Counseling In Clinical Settings Research Articles

The Impact of Behavior Change Counseling Delivered via a Digital Health Tool Versus Routine Care Among Adolescents With Obesity: Pilot Randomized Feasibility Study.

Youth overweight and obesity is a public health crisis and increases the risk of poor cardiovascular health (CVH) and chronic disease. Health care providers play a key role in weight management, yet few tools exist to support providers in delivering tailored evidence-based behavior change interventions to patients. The goal of this pilot randomized feasibility study was to determine the feasibility of implementing the Patient-Centered Real-Time Intervention (PREVENT) tool in clinical settings, generate implementation data to inform scale-up, and gather preliminary effectiveness data. A pilot randomized clinical trial was conducted to examine the feasibility, implementation, and preliminary impact of PREVENT on patient knowledge, motivation, behaviors, and CVH outcomes. The study took place in a multidisciplinary obesity management clinic at a children's hospital within an academic medical center. A total of 36 patients aged 12 to 18 years were randomized to use PREVENT during their routine visit (n=18, 50%) or usual care control (n=18, 50%). PREVENT is a digital health tool designed for use by providers to engage patients in behavior change education and goal setting and provides resources to support change. Patient electronic health record and self-report behavior data were collected at baseline and 3 months after the intervention. Implementation data were collected via PREVENT, direct observation, surveys, and interviews. We conducted quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods analyses to evaluate pretest-posttest patient changes and implementation data. PREVENT was feasible, acceptable, easy to understand, and helpful to patients. Although not statistically significant, only PREVENT patients increased their motivation to change their behaviors as well as their knowledge of ways to improve heart health and of resources. Compared to the control group, PREVENT patients significantly improved their overall CVH and blood pressure (P<.05). Digital tools can support the delivery of behavior change counseling in clinical settings to increase knowledge and motivate patients to change their behaviors. An appropriately powered trial is necessary to determine the impact of PREVENT on CVH behaviors and outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06121193; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06121193.

Outcome Evaluation of a Public Health Intervention on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention Among Women Aged 40-64 with Low Incomes in Nebraska.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the program interventions on cardiovascular disease in Nebraska women who are low income and have no health insurance. This evaluation used pre- and post-comparison approach. Paired t test and McNemar's test were used to examine the changes after the program interventions. Nebraska women aged 40 to 64 years, without health insurance, and with household incomes up to 225% Federal Poverty Level. A network of community-clinical linkages in which medical providers provided preventive screening services and risk reduction counseling in clinical settings and community health workers provided lifestyle interventions in community settings either over the phone or in person. The data included weight, blood pressure measures, self-blood pressure monitoring and management, total cholesterol, fasting glucose or A1C, smoking status, nutrition, and physical activities. Among 2649 participants, 82.2% were overweight, 50.3% had hypertension, 52.7% had high cholesterol, 20.7% had diabetes, 22.5% were current smokers, and 56.4% had more than 1 risk factor. A total of 1312 participants (57.3%) participated in at least 1 lifestyle intervention session, and among them, 65.8% completed at least 3 sessions. Paired t test and McNemar's test indicated significant improvement in hypertension control and self-management; a significant amount of weight loss with 24.1% losing at least 5 pounds; and an increase in healthy eating and physical activity. These participants benefited from the Nebraska program. Utilizing a statewide clinical network and participating in lifestyle interventions through local health departments, participants improved some chronic health conditions and decreased their risks of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Identification of missense and synonymous variants in Iranian patients suffering from autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

BackgroundAutosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the predominant type of inherited kidney disorder, occurs due to PKD1 and PKD2 gene mutations. ADPKD diagnosis is made primarily by kidney imaging. However, molecular genetic analysis is required to confirm the diagnosis. It is critical to perform a molecular genetic analysis when the imaging diagnosis is uncertain, particularly in simplex cases (i.e. a single occurrence in a family), in people with remarkably mild symptoms, or in individuals with atypical presentations. The main aim of this study is to determine the frequency of PKD1 gene mutations in Iranian patients with ADPKD diagnosis.MethodsGenomic DNA was extracted from blood samples from 22 ADPKD patients, who were referred to the Qaem Hospital in Mashhad, Iran. By using appropriate primers, 16 end exons of PKD1 gene that are regional hotspots, were replicated with PCR. Then, PCR products were subjected to DNA directional Sanger sequencing.ResultsThe DNA sequencing in the patients has shown that exons 35, 36 and 37 were non- polymorphic, and that most mutations had occurred in exons 44 and 45. In two patients, an exon-intron boundary mutation had occurred in intron 44. Most of the variants were missense and synonymous types.ConclusionIn the present study, we have shown the occurrence of nine novel missense or synonymous variants in PKD1 gene. These data could contribute to an improved diagnostic and genetic counseling in clinical settings.

Rapid Diet Assessment Screening Tools for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Across Healthcare Settings: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

It is critical that diet quality be assessed and discussed at the point of care with clinicians and other members of the healthcare team to reduce the incidence and improve the management of diet-related chronic disease, especially cardiovascular disease. Dietary screening or counseling is not usually a component of routine medical visits. Moreover, numerous barriers exist to the implementation of screening and counseling, including lack of training and knowledge, lack of time, sense of futility, lack of reimbursement, competing demands during the visit, and absence of validated rapid diet screener tools with coupled clinical decision support to identify actionable modifications for improvement. With more widespread use of electronic health records, there is an enormous unmet opportunity to provide evidence-based clinician-delivered dietary guidance using rapid diet screener tools that must be addressed. In this scientific statement from the American Heart Association, we provide rationale for the widespread adoption of rapid diet screener tools in primary care and relevant specialty care prevention settings, discuss the theory- and practice-based criteria of a rapid diet screener tool that supports valid and feasible diet assessment and counseling in clinical settings, review existing tools, and discuss opportunities and challenges for integrating a rapid diet screener tool into clinician workflows through the electronic health record.

Investigating the Relationship Between Fatherhood and Provider Weight-Related Practices and Counseling in Clinical Settings

ObjectiveTo assess whether weight-related practices and counseling between men and their medical providers are associated with the patient's fatherhood status. MethodsUsing the 2015–2017 National Survey of Family Growth, logistic regression models were constructed to examine the odds of men being weighed, told a weight status, or referred for nutrition/exercise counseling during a medical visit in the previous year. ResultsThe sample included 2,562 men and 1,272 fathers. Overall, 90%, 76%, and 49% of fathers were weighed by a provider, told their weight status, and referred for nutrition/exercise counseling, respectively. There were no associations between fatherhood status and being weighed or provider weight status communication. Fathers were more likely to be referred for nutrition/exercise counseling compared with those without children during a medical (adjusted odds ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.003–2.583) or routine visit (adjusted odds ratio, 1.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–3.16). Conclusions and ImplicationsThe increased likelihood of nutrition or exercise counseling referrals among fathers presents an opportunity to address obesity within families.

Asking the Right Questions About Secondhand Smoke.

Despite knowledge about major health effects of secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure, systematic incorporation of SHS screening and counseling in clinical settings has not occurred. A three-round modified Delphi Panel of tobacco control experts was convened to build consensus on the screening questions that should be asked and identify opportunities and barriers to SHS exposure screening and counseling. The panel considered four questions: (1) what questions should be asked about SHS exposure; (2) what are the top priorities to advance the goal of ensuring that these questions are asked; (3) what are the barriers to achieving these goals; and (4) how might these barriers be overcome. Each panel member submitted answers to the questions. Responses were summarized and successive rounds were reviewed by panel members for consolidation and prioritization. Panelists agreed that both adults and children should be screened during clinical encounters by asking if they are exposed or have ever been exposed to smoke from any tobacco products in their usual environment. The panel found that consistent clinician training, quality measurement or other accountability, and policy and electronic health records interventions were needed to successfully implement consistent screening. The panel successfully generated screening questions and identified priorities to improve SHS exposure screening. Policy interventions and stakeholder engagement are needed to overcome barriers to implementing effective SHS screening. In a modified Delphi panel, tobacco control and clinical prevention experts agreed that all adults and children should be screened during clinical encounters by asking if they are exposed or have ever been exposed to smoke from tobacco products. Consistent training, accountability, and policy and electronic health records interventions are needed to implement consistent screening. Increasing SHS screening will have a significant impact on public health and costs.

