Effects of a Brief Case Management Intervention Linking People With HIV to Oral Health Care: Project SMILE

The impact of dental care programs on healthcare system and societal outcomes: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Dental diseases have detrimental effects on healthcare systems and societies at large. Providing access to dental care can arguably improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare utilization costs, and improve several societal outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to review the literature to assess the impacts of dental care programs on healthcare and societal outcomes. Specifically, to identify the nature of such programs, including the type of services delivered, who was targeted, where services were delivered, and how access to dental care was enabled. Also, what kind of societal and healthcare outcomes have been attempted to be addressed through these programs were identified.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review by searching four databases, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Sociological Abstracts. Relevant articles published in English language from January 2000 to February 2022 were screened by four reviewers to determine eligibility for inclusion.

RESULTS

The search resulted in 29,468 original articles, of which 25 were included in the data synthesis. We found minimal evidence that answers our proposed research question. The majority of identified programs have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing medical and dental healthcare utilization (especially for non-preventive services) and avert more invasive treatments, and to a lesser degree, resulting in cost-savings. Moreover, some promising but limited evidence about program impacts on societal outcomes such as reducing homelessness and improving employability was reported.

CONCLUSION

Despite the well-known societal and economic consequences of dental problem, there is a paucity of studies that address the impacts of dental care programs from the societal and healthcare system perspectives.

MESH TERMS

Delivery of Health Care, Dental Care, Outcome assessment, Patient acceptance of Health Care.

Differential Effects of Patient Navigation across Latent Profiles of Barriers to Care among People Living with HIV and Comorbid Conditions

Engaging people living with HIV who report substance use (PLWH-SU) in care is essential to HIV medical management and prevention of new HIV infections. Factors associated with poor engagement in HIV care include a combination of syndemic psychosocial factors, mental and physical comorbidities, and structural barriers to healthcare utilization. Patient navigation (PN) is designed to reduce barriers to care, but its effectiveness among PLWH-SU remains unclear. We analyzed data from NIDA Clinical Trials Network's CTN-0049, a three-arm randomized controlled trial testing the effect of a 6-month PN with and without contingency management (CM), on engagement in HIV care and viral suppression among PLWH-SU (n = 801). Latent profile analysis was used to identify subgroups of individuals' experiences to 23 barriers to care. The effects of PN on engagement in care and viral suppression were compared across latent profiles. Three latent profiles of barriers to care were identified. The results revealed that PN interventions are likely to be most effective for PLWH-SU with fewer, less severe healthcare barriers. Special attention should be given to individuals with a history of abuse, intimate partner violence, and discrimination, as they may be less likely to benefit from PN alone and require additional interventions.

Implementing care coordination in a large dental care organization in the United States by upskilling front office personnel

BACKGROUND

Care coordination is a key strategy used to improve health outcomes and efficiency, yet there are limited examples in dentistry. A large dental accountable care organization piloted care coordination by retraining existing administrative staff to coordinate the care of high-risk patients. Following the pilot's success, a formal "dental care advocate" (DCA) role was integrated system-wide. The goal of this new role is to improve care, patient engagement, and health outcomes while integrating staff into the clinical care team. We aim to describe the process of DCA role implementation and assess staff and clinician perceptions about the role pre- and post-implementation.

METHODS

Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, semi-structured interviews with clinical and operational administrative staff and observation at the company-wide training session were combined with pre- and post-implementation electronic surveys. Descriptive statistics and mean scores were tested for significance between each survey sample (t-tests), and qualitative data were thematically analyzed.

RESULTS

With preliminary evidence from the pilot and strong executive support, a dedicated leadership team executed a stepwise rollout of the DCA role over 6 months. Success was facilitated by an organizational culture of frequent interventions deployed rapidly through a centralized system, along with supportive buy-in from managerial teams and high staff acceptance and enthusiasm for the DCA role before implementation. Following implementation, significant changes in attitudes and beliefs about the role were measured, though managers held stronger positive impressions than DCAs. DCAs reported high confidence in new skills and dental knowledge post-implementation, including motivational interviewing and the ability to confidently answer patients' questions about their oral health. Overall, the fast-paced implementation of this new role was well received, although consistent and significant differences in mean attitudes between managers and DCAs indicate more work to fine-tune the role is needed.

CONCLUSIONS

Successful implementation of the new DCA role was facilitated by a strong organizational commitment to team-based dentistry and positive impressions of care coordination among staff and managers. Upskilling existing administrative staff with the necessary training to manage some high-risk patient needs is one method that can be used to implement care coordination efforts in dentistry.

