BackgroundEffective hypertension self-management interventions are needed for socially disadvantaged African Americans, who have poorer blood pressure (BP) control compared to others.ObjectiveWe studied the incremental effectiveness of contextually adapted hypertension self-management interventions among socially disadvantaged African Americans.DesignRandomized comparative effectiveness trial.ParticipantsOne hundred fifty-nine African Americans at an urban primary care clinic.InterventionsParticipants were randomly assigned to receive (1) a community health worker (“CHW”) intervention, including the provision of a home BP monitor; (2) the CHW plus additional training in shared decision-making skills (“DoMyPART”); or (3) the CHW plus additional training in self-management problem-solving (“Problem Solving”).Main MeasuresWe assessed group differences in BP control (systolic BP (SBP) < 140 mm Hg and diastolic BP (DBP) < 90 mmHg), over 12 months using generalized linear mixed models. We also assessed changes in SBP and DBP and participants’ BP self-monitoring frequency, clinic visit patient-centeredness (i.e., extent of patient-physician discussions focused on patient emotional and psychosocial concerns), hypertension self-management behaviors, and self-efficacy.Key ResultsBP control improved in all groups from baseline (36%) to 12 months (52%) with significant declines in SBP (estimated mean [95% CI] - 9.1 [- 15.1, - 3.1], - 7.4 [- 13.4, - 1.4], and - 11.3 [- 17.2, - 5.3] mmHg) and DBP (- 4.8 [- 8.3, - 1.3], - 4.0 [- 7.5, - 0.5], and - 5.4 [- 8.8, - 1.9] mmHg) for CHW, DoMyPART, and Problem Solving, respectively). There were no group differences in BP outcomes, BP self-monitor use, or clinic visit patient-centeredness. The Problem Solving group had higher odds of high hypertension self-care behaviors (OR [95% CI] 18.7 [4.0, 87.3]) and self-efficacy scores (OR [95% CI] 4.7 [1.5, 14.9]) at 12 months compared to baseline, while other groups did not. Compared to DoMyPART, the Problem Solving group had higher odds of high hypertension self-care behaviors (OR [95% CI] 5.7 [1.3, 25.5]) at 12 months.ConclusionA context-adapted CHW intervention was correlated with improvements in BP control among socially disadvantaged African Americans. However, it is not clear whether improvements were the result of this intervention. Neither the addition of shared decision-making nor problem-solving self-management training to the CHW intervention further improved BP control.Trial RegistryClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01902719

BackgroundEating disorders affect upwards of 30 million people worldwide and often go undertreated and underdiagnosed. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the Sick, Control, One, Fat and Food (SCOFF) questionnaire for DSM-5 eating disorders in the general population.MethodThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) were followed. A PubMed search was conducted among peer-reviewed articles. Information regarding validation of the SCOFF was required for inclusion. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool.ResultsThe final analysis included 25 studies. The validity of the SCOFF was high across samples with a pooled sensitivity of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.78–0.91) and specificity of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.77–0.88). Subgroup analyses were conducted to examine the impact of methodology, study quality, and clinical characteristics on diagnostic accuracy. Studies with the highest sensitivity tended to be case-control studies of young women with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Studies which included more men, included those diagnosed with binge eating disorder, and recruited from large community samples tended to have lower sensitivity. Few studies reported on BMI and race/ethnicity; thus, subgroups for these factors could not be examined. No studies used reference standards which assessed all DSM-5 eating disorders.ConclusionThis meta-analysis of 25 validation studies demonstrates that the SCOFF is a simple and useful screening tool for young women at risk for AN and BN. However, there is not enough evidence to support utilizing the SCOFF for screening for the range of DSM-5 eating disorders in primary care and community-based settings. Further examination of the validity of the SCOFF or development of a new screening tool, or multiple tools, to screen for the range of DSM-5 eating disorders heterogenous populations is warranted.Trial RegistrationThis study is registered online with PROSPERO (CRD42018089906).

