Appointment Time Research Articles

P108 Exploring the Treatment Burden of Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug Monitoring in People with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Qualitative Study with Recommendations for Practice

Abstract Background/Aims People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) taking disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) require safety monitoring to identify potential side-effects. This study explored patients’ and family members’ perspectives on DMARD monitoring, and how associated treatment burden could be minimised to optimise concordance and safety. Methods Adults with RA on DMARDs and family members were recruited from 2 rheumatology departments in the West Midlands to take part in semi-structured telephone interviews between July 2021 and January 2022. Public contributors with RA helped to develop the topic guide and interpret the results. Interviews were digitally recorded and data analysed using a framework method. Findings were discussed with a group of stakeholders to develop implications for practice. Results Thirteen people with RA (10 females, age range 40-79yrs, seven retired, disease duration 1 month-21 years) and 3 family members (male, retired, aged 70 to 79 years) participated in an interview. Three main themes were identified: 1) DMARD monitoring took precedence over the work involved. 2) Inflexibility with appointment times and travel requirements increased the work for patients and families. 3) Drug Monitoring was more than safety surveillance. DMARDs were considered a necessity to treat active disease and maintain wellbeing. Consequently, the work associated with DMARDs monitoring was often accepted in return for control of symptoms. Treatment burden was not always recognised, as early appointment times increased the work for patients with physical care needs and those with co-morbidities, who required extra time for preparation. Inflexibility in drug monitor locations impacted on the personal, practical and financial costs associated with travelling and parking, with family members having to take time off work. Monitoring encompassed more that drug safety addressing symptom management, functional ability and emotional wellbeing. Three core recommendations for addressing treatment burden to optimize concordance and safety were co-designed by the stakeholders (3 rheumatology nurses, 3 clinical academics, 2 rheumatologists, 1 GP and 1 person with RA) and the research team: 1) Conceptualising monitoring: changing the emphasis of care from ‘drug’ monitoring to ‘person’ monitoring to facilitate a holistic assessment of the person and their condition. 2) Identifying treatment burden: being clear who within the healthcare team is identifying treatment burden and when. Proactively, assessing treatment burden when a DMARD is commenced, rather than waiting for burden to exceed capacity, resulting in non-concordance. 3) Minimising treatment burden: by negotiating how treatment burden can be managed including offering flexible and responsive options, in terms of appointment times and monitoring locations. Conclusion The work involved for people with RA in drug monitoring is significant and often unrecognised. Our findings have led to clear recommendations to promote a more person-centred approach, increase recognition of, and minimise the treatment burden associated with DMARD monitoring. Disclosure S.J. Ryan: Royalties; book royalties oxford handbook clinical rehabilitation 5600006372. Grants/research support; General Nursing Council Trust. Other; unpaid committee role with the haywood foundation. L. Bullock: None. F. Manning: Grants/research support; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula. Other; Honorary lectureship in bone health Keele University. Z. Paskins: Consultancies; non paid consultancy for UCB. Grants/research support; versus arthritis, royal osteoporosis society, general nursing council trust, charted society for physiotherapy, british society for rheumatology. Other; unpaid committee roles with royal osteoporosis society, versus arthritis and haywood foundation. C. Chew-Graham: Royalties; for a book primary care mental health 9781911623021. Grants/research support; NIHR and other funding bodies for research.

P141 Periodontal assessment and treatment among individuals at-risk of rheumatoid arthritis: a qualitative study

