Browsing by Subject "United States Department of Veterans Affairs"
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Item Open Access A protocol to evaluate the efficacy, perceptions, and cost of a cholesterol packaging approach to improve medication adherence.(Contemporary clinical trials, 2014-09) Zullig, Leah L; Pathman, Joshua; Melnyk, S Dee; Brown, Jamie N; Sanders, Linda L; Koropchak, Celine; Howard, Teresa; Danus, Susanne; McCant, Felicia; Bosworth, Hayden BPurpose
Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of death in the United States. Despite clinical practice guidelines aimed at facilitating LDL-C control, many Veterans do not achieve guideline-recommended LDL-C levels.Methods
We describe a study focused on VA healthcare system users at risk for CVD (i.e., LDL-C level >130 mg/dl and/or <80% cholesterol pill refill adherence in the last 12 months). We are conducting a two and a half year randomized controlled trial (i.e., intervention administered over 12 months) among Veterans with uncontrolled cholesterol receiving care at select VA-affiliated primary care clinics in North Carolina. We anticipate enrolling 250 diverse patients (10% women; 40% African American). Patients are randomized to an educational control group or intervention group. Intervention group participants' medication is provided in special blister packaging labeled for daily use that includes reminders; MeadWestvaco Corporation's pre-filled DosePak® contains standard doses of statins in accordance with the existing prescriptions.Conclusions
Pre-filled blister packaging may provide an inexpensive solution to improve medication adherence. Our study enrolls a diverse sample and provides information about whether an adherence packaging intervention can: 1) improve medication adherence; 2) improve patients' LDL-C levels; 3) be well received by patients and providers; and 4) provide a cost effective solution to improve medication adherence.Item Open Access Accelerating Implementation of Virtual Care in an Integrated Health Care System: Future Research and Operations Priorities.(Journal of general internal medicine, 2021-08) Lewinski, Allison A; Sullivan, Caitlin; Allen, Kelli D; Crowley, Matthew J; Gierisch, Jennifer M; Goldstein, Karen M; Gray, Kaileigh; Hastings, Susan N; Jackson, George L; McCant, Felicia; Shapiro, Abigail; Tucker, Matthew; Turvey, Carolyn; Zullig, Leah L; Bosworth, Hayden BBackground
Virtual care is critical to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) efforts to expand veterans' access to care. Health care policies such as the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability (CHOICE) Act and the Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act impact how the VHA provides care. Research on ways to refine virtual care delivery models to meet the needs of veterans, clinicians, and VHA stakeholders is needed.Objective
Given the importance of virtual approaches for increasing access to high-quality VHA care, in December 2019, we convened a Think Tank, Accelerating Implementation of Virtual Care in VHA Practice, to consider challenges to virtual care research and practice across the VHA, discuss novel approaches to using and evaluating virtual care, assess perspectives on virtual care, and develop priorities to enhance virtual care in the VHA.Methods
We used a participatory approach to develop potential priorities for virtual care research and activities at the VHA. We refined these priorities through force-ranked prioritization and group discussion, and developed solutions for selected priorities.Results
Think Tank attendees (n = 18) consisted of VHA stakeholders, including operations partners (e.g., Office of Rural Health, Office of Nursing Services, Health Services Research and Development), clinicians (e.g., physicians, nurses, psychologists, physician assistants), and health services researchers. We identified an initial list of fifteen potential priorities and narrowed these down to four. The four priorities were (1) scaling evidence-based practices, (2) centralizing virtual care, (3) creating high-value care within the VHA with virtual care, and (4) identifying appropriate patients for virtual care.Conclusion
Our Think Tank took an important step in setting a partnered research agenda to optimize the use of virtual care within the VHA. We brought together research and operations stakeholders and identified possibilities, partnerships, and potential solutions for virtual care.Item Open Access Applied Rapid Qualitative Analysis to Develop a Contextually Appropriate Intervention and Increase the Likelihood of Uptake.(Medical care, 2021-06) Lewinski, Allison A; Crowley, Matthew J; Miller, Christopher; Bosworth, Hayden B; Jackson, George L; Steinhauser, Karen; White-Clark, Courtney; McCant, Felicia; Zullig, Leah LBackground
