Browsing by Author "Matchar, David"
Now showing 1 - 20 of 24
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Open Access Assessing applicability when comparing medical interventions: AHRQ and the Effective Health Care Program.(Journal of clinical epidemiology, 2011-11) Atkins, David; Chang, Stephanie M; Gartlehner, Gerald; Buckley, David I; Whitlock, Evelyn P; Berliner, Elise; Matchar, DavidObjective
To describe a systematic approach for identifying, reporting, and synthesizing information to allow consistent and transparent consideration of the applicability of the evidence in a systematic review according to the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, Setting domains.Study design and setting
Comparative effectiveness reviews need to consider whether available evidence is applicable to specific clinical or policy questions to be useful to decision makers. Authors reviewed the literature and developed guidance for the Effective Health Care program.Results
Because applicability depends on the specific questions and needs of the users, it is difficult to devise a valid uniform scale for rating the overall applicability of individual studies or body of evidence. We recommend consulting stakeholders to identify the factors most relevant to applicability for their decisions. Applicability should be considered separately for benefits and harms. Observational studies can help determine whether trial populations and interventions are representative of "real world" practice. Reviewers should describe differences between available evidence and the ideally applicable evidence for the question being asked and offer a qualitative judgment about the importance and potential effect of those differences.Conclusion
Careful consideration of applicability may improve the usefulness of systematic reviews in informing practice and policy.Item Open Access Clinical implementation of an oncology-specific family health history risk assessment tool.(Hereditary cancer in clinical practice, 2021-03-20) Fung, Si Ming; Wu, R Ryanne; Myers, Rachel A; Goh, Jasper; Ginsburg, Geoffrey S; Matchar, David; Orlando, Lori A; Ngeow, JoanneBackground
The presence of hereditary cancer syndromes in cancer patients can have an impact on current clinical care and post-treatment prevention and surveillance measures. Several barriers inhibit identification of hereditary cancer syndromes in routine practice. This paper describes the impact of using a patient-facing family health history risk assessment platform on the identification and referral of breast cancer patients to genetic counselling services.Methods
This was a hybrid implementation-effectiveness study completed in breast cancer clinics. English-literate patients not previously referred for genetic counselling and/or gone through genetic testing were offered enrollment. Consented participants were provided educational materials on family health history collection, entered their family health history into the platform and completed a satisfaction survey. Upon completion, participants and their clinicians were given personalized risk reports. Chart abstraction was done to identify actions taken by patients, providers and genetic counsellors.Results
Of 195 patients approached, 102 consented and completed the study (mean age 55.7, 100 % women). Sixty-six (65 %) met guideline criteria for genetic counseling of which 24 (36 %) were referred for genetic counseling. Of those referred, 13 (54 %) participants attended and eight (33 %) completed genetic testing. On multivariate logistic regression, referral was not associated with age, cancer stage, or race but was associated with clinical provider (p = 0.041). Most providers (71 %) had higher referral rates during the study compared to prior. The majority of participants found the experience useful (84 %), were more aware of their health risks (83 %), and were likely to recommend using a patient-facing platform to others (69 %).Conclusions
65 % of patients attending breast cancer clinics in this study are at-risk for hereditary conditions based on current guidelines. Using a patient-facing risk assessment platform enhances the ability to identify these patients systematically and with widespread acceptability and recognized value by patients. As only a third of at-risk participants received referrals for genetic counseling, further understanding barriers to referral is needed to optimize hereditary risk assessment in oncology practices.Trial registration
NIH Clinical Trials registry, NCT04639934 . Registered Nov 23, 2020 -- Retrospectively registered.Item Open Access Contemporary outcome measures in acute stroke research: choice of primary outcome measure.(Stroke, 2012-04) Lees, Kennedy R; Bath, Philip MW; Schellinger, Peter D; Kerr, Daniel M; Fulton, Rachael; Hacke, Werner; Matchar, David; Sehra, Ruchir; Toni, Danilo; European Stroke Organization Outcomes Working GroupBackground and purpose
The diversity of available outcome measures for acute stroke trials is challenging and implies that the scales may be imperfect. To assist researchers planning trials and to aid interpretation, this article reviews and makes recommendations on the available choices of scales. The aim is to identify an approach that will be universally accepted and that should be included in most acute trials, without seeking to restrict options for special circumstances.Methods