Abstract Background/Aims Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting almost half of adults in the UK and is a leading cause of tooth loss. Current evidence suggests that periodontitis could be a causal risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) onset and progression, and periodontal treatment may improve disease activity in patients with established RA. Earlier periodontal intervention in individuals at-risk of RA could provide a unique opportunity to delay progression or prevent it entirely. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of oral health among individuals at-risk of developing RA and the perceived acceptability of preventive periodontal treatment. Methods This was a qualitative interview study employing a phenomenological approach. Anti-CCP positive at-risk individuals with musculoskeletal symptoms but no synovitis were recruited from the Leeds CCP cohort. Periodontal assessments and treatment were delivered by a dentist and/or oral hygiene therapist. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted via video or telephone between March-June 2022. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Nineteen participants (ten women; age range 35-70) were interviewed. All had been offered periodontal assessment and treatment; four declined and nine had periodontal treatment. Three themes were identified: i) understanding risk; ii) oral health perceptions and experiences; iii) oral health treatment and maintenance. The majority of participants lacked awareness of the association between oral health and the risk of developing RA, and perceived lack of knowledge of this link among dentists. Preference for information provision relating to oral health as a risk factor varied extensively between participants. Negative perceptions towards dental appointments were common. Many participants identified the cost of dental treatment as an issue and expressed difficulty in accessing NHS dentists. Participants discussed oral health issues such as bleeding and sore gums, chipped and weak teeth, infections, and missing teeth. However, oral health was less of a priority when compared to comorbidities that had a bigger impact on daily life. Participation in a clinical trial involving preventive periodontal treatment was perceived to be acceptable for most participants. Facilitators included the personal benefits of being able to reduce risk, access a dentist, and not having to pay for treatment. Participants with dental phobia highlighted that seeing the same dentist at every visit was important. Perceived barriers included the location and time of appointments. Conclusion The impact of poor oral health may not be well understood by individuals at-risk of RA. Information relating to this risk factor should be tailored to the individual. Whilst periodontal disease is common in individuals at-risk of RA, seeking dental treatment can be hindered by dental phobia, treatment cost, or shortage of NHS dentists. A clinical trial involving preventive periodontal treatment is potentially acceptable for individuals at-risk of RA. Disclosure L.S. Chapman: None. K.A. Vinall-Collier: None. H.J. Siddle: None. Z. Mustufvi: None. K. Mankia: None. S. Serban: None.

E050 Developing multidisciplinary models of care in rheumatology at University College London Hospital: 18 months of learning from conception to delivery and beyond

Abstract Background/Aims The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressures on NHS departments, with demand rapidly outstripping capacity. The British Society for Rheumatology ‘Rheumatology Workforce: a crisis in numbers (2021)’ highlighted the need to provide innovative ways of delivering rheumatology specialist care. At University College London Hospitals (UCLH) we created a rheumatology multidisciplinary team (MDT) clinic to meet rising demands on our service. The aims of the Rheumatology MDT clinic were to: reduce new appointment/follow-up waiting times, increase clinic capacity, incorporate musculoskeletal (MSK) point of care ultrasound, reduce number of hospital visits and add value to each clinic encounter. Methods We ran a 6-month pilot, supported by our outpatient transformation team, incorporating a Rheumatology Advanced Practice Physiotherapist (APP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and MSK ultrasound within a Consultant clinic. The success of the pilot helped secure funding for a further 12 months. Over 18 months we have implemented: APP/Consultant enhanced triage - up to 40% of referrals were appropriate for APP assessment, including regional MSK problems and back pain. This increased capacity for consultant-led appointments. Standardisation of time-lapse between CNS and consultant follow-up appointments to ensure appropriate spacing between patient encounters. Facilitated overbooking of urgent cases afforded by additional capacity provided by the APP. MSK ultrasound embedded in the clinic template. ‘Zoom’ patient education webinars facilitated by MDT members and wider disciplines e.g. dietetics, to empower self-management and reduce the administrative burden of patient emails/phone calls occurring outside the clinic. Patient participation sessions and feedback to help shape the service. Results During the 6-month pilot we reduced our waiting time for follow-up appointments from 9 months to 2. We now have capacity to book 1-2 urgent cases each week. Pre-MDT the average wait from consultant referral to physiotherapist appointment was 55 days. The MDT allows for same day assessment (reducing 2-3 patient journeys a clinic) and where suitable, facilitates discharge or onwards referral to the appropriate service. A dedicated MDT CNS has shortened treatment times, reduced email traffic between CNS and consultant and allows for same day, joint decision-making resulting in fewer appointments. Zoom webinar feedback has been positive. Patients value the broad expertise of allied health professionals which supports self-management. Embedding ultrasound allows for same day diagnostics, decreased referrals to radiology and reduced hospital visits. Conclusion Our MDT model has reduced waiting lists, decreased treatment delays and cut hospital attendances. Point of care ultrasound allows for same day decision making and abolishes the cost and diagnostic delay associated with referrals to radiology or outsourced providers. Shared decision-making adds value to outpatient attendances, which is reflected in patients’ positive feedback. The MDT model maximises the existing workforce skill set by enhancing the APP and CNS role, allowing patients immediate access to their expertise. Disclosure F. Higgs: None. D. Ludwig: None. N. Allotey: None. S. Begum: None. J. Burton: None.

