Referral rates of patients with diabetes to secondary care are inversely related to the prevalence of diabetes in each primary care practice and confidence in treatment,not to HbA1c level

AimsTo determine the factors affecting the referral rates of patients with diabetes from primary care to secondary care.MethodsA study based on 66 GP surgeries in the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (population: 515,581) was conducted. We included patients who had an established clinical diagnosis of diabetes (type 1 and type 2) from September 2017 to September 2018.HbA1c outcome data of GP surgeries were obtained from the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) database published for 2018. Referral rates were obtained from the electronic referral database of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board over the same period, and this was adjusted according to the number of patients with diabetes in each GP surgery. Confidence level on the treatment of diabetes among GPs was assessed as a sub-study conducted in nine GP surgeries in the same area, using a self-administered questionnaire. Linear regression was undertaken to assess the relationship between adjusted referral rate and key factors which might influence prescribing rate.ResultsThe average adjusted referral rate to secondary care in one year was 4.23% of patients with diabetes in each GP surgery, with a wide variation of 1.24% to 16.28%. The average percentage of patients with diabetes with HbA1c < 59 mmol/mol was 63.17% (range: 43.19–76.23%). The average confidence score of GPs in treating diabetes was 67% and ranged from 50–85% in the sub-study. Referral rates correlated inversely with the numbers of patients with diabetes in each practice β = ?0.32; (95% CI ?0.57, ?0.08) p = 0.01, but there was no significant correlation with the HbA1c outcome β = ?0.13; (95% CI ?0.39, 0.12); p = 0.30. Borderline significant negative correlation was observed between referral rates and overall practice size β = ?0.23; (95% CI ?0.48, 0.02) p = 0.07.ConclusionsReferral rates of patients with diabetes to secondary care are determined by the number of patients with diabetes in each practice and confidence level in treatment, not by the overall practice size or HbA1c level. Ensuring quality training in diabetes care for primary care teams as well as the development of integrated diabetes care may be the best way to optimise the volume and appropriateness of referrals to secondary care.     

The development of a palliative care program for managed care patients: a case example

Palliative care is emerging as an important new field. Although programs are developing in hospital environments, little is known about development of programs in outpatient practices or those serving large managed care populations. This article provides a framework for the development of a comprehensive palliative care program in a large multispecialty group practice that serves managed care patients. The article addresses guiding principles, the need for obtaining baseline data, how the clinical consultation service was established, development of outcomes measures, and information on current program status. Five themes emerged as key to successful program development, most importantly the close collaboration between administrative and clinical staff in all aspects of program development.     

A 2020 vision of patient-centered primary care

Patient-centered care has received new prominence with its inclusion by the Institute of Medicine as 1 of the 6 aims of quality. Seven attributes of patient-centered primary care are proposed here to improve this dimension of care: access to care, patient engagement in care, information systems, care coordination, integrated and comprehensive team care, patient-centered care surveys, and publicly available information. The Commonwealth Fund 2003 National Survey of Physicians and Quality of Care finds that one fourth of primary care physicians currently incorporate these various patient-centered attributes in their practices. To bring about marked improvement will require a new system of primary care payment that blends monthly patient panel fees with traditional fee-for-service payment, and new incentives for patient-centered care performance. A major effort to test this concept, develop a business case, provide technical assistance and training, and diffuse best practices is needed to transform American health care.     

Primary care and receipt of preventive services

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether health insurance, a regular place of care, and optimal primary care are independently associated with receiving preventive care services. DESIGN: A cross-sectional telephone survey. SETTING: Population based. PARTICIPANTS: Probability sample of 3,846 English-speaking and Spanish-speaking women between the ages of 18 and 64 in urban California. INTERVENTIONS: Women were asked about their demographic characteristics, financial status, health insurance status, need for ongoing care, regular place of care, and receipt of blood pressure screening, clinical breast examinations, mammograms, and Pap smears. Women who reported a regular place of care were asked about four components of primary care: availability, continuity, comprehensiveness, and communication. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In multivariate analyses that controlled for differences in demographics, financial status, and need for ongoing care, having a regular place of care was the most important factor associated with receiving preventive care services (p<.0001). Having health insurance (p<.001) and receiving optimal primary care from the regular place of care (p<.01) further significantly increased the likelihood of receiving preventive care services. CONCLUSION: A regular source of care is the single most important factor associated with the receipt of preventive services, but optimal primary care from a regular place increases the likelihood that women will receive preventive care. Supported by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant 22907 and Agency for Health Care Policy Research (AHCPR) grant HSO7373. Dr. Bindman and Dr. Grumbach are Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Generalist Physician Faculty Scholars.     

