A prospective randomized controlled trial measuring satisfaction and parents stress after Gomco and Plastibell infant circumcision

PURPOSE

To compare the physician and parental satisfactions between the two types of circumcision maneuvers used in our units, Gomco and Plastibell circumcision.

METHODOLOGY

This study was performed from 2019 to 2021. A total of 190 children were circumcised either by Gomco or Plastibell procedure. Each child was evaluated during the procedure, immediately after the operation, and 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the procedure. Data were collected, statistically analyzed using SPSS version 25.

RESULTS

A total of 190 children underwent circumcision from 2019 to 2021. Of the total 190, 98 children (51.6%) underwent circumcision by Gomco, while 92 (48.4%) underwent circumcision by Plastibell. Bleeding was significantly higher in Plastibell method, while excess skin was significantly higher in Gomco method (p value 0.048). Physician evaluation results show no significant difference between both methods in late physician evaluation. 23/92 (28%) of parents were not satisfied after Plastibell circumcision, compared to 8/98 (8.2%) of parents who were not satisfied with the results of Gomco circumcision (p value 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Gomco needs a longer operative time, and Plastibell circumcision is less preferable by parents. There is no significant difference in physician satisfaction between the two procedures, but parents are less satisfied with Plastibell circumcision.

Physician satisfaction with telemedicine and in-person visits in otolaryngology

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the differential factors associated with physician satisfaction between telemedicine and in-person visits in otolaryngology.

METHODS

Study data included 646 telemedicine and 365 in-person encounters delivered from May-June 2020 at a tertiary center outpatient setting. Encounter-specific physician satisfaction was rated by 15 otolaryngologists using Provider Satisfaction Questionnaire (range 0-100) consisted of 5 items (patient needs addressed, patient involvement, adequacy of information given, quality of emotion support provided, and general interaction satisfaction). A multivariable linear mixed-effects model was used to explore patient demographic and clinical factors associated with physician satisfaction.

RESULTS

Physician satisfaction scores for telemedicine and in-person visits were 83.0 [95 % CI: 77.0-88.9] and 88.1 [95 % CI: 82.5-93.6], respectively. Among telemedicine visits, physician satisfaction scores were significantly higher for follow-up (vs. new), videoconference (vs. telephone) encounters, and English-speaking patients in a multivariable model. New encounters had significantly lower satisfaction subdomain scores for adequacy of information given to the patient (β = -4.7 [95 % CI: -7.3 to -2.0], p = 0.001) and addressing the needs of the patient among telemedicine visits (β = -4.1, [95 % CI: -7.1 to -1.1], p = 0.007) while there were no differences in satisfaction scores between new vs follow-up visits among in-person visits. For non-English speaking patients, the physician satisfaction scores were significantly lower for subdomain scores assessing active patient participation (β = -13.1, [95 % CI: -13.1 to -17.4], p < 0.001) and emotional support given to the patient (β = -7.8, [95 % CI: -11.0 to -4.5], p < 0.001) for telemedicine visits.

CONCLUSIONS

Telemedicine has been broadly adopted as an alternative option to deliver care in otolaryngology since COVID-19 pandemic. Appropriate triaging based on patient and encounter characteristics may enhance physician satisfaction and overall experiences with telemedicine. Further efforts are needed to provide adequate interpretation and videoconference services during telemedicine visits.

Early-Career Physician Burnout

Early-career physicians face a broad range of challenges unique to their phase of life and career. Beginning in residency, anesthesiologists encounter stressors unique to their work environment, which, when coupled with their personal life demands, places significant burden and creates potential for burnout. In this article, the authors review the literature to explore the contributors of burnout in early-career anesthesiologists, evaluate the relationship between compassionate care and empathic distress, and propose strategies to prevent and treat burnout in this specific subset of anesthesiologists.

Inadequate Disease Control, Treatment Dissatisfaction, and Quality-of-Life Impairments Among US Patients Receiving Topical Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis

Introduction

Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) experience burdensome symptoms and impaired quality of life (QoL). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of topical AD therapies on disease control, physician and patient treatment satisfaction, and QoL in a real-world setting.

