Primary Care Context Research Articles

Provision of digital health interventions for young people with ADHD in primary care: findings from a survey and scoping review

BackgroundPeople with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at risk of negative health outcomes, with risks reduced through evidence-based treatments. Therefore, ensuring continued access to treatment for young people with ADHD, especially as they transition from child to adult services, is a priority. Currently many young people with ADHD are unable to access adequate care, with negative consequences for patients and their communities. Preliminary evidence suggests digital health interventions (DHIs) may act as an effective adjunct to usual care, helping overcome barriers to access, and improving outcomes by increasing understanding of ADHD as a long-term condition. The aim of this mixed methods study is to explore the healthcare information preferences of people with lived experience of ADHD in the primary care context and considers these in the light of the emerging body of literature on DHIs for ADHD. To explore this, a descriptive summary of cross-sectional survey responses was compared and discussed in the context of DHIs identified in a scoping review.ResultsDigital apps, followed by support groups, were deemed the most useful information resource types by survey respondents, but were the least currently used/provided. Over 40% participants indicated a preference for signposting to all resource types by their general practitioner (GP), suggesting that GPs are credible sources for ADHD healthcare information. The scoping review identified nine studies of DHI for ADHD, consisting of games, symptom monitoring, psychoeducation, and medication reminders, with limited evidence of effectiveness/implementation.ConclusionsPeople with ADHD state a preference for digital apps as an adjunct to usual care. However, these are currently the least provided information resource in primary care, indicating a key area for future development. The limited evidence base on DHIs for ADHD suggests combining digital apps and support networks, and utilising multimodal delivery methods may also enhance the delivery of healthcare information.

Protocol to develop a specialised curriculum in primary care cancer research in an Irish medical school

Background The increasing necessity for specialised training in primary care cancer research stems from GPs' pivotal role in cancer detection and holistic care coupled with the unique primary care context. This has led to the development of the PRiCAN Scholars Network, an initiative to enhance the research capabilities of Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) students in RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland. This protocol outlines a proposal for the systematic development, implementation, and evaluation of a curriculum aimed at improving the primary care cancer research skills of this cohort. Methods The curriculum development process will be guided by Kern’s six-step approach. Initial stages involve comprehensive needs assessments via surveys and focus groups to identify educational needs. Subsequently, targeted learning objectives and aligned educational strategies will be defined to maximise learning opportunities and impact. The curriculum’s impact will be evaluated in a pilot phase with selected students and faculty, utilising both qualitative and quantitative feedback to drive continuous improvements. Conclusion This protocol describes a detailed method for establishing a primary care cancer research curriculum within the PRiCAN Scholars Network. Designed with a focus on sustainability and adaptability, the curriculum will be structured to develop and support a generation of medical professionals' literate in primary care research, contributing to the advancement of medical education and cancer research.

DepActive: study protocol for a randomised controlled multicentre trial of telephone-delivered behavioural activation for the treatment of depression in older adults in primary care

BackgroundDepression is common in older adults and is related to reduced quality of life and functional ability as well as increased mortality and morbidity. Current guidelines recommend psychological treatments for the treatment of depression in adults. Studies show that about 30% of older adults with depression in Sweden receive pharmacological treatment and about 3% receive psychological treatment. However, a majority receive no treatment at all. There is a need for effective and scalable psychological treatment options for older adults with depression in primary care. Behavioural activation is an extensively evaluated, effective, and relatively simple treatment for depression that can be delivered by health care professionals without comprehensive training in psychological treatment.MethodsWe will conduct a randomised controlled 2-armed parallel group multicentre trial comparing treatment as usual in primary care to a five-session telephone-delivered behavioural activation treatment as add on to treatment as usual. The current trial is open labelled. In all, 250 older adults (≥ 65 years) with depression will be recruited from primary healthcare centres in three Swedish regions. The primary outcome is depressive symptoms measured with the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale – Self rating version (MADRS-S) after treatment and at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include depression diagnoses, activity level (self-rated and measured with accelerometer), and self-rated anxiety, daily functioning, quality of life, self-efficacy, and loneliness.DiscussionThere is a need for fully powered studies of brief behavioural activation for older adults with depression delivered by telephone in a primary care context. This study has the potential to improve first-line treatment of depression in older adults in primary care, consequently reducing morbidity and mortality within this population. Increasing the availability and accessibility to effective psychological treatment for depression in older adults is needed to meet future demographic changes.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06284889. Registered February 28, 2024.