P050 GIRFT in action: Advanced Practice Physiotherapist and Advanced Practice Nurse expertise provides valuable triage and assessment clinics for non-urgent Rheumatology referrals

Abstract Background/Aims Rheumatology referrals classified as non-urgent/routine are commonly non-inflammatory conditions or medically non-urgent and can have significant waiting times for appointments. These waits were further escalated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Early intervention for non-inflammatory conditions can be crucial to good outcomes and long wait-times can have significant adverse impacts while appropriate care pathways are determined. Recent UK GIRFT recommendations include using non-medical health professional expertise in assessment and management pathways to support right place, right time, right care. This study evaluated effectiveness, impacts and patient experiences of Advanced Practice Physiotherapist (APP) and Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) Triage and Assessment Clinics for routine new referrals. Methods The non-urgent/routine referral waiting list was e-triaged by a Rheumatology APP and APN supported by clinical record searches. Patients were contacted by telephone to update on clinical status and appointment requirements determined. Triage criteria were applied to determine new referrals suitable for APP and APN Rheumatology clinics, which included low likelihood of inflammatory disease or new referrals for known diagnosis/stable conditions. Clinics were undertaken with collocated Consultant clinical supervision. Assessment findings were discussed and management agreed, or seen if needed. With waiting list attrition, clinics were expanded to include Consultant-determined stable condition reviews and follow-up reviews for non-suspected inflammatory disease. Results At 01 July 2021, 214 new routine referrals were waiting a Consultant appointment (n=103 over 2yrs). Since service initiation, clinic outcomes to date include: 69% (n = 243/358) new routine referrals discharged to GP or directed to right pathway with information, advice and self-management resources; 8% (n=29) escalated to urgent; 3% (11/358) with medical complexity remained on Consultant waitlist. Most common presentations seen included: Osteoarthritis (general or hand); Back and other spinal pain; Fibromyalgia; Persistent Fatigue and Widespread Pain; JHS/hEDS; Positive ANA without clinical features; Musculoskeletal conditions- other. To date, no patients have been re-referred and 329 new patient and 89 follow-up Consultant direct consultations have been spared. There is currently no wait-time for non-urgent/routine appointments. Patient experience feedback on the service has offered a 100% recommendation to continue and expressed highly positive experiences with the MDT approach. Patients value the breadth of expertise and care support, and the timely, thorough and professional service provided. Conclusion Rheumatology non-urgent/routine new referrals with low probability of underlying autoimmune conditions may be effectively and efficiently managed in a collaborative model using an advanced practice physiotherapist and nurse. This innovation has expanded a traditionally medical pathway to an MDT model utilising value-adding non-medical expertise in service delivery. It has enhanced interdisciplinary learning and is a valued, collaborative approach to patient care. The initiative provides support to GIRFT recommendations of using an MDT skill-set to support improved patient access, service efficiencies and earlier intervention. Disclosure C. McCrum: Grants/research support; Funding grant to provide professional education workshops- Novartis, Janssen. B. Zeljkovic: None. C. Perera: None.

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Referral networks for pediatric patients with genetic conditions: The perspective of occupational therapists.

