Reduce Health Care Utilization Research Articles

Contextual factors that influence adoption and sustainment of self-management support in cancer survivorship care: a practical application of theory with qualitative interviews

BackgroundSelf-management support (SMS) is a recommended component of cancer survivorship care that improves health-related quality of life and reduces healthcare utilisation. However, widespread implementation has been difficult to achieve, with a gap in the literature on system-wide implementation efforts. This study examines contextual factors perceived to influence SMS adoption and sustainment in cancer centres in the Republic of Ireland.MethodSemistructured interviews were conducted with 47 key informants from 20 cancer organisations across community and hospital settings. Participants were asked to report the level of adoption and sustainment of SMS at their organisation. This information was used to categorise organisations as low, medium or high implementers. We conducted cross-case analysis following the principles of Framework Analysis. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research as a menu of constructs, we examined factors influencing adoption and sustainment and variation in levels of implementation.ResultsNational policy, external accreditation, external financing opportunities and the presence of champions in organisations are influential early in the implementation process driving adoption. Healthcare provider-led programmes and evidence of SMS improving patient outcomes and aligning with an organisation’s priorities are necessary to secure buy-in, particularly among senior leadership. An organisational culture of entrepreneurship enables adoption and sustainment, with resources and a culture supporting staff well-being enabling sustainment.ConclusionWhile national policy is a driver, additional factors related to programme attributes and local contextual features such as the presence of champions, organisational readiness and culture influence implementation. The results may be used for future evaluations of SMS implementation in cancer survivorship care and to inform the development of tailored implementation strategies.

Alleviation of COVID-19 Symptoms and Reduction in Healthcare Utilization Among High-Risk Patients Treated With Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (NMV/R): A phase 3 randomized trial.

Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NMV/r) is an oral antiviral treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19. This phase 2/3, double-blind, randomized (1:1) study assessed oral NMV/r 300 mg/100 mg versus placebo every 12 hours for 5 days in high-risk, unvaccinated, nonhospitalized, symptomatic adults with COVID-19 from 343 sites across 21 countries. In testing the primary endpoint of COVID-19‒related hospitalization and all-cause deaths and key secondary endpoints including symptom duration and COVID-19‒related medical visits, Type I error was controlled with prespecified sequential testing and the Hochberg procedure. Among 2113 randomized patients enrolled from July 2021 through December 2021, 1966 (NMV/r, n=977; placebo, n=989) were included in the prespecified analysis population (symptom onset ≤5 days, did not receive monoclonal antibodies). NMV/r significantly reduced times to sustained alleviation (median, 13 vs 15 days; hazard ratio [HR]=1.27, p<0.0001) and resolution (16 vs 19 days; HR=1.20, p=0.0022) through Day 28 and significantly reduced the number of COVID-19‒related medical visits and the proportion of patients with such visits. Hospitalized patients treated with NMV/r had shorter stays, none required ICU admission or mechanical ventilation, and all were discharged to home/self-care. Fewer NMV/r-treated patients required additional treatment for COVID-19. No NMV/r-treated patients died through Week 24 compared with 15 placebo-treated patients. In addition to reducing COVID-19‒related hospitalization or death from any cause through Day 28, NMV/r was found to also reduce duration of COVID-19 symptoms and utilization of healthcare resources versus placebo in patients at high risk of progressing to severe disease. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04960202, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04960202.

Protective effects of long term antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with its rising prevalence rates is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and thromboembolic events. Antiplatelets and/or anticoagulants agents are often prescribed but the literature on the impact of long-term anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet use among patients hospitalized with IBD is scarce. The aim of this study is to assess the outcomes of patients hospitalized with IBD on antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant agents. To investigate the effects of long-term use of antiplatelets/anticoagulants on clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with IBD. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, including all adult IBD patients hospitalized in the United States from 2016 to 2019. Patient cohorts were stratified based on antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy status. Multivariate regression analysis was done to assess outcomes, adjusting for potential confounders. The primary outcome was mortality, whereas length of stay (LOS), total parenteral nutrition, acute kidney injury, sepsis, shock, gastrointestinal bleeding, need for colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy, abdominal surgery and total hospitalization charges were secondary outcomes. Among 374744 hospitalized IBD patients, antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy alone was associated with significantly lower in-hospital mortality and reduced healthcare utilization, including shorter LOS and decreased hospitalization costs. Combined therapy was associated with a protective effect on mortality, but did not reach statistical significance. Notably, therapy did not exacerbate disease severity or complications, although higher odds of gastrointestinal bleeding were observed. Our study highlights the potential benefits of long-term anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy in hospitalized IBD patients, with improved mortality outcomes and healthcare utilization. While concerns regarding gastrointestinal bleeding exist, the overall safety profile suggests a role for these agents in mitigating thromboembolic risks without exacerbating disease severity. Further research is needed to look at optimal treatment strategies and addressing limitations to guide clinical decision-making in this population.