Methods

This was a retrospective, point-in-time study of physician-completed medical records and patient surveys drawn from two Adelphi AD Disease Specific Programmes™ (1. adults ≥ 18 years old; 2. pediatrics ≤ 17 years old) in the USA. Eligible physicians completed patient record forms and provided disease control assessments. Physicians and matched patients were surveyed regarding their satisfaction with current treatment. Patient-reported outcomes included the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Children’s DLQI (CDLQI), Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire.

Results

A total of 394 adult (topicals only, n = 284; topical plus systemic, n = 110) and 144 adolescent (aged 12–17 years; topicals only, n = 114; topical plus systemic, n = 30) patients who had received their current treatment for at least 1 month were included. Overall, 24.5% of patients had physician-reported uncontrolled disease (adults, 22.8%; adolescents, 29.2%). Rates of physician- and patient-reported dissatisfaction with current treatment were 32.0% (adults, 28.2%; adolescents, 42.4%) and 24.8% (adults, 24.0%; adolescents, 26.8%), respectively, and were higher for patients with uncontrolled versus controlled disease. Poorer disease control and higher rates of treatment dissatisfaction were generally reported among patients receiving topical plus systemic therapy versus topicals alone. Patients with uncontrolled versus controlled disease reported more impairment in the DLQI, CDLQI, POEM, and WPAI (P < 0.05 for all), with generally greater impairments observed among patients on topical plus systemic therapy versus topicals alone.

Conclusion

Patients receiving topical AD therapies experienced uncontrolled disease and reported decreased overall functioning and lower QoL. An unmet need for topical AD treatments that improve disease control and patient outcomes exists.

Atopic dermatitis (or eczema) is a common skin condition that causes dry, cracked, and itchy skin. Patients are frequently prescribed topical therapy, such as ointments and creams, to apply directly to the affected skin. Additionally, patients may be prescribed systemic therapies, which are oral or injectable medications that work throughout the entire body. This study included 394 adults and 144 adolescents (aged 12–17 years) with atopic dermatitis. All patients in the study were receiving topical therapy, and some received both topical and systemic therapy. The goal of the study was to evaluate how satisfied patients and their doctors were with current treatment and to learn how patients in the study felt about their quality of life. Patients and their doctors completed surveys that asked about feelings, symptoms, and whether their condition affects their work. The study results showed that patients had high levels of dissatisfaction with their treatment. Doctors reported that between one-fifth and one-quarter of adult patients and up to one-half of adolescent patients had uncontrolled disease (defined as changeable or worsening). Patients with uncontrolled disease reported higher dissatisfaction with their therapy and a negative outlook on their quality of life versus those with controlled disease (defined as stable or improving by their doctors). In summary, doctors and their patients currently using topical medications to treat atopic dermatitis reported that treatments were not working well enough and that uncontrolled disease was negatively affecting patients’ quality of life and work, indicating that additional treatment options are needed.

Acceptability of an mHealth breast cancer risk-reduction intervention promoting risk assessment, education, and discussion of risk in the primary care setting

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer risk assessment tools and risk reduction strategies have advanced significantly over the past few decades but are underutilized in practice, due in part to limited acceptability by patients and physicians. We implemented a tablet-based Breast Cancer Risk Education Intervention (BreastCARE) tailored towards increasing patients' knowledge about their individual risk of developing breast cancer, increasing patient-physician discussion of breast cancer risk reduction practices, and increasing participation in recommended screening.

METHODS

We surveyed patients and physicians who received the BreastCARE intervention and analyzed their satisfaction and acceptability of the intervention. We compared patient satisfaction measures by race/ethnicity and used multivariable logistic regression models to examine the effect of race/ethnicity on measures of patient satisfaction with the tablet-based risk assessment and with the breast cancer risk report. We also compared measures of physician satisfaction by resident vs. attending/NP status. Finally, we identified patients' and physicians' suggestions for implementation.

RESULTS

Overall, both patients and physicians were highly satisfied with BreastCARE, with some variation by patient race/ethnicity and breast cancer risk status. The risk assessment tool and accompanying risk report helped transmit complex information in an efficient way.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient self-administered risk assessment with a health education component at the point of care is acceptable for both patients and physicians, and represents a novel approach to facilitating health promotion. This risk assessment tool should be made routine in primary care accompanied by results that are easy for the patient to understand and actionable for the clinician.