Families of children with developmental delays but no diagnosed genetic condition may benefit from connection to genetic systems of care. This work examines the role of occupational therapy as a space for families of pediatric patients to gain access to genetic services. Between September 2021 and February 2022, we interviewed 20 occupational therapists in New England who work primarily with pediatric patients. We transcribed the interviews and used a grounded theory approach to identify and code recurring themes. The data reveal several barriers to linking pediatric patients to genetic systems of care, including lack of insurance coverage, wait times for appointments and test results, hesitant primary care providers, and familial and cultural stigma of disability. We discuss the unique role of occupational therapists as professionals who spend substantial time with patients, often in their everyday environments, to bridge these barriers. We also address challenges associated with occupational therapists facilitating connections to genetics services, including their lack of specialized knowledge of genetics and barriers fully integrating with others on the medical team.

Exploring the treatment burden of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug monitoring in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

People with RA taking DMARDs require safety monitoring to identify potential side effects. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of patients and family members on DMARD monitoring and how the associated treatment burden could be minimized to optimize concordance and safety. Thirteen adults with RA on DMARDs and three family members participated in semi-structured telephone interviews between July 2021 and January 2022. Data were analysed using a framework method. Findings were discussed with a group of stakeholders to develop implications for practice. Two main themes were identified: (i) making sense of drug monitoring; and (ii) work involved in drug monitoring. Participants perceived DMARDs as necessary to reduce symptoms, with drug monitoring providing an opportunity for a holistic assessment of wellbeing. Participants expressed a preference for face-to-face consultations, which allowed them to share their concerns, rather than remote, often transactional, care. The limited availability of convenient appointment times, travel requirements and parking increased the work involved for patients and family members. Drug monitoring was accepted as a necessity of DMARD treatment, but increased the work for people with RA related to organizing and attending appointments. The potential for treatment burden needs to be assessed proactively by clinicians when a DMARD is commenced. Where identified, strategies for minimizing the treatment burden can form part of a shared management plan, including the offer of regular contact with health professionals, with an emphasis on person-centred care.

Cost Analysis of Orthoptist-Led Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Screening Clinics.

To conduct a costing study comparing orthoptist-led with consultant-led clinics screening for optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) in children with neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) attending the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), Melbourne. Patients with NF1 examined in the orthoptist-led NF1 screening clinic and/or consultant-led clinics during the study period were identified. The workflow management software Q-Flow 6® provided data documenting patient's time spent with the orthoptist, nurse, and ophthalmologist. Time points were converted into minutes and multiplied by the cost-per-minute for each profession. A bottom-up micro-costing approach was used to estimate appointment level costs. Bootstrap simulations with 1000 replications were used to estimate 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the difference in mean appointment time and cost between clinics. Data for 130 consultant-led clinic appointments and 234 orthoptist-led clinic appointments were extracted for analysis. The mean time per appointment for the consultant-led clinic was 45.11 minutes, and the mean time per appointment for the orthoptist-led clinic was 25.85 minutes. The mean cost per appointment for the consultant-led clinic was A $84.15 (GBP £39.60) compared to the orthoptist-led clinic at A $20.40 (GBP £9.60). This represents a mean reduction of 19.25 minutes per appointment (95% CI, -24.85 to -13.66) and a mean reduction of A $63.75 (GBP £30.00) per appointment (95% CI, (A $-75.40 to $-52.10 [GBP £ -35.48 to £ -24.52]). An orthoptist-led clinic screening for OPGs in patients with NF1 can be a more cost-efficient model of care for ophthalmic screening in this patient group.

Experiences of women with autistic spectrum condition accessing the Brighton and Hove Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service

