Patient Outreach Research Articles

Process and strategies for patient engagement and outreach in the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) community to promote clinical trial participation

IntroductionSickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. The Cure Sickle Cell Initiative (CureSCi) was created by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to improve the lives of people with SCD by accelerating the advancement of safe and promising genetic therapies, engaging the SCD community and healthcare providers, and encouraging collaboration among stakeholders. CureSCi is a collaborative, patient-focused research effort that includes patients at every level of the Initiative. Patient engagement is a key component, particularly during the development of clinical trials. ObjectiveTo describe the processes and strategies utilized by the CureSCi to engage individuals living with SCD about genetic therapy clinical trials. MethodsThe CureSCi Patient Engagement team conducted nine Community Outreach visits in 2019, each of which was structured to include separate group interviews with patients and medical providers. A set of guidance questions was developed for each audience and the interviews lasted approximately 60 minutes. ResultsPatients were asked about their participation in a clinical trial, and approximately 50% had participated in a trial. SCD individuals reported trusting their medical provider to provide them with information relevant to trials. Medical providers emphasized the individual, family, and health aspects of SCD that warrant additional investigation. Providers reported barriers encountered by patients as transportation, childcare support, infertility, and trust in the healthcare system. ConclusionLessons learned from the community have helped to influence recommendations for clinical trial design and key messaging development for the Cure Sickle Cell Initiative.

Pharmacist involvement in a comprehensive remote monitoring and telemanagement program.

PurposeTo describe the role of the pharmacist in and initial outcomes of a remote monitoring and telemanagement program implemented to proactively provide outreach to high-risk patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.SummaryA remote monitoring and telemanagement program was developed at a large, nonprofit, multicenter, academic health system as an innovative way to manage patients at risk for decompensation of their chronic diseases in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program mobilized an interprofessional workforce including nurses, medical assistants, social workers, virtualists, patient schedulers, and ambulatory care pharmacists. Patient outreach included a combination of telephone calls and digital outreach. The goal was to monitor patients’ health status remotely and assess for early signs of decompensation. Pharmacists conducted telephone outreach to answer patients’ medication questions and address signs and symptoms of worsening chronic conditions. Pharmacists were able to utilize an existing collaborative practice agreement (CPA) to adjust medication therapy and order laboratory tests as needed for safety and efficacy monitoring. Since the program’s inception in April 2020 through January 2021, pharmacists have addressed over 1,600 medication questions or instances of worsening clinical signs and symptoms.ConclusionA comprehensive remote monitoring and telemanagement program utilized a multidisciplinary team to monitor high-risk patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pharmacists contributed to chronic disease management via the use of a comprehensive CPA, allowing medications to be started, stopped, or adjusted on the basis of patients’ needs, to improve population health management and reduce workload for primary care providers who were addressing new and emerging issues during the pandemic.

Telehealth for contraceptive care: Lessons from staff and clinicians for improving implementation and sustainability in Illinois

ObjectiveTo solicit Illinois staff and clinician perspectives on rapid implementation of telehealth for contraceptive counseling and recommendations to improve and sustain it in the long term. Study designResearchers recruited and interviewed clinicians (n = 20) in primary care and obstetrics/gynecology clinics across 13 health care systems in Illinois, as well as clinicians (n = 11), leadership (n = 6) and staff (n = 7) from Planned Parenthood of Illinois clinics. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, we coded and analyzed interview transcripts in Dedoose with a focus on themes regarding steps to improve quality and sustainability of telehealth. ResultsParticipants expressed generally positive attitudes towards telehealth, noting that it increased access to care and time for patient education. Still, many highlighted areas of implementation that needed improvement. Clinic operations were complicated by gaps in telehealth training and the logistical needs of balancing telehealth and in-person appointments. Clinics had difficulty ensuring patient awareness of telehealth as an option for care, in addition to deficiencies with the telehealth technology itself. Finally, innovative resources for telehealth patients, while existent, have not been evenly offered across clinics. This includes the use of self-injection birth control, as well as providing medical equipment such as blood pressure cuffs in community settings. Some themes reflect issues specific to contraceptive counseling while others reflect issues with telehealth implementation in general, including confusion about reimbursement. ConclusionIllinois contraceptive care providers and staff wish to sustain telehealth for the long term, while also recommending specific improvements to patient communications, clinic operations, and access to supportive resources. ImplicationsOur study highlights considerations for clinics to optimize implementation of telehealth services for contraceptive care. Providers described the value of clear workflows to balance in-person and telehealth visits, streamlined communications platforms, targeted patient outreach, training on providing virtual contraceptive care, and creative approaches to ensuring patient access to resources.