Physicians' satisfaction with providing buprenorphine treatment

Background

Buprenorphine is a critically important treatment for addressing the opioid epidemic, but there are virtually no studies of physicians’ job satisfaction with providing buprenorphine. Physicians’ job satisfaction has been linked to burnout and turnover as well as patients’ adherence to treatment recommendations, so it is important to understand how physicians’ satisfaction with providing buprenorphine treatment compares to their overall job satisfaction.

Methods

As part of a cluster randomized clinical trial (RCT) focused on expanding access to medication for opioid use disorder, 55 physicians working in 38 organizations in Florida, Ohio, and Wisconsin completed a baseline web-based survey. Study measures included global job satisfaction, career satisfaction, and specialty satisfaction. Physicians who were waivered to prescribe buprenorphine were asked to rate their satisfaction with their current buprenorphine practice.

Results

Overall, physicians were generally satisfied with their jobs, their careers, and their specialties. When waivered physicians (n = 40) were compared to non-waivered physicians (n = 15) on 13 satisfaction items, there were no statistically significant differences. Among waivered physicians, ratings for buprenorphine work were significantly lower than ratings for general medical practice for finding such work personally rewarding, being pleased with such work, and overall satisfaction.

Conclusions

Although waivered and non-waivered physicians both reported high global job satisfaction, these data suggest that some waivered physicians may view their buprenorphine work as somewhat less satisfying than their global medical practice. Given that job dissatisfaction is a risk factor for turnover and burnout, managers of treatment organizations should consider whether strategies may be able to mitigate some sources of lower satisfaction in the context of buprenorphine treatment.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT02926482. Date of registration: September 9, 2016. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02926482

Assessment of Subject and Physician Satisfaction after Long-Term Treatment of Glabellar Lines with AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®/Azzalure®): Primary Results of the APPEAL Noninterventional Study

Background

Although the short- and long-term effectiveness of abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport^®/Azzalure^®) for glabellar line (GL) treatment is well established, reporting of subject satisfaction over repeat treatment cycles is limited. The APPEAL study aimed to assess subject satisfaction with long-term GL treatment with abobotulinumtoxinA in a real-life setting.

Methods

APPEAL was a noninterventional, prospective, longitudinal study in subjects administered ≥ 3 abobotulinumtoxinA injection cycles for moderate-to-severe GL, according to routine clinical practice. Subjects completed a satisfaction questionnaire at 3 weeks (± 7 days) after each cycle. Primary endpoint included subjects’ overall satisfaction with GL after three injection cycles. Secondary endpoints included satisfaction after Cycles 1 and 2 and factors associated with satisfaction after each cycle. Physician satisfaction was also assessed after Cycles 1 and 3.

Results

Of 150 subjects enrolled, 135 completed the overall subject satisfaction questionnaire after Cycle 3. At 3 weeks after Cycle 3, 99.3% of subjects were ‘very satisfied’ (74.1%) or ‘satisfied’ (25.2%) with GL. Levels of subject satisfaction and associated factors after Cycles 1 and 2 were as large and significant as after Cycle 3 (83–100%, depending on question). Physicians’ satisfaction with GL appearance, facial expression, and overall satisfaction was almost complete after the first injection (≥ 97.4%) and unanimous after the third (100%).

Conclusions

In the APPEAL study, overall satisfaction was high after three abobotulinumtoxinA injection cycles for GL based on both subjects’ (99.3%) and physicians’ (100.0%) assessments. High levels of subject satisfaction reported after Cycle 1 were maintained with repeated injections. No new safety signals were observed.

Level of Evidence IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Trial registration NCT02353897

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00266-018-1200-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Business models and provider satisfaction in in vitro fertilization centers in the USA

PURPOSE

The number of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles is increasing and the majority of patients undergoing IVF pay out of pocket. Reproductive endocrinology and infertility practitioners employ different business models to help create financial pathways for patients needing IVF but details regarding the different types of business models being used and physician satisfaction with those models have not been described previously.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was sent to members of the Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. The survey included 30 questions designed to assess demographics, practice patterns, and business models utilized.