PurposeThis study aims to describe the experiences and barriers to care for women with autistic spectrum condition (ASC) under the care of the Brighton and Hove Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service (BHSPMHS) and provide recommendations to improve the service.Design/methodology/approachPatients with an ASC diagnosis or suspected diagnosis and awaiting assessment under the care of BHSPMHS were offered to take part in the study. Five patients were interviewed to explore their experiences.FindingsParticipants had a mix of positive and negative experiences of services. Positives included the continuous support and allowing flexibility around appointments. Dialectical behavioural therapy groups running online instead of in-person was highlighted as a universal negative as well as delays in diagnosing ASC.Practical implicationsThose likely to meet the criteria for ASC but are awaiting formal diagnosis should be treated with appropriate adjustments to service provision as those who have received a diagnosis. Recommendations for service improvements include the provision of smaller, in-person therapy groups. Adjustments to treatments may include flexibility around appointment times and location.Originality/valueThere is little research into the experiences of people with ASC under the care of perinatal mental health teams. As specialist perinatal services expand, it is important to understand the experiences of women with ASC being cared for by these services, to ensure they are accessible and inclusive. The results of this study will be used to guide service development and act as a model for other services, with the intention of improving care for this patient group.

The financial and quality of life impact of urgent dental presentations: A cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to: (i) calculate personal financial costs associated with urgent dental attendance; and (ii) investigate the pain-related disability and quality of life impact of dental conditions which result in urgent dental attendance. Data were collected from those presenting with urgent dental conditions to an out-of-hours dental service, a dental emergency clinic (DEC) and five primary care general dental practices across North-East England. A pre-operative questionnaire explored the impact of urgent dental conditions on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) using Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and a modified Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS). OHIP-14 yields a maximum score of 56, with a higher score indicating a lower OHRQoL. Personal financial costs were summed to provide a total. These included travel, appointment fees, childcare costs, medication use and time away from work. Data were analysed using one-way anova and multivariable modelling. In total, 714 participants were recruited. The mean OHIP-14 score was 25.73; 95% CI [24.67, 26.79], GCPS CPI was 71.69; 95% CI [70.09, 73.28] and GCPS interference was 49.56; 95% CI [47.24, 51.87]. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis was the most frequently managed dental emergency and was associated with the highest mean OHIP-14 score (31.67; 95% CI [30.20, 33.15]). The mean personal financial cost of urgent dental care (UDC) was £85.81; 95% CI [73.29, 98.33]. Differences in travel time (F[2, 691] = 10.24, p < .001), transport costs (F[2, 698] = 4.92, p = .004), and appointment time (F[2, 74] = 9.40, p < .001) were significant between patients attending an out-of-hours dental service, DEC and dental practices for emergency care, with a DEC being associated with the highest costs and dental practices the lowest. Diseases of the pulp and associated periapical disease were the most common reason for patients to present for UDC and were the most impactful in terms of OHRQoL and pain in the present sample. Personal financial costs are significant from urgent dental conditions, with centralized services increasing the burden to patients of attending appointments.

Providing recurrence risk counselling for parents after diagnosis of a serious genetic condition caused by an apparently de novo mutation in their child: a qualitative investigation of the PREGCARE strategy with UK clinical genetics practitioners

BackgroundDiagnosis of a child with a genetic condition leads to parents asking whether there is a risk the condition could occur again with future pregnancies. If the cause is identified...

Provision of information by midwives for pregnant women in England on guidance on foods/drinks to avoid or limit

BackgroundThe National Health Service (NHS) website gives guidance for pregnant women in England on foods/drinks to avoid or limit because of microbiological, toxicological or teratogenic hazards. These include, for example, some types of soft cheeses, fish/seafood and meat products. This website and midwives are trusted sources of information for pregnant women, but the ways in which midwives can be supported to provide clear and accurate information are unknown.AimsThe aims were to: (1) determine midwives’ accuracy of recall of information and confidence in delivering the guidance to women; (2) identify barriers to provision; (3) identify the ways in which midwives provide this information to women.MethodsRegistered Midwives practicing in England completed an online questionnaire. Questions included those on what information they provided and their confidence in delivering it, the ways they provided information on foods to avoid/limit, their recall of some of the guidance, and what resources they used. Ethics approval was given by the University of Bristol.ResultsMore than 10% of midwives (n = 122) were ‘Not at all confident/Don't know’ in providing advice about ten items, including game meat/gamebirds (42% and 43%, respectively), herbal teas (14%) and cured meats (12%). Only 32% correctly recalled overall advice on eating fish, and only 38% the advice on tinned tuna. The main barriers to provision were lack of time in appointments and lack of training. The most usual methods of disseminating information were verbal (79%) and signposting to websites (55%).ConclusionMidwives were often unconfident about their ability to provide accurate guidance, and recall on items tested was frequently mistaken. Delivery of guidance by midwives on foods to avoid or limit needs to be supported by appropriate training and access to resources, and sufficient time in appointments. Further research on barriers to the delivery and implementation of the NHS guidance is needed.