An update on the pilot trial of consumer‐directed care for older persons in Australia

The Australian Government has commenced a two‐year pilot of consumer‐directed care (CDC) across 500 home and community aged care packages. This policy paper discusses the model being trialled in Australia in light of the UK's Individual Budgets' Pilot Programme and the USA's Cash and Counselling Demonstration. The results of these randomised controlled studies suggest that older people vary in their preferences for consumer direction and that many find the administrative tasks of implementing CDC programs difficult. The relatively restricted model of CDC that the Australian Government is trialling may minimise the problems encountered in the overseas programs, but does not allow consumers to hire family or friends which they preferred to do overseas.     

A comparison of preferences of elderly patients for end-of-life period and their relatives' perceptions in Thailand

BackgroundGoal of palliative care is to experience a good death. Understanding the perceptions of elderly patients and their relatives about this issue should provide healthcare professionals with practical guidance in order to achieve this goal.ObjectivesTo determine and compare the perceptions of elderly patients and relatives regarding wishes during their end-of-life(EOL) period.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted at Siriraj and Srinagarind Hospital in Thailand from September 2017 to February 2018. A questionnaire was given to elderly patients and the relatives of them. The patients were asked to respond to the questions as though they were terminally-ill patients, and relatives were asked to imagine how elderly people would respond to the questions.ResultsWe recruited 608 elderly patients and 607 relatives. The most important issue in both groups was“receiving the full truth about their illnesses”. The perceptions of the patients and relatives differed significantly in 8/13 areas covered in the questionnaire. Independent factors associated with preference for home death were elderly from Khon Kaen (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.6;95%CI 1.7,4.1), previous self-employed/general work compared to individuals who did not work (AOR 0.5;95%CI 0.3,0.9), low educational level (AOR 2.3;95%CI 1.3,4.0), low income (AOR 1.7;95%CI 1.1,2.5), greater family size (AOR 1.7;95%CI 1.1,2.6) and dissatisfaction in life (AOR 2.5;95%CI 1.1,5.4).ConclusionReceiving the full truth about their illnesses was the most important issue for participants in both groups. The major differences between the two groups had to do with autonomy. Factors influencing place of death were location of patients, previous occupation, educational level, family income, family size and dissatisfaction in life.     

Patient Experiences with Coordination of Care: The Benefit of Continuity and Primary Care Physician as Referral Source

BACKGROUND  Coordination across a patient’s health needs and providers is important to improving the quality of care. OBJECTIVES  (1) Describe the extent to which adults report that their care is coordinated between their primary care physician (PCP) and specialists and (2) determine whether visit continuity with one’s PCP and the PCP as the referral source for specialist visits are associated with higher coordination ratings. DESIGN  Cross-sectional study of the 2007 Health Tracking Household Survey. PARTICIPANTS  A total of 3,436 adults with a PCP and one or more visits to a specialist in the past 12 months. MEASUREMENTS  Coordination measures were patient perceptions of (1) how informed and up to date the PCP was about specialist care received, (2) whether the PCP talked with the patient about what happened at the recent specialist visit and (3) how well different doctors caring for a patient’s chronic condition work together to manage that care. RESULTS  Less than half of respondents (46%) reported that their PCP always seemed informed about specialist care received. Visit continuity with the PCP was associated with better coordination of specialist care. For example, 62% of patients who usually see the same PCP reported that their PCP discussed with them what happened at their recent specialist visit vs. 48% of those who do not usually see the same PCP (adjusted percentages, p < 0.0001). When a patient’s recent specialist visit was based on PCP referral (vs. self-referral or some other source), 50% reported that the PCP was informed and up to date about specialist care received (vs. 35%, p < 0.0001), and 66% reported that their PCP discussed with them what happened at their recent specialist visit (vs. 47%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS  Facilitating visit continuity between the patient and PCP, and encouraging the use of the PCP as the referral source would likely enhance care coordination.     