Key stakeholders’ perspectives of illicit drug use and associated harms in the Northern Territory of Australia

BackgroundIn the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia, there are significant evidence gaps about illicit drug use and harms, despite having established monitoring and reporting systems. This paper reports on illicit drug use, associated harms, contributing factors, service needs and priorities in the NT from the perspective and experiences of key stakeholders engaged in providing services for, or advocating on behalf of, people who use illicit drugs in the NT.MethodsFace-to-face and online qualitative interviews were conducted with stakeholders across urban and remote locations in the NT. Key stakeholders were service providers, including acute and primary care clinicians, representatives of Aboriginal community controlled health organisations, lived experience advocates, peak body representatives and public health executives. Qualitative data were analysed thematically.ResultsFour researchers interviewed 21 participants across urban (62%), and remote areas (38%) of the NT. Themes identified were: (1) Illicit drug use and harms are diverse and distinct; (2) Client support needs are complex and influenced by co-morbidities, socio-demographic and cultural factors; (3) Priority population sub-groups need targeted strategies; (4) Local service strengths can be further developed and enhanced; (5) Local services need better resourcing; (6) Invest in progressive legislative and policy reforms; and (7) Improve routine monitoring and evaluation.ConclusionsKey stakeholders described illicit drug use, harms and contributing factors, which provided insights into the local challenges. Participants emphasised that clients have complex care needs, and further investment into targeted strategies are required to improve service engagement with priority groups. Service needs included greater understanding the role of dual diagnosis and its implementation and enhancing integrated and collaborative care in both primary health and acute care contexts. The voices of people with lived experience captured in this paper must inform local strategy and policy development relating to illicit drug use, in alignment with national strategy.

Clinical effects of accreditation in general practice: a pragmatic randomized controlled study.

Accreditation has been implemented in general practice in many countries as a tool for quality improvement. Evidence of the effects of accreditation is, however, lacking. To investigate the clinical effects of accreditation in general practice. A mandatory national accreditation programme in Danish general practice was rolled out from 2016 to 2018. General practices were randomized to year of accreditation at the municipality level. We conducted a pragmatic randomized controlled study with general practices randomized to accreditation in 2016 (intervention group) and 2018 (control group). Data on patients enlisted with these practices were collected at baseline in 2014 (before randomization) and at follow-up in 2017. We use linear and logistic regression models to compare differences in changes in outcomes from baseline to follow-up between the intervention and control groups. The primary outcome was the number of redeemed medications. Secondary outcomes were polypharmacy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)without proton pump inhibitors, sleeping medicine, preventive home visits, annual controls, spirometry tests, and mortality. We found statistically significant effects of accreditation on the primary outcome, the number of redeemed medications, and the secondary outcome, polypharmacy. No other effects were detected. In this first randomized study exploring the effects of accreditation in a primary care context, accreditation was found to reduce the number of redeemed medications and polypharmacy. We conclude that accreditation can be effective in changing behaviour, but the identified effects are small and limited to certain outcomes. Evaluations on the cost-effectiveness of accreditation are therefore warranted.

Nursing Interventions in Primary Care for the Management of Maladaptive Grief: A Scoping Review.