A98 ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN DISTANCE TO CLINIC AND PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS FOR YOUNG ADULTS WITH IBD AT THE TIME OF PEDIATRIC TO ADULT TRANSFER OF CARE

Abstract Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in childhood are a vulnerable population. Compared to patients diagnosed in adulthood, they may present more often with extensive disease, delayed growth, and more frequently have perianal disease. Eventually, these patients will transfer care from the pediatric to the adult system, which has been associated with medication nonadherence and increase in health care utilization. Within the literature, travel distance has been cited as a barrier to accessing health care; however, understanding its’ impact on this vulnerable patient population has not been well-established. Purpose The study objective was to characterize differences between patients transferring from pediatric to adult care based on distance from an IBD center. To achieve this, the study aims to measure associations between distance to clinic and smoking status, anxiety and depression, history of surgery, and biologics at the time of first appointment in adult care. Method A retrospective cross-sectional study is ongoing using electronic medical charts for patients who transferred from pediatric to adult care from January 1, 2014 – October 4, 2022. Transfer was defined as the patient’s first appointment in adult care at the University of Alberta’s IBD clinic. Distance was measured by driving distance from the patient’s postal code to the postal code of the IBD clinic. Distance was categorized as being &amp;lt;50km from IBD clinic and &amp;gt;50km. Binary outcome variables collected at time of transfer included reported biologic use, anxiety and depression, smoking status, and history of surgeries. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. Result(s) Of the 185 electronic medical charts were reviewed, 46 (24.9%) patients lived &amp;gt;50km from clinic. The median age at diagnosis for the &amp;gt;50km group was 14.5 (IQR: 15.9-13.6), 41% were female sex, 54% had Crohn disease, 41% had ulcerative colitis (UC), and 26% had completed a fecal calprotectin within the last 6 months. The median age at diagnosis of the 139 patients living &amp;lt;50km from clinic was 14.3 (IQR:15.9-12.5), 45% were female sex, 60% had Crohn disease, 32% had UC, and 59% had completed a fecal calprotectin. Of those who had a fecal calprotectin, in group 1, 26% had a result over &amp;gt;250 ug/g, compared to 60% in the reference group. Univariate analysis (Table 1) showed that those living further than 50 km were more likely than those closer to engage in daily smoking (OR~4.7). Weaker and lack of associations were seen with anxiety and depression (OR~1); being on biologics (OR~0.7); history of surgical intervention (OR~2.2). Image Conclusion(s) When smoking status was reported, patients &amp;gt; 50km away from clinic were 4.7 times more likely to engage in daily smoking at time of transfer compared to those patients within 50km from the clinic. By acknowledging and understanding potential differences and similarities between patients characterized by geographical location, we can use this research to inform personalized care plans. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Patient and carer experiences of lung cancer referral pathway in a regional health service: a qualitative study.

Lung cancer referral pathways aim to reduce delays and improve referral patterns of people with suspected lung cancer. As part of implementinga lung cancer referral pathway at a regional Australian hospital, this study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of people with lung cancer and their carers. In-depth interviews were used to elicit data for thematic analysis in this cross-sectional descriptive qualitative study. Patientswithnewly diagnosed lung cancer and their carers at a regional academic cancer centre were invited to participate in interviews. Five interviews were conducted face-to-face, and 14 interviews were conducted by telephone (as per interviewee preference). Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed and qualitatively analysed. Descriptive phrases were used to generate initial inductive codes and themes. Nineteen participants approached agreed to take part in the study. Factors that positively impacted the care experience were good communication, timeliness and patient advocacy and support. Improper communication, long waiting times for investigations and appointments, uncertainty about the process and inconsistent advice from providers negatively impacted the care experience. Participants preferred face-to-face or video-linked consultations over telephone consultations. Understanding the experiences of rural and regional patients and carers with the lungcancerreferralpathway is important to improve quality of care. Implementing changes to the referral pathway to improve patient and carer experiences needs to be an ongoing quality improvement exercise.