Diabetes UK funded surveys of the structural provision of primary care diabetes services in the UK

Aim To describe diabetes service provision in primary care in the UK. Methods Postal questionnaires were sent to all UK primary care organizations (PCOs), and to a sample of general practices in England and all practices in Wales and Scotland. The data collection period ended on 30 April 2001. Results Seventy‐nine per cent of the PCOs and 40% of the practices provided usable information. There is evidence that respondents were not significantly biased in relation to their interest in diabetes care. Diabetes was included as a Health Improvement Programme (or equivalent) priority by 62% of PCOs and had been identified as a clinical governance priority by 27%. Sixty‐five per cent had information about the ethnic composition of their general population, 57% had an estimate of the number of people with diabetes. Sixty‐nine per cent had a local diabetes register but this was said to cover the entire local population in only 64% of these. At least one audit of diabetes care had been carried out (in the previous 5 years) in 75% and, in 76%, clinical guidelines on diabetes care were made available to practices. In the practices, 80% had a designated lead person for diabetes. Seventy‐three per cent had at least one general practitioner with a special interest and 87% at least one nurse. Seventy‐two per cent of practices ran specific diabetes clinics and 51% had a screening policy. Eighty‐six per cent considered that they had adequate systems in place for the delivery of diabetes care. However, only 6% were able to offer a dedicated diabetes telephone help or advice line and only 9% an evening out of hours clinic. Regular practice meetings were held to discuss diabetes in 35%, whereas 39% had a formal shared care protocol. Fourteen per cent held regular joint meetings with the hospital‐based team and in 38% there was membership of Diabetes UK for at least one partner or the practice itself. A third (34%) of responding practices were unsure whether a Local Diabetes Services Advisory Group or equivalent existed in their area. Geographical differences in service provision were identified with, for example, practices in London having fewer components in place that were specifically related to the provision of diabetes care. Single‐handed practices, wherever they were situated, had in place fewer staff and facilities specifically for diabetes care.     

Medical healthcare utilization as related to long-term care at home or in special accommodation

This study aimed to investigate medical healthcare utilization 3-5 years following the decision about long-term care at home vs. in special accommodation in older people. A total of 1079 people who were granted long-term care the years 2001, 2002 or 2003 were studied regarding the number of hospital stays and the number of contacts with physicians in outpatient care in the 3-5 subsequent years. Those living at home and those in special accommodation were compared regarding medical healthcare utilization during the 3-5 subsequent years. Data were collected through the study Good Aging in Skåne (GAS) and through the registers, Patient Administrative Support in Skåne (PASiS) and PrivaStat. Utilization of medical healthcare decreased slightly in the years following the decision about long-term care. Despite younger age and less dependency in activities of daily living (ADL), those living at home utilized hospital and outpatient care to a greater extent than those in special accommodation; these differences remained over time. Thus, it seems as long-term care needs to become more effective in the prevention of medical healthcare utilization among those cared for at home. More, older people who are granted long-term care at home may otherwise imply increased utilization of medical healthcare.     

Hospice usage by minorities in the last year of life: results from the National Mortality Followback Survey