Higher Prevalence of Health-Risk Factors Among US Adults With Unmet Health Care Needs Due to Cost, 2016.

Adults with unmet health care needs (UHCN) due to cost have fewer opportunities to receive behavioral counseling in clinical settings, which may be associated with a higher likelihood of having health-risk behaviors. This study assessed associations between UHCN and health-risk factors. We used 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to calculate age-adjusted weighted prevalence of 5 health-risk factors by UHCN and insurance status and to assess the association of UHCN with these factors using multivariable logistic regression. US adults aged 18 to 64 years who participated in the survey (N = 301 035). Five health-risk factors: obesity, current cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol use, sleeping less than 7 hours per 24-hour period, and no leisure-time physical activity within the past month. In 2016, among adults aged 18 to 64 years, 11.2% of those with insurance and 40.1% of those without insurance (both age-adjusted) had UHCN. In both study populations, compared with adults with no UHCN, adults reporting UHCN were more likely to be a current cigarette smoker, report excessive alcohol use, and sleep less than 7 hours per 24-hour period. The prevalence of 3 or more health-risk factors was higher among adults with UHCN than among adults without UHCN (adults with insurance: adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.40; 95% confidence interval = 1.33-1.48; adults without insurance: adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.39; 95% confidence interval = 1.27-1.53). Unmet health care needs was associated with more health-risk factors regardless of insurance status. Addressing cost barriers to behavioral counseling may be one approach to consider when seeking to reduce health-risk behaviors among high-risk populations.

Do Sexual Minorities Receive Appropriate Sexual and Reproductive Health Care and Counseling?

Sexual minority women (SMW) are less likely to use sexual and reproductive health care services and receive contraceptive counseling than their heterosexual peers. The role of recent sexual partners and the type of information provided when SMW access health services are unclear. The National Survey of Family Growth 2006-2015 was used to document sexual orientation disparities in the use of sexual and reproductive health services and counseling in clinical settings among 20,703 women. We incorporate data on sexual partners in the past 12 months to investigate whether recent sex with men was associated with health care seeking behavior and reproductive counseling. Eight-seven percent of the sample reported a male partner in the past 12 months, including 83% of bisexual women and 17% of lesbian women. In clinical settings, 48% of women reported birth control counseling at pregnancy or Pap tests, 49% reported a condom consult at an sexually transmitted diseases (STD) screening, and 9% reported emergency contraception counseling at a Pap test. Logistic regression models show that lesbian women were less likely than heterosexual women to have been given a contraceptive prescription or received contraceptive counseling, but were more likely to have received an STD test. In clinical settings, lesbian women were less likely to receive contraceptive counseling at pregnancy tests, and lesbian women without male partners were less likely to have a counseling about condom use at STD-related visits compared with heterosexual women. At least some women and providers adjust health care seeking behaviors and information provided to women based upon recent sexual behavior histories. More work is needed to understand why disparities in reproductive health services and contraceptive use persist among SMW who engage in sex with men.

Genetic Polymorphism Predisposing to Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Review of Major Findings of the Genome-Wide Association Studies.

Thyroid cancer has one of the highest hereditary component among human malignancies as seen in medical epidemiology investigations, suggesting the potential meaningfulness of genetic studies. Here we review researches into genetic variations that influence the chance of developing non-familial differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), focusing on the major findings of the genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). To date, eight GWAS have been performed, and the association of a number of SNPs have been reproduced in dozens of replication investigations across different ethnicities, including Korea and Japan. Despite the cumulative effect of the strongest SNPs demonstrates gradual increase in the risk for cancer and their association signals are statistically quite significant, the overall prediction ability for DTC appears to be very limited. Thus, genotyping of common SNPs only would be insufficient for evidence-based counseling in clinical setting at present. Further studies to include less significant and rare SNPs, non-SNP genetic information, gene-gene interactions, ethnicity, non-genetic and environmental factors, and development of more advanced computational algorithms are warranted to approach to personalized disease risk prediction and prognostication.

