Building Cancer Control Capacity in Health Professionals Through Telementoring: A Survey Study of a Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Care ECHO Program

Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (Project ECHO©) was developed to democratize knowledge among health professionals in underserved communities. Evidence supporting the use of this model for cancer control is limited. Using surveys adapted from Moore's evaluation framework, we evaluated the training outcomes of an ECHO program on cancer prevention and survivorship care. The study provides preliminary evidence that the ECHO model is a feasible way to build cancer control capacity among the healthcare workforce.

An evaluation of an Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) intervention in cancer prevention and survivorship care

To improve cancer care in Indiana, a telementoring program using the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model was introduced in September 2019 to promote best-practice cancer prevention, screening, and survivorship care by primary care providers (PCPs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the program’s educational outcomes in its pilot year, using Moore’s Evaluation Framework for Continuing Medical Education and focusing on the program’s impact on participants’ knowledge, confidence, and professional practice. We collected data in 22 semi-structured interviews (13 PCPs and 9 non-PCPs) and 30 anonymous one-time surveys (14 PCPs and 16 non-PCPs) from the program participants (hub and spoke site members), as well as from members of the target audience who did not participate. In the first year, average attendance at each session was 2.5 PCPs and 12 non-PCP professionals. In spite of a relatively low PCP participation, the program received very positive satisfaction scores, and participants reported improvements in knowledge, confidence, and practice. Both program participants and target audience respondents particularly valued three features of the program: its conversational format, the real-life experiences gained, and the support received from a professional interdisciplinary community. PCPs reported preferring case discussions over didactics. Our results suggest that the Cancer ECHO program has benefits over other PCP-targetted cancer control interventions and could be an effective educational means of improving cancer control capacity among PCPs and others. Further study is warranted to explain the discrepancies among study participants’ perceptions of the program’s strengths and the relatively low PCP participation before undertaking a full-scale effectiveness study.

SARS-CoV-2 Viral Incidence, Antibody Point Prevalence, Associated Population Characteristics, and Vaccine Attitudes, South Carolina, February 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak from October 2020 through February 2021 was the largest outbreak as of February 2021, and timely information on current representative prevalence, vaccination, and loss of prior antibody protection was unknown. In February 2021, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control conducted a random sampling point prevalence investigation consisting of viral and antibody testing and an associated health survey, after selecting participants aged ≥5 years using a population proportionate to size of South Carolina residents. A total of 1917 residents completed a viral test, 1803 completed an antibody test, and 1463 completed ≥1 test and a matched health survey. We found an incidence of 2.16 per 100 residents and seroprevalence of 16.4% among South Carolina residents aged ≥5 years. Undetectable immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M antibodies were noted in 28% of people with a previous positive test result, highlighting the need for targeted education among people who may be susceptible to reinfection. We also found a low rate of vaccine hesitancy in the state (13%). The results of this randomly selected surveillance and associated health survey have important implications for prospective COVID-19 public health response efforts. Most notably, this article provides a feasible framework for prompt rollout of a statewide evidence-based surveillance initiative.

Enhancing cancer prevention and survivorship care with a videoconferencing model for continuing education: a mixed-methods study to identify barriers and incentives to participation

Objective

To enhance cancer prevention and survivorship care by local health care providers, a school of public health introduced an innovative telelearning continuing education program using the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model. In ECHO’s hub and spoke structure, synchronous videoconferencing connects frontline health professionals at various locations (“spokes”) with experts at the facilitation center (“hub”). Sessions include experts’ didactic presentations and case discussions led by spoke site participants. The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of the reasons individuals choose or decline to participate in the Cancer ECHO program and to identify incentives and barriers to doing so.

Materials and methods

Study participants were recruited from the hub team, spoke site participants, and providers who attended another ECHO program but not this one. Participants chose to take a survey or be interviewed. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research guided qualitative data coding and analysis.

Results

We conducted 22 semistructured interviews and collected 30 surveys. Incentives identified included the program’s high-quality design, supportive learning climate, and access to information. Barriers included a lack of external incentives to participate and limited time available. Participants wanted more adaptability in program timing to fit providers’ busy schedules.

Conclusion

Although the merits of the Cancer ECHO program were widely acknowledged, adaptations to facilitate participation and emphasize the program’s benefits may help overcome barriers to attending. As the number of telelearning programs grows, the results of this study point to ways to expand participation and spread health benefits more widely.

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States, and new methods are needed to support health care professionals in providing both prevention and survivorship care for their patients. To that end, a school of public health introduced an innovative telelearning program to use technology to link frontline health professionals at their locations with experts at the school for regularly scheduled learning sessions. These sessions on a range of cancer prevention and survivorship care topics take place twice a month and feature presentation of current information and discussion of cases. After the program’s pilot year, this study sought input from both participants and nonparticipants to identify incentives and barriers to participation. Input was collected via interviews and a survey. Incentives to participate included the program’s high-quality design, supportive learning climate, and access to information. Barriers included a lack of external incentives to participate and limited time available. Participants also wanted more adaptability in program timing to fit busy health care provider schedules. The results will be used to expand and improve the program in the future with the aim of enhancing providers’ use of cancer prevention strategies and care for survivors.