Grief is a natural and self-limited adaptation process to a new reality that emerges after a significant loss (whether real or perceived), with a broad variety of manifestations that exert an impact on a grieving person's health. The study aim was to synthesize the evidence available about the interventions carried out by Primary Health Care nurses, by means of an individual approach to reduce maladaptive grief or maladaptive grief risk. A scoping review was conducted (November and December 2023) through searches in Medline, Cinahl, Web of Science, ProQuest and Scopus using MeSH terms combined with Booleans. Primary research of any design in adult people undergoing grief situations and receiving professional assistance by nurses in the primary, home and community care contexts published after 2009 in English, Spanish or Portuguese languages were included. Excluded publications were those conducted in in-hospital clinical settings and which did not correspond to research designs or the gray literature. The screening process was carried out by two reviewers using the appropriate JBI critical appraisal tools for each design and discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer. A total of n = 10 studies were included (n = 4 qualitative, n = 2 RCTs, n = 1 quasi-experimental, n = 2 cross-sectional observational, and n = 2 mixed methods). The qualitative studies identified topics and subtopics of professionals' and families' experiences of grief. The observational studies analyzed symptoms and factors associated with the grieving process. Interventions consisted of cognitive-behavioral therapies delivered by psychological specialists who assessed the severity of grief in a range of cultural contexts using different instruments. The evidence retrieved from the studies that address the reduction in maladaptive grief or maladaptive grief risk is not conclusive. There is a need to increase both the number and the methodological quality of studies assessing the effectiveness of Nursing care in Primary Health Care for individuals experiencing maladaptive grief or maladaptive grief risk. Further research should focus on experimental studies, developing specific interventions conducted by nurses to address individual's grief and prevent maladaptive grief.

Prostate Cancer Care in Rural Primary Care Contexts: A Narrative Review.

Prostate cancer is highly prevalent among older men and poses significant health challenges, particularly in rural areas where access to specialized care is limited. This narrative review aims to evaluate the quality of prostate cancer care in rural primary care settings, identify gaps, and suggest strategies for improvement. A comprehensive narrative review was conducted using PubMed to identify relevant studies published between April 2000 and August 2024. The search focused on articles discussing prostate cancer management in rural primary care, including challenges, outcomes, and collaborative practices. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed to assess the quality of care and potential areas for enhancement. The review highlighted significant disparities in prostate cancer care in rural areas, including limited access to urologists, variability in PSA testing practices, and socioeconomic and geographic barriers. Innovative models like telehealth and 'One Stop' Prostate Clinics(OSPCs) showed promise in addressing these challenges. However, gaps in long-term symptom management and follow-up care persist, emphasizing the need for comprehensive survivorship plans and targeted educational interventions for primary care physicians. Rural primary care settings face unique challenges in managing prostate cancer, necessitating tailored strategies to improve care quality. Enhancing collaboration between primary care physicians and urologists, expanding access to innovative care models, and addressing socioeconomic and geographic disparities are critical to improving outcomes for prostate cancer patients in rural areas. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating these strategies to ensure equitable care for all patients.

Implementation of decarbonisation actions in general practice: a systematic review and narrative synthesis protocol

IntroductionThere is growing recognition of the importance of primary care in addressing climate change. The World Organisation of Family Doctors has urged general practitioners worldwide to commit to tackling climate...

Intervertebral Cervical Disc Intensity (IVCDI) Detection and Classification on MRI Scans Using Deep Learning Methods

ABSTRACTRadiologists manually interpret magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for the detection of intervertebral cervical disc degeneration, which are often obtained in a primary care or emergency hospital context. The ability of computer models to work with pathological findings and aid in the first interpretation of medical imaging tests is widely acknowledged. Deep learning methods, which are commonly employed today in the diagnosis or detection of many diseases, show great promise in this area. For the detection and segmentation of intervertebral cervical disc intensity, we propose a Mask‐RCNN‐based deep learning algorithm in this study. The provided approach begins by creating an original dataset using MRI scans that were collected from Yozgat Bozok University. The senior radiologist labels the data, and three classes of intensity are chosen for the classification (low, intermediate, and high). Two alternative network backbones are used in the study, and as a consequence of the training for the Mask R‐CNN algorithm, 98.14% and 96.72% mean average precision (mAP) values are obtained with the ResNet50 and ResNet101 architectures, respectively. Utilizing the five‐fold cross‐validation approach, the study is conducted. This study also applied the Faster R‐CNN method, achieving a mAP value of 85.2%. According to the author's knowledge, no study has yet been conducted to apply deep learning algorithms to detect intervertebral cervical disc intensity in a patient population with cervical intervertebral disc degeneration. By ensuring accurate MRI image interpretation and effectively supplying supplementary diagnostic information to provide accuracy and consistency in radiological diagnosis, the proposed method is proving to be a highly useful tool for radiologists.