Barriers and Promoting Strategies to Sexual Health Assessment for Patients with Coronary Artery Diseases in Nursing Practice: A Literature Review

Background: Sexual health is an important and integral part of human health. Patients often voice their concerns regarding their sexual health after experiencing coronary artery diseases. Nurses face many barriers to conduct sexual health assessment. Although many sexual health instructions have been developed, nurses still pay little attention to sexual health assessment. Purpose: The purpose of this literature review was to identify the barriers and strategies that promoted sexual health assessment in clinical nursing practice. Design: A comprehensive search of the recent literature related to barriers and promoting strategies to sexual health assessment was undertaken. Methods: A review of literature published over the last 10 years on a wide variety of recent studies in nursing and related discipline in the field of sexual health was performed. Findings: Most studies indicated that sexual health was poorly addressed in clinical settings. Barriers to addressing sexual health are multifactorial; we classified them into four categories: patients related barriers, nurses related barriers, organizational related barriers and value related barriers. Many strategies to enhance sexual health assessment and counseling in clinical setting are summarized. Conclusion: Overall, it is evident that nurses encounter many barriers to sexual health assessment. Therefore, investigating these barriers and developing appropriate interventions are recommended.

Impact of Contraceptive Counseling in Clinical Settings: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review evaluated the evidence on the impact of contraceptive counseling provided in clinical settings on reproductive health outcomes to provide information to guide national recommendations on quality family planning services. Multiple databases were searched during 2010-2011 for peer-reviewed articles published in English from January 1985 through February 2011 describing studies that evaluated contraceptive counseling interventions in clinical settings. Studies were excluded if they focused primarily on prevention of HIV or sexually transmitted infections, focused solely on men, or were conducted outside the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, or New Zealand. The initial search identified 12,327 articles, of which 22 studies (from 23 articles) met the inclusion criteria. Six studies examined the impact of contraceptive counseling among adolescents, with four finding a significant positive impact on at least one outcome of interest. Sixteen studies examined the impact of counseling among adults or mixed populations (adults and adolescents), with 11 finding a significant positive impact on at least one outcome of interest. Promising components of contraceptive counseling were identified despite the diversity of interventions and inability to compare the relative effectiveness of one approach versus another. The evidence base would be strengthened by improved documentation of counseling procedures; assessment of intervention implementation and fidelity to put study findings into context; and development and inclusion of more RCTs, studies conducted among general samples of women, and studies with sample sizes sufficient to detect important behavioral outcomes at least 12 months post-intervention.

Genetic Counseling in Korean Health Care System

Over the years Korean health care system has improved in delivery of quality care to the general population for many areas of the health problems. The system is now being recognized in the world as the most cost effective one. It is covered by the uniform national health insurance policy for which most people in Korea are mandatory policy holders. Genetic counseling service, however, which is well recognized as an integral part of clinical genetics service deals with diagnosis and management of genetic condition as well as genetic information presentation and family support, is yet to be delivered in comprehensive way for the patients and families in need. Two major obstacles in providing genetic counseling service in korean health care system are identified; One is the lack of recognition for the need for genetic counseling service as necessary service by the national health insurance. Genetic counseling consumes a significant time in delivery and the current very low-fee schedule for physician service makes it very difficult to provide meaningful service. Second is the critical shortage of qualified professionals in the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling who can provide the service of genetic counseling in clinical setting. However, recognition and understanding of the fact that the scope and role of genetic counseling is expanding in post genomic era of personalized medicine for delivery of quality health care, will lead to the efforts to overcome obstacles in providing genetic counseling service in korean health care system. Only concerted efforts from health care policy makers of government on clinical genetics service and genetic counseling for establishing adequate reimbursement coverage and professional communities for developing educational program and certification process for professional genetic counselors, are necessary for the delivery of much needed clinical genetic counseling service in Korea.