HIV outbreaks among people who inject drugs in Europe, North America, and Israel

During 2011-16, HIV outbreaks occurred among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Canada (southeastern Saskatchewan), Greece (Athens), Ireland (Dublin), Israel (Tel Aviv), Luxembourg, Romania (Bucharest), Scotland (Glasgow), and USA (Scott County, Indiana). Factors common to many of these outbreaks included community economic problems, homelessness, and changes in drug injection patterns. The outbreaks differed in size (from under 100 to over 1000 newly reported HIV cases among PWID) and in the extent to which combined prevention had been implemented before, during, and after the outbreaks. Countries need to ensure high coverage of HIV prevention services and coverage higher than the current UNAIDS recommendation might be needed in areas in which short acting drugs are injected. In addition, monitoring of PWID with special attention for changing drug use patterns, risk behaviours, and susceptible subgroups (eg, PWID experiencing homelessness) needs to be in place to prevent or rapidly detect and contain new HIV outbreaks.

Multiple injections per injection episode: High-risk injection practice among people who injected pills during the 2015 HIV outbreak in Indiana

BACKGROUND

Misuse of prescription opioid analgesics (POA) has increased dramatically in the US, particularly in non-urban areas. We examined injection practices among persons who inject POA in a rural area that experienced a large HIV outbreak in 2015.

METHODS

Between August-September 2015, 25 persons who injected drugs within the past 12 months were recruited in Scott County, Indiana for a qualitative study. Data from in-depth, semi-structured interviews were analyzed.

RESULTS

All 25 participants were non-Hispanic white and the median age was 33 years (range: 19-57). All had ever injected extended-release oxymorphone (Opana^® ER) and most (n=20) described preparing Opana^® ER for multiple injections per injection episode (MIPIE). MIPIE comprised 2-4 injections during an injection episode resulting from needing >1mL water to prepare Opana^® ER solution using 1mL syringes and the frequent use of "rinse shots." MIPIE occurred up to 10 times/day (totaling 35 injections/day), often in the context of sharing drug and injection equipment.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe a high-risk injection practice that may have contributed to the rapid spread of HIV in this community. Efforts to prevent bloodborne infections among people who inject POA need to assess for MIPIE so that provision of sterile injection equipment and safer injection education addresses the MIPIE risk environment.

HIV Infection Linked to Injection Use of Oxymorphone in Indiana, 2014-2015

BACKGROUND

In January 2015, a total of 11 new diagnoses of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were reported in a small community in Indiana. We investigated the extent and cause of the outbreak and implemented control measures.

METHODS

We identified an outbreak-related case as laboratory-confirmed HIV infection newly diagnosed after October 1, 2014, in a person who either resided in Scott County, Indiana, or was named by another case patient as a syringe-sharing or sexual partner. HIV polymerase (pol) sequences from case patients were phylogenetically analyzed, and potential risk factors associated with HIV infection were ascertained.

RESULTS

From November 18, 2014, to November 1, 2015, HIV infection was diagnosed in 181 case patients. Most of these patients (87.8%) reported having injected the extended-release formulation of the prescription opioid oxymorphone, and 92.3% were coinfected with hepatitis C virus. Among 159 case patients who had an HIV type 1 pol gene sequence, 157 (98.7%) had sequences that were highly related, as determined by phylogenetic analyses. Contact tracing investigations led to the identification of 536 persons who were named as contacts of case patients; 468 of these contacts (87.3%) were located, assessed for risk, tested for HIV, and, if infected, linked to care. The number of times a contact was named as a syringe-sharing partner by a case patient was significantly associated with the risk of HIV infection (adjusted risk ratio for each time named, 1.9; P<0.001). In response to this outbreak, a public health emergency was declared on March 26, 2015, and a syringe-service program in Indiana was established for the first time.

CONCLUSIONS

Injection-drug use of extended-release oxymorphone within a network of persons who inject drugs in Indiana led to the introduction and rapid transmission of HIV. (Funded by the state government of Indiana and others.).

Notes from the Field: Expanded Chemoprophylaxis Offered in Response to a Case of Meningococcal Meningitis in an Elementary School - Indiana, 2015

On December 11, 2015, the Fort Wayne-Allen County (Indiana) Department of Health was notified by a local hospital laboratory of a suspected case of meningococcal meningitis based on Gram stain results of cerebrospinal fluid. The county health department interviewed close family members and friends of the patient to establish an infectious period, timeline of events, and possible exposures. Close medical and household contacts were offered chemoprophylaxis (1). This case was associated with an elementary school. The patient had intermittent, close, potentially face-to-face contact with many students, and was reported to have had a persistent, productive cough throughout the exposure period. In light of these unusual circumstances, and the fact that elementary school-aged children are not routinely vaccinated against meningococcal disease,* local and state health officials, with CDC support, decided to offer chemoprophylaxis to the patient's contacts. A total of 581 child and adult contacts were identified.

Community Outbreak of HIV Infection Linked to Injection Drug Use of Oxymorphone--Indiana, 2015

On January 23, 2015, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) began an ongoing investigation of an outbreak of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, after Indiana disease intervention specialists reported 11 confirmed HIV cases traced to a rural county in southeastern Indiana. Historically, fewer than five cases of HIV infection have been reported annually in this county. The majority of cases were in residents of the same community and were linked to syringe-sharing partners injecting the prescription opioid oxymorphone (a powerful oral semi-synthetic opioid analgesic). As of April 21, ISDH had diagnosed HIV infection in 135 persons (129 with confirmed HIV infection and six with preliminarily positive results from rapid HIV testing that were pending confirmatory testing) in a community of 4,200 persons.