BackgroundSystematic screening skin examination has been proposed to reduce melanoma-related mortality.ObjectiveTo assess the potential effectiveness of screening, in a demographic at high risk of melanoma mortality.DesignA cohort Markov state-transition model was developed comparing systematic screening versus usual care (no systematic screening). In the base case, we evaluated a sensitivity and specificity of 20% and 85%, respectively, for usual care (incidental detection) and 50% sensitivity and 85% specificity from systematic screening. We examined a wide range of values in sensitivity analyses.ParticipantsPotential screening strategies applied to a hypothetical population of 10,000 white men from ages 50–75.Main MeasuresIncremental cost-effectiveness ratio, measured in cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY).Key ResultsUsing base case assumptions, screening every 2 years beginning at age 60 reduced melanoma mortality by 20% with a cost-utility of $26,503 per QALY gained. Screening every 2 years beginning at age 50 reduced mortality by 30% with an incremental cost-utility of $67,970 per QALY. Results were sensitive to differences in accuracy of systematic screening versus usual care, and costs of screening, but were generally insensitive to costs of biopsy or treatment.ConclusionsAssuming moderate differences in accuracy with systematic screening versus usual care, screening for melanoma every 2 years starting at age 50 or 60 may be cost-effective in white men. Results are sensitive to degree of difference in sensitivity with screening compared to usual care. Better studies of the accuracy of systematic screening exams compared with usual care are required to determine whether a trial of screening should be undertaken.

BackgroundPeople with cognitive impairment experience high rates of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use. How clinicians communicate about medications may affect to what extent patients and family companions understand and participate in decisions about medication use.ObjectiveTo characterize how primary care clinicians discuss medications during encounters with older adults with cognitive impairment and their companions.DesignQualitative content analysis of audio-recorded clinical encounters from SAME Page, a randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of a patient-family agenda setting checklist on primary care visit communication among patients with cognitive impairment. Visits occurred between August 2016 and August 2017.ParticipantsPatients were 65 or older, had >?1 incorrect answer on a cognitive screener, and attended visits with a relative or unpaid companion. Clinicians were physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants at participating practices.ApproachThe encounters were transcribed verbatim. We used qualitative content analysis to identify major themes.Key ResultsPatients were on average 79.9 years of age. The average MMSE score was 21.6. About half of clinicians reported practicing for 15 or more years (n?=?8). We identified three major themes. First, we found numerous instances in which primary care clinicians introduced patients and companions to key principles of optimal prescribing and deprescribing. Second, clinicians used a variety of approaches to foster shared decision-making about medication use. Third, several challenges prevented clinicians from working together with patients and companions to optimize prescribing and deprescribing.ConclusionsThis study offers insight into key language clinicians can use to initiate discussions about optimizing prescribing, as well as barriers they face in doing so. Examples identified in these transcripts should be tested with patients and caregivers to examine how such communications are received and interpreted. Future research should develop and test interventions that seek to overcome obstacles to optimizing prescribing for older adults with cognitive impairment.

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), commonly referred to as “e-cigs,” were first introduced in the United States in 2007. Since then, their use has grown substantially, with the largest market among adolescents and young adults. ENDS are often perceived by the public as safe alternatives to traditional cigarettes and as aids in smoking cessation. Little is known about inhalational hazards of e-cigs. We describe the case of a 45-year-old man who developed acute respiratory symptoms associated with onset of severe fixed airways obstruction 9 months after he quit traditional cigarettes and began high-dose vaping. Lung biopsy showed respiratory bronchiolitis. Analysis of his heated e-cigarette solution identified a mixture containing vanillin, aldehydes, alcohols and other chemicals, the inhalation effects of which have not been well-studied. This case report adds to the growing literature describing potentially severe lung health effects of vaping and provides a framework for taking a clinical vaping history so that the health consequences of e-cigarettes may be better understood.Key Points• Long-term health consequences of vaping are unknown and claims that ENDS are a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes require further investigation.• This clinical vignette raises concern that ENDS use may be linked to chronic irreversible obstructive lung disease.• With the rise in ENDS use, particularly among adolescents and young adults, clinicians should elicit a brief vaping history to better understand potential exposures and lung health risks in their patients who vape.

Many medical accreditation bodies agree that medical students should be trained to care for diverse patient populations. However, the teaching methods that medical schools employ to accomplish this goal vary widely. The purpose of this work is to summarize current cultural competency teaching for medical students and their evaluation methods. A scoping review was completed by searching the databases PubMed, Scopus, MedEdPORTAL, and MEDLINE for the search terms “medical education” and “cultural competency” or “cultural competence.” Results were summarized using a narrative synthesis technique. One hundred fifty-four articles on cultural competency interventions for medical students were systematically identified from the literature and categorized by teaching methods, length of intervention, and content. Fifty-six articles had a general focus, and ninety-eight articles were focused on specific populations including race/ethnicity, global health, socioeconomic status, language, immigration status, disability, spirituality at the end of life, rurality, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. About 54% of interventions used lectures as a teaching modality, 45% of the interventions described were mandatory, and 9.7% of interventions were not formally evaluated. The authors advocate for expansion and more rigorous analysis of teaching methods, teaching philosophies, and outcome evaluations with randomized controlled trials that compare the relative effectiveness of general and population-specific cultural competency interventions.