Smoking As a Vital Sign: Prompts to Ask and Assess Increase Cessation Counseling

Strategies to improve smoking cessation counseling in clinical settings are critical to supporting smokers' attempts to quit. This study evaluates the impact of adding 2 smoking-related vital sign questions in an electronic medical records system on identification, assessment, and counseling for patients who smoke: "Current smoker?" and "Plan to quit?" Baseline data and data after intervention were collected through record review of 899 randomly selected patient visits across 3 outpatient clinics. From before to after intervention, identification of smokers increased 18% (from 71% to 84%; P<.001), and assessment for a plan to quit increased 100% (from 25.5% to 51%; P<.005). Among all smokers, cessation counseling increased 26% (from 23.6% to 29.8%; P=.41). Significantly more smokers who received the assessment for a plan to quit received cessation counseling (46% vs. 14%, P<.001). Regression analysis showed that patients receiving an assessment for plan to quit were 80% more likely to receive cessation counseling (OR 0.209; 95% CI, 0.095-0.456). Physician-documented counseling rates are significantly higher when patients are asked about smoking and assessed for a plan to quit. Two questions that ask about smoking status and assess plans to quit may provide prompts to increase the likelihood that patients who smoke receive cessation counseling.

Impact of Counseling in Voluntary Counseling and Testing Programs for Persons at Risk for or Living with HIV Infection

Persons with or at risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection need client-centered counseling and information about the disease. One of the best opportunities to provide counseling and information is during an HIV testing encounter. New testing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage less counseling before and after testing. We review the evidence regarding voluntary counseling and testing (VCT). There is clear endorsement in peer-reviewed scientific journals for VCT as part of an evidence-based bundle of interventions to prevent HIV infection. For persons who test seropositive, VCT has an impact, but it is hard to uncouple the impact of counseling from that of testing. For persons who test seronegative, counseling in clinical settings has a beneficial impact on risk behaviors and sexually transmitted disease incidence and costs very little to implement. In settings where "typical" counseling is not up to client-centered counseling standards, it should be improved, not abandoned, but we may need to recruit community service organizations and nonclinicians in the health care system to achieve this aim.

Simultaneous vs sequential counseling for multiple behavior change.

Many patients in primary care settings present with multiple behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Research has provided little information on the most effective ways to approach multiple behavior change counseling in clinical settings. We implemented a randomized trial in a publicly funded primary care setting to test whether a sequential presentation of stage of change-based counseling to stop smoking, reduce dietary sodium level to less than 100 mEq/L per day, and increase physical activity by at least 10,000 pedometer steps per week would be more effective than simultaneous counseling. African Americans with hypertension, aged 45 to 64 years, initially nonadherent to the 3 behavioral goals, were randomized to the following conditions: (1) 1 in-clinic counseling session on all 3 behaviors every 6 months, supplemented by motivational interviewing by telephone for 18 months; (2) a similar protocol that addressed a new behavior every 6 months; or (3) 1-time referral to existing group classes ("usual care"). The primary end point was the proportion in each arm that met at least 2 behavioral criteria after 18 months. A total of 289 individuals (67.3% female) were randomized, and 230 (79.6%) completed the study. At 18 months, only 6.5% in the simultaneous arm, 5.2% in the sequential arm, and 6.5% in the usual-care arm met the primary end point. However, results for single behavioral goals consistently favored the simultaneous group. At 6 months, 29.6% in the simultaneous, 16.5% in the sequential, and 13.4% in the usual-care arms had reached the urine sodium goal (P = .01). At 18 months, 20.3% in the simultaneous, 16.9% in the sequential, and 10.1% in the usual-care arms were urine cotinine negative (P = .08). Long-term multiple behavior change is difficult in primary care. This study provides strong evidence that addressing multiple behaviors sequentially is not superior to, and may be inferior to, a simultaneous approach.

Evaluation of nutrition counseling in clinical settings: Do we make a difference?

To do work that makes a difference is not only a common aspiration of nutrition professionals, but something that is now being demanded in order to preserve funding levels for nutrition services (1). Dietitians working in clinical settings need to demonstrate that there is a benefit to nutrition services even if a patient's clinical status deteriorates after recommended dietary modifications are initiated (eg, in patients with chronic renal failure or certain cancers).