Rapid approaches to collecting and analyzing qualitative interview data can accelerate discovery timelines and intervention development while maintaining scientific rigor. We describe the application of these methods to a program designed to improve care coordination between the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and community providers.Methods
Care coordination between VHA and community providers can be challenging in rural areas. The Telehealth-based Coordination of Non-VHA Care (TECNO Care) intervention was designed to improve care coordination among VHA and community providers. To ensure contextually appropriate implementation of TECNO Care, we conducted preimplementation interviews with veterans, VHA administrators, and VHA and community providers involved in community care. Using both a rapid approach and qualitative analysis, an interviewer and 1-2 note-taker(s) conducted interviews.Results
Over 5 months, 18 stakeholders were interviewed and we analyzed these data to identify how best to deliver TECNO Care. Responses relevant to improving care coordination include health system characteristics; target population; metrics and outcomes; challenges with the current system; and core components. Veterans who frequently visit VHA or community providers and are referred for additional services are at risk for poor outcomes and may benefit from additional care coordination. Using these data, we designed TECNO Care to include information on VHA services and processes, assist in the timely completion of referrals, and facilitate record sharing.Conclusion
Rapid qualitative analysis can inform near real-time intervention development and ensure relevant content creation while setting the stage for stakeholder buy-in. Rigorous and timely analyses support the delivery of contextually appropriate, efficient, high-value patient care.Item Open Access Can Right-Sizing the Use of Virtual Care Improve Access to Equitable, Patient-Centered Care for Women Veterans?(Journal of general internal medicine, 2023-07) Goldstein, Karen M; Bosworth, Hayden B; Gierisch, Jennifer MItem Open Access Changes in the Delivery of Veterans Affairs Cancer Care: Ensuring Delivery of Coordinated, Quality Cancer Care in a Time of Uncertainty.(Journal of oncology practice, 2017-11) Zullig, Leah L; Goldstein, Karen M; Bosworth, Hayden BItem Open Access Colorectal Cancer Statistics From the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry.(Clinical colorectal cancer, 2016-12) Zullig, Leah L; Smith, Valerie A; Jackson, George L; Danus, Susanne; Schnell, Merritt; Lindquist, Jennifer; Provenzale, Dawn; Weinberger, Morris; Kelley, Michael J; Bosworth, Hayden BBackground
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common and potentially deadly disease. Although the United States has robust cancer data reporting, information from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system has often been underrepresented in national cancer data sources. We describe veterans with incident CRC in terms of their patient and tumor characteristics and mortality.Patients and methods
Patients diagnosed or treated with CRC at any VA institution in the fiscal years 2009 to 2012 were identified using 3 data sources: (1) VA Central Cancer Registry (VACCR); (2) VA Corporate Data Warehouse; and (3) VA Reports and Measures Portal. The CRC frequencies within the VA population and survival curves were examined descriptively and compared with the national projections using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program data.Results
A total of 12,551 veterans with CRC were included in the present analysis. The median age at diagnosis was 65.5 years. Approximately 97% (n = 12,229) of the CRC cases were diagnosed among men. Approximately 44% (n = 5517) of the patients were diagnosed with localized disease. The 3-year survival rate was associated with age (P < .01) and stage (P < .01) at diagnosis. We identified a possible decrease in VA CRC incidence over time.Conclusion
Although the VA CRC patient population was heavily skewed toward the male gender, the patient and tumor characteristics were similar between the incident CRC cases reported by the VACCR and those reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. This suggests that research findings resulting from the VACCR might have applicability beyond the VA healthcare system setting.Item Open Access Comorbidity, age, race and stage at diagnosis in colorectal cancer: a retrospective, parallel analysis of two health systems.