The article considers outcome measures that have been widely used or are currently advised. It examines desirable properties for outcome measures such as validity, relevance, responsiveness, statistical properties, availability of training, cultural and language issues, resistance to comorbidity, as well as potential weaknesses. Tracking and agreement among outcomes are covered.Results
Typical ranges of scores for the common scales are described, along with their statistical properties, which in turn influence optimal analytic techniques. The timing of recovery on scores and usual practice in trial design are considered.Conclusions
The preferred outcome measure for acute trials is the modified Rankin Scale, assessed at 3 months after stroke onset or later. The interview should be conducted by a certified rater and should involve both the patient and any relevant caregiver. Incremental benefits at any level of the modified Rankin Scale may be acceptable. The modified Rankin Scale is imperfect but should be retained in its present form for comparability with existing treatment comparisons. No second measure should be required, but correlations with supporting scales may be used to confirm consistency in direction of effects on other measures.Item Open Access Depressive symptoms among informal caregivers of older adults: insights from the Singapore Survey on Informal Caregiving.(International psychogeriatrics, 2012-08) Malhotra, Chetna; Malhotra, Rahul; Østbye, Truls; Matchar, David; Chan, AngeliqueThis paper determines care recipient and caregiver characteristics and caregiving dimensions - associated with depression among caregivers of older adults, using path analysis and assesses whether the identified path model differs between spousal and adult child caregivers.Data from 1,190 dyads comprising care recipients (community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 75 years with at least one activity of daily living (ADL) limitation) and caregivers (family member/friend most involved in providing care/ensuring provision of care to care recipient), who were interviewed through the Singapore Survey on Informal Caregiving (2010-2011), were used. Using path analysis, we assessed the direct and indirect associations between primary stressors (care recipient's ADL and instrumental ADL status, and memory and behavior problems), caregiver health status, receipt of assistance from a foreign domestic worker/maid, amount of caregiving, negative reaction to caregiving, caregiver's self-esteem, perceived emotional support, and caregiver depressive symptoms.Our analysis showed that primary stressors, receipt of assistance from a foreign domestic worker/maid, perceived emotional support, and caregiver health status were directly or indirectly associated with caregiver depressive symptoms, and this association was mediated by negative reaction to caregiving. Caregiver self-esteem mediated the relationship between perceived emotional support and negative reaction to caregiving only among adult child caregivers.The results provide insights into factors associated with depressive symptoms among spousal and adult child caregivers, and help identify targeted interventions for improving caregiver mood.Item Open Access Diagnostic performance of short portable mental status questionnaire for screening dementia among patients attending cognitive assessment clinics in Singapore.(Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, 2013-07) Malhotra, Chetna; Chan, Angelique; Matchar, David; Seow, Dennis; Chuo, Adeline; Do, Young KyungIntroduction
The Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) is a brief cognitive screening instrument, which is easy to use by a healthcare worker with little training. However, the validity of this instrument has not been established in Singapore. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of SPMSQ for screening dementia among patients attending outpatient cognitive assessment clinics and to assess whether the appropriate cut-off score varies by patient's age and education. A secondary aim of the study was to map the SPMSQ scores with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores.Materials and methods
SPMSQ and MMSE were administered by a trained interviewer to 127 patients visiting outpatient cognitive assessment clinics at the Singapore General Hospital, Changi General Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The geriatricians at these clinics then diagnosed these patients with dementia or no dementia (reference standard). Sensitivity and specificity of SPMSQ with different cut-off points (number of errors) were calculated and compared to the reference standard using the Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) analysis. Correlation coefficient was also calculated between MMSE and SPMSQ scores.Results
Based on the ROC analysis and a balance of sensitivity and specificity, the appropriate cut-off for SPMSQ was found to be 5 or more errors (sensitivity 78%, specificity 75%). The cut-off varied by education, but not by patient's age. There was a high correlation between SPMSQ and MMSE scores (r = 0.814, P <0.0001).Conclusion
Despite the advantage of being a brief screening instrument for dementia, the use of SPMSQ is limited by its low sensitivity and specificity, especially among patients with less than 6 years of education.Item Open Access Digital health competencies for primary healthcare professionals: A scoping review.(International journal of medical informatics, 2020-11) Jimenez, Geronimo; Spinazze, Pier; Matchar, David; Koh Choon Huat, Gerald; van der Kleij, Rianne MJJ; Chavannes, Niels H; Car, JosipBackground
