WIC staff and healthcare professional perceptions of an EHR intervention to facilitate referrals to and improve communication and coordination with WIC: A qualitative study

Objectives

Participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has numerous benefits, yet many eligible children remain unenrolled. This qualitative study sought to explore perceptions of a novel electronic health record (EHR) intervention to facilitate referrals to WIC and improve communication/coordination between WIC staff and healthcare professionals.

Methods

WIC staff in three counties were provided EHR access and recruited to participate. An automated, EHR-embedded WIC participation screening and referral tool was implemented within 8 healthcare clinics; healthcare professionals within these clinics were eligible to participate. The interview guide was developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to elicit perceptions of this novel EHR-based intervention. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via telephone. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight WIC staff, seven pediatricians, four medical assistants, and one registered nurse. Most participants self-identified as female (95%) and White (55%). We identified four primary themes: (1) healthcare professionals had a positive view of WIC but communication and coordination between WIC and healthcare professionals was limited prior to WIC having EHR access; (2) healthcare professionals favored WIC screening using the EHR but workflow challenges existed; (3) EHR connections between WIC and the healthcare system can streamline referrals to and enrollment in WIC; and (4) WIC staff and healthcare professionals recommended that WIC have EHR access.

Conclusions

A novel EHR-based intervention has potential to facilitate healthcare referrals to WIC and improve communication/coordination between WIC and healthcare systems.

Reactions to using other nicotine and tobacco products instead of menthol cigarettes: A qualitative study of people who smoke menthol cigarettes in the United States

The US Food and Drug Administration is considering banning menthol cigarettes, which could result in some people who smoke menthol cigarettes switching to other tobacco products (OTPs). This qualitative study explored reactions to using OTPs instead of menthol cigarettes. People who smoke menthol cigarettes (N=40) completed a behavioral economic assessment of the effects of menthol cigarette price increases on OTP purchasing. At the highest price, most participants could not afford menthol cigarettes. Instead, they could purchase non-menthol cigarettes, little cigars/cigarillos (LCCs), e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, or medicinal nicotine, or they could abstain from tobacco use. Participants used the OTPs they purchased for three days. During follow-up sessions, participants (n=35) completed semi-structured interviews discussing their purchasing-decisions and experiences using OTPs instead of menthol cigarettes. Interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis methods. Factors influencing purchasing decisions included flavor, price, prior use of OTPs, interest in trying new OTPs, and perceived ability to satisfy nicotine cravings. Participants described positive experiences using e-cigarettes including the "refreshing" menthol flavor, ability to use in places where cigarettes are prohibited, and convenience of use relative to smoking. Among those using non-menthol cigarettes, many reported they were acceptable but less satisfying products compared to menthol cigarettes while others reported negative reactions to them such as tasting like "cardboard". Reactions to smoking LCCs were mostly unfavorable but participants said it gave them "something to light". Multiple considerations may affect switching to OTPs in light of pending menthol cigarette regulation including the availability of menthol-flavored alternatives and (dis)satisfaction with OTPs.

Qualitative results from a randomized pilot study of eHealth Mindful Movement and Breathing to improve gynecologic cancer surgery outcomes

PURPOSE

Improved management of pain and co-morbid symptoms (sleep disturbances, psychological distress) among women undergoing surgery for suspected gynecologic malignancies may reach a population vulnerable to chronic pain.

PARTICIPANTS

Women undergoing surgery for a suspected gynecologic malignancy.

METHOD

We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of eHealth Mindful Movement and Breathing (eMMB) compared to an empathic attention control (AC). Semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone (n = 23), recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

FINDINGS

Participants reported overall high acceptability such that all would recommend the study to others. Positive impacts of practicing eMMB included that it relieved tension, facilitated falling asleep, and decreased pain. Participants also reported high adherence to self-directed eMMB and AC writing practices and described facilitators and barriers to practicing.

CONCLUSIONS

This qualitative feedback will inform future research to assess the efficacy of eMMB for reducing pain and use of remotely-delivered interventions more broadly.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03681405.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a sample of US young adults who smoke cigarettes: A qualitative analysis

INTRODUCTION

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with increased negative mood in youth, and a few reports of changes in tobacco use. We sought to increase the depth of knowledge on the effects of the pandemic on early young adult mood states, access to tobacco products and tobacco use behaviors, and knowledge of risks associated with tobacco use and COVID-19 by learning more about the lived experience of the pandemic among young adults early in their smoking trajectories.

METHODS

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 young adults ages 18-20 (M = 19) who smoked cigarettes daily or nearly every day and had used electronic cigarettes (ECs) on ≥ 2 occasions in their lifetime.