BackgroundPrimary care settings provide opportunities to identify electronic-cigarette (e-cigarette) use and to implement strategies for changing tobacco use behavior. However, a better understanding of the extent and associated characteristics of e-cigarette use among primary care patients are needed to inform such efforts.ObjectiveTo describe patient demographic and substance use characteristics by e-cigarette use status among a large sample of primary care patients. To examine the prevalence and correlates of e-cigarette use among tobacco users in the sample.DesignCross-sectional analysis from a multisite validation study of a substance use screening instrument.ParticipantsAdult primary care patients aged 18 and older (n = 2000) recruited across 5 primary care clinics in the Eastern USA from 2014 to 2015.Main MeasuresPatients reported past 3-month e-cigarette use, sociodemographics, tobacco use, and other substance use. Current nicotine dependence and DSM-5 criteria for past-year substance use disorders were also assessed.Key ResultsAmong the total sample, 7.7% (n = 154) adults reported past 3-month e-cigarette use. Adults who reported e-cigarette use (vs. no use) were more likely to be younger, white, or have frequent tobacco use, nicotine dependence, or past-year illicit drug use/disorders. Among past 3-month tobacco users, 16.3% reported e-cigarette use. Adjusted logistic regression indicated that odds of e-cigarette use were greater among tobacco users who had some college education or more (vs. < high school) or were daily/almost daily tobacco users (vs. not); odds were lower among Blacks/African-Americans (vs. whites). E-cigarette use among tobacco users was associated with increased odds of current nicotine dependence or tobacco use disorder as well as more severe dependence/disorder.ConclusionsEnhanced surveillance of e-cigarette use among adult tobacco users in primary care, particularly among those who use tobacco frequently, may have implications for helping patients with tobacco cessation using established approaches including behavioral support, pharmacotherapy, or referral to specialized care.

BackgroundDiabetes prevalence is twice as high among people with severe mental illness (SMI) when compared to the general population. Despite high prevalence, care outcomes are not well understood.ObjectiveTo compare diabetes health outcomes received by people with and without comorbid SMI, and to understand demographic factors associated with poor diabetes control among those with SMI.DesignRetrospective cohort studyParticipants269,243 adults with diabetesMain MeasuresPrimary outcomes included optimal glycemic control (A1c < 7) or poor diabetes control (A1c > 9) in 2014. Secondary outcomes included control of other cardiometabolic risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking) and recommended diabetes monitoring.Key ResultsAmong this cohort, people with SMI (N = 4,399), compared to those without SMI (N = 264,844), were more likely to have optimal glycemic control, adjusting for various covariates (adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.25, 95% CI 1.21–1.28, p < .001) and less likely to have poor control (aRR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87–0.98, p = 0.012). Better blood pressure and lipid control was more prevalent among people with SMI when compared to those without SMI (aRR 1.03; 95% CI 1.02–1.05, p < .001; aRR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00–1.05, p = 0.044, respectively). No differences were observed in recommended A1c or LDL testing, but people with SMI were more likely to have blood pressure checked (aRR 1.02, 95% CI 1.02–1.03, p < .001) and less likely to receive retinopathy screening (aRR 0.80, 95% CI 0.71–0.91, p < .001) than those without SMI. Among people with diabetes and comorbid SMI, younger adults and Hispanics were more likely to have poor diabetes control.ConclusionsAdults with diabetes and comorbid SMI had better cardiometabolic control than people with diabetes who did not have SMI, despite lower rates of retinopathy screening. Among those with comorbid SMI, younger adults and Hispanics were more vulnerable to poor A1c control.