(BMC Cancer, 2008-11-25) Zafar, S Yousuf; Abernethy, Amy P; Abbott, David H; Grambow, Steven C; Marcello, Jennifer E; Herndon, James E; Rowe, Krista L; Kolimaga, Jane T; Zullig, Leah L; Patwardhan, Meenal B; Provenzale, Dawn TBACKGROUND: Stage at diagnosis plays a significant role in colorectal cancer (CRC) survival. Understanding which factors contribute to a more advanced stage at diagnosis is vital to improving overall survival. Comorbidity, race, and age are known to impact receipt of cancer therapy and survival, but the relationship of these factors to stage at diagnosis of CRC is less clear. The objective of this study is to investigate how comorbidity, race and age influence stage of CRC diagnosis. METHODS: Two distinct healthcare populations in the United States (US) were retrospectively studied. Using the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium database, we identified CRC patients treated at 15 Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals from 2003-2007. We assessed metastatic CRC patients treated from 2003-2006 at 10 non-VA, fee-for-service (FFS) practices. Stage at diagnosis was dichotomized (non-metastatic, metastatic). Race was dichotomized (white, non-white). Charlson comorbidity index and age at diagnosis were calculated. Associations between stage, comorbidity, race, and age were determined by logistic regression. RESULTS: 342 VA and 340 FFS patients were included. Populations differed by the proportion of patients with metastatic CRC at diagnosis (VA 27% and FFS 77%) reflecting differences in eligibility criteria for inclusion. VA patients were mean (standard deviation; SD) age 67 (11), Charlson index 2.0 (1.0), and were 63% white. FFS patients were mean age 61 (13), Charlson index 1.6 (1.0), and were 73% white. In the VA cohort, higher comorbidity was associated with earlier stage at diagnosis after adjusting for age and race (odds ratio (OR) 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58-1.00; p = 0.045); no such significant relationship was identified in the FFS cohort (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.82-1.44; p = 0.57). In both cohorts, no association was found between stage at diagnosis and either age or race. CONCLUSION: Higher comorbidity may lead to earlier stage of CRC diagnosis. Multiple factors, perhaps including increased interactions with the healthcare system due to comorbidity, might contribute to this finding. Such increased interactions are seen among patients within a healthcare system like the VA system in the US versus sporadic interactions which may be seen with FFS healthcare.Item Open Access Comprehensive Support for Family Caregivers of Post-9/11 Veterans Increases Veteran Utilization of Long-term Services and Supports: A Propensity Score Analysis.(Inquiry : a journal of medical care organization, provision and financing, 2018-01) Shepherd-Banigan, Megan; Smith, Valerie A; Stechuchak, Karen M; Miller, Katherine EM; Hastings, Susan Nicole; Wieland, Gilbert Darryl; Olsen, Maren K; Kabat, Margaret; Henius, Jennifer; Campbell-Kotler, Margaret; Van Houtven, Courtney HaroldFamily caregivers are an important component of the long-term services and supports (LTSS) system. However, caregiving may have negative consequences for caregiver physical and emotional health. Connecting caregivers to formal short-term home- and community-based services (HCBS), through information resources and referrals, might alleviate family caregiver burden and delay nursing home entry for the patient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early impact of the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) (established by P.L. 111-163 for family caregivers of seriously injured post-9/11 Veterans) on Veteran use of LTSS. A two-cohort pre-post design with a nonequivalent comparison group (treated n = 15 650; comparison n = 8339) was used to (1) examine the association between caregiver enrollment in PCAFC and any VA-purchased or VA-provided LTSS use among Veterans and (2) describe program-related trends in HCBS and institutional LTSS use. The comparison group was an inverse-propensity-score weighted sample of Veterans whose caregivers applied for, but were not accepted into, the program. From baseline through 24 months post application, use of any LTSS ranged from 13.1% to 17.8% for Veterans whose caregivers were enrolled in PCAFC versus from 3.8% to 5.3% for Veterans in the comparison group. Participation in PCAFC was associated with a statistically significant increased use of any LTSS from 1 to 24 months post application (over time odds ratios ranged from 2.71 [95% confidence interval: 2.31-3.17] to 4.86 [3.93-6.02]). Support for family caregivers may enhance utilization of LTSS for Veterans with physical, emotional, and/or cognitive conditions.Item Open Access Defining core issues in utilizing information technology to improve access: evaluation and research agenda.