Strengthening collaboration for interprofessional primary care teams: Insights and key learnings from six disciplinary perspectives.

We provide a case example of the collaborative process required to plan and implement initiatives to enhance team-based primary care, drawing on experiences of six disciplines working together to create new curricula as part of Team Primary Care. Recommendations to strengthen collaboration from our team include building capacity requires an understanding of unique disciplinary roles and understanding of unique elements of primary care; competencies have to be specifically articulated and demonstrated within a primary care context; interprofessional education within and across disciplines is needed; establishing primary care competencies would provide a common set of skills, knowledge, values, and attitudes to form a foundation in which to build the capacity of the interprofessional primary care workforce; and interprofessional collaboration is needed in implementing team-based primary care in practice and in preparing an interprofessional workforce prepared to leverage the expertise of the entire team.

Application of Motivational Interviewing in climate-sensitive health counselling – A workshop report

IntroductionThis workshop report explores the application of Motivational Interviewing (MI) in Climate-sensitive Health Counselling (CSHC) within the context of primary health care. As there is a growing interest in the connection of individual health and climate change mitigation, we provide practical guidance on integrating MI techniques in CSHC. MethodsIn June 2023, a 2-day workshop on MI was conducted at the Institute of General Medicine, University of Cologne. The workshop, facilitated by a certified MI trainer, combined theoretical content with practical group exercises. In a second workshop the staff of the Institute of General Medicine discussed the application of MI in CSHC. ResultsWe identified and specified five tools to apply MI in CSHC: A) risk assessment scores, B) relevance assessment scales, C) decision matrices, D) confidence assessment scales, and E) SMART goals. These tools provide practical insights for integrating MI into primary care consultations, offering a time-efficient approach to CSHC. DiscussionOur results present a promising approach for healthcare professionals to incorporate climate-related aspects into health counselling of patients. Feasibility and effects of MI in CSHC are still unclear and require further research. ConclusionThe tools identified provide practical guidance for the application of MI in climate-sensitive health counselling (CSHC) as well as guidance on conducting appropriate studies.

Older patients want to talk about sexual health in Australian primary care

Background Maintaining sexual health and function is important to many older adults. Although older patients are regular users of primary care, opportunities to address sexual health concerns are missed. Building on interview studies, this research aimed to collect a larger number of older adults’ perspectives to deepen understanding of sexual healthcare needs and formulate recommendations for the Australian primary care context. Methods As part of the SHAPE2 Survey of older adults’ sexual health information-seeking behaviours, participants (aged ≥60 years and living in Australia) were asked what sexual health issues were most important to them, and the barriers they experienced in managing their sexual health. Data were collected in 2021 in the form of free-text comments. The sub-set of comments that related to healthcare experiences were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Out of 1470 survey participants, 864 responded to the relevant questions, and of these 107 wrote about healthcare experiences. Some comments described positive experiences seeking sexual health care; however, the majority outlined barriers to accessing support. Barriers were categorised into seven categories: patient embarrassment, barriers to rapport, uncertainty about finding solutions, ageism, barriers unique to minorities, needing general practitioners to initiate conversations and structural barriers. Conclusions Older patients want general practitioners to initiate sexual health conversations as part of routine care, and, crucially, sexual issues raised by the patient should be legitimised and treated with due attention. Although challenges, such as time, embarrassment and pressing health concerns, may hamper sexual health discussions, it is important that this area of holistic care is given more attention.