BackgroundPre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been shown to be efficacious in preventing HIV; however, its uptake remains modest. Given that there are fewer cost barriers to receiving PrEP within VHA than via commercial insurance, VHA represents an ideal setting in which to study other barriers that may impact patients seeking PrEP.ObjectiveWe sought to understand potential barriers to obtaining PrEP within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) through examination of documentation in electronic medical records.DesignRetrospective structured chart review, including chart abstractions of notes, referrals, and communications; content analysis of charts from a subsample of patients receiving PrEP in VHA.ParticipantsOne hundred sixty-one patients prescribed PrEP at 90 sites varying in PrEP prescribing rates.ApproachWe extracted descriptive information and conducted a qualitative analysis of all PrEP-relevant free-text notes including who initiated the PrEP conversation (patient vs. provider), time interval between request and prescription, reasons for denying PrEP, and patient responses to barriers.Key ResultsPatients initiated 94% of PrEP conversations and 35% of patients experienced delays receiving PrEP ranging from six weeks to 16 months. Over 70% of cases evidenced barriers to access. Barriers included provider knowledge gaps about PrEP, provider knowledge gaps about VHA systems related to PrEP, confusion or disagreement over clinic purview for PrEP, and provider attitudes or stigma associated with patients seeking PrEP.ConclusionsAlthough PrEP is recommended for HIV prevention in high-risk persons, many PrEP-eligible individuals faced barriers to obtaining a prescription. Current practices place substantial responsibility on patients to request and advocate for this service, in contrast to many other preventive services. Understanding the prevalence and content of PrEP knowledge gaps and attitudinal barriers can inform organizational interventions to increase PrEP access and decrease HIV transmission.

BackgroundAlthough the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) created new incentives for organizations to improve healthcare value, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) have achieved only modest reductions in the use of low-value care.ObjectiveTo assess ACO engagement of clinicians and whether engagement was associated with clinicians’ reported difficulty implementing recommendations against low-value care.DesignCross-sectional survey of ACO clinicians in 2018.Participants1289 clinicians in the Physician Organization of Michigan ACO, including generalist physicians (18%), internal medicine specialists (16%), surgeons (10%), other physician specialists (27%), and advanced practice providers (29%). Response rate was 34%.Main MeasuresPrimary exposures included clinicians’ participation in ACO decision-making, awareness of ACO incentives, perceived influence on practice, and perceived quality improvement. Our primary outcome was clinicians’ reported difficulty implementing recommendations against low-value care.ResultsFew clinicians participated in the decision to join the ACO (3%). Few clinicians were aware of ACO incentives, including knowing the ACO was accountable for both spending and quality (23%), successfully lowered spending (9%), or faced upside risk only (3%). Few agreed (moderately or strongly) the ACO changed compensation (20%), practice (19%), or feedback (15%) or that it improved care coordination (17%) or inappropriate care (13%). Clinicians reported they had difficulty following recommendations against low-value care 18% of the time; clinicians reported patients had difficulty accepting recommendations 36% of the time. Increased ACO awareness (1 standard deviation [SD]) was associated with decreased difficulty (-?2.3 percentage points) implementing recommendations (95% confidence interval [CI] -?3.8, -?0.7), as was perceived quality improvement (1 SD increase, -?2.1 percentage points, 95% CI, -?3.4, -?0.8). Participation in ACO decision-making and perceived influence on practice were not associated with recommendation implementation.ConclusionsClinicians participating in a large Medicare ACO were broadly unaware of and unengaged with ACO objectives and activities. Whether low clinician engagement limits ACO efforts to reduce low-value care warrants further longitudinal study.

BackgroundWomen with chronic health conditions benefit from reproductive planning and access to highly effective contraception.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of and relationship between chronic health conditions and use of highly effective contraception among reproductive-age women.DesignRetrospective cohort study using electronic health records.ParticipantsWe identified all women 16–49 years who accessed care in the two largest health systems in the US Intermountain West between January 2010 and December 2014.Main MeasuresWe employed administrative codes to identify highly effective contraception and flag chronic health conditions listed in the US Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (US MEC) and known to increase risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. We described use of highly effective contraception by demographics and chronic conditions. We used multinomial logistic regression to relate demographic and disease status to contraceptive use.Key ResultsOf 741,612 women assessed, 32.4% had at least one chronic health condition and 7.3% had two or more chronic conditions. Overall, 7.6% of women with a chronic health condition used highly effective contraception vs. 5.1% of women without a chronic condition. Women with chronic conditions were more likely to rely on public health insurance. The proportion of women using long-acting reversible contraception did not increase with chronic condition number (5.8% with 1 condition vs. 3.2% with 5 or more). In regression models adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, and payer, women with chronic conditions were more likely than those without chronic conditions to use highly effective contraception (aRR 1.4; 95% CI 1.4–1.5). Public insurance coverage was associated with both use of long-acting reversible contraception (aRR 2.2; 95% CI 2.1–2.3) and permanent contraception (aRR 2.9; 95% CI 2.7–3.1).ConclusionsNearly a third of reproductive-age women in a regional health system have one or more chronic health condition. Public insurance increases the likelihood that women with a chronic health condition use highly effective contraception.