Evidenced-Based Approaches States and Territories Can Implement to Advance Adult Immunization Uptake During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond.

Evidenced-Based Approaches States and Territories Can Implement to Advance Adult Immunization Uptake During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond.

Virtual Community Health Workers: Approaches to Patient Outreach During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, community health workers (CHWs) in our health system screened patients in-person for social determinants of health and connected them to community resources. However, when our CHWs were required to work remotely from home due to the pandemic, the best platform to optimize contacting these patients was unknown. This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of three outgoing phone call approaches (*67, Google Voice®, and Doximity Dialer®) in successfully contacting patients. We performed a retrospective analysis comparing reach rates across the three outgoing call approaches. Reach rates were highest when Doximity Dialer was used (64.0%, 95% CI: 58.8-69.0) compared with *67 (40.8%, 95% CI: 30.8-51.6) or Google Voice (53.2%, 95% CI: 48.4-57.8) in this analysis of 1,144 outreach calls. Due to higher reach rates, we recommend Doximity Dialer for phone-based outreach to patients. Additional research to improve the efficacy of remote outreach is warranted.

Abstract PO-042: Incorporating Latino patient input in messaging for follow-up colonoscopy after abnormal fecal testing

Abstract Introductory sentences indicating the purposes of the study: We used boot camp translation (BCT), a validated community based participatory strategy, to elicit input from diverse stakeholders (i.e., patients and clinic staff) to develop messaging and patient education materials for follow-up colonoscopy after abnormal fecal testing. BCT is a process that engages participants in translating health information into ideas, messages, and materials that are understandable and relevant to patients. Brief description of pertinent experimental procedures: Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and screening rates are disproportionately low among Latinos. Mailed fecal immunochemical test (FIT) outreach programs have been shown to improve colorectal cancer screening rates in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), with improvements ranging from 22% – 45%. Patients with an abnormal FIT result have an increased risk of having colorectal cancer, and the risk increases if the necessary follow-up colonoscopy is delayed. Unfortunately, rates of follow-up colonoscopy among adults with an abnormal FIT result are low in FQHCs. As part of the Participatory Research to Advance Colon Cancer Prevention (PROMPT) study, a partnership with a Los Angeles-based FQHC that provides medical services to over 300,000 patients annually (82% Latino), we used BCT to gather input from patients and staff to develop messaging and materials for patients in need of a follow-up colonoscopy after abnormal FIT. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted BCT using a digital platform. Eligible patient participants were Latino, ages 50 to 75 years, Spanish-speaking, and willing to participate in three virtual sessions. Recruitment and BCT materials were developed in English and Spanish, but all three sessions were held in Spanish consistent with patient preferences. The sessions included presentations on colorectal cancer screening, effective messaging to improve Latino screening participation, and brainstorming sessions to obtain feedback on messaging and materials. Summary of the new unpublished data: A total of 10 adults (7 patients and 3 clinic staff) participated in the BCT sessions. Key themes learned were 1) increasing awareness about the colonoscopy procedure (why it is important, what the procedure is, how to prepare), 2) using simple and clear wording, including statistics, and using family as a motivator, and 3) providing different patient outreach modalities to broaden reach, such as patient-facing fact sheets, videos in clinic or sent by text. Statement of the conclusions: Using BCT, we successfully incorporated feedback from Spanish-speaking Latino patients to design culturally relevant materials to promote follow-up colonoscopy after abnormal FIT results. Targeted efforts are needed to improve rates of follow-up colonoscopy among patients with abnormal FIT results in FQHC settings. (Final materials, including patient-facing fact sheets and screenshots from short videos, will be showcased in the poster.) Citation Format: Jamie H. Thompson, Jennifer Rivelli, Anne Escaron, Joanna Garcia, Esmeralda Ruiz, Evelyn Torres-Ozadali, Dawn Richardson, Priyanka Gautom, Gloria Coronado. Incorporating Latino patient input in messaging for follow-up colonoscopy after abnormal fecal testing [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-042.