Impact of discontinuing disease-modifying therapies on health care utilization among midlife patients with multiple sclerosis in the United States.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong progressive neurological disease treated primarily with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Disease activity tends to decline as patients age. Midlife represents a crossroads where the risks of DMT may outweigh the benefits, prompting providers to consider DMT discontinuation to reduce treatment burden. However, real-world evidence on the impact of DMT discontinuation among midlife patients is lacking. To evaluate the association between DMT discontinuation and health care utilization among midlife patients with MS. Midlife patients with MS who received an injectable or oral DMT between 2001 and 2018 were identified from the MarketScan commercial claims database. DMT discontinuation, defined as a treatment gap exceeding 90 days in days supply, was the independent variable. Patients who discontinued DMTs had their index date set as the last gap day, whereas index dates for those who continued DMTs were matched based on the time distribution of index dates of discontinuers. Inpatient hospitalizations (all-cause, MS-related, and non-MS-related), emergency department (ED) visits (all-cause, MS-related, and non-MS-related), and relapse-related hospitalizations and outpatient visits were independently evaluated during the 365-day follow-up. Patients were observed until the occurrence of an event (depending on the model), deviation from the treatment group, disenrollment, death, end of follow-up, or data unavailability. Stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (sIPTW) was employed to balance the 2 groups. The associations between DMT discontinuation and each utilization outcome were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression models with sIPTW. Of 149,721 midlife patients with MS, 22.8% discontinued DMTs and 77.2% continued DMTs. Patients who discontinued DMTs had a higher cumulative incidence for all utilization outcomes during the 365-day follow-up than those who continued DMTs. Cox regression showed that DMT discontinuation was associated with a 10.3% and 24.9% higher rate of all-cause and non-MS-related inpatient hospitalizations, respectively, with no significant association found for MS-related hospitalizations. Patients discontinuing DMTs exhibited higher utilization rates for ED visits, with an increase of 21.3% for all-cause, 23.0% for MS-related, and 20.9% for non-MS-related visits compared with those who continued DMTs. We also observed a 15.9% and 52.1% higher rate of relapse-related hospitalizations and outpatient visits associated with DMT discontinuation, respectively. This study revealed that DMT discontinuation was associated with higher health care services utilization among midlife patients with MS, especially relapse-related outpatient visits. DMT discontinuation during midlife may be premature, and DMTs may still be necessary to reduce health care utilization.

BIG DATA AND CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT THROUGH PATIENT MONITORING AND TREATMENT WITH DATA ANALYTICS

This systematic review investigates the role of predictive analytics in chronic disease management, focusing on its capacity to predict disease progression, reduce hospitalizations, and enhance patient outcomes. A total of 35 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed to evaluate how predictive models, utilizing data from electronic health records (EHRs), wearable devices, and real-time monitoring systems, are applied in managing chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. The findings indicate that predictive models have significantly improved early disease detection accuracy, with studies showing improved forecasting of heart failure exacerbations and notable reductions in hospital readmissions due to timely interventions. Additionally, many studies reported a reduction in healthcare utilization through predictive analytics-driven early interventions. However, challenges regarding data quality and model accuracy were frequently cited, particularly concerning data integration and harmonization across various healthcare systems. Ethical and privacy concerns, including data security and algorithmic bias, were also highlighted, underscoring the need to address these issues for responsible and equitable use of predictive analytics. This review affirms the growing impact of predictive analytics in chronic disease management, while calling for advancements in data management and ethical frameworks to maximize its potential.