Self-efficacy as a mediator of patient navigation interventions to engage persons living with HIV and substance use

BACKGROUND

People living with HIV who report substance use (PLWH-SU) face many barriers to care, resulting in an increased risk for poor health outcomes and the potential for ongoing disease transmission. This study evaluates the mechanisms by which Patient Navigation (PN) and Contingency Management (CM) interventions may work to address barriers to care and improve HIV outcomes in this population.

METHODS

Mediation analysis was conducted using data from a randomized, multi-site trial testing PN interventions to improve HIV care outcomes among 801 hospitalized PLHW-SU. Direct and indirect effects of PN and PN + CM were evaluated through five potential mediators-psychosocial conditions, healthcare avoidance, financial hardship, system barriers, and self-efficacy for HIV treatment adherence-on engagement in HIV care and viral suppression.

RESULTS

The PN + CM intervention had an indirect effect on improving engagement in HIV care at 6 months by increasing self-efficacy for HIV treatment adherence (β = 0.042, 95% CI = 0.008, 0.086). PN + CM also led to increases in viral suppression at 6 months (β = 0.090, 95% CI = 0.023, 0.168) and 12 months (β = 0.069, 95% CI = 0.009, 0.129) via increases in self-efficacy, although the direct effects were not significant. No mediating effects were observed for PN alone.

CONCLUSION

PN + CM interventions for PLWH-SU can increase an individual's self-efficacy for HIV treatment adherence, which in turn improves engagement in care at 6 months and may contribute to viral suppression over 12 months. Building self-efficacy may be a key factor in the success of such interventions and should be considered as a primary goal of PN + CM in practice.

Dental Care Utilization of Hospitalized Persons Living with HIV and Substance Use

People living with HIV (PLWH) who use drugs experience worse health outcomes than their non-using counterparts. Little is known about how often they seek dental care and the factors that influence their utilization. PLWH with substance use disorders who were inpatients at 11 urban hospitals (n = 801) participated in a National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network study to improve engagement in HIV outcomes. Dental care utilization at each time point during the study period (baseline, 6 months and/or 12 months) was assessed (n = 657). Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to examine factors associated with dental care utilization. Over half (59.4%) reported not having received any dental care at any timepoint. Participants with less than high school education had lower odds of reporting dental care utilization than those with more than education (aOR = 0.60 [95% CI 0.37-0.99], p = 0.0382). Participants without health insurance also had lower odds of reporting dental care utilization than those with insurance (aOR = 0.50 [95% CI 0.331-0.76], p = 0.0012). Higher food insecurity was associated with having recent dental care utilization (OR = 1.03 [95% CI 1.00, 1.05], p = 0.0359). Additionally, those from Southern states were less likely to report dental care utilization (aOR = 0.55 [95% CI 0.38, 0.79], p = 0.0013). Having health insurance and education are key factors associated with use of dental care for PLWH with substance use disorders. The association between food insecurity and dental care utilization among this population suggests the need for further exploration.

Feasibility and Acceptability of the Modified Antiretroviral Treatment Access Study (MARTAS) Intervention Based on a Pilot Study in Ukraine

We conducted a pilot of the Modified Antiretroviral Treatment Access Study (MARTAS), a linkage to HIV treatment intervention, prior to implementing a multisite randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Ukraine. The objectives of the pilot were to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the MARTAS intervention among a small sample of adults recently diagnosed with HIV at specialty clinics in the Mykolaiv region of Ukraine in 2015. The adapted intervention consisted of up to 6 individual-level sessions with a linkage coordinator (nurse) over a 90-day period. Overall, 22 persons participated in the pilot. On average, participants received 4.2 sessions and 14 participants linked to HIV care within 3 months of study enrollment. All 18 participants who completed the acceptability survey expressed high satisfaction with their interaction with their linkage coordinator. The results of the pilot demonstrated feasibility and acceptability of the MARTAS intervention in advance of a larger scale RCT in Ukraine.

Dental insurance, dental care utilization, and perceived unmet dental needs in women living with HIV: Results from the Women's Interagency HIV Study

OBJECTIVES

Dental care is the most commonly cited unmet health-care service due to cost. Previous research has highlighted the unmet dental needs of people living with HIV (PLWH). Understanding associations among dental insurance availability, dental care utilization, and the presence of unmet dental needs among PLWH is a public health priority.