Abstract PO-253: Overcoming barriers to colorectal cancer screening for underserved patients: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Introduction This patient navigation initiative works to address cancer health disparities by improving education and access to screening and cancer care. This initiative includes partnerships with local Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and primary care physicians (PCPs), primarily focused on increasing colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates among underserved populations in Western New York (WNY) who may have low health literacy. Grounded in health services research, we aimed to improve clinical care by implementing evidence-based guidelines into practice by working directly with underserved communities in our area to improve CRC screening rates at an urban FQHC. Methods Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our navigators pivoted to a hybrid schedule with remote access to health systems, splitting time between our cancer center and remotely at home until allowed back on-site to work at the FQHC. Colonoscopy halted in NY between March and June 2020, resulting in scheduling challenges due to significant backlogs of cancelled procedures during the shutdown and regional hold on elective procedures. Endoscopists across WNY had reduced capacity for postponed procedures, leading to the prioritization of scheduling for symptomatic patients. Therefore, navigators focused screening efforts on widely disseminating stool-based tests to patients due for average-risk CRC screening and prioritizing patients with positive screening results to coordinate colonoscopy appointments. Results Between April 2020 through March 2021, our pre-pandemic goal was to educate 550 patients and screen 300 patients. During this timeframe, navigators provided screening education to 632 patients and screened 232 patients despite significant challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. With many colonoscopy procedures being cancelled and/or rescheduled, stool-based tests were widely available and became a more common choice for patients. To date, since April 2020, navigators have educated 807 patients and have navigated 306 patients to complete CRC screening. Of those 306 patients, 234 chose to complete at-home stool-based testing. In 2020, CRC screening rates remained over 50%, exceeding national FQHC targets. This was achieved through targeted patient outreach, education, and navigation, despite significant challenges with the shutdown and the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions Stool-based tests paired with targeted outreach and education were an efficient tool for CRC screening during this challenging time. Navigators regularly cross-check records to be sure results are received by ordering physicians and properly coded for accurate data reporting. This is especially important for positive test results and timely follow up, which may lead to improved health outcomes. Moving forward, this paired approach may be an effective strategy for improving screening rates among hard-to-reach patient populations and patients facing substantial barriers to accessing routine medical care. Citation Format: Kathryn M. Glaser, Christina Crabtree-Ide, Alyssa McNulty, Ellis Gomez, Nicole Donofrio, Tessa Flores, Mary E. Reid. Overcoming barriers to colorectal cancer screening for underserved patients: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-253.

System-Level Quality Improvement Initiatives for Tobacco Use in a Safety-Net Health System During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction:The shift from in-person care to telemedicine made it challenging to provide guideline-recommended tobacco cessation care during the COVID-19 pandemic. We described quality improvement (QI) initiatives for tobacco cessation during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on African American/Black patients with high smoking rates.Methods:The QI initiatives took place in the San Francisco Health Network, a network of 13 safety-net clinics in San Francisco, California between February 2020 and February 2022. We conducted direct patient outreach by telephone and increased staff capacity to increase cessation care delivery. We examined trends in tobacco screening, provider counseling, and best practice for cessation care (ie, the proportion of patients receiving at least 1 smoking cessation service during a clinical encounter).Results:In-person visits at the onset of the pandemic was 20% in April 2020 and increased to 67% by February 2022. During this time, tobacco screening increased from 29% to 74%. From March 2020 to March 2021, 34% more patients received provider counseling by telephone than in-person. The trend reversed from April 2021 to February 2022, where 23% more patients received counseling in-person than by telehealth. Best practice care increased by 23% from June 2020 to February 2022: 24% for African American/Black patients and 23% for other patients.Conclusions:Telehealth adaptations to the EHR, targeted outreach to patients, and a multi-disciplinary medical team may be associated with increases in cessation care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of a Pharmacist-Led Diabetes Management Intervention to Improve Health Equity

