Literature Collection

BACKGROUND: An academic detailing model has improved self-efficacy of memory clinic clinicians to identify and manage complex behavioral and psychological symptoms in persons with dementia (BPSD). The purpose of this report is to describe a systematic approach to adapting a clinician education program previously delivered in two primary care integrated memory clinics for improving the management of BPSD to also be deliverable outside a memory clinic setting, in generalist primary care clinics. The RE-AIM/PRISM implementation framework guided the approach. METHODS: Application of the RE-AIM/PRISM framework to the academic detailing program for BPSD was mapped. Framework-guided qualitative interviews were completed with experienced (Champion) and inexperienced (Novice) program stakeholders including questions on perceived gaps in clinical care (BPSD management) and barriers and facilitators to the educational model. Inductive and deductive qualitative thematic analytic approaches were used, the latter organized by RE-AIM domains and multi-level context. Convergence or divergence in organized themes by stakeholder experience shaped examination of fit and interactions among domains, components and strategies of the model for pre-implementation adaptations planning for non-memory clinic primary care clinicians. RESULTS: A pragmatic application of the RE-AIM/PRISM framework was completed for collecting qualitative feedback from stakeholders, identifying multi-level contextual barriers and facilitators, and planning adaptations to our clinician education program. A description of the clinician stakeholders, the approach and one example of a clinician and intervention-level theme identified across RE-AIM domains for the program, self-efficacy in the management of BPSD, and resulting planned adaptations were shared. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a novel qualitative application of the RE-AIM/PRISM framework to inform adaptations for an intervention for primary care that incorporates feedback from both current experienced and future inexperienced program stakeholders. This approach can be used to identify multi-level contextual barriers and facilitators to reach, adoption, implementation, and effectiveness of this clinician education programs approach, academic detailing, for future primary care teams.

Background: Shared medical appointments (SMAs) for buprenorphine prescribing are clinical encounters in which multiple patients with opioid problems receive treatment from providers in a group setting. Telehealth, the provision of clinical services remotely using telecommunications technology, is an essential modality for improving access to healthcare when combined with SMAs, especially since the COVID pandemic. Objectives: The current study specifically examined psychological components of telehealth SMAs for buprenorphine prescribing to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of this treatment model. Methods: Data was collected through qualitative interviews with patients (N=10) in a psychiatry addiction medicine clinic. Narrative synthesis using grounded theory was conducted to identify salient themes from the interviews. Results: Findings highlighted the advantages and downsides of telehealth SMA to treat addictive disorders in a digital age: (1) Shared group identity; (2) Decreased stigma around buprenorphine; (3) Benefits of telehealth; (4) Discomfort with group SMA format; (5) Strategies for managing medication side effects; and (6) Enhanced empathy for providers. Several themes corresponded to therapeutic factors identified in group therapy (i.e., installation of hope, universality, imparting information, altruism) and mechanisms theorized in previous SMA research (e.g., combating isolation, disease self-management, feeling inspired by others). Conclusion: Telehealth SMAs for buprenorphine prescribing may be a unique opportunity for patients to receive both ongoing medication management and psychosocial benefits that promote recovery and reduce stigma. The SMA group had shortcomings for some patients, including privacy concerns, fear of judgment from other patients and limited time to discuss individual concerns with providers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: General practice is the most common source of healthcare for people who use methamphetamine. The aim of this study was to explore primary care providers' understandings of access to and service utilisation by this group. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with general practitioners, practice nurses and alcohol and other drug service providers from two large towns in rural Victoria. RESULTS: Participants (n = 8) reported that availability (workforce shortages, time, complex clinician-client relationships), acceptability (stigma) and appropriateness of care (skill mix, referral networks, models of care) were associated with access to care for this population. Affordability of care was not perceived to be of concern. DISCUSSION: Availability of care is not enough to ensure utilisation and improved health outcomes among consumers who use methamphetamine. Provision of services to this group and to other substance-using populations requires the right 'skill mix' across and within healthcare organisations.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We conducted a quality improvement initiative to implement standardized screening for anxiety among adolescents with headache and/or epilepsy receiving outpatient neurology care at a quaternary health care system, consistent with recommendations from the American Academy of Neurology. Our SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Based) aim was to screen ≥90% of established patients aged 12 years or older seen by a participating health care professional using a standardized anxiety screener by February 2024. METHODS: This initiative was conducted in patients seen for follow-up by 17 participating neurology health care professionals. Health care professional opinions were assessed before and after implementation of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), administered as a previsit questionnaire distributed using the electronic health record. The integrated workflow included a best practice advisory (BPA) alert that permitted easy access to interventions and automatic population of education materials into the after-visit summary. After 12 months of use (March 2023 to February 2024), we assessed demographic and diagnostic information, GAD-7 completion rates, anxiety symptom severity, BPA utilization, and health care professional acceptance of the intervention. RESULTS: The GAD-7 was completed for 64% of 3,671 encounters and by 71% of 2031 unique patients. The GAD-7 was more often completed for encounters if the patient was female, younger, or White or had a headache diagnosis. Among unique patients, anxiety symptoms were minimal in 50%, mild in 24%, moderate in 17%, and severe in 10%. Severe anxiety symptoms were more often present in female patients or those with a headache diagnosis. Among patients with severe anxiety symptoms, 66% had established behavioral health care plans and, for remaining patients, referrals were made to community behavioral health care professionals (11%), or pediatric psychologists (4%) or social workers (3%) within neurology. Clinicians indicated that the approach was easy to use and improved the quality of patient care. DISCUSSION: We implemented standardized EHR-based screening for anxiety symptoms for pediatric neurology patients, most of whom had headache or epilepsy. Screening was feasible, and approximately one-quarter of patients had moderate or severe anxiety symptoms. Future work will focus on improving completion rates of previsit questionnaires including the GAD-7 and optimizing clinician actions based on the screening data.