Despite digital health providing opportunities to enhance the quality, efficiency and safety of primary healthcare, the adoption of digital tools and technologies has been slow, partly because of poor digital health literacy. For primary healthcare systems to take full advantage of these technologies, a capable, digitally literate workforce is necessary. Still, the essential digital health competencies (DHCs) for primary healthcare have not been explored. This review aims to examine the broad literature on DHCs as it applies to Primary Care (PC) settings.Methods
We performed a scoping review on all types of research linking DHCs to PC. We searched all major databases including Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library in November 2019. Concurrently, a thorough grey literature search was performed through OpenGrey, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and key government and relevant professional associations' websites. Screening and selection of studies was performed in pairs, and data was analysed and presented using a narrative, descriptive approach. Thematic analysis was performed to identify key DHC domains.Results
A total of 28 articles were included, most of them (54 %) published before 2005. These articles were primarily aimed at PC physicians or general practitioners, and focused on improving knowledge about information technologies and medical informatics, basic computer and information literacy, and optimal use of electronic medical records. We identified 17 DHC domains, and important knowledge gaps related to digital health education and curriculum integration, the need for evidence of the impact of services, and the importance of wider support for digital health.Conclusions
Literature explicitly linking DHCs to PC was mostly published over a decade ago. There is a need for an updated and current set of DHCs for PC professionals to more consistently reap the benefits of digital technologies. This review identified key DHC domains and statements that may be used to guide on the development of a set of DHC for PC, and critical knowledge gaps and needs to be considered. Such a DHC set may be used for curricula development and for ensuring that the essential DHC for PC are met at a clinical or organizational level, and eventually improve health outcomes.Item Open Access Experience and Perceptions of a Family Health History Risk Assessment Tool among Multi-Ethnic Asian Breast Cancer Patients.(J Pers Med, 2021-10-19) Yoon, Sungwon; Goh, Hendra; Fung, Si Ming; Tang, Shihui; Matchar, David; Ginsburg, Geoffrey S; Orlando, Lori A; Ngeow, Joanne; Wu, Rebekah RyanneA family health history-based risk assessment is particularly valuable for guiding cancer screening and treatment strategies, yet an optimal implementation depends upon end-users' values and needs. This is not only true prior to disease development, but also for those already affected. The aim of this study is to explore perceptions of the value of knowing one's family health history (FHH)-based risk, experience using a patient-facing FHH tool and the potential of the tool for wider implementation. Twenty multi-ethnic Asian patients undergoing breast cancer treatment in Singapore completed an FHH-based risk assessment. Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted and data were thematically analyzed. All participants were female and slightly more than half were Chinese. The acceptance and usage of an FHH risk assessment tool for cancers and its broader implementation was affected by a perceived importance of personal control over early detection, patient concerns of anxiety for themselves and their families due to risk results, concerns for genetic discrimination, adequacy of follow-up care plans and Asian cultural beliefs toward disease and dying. This study uniquely sheds light on the factors affecting Asian breast cancer patients' perceptions about undergoing an FHH-based risk assessment, which should inform steps for a broader implementation in Asian healthcare systems.Item Open Access Healthcare utilization and costs associated with dabigatran compared to warfarin treatment in newly diagnosed patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.(Current medical research and opinion, 2015-12) Francis, Kevin; Yu, Chen; Alvrtsyan, Hasmik; Sander, Stephen; Ghosh, Sabyasachi; Rao, Yajing; Sanchez, Herman; Matchar, DavidPurpose
Real-world healthcare resource utilization and costs were compared among patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) receiving either dabigatran or warfarin.Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted using administrative claims data from the United States Department of Defense (DOD) Military Health System. Patients with newly diagnosed AF initiated on dabigatran or warfarin were identified using ICD-9 diagnosis, procedure and drug codes. Patients were observed for 3 months prior to treatment initiation to ascertain a diagnosis of valvular heart disease and 12 months for exclusion of those with a history of anticoagulation therapy. Propensity score matching was used to balance baseline characteristics between the two treatment cohorts. Medical and pharmacy utilization and costs were compared between the dabigatran and warfarin treatment groups for 3 and 12 months following treatment initiation.Results