(Journal of general internal medicine, 2011-11) Jackson, George L; Krein, Sarah L; Alverson, Dale C; Darkins, Adam W; Gunnar, William; Harada, Nancy D; Helfrich, Christian D; Houston, Thomas K; Klobucar, Thomas F; Nazi, Kim M; Poropatich, Ronald K; Ralston, James D; Bosworth, Hayden BThe Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been at the vanguard of information technology (IT) and use of comprehensive electronic health records. Despite the widespread use of health IT in the VA, there are still a variety of key questions that need to be answered in order to maximize the utility of IT to improve patient access to quality services. This paper summarizes the potential of IT to enhance healthcare access, key gaps in current evidence linking IT and access, and methodologic challenges for related research. We also highlight four key issues to be addressed when implementing and evaluating the impact of IT interventions on improving access to quality care: 1) Understanding broader needs/perceptions of the Veteran population and their caregivers regarding use of IT to access healthcare services and related information. 2) Understanding individual provider/clinician needs/perceptions regarding use of IT for patient access to healthcare. 3) System/Organizational issues within the VA and other organizations related to the use of IT to improve access. 4) IT integration and information flow with non-VA entities. While the VA is used as an example, the issues are salient for healthcare systems that are beginning to take advantage of IT solutions.Item Open Access Evaluation of a geriatrics primary care model using prospective matching to guide enrollment.(BMC medical research methodology, 2021-08) Smith, Valerie A; Van Houtven, Courtney Harold; Lindquist, Jennifer H; Hastings, Susan NBackground
Few definitive guidelines exist for rigorous large-scale prospective evaluation of nonrandomized programs and policies that require longitudinal primary data collection. In Veterans Affairs (VA) we identified a need to understand the impact of a geriatrics primary care model (referred to as GeriPACT); however, randomization of patients to GeriPACT vs. a traditional PACT was not feasible because GeriPACT has been rolled out nationally, and the decision to transition from PACT to GeriPACT is made jointly by a patient and provider. We describe our study design used to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of GeriPACT compared to a traditional primary care model (referred to as PACT) on patient experience and quality of care metrics.Methods
We used prospective matching to guide enrollment of GeriPACT-PACT patient dyads across 57 VA Medical Centers. First, we identified matches based an array of administratively derived characteristics using a combination of coarsened exact and distance function matching on 11 identified key variables that may function as confounders. Once a GeriPACT patient was enrolled, matched PACT patients were then contacted for recruitment using pre-assigned priority categories based on the distance function; if eligible and consented, patients were enrolled and followed with telephone surveys for 18 months.Results
We successfully enrolled 275 matched dyads in near real-time, with a median time of 7 days between enrolling a GeriPACT patient and a closely matched PACT patient. Standardized mean differences of < 0.2 among nearly all baseline variables indicates excellent baseline covariate balance. Exceptional balance on survey-collected baseline covariates not available at the time of matching suggests our procedure successfully controlled many known, but administratively unobserved, drivers of entrance to GeriPACT.Conclusions
We present an important process to prospectively evaluate the effects of different treatments when randomization is infeasible and provide guidance to researchers who may be interested in implementing a similar approach. Rich matching variables from the pre-treatment period that reflect treatment assignment mechanisms create a high quality comparison group from which to recruit. This design harnesses the power of national administrative data coupled with collection of patient reported outcomes, enabling rigorous evaluation of non-randomized programs or policies.Item Open Access Group physical therapy for veterans with knee osteoarthritis: study design and methodology.(Contemporary clinical trials, 2013-03) Allen, Kelli D; Bongiorni, Dennis; Walker, Tessa A; Bartle, John; Bosworth, Hayden B; Coffman, Cynthia J; Datta, Santanu K; Edelman, David; Hall, Katherine S; Hansen, Gloria; Jennings, Caroline; Lindquist, Jennifer H; Oddone, Eugene Z; Senick, Margaret J; Sizemore, John C; St John, Jamie; Hoenig, HelenPhysical therapy (PT) is a key component of treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA) and can decrease pain and improve function. Given the expected rise in prevalence of knee OA and the associated demand for treatment, there is a need for models of care that cost-effectively extend PT services for patients with this condition. This manuscript describes a randomized clinical trial