RESULTS

A total of 222/736 (30%) physicians responded to the survey. The majority of physicians offer a-la-carte (67%), bundled services (69%), grants (57%), and cost/risk-sharing (50%). The majority answered that the single ideal business model is bundled services (53%). There was no significant association between financial package offered and region of practice or state-mandated insurance. The largest barrier to care reported was cost with or without state-mandated coverage (94% and 99%, respectively). The majority of practices are satisfied with their business model (75%). Higher physician satisfaction was associated with private practice [69% vs 27%; OR (95%CI) = 3.8 (1.7, 8.6)], male gender [59% vs 30%; OR = 2.4 (1.1, 5.4)], and offering bundled services [83% vs 59%; OR = 2.8 (1.2, 6.7)].

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians utilize a variety of business models and most are satisfied with their current model. Cost is the major barrier to care in states with and without mandated coverage.

Factors associated with internal medicine physician job attitudes in the Veterans Health Administration

Background

US healthcare organizations increasingly use physician satisfaction and attitudes as a key performance indicator. Further, many health care organizations also have an academically oriented mission. Physician involvement in research and teaching may lead to more positive workplace attitudes, with subsequent decreases in turnover and beneficial impact on patient care. This article aimed to understand the influence of time spent on academic activities and perceived quality of care in relation to job attitudes among internal medicine physicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with inpatient attending physicians from 36 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. Participants were surveyed regarding demographics, practice settings, workplace staffing, perceived quality of care, and job attitudes. Job attitudes consisted of three measures: overall job satisfaction, intent to leave the organization, and burnout. Analysis used a two-level hierarchical model to account for the nesting of physicians within medical centers. The regression models included organizational-level characteristics: inpatient bed size, urban or rural location, hospital teaching affiliation, and performance-based compensation.

Results

A total of 373 physicians provided useable survey responses. The majority (72%) of respondents reported some level of teaching involvement. Almost half (46%) of the sample reported some level of research involvement. Degree of research involvement was a significant predictor of favorable ratings on physician job satisfaction and intent to leave. Teaching involvement did not have a significant impact on outcomes. Perceived quality of care was the strongest predictor of physician job satisfaction and intent to leave. Perceived levels of adequate physician staffing was a significant contributor to all three job attitude measures.

Conclusions

Expanding opportunities for physician involvement with research may lead to more positive work experiences, which could potentially reduce turnover and improve system performance.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-018-3015-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Physician satisfaction with a critical care clinical information system using a multimethod evaluation of usability

INTRODUCTION

Physician satisfaction with electronic medical records has often been poor. Usability has frequently been identified as a source for decreased satisfaction. While surveys can identify many issues, and are logistically easier to administer, they may miss issues identified using other methods This study sought to understand the level of physician satisfaction and usability issues associated with a critical care clinical information system (eCritical Alberta) implemented throughout the province of Alberta, Canada.

METHOD

All critical care attending physicians using the system were invited to participate in an online survey. Questions included components of the User Acceptance of Information Technology and Usability Questionnaire as well as free text feedback on system components. Physicians were also invited to participate in a think aloud test using simulated scenarios. The transcribed think aloud text and questionnaire were subjected to textual analysis.

RESULTS

82% of all eligible physicians completed the on-line survey (n = 61). Eight physicians were invited and seven completed the think aloud test. Overall satisfaction with the system was moderate. Usability was identified as a significant factor contributing to satisfaction. The major usability factors identified were system response time and layout. The think aloud component identified additional factors beyond those identified in the on-line survey.

CONCLUSION

This study found a modestly high level of physician satisfaction with a province-wide clinical critical care information system. Usability continues to be a significant factor in physician satisfaction. Using multiple methods of evaluation can capture the benefits of a large sample size and deeper understanding of the issues.

How physicians draw satisfaction and overcome barriers in their practices: "It sustains me"

OBJECTIVE

Major reorganizations of medical practice today challenge physicians' ability to deliver compassionate care. We sought to understand how physicians who completed an intensive faculty development program in medical humanism sustain their humanistic practices.

METHODS

Program completers from 8 U.S. medical schools wrote reflections in answer to two open-ended questions addressing their personal motivations and the barriers that impeded their humanistic practice and teaching. Reflections were qualitatively analyzed using the constant comparative method.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight physicians (74% response rate) submitted reflections. Motivating factors included: 1) identification with humanistic values; 2) providing care that they or their family would want; 3) connecting to patients; 4) passing on values through role modelling; 5) being in the moment. Inhibiting factors included: 1) time, 2) stress, 3) culture, and 4) episodic burnout.