Evaluation of a nurse-led glaucoma assessment clinic for non-complex patients.

The purpose of this study was to assess the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of a nurse-led glaucoma assessment clinic service. Glaucoma is a group of serious, irreversible optic neuropathies that progressively damage the optic nerve resulting in blindness. Over 64.3 million people globally are affected by glaucoma with numbers projected to increase to 111.8 million by 2040. Glaucoma is a major public health concern that requires the development of innovative models of care to meet current and future health care demands. A mixed method design was used to evaluate the assessment of non-complex glaucoma patients attending a new nurse-led clinic. Under an ophthalmologist's supervision, the glaucoma nurse completed 100 hof clinical training and assessment to ensure they were competent in completing and interpreting the required glaucoma assessment protocols. Interrater reliability between the glaucoma nurse and ophthalmology doctor was undertaken. Glaucoma patient waitlist appointment data were also compared before and after the introduction of the nurse-led clinics. This study adhered to the SQUIRE checklist for the reporting of excellence with quality improvement projects. Patients contributed to the evaluation of this new nurse-led service by providing follow-up feedback on their experience. Agreement between clinicians for appropriate follow-up appointment times was high with 93% (n= 315) agreement achieved. Furthermore in 297 (87.5%) cases, both clinicians agreed on the patient being referred to the doctor for follow-up review. Glaucoma consultations were shown to increase from 3,115 appointments in 2019/20 to 3,504 appointments in 2020/21 after the introduction of the nurse-led clinic. The nurse-led clinics accounted for 14.5% (n= 512) of clinic appointments. The introduction of the nurse-led glaucoma assessment clinic service allowed patients to be reviewed safely, efficiently and satisfactorily. This new service subsequently allowed for more complex glaucoma patients to be seen bythe ophthalmologists. Findings revealed that suitably trained glaucoma nurses are able to clinically assess and safely monitor stable non-complex glaucoma patients. Highlights the need for appropriate investment in clinical training and supervision to ensure that glaucoma assessment nurses are adequately prepared to undertake this new practice role.

A Multi-Objective Scheduling and Routing Problem for Home Health Care Services via Brain Storm Optimization

At present, home health care (HHC) has been accepted as an effective method for handling the healthcare problems of the elderly. The HHC scheduling and routing problem (HHCSRP) attracts wide concentration from academia and industrial communities. This work proposes an HHCSRP considering several care centers, where a group of customers (i.e., patients and the elderly) require being assigned to care centers. Then, various kinds of services are provided by caregivers for customers in different regions. By considering the skill matching, customers' appointment time, and caregivers' workload balancing, this article formulates an optimization model with multiple objectives to achieve minimal service cost and minimal delay cost. To handle it, we then introduce a brain storm optimization method with particular multi-objective search mechanisms (MOBSO) via combining with the features of the investigated HHCSRP. Moreover, we perform experiments to test the effectiveness of the designed method. Via comparing the MOBSO with two excellent optimizers, the results confirm that the developed method has significant superiority in addressing the considered HHCSRP.

Association of scrub typhus with incidence of dementia: a nationwide population-based cohort study in Korea