of a group-based physical therapy program that can potentially extend services to more patients with knee OA, providing a greater number of sessions per patient, at lower staffing costs compared to traditional individual PT. Participants with symptomatic knee OA (n = 376) are randomized to either a 12-week group-based PT program (six 1 h sessions, eight patients per group, led by a physical therapist and physical therapist assistant) or usual PT care (two individual visits with a physical therapist). Participants in both PT arms receive instruction in an exercise program, information on joint care and protection, and individual consultations with a physical therapist to address specific functional and therapeutic needs. The primary outcome is the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index (self-reported pain, stiffness, and function), and the secondary outcome is the Short Physical Performance Test Protocol (objective physical function). Outcomes are assessed at baseline and 12-week follow-up, and the primary outcome is also assessed via telephone at 24-week follow-up to examine sustainability of effects. Linear mixed models will be used to compare outcomes for the two study arms. An economic cost analysis of the PT interventions will also be conducted.Item Open Access Health beliefs and desire to improve cholesterol levels among patients with hyperlipidemia.(Patient education and counseling, 2016-05) Zullig, Leah L; Sanders, Linda L; Thomas, Steven; Brown, Jamie N; Danus, Susanne; McCant, Felicia; Bosworth, Hayden BObjective
Because hyperlipidemia is asymptomatic, many veterans affairs (VA) patients may not perceive it seriously. We assessed key Health Belief model concepts to describe patients' cholesterol-related health beliefs and examine associations between patient-level factors and desire to improve cholesterol control.Methods
We used baseline data from an ongoing randomized clinical trial. Eligible patients were receiving care at the Durham VA and had CVD risk-total cholesterol levels >130 mg/dL and/or <80% medication adherence in the previous 12 months. A survey assessed patients' health beliefs about high cholesterol and self-reported medication adherence. Multivariable logistic regression examined whether there was an association between desire to control cholesterol and cholesterol status.Results
Approximately 64% (n=155) of patients perceived high cholesterol as 'very serious'. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, patients who perceived high cholesterol as 'very serious' (OR 2. 26, p=0.032) and/or with high self-efficacy (OR 4.70, p<0.001) had increased odds of desiring cholesterol control.Conclusion
The factors most significantly associated with desire to improve cholesterol control were perceiving hyperlipidemia as 'very serious and self-efficacy for cholesterol control.Practice implication
Educating patients, with the goal of appropriately increasing their perceived risk of disease, is likely necessary to impact cholesterol control.Item Open Access Heart matters: Gender and racial differences cardiovascular disease risk factor control among veterans.(Women's health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health, 2014-09) Goldstein, Karen M; Melnyk, S Dee; Zullig, Leah L; Stechuchak, Karen M; Oddone, Eugene; Bastian, Lori A; Rakley, Susan; Olsen, Maren K; Bosworth, Hayden BBackground
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality for U.S. women. Racial minorities are a particularly vulnerable population. The increasing female veteran population has an higher prevalence of certain cardiovascular risk factors compared with non-veteran women; however, little is known about gender and racial differences in cardiovascular risk factor control among veterans.Methods
We used analysis of variance, adjusting for age, to compare gender and racial differences in three risk factors that predispose to CVD (diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia) in a cohort of high-risk veterans eligible for enrollment in a clinical trial, including 23,955 men and 1,010 women.Findings
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) values were higher in women veterans than men with age-adjusted estimated mean values of 111.7 versus 97.6 mg/dL (p < .01). Blood pressures (BPs) were higher among African-American than White female veterans with age-adjusted estimated mean systolic BPs of 136.3 versus 133.5 mmHg, respectively (p < .01), and diastolic BPs of 82.4 versus 78.9 mmHg (p < .01). African-American veterans with diabetes had worse BP, LDL values, and hemoglobin A1c levels, although the differences were only significant among men.Conclusions