METHODS

Oral health surveys were collected cross-sectionally (April-October 2016) among 1,442 women living with HIV (WLWH) in the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between having versus not having dental insurance by type (Ryan White, private, Medicaid/Medicare) and two primary outcomes: a) typical frequency of dental visits (at least annually, less than annually) and b) reporting an unmet dental need in the past 6 months.

RESULTS

All dental insurance types were associated with higher odds of receiving annual dental care and, for those with either Medicare/Medicaid or private insurance, lower odds of having an unmet dental need. When WLWH were asked to describe their oral health, poor self-reported condition was associated with both an unmet dental need (odds ratio [OR]: 4.52, 95 percent Confidence Interval [CI] [3.29-6.20]) and lower odds of annual dental care utilization (OR: 0.44, 95 percent CI [0.34-0.57]). Self-reported depressive symptom burden was also linked to having an unmet dental need (OR: 2.10, 95 percent CI [1.46-3.01]).

CONCLUSIONS

Dental insurance coverage increases dental care utilization and is associated with better oral health among WLWH. In the era of health-care reform, dental insurance coverage may be instrumental for enhancing treatment outcomes.

Impacts of health of users with HIV/AIDS in a specialized service

OBJECTIVE

to understand the perception of users of a Specialized Care Service (SAE- Serviço de Assistência Especializada) in HIV/AIDS about their oral health.

METHOD

qualitative research that used the techniques of participant observation and focal group. For the analysis of the material produced, categories of analysis, construction of dialogical map and identification of linguistic repertoires were used.

RESULTS

impacts arising from oral health problems such as: inability to eat properly, feeling ashamed due to tooth loss, inability to perform physical exercises and, as the main barrier to access to dental treatment, fear of exposure to practices of discrimination and prejudice.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

we need the implementation of policies of Permanent Education to all professionals involved in the care for this population, to ensure users' rights, ensure qualified care, and create security and trust relationships with individuals living with HIV/AIDS, in access to services.

A need for implementation science to optimise the use of evidence-based interventions in HIV care: A systematic literature review

To improve health outcomes in people living with HIV, adoption of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) using effective and transferable implementation strategies to optimise the delivery of healthcare is needed. ViiV Healthcare's Positive Pathways initiative was established to support the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals. A compendium of EBIs was developed to address gaps within the HIV care continuum, yet it was unknown whether efforts existed to adapt and implement these EBIs across diverse clinical contexts. Therefore, this review sought to report on the use of implementation science in adapting HIV continuum of care EBIs. A systematic literature review was undertaken to summarise the evaluation of implementation and effectiveness outcomes, and report on the use of implementation science in HIV care. Ten databases were reviewed to identify studies (time-period: 2013-2018; geographic scope: United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, Australia and Europe; English only publications). Studies were included if they reported on people living with HIV or those at risk of acquiring HIV and used interventions consistent with the EBIs. A broad range of study designs and methods were searched, including hybrid designs. Overall, 118 publications covering 225 interventions consistent with the EBIs were identified. These interventions were evaluated on implementation (N = 183), effectiveness (N = 81), or both outcomes (N = 39). High variability in the methodological approaches was observed. Implementation outcomes were frequently evaluated but use of theoretical frameworks was limited (N = 13). Evaluations undertaken to assess effectiveness were inconsistent, resulting in a range of measures. This review revealed extensive reporting on implementation science as defined using evaluation outcomes. However, high variability was observed in how implementation outcomes and effectiveness were defined, quantified, and reported. A more specific and consistent approach to conducting and reporting on implementation science in HIV could facilitate achievement of UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets.

Mapping variation in intervention design: a systematic review to develop a program theory for patient navigator programs

BACKGROUND

There is a great deal of variation in the design and delivery of patient navigator (PN) programs, making it difficult to design or adopt these interventions in new contexts. We (1) systematically reviewed the literature to generate a preliminary program theory to describe how patient navigator interventions are designed and delivered; and (2) describe how the resulting program theory was applied in context to inform a prototype for a patient navigator program.

METHODS

The current study includes a secondary review of a larger systematic review. We reviewed studies included in the primary review to identify those that designed and evaluated programs to assist patients in accessing and/or adhering to care. We conducted a content analysis of included publications to describe the barriers targeted by PN interventions and the navigator activities addressing those barriers. A program theory was constructed by mapping patient navigator activities to corresponding constructs within the capability-opportunity-motivation model of behavior change (COM-B) model of behavior change. The program theory was then presented to individuals with chronic disease, healthcare providers, and system stakeholders, and refined iteratively based on feedback.

