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Mattocks KM, Kroll-Desrosiers A, Crowley S, Tuozzo K, Rifkin I, Moore D, Walker L, Bonegio R. Using RE-AIM to examine implementation of a tele-nephrology program for veterans living in rural areas. FRONTIERS IN HEALTH SERVICES 2023; 3:1205951. [PMID: 37780402 PMCID: PMC10533984 DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2023.1205951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and refractory hypertension (rHTN) are common, chronic conditions that affect 10%-16% of Veterans. Several small studies have suggested that tele-nephrology can deliver nephrology care effectively to rural Veterans. The purpose of this evaluation was to examine perceptions and experiences with this tele-nephrology program among spoke site staff and clinicians using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework to guide our understanding of tele-nephrology implementation. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with fourteen clinicians at five tele-nephrology spoke sites. We used content analysis to analyze the results using our RE-AIM framework. Results Five major themes arose: (1) Active engagement of a centralized clinical champion was a key factor in early success of tele-nephrology program; (2) Transition from community-based nephrology to VA tele-nephrology was heralded as the most meaningful indicator of the effectiveness of the intervention; (3) Effective adoption strategies included bi-weekly training with Hub nephrology staff and engagement of a local renal champion; (4) Meeting the needs of Veterans through proper staffing during tele-nephrology examinations was a key priority in facility program implementation; and (5) Growing reliance on Hub nephrologists may give rise to insufficient availability of nephrology appointments in some Spoke sites. Discussion This evaluation represents an important step forward as VA considers how to provide care to Veterans at facilities without VA specialty providers. The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically shifted options for Veterans, and increasingly, the VA is moving to shift care from community to VA via virtual care. Further research should examine how the VA manages potential problems related to access to virtual providers and examine Veteran perspectives on community in-person vs. virtual VA care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin M. Mattocks
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, MA, United States
- Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Aimee Kroll-Desrosiers
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, MA, United States
- Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Susan Crowley
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, United States
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | - Ian Rifkin
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David Moore
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, United States
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Lorrie Walker
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, MA, United States
| | - Ramon Bonegio
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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Jones LA, Gordon EJ, Hogan TP, Fiandaca CA, Smith BM, Stroupe KT, Fischer MJ. Challenges, Facilitators, and Recommendations for Implementation of Home Dialysis in the Veterans Health Administration: Patient, Caregiver, and Clinician Perceptions. KIDNEY360 2021; 2:1928-1944. [PMID: 35419547 PMCID: PMC8986044 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0000642021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Home dialysis confers similar survival and greater quality of life than in-center hemodialysis for adults with ESKD but remains underutilized. We examined challenges and facilitators to implementation of home dialysis and identified stakeholder-centered strategies for improving it. Methods We conducted a qualitative, cross-sectional, multisite evaluation that included five geographically dispersed Veterans Health Administration (VHA) home dialysis programs. Participants included patients with ESKD receiving home dialysis, their informal caregivers, and home dialysis staff. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted and audio-recorded from 2017 through 2018, to assess perceived barriers and facilitators to patient home dialysis use in VHA. Transcribed interviews were analyzed thematically by each participant group. Results Participants included 22 patients receiving home dialysis (18 on peritoneal dialysis [PD] and four hemodialysis [HD]); 20 informal caregivers, and 19 home dialysis program staff. Ten themes emerged as challenges to implementing home dialysis, of which six (60%) spanned all groups: need for sterility, burden of home dialysis tasks, lack of suitable home environment, physical side effects of home dialysis, negative psychosocial effects of home dialysis, and loss of freedom. Four themes (40%), identified only by staff, were insufficient self-efficacy, diminished peer socialization, geographic barriers, and challenging health status. Twelve themes emerged as facilitators to implementing home dialysis, of which seven (58%) spanned all groups: convenience, freedom, avoidance of in-center HD, preservation of autonomy, adequate support, favorable disposition, and perceptions of improved health. Two themes (17%) common among patients and staff were adequate training and resources, and physical and cognitive skills for home dialysis. Recommendations to promote implementation of home dialysis common to all participant groups entailed incorporating mental health care services, offering peer-to-peer coaching, increasing home visits, providing health data feedback, and reducing patient burden. Conclusions Stakeholder-centered challenges were rigorously identified. Facilitators and recommendations can inform efforts to support home dialysis implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A. Jones
- Veterans Affairs Information Resource Center, Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, Illinois
| | - Elisa J. Gordon
- Department of Surgery-Transplantation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois,Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, Illinois
| | - Timothy P. Hogan
- Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Hospital, Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, Massachusetts,Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Cindi A. Fiandaca
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, Illinois
| | - Bridget M. Smith
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, Illinois
| | - Kevin T. Stroupe
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, Illinois
| | - Michael J. Fischer
- Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward Hines, Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, Illinois,Medical Service, Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois,Medicine/Nephrology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Crowley ST, Murphy K. Delivering a "New Deal" of Kidney Health Opportunities to Improve Outcomes Within the Veterans Health Administration. Am J Kidney Dis 2018; 72:444-450. [PMID: 29627134 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2018.01.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Just as the "New Deal" aimed to elevate the "forgotten man" of the Great Depression through governmental relief and reform, so does the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system aim to improve the health of veterans with the invisible illness of chronic kidney disease through a concerted series of health care delivery reforms. Augmenting its primary care platform with advances in informatics and health service delivery initiatives targeting kidney disease, the VA is changing how nephrology care is provided to veterans with the goal of optimized population kidney health. As the largest provider of kidney health services in the country, the VA offers an instructive case study of the value of comprehensive health care coverage for people with chronic kidney disease. Recent reports of kidney health outcomes among veterans support the benefit of the VA's integrated health care delivery system. Suggestions to optimize veterans' kidney health further may be equally applicable to other health systems caring for people afflicted with kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan T Crowley
- Veterans Health Administration, Specialty Care Services/Office of Policy and Services, West Haven, CT; Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT.
| | - Katherine Murphy
- Veterans Health Administration, Specialty Care Services/Office of Policy and Services, West Haven, CT
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