OBJECTIVES: To examine racial/ethnic variations in rates of hospice use in a national cohort and to identify individual characteristics associated with hospice use. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of the 1993 National Mortality Followback Survey (NMFS), a nationally obtained sample using death certificates and interviews with relatives (proxy respondents) to provide mortality, social, and economic data and information about healthcare utilization in the last year of life for 23,000 deceased individuals. SETTING: Hospice care. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged 15 and older who died in 1993. Subjects were included in this analysis if they died of nontraumatic causes (N = 11,291). MEASUREMENTS: Hospice use was dichotomized by proxy responses indicating use or nonuse of home or inpatient hospice services. The percentage of individuals using hospice services in the last year of life was calculated. RESULTS: Unadjusted bivariate results found that African Americans were less likely to use hospice than whites (odds ratio (OR) = 0.59; P <.001) and that those without a living will (LW) (OR = 0.23; P <.001) and without a cancer diagnosis (OR = 0.28; P <.001) were less likely to use hospice. The negative relationship between African Americans and hospice use was unaffected when controlled for sex, education, marital status, existence of a LW, income, and access to health care. Logistic models revealed that presence of a LW diminished the negative relationship between African Americans and hospice use, but the latter remained significant (OR = 0.83; P =.033). A subanalysis of subjects aged 55 and older showed a significant interaction between access to care and race/ethnicity with respect to hospice use (P =.044). Inclusion of income in this multivariable logistic model attenuated the relationship between African-American race/ethnicity and hospice use (OR = 0.77), and the difference between whites and African Americans became only marginally statistically significant (P =.060). CONCLUSION: In the 1993 NMFS, hospice use was negatively associated with African-American race/ethnicity independent of income and access to healthcare. The relationship is not independent of age, insurance type, or history of stroke. For subjects aged 55 and older, access to healthcare may be an important confounder of the negative relationship between African-American race/ethnicity and hospice use. Consistent with previous studies, this analysis found that African Americans were less likely to use LWs than whites. The reduced importance of African-American race/ethnicity on hospice use with the inclusion of presence of a LW in logistic models suggests that similar cultural processes may shape differences between African Americans and whites in advance care planning and hospice use.     

Patient and physician perceptions of timely access to care

BACKGROUND: Timeliness of care is 1 of 6 dimensions of quality identified in Crossing the Quality Chasm. We compared patient and physician perceptions of appropriate timing of visits for common medical problems. METHODS: This study was conducted at 2 internal medicine clinics at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Adult patients and companions, and outpatient General Internists were surveyed. The survey contained 11 clinical scenarios of varying urgency. Respondents indicated how soon the patient in each scenario should be seen. Responses ranged from that day to 1 to 3 months. Responses were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-two patients and 46 of 61 physicians responded. For 8 of the 11 scenarios patients felt they should be seen significantly earlier than physicians. Scenarios involving chronic knee and stomach pain, routine diabetes care, and hyperlipidemia generated the greatest differences. Patients and physicians agreed on the urgency of scenarios concerning wheezing in an asthmatic, an ankle injury, and acute pharyngitis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients expected to be seen sooner than physicians thought necessary for many common chronic medical conditions, but are in agreement about timeliness for some acute problems. Understanding patient expectations may help physicians respond to requests for urgent evaluation of chronic conditions.     

Person‐Centered Care: A Definition and Essential Elements

Improving healthcare safety, quality, and coordination, as well as quality of life, are important aims of caring for older adults with multiple chronic conditions and/or functional limitations. Person‐centered care is an approach to meeting these aims, but there are no standardized, agreed‐upon parameters for delivering such care. The SCAN Foundation charged a team from the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) in collaboration with a research and clinical team from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California to provide the evidence base to support a definition of person‐centered care and its essential elements. An interprofessional panel of experts in person‐centered care principles and practices that the AGS convened developed this statement.     

Accessibility and utilisation of delivery care within a Skilled Care Initiative in rural Burkina Faso

Objectives  The Skilled Care Initiative (SCI) was a comprehensive skilled attendance at delivery strategy implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Care International in Ouargaye district (Burkina Faso) from 2002 to 2005. We aimed to evaluate the relationships between accessibility, functioning of health centres and utilisation of delivery care in the SCI intervention district (Ouargaye) and compare this with another district (Diapaga).
Methods  Data were collected on staffing, equipment, water and energy supply for all health centres and a functionality index for health centres were constructed. A household census was carried out in 2006 to assess assets of all household members, and document pregnancies lasting more than 6 months between 2001 and 2005, with place of delivery and delivery attendant. Utilisation of delivery care was defined as birth in a health institution or birth by Caesarean section. Analyses included univariate and multivariate logistic regression.
Results  Distance to health facility, education and asset ownership were major determinants of delivery care utilisation, but no association was found between the functioning of health centres (as measured by infrastructure, energy supply and equipment) and institutional birth rates or births by Caesarean section. The proportion of births in an institution increased more substantially in the SCI district over time but no changes were seen in Caesarean section rates.
Conclusion  The SCI has increased uptake of institutional deliveries but there is little evidence that it has increased access to emergency obstetric care, at least in terms of uptake of Caesarean sections. Its success is contingent on large-scale coverage and 24-h availability of referral for life saving drugs, skilled personnel and surgery for pregnant women.