A total of 1102 patients with newly diagnosed NVAF initiated on dabigatran were matched with corresponding warfarin-treated patients. In the 12 months following initiation of anticoagulation, the mean medical costs for patients initiated on dabigatran were significantly lower than for patients initiated on warfarin (-$6299, p < 0.001), largely due to fewer hospitalizations (-0.162, p = 0.009). While pharmacy costs were higher ($4369, p < 0.001) for dabigatran, overall healthcare costs were significantly lower compared with patients on warfarin (12 months: -$1940, p < 0.001). Mean hospital length of stay between these two groups were similar (6.033 days for dabigatran vs 6.318 days for warfarin, p = 0.139).Conclusion
Despite higher pharmacy costs for NVAF patients initiated on dabigatran vs warfarin, this was more than offset by lower utilization of medical care resources.Item Open Access Higher persistence in newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients treated with dabigatran versus warfarin.(Circulation. Cardiovascular quality and outcomes, 2013-09) Zalesak, Martin; Siu, Kimberly; Francis, Kevin; Yu, Chen; Alvrtsyan, Hasmik; Rao, Yajing; Walker, David; Sander, Stephen; Miyasato, Gavin; Matchar, David; Sanchez, HermanBackground
Oral anticoagulation therapy is the primary tool in reducing stroke risk in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation but is underused. Patients nonpersistent with therapy contribute to this underuse. The objective of this study was to compare persistence rates in newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients treated with warfarin versus dabigatran as their oral anticoagulation.Methods and results
US Department of Defense administrative claims were used to identify patients receiving warfarin or dabigatran between October 28, 2010, and June 30, 2012. Patient records were examined for a minimum of 12 months before index date to restrict the analyses to those newly diagnosed with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and naive-to-treatment, identifying 1775 on warfarin and 3370 on dabigatran. Propensity score matching was used to identify 1745 matched pairs. Persistence was defined as time on therapy to discontinuation. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to depict persistence over time. Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the factors significantly associated with persistence. Using a 60-day permissible medication gap, the persistence rates were higher for dabigatran than for warfarin at both 6 months (72% versus 53%) and 1 year (63% versus 39%). Patients on dabigatran with a low-to-moderate risk of stroke (CHADS2<2) or with a higher bleed risk (HEMORR2HAGES>3) had a higher likelihood of nonpersistence (hazard ratios, 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-1.60; P<0.001; and hazard ratios, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.47; P=0.016).Conclusions
Patients who initiated dabigatran treatment were more persistent than patients who began warfarin treatment. Within each cohort, patients with lower stroke risk were more likely to discontinue therapy.Item Open Access Impact of COVID-19 on perceived wellbeing, self-management and views of novel modalities of care among medically vulnerable patients in Singapore.(Chronic illness, 2021-12-29) Yoon, Sungwon; Hoe, Pei Shan; Chan, Angelique; Malhotra, Rahul; Visaria, Abhijit; Matchar, David; Goh, Hendra; Seng, Bridget; Ramakrishnan, Chandrika; Koh, Mariko S; Yee, Tiew Pei; Nadarajan, Gayathri Devi; Bee, Yong Mong; Graves, Nicholas; Jafar, Tazeen H; Ong, Marcus EhObjectives
This study aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 measures on wellbeing and self-management in medically vulnerable non-COVID patients and their views of novel modalities of care in Singapore.Methods
Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes and cancer were recruited from the SingHealth cluster and national cohort of older adults. Data on demographics, chronic conditions and perceived wellbeing were collected using questionnaire. We performed multivariable regression to examine factors associated with perceived wellbeing. Qualitative interviews were conducted to elicit patient's experience and thematically analyzed.Results
A total of 91 patients participated. Male patients compared with female patients perceived a lower impact of the pandemic on subjective wellbeing. Patients with CVD compared to those having conditions other than CVD perceived a lower impact. Impacts of the pandemic were primarily described in relation to emotional distress and interference in maintaining self-care. Hampering of physical activity featured prominently, but most did not seek alternative ways to maintain activity. Despite general willingness to try novel care modalities, lack of physical interaction and communication difficulties were perceived as main barriers.Discussion
Findings underline the need to alleviate emotional distress and develop adaptive strategies to empower patients to maintain wellbeing and self-care.Item Open Access Living with long-term consequences: Experience of follow-up care and support needs among Asian long-term colorectal cancer survivors.(Psycho-oncology, 2020-10) Yoon, Sungwon; Chua, Teck Beng; Tan, Iain Beehuat; Matchar, David; Ong, Marcus Eng Hock; Tan, EmileObjectives