Clinical, Quality of Life, and Health Care Utilization Outcomes of Switching the Administration Route of Antipsychotic Medications Among People With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Using long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications can improve the outcomes of patients with schizophrenia, such as reducing symptom severity and hospitalization risk. However, the outcomes of switching from oral to LAI antipsychotic medications are unclear. The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of the clinical, quality of life, and health care utilization outcomes of switching from oral to LAI antipsychotics among patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder. We thoroughly searched the PubMed, Scopus, PsycInfo, and CINAHL databases. To conduct the meta-analysis, we used the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Program. Forty-one articles met our inclusion criteria. After switching to LAIs, symptom severity, the number of rehospitalizations, emergency department visits, and overall health care costs were reduced. Also, social functioning significantly improved. However, no differences were observed in the frequency of outpatient visits. Pharmacy costs were increased between pre- and post-LAI initiation. Our findings support evidence that changing the route of administration of antipsychotic medications from oral to long-acting intramuscular injections can improve the clinical, quality of life, and health care utilization outcomes in people with schizophrenia. Health care practitioners might consider encouraging LAI use earlier during treatment for schizophrenia for better clinical outcomes and to reduce health care utilization associated with treatment.

Real world comparison of filgrastim to filgrastim-sndz in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

There exists some apprehension by prescribers, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders regarding the real-world safety and effectiveness of biosimilars. While some of the apprehension is likely due to clinician knowledge gaps in the biosimilarity exercise, additional data (including those generated from the real-world) regarding safety and efficacy could reduce a clinician's perception of biosimilar uncertainty and can potentially increase biosimilar acceptance and uptake. The published literature is lacking regarding the real-world impact on healthcare costs and clinical outcomes when a single healthcare institution converts from filgrastim to filgrastim-sndz as its short-acting Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (GCSF), especially within diverse populations and indications not explicitly studied through the registration trials. Specifically, both filgrastim and filgrastim-sndz possess FDA-approved indications within patients with hematologic malignancies receiving high-dose chemotherapy and in those undergoing bone marrow transplantation. As a biosimilar to filgrastim, the FDA did not require prospective, randomized controlled trials to obtain these indications for filgrastim-sndz. The purpose of this study is to describe real-world healthcare resource costs, utilization patterns, and clinical outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies who received filgrastim-sndz or filgrastim to support neutrophil recovery following chemotherapy (i.e., induction or consolidation) or a bone marrow transplant (BMT) at Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH). A total of 148 patients were identified and met the following criteria: at least 18 years old, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 2, absence of fever or infection, newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia or newly post-bone marrow transplant and received filgrastim-sndz (Zarxio®) or reference filgrastim (Neupogen®). Healthcare resource utilization outcomes were compared between biosimilar and reference filgrastim using descriptive statistics. There were no major differences between either cohort, including duration of hospitalization, the number of overall emergency room visits and additional hospital admissions with a primary diagnosis of febrile neutropenia or neutropenia within 30 days post-discharge from initial hospital admission, time to neutrophil recovery following GCSF support, and the incidence and duration of both fever and febrile neutropenia. The total cost based on treatment of all patients in each arm differed significantly with filgrastim-sndz being the most cost-effective choice. filgrastim-sndz significantly reduced healthcare utilization costs compared to reference filgrastim with similar effect on absolute neutrophil count, incidence of fever, and febrile neutropenia.

Budget impact analysis of TPMT and NUDT15 pharmacogenomic testing for 6-mercaptopurine in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients.