Female veterans have higher LDL cholesterol levels than male veterans and African-American veterans have higher BP, LDL cholesterol, and A1c levels than Whites after adjusting for age. Further examination of CVD gender and racial disparities in this population may help to develop targeted treatments and strategies applicable to the general population.Item Open Access Home blood pressure management and improved blood pressure control: results from a randomized controlled trial.(Archives of internal medicine, 2011-07) Bosworth, Hayden B; Powers, Benjamin J; Olsen, Maren K; McCant, Felicia; Grubber, Janet; Smith, Valerie; Gentry, Pamela W; Rose, Cynthia; Van Houtven, Courtney; Wang, Virginia; Goldstein, Mary K; Oddone, Eugene ZBackground
To determine which of 3 interventions was most effective in improving blood pressure (BP) control, we performed a 4-arm randomized trial with 18-month follow-up at the primary care clinics at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.Methods
Eligible patients were randomized to either usual care or 1 of 3 telephone-based intervention groups: (1) nurse-administered behavioral management, (2) nurse- and physician-administered medication management, or (3) a combination of both. Of the 1551 eligible patients, 593 individuals were randomized; 48% were African American. The intervention telephone calls were triggered based on home BP values transmitted via telemonitoring devices. Behavioral management involved promotion of health behaviors. Medication management involved adjustment of medications by a study physician and nurse based on hypertension treatment guidelines.Results
The primary outcome was change in BP control measured at 6-month intervals over 18 months. Both the behavioral management and medication management alone showed significant improvements at 12 months-12.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6%-24.1%) and 12.5% (95% CI, 1.3%-23.6%), respectively-but not at 18 months. In subgroup analyses, among those with poor baseline BP control, systolic BP decreased in the combined intervention group by 14.8 mm Hg (95% CI, -21.8 to -7.8 mm Hg) at 12 months and 8.0 mm Hg (95% CI, -15.5 to -0.5 mm Hg) at 18 months, relative to usual care.Conclusions
Overall intervention effects were moderate, but among individuals with poor BP control at baseline, the effects were larger. This study indicates the importance of identifying individuals most likely to benefit from potentially resource intensive programs.Trial registration
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00237692.Item Open Access How Views of the Organization of Primary Care Among Patients with Hypertension Vary by Race or Ethnicity.(Military medicine, 2018-09) Jackson, George L; Stechuchak, Karen M; Weinberger, Morris; Bosworth, Hayden B; Coffman, Cynthia J; Kirshner, Miriam A; Edelman, DavidIntroduction
We assessed potential racial or ethnic differences in the degree to which veterans with pharmaceutically treated hypertension report experiences with their primary care system that are consistent with optimal chronic illness care as suggested by Wagner's Chronic Care Model (CCM).Materials and methods
A cross-sectional analysis of the results of the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC), which measured components of the care system suggested by the CCM and was completed at baseline by participants in a hypertension disease management clinical trial. Participants had a recent history of uncontrolled systolic blood pressure.Results
Among 377 patients, non-Hispanic African American veterans had almost twice the odds of indicating that their primary care experience is consistent with CCM features when compared with non-Hispanic White patients (odds ratio (OR) = 1.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16-2.98). Similar statistically significant associations were observed for follow-up care (OR = 2.59; 95% CI = 1.49-4.50), patient activation (OR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.13-2.87), goal setting (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.03-2.64), and help with problem solving (OR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.00-2.60).Conclusions
Non-Hispanic African Americans with pharmaceutically treated hypertension report that the primary care system more closely approximates the Wagner CCM than non-Hispanic White patients.Item Open Access Impact of Gender on Satisfaction and Confidence in Cholesterol Control Among Veterans at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease.(Journal of women's health (2002), 2017-07) Goldstein, Karen M; Stechuchak, Karen M; Zullig, Leah L; Oddone, Eugene Z; Olsen, Maren K; McCant, Felicia A; Bastian, Lori A; Batch, Bryan C; Bosworth, Hayden BBackground
Compared with men, women have poorer lipid control. Although potential causes of this disparity have been explored, it is unknown whether patient-centered factors such as satisfaction and confidence contribute. We evaluated (1) whether satisfaction with lipid control and confidence in ability to improve it vary by gender and (2) whether sociodemographic characteristics modify the association.Materials and methods