Regional variation in health care substitution for intrauterine device insertion: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundRising health care costs are a major concern in most Western countries. The substitution of healthcare stands as a strategic approach aimed at mitigating costs while offering medical services in proximity to patients’ residences. An illustrative instance involves the migration of outpatient hospital care to primary care settings. Notably, the insertion of intrauterine devices (IUDs) can be safely executed within primary care contexts. In order to establish a pragmatic objective for the rate of IUD substitution, we conducted an evaluation of regional disparities in healthcare substitution pertaining to the insertion of intrauterine devices. Furthermore, we investigated disparities in the follow-up ultrasound and reinsertion of IUDs between primary and secondary healthcare environments.MethodsAll women who underwent IUD insertion in Dutch primary care (by general practitioners and midwives) and secondary care (by hospital physicians) between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020 were included. The main outcome measures were the case-mix adjusted IUD insertion rates at the regional level by care setting and the proportions requiring follow-up ultrasound and IUD reinsertion within three months.ResultsOf the 840,766 IUD placements, 74% were inserted in primary care and 26% in secondary care. The proportion inserted in primary care increased from 70% in 2016 to 77% in 2020. The observed substitution rate ranged from 58 to 82% between regions. Compared with health care professionals in primary care, those in secondary care performed more ultrasounds to verify IUD placement (23% vs. 3%; p-value < 0.01) and more IUD reinsertions within three months (6% vs. 2%; p-value < 0.01).ConclusionsIUDs are increasingly being inserted in Dutch primary care, with peak regional IUD insertion care substitution rates at ≥ 80%. IUD insertion care substitution to primary care appears to be associated with significantly fewer women having follow-up ultrasound or IUD reinsertion within three months.

Supporting the Primary Care Workforce Through Training in Advanced Generalist Practice: An Evaluation of the Catalyst Program.

As a workforce crisis is causing recruitment and retention issues for new to practice GPs, we designed Catalyst, a one-year pilot career development program aiming to help new to practice GPs develop the skills of advanced generalist practice and build capacity for the complex work of primary care. In this paper, we report the findings of our evaluation of Catalyst. We used normalization process theory to investigate how Catalyst was contributing to the participants' understanding and implementation of generalist practice. We conducted 36 interviews and six focus groups investigating the participants' clinical practice and experience with the program and analyzed data using framework analysis. Establishing a shared language and reframing professional identity helped GPs develop an understanding of their role through generalist lenses. Generalist practice was legitimized by access to scientific evidence and facilitated interactive learning. Integration of scientific, applied knowledge and quality improvement work fostered the enactment of such practice. Structured reflection and research-informed quality improvement projects contributed to the participants' awareness of the primary care context. Knowledge creation activities observed through interactive learning and the integration of different types of knowledge facilitated the implementation of advanced generalist practice. The participants valued the community of practice gained through the program and would come to rely on programs designed to encourage networking and enable peer support. Finally, research-informed quality improvement projects built to analyze problems and monitor solutions are crucial for an early career physician to develop a sense of agency that shapes their primary care practice.

Is a Problem-Solving Intervention with Workplace Involvement for Employees on Sickness Absence Due to Common Mental Disorders More Effective, than Care as Usual, in Reducing Sickness Absence Days? Results of a Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial in Primary Health Care.

The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a problem-solving intervention with workplace involvement (PSI-WPI) added to care as usual (CAU) in reducing sickness absence days among employees with common mental disorders compared to CAU alone in Swedish primary health care on a monthly basis over 18-months follow-up. We conducted a cluster-randomised controlled trial including 197 employees blinded to allocation (85 PSI-WPI and 112 CAU). As sickness absence data was skewed and over-dispersed, generalised estimating equations was used to enable a comparison between the intervention and control group for each month of the follow-up period. The median number of sickness absence days over the 18-month follow-up was 78 days, inter-quartile range (IQR) 18-196 for employees receiving PSI-WPI and 64 days, IQR 18-161 for employees receiving CAU. The time x group generalised estimating equations analysis showed no statistically significant difference in sickness absence days per month. The addition of a PSI-WPI to CAU was not more effective in reducing sickness absence days. This may be explained by the primary health care context, lack of specialisation in occupational health and the Swedish social insurance system with specific time limits. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03346395 on January 12th, 2018.

