MMM, Altaf A, Rashid Z, Catalano G, Chatzipanagiotou OP, Pawlik TM. Effect of telemedicine use on medical spending and health care utilization among patients with gastrointestinal cancer. J Gastrointest Surg 2024:S1091-255X(24)00503-1. [PMID: 38901553 DOI: 10.1016/j.gassur.2024.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We sought to assess the impact of telemedicine on healthcare utilization and medical expenditures among patients with a diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. METHODS Patients with newly diagnosed GI cancer from 2013 to 2020 were identified from the IBM MarketScan database (IBM Watson Health) . Healthcare utilization, total medical outpatient insurance payments within 1 year post-diagnosis, and out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses among telemedicine users and non-users were assessed after propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS Among the 32,677 patients with GI cancer (esophageal, n = 1862, 5.7%; gastric, n = 2009, 6.1%; liver, n = 2929, 9.0%; bile duct, n = 597, 1.8%; pancreas, n = 3083, 9.4%; colorectal, n = 22,197, 67.9%), a total of 3063 (9.7%) utilized telemedicine. After PSM (telemedicine users, n = 3064; non-users, n = 3064), telemedicine users demonstrated a higher frequency of clinic visits (median: 5.0 days, IQR 4.0-7.0 vs non-users: 2.0 days, IQR 2.0-3.0, P < .001) and fewer potential days missed from daily activities (median: 7.5 days, IQR 4.5-12.5 vs non-users: 8.5 days, IQR 5.5-13.5, P < .001). Total medical spending per month and utilization of emergency room (ER) visits for telemedicine users were higher vs non-users (median: $10,658, IQR $5112-$18,528 vs non-users: $10,103, IQR $4628-$16,750; 46.8% vs 42.6%, both P < .01), whereas monthly OOP costs were comparable (median: $273, IQR $137-$449 for telemedicine users vs non-users: $268, IQR $142-$434, P = .625). CONCLUSION Telemedicine utilization was associated with increased outpatient clinic visits yet reduced potential days missed from daily activities among patients with GI cancer. Telemedicine users tended to have more ER visits and total medical spending per month, although monthly OOP costs were comparable with non-users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Endo
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Selamawit Woldesenbet
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Diamantis I Tsilimigras
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Muhammad Musaab Munir
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Mujtaba Khalil
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Muhammad Muntazir Mehdi Khan
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Abdullah Altaf
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Zayed Rashid
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Giovanni Catalano
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Odysseas P Chatzipanagiotou
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Timothy M Pawlik
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States.
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Inchingolo F, Inchingolo AM, Fatone MC, Avantario P, Del Vecchio G, Pezzolla C, Mancini A, Galante F, Palermo A, Inchingolo AD, Dipalma G. Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Primary Care: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:662. [PMID: 38928909 PMCID: PMC11203333 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060662] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can lead to severe joint impairment and chronic disability. Primary care (PC), provided by general practitioners (GPs), is the first level of contact for the population with the healthcare system. The aim of this scoping review was to analyze the approach to RA in the PC setting. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched using the MESH terms "rheumatoid arthritis" and "primary care" from 2013 to 2023. The search strategy followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The 61 articles selected were analyzed qualitatively in a table and discussed in two sections, namely criticisms and strategies for the management of RA in PC. The main critical issues in the management of RA in PC are the following: difficulty and delay in diagnosis, in accessing rheumatological care, and in using DMARDs by GPs; ineffective communication between GPs and specialists; poor patient education; lack of cardiovascular prevention; and increase in healthcare costs. To overcome these criticisms, several management strategies have been identified, namely early diagnosis of RA, quick access to rheumatology care, effective communication between GPs and specialists, active patient involvement, screening for risk factors and comorbidities, clinical audit, interdisciplinary patient management, digital health, and cost analysis. PC appears to be the ideal healthcare setting to reduce the morbidity and mortality of chronic disease, including RA, if a widespread change in GPs' approach to the disease and patients is mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.I.); (P.A.); (G.D.V.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (A.D.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Angelo Michele Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.I.); (P.A.); (G.D.V.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (A.D.I.); (G.D.)
| | | | - Pasquale Avantario
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.I.); (P.A.); (G.D.V.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (A.D.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Gaetano Del Vecchio
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.I.); (P.A.); (G.D.V.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (A.D.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Carmela Pezzolla
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.I.); (P.A.); (G.D.V.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (A.D.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Antonio Mancini
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.I.); (P.A.); (G.D.V.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (A.D.I.); (G.D.)
| | | | - Andrea Palermo
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, Birmingham B4 6BN, UK
| | - Alessio Danilo Inchingolo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.I.); (P.A.); (G.D.V.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (A.D.I.); (G.D.)
| | - Gianna Dipalma
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.I.); (P.A.); (G.D.V.); (C.P.); (A.M.); (A.D.I.); (G.D.)