Pharmacogenomic testing identifies gene polymorphisms impacting drug metabolism, aiding in optimizing treatment efficacy and minimizing toxicity, thus potentially reducing healthcare utilization. 6-Mercaptopurine metabolism is affected by thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) and nudix hydrolase 15 (NUDT15) polymorphisms. We sought to estimate the budget impact of preemptive pharmacogenomic testing for these genes in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients from an institutional perspective. A Markov model was constructed to model the first cycle of the maintenance phase of chemotherapy for pediatric ALL patients transitioning between one of three health states: stable, moderately myelosuppressed, and severely myelosuppressed over 16 weeks, with each health state's associated costs derived from the literature. The patient's likelihood to experience moderate or severe myelosuppression based on metabolism phenotype was calculated from the literature and applied on a weekly basis, and the marginal budget impact of preemptive pharmacogenomic testing vs. no pharmacogenomic testing was calculated. One-way sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess parameter influence on results. Preemptive pharmacogenomic testing of TPMT and NUDT15 provided savings of up to $26 028 per patient during the maintenance phase. In the sensitivity analysis, the cost of outpatient management of moderate myelosuppression had the greatest impact on the budget, resulting in cost savings ranging from $8592 to $30 129 when the minimum and maximum costs of management were used in the model. Preemptive pharmacogenomic testing for TPMT and NUDT15 polymorphisms before initiation of maintenance therapy for pediatric ALL patients yielded considerable cost savings.

A Tale of 102,726 Messages: Characterizing the Modern Urologist's Portal Message Burden After Common Urologic Surgeries.

We aimed to characterize patient portal messaging use after urologic surgery to identify administrative burden and evaluate postoperative clinical associations. Epic was queried for all urologic surgeries performed at the Mayo Clinic enterprise between 2019 and 2022. Data from the highest volume procedures were extracted including patient-generated portal messages to their provider and emergency department (ED) visits within 6 months of surgery. Factors associated with portal users and message volume, as well as the impact of portal use on risk of subsequent ED visit, were evaluated. We analyzed data from 23,621 urologic procedures, which generated 102,726 patient portal messages within 6 months of surgery. We found that 55% of our cohort sent at least 1 message. Stratifying by subspecialty, endourologic surgeries generated the fewest number of messages per surgery (3.83; SD, 8.76), whereas female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgeries yielded the most (6.05; SD, 10.92). Younger age, female sex, and White race were associated with increased portal utilization. Multivariable time-to-event analysis revealed a 33% reduction in the risk of ED presentation within 90 days after surgery for patients using the patient portal compared with those who did not. While only half of patients sent portal messages after surgery, active users showed a 33% reduction in ED visits, suggesting its potential to reduce health care utilization. Encouraging broader portal adoption can improve outcomes. However, the message burden for urologists necessitates solutions. Resource allocation should prioritize strategies to help urologists manage messages while preserving the established clinical benefits.

The Ambulatory Diabetes Outreach Program (ADOP): Rigorous Evaluation of a Pharmacist and Nurse-Led Care Model.

Although several systematic reviews found that ambulatory diabetes mellitus (DM) interventions involving pharmacists generally yielded better outcomes than the ones that did not, existing studies have limitations in rigor and study design. To examine the intention-to-treat effects of the Ambulatory Diabetes Outreach Program (ADOP) on participants' A1c values and healthcare utilization over a 52-month follow-up period. Difference-in-differences with staggered adoption. Specifically, we employed the Callaway and Sant'Anna's "group-time average treatment effect" estimator using not-yet treated as controls adjusting for patient's age, BMI, sex, race, comorbidity, payor, and socio-economic status. All patients with at least one ADOP treatment encounter from July 2017 to October 2021, regardless of program completion or length of exposure to the program. ADOP, a collaborative population health program led by pharmacists and nurse specialists to provide individualized type 2 DM management and education within a large and diverse health system. Patients' A1c values and healthcare utilization, including inpatient admission, inpatient days, and numbers of visits to the emergency department, urgent care, and primary care in recent 6months. ADOP participation was associated with an overall average reduction of 1.04 percentage points (95%CI - 1.12, - 0.95) in A1c level. Similar A1c reductions were also observed in the subgroups by sex and race/ethnicity. An average of 2months were required to reach the overall average effect, which persisted over 4years. Compared to the respective utilization levels pre-intervention, participants also had average reductions in inpatient admissions by 32.4%, inpatient days by 81.6%, visits to the emergency department by 21.6%, and primary care by 17.9%. The results suggest that a collaborative model of pharmacist and nurse-led type 2 DM intervention was effective in improving A1c outcomes and reducing healthcare utilization in the long term.

Patient factors associated with early vs late referral to supportive oncology.