The COVID-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement brought increased recognition to the need for health equity. Diabetes, the 7th leading cause of death, is one of many conditions where health inequities are evident. A higher percentage of Black (11.7%) and Hispanic (12.5%) U.S. adults are diagnosed with diabetes compared to non-Hispanic Whites (7.5%). To address this health inequity, a nationwide pharmacy chain implemented telephonic ‘Advanced Care’ (AC) outreach for patients with diabetes. During the AC call, pharmacists used motivational interviewing techniques to counsel patients on the importance of closing gaps in care and reducing barriers to medication adherence. Gaps included timely A1C testing, exams (eye, foot, kidney), immunizations (influenza, pneumonia, Hepatitis B), and recommendation of additional therapies for patients with multiple chronic conditions (ACE/ARB, statins). Medication fill gaps were compared between the Intervention period (8/1/20-1/31/-21) and a pre-intervention period (2/1/20-7/31/20). The AC pilot occurred in 8 Chicago Walgreens locations that primarily serve Black and Hispanic patients. Eight control stores were matched on census block-level household income and race/ethnicity, patient volume, and insurance mix. A pre/post-test vs. control difference-in-difference (DID) analysis was conducted to compare on-time refill rates. Of the 1,009 older patients (age≥50) called, 59.9% were reached. The DID analysis showed that patients in pilot stores had improved pre-post on-time refill rates compared to controls (p<0.0001). Diabetes self-management is key to reducing diabetes-related complications. Early findings from this pilot demonstrate that the Walgreens AC intervention improves medication adherence - an important step toward improving health equity.

904. Improving Infectious Disease Screening and Hepatitis C Care Cascade Outcomes Among Adults Receiving Medication Assisted Treatment

Abstract Background This initiative increased infectious disease (ID) screening in an adult medication assisted treatment (MAT) population at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) by implementing opt-out screening for HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and assessed the success of a co-located hepatitis C (HCV) treatment program. Methods ID providers maintained a standing lab order for HIV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, HCV, syphilis, chlamydia/gonorrhea (GC/CT), and trichomoniasis (trich), with reflex to confirmatory for HIV/HCV/syphilis. For all existing and new adult MAT patients, a MAT RN provided education, ensured lab draw on the day of MAT induction, and scheduled an ID follow-up visit. The patient then had an in-person or telemedicine visit with the ID provider to review results, discuss risk reduction, and initiate treatment (HIV PrEP or treatment for STI, HCV, or HIV) as indicated. Data was compiled and monitored by a Prevention RN. Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) Model PDSA model demonstrating implementation approach Results The rate of testing among MAT patients increased over a one-year period. HCV treatment uptake in this setting exceeded that documented in published data for people who inject drugs (PWID). HCV Care Cascade Outcomes HCV screening and treatment outcomes within HCV Care Cascade model Screening Outcomes Screening rates among adult MAT population over a one-year measurement period Conclusion This study documents the successful implementation of an opt-out screening program among an adult substance use disorder (SUD) treatment population across urban, mixed, and designated rural environments. HCV treatment uptake in this setting exceeded that documented in published data for people who inject drugs (PWID). Barriers to implementation included acceptance among patients with long-term MAT participation, acceptance/adoption by behavioral health nursing and provider staff, and functional workflow development – establishment of protocol, lab availability, scheduling, and “tough sticks.” Modifications that increased effectiveness included an interdisciplinary approach and dedicated staff for monitoring results completion and patient outreach. Run chart: HIV screening rates over a one-year period HIV screening change among adult MAT patients over a one-year period Run chart: HCV screening rates over a one-year period HCV screening change among adult MAT patients over a one-year period HCV Care Cascade: HCV screening and treatment outcomes HCV screening and treatment outcomes presented in HCV Care Cascade for adult MAT population Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