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Sullivan EE, Etz RS, Gonzalez MM, Deubel J, Reves SR, Stange KC, Hughes LS, Linzer M. You Cannot Function in "Overwhelm": Helping Primary Care Navigate the Slow End of the Pandemic. J Healthc Manag 2024; 69:190-204. [PMID: 38728545 DOI: 10.1097/jhm-d-23-00102] [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: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
GOAL This study was developed to explicate underlying organizational factors contributing to the deterioration of primary care clinicians' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Using data from the Larry A. Green Center for the Advancement of Primary Health Care for the Public Good's national survey of primary care clinicians from March 2020 to March 2022, a multidisciplinary team analyzed more than 11,150 open-ended comments. Phase 1 of the analysis happened in real-time as surveys were returned, using deductive and inductive coding. Phase 2 used grounded theory to identify emergent themes. Qualitative findings were triangulated with the survey's quantitative data. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The clinicians shifted from feelings of anxiety and uncertainty at the start of the pandemic to isolation, lack of fulfillment, moral injury, and plans to leave the profession. The frequency with which they spoke of depression, burnout, and moral injury was striking. The contributors to this distress included crushing workloads, worsening staff shortages, and insufficient reimbursement. Consequences, both felt and anticipated, included fatigue and demoralization from the inability to manage escalating workloads. Survey findings identified responses that could alleviate the mental health crisis, namely: (1) measuring and customizing workloads based on work capacity; (2) quantifying resources needed to return to sufficient staffing levels; (3) promoting state and federal support for sustainable practice infrastructures with less administrative burden; and (4) creating patient visits of different lengths to rebuild relationships and trust and facilitate more accurate diagnoses. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Attention to clinicians' mental health should be rapidly directed to on-demand, confidential mental health support so they can receive the care they need and not worry about any stigma or loss of license for accepting that help. Interventions that address work-life balance, workload, and resources can improve care, support retention of the critically important primary care workforce, and attract more trainees to primary care careers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E Sullivan
- Sawyer School of Business at Suffolk University, Boston, Massachusetts, and the Center for Primary Care, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Martha M Gonzalez
- Larry A. Green Center for the Advancement of Primary Health Care for the Public Good and the Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | | | - Sarah R Reves
- Larry A. Green Center for the Advancement of Primary Health Care for the Public Good and the Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University
| | - Kurt C Stange
- Larry A. Green Center for the Advancement of Primary Health Care for the Public Good and the Center for Community Health Integration, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Lauren S Hughes
- Eugene S. Farley, Jr. Health Policy Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Mark Linzer
- Department of Medicine and Institute for Professional Worklife, Hennepin Healthcare and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Bostan S, Yesildag AY, Balci F. Family Physicians' Perspectives on the Pros, Cons, and Application Areas of Telemedicine: A Qualitative Study. Telemed J E Health 2024; 30:1450-1458. [PMID: 38294897 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0574] [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] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: There is evidence that telemedicine can be used safely, easily, and cost-effectively in primary health care services. This study aims to determine family physicians' opinions regarding the potential advantages, disadvantages, and usage areas of telemedicine in primary health care services. Methods: This study was designed with a qualitative case study. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) checklist was followed throughout the research process. Interviews were conducted with family physicians working in a provincial center using snowball sampling in the study. MaxQDA 20 software was used for analysis process, and themes and subthemes were identified through a deductive-reflective thematic analysis method. The family physicians who participated in the study are between 29 and 56. In addition, family medicine specialists, general practitioners, and academic department heads were included in the study. Family physicians are evenly distributed in terms of gender and professional experience. Results: All interviewed family physicians stated that they had not received professional or technical training in delivering telemedicine. It was observed that family physicians had different perspectives on telemedicine in primary care. The data obtained in the study were analyzed under the main themes of the advantages, disadvantages, and services that can be provided in primary telemedicine. Physicians have different views on telemedicine, including negative, undecided, and positive opinions. Conclusion: It is understood that many services could be delivered remotely if the scope, procedures, and processes of the services to be provided are determined with guidelines. It is recommended that family physicians receive professional and technical training in telemedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedat Bostan
- Health Management Department, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Y Yesildag
- Health Management Department, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
- Health Sciences Institute, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Fatma Balci
- Health Management Department, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
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Etz RS, Solid CA, Gonzalez MM, Reves SR, Britton E, Green LA, Bitton A, Bechtel C, Stange KC. Is primary care ready for a potential new public health emergency in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, now subsided? Fam Pract 2024:cmae005. [PMID: 38285806 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmae005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The lingering burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary care clinicians and practices poses a public health emergency for the United States. This study uses clinician-reported data to examine changes in primary care demand and capacity. METHODS From March 2020 to March 2022, 36 electronic surveys were fielded among primary care clinicians responding to survey invitations as posted on listservs and identified through social media and crowd sourcing. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on both closed- and open-ended survey questions. RESULTS An average of 937 respondents per survey represented family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, geriatrics, and other specialties. Responses reported increases in patient health burden, including worsening chronic care management and increasing volume and complexity. A higher frequency of dental- and eyesight-related issues was noted by respondents, as was a substantial increase in mental or emotional health needs. Respondents also noted increased demand, "record high" wait times, and struggles to keep up with patient needs and the higher volume of patient questions. Frequent qualitative statements highlighted the mismatch of patient needs with practice capacity. Staffing shortages and the inability to fill open clinical positions impaired clinicians' ability to meet patient needs and a substantial proportion of respondents indicated an intention to leave the profession or knew someone who had. CONCLUSION These data signal an urgent need to take action to support the ability of primary care to meet ongoing patient and population health care needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca S Etz
- Larry A. Green Center for the Advancement of Primary Health Care for the Public Good, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | | | - Martha M Gonzalez
- Larry A. Green Center for the Advancement of Primary Health Care for the Public Good, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Sarah R Reves
- Larry A. Green Center for the Advancement of Primary Health Care for the Public Good, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Erin Britton
- The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Larry A Green
- Eugene S. Farley, Jr. Health Policy Center, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, United States
| | | | | | - Kurt C Stange
- Larry A. Green Center for the Advancement of Primary Health Care for the Public Good, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Center for Community Health Integration, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
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