202 Background: ASCO guidelines recommend early palliative care (PC) for patients with advanced cancer, defined as referral within 8 weeks of diagnosis. Early referral has been associated with improved quality of life, survival and a reduction in healthcare utilization at the end of life. We sought to determine the role of sociodemographic and clinical patient factors on timing of referral to an embedded supportive oncology (SO) practice and impact on utilization. Methods: Patients ≥18 years with advanced cancer who first received a SO visit between 01/01/2021-06/30/2023 were included. Data on patient demographics, cancer treatment and mortality were extracted from the electronic health record. Early referral to SO was defined as a visit &lt;3 months after diagnosis of advanced cancer. We used descriptive statistics to summarize patients’ sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, and healthcare utilization, and multivariable linear regression analysis to identify factors associated with the timing of referrals. Results: Of the 782 patients, 39.1% were referred early. Poorer functional status (p&lt;0.001) and certain cancer types (p&lt;0.01) were associated with earlier referrals. There were significant differences in timing of referral by cancer type with highest early rates among Head and Neck (53%,) GI (48%), Lung (46%) and GYN (43%) and lowest among GU (29%) and Breast (11%; p &lt; 0.001). Those with Medicare as the primary insurance had an increase in referral time (138 days) compared to Medicaid patients (p&lt;0.001). Patients whose primary symptom was pain were referred earlier than patients with other non-pain symptoms although this did not reach statistical significance (p=0.084). Patients with an earlier referral had more ED visits and hospitalizations both before (p=0.001 and p&lt; 0.001, respectively) and after (p=0.186 and p=0.007, respectively) referral compared to those referred later. Overall, there was no difference in mean referral times between 2021 (483d) and 2023 (533d). Conclusions: There remains significant disparities in the timing of referrals to SO based on sociodemographic and clinical factors. While early SO referral is associated with several benefits, the variability in referral timing underscores the need for targeted strategies to promote timely access to PC. Moving forward, efforts should focus on developing standardized referral protocols and addressing barriers to early PC access to ensure equitable and optimal patient outcomes. Patient demographics and characteristics. Category Overall N=782 Early N=306 Late N=476 p-value Age (mean] 63.3 63.6 63.1 0.689 Race (%) 0.736 Asian 88 (11) 39 (13) 49 (10) Black or African-American 194 (25) 72 (24) 122 (26) Hispanic 192 (25) 80 (26) 112 (24) White 260 (33) 95 (31) 165 (35) Other/Patient Declined 48 (6) 20 (7) 28 (6) Insurance (%) 0.080 Commercial 197 (28) 73 (26) 124 (29) Medicaid 175 (25) 83 (27) 92 (19) Medicare 330 (47) 123 (40) 207 (44) Other 6 (0) 1 (0) 5 (1)

Etiology and epidemiology of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Eastern Nepal: a narrative review

This narrative review aims to examine the etiology and epidemiology of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in Eastern Nepal. A systematic search was conducted to identify relevant studies published in English, focusing on combinations of keywords such as “acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” “AECOPD,” “Nepal,” “etiology,” “epidemiology,” “environmental exposure,” “comorbidities,” and “socioeconomic factors.” Synthesizing findings from recent studies, it highlights the multifactorial nature of AECOPD, including the roles of respiratory infections, environmental exposures, and comorbidities. Key findings indicate that respiratory infections (both viral and bacterial) and non-infectious factors such as air pollution and biomass fuel combustion significantly contribute to AECOPD. Socio-economic factors, particularly among women using traditional biomass fuels and engaged in smoking, also play a critical role. The review emphasizes the need for targeted interventions and preventive strategies to manage AECOPD effectively in this region. Conclusions suggest that understanding local patterns of AECOPD etiology is crucial for developing region-specific interventions to reduce exposure to risk factors and manage comorbidities, thereby improving clinical outcomes and reducing healthcare utilization.

Food Insecurity Status and Health Care Utilization Among COPD Patients: A Retrospective Study.