Transformation of primary care settings implementing a co-located team-based care model: a scoping review

BackgroundIn Canada, primary care reforms led to the implementation of various team-based care models to improve access and provide more comprehensive care for patients. Despite these advances, ongoing challenges remain. The aim of this scoping review is to explore current understanding of the functioning of these care models as well as the contexts in which they have emerged and their impact on the population, providers and healthcare costs.MethodsThe Medline and CINAHL databases were consulted. To be included, team-based care models had to be co-located, involve a family physician, specify the other professionals included, and provide information about their organization, their relevance and their impact within a primary care context. Models based on inter-professional intervention programs were excluded. The organization and coordination of services, the emerging contexts and the impact on the population, providers and healthcare costs were analysed.ResultsA total of 5952 studies were screened after removing duplicates; 15 articles were selected for final analysis. There was considerable variation in the information available as well as the terms used to describe the models. They are operationalized in various ways, generally consistent with the Patient’s Medical Home vision. Except for nurses, the inclusion of other types of professionals is variable and tends to be associated with the specific nature of the services offered. The models primarily focus on individuals with mental health conditions and chronic diseases. They appear to generally satisfy the expectations of the overarching framework of a high-performing team-based primary care model at patient and provider levels. However, economic factors are seldom integrated in their evaluations.ConclusionsThe studies rarely provide an overarching view that permits an understanding of the specific contexts, service organization, their impacts, and the broader context of implementation, making it difficult to establish universal guidelines for the operationalization of effective models. Negotiating the inherent complexity associated with implementing models requires a collaborative approach between various stakeholders, including patients, to tailor the models to the specific needs and characteristics of populations in given areas, and reflection about the professionals to be included in delivering these services.

Pilot Implementation of Guiando Buenas Decisiones, an Evidence-Based Parenting Program for Spanish-Speaking Families, in Pediatric Primary Care in a Large, U.S. Health System: A Qualitative Interview Study.

Adolescent substance use is a significant public health problem in the United States and Hispanic youth engage in substance use services at lower rates than other groups. For this under-served group, prevention services delivered in non-stigmatized, non-specialty care settings may increase access to the services. We describe findings from a feasibility pilot of the implementation of a virtual version of Guiando Buenas Decisiones (GBD), a universal, group-based substance use prevention program for parents. It was conducted with Spanish-speaking families and delivered, virtually, in pediatric primary care in a large healthcare system in the U.S. Through qualitative interviews with pediatricians (n =7) and parents (n = 26), we explored potential barriers and facilitators of GBD enrollment and engagement. Parents and pediatricians alike noted the dearth of universal prevention programming in Spanish and that GBD could help address the need for linguistically appropriate programming. Parents liked the curriculum content, materials and videos; they felt the focus on strengthening family bonds, setting clear expectations and guidelines, the use of family meetings, and the positive tools provided for navigating family conflict were well-aligned with their cultural and family values. Feedback from parents was helpful for informing more personalized and attentive approaches to program outreach and recruitment methods, and for adaptation of recruitment fliers and letters. In this pediatric primary care context serving an underserved population, we found virtual GBD feasible to implement, acceptable and appealing to parents, and judged by pediatricians as a promising, much-needed addition to their prevention armamentarium.