RESULTS

Twenty one publications describing 19 patient navigator interventions were included. A total of 17 unique patient navigator activities were reported. The most common included providing education, facilitating referrals, providing social and emotional support, and supporting self-management. The majority of navigator activities targeted barriers to physical opportunity, including facilitating insurance claims, assistance with scheduling, and providing transportation. Across all interventions, navigator activities were designed to target a total of 20 patient barriers. Among interventions reporting positive effects, over two thirds targeted knowledge barriers, problems with scheduling, proactive re-scheduling following a missed appointment, and insurance. The final program design included a total of 13 navigator activities-10 informed by the original program theory and 3 unique activities informed by stakeholders.

CONCLUSIONS

There is considerable heterogeneity in intervention content across patient navigator interventions. Our results provide a schema from which to develop PN interventions and illustrate how an evidence-based model was used to develop a real-world PN intervention. Our findings also highlight a critical need to improve the reporting of intervention components to facilitate translation.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42013005857.

Patient navigators for people with chronic disease: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

People with chronic diseases experience barriers to managing their diseases and accessing available health services. Patient navigator programs are increasingly being used to help people with chronic diseases navigate and access health services.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review was to summarize the evidence for patient navigator programs in people with a broad range of chronic diseases, compared to usual care.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Social Work Abstracts from inception to August 23, 2017. We also searched the reference lists of included articles. We included original reports of randomized controlled trials of patient navigator programs compared to usual care for adult and pediatric patients with any one of a defined set of chronic diseases.

RESULTS

From a total of 14,672 abstracts, 67 unique studies fit our inclusion criteria. Of these, 44 were in cancer, 8 in diabetes, 7 in HIV/AIDS, 4 in cardiovascular disease, 2 in chronic kidney disease, 1 in dementia and 1 in patients with more than one condition. Program characteristics varied considerably. Primary outcomes were most commonly process measures, and 45 of 67 studies reported a statistically significant improvement in the primary outcome.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that patient navigator programs improve processes of care, although few studies assessed patient experience, clinical outcomes or costs. The inability to definitively outline successful components remains a key uncertainty in the use of patient navigator programs across chronic diseases. Given the increasing popularity of patient navigators, future studies should use a consistent definition for patient navigation and determine which elements of this intervention are most likely to lead to improved outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO #CRD42013005857.

The Impact of Psychosocial Factors on Health and Retention Outcomes for People Living With HIV: Implications for Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators

Despite medical advancements that have significantly improved the health outcomes of people living with HIV (PLWH), many do not achieve optimal health outcomes due to psychosocial barriers. This 5-year retrospective longitudinal study draws upon the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework to conceptualize the relationships between personal and environmental factors and health and retention outcomes among a sample of 704 PLWH in Pennsylvania. A generalized estimated equations (GEE) model was used to model retention in care outcomes (at least one medical visit every 6 months) and a general linear mixed (GLM) model was used to analyze immune system health outcomes (CD4%). This exploratory study reveals that gender, age, race, use of antiretroviral (ARV) medications, use of case management service, mental health diagnosis, and alcohol use were significantly associated with retention in care, whereas race, ethnicity, gender, mental health treatment, use of ARV medications, use of case management services, and retention in care status were significantly associated with the immune system health outcome of CD4%. The results suggest a need for rehabilitation interventions to address key psychosocial issues, as rehabilitation counselors have a unique skill set to address the medical case management needs of individuals with HIV. Implications for rehabilitation counselors and educators are discussed.

Barriers and facilitators to dental care among HIV-Infected adults

Oral health problems can significantly compromise HIV-infected individuals' general health and well-being, yet many of them experience an unmet need for oral care. The barriers and facilitators of obtaining dental care in a sample of HIV-infected adults, all of whom were eligible for Ryan White Part A funding for their treatment, were investigated through qualitative interviews with HIV-positive individuals who had not received dental services in the prior 12 months (n = 44). Identified barriers were as follows: (1) dental anxiety and fear, (2) cumbersome administrative procedures, (3) long waits at the dental office, (4) problem focused care-seeking behavior, (5) transportation difficulties, (6) dentists' reluctance to treat people like them, and (7) psychological issues. Identified facilitating factors were as follows: (1) coverage for dental care, (2) being treated with respect and acceptance, and (3) having an assigned case manager or social worker. Many of the barriers uncovered in this qualitative study can be addressed and overcome by case management services, but other approaches are needed to address the additional psychological and stigma-related factors that are impeding access to oral healthcare in this population.