Government programs-targeting chronic disease patients with high health care costs-focus on clinical conditions, factors internal to the health care system, and individual patient education, not on addressing modifiable social determinants of health to reduce health care utilization. To evaluate differences in sociodemographic variables and health care utilization between patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who reported food insecurity and those who did not. This descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study used data from the electronic health records of a convenience sample of 854 participants with a discharge diagnosis of COPD or COPD with acute exacerbation, admitted via the emergency department of participating hospitals in Southern California. Chi-square (or Fisher's exact) tests and t tests were used to evaluate group differences, and multivariate (or Firth) logistic regression to identify factors that increased the odds of emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Significant differences between groups were identified for food insecurity (sometimes or often vs never insecure) and age (P < .001), race (P = .022), medical insurance (P < .001), zip code (P = .022), homeless status (P < .001), smoking status (P < .001), and emergency department visits (P = .033). No significant differences were found for food insecurity and hospitalizations (P = .592). This study contributes to the growing body of research supporting the association of upstream social factors (food insecurity, homelessness, zip code) and downstream health outcomes (repeated emergency room visits), and how existing programs can be effectively utilized to impact downstream health outcomes such as health care utilization.

Effect of an In-Home Palivizumab Administration Program for Children with Medical Complexity.

In-home palivizumab administration programs (PH) have shown promise in reducing RSV-associated infections. These programs may be particularly beneficial for children with medical complexity (CMC) by limiting their exposure to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) from non-RSV-related pathogens during transportation and visits to medical facilities. In this prospective study, 41 children with CMC less than 2 years of age were randomized by their health insurance to receive PH or in the clinic (PC) during the RSV season (October 2018-April 2019). Patients were stratified by home ventilation. The primary outcome was the total number of face-to-face encounters. Secondary outcomes were unscheduled clinic visits and hospitalizations secondary to the non-RSV LRTIs. Standard frequentist and Bayesian analyses were performed. All demographic factors and strata were matched between PH ("n" = 13, mean age 22 mo. SD ± 1), and PC ("n" = 28, mean age: 18 mo. SD ± 1). There was a decrease in the number of total face-to-face encounters (adjusted for mechanical ventilation and baseline diagnosis) [(4.5 vs. 8.8), (RR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3-2.5, p = 0.001)], and hospitalizations [(0.3 vs. 1.25), (RR: 3.8, 95% CI: 1.3-11.3, p = 0.016)], in the PH vs PC groups. Bayesian analysis showed a 93% probability of benefit in favor of fewer face-to-face encounters in the PH group. This study suggests that PH administration may reduce healthcare utilization in CMC. Minimizing exposure to healthcare facilities and supporting home-based interventions are promising strategies for this population.

Clinical Outcomes and Cost Implications of a Community Psychosocial Rehabilitation Service for Severe and Persistent Mental Illness in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Introduction: Individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) present distinct challenges in mental healthcare due to the chronic and complex nature of their conditions. This study was conducted to assess the clinical efficacy and potential cost-effectiveness of a multidisciplinary community-based psychosocial rehabilitation team serving individuals with SPMI in Nova Scotia, Canada. Method: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a community-based psychosocial rehabilitation program on individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) in Nova Scotia, Canada. This research focused on clinical outcomes and potential cost savings following a one-year intervention, offering critical insights into the benefits of community-based care for this population. A cohort of 137 clients accepted into the community rehabilitation service (Connections Dartmouth) between September 2016 and September 2020 was analyzed. Each participant received one year of community rehabilitation intervention. Using data from the Canadian Medical Service Insurance (MSI) billing system, this research compared the use of inpatient services and Emergency Department visits in the year prior to and the year following the intervention. The findings provide valuable evidence on the role of community rehabilitation in reducing healthcare utilization for individuals with SPMI. Results: The results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in mean admission rates and length of inpatient admissions in the year following rehabilitation compared to the pre-rehabilitation year. A substantial percentage of patients experienced no inpatient admissions (88% vs. 60%) or Emergency Department visits (82% vs. 67%) in the post-rehabilitation year, compared to the pre-rehabilitation year. There was a significant reduction in inpatient days by 90%, translating into substantial cost savings. The findings highlight the potential economic benefits of community rehabilitation for people with SPMI. Conclusions: This uncontrolled study suggests that community rehabilitation is associated with positive clinical outcomes for individuals with SPMI in terms of reduced inpatient service use and associated costs. Further research, including controlled studies and cost-effectiveness studies, into the community psychosocial rehabilitation services in the Canadian setting is needed.