856. Barriers to PrEP Implementation among Patient-Facing Staff in Three Urban Clinics

Abstract Background PrEP implementation has lagged in the US. The role of multidisciplinary staff in PrEP rollout has been neglected. We sought to identify barriers to PrEP implementation among 3 urban federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Connecticut that provide HIV and PrEP services in order to inform development of staff training. Methods A link to an anonymous survey was emailed to patient-facing staff members or posted at the end of staff trainings October 2020-April 2021. The survey requested demographics, duration of employment, and using 4 and 5 point Likert scales, ascertained knowledge and beliefs toward PrEP based on established scales, and perceived individual and systemic barriers to PrEP uptake. Results Among 101 respondents, 40% were 36-54yo, 22% were male, 68% were non-prescribing clinicians, and median duration of employment was 6 years (IQR 2-14). Among 32 (31%) prescribers (physicians, PAs, APRNs), 97% felt comfortable discussing sexual risk with patients, though 15% were not familiar with PrEP efficacy and safety data, 28% responded that PrEP use would encourage risky behaviors, 34% were concerned about side effects, 53% responded that educational and behavioral interventions should be attempted prior to prescribing PrEP, and 59% identified lack of provider training as a barrier. Among 69 (68%) non-prescribers, barriers to PrEP uptake included: patients don’t ask for PrEP (43%), lack of insurance (47%), lack of clinic guidelines/protocol (42%), and staff time for counseling (31%). Conclusion Prescribers and non-prescribers identified distinct individual and systemic barriers to PrEP uptake at FQHCs. Among prescribers, uncertainty regarding indications for and safety of PrEP exist, which will be addressed with targeted training. Non-prescribers identified the need for patient outreach, financial assistance, and counseling as the top priorities. The input of clinic multidisciplinary team members is essential to addressing barriers to PrEP implementation. Disclosures Sheela Shenoi, MD, MPH, Merck (Other Financial or Material Support, SS’s spouse worked for Merck pharmaceuticals 1997-2007 and retains company stock in his retirement account. There is no conflict of interest, but it is included in the interest of full disclosure.)

COVID-19 is Affecting the Presentation and Treatment of Melanoma Patients in the Northeastern United States.

BackgroundCovid-19 significantly affected healthcare delivery over the past year, with a shift in focus away from nonurgent care. Emerging data are showing that screening for breast and colon cancer has dramatically decreased. It is unknown whether the same trend has affected patients with melanoma.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of melanoma patients at two large-volume cancer centers. Patients were compared for 8 months before and after the lockdown. Outcomes focused on delay in treatment and possible resultant upstaging of melanoma.ResultsA total of 375 patients were treated pre-lockdown and 313 patients were treated post-lockdown (17% decrease). Fewer patients presented with in situ disease post-lockdown (15.3% vs. 17.9%), and a higher proportion presented with stage III-IV melanoma (11.2% vs. 9.9%). Comparing patients presenting 2 months before versus 2 months after the lockdown, there was an even more significant increase in Stage III-IV melanoma from 7.1% to 27.5% (p < 0.0001). Finally, in Stage IIIB-IIID patients, there was a decrease in patients receiving adjuvant therapy in the post lockdown period (20.0% vs. 15.2%).ConclusionsAs a result of the recent pandemic, it appears there has been a shift away from melanoma in situ and toward more advanced disease, which may have significant downstream effects on prognosis and could be due to a delay in screening. Significantly patients have presented after the lockdown, and fewer patients are undergoing the recommended adjuvant therapies. Patient outreach efforts are essential to ensure that patients continue to receive preventative medical care and screening as the pandemic continues.

Trends in cosmetic consumer preferences during COVID-19 pandemic: Comparing 2021 to 2020.

This commentary evaluates trends in the factors influencing consumer decision‐making for cosmetic dermatologic procedures during the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States. This is a follow‐up national survey to one that was published 1 year ago. This study compares the data from Summer 2020 to early Summer 2021, which presents a stark contrast. Our results demonstrate that consumers are now more interested in cosmetic dermatologic procedures compared to 1 year prior. Additionally, they still value the overall safety of the clinic, so physicians should ensure that certain safety measures remain in place despite any decreasing rates of COVID‐19 positivity. Our survey sheds more light on current consumer perspectives, which may in turn help physicians adjust their practices to meet current demand. It is important for physicians to be knowledgeable regarding the patterns of consumer decision‐making in order to deliver appropriate patient education and provide proper patient outreach during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

The toll of cascading crises on Lebanon's health workforce

The toll of cascading crises on Lebanon's health workforce

Abstract 11231: Rethinking the Disconnect in Patient Outreach: Key Considerations in Addressing Racial Disparities in Hypertension