This study aimed to provide an in-depth exploration of follow-up care experiences and supportive care needs in long-term colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors within multiethnic Asian communities.Methods
Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted on a purposive sample of 30 long-term CRC survivors who had completed all treatment without recurrence ranging 2 to 17 years in Singapore. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted following grounded theory approach.Results
Four themes represented the experience of the Asian long-term CRC survivors: (a) living with long-term consequences, (b) dealing with unceasing adaptation demands, (c) navigating a healthcare journey with limited direction, (d) regaining mastery through adversity. CRC and its treatment had profound physical impacts on some long-term survivors and these effected their psychological well-being. A sense of abandonment and vulnerability following the cessation of a 5-year follow-up care was repeatedly expressed. Participants defined recovery from CRC as not merely surviving but also having high physical function and full independence. They often sought less conventional remedies and medicine based on cultural beliefs rather than current evidence. Participants noted pervasive social stigma associated with CRC that impeded their inclusion in the workforce.Conclusions
Asian long-term CRC survivors experienced multiple challenges and needs relating to the care experience, information provision and workforce stigmatization, and several of which were unique to the Asian context. Future work will need to consider the implementation of culturally tailored cancer survivorship care plans that incorporate the specific needs of Asian CRC survivors.Item Open Access Multicomponent interventions for enhancing primary care: a systematic review.(The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 2021-01) Jimenez, Geronimo; Matchar, David; Koh, Gerald Choon-Huat; Car, JosipBackground
Many countries have implemented interventions to enhance primary care to strengthen their health systems. These programmes vary widely in features included and their impact on outcomes.Aim
To identify multiple-feature interventions aimed at enhancing primary care and their effects on measures of system success - that is, population health, healthcare costs and utilisation, patient satisfaction, and provider satisfaction (quadruple-aim outcomes).Design and setting
Systematic review and narrative synthesis.Method
Electronic, manual, and grey-literature searches were performed for articles describing multicomponent primary care interventions, providing details of their innovation features, relationship to the '4Cs' (first contact, comprehensiveness, coordination, and continuity), and impact on quadruple-aim outcomes. After abstract and full-text screening, articles were selected and their quality appraised. Results were synthesised in a narrative form.Results
From 37 included articles, most interventions aimed to improve access, enhance incentives for providers, provide team-based care, and introduce technologies. The most consistent improvements related to increased primary care visits and screening/preventive services, and improved patient and provider satisfaction; mixed results were found for hospital admissions, emergency department visits, and expenditures. The available data were not sufficient to link interventions, achievement of the 4Cs, and outcomes.Conclusion
Most analysed interventions improved some aspects of primary care while, simultaneously, producing non-statistically significant impacts, depending on the features of the interventions, the measured outcome(s), and the populations being studied. A critical research gap was revealed, namely, in terms of which intervention features to enhance primary care (alone or in combination) produce the most consistent benefits.Item Open Access Multifactorial influences underpinning a decision on COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers: a qualitative analysis.(Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics, 2022-06-10) Yoon, Sungwon; Goh, Hendra; Matchar, David; Sung, Sharon C; Lum, Elaine; Lam, Sean Shao Wei; Low, Jenny Guek Hong; Chua, Terrance; Graves, Nicholas; Ong, Marcus EhCOVID-19 vaccination in healthcare workers (HCW) is essential for improved patient safety and resilience of health systems. Despite growing body of literature on the perceptions of COVID vaccines in HCWs, existing studies tend to focus on reasons for 'refusing' the vaccines, using surveys almost exclusively. To gain a more nuanced understanding, we explored multifactorial influences underpinning a decision on vaccination and suggestions for decision support to improve vaccine uptake among HCWs in the early phase of vaccination rollout. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with thirty-three HCWs in Singapore. Transcribed data was thematically analyzed. Decisions to accept vaccines were underpinned by a desire to protect patients primarily driven by a sense of professional integrity, collective responsibility to protect others, confidence in health authorities and a desire to return to a pre-pandemic way of life. However, there were prevailing concerns with respect to the vaccines, including long-term benefits, safety and efficacy, that hampered a decision. Inadequate information and social media representation of vaccination appeared to add to negative beliefs, impeding a decision to accept while low perceived susceptibility played a moderate role in the decision to delay or decline vaccination. Participants made valuable suggestions to bolster vaccination. Our findings support an approach to improving vaccine uptake in HCWs that features routine tracking and transparent updates on vaccination status, use of institutional platforms for sharing of experience, assuring contingency management plans and tailored communications to emphasize the duty of care and positive outlook associated with vaccination.Item Open Access Preferences for Enhanced Primary Care Services Among Older Individuals and Primary Care Physicians.(Applied health economics and health policy, 2023-05) Ozdemir, Semra; Ansah, John; Matchar, DavidObjective
We aimed to identify the factors that are most important for community-dwelling older individuals (i.e., users) and primary care (PC) providers to enhance PC services.Methods
Discrete choice experiment surveys were administered to 747 individuals aged ≥ 60 years and 242 PC physicians in Singapore between December 2020 and August 2021. Participants were asked to choose between two hypothetical PC clinics and their current clinic. Latent class models were used to estimate the relative attribute importance (RAI) and to calculate the predicted uptake for enhanced PC services.Results
Based on the attributes and levels used in this study, the out-of-pocket cost (RAI: 47%) and types of services offered (RAI: 25%) were the most important attributes for users while working hours (RAI: 28%) and patient load (RAI: 25%) were the most important for providers. For out-of-pocket visit costs ranging from Singapore dollars (S)$100 to S$5, users' predicted uptake for enhanced PC services ranged from 46 to 84%. For daily patient loads ranging from 60 to 20 patients, providers' predicted uptake ranged from 64 to 91%, assuming their income remains unchanged.Conclusions
Our study provides timely insights for the development of strategies to support the government's new health care initiative (HealthierSG), which places PC at the center of Singapore's healthcare system. The ability to choose their preferred clinic, low out-of-pocket costs and types of services offered (for users), and reasonable working conditions (for providers) were the key factors for users and providers to participate in enhanced PC services.Item Open Access Projecting the number of older singaporeans with activity of daily living limitations requiring human assistance through 2030.(Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, 2014-01) Thompson, James; Malhotra, Rahul; Love, Sean; Ostbye, Truls; Chan, Angelique; Matchar, DavidIntroduction
In the context of rapid population ageing and the increase in number of activity of daily living (ADL) limitations with age, the number of older persons requiring human assistance in Singapore is likely to grow. To promote informed planning for the needs of these elderly, we project the number of resident Singaporeans 60 years of age and older with 1 or more ADL limitations requiring human assistance through 2030.Materials and methods
The proportion of community-dwelling older adults with ADL limitations requiring human assistance, stratified by gender and age group, was calculated utilising a recent nationally-representative survey of older Singaporeans. The proportion of older adults in nursing homes with ADL limitations was estimated based on available literature. Together, these prevalence estimates were applied to a simulation of the future population of older adults in Singapore to derive an estimate of the number of individuals with ADL limitations requiring human assistance through 2030.Results
By 2030, the number of resident Singaporeans aged 60 years or older with 1 or more ADL limitations requiring human assistance is projected to be 82,968 persons (7% of the total population aged 60 years or older). Of this number, 38,809 (47%) are estimated to have 1 or 2 ADL limitations, and 44,159 (53%) are estimated to have 3 or more.Conclusion
The number of elderly Singaporeans with activity limitations is expected grow rapidly from 31,738 in 2010 to 82,968 in 2030. Estimates of the number of older individuals with ADL limitations requiring human assistance are of value for policymakers as well as acute and long-term care capacity planners as they seek to meet demand for health and social services in Singapore.Item Open Access Revisiting the four core functions (4Cs) of primary care: Operational definitions and complexities(Primary Health Care Research and Development, 2021-11-10) Jimenez, Geronimo; Matchar, David; Koh, Gerald Choon Huat; Tyagi, Shilpa; van der Kleij, Rianne MJJ; Chavannes, Niels H; Car, JosipBackground: The four primary care (PC) core functions (the '4Cs', ie, first contact, comprehensiveness, coordination and continuity) are essential for good quality primary healthcare and their achievement leads to lower costs, less inequality and better population health. However, their broad definitions have led to variations in their assessment, in the innovations implemented to improve these functions and ultimately in their performance. Objectives: To update and operationalise the 4Cs' definitions by using a literature review and analysis