Weight Bias in the Perinatal Period: An Integrative Review

ABSTRACTBackgroundWeight bias toward individuals with higher body weights in healthcare settings is associated with adverse health behaviors, reduced healthcare utilization, and poor health outcomes. The purpose of this integrative review was to explore: (1) What has been measured and described regarding perinatal care providers' and students' weight bias toward pregnant, birthing, and postpartum individuals with higher body weights? (2) What has been measured and described regarding pregnant, birthing, and postpartum individuals' experiences of weight bias? (3) What is the association of experiences of weight bias with perinatal and mental health outcomes among pregnant, birthing, and postpartum individuals?MethodsWe conducted a systematic search in CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases to identify relevant research publications related to the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms weight prejudice (and related terms) and pregnancy (and related terms). The review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA), Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence‐Based Practice model for study quality determination, and the Whittemore and Knafl integrative review framework for data extraction and analyses.ResultsTwenty‐two publications met inclusion criteria, representing six countries and varying study designs. This review found pervasive sources of explicit weight bias in the perinatal period, including care providers and close relationships. Experiences of weight bias among pregnant and postpartum individuals are associated with adverse perinatal and mental health outcomes.DiscussionThe findings address a knowledge gap regarding a summary of literature on weight bias in the perinatal period and elucidate its prevalence as well as its negative influence on perinatal and mental health outcomes. Future research efforts on this topic must examine the nature and extent of perinatal care providers' weight bias by demographic factors and explore its association with clinical decision‐making and perinatal and mental health outcomes.

Predictors of diagnostic delays and loss to follow-up in women with von Willebrand disease: a single-center retrospective cohort study

BackgroundWomen with von Willebrand disease (VWD) often face diagnostic delays, leading to increased bleeds, stress, and healthcare use. The factors influencing these delays and their effects on gynecologic outcomes are not well understood. ObjectivesThis study aimed to 1) identify the prevalence and predictors of diagnostic delays and loss to follow-up in women with VWD and 2) determine how these delays affect severe gynecologic bleeding, emergency visits, transfusions, and hysterectomies. MethodsWe conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study and included women aged ≥18 years diagnosed with VWD. Delayed diagnosis was defined as ≥3 bleeding events prior to VWD diagnosis, excluding easy bruising due to its subjectivity. Loss to follow-up was defined as ≥5 years since the last hematology visit. We used logistic regression for analysis. ResultsAmong 178 diagnosed women (median age, 27 years), 71 (40%) experienced ≥3 bleeding events before diagnosis. The median time from the first bleeding event to VWD diagnosis was 14.2 years. Severe bleeding events significantly predicted diagnostic delays (adjusted odds ratio, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.5-6.2). Fifty-four (30%) women were lost to follow-up, with remote era of initial bleed and VWD type identified as significant predictors. Delays were associated with increased risks of hysterectomies (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2-6.3) and other gynecologic procedures. ConclusionDelayed diagnosis and loss to follow-up in VWD are common even in a specialized Hemophilia Treatment Centre. Such delays lead to more severe bleeding and increased gynecologic interventions. Prompt diagnosis is paramount for better patient outcomes and reduced healthcare utilization.