Background: Disparities in hypertension and cardiovascular outcomes among Black men in the US are influenced by social determinants of health (SDOH) and systemic inequity. Self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring programs may be an efficacious strategy to combat these disparities in the community setting. Leveraging the advantages of SMBP, however, requires improved understanding of barriers to engagement in this population. Methods: A total of 258 Black male patients of a Federally Qualified Health Center, with severe hypertension ( &gt; 160mm Hg systolic or &gt; 100mm Hg diastolic) were eligible. Patients were called using the phone number(s) in the electronic health record (EHR), and callers documented brief summaries of the call. At least 3 attempts were made to offer a free BP cuff, and provide longitudinal SMBP education and heart-healthy lifestyle counseling. NVivo was used for coding and content analysis, employing mixed inductive and deductive approaches to identify barriers to engagement. Coding structure included ‘communication’ and ‘engagement’, stratified by positive and negative attributes. Results: Analysis of initial outreach data (n=172) highlighted themes of unfavorable engagement to include excessive burden from competing health priorities and socioeconomic stress, and communication themes included unreliable phone numbers in the EHR hindering contact, and skepticism/mistrust of the caller by those patients reached. (Table). Conclusion: Optimizing engagement in SMBP programs to address hypertension disparities remains challenging, however improved SDOH screening and resource connection, system practices in EHR integrity, and understanding of patient mistrust of the health system may be key considerations. Ongoing thematic analyses on sustained SMBP skill-building and patient trust in care navigation may provide further insight on strategies to improve racial disparities in cardiovascular health outcomes.

A Web-Based, Population-Based Cirrhosis Identification and Management System for Improving Cirrhosis Care: Qualitative Formative Evaluation.

BackgroundCirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, is a debilitating condition that affects millions of US adults. Early identification, linkage to care, and retention of care are critical for preventing severe complications and death from cirrhosis.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to conduct a preimplementation formative evaluation to identify factors that could impact implementation of the Population-Based Cirrhosis Identification and Management System (P-CIMS) in clinics serving patients with cirrhosis. P-CIMS is a web-based informatics tool designed to facilitate patient outreach and cirrhosis care management.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted between January and May 2016 with frontline providers in liver disease and primary care clinics at 3 Veterans Health Administration medical centers. A total of 10 providers were interviewed, including 8 physicians and midlevel providers from liver-related specialty clinics and 2 primary care providers who managed patients with cirrhosis. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research guided the development of the interview guides. Inductive consensus coding and content analysis were used to analyze transcribed interviews and abstracted coded passages, elucidated themes, and insights.ResultsThe following themes and subthemes emerged from the analyses: outer setting: needs and resources for patients with cirrhosis; inner setting: readiness for implementation (subthemes: lack of resources, lack of leadership support), and implementation climate (subtheme: competing priorities); characteristics of individuals: role within clinic; knowledge and beliefs about P-CIMS (subtheme: perceived and realized benefits; useful features; suggestions for improvement); and perceptions of current practices in managing cirrhosis cases (subthemes: preimplementation process for identifying and linking patients to cirrhosis care; structural and social barriers to follow-up). Overall, P-CIMS was viewed as a powerful tool for improving linkage and retention, but its integration in the clinical workflow required leadership support, time, and staffing. Providers also cited the need for more intuitive interface elements to enhance usability.ConclusionsP-CIMS shows promise as a powerful tool for identifying, linking, and retaining care in patients living with cirrhosis. The current evaluation identified several improvements and advantages of P-CIMS over current care processes and provides lessons for others implementing similar population-based identification and management tools in populations with chronic disease.

Improving Patient Outreach by Defining Telehealth Suitability in a Tertiary Huntington's Disease Clinic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for remote healthcare options among patients with Huntington's disease (HD). However, since not every HD patient is suitable for telehealth, it is important to differentiate who can be seen virtually from who should remain as in-person. Unfortunately, there are no clinical guidelines on how to evaluate HD patients for telehealth eligibility. To standardize the teleneurology selection process in HD by implementing a screening tool that accounts for patient-specific factors. We organized various indications and contraindications to teleneurology into a flowchart. If any indications or contraindications were met, patients were assigned to telehealth or maintained as in-person, respectively. If no indications or contraindications were met, patients were given the option of telehealth or in-person for their upcoming appointments. In two implementation cycles, we tested this screening tool among all HD patients scheduled for clinic visits, aided by chart review and phone interview. In a cohort of 81 patients, telehealth acceptance among eligible patients increased from 45.0%to 83.3%. Frequency of telehealth visits increased from a pre-intervention baseline of 12.8%to 28.2%. Teleneurology utilization among HD patients more than doubled across our study. Our intervention promotes consistency and patient-centeredness in HD clinical care and streamlines the overall telehealth selection process. Future studies can seek to reduce telehealth no-shows and also evaluate the utility of the motor and psychiatric criteria included in our screening tool.