of enhancement strategies, and to identify innovations that may lead to their enhancement. Methods: Narrative, descriptive analysis of the 4Cs definitions, coming from PC international reports and organisations, to identify measurable features for each of these functions. Additionally, we performed an electronic search and analysis of enhancement strategies to improve these four Cs, to explore how the 4Cs inter-relate. Results: Specific operational elements for first contact include modality of contact, and conditions for which PC should be approached; for comprehensiveness, scope of services and spectrum of population needs; for coordination, links between PC and higher levels of care and social/community-based services, and workforce managing transitions and for continuity, type, level and context of continuity. Several innovations like enrolment, digital health technologies and new or enhanced PC provider's roles, simultaneously influenced two or more of the 4Cs. Conclusion: Providing clear, well-defined operational elements for these 4Cs to measure their achievement and improve the way they function, and identifying the complex network of interactions among them, should contribute to the field in a way that supports efforts at practice innovation to optimise the processes and outcomes in PC.Item Open Access Self-monitoring of oral anticoagulation: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data.(Lancet (London, England), 2012-01) Heneghan, Carl; Ward, Alison; Perera, Rafael; Self-Monitoring Trialist Collaboration; Bankhead, Clare; Fuller, Alice; Stevens, Richard; Bradford, Kairen; Tyndel, Sally; Alonso-Coello, Pablo; Ansell, Jack; Beyth, Rebecca; Bernardo, Artur; Christensen, Thomas Decker; Cromheecke, ME; Edson, Robert G; Fitzmaurice, David; Gadisseur, Alain PA; Garcia-Alamino, Josep M; Gardiner, Chris; Hasenkam, J Michael; Jacobson, Alan; Kaatz, Scott; Kamali, Farhad; Khan, Tayyaba Irfan; Knight, Eve; Körtke, Heinrich; Levi, Marcel; Matchar, David; Menéndez-Jándula, Bárbara; Rakovac, Ivo; Schaefer, Christian; Siebenhofer, Andrea; Souto, Juan Carlos; Sunderji, Rubina; Gin, Kenneth; Shalansky, Karen; Völler, Heinz; Wagner, Otto; Zittermann, ArminBackground
Uptake of self-testing and self-management of oral anticoagulation [corrected] has remained inconsistent, despite good evidence of their effectiveness. To clarify the value of self-monitoring of oral anticoagulation, we did a meta-analysis of individual patient data addressing several important gaps in the evidence, including an estimate of the effect on time to death, first major haemorrhage, and thromboembolism.Methods
We searched Ovid versions of Embase (1980-2009) and Medline (1966-2009), limiting searches to randomised trials with a maximally sensitive strategy. We approached all authors of included trials and requested individual patient data: primary outcomes were time to death, first major haemorrhage, and first thromboembolic event. We did prespecified subgroup analyses according to age, type of control-group care (anticoagulation-clinic care vs primary care), self-testing alone versus self-management, and sex. We analysed patients with mechanical heart valves or atrial fibrillation separately. We used a random-effect model method to calculate pooled hazard ratios and did tests for interaction and heterogeneity, and calculated a time-specific number needed to treat.Findings
Of 1357 abstracts, we included 11 trials with data for 6417 participants and 12,800 person-years of follow-up. We reported a significant reduction in thromboembolic events in the self-monitoring group (hazard ratio 0·51; 95% CI 0·31-0·85) but not for major haemorrhagic events (0·88, 0·74-1·06) or death (0·82, 0·62-1·09). Participants younger than 55 years showed a striking reduction in thrombotic events (hazard ratio 0·33, 95% CI 0·17-0·66), as did participants with mechanical heart valve (0·52, 0·35-0·77). Analysis of major outcomes in the very elderly (age ≥85 years, n=99) showed no significant adverse effects of the intervention for all outcomes.Interpretation
Our analysis showed that self-monitoring and self-management of oral coagulation is a safe option for suitable patients of all ages. Patients should also be offered the option to self-manage their disease with suitable health-care support as back-up.Funding
UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Technology Assessment Programme, UK NIHR National School for Primary Care Research.Item Open Access Spillover Effects of COVID-19 on Essential Chronic Care and Ways to Foster Health System Resilience to Support Vulnerable Non-COVID Patients: A Multistakeholder Study.(Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 2021-11-12) Yoon, Sungwon; Goh, Hendra; Chan, Angelique; Malhotra, Rahul; Visaria, Abhijit; Matchar, David; Lum, Elaine; Seng, Bridget; Ramakrishnan, Chandrika; Quah, Stella; Koh, Mariko S; Tiew, Pei Yee; Bee, Yong Mong; Abdullah, Hairil; Nadarajan, Gayathri Devi; Graves, Nicholas; Jafar, Tazeen; Ong, Marcus EHObjectives
Little empirical research exists on how key stakeholders involved in the provision of care for chronic conditions and policy planning perceive the indirect or "spillover" effects of the COVID-19 on non-COVID patients. This study aims to explore stakeholder experiences and perspectives of the impact of COVID-19 on the provision of care for chronic conditions, evolving modalities of care, and stakeholder suggestions for improving health system resilience to prepare for future pandemics.Design