BackgroundScrub typhus is a mite-borne infectious rickettsial disease that can occur in rural and urban areas, with an especially high prevalence in older populations. This disease causes systemic vasculitis that can invade the central nervous system. Considering these characteristics, here we examined whether scrub typhus was associated with the occurrence of dementia, using large population-based cohort data.MethodThis population-based cohort study enrolled patients aged 60–89 years using data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment database of South Korea between 2009 and 2018. We defined scrub typhus and dementia using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition diagnostic codes. The control group was stratified according to age and sex at a ratio of 1:5 to the case group in the study population. The index date was set after 90 days beyond the date of the scrub typhus diagnosis, while the observation period was from the time of the index appointment to December 31, 2020. The primary outcome was newly diagnosed dementia. The secondary outcome was dementia classification, such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and other. All analyses were conducted by matching age, gender, and comorbidity.ResultsDuring the observation period, 10,460 of 71,047 (14.7%) people who had a history of scrub typhus versus 42,965 of 355,235 (12.1%) people in the control group, that is, with no history of scrub typhus, were diagnosed with dementia (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.10–1.15, p < 0.001). The Kaplan–Meier curves for time to cumulative incidence of dementia showed that the dementia incidence in both groups increased over time, while individuals with a past history of scrub typhus had a higher incidence of dementia than the control group. Second, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease was significantly higher among patients with a history of scrub typhus (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval 1.13–1.18, p < 0.001).ConclusionIn conclusion, a history of scrub typhus infection in old age is significantly associated with an increase in dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease. Our results suggest that prevention and appropriate treatment of scrub typhus should be emphasized as a dementia prevention measure.

Family involvement, patient safety and suicide prevention in mental healthcare: ethnographic study.

Family involvement has been identified as a key aspect of clinical practice that may help to prevent suicide. To investigate how families can be effectively involved in supporting a patient accessing crisis mental health services. A multi-site ethnographic investigation was undertaken with two crisis resolution home treatment teams in England. Data included 27 observations of clinical practice and interviews with 6 patients, 4 family members, and 13 healthcare professionals. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Three overarching themes described how families and carers are involved in mental healthcare. Families played a key role in keeping patients safe by reducing access to means of self-harm. They also provided useful contextual information to healthcare professionals delivering the service. However, delivering a home-based service can be challenging in the absence of a supportive family environment or because of practical problems such as the lack of suitable private spaces within the home. At an organisational level, service design and delivery can be adjusted to promote family involvement. Findings from this study indicate that better communication and dissemination of safety and care plans, shared learning, signposting to carer groups and support for carers may facilitate better family involvement. Organisationally, offering flexible appointment times and alternative spaces for appointments may help improve services for patients.

Exploring potential barriers in equitable access to pediatric diagnostic imaging using machine learning.

In this work, we examine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) appointments at the Diagnostic Imaging (DI) department of a pediatric hospital to discover possible relationships between selected patient features and no-show or long waiting room time endpoints. The chosen features include age, sex, income, distance from the hospital, percentage of non-English speakers in a postal code, percentage of single caregivers in a postal code, appointment time slot (morning, afternoon, evening), and day of the week (Monday to Sunday). We trained univariate Logistic Regression (LR) models using the training sets and identified predictive (significant) features that remained significant in the test sets. We also implemented multivariate Random Forest (RF) models to predict the endpoints. We achieved Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC) of 0.82 and 0.73 for predicting no-show and long waiting room time endpoints, respectively. The univariate LR analysis on DI appointments uncovered the effect of the time of appointment during the day/week, and patients' demographics such as income and the number of caregivers on the no-shows and long waiting room time endpoints. For predicting no-show, we found age, time slot, and percentage of single caregiver to be the most critical contributors. Age, distance, and percentage of non-English speakers were the most important features for our long waiting room time prediction models. We found no sex discrimination among the scheduled pediatric DI appointments. Nonetheless, inequities based on patient features such as low income and language barrier did exist.

Using Lean Healthcare Techniques to Reduce Appointment Times

To reduce extended appointment times at a heart failure clinic, 3 Lean healthcare-based changes were planned and implemented one at a time over 4 months. Findings based on 1,267 appointments showed that appointment times decreased with proper implementation. Although staffing challenges and inadequate sample sizes prevented statistical analysis on consult appointments, follow-up appointment results were statistically significant based on 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey honest significant difference tests. Although the study period prevented the determination of a correlation between monthly clinic end times and average appointment times (patient throughput), in-room minute decreases suggest that lean healthcare techniques can be effective in this context.