We evaluated baseline survey responses from the Cardiovascular Intervention Improvement Telemedicine Study, including self-rated satisfaction with cholesterol levels and confidence in controlling cholesterol. Participants had poorly controlled hypertension and/or hypercholesterolemia.Results
A total of 428 veterans (15% women) participated. Compared with men, women had higher low-density lipoprotein values at 141.2 versus 121.7 mg/dL, respectively (p < 0.05), higher health literacy, and were less likely to have someone to help track their medications (all p < 0.05). In an adjusted model, women were less satisfied with their cholesterol levels than men with estimated mean scores of 4.3 versus 5.6 on a 1-10 Likert scale (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in confidence by gender. Participants with support for tracking medications reported higher confidence levels than those without, estimated mean 7.8 versus 7.2 (p < 0.05).Conclusions
Women veterans at high risk for cardiovascular disease were less satisfied with their lipid control than men; however, confidence in ability to improve lipid levels was similar. Veterans without someone to help to track medications were less confident, and women were less likely to have this type of social support. Lack of social support for medication tracking may be a factor in lingering gender-based disparities in hyperlipidemia.Item Open Access Implementation of a group physical therapy program for Veterans with knee osteoarthritis.(BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2020-02) Allen, Kelli D; Sheets, Brandon; Bongiorni, Dennis; Choate, Ashley; Coffman, Cynthia J; Hoenig, Helen; Huffman, Kim; Mahanna, Elizabeth P; Oddone, Eugene Z; Van Houtven, Courtney; Wang, Virginia; Woolson, Sandra; Hastings, Susan NBACKGROUND:A previous randomized clinical trial found that a Group Physical Therapy (PT) program for knee osteoarthritis yielded similar improvements in pain and function compared with traditional individual PT. Based on these findings the Group PT program was implemented in a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System. The objective of this study was to evaluate implementation metrics and changes in patient-level measures following implementation of the Group PT program. METHODS:This was a one-year prospective observational study. The Group PT program involved 6 weekly sessions. Implementation metrics included numbers of referrals and completed sessions. Patient-level measures were collected at the first and last PT sessions and included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC; self-report of pain, stiffness and function (range 0-96)) and a 30-s chair rise test. RESULTS:During the evaluation period, 152 patients were referred, 80 had an initial session scheduled, 71 completed at least one session and 49 completed at least 5 sessions. The mean number of completed appointments per patient was 4.1. Among patients completing baseline and follow-up measures, WOMAC scores (n = 33) improved from 56.8 (SD = 15.8) to 46.9 (SD = 14.0); number of chair rises (n = 38) completed in 30 s increased from 10.4 (SD = 5.1) to 11.9 (SD = 5.0). CONCLUSIONS:Patients completing the Group PT program in this implementation phase showed clinically relevant improvements comparable to those observed in the previous clinical trial that compared group and individual PT for knee osteoarthritis. These results are important because Group PT can improve efficiency and access compared with individual PT. However, there were some limitations with respect to attendance and completion rates, and program adaptations may be needed to optimize these implementation metrics. Larger, longer-term studies are required to more fully evaluate the effectiveness of this program.Item Open Access Implementation of automated reporting of estimated glomerular filtration rate among Veterans Affairs laboratories: a retrospective study.(BMC Med Inform Decis Mak, 2012-07-12) Hall, Rasheeda K; Wang, Virginia; Jackson, George L; Hammill, Bradley G; Maciejewski, Matthew L; Yano, Elizabeth M; Svetkey, Laura P; Patel, Uptal DBACKGROUND: Automated reporting of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a recent advance in laboratory information technology (IT) that generates a measure of kidney function with chemistry laboratory results to aid early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Because accurate diagnosis of CKD is critical to optimal medical decision-making, several clinical practice guidelines have recommended the use of automated eGFR reporting. Since its introduction, automated eGFR reporting has not been uniformly implemented by U. S. laboratories despite