Student-faculty co-creation of experiential learning in health systems science

Introduction Health Systems Science (HSS) teaches students critical skills to navigate complex health systems, yet medical schools often find it difficult to integrate into their curriculum due to limited time and student disinterest. Co-developing content with students and teaching through appropriate experiential learning can improve student engagement in HSS coursework. Methods Medical students and faculty co-developed a patient outreach initiative during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and integrated that experience into a new experiential HSS elective beginning May 2020. Students called patients identified as high-risk for adverse health outcomes and followed a script to connect patients to healthcare and social services. Subsequently, this initiative was integrated into the required third-year primary care clerkship. Results A total of 255 students participated in HSS experiential learning through the elective and clerkship from May 2020 through July 2021. Students reached 3,212 patients, encountering a breadth of medical, social, and health systems issues; navigated the EMR; engaged interdisciplinary professionals; and proposed opportunities for health systems improvement. Discussion and conclusion This educational intervention demonstrated the opportunity to partner with student-led initiatives, coproducing meaningful educational experiences for the learners within the confines of a busy medical curriculum.

Impact of a pharmacist‐led pneumococcal vaccination outreach program in a primary care setting

AbstractIntroductionStreptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial infections and leads to 1.5 million hospitalizations annually. Vaccinations are one of the most important and cost‐effective tools available in healthcare to prevent infectious diseases. However, gaps still exist between what is recommended and actual vaccination rates in the United States.ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of a newly implemented pharmacist‐led pneumococcal vaccination outreach program on overall PPSV23 rates in the primary care setting.MethodsThis was a retrospective, quasi‐experimental study conducted following the implementation of a newly developed, pharmacist‐led, vaccination outreach program as part of a novel standard of care practice implemented in two primary care offices. Pharmacists provided direct patient outreach through telephone calls to all patients deemed eligible for PPSV23 that met inclusion criteria. Pharmacists provided counseling on PPSV23 and action steps to receive the vaccine at the office through appointment. The primary outcome of change in vaccination rates was assessed 90 days after patient outreach. Secondary outcomes assessed feasibility, common barriers to vaccination, coadministration with influenza vaccination, and revenue changes.ResultsA total of 762 patients were contacted under the outreach program. Overall PPSV23 vaccination rates significantly increased following the implementation of the pharmacist‐led vaccination outreach program (54.1% vs 60.5%, P &lt; 0.001). Of the 398 patients reached, 38.9% accepted the recommendation for PPSV23 and 66.5% of those patients had confirmed administration. Approximate revenue generation secondary to the program was $5568.85.ConclusionA pharmacist‐led PPSV23 vaccination outreach program significantly increased the rate of PPSV23 vaccination in two primary care offices, leading to improved compliance with national vaccination recommendations and revenue generation.

Identifying key roles of the pharmacy technician in primary care settings.

As the pharmacist's role expands, particularly in primary care practice settings, there is an opportunity for expansion of pharmacy technician duties to aid in administrative and clinical tasks that do not require the pharmacist's professional judgment. Identifying, defining, and expanding the roles of pharmacy technicians has been deemed a key part of the pharmacy practice model. These roles have been shown to enhance pharmacist efficiency and patient outreach; however, examples of the various innovative activities performed by technicians in the primary care setting are lacking in the literature. The duties of primary care pharmacy technicians were compiled and defined in 2 different healthcare systems. The role of the technician was separately implemented at each institution, and study designs and protocols were individually created and executed. One institution utilized a 4-round consensus-building process to systematically refine and codify tasks for a dictionary of duties. The second institution utilized a free-text survey, task documentation data in the electronic medical record, and a telephone discussion with the technicians. Despite a lack of methods- and data-sharing between the 2 institutions, similar tasks were identified, including conducting patient outreach, assisting with medication affordability and access, providing patient education, managing referrals, and scheduling appointments. Differences in technician involvement were noted in areas such as prior authorization, care coordination meetings, and quality improvement projects. Pharmacy technicians are a helpful, yet underutilized, resource in the primary care setting. Further exploration of technician roles is needed to determine the financial and clinical impact of expanding these roles.