Linkja: Open Source Privacy-Preserving Record Linkage Tool

ObjectiveTo introduce Linkja, an open-source, certified, Privacy-Preserving Record Linkage (PPRL) tool with the primary objective of facilitating secure and efficient record linkage across diverse datasets, while preserving individual privacy, providing a comprehensive and privacy-centric approach to program assessments. ApproachLinkja has been used to evaluate Chicago’s Flexible Housing Pool program by securely linking various datasets, including Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS), Electronic Health Records, Jail records, Medical Examiner reports, and Public Health data. Data contributors used separate honest brokers for record linkage, and generation of salt and cryptography keys. ResultsLinkja enabled this multi-sector linkage by facilitating legal and data sharing agreements, avoided licensing fees and procurement processes for all parties, and provided a de-identified for analysis. The insights gleaned from the analysis motivated the FHP program to plan a follow-up evaluation that will add emergency serviced records from a separate City of Chicago department. The successful linkage provided a nuanced understanding of the association between stable housing and reduced healthcare utilization. ConclusionsLinkja's cryptographic certification ensures the highest standards of security during data linkage, safeguarding sensitive information. The matching rules, validated on hard-to-match populations, prove essential in maintaining accuracy and reliability in the linkage process. ImplicationsThe open-source nature of Linkja promotes transparency and collaboration in the development and enhancement of privacy-preserving record linkage techniques. This tool has broad implications for sectors dealing with sensitive data, fostering responsible data-sharing practices, and enabling secure collaborative research initiatives without compromising individual privacy.

Navigating Life With Parkinson's Disease: A Focus Group Study on Coping Strategies and Considerations for Self-Management Support.

To investigate the experiences of people with Parkinson's disease in coping with and adapting to their disease and to identify considerations for a tailored self-management support program. A descriptive phenomenological focus group study. Five semi-structured focus groups were conducted between April 2023 and June 2023 in the Netherlands, with 12 people with Parkinson's disease. Two researchers independently performed an inductive content analysis. Three principal categories emerged: (1) Rational realisation versus emotional experience: the coping strategy transition. This category includes three main coping strategies: denial or avoidance coping, acknowledging with less active coping and proactive and task-oriented coping. (2) Factors that influence coping, including mindset and skills, social circles and communication and access to support and care. (3) Considerations for successful self-management of Parkinson's disease, highlighting key areas such as psycho-emotional guidance, nutrition and lifestyle, peer support and maintaining autonomy and sense of identity. Coping and adaptation strategies are individual and dynamic processes, with multiple key or turning points during the transition between strategies. Tailored self-management support can enhance coping abilities during these transitions, fostering adaptation to a life with Parkinson's disease. A patient-focused version of an existing blended self-management support program for family caregivers will be developed, which will be delivered by healthcare professionals. This study can help healthcare professionals tailor support for people with Parkinson's disease, emphasising their role in facilitating coping and adaptation. Enhancing self-management can improve self-efficacy, quality of life and potentially reduce healthcare utilisation in people with Parkinson's disease. Findings are reported according to the COREQ guidelines. Patients and Parkinson's disease experts participated in the preparation and implications of the findings. All participants could contribute to the self-management support program, either through video interviews or content feedback.

Beyond Glycemic Control: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Their Impact on Calcium Homeostasis in Real-World Patients.

Background/Objectives: The effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists on calcium homeostasis is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between GLP-1R agonist use and the risk of hypocalcemia and/or hypercalcemia, as well as other clinical outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study used de-identified patient data from the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network, including 15,655 adult patients prescribed GLP-1R agonists and 15,655 propensity-matched controls. Outcomes included hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia, emergency visits, hospitalizations, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality. Results: GLP-1R agonist use was associated with a reduced risk of hypocalcemia (2.7% vs. 5.5%, RR 0.49, 95% CI: 0.44-0.55) but an increased risk of hypercalcemia (2.3% vs. 1.1%, RR 2.02, 95% CI: 1.69-2.42). The effect on hypocalcemia was most pronounced during the first six months of treatment. Among individual agents, tirzepatide showed the most pronounced effect, reducing hypocalcemia risk by 63% while increasing hypercalcemia risk by 85%. Semaglutide demonstrated similar effects, while dulaglutide and liraglutide showed modest effects. Furthermore, GLP-1R agonist use was associated with reduced risks of emergency visits (RR 0.57, 95% CI: 0.54-0.60), hospitalizations (RR 0.40, 95% CI: 0.36-0.44), cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality (HR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.21-0.36). Conclusions: GLP-1R agonists exhibit a complex influence on calcium homeostasis, reducing hypocalcemia risk while increasing hypercalcemia risk. Beyond calcium regulation, these medications significantly reduce healthcare utilization, improve cardiovascular outcomes, and decrease mortality. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind the differential effects of individual GLP-1R agonists, particularly tirzepatide, to optimize personalized treatment approaches and long-term safety.