the growing prevalence of CKD. CKD is highly prevalent within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and implementation of automated eGFR reporting within this integrated healthcare system has the potential to improve care. In July 2004, the VHA adopted automated eGFR reporting through a system-wide mandate for software implementation by individual VHA laboratories. This study examines the timing of software implementation by individual VHA laboratories and factors associated with implementation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study of laboratories in VHA facilities from July 2004 to September 2009. Using laboratory data, we identified the status of implementation of automated eGFR reporting for each facility and the time to actual implementation from the date the VHA adopted its policy for automated eGFR reporting. Using survey and administrative data, we assessed facility organizational characteristics associated with implementation of automated eGFR reporting via bivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of 104 VHA laboratories, 88% implemented automated eGFR reporting in existing laboratory IT systems by the end of the study period. Time to initial implementation ranged from 0.2 to 4.0 years with a median of 1.8 years. All VHA facilities with on-site dialysis units implemented the eGFR software (52%, p<0.001). Other organizational characteristics were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The VHA did not have uniform implementation of automated eGFR reporting across its facilities. Facility-level organizational characteristics were not associated with implementation, and this suggests that decisions for implementation of this software are not related to facility-level quality improvement measures. Additional studies on implementation of laboratory IT, such as automated eGFR reporting, could identify factors that are related to more timely implementation and lead to better healthcare delivery.Item Open Access Improving Care Coordination for Veterans Within VA and Across Healthcare Systems.(Journal of general internal medicine, 2019-05) Cordasco, Kristina M; Hynes, Denise M; Mattocks, Kristin M; Bastian, Lori A; Bosworth, Hayden B; Atkins, DavidItem Open Access Incorporating TechQuity in Virtual Care Within the Veterans Health Administration: Identifying Future Research and Operations Priorities.(Journal of general internal medicine, 2023-07) Walsh, Conor; Sullivan, Caitlin; Bosworth, Hayden B; Wilson, Sarah; Gierisch, Jennifer M; Goodwin, Kaitlyn B; Mccant, Felicia; Hoenig, Helen; Heyworth, Leonie; Zulman, Donna M; Turvey, Carolyn; Moy, Ernest; Lewinski, Allison ABackground
The Covid-19 pandemic dramatically changed healthcare delivery, driving rapid expansion of synchronous (i.e., real-time) audio-only and video telehealth, otherwise known as virtual care. Yet evidence describes significant inequities in virtual care utilization, with certain populations more dependent on audio-only virtual care than video-based care. Research is needed to inform virtual care policies and processes to counteract current inequities in access and health outcomes.Objective
Given the importance of incorporating equity into virtual care within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), we convened a Think Tank to identify priorities for future research and virtual care operations focused on achieving equitable implementation of virtual care within the VHA.Methods
We used participatory activities to engage clinicians, researchers, and operational partners from across the VHA to develop priorities for equitable implementation of virtual care. We refined priorities through group discussion and force-ranked prioritization and outlined next steps for selected priorities.Key results
Think Tank participants included 43 individuals from the VHA who represented diverse geographical regions, offices, and backgrounds. Attendees self-identified their associations primarily as operations (n = 9), research (n = 28), or both (n = 6). We identified an initial list of 63 potential priorities for future research and virtual care operations. Following discussion, we narrowed the list to four priority areas: (1) measure inequities in virtual care, (2) address emerging inequities in virtual care, (3) deploy virtual care equitably to accommodate differently abled veterans, and (4) measure and address potential adverse consequences of expanded virtual care. We discuss related information, data, key partners, and outline potential next steps.Conclusions
This Think Tank of research and operational partners from across the VHA identified promising opportunities to incorporate equity into the design and implementation of virtual care. Although much work remains, the priorities identified represent important steps toward achieving this vital goal.