Qualitative study design.Setting and participants
This study was conducted during and after the COVID-19 lockdown period in Singapore. We recruited a purposive sample of 51 stakeholders involved in care of non-COVID patients and/or policy planning for chronic disease management. They included health care professionals (micro-level), hospital management officers (meso-level), and government officials (macro-level).Methods
In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. All interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed.Results
Optimal provision of care for chronic diseases may be compromised through the following processes: lack of "direct" communication between colleagues on clinical cases resulting in rescheduling of patient visits; uncertainty in diagnostic decisions due to protocol revision and lab closure; and limited preparedness to handle non-COVID patients' emotional reactions. Although various digital innovations enhanced access to care, a digital divide exists due to uneven digital literacy and perceived data security risks, thereby hampering wider implementation. To build health system resilience, stakeholders suggested the need to integrate digital care into the information technology ecosystem, develop strategic public-private partnerships for chronic disease management, and give equal attention to the provision of holistic psychosocial and community support for vulnerable non-COVID patients.Conclusions and implications
Findings highlight that strategies to deliver quality chronic care for non-COVID patients in times of public health crisis should include innovative care practices and institutional reconfiguration within the broader health system context.Item Open Access The effect of a nurse-led telephone-based care coordination program on the follow-up and control of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with coronary artery disease.(International journal for quality in health care : journal of the International Society for Quality in Health Care, 2016-12) Wong, Ningyan; Chua, Siang Jin Terrance; Gao, Fei; Sim, Sok Tiang Rosalind; Matchar, David; Wong, Sung Lung Aaron; Yeo, Khung Keong; Tan, Wei Chieh Jack; Chin, Chee TangObjective
We sought to analyse the impact of a care coordination protocol on transiting patients with coronary artery disease who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to primary care and its effect on cardiovascular risk factor control.Design
A prospective observational study involving 492 patients who had undergone PCI either electively or after an acute coronary syndrome.Setting
A tertiary institution in Singapore.Participants
Patients who had undergone a PCI either electively or after an acute coronary syndrome.Interventions
The SCORE (Standardized Care for Optimal Outcomes, Right-Siting and Rapid Re-evaluation) program was a nurse-led, telephone-based, care coordination protocol.Main outcome measures
Transition to primary care within 1 year of enrolment, the achievement of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level of <2.6 mmol/l within 1 year and hospital admissions related to cardiovascular causes within 1 year were studied.Results
Under the SCORE protocol, a significantly higher number of patients transited to primary care and achieved the LDL target within 1 year, as compared with non-SCORE patients. Discharge to primary care and achievement of target LDL continued to be higher among those under the SCORE protocol even after multivariate analysis. Rates of hospital admission due to cardiovascular causes were not significantly different.Conclusions
Care coordination improved the rate of transition of post-PCI patients to primary care and improved LDL control, with no difference in the rate of hospital admissions due to cardiovascular causes. These findings support the implementation of a standardized follow-up protocol in patients who have undergone PCI.Item Open Access The relationship between workload and length of stay in Singapore.(Health policy (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 2018-07) Zhou, Ke; Vidyarthi, Arpana; Matchar, David; Cheung, Yin Bun; Lam, Shao Wei; Ong, MarcusPrior studies link higher workload with longer length of stay (LOS) in the US. Unlike U.S. hospitals, Singaporean hospitals, like other major hospitals in the Asia-Pacific, are partially occupied by patients with non-acute needs due to insufficient alternative facilities. We examined the association between workload and length of stay (LOS) and the impact of workload on 30-day re-hospitalization and inpatient mortality rates in retrospective cohort in this setting. We defined workload as the daily number of patients per physician team. 13,097 hospitalizations of 10,000 patients were included. We found that higher workload was associated with shorter LOS (coefficient, -0.044 [95%CI, -0.083, -0.01]), especially for patients with longer stays (hazard ratios, not significantly greater than 1 before Day 4, 1.04 [95%CI, 1.01, 1.07] at Day 4 and 1.16 [95%CI, 1.10, 1.24] at Day 10), without affecting inpatient mortality (odds ratio (OR), 1.03 [95%CI, 0.99, 1.05]) or 30-day re-hospitalization (OR, 1.01 [95%CI, 0.99, 1.04]). This result differs from studies in the US and may reflect regional differences in the use of acute hospital beds for non-acute needs.