RESULTS

Our results uncovered several themes: 1) The majority of teens experienced mental health disturbances as a result of the pandemic, which manifested as depression, anxiety, and/or acute loneliness due to social isolation; 2) tobacco purchasing behaviors sometimes changed, with both greater and less access reported among participants; 3) changes in tobacco use were also reported, with some reporting increases in use, others reporting decreases, and a few reporting quitting; and 4) while some youth reported that tobacco use could increase their risk related to COVID-19, the majority reported confusion and uncertainty about how tobacco use impacted their risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The themes identified specific factors that may account for the heterogeneity of impacts of the pandemic on tobacco use, and highlight the value of qualitative work for centering the lived experience of youth for understanding larger trends in substance use.

Qualitative reactions to a low nicotine product standard for cigarettes from adolescents and young adults living in the United States who smoke

The Biden Administration is considering a low nicotine product standard for cigarettes. This qualitative study examined reactions to a nicotine reduction policy among adolescents and young adults (AYA) who smoke cigarettes. After completing a lab study involving masked exposure either to low nicotine or normal nicotine research cigarettes and unmasked exposure to e-cigarettes varying in nicotine concentration and flavor, we conducted follow-up semi-structured interviews (N = 25) to explore participants' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of a low nicotine product standard and their anticipated tobacco use behavior after policy implementation. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, double-coded, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Nearly half of participants supported the policy because they thought it would prevent young people from starting smoking and/or would help people quit. Reasons some participants opposed the policy included beliefs that adults should have the choice to smoke or that a nicotine reduction policy is counterintuitive because the government benefits from cigarette sales. Others believed the policy would be ineffective because youth could circumvent the policy (e.g., illicit market) or would increase their smoking to maintain the same nicotine level. Almost half of participants said they would quit smoking while the other half said they would continue smoking, although potentially reduce their smoking. Overall, our qualitative findings point to the need for pre-policy media campaigns targeting AYA who smoke to minimize negative reactions, dispel fears, and correct misperceptions as well as encourage quitting and provide information on accessing cessation resources.

Development of an Advance Care Planning Portal-Based Tool for Community-Dwelling Persons Living With Cognitive Impairment: The ACPVoice Tool

Background: Patient portals can be an innovative and efficient way to engage patients in advance care planning (ACP). However, comprehension and judgment in older adults with cognitive impairment presents several barriers and challenges to engaging in new technology. Our objective was to develop an ACP portal-based tool (ACPVoice) for community-dwelling persons living with cognitive impairment (PLCI) by engaging end-users in the design process. Methods: Two rounds of cognitive interviews were conducted to identify and resolve cognitive issues related to comprehension, judgment, response, and to assess content validity. Purposive sampling was used with the goal of enrolling 15 different participants (five with mild cognitive impairment and five dyads (those with mild dementia and their care partner) in each round to assess respondents' understanding of questions related to advance care planning to be administered via the patient portal. Results: Twenty PLCI (mean age 78.4, 10 females [50%]) and ten care partners (mean age 60.9, 9 females [90%]) completed cognitive interviews between May 2021 and October 2021. The mean Mini-Mental State Examination score for PLCI was 25.6 (SD 2.6). Unclear wording and undefined vague and/or unfamiliar terms were the major issues identified. Revisions to item wording, response options, and instructions were made to improve question comprehension and response as well as navigational ease. Conclusion: Minor changes to the wording, format, and response options substantially improved respondents' ability to interpret the item content of the ACPVoice tool. Dissemination and implementation of the ACPVoice tool could help to engage community-dwelling PLCI in ACP discussions.

"I think it's a good idea for the people that's young, the kids, but for someone like me it's a bad idea." - Interviews about a U.S. menthol cigarette ban with people who smoke menthol cigarettes

OBJECTIVE

The US Food and Drug Administration recently announced its intention to pursue a federal ban on menthol cigarettes. This qualitative study assessed reactions to a potential menthol cigarette ban among people who smoke menthol cigarettes.

METHODS

As part of a laboratory study examining menthol flavor regulations, we conducted follow-up interviews with participants who smoke menthol cigarettes (N = 35). We explored the following topics: (1) menthol cigarette risk perceptions; (2) knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of menthol cigarette regulations; and (3) anticipated behavior if menthol cigarettes were banned. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, double-coded, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Many participants thought menthol cigarettes carried more health risks than non-menthol cigarettes. Some participants said regulators wanted to ban menthol cigarettes because they appeal to youth. Others thought a ban would be good for public health because fewer people, particularly youth, would smoke. Several voiced skepticism about banning only menthol cigarettes rather than all cigarettes. Most said they would use other products, including electronic cigarettes or non-menthol cigarettes, but many also thought a menthol ban could motivate them or others to quit smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

Banning menthol cigarettes could lead some people who smoke menthol cigarettes to switch to potentially less harmful products, like e-cigarettes, or quit smoking, which would likely benefit public health; however, others may simply transition to non-menthol cigarettes. As regulators move forward with banning menthol cigarettes, communication campaigns explaining the public health benefits, potentially focusing on the benefits for youth, should be part of the policy implementation plan.