CONCLUSIONS

Determination to live by one's values, embedded within a strong professional identity, allowed study participants to alleviate, but not resolve, the barriers. Collaborative action to address organizational impediments was endorsed but found to be lacking.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Fostering fully mature professional development among physicians will require new skills and opportunities that reinforce time-honored values while simultaneously partnering with others to nurture, sustain and improve patient care by addressing system issues.

Utilization of Orthopaedic Trauma Surgical Time: An Evaluation of Three Different Models at a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center

OBJECTIVE

Over the past decade, our institution has instituted three different scheduling models in an attempt to care for pediatric trauma at our Level I Trauma Center. This has been in response to a number of factors, including a limited number of physicians covering the call schedule, increasing competition for operating room (OR) time after hours (pediatric surgery, urology, neurosurgery), an attempt to fully utilize OR time during the daytime, fully staffed hours, and optimizing patients' timeliness to surgery. We examined the three on-call systems in place at our institution to determine whether a more flexible approach to pediatric trauma call resulted in delays in treatment.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patient records for three distinct 1-year periods with three different surgical call schedules: (i) a traditional call schedule in which the call physician was responsible for patients who presented to our emergency room; (ii) a half-day trauma block OR reserved the morning following call; and (iii) a full-day trauma block. Variables included date of injury, time of admission, admission diagnosis, cause of injury, and OR procedure and start time.

RESULTS

We reviewed 951 cases over the entire study, 268 during the traditional call schedule, 282 during the half-call block and 401 over the time period of the full-day block. Mechanisms of injury were similar among the three groups, with falls and motor vehicle accidents being the leading causes. The average delay time was 17:40 for the traditional call group, 15:10 for the half-block call group, and 15:09 for the full-day block group. Our findings suggest that there was a high incidence of cases performed on weekdays after peak staffing hours with a traditional call model (59%). In contrast, half-day and full-day block models saw only 4% and 1% of the cases performed after peak staffing hours, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of patients admitted to the OR among the three groups (χ(2) = 488.8449, P < 0.0001). The number of patients seen during Monday through Friday was also statistically significant among the three groups (χ(2) = 382.0576, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The institution of more flexible and physician-directed half-call and full-day blocks did result in delays in treatment. However, it also has demonstrated benefits to patients in reducing the number of operative cases performed after weekday peak staffing hours; helped our institution better manage its staffing and financial resources; and provided the treating surgeon flexibility in determining the timing of operative care.

Development and Impact of a Novel Academic Primary Care Compensation Model

BACKGROUND

Traditional productivity-based compensation models do not align well with newer population-based approaches to primary care. There are few published examples of academic general internal medicine compensation models that explicitly reward population health management, including care for patients between visits.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the development and implementation of an academic general internal medicine compensation plan based upon actual work performed, compare satisfaction across primary care specialties, and evaluate work-related outcomes.

DESIGN

Observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-seven general internists who practice in affiliated academic and community clinics.

MAIN MEASURES

Clinician satisfaction with compensation plan, workforce stability, panel data, and productivity.

KEY RESULTS

The compensation plan change was associated with higher provider satisfaction. Sixty-five percent (31/47) of participants within general internal medicine reported being satisfied or very satisfied, as compared to 24 % (22/90 participants) for family medicine and 22 % (5/23 participants) for general pediatrics (p < 0.05). In the first 4 years of the compensation plan change, no general internists left to join other local groups. General internal medicine increased its number of physicians by 19 %. The number of established general internists accepting new patients increased from 17 to 48 %, while the relative value units per full-time equivalent declined by 3 %.

CONCLUSIONS

An equitable compensation model that aligns with population management goals and work performed outside the clinical visit can lead to improved satisfaction and retention of faculty in an academic general internal medicine division, along with improved access for the patient population.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospitalist Fellowships

This article establishes the rationale and development of an obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) hospitalist fellowship program. The pool of OB/GYN hospitalists needs to be drastically expanded to accommodate the country's needs. Fellowship programs should provide extra training and confidence for recent resident graduates who want to pursue a hospitalist career. Fellowships should train physicians in a way that aligns their interests with those of the hospital with respect to patient care, teaching, and research. Research in the core measures should be a necessary component of the fellowship so as to provide long-term benefits for all stakeholders, including hospitals and patients.