Using community-based participatory research methods to build the foundation for an equitable integrated health data system within a Canadian urban context

Health inequalities amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic have disproportionately affected racialized and equity-deserving communities across Canada. In the Municipality of Peel, existing data, while limited, illustrates that individuals from racialized and equity-deserving communities continue to suffer, receive delayed care, and die prematurely. In response to these troubling statistics, grassroots community advocacy has called on health systems leaders in Peel to work with community and non-profit organizations to address the critical data and infrastructure gaps that hinder addressing the social determinants of health in the region. To support these advocacy efforts, we used a community-based participatory research approach to understand how we might build a data collection ecosystem across sectors, alongside community residents and service providers, to accurately capture the data about the social determinants of health. This approach involved developing a community engagement council, defining the problem with the community, mapping what data is actively collected and what is excluded, and understanding experiences of sociodemographic data collection from community members and service providers. Guided by community voices, our study focused on sociodemographic data collection in the primary care context and identified which service providers use and collect these data, how data are used in their work, the facilitators and barriers to data use and collection. Additionally, we gained insight into how sociodemographic data collection could be respectful, safe, and properly governed from the perspectives of community members. From this study, we identify a set of eight recommendations for sociodemographic data collection and highlight limitations. This foundational community-based work will inform future research in establishing data governance in partnership with diverse and equity-deserving communities.

Evaluating A Multicomponent Chronic Disease Management Pilot Intervention among Korean Patients with Hypertension and Diabetes.

A local clinic-based chronic disease management intervention including care planning, education about disease management, monitoring, and evaluation of the achievement of objects was introduced in Korea in 2019. We evaluated the effect of the intervention on medication adherence in patients with hypertension and diabetes. In 2019, a one-year retrospective case-control group study design was performed using data from the National Health Insurance Service in Korea. Propensity score matching was used to control for selection bias. Medication adherence, calculated by medication possession rate, was the dependent variable. We conducted multivariate logistic regression analyses to examine the association between participation in the intervention and medication adherence, adjusting for covariates. A control group was set as a reference for participation in the full/partial component intervention. The proportions of participants in the full component intervention in the experimental group were 43.2% and 42.6% for patients with hypertension or diabetes, respectively. Both these groups tended to be more medication adherent than their counterparts (hypertension OR: 1.23, 95% CI 1.03-1.45, diabetes OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.24-2.17). Institutionalizing a comprehensive chronic disease management program using multidisciplinary teams in the primary care context is crucial. Also, it is necessary to refine reimbursement payment systems.

A systematic review of shared decision making training programs for general practitioners

BackgroundShared decision making (SDM) has been presented as the preferred approach for decisions where there is more than one acceptable option and has been identified a priority feature of high-quality patient-centered care. Considering the foundation of trust between general practitioners (GPs) and patients and the variety of diseases in primary care, the primary care context can be viewed as roots of SDM. GPs are requesting training programs to improve their SDM skills leading to a more patient-centered care approach. Because of the high number of training programs available, it is important to overview these training interventions specifically for primary care and to explore how these training programs are evaluated.MethodsThis review was reported in accordance with the PRISMA guideline. Eight different databases were used in December 2022 and updated in September 2023. Risk of bias was assessed using ICROMS. Training effectiveness was analyzed using the Kirkpatrick evaluation model and categorized according to training format (online, live or blended learning).ResultsWe identified 29 different SDM training programs for GPs. SDM training has a moderate impact on patient (SMD 0.53 95% CI 0.15–0.90) and observer reported SDM skills (SMD 0.59 95%CI 0.21–0.97). For blended training programs, we found a high impact for quality of life (SMD 1.20 95% CI -0.38-2.78) and patient reported SDM skills (SMD 2.89 95%CI -0.55-6.32).ConclusionSDM training improves patient and observer reported SDM skills in GPs. Blended learning as learning format for SDM appears to show better effects on learning outcomes than online or live learning formats. This suggests that teaching facilities designing SDM training may want to prioritize blended learning formats. More homogeneity in SDM measurement scales and evaluation approaches and direct comparisons of different types of educational formats are needed to develop the most appropriate and effective SDM training format.Trial registrationPROSPERO: A systematic review of shared-decision making training programs in a primary care setting. PROSPERO 2023 CRD42023393385 Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023393385.