Dataset Information

Telehealth to support referral management in a universal health system: a before-and-after study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Management of patient flow within a healthcare network, allowing equitable and qualified access to healthcare, is a major challenge for universal health systems. Implementation of telehealth strategies to support referral management has been shown to increase primary care resolution and to promote coordination of care. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of telehealth strategies on waiting lists and waiting times for specialized care in Brazil.

Methods

Before-and-after study with measures obtained between January 2019 and February 2020. Baseline measurements of waiting lists were obtained immediately before the implementation of a remotely operated referral management system. Post-interventional measurements were obtained monthly, up to six months after the beginning of operation. Data was extracted from the database of the project. General linear models were applied to assess interaction of locality and time over number of cases on waiting lists and waiting times.

Results

At baseline, the median number of cases on waiting lists ranged from 2961 to 12,305 cases. Reductions of the number of cases on waiting lists after six months of operation were observed in all localities. The magnitude of the reduction ranged from 54.67 to 88.97 %. Interaction of time measurements was statistically significant from the second month onward. Median waiting times ranged from 159 to 241 days at baseline. After six months, there was a decrease of 100 and 114 waiting days in two localities, respectively, with reduction of waiting times only for high-risk cases in the third locality.

Conclusions

Adoption of telehealth strategies resulted in the reduction of number of cases on waiting lists. Results were consistent across localities, suggesting that telehealth interventions are viable in diverse settings.

SUBMITTER: Gadenz SD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8467186 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Telehealth to support referral management in a universal health system: a before-and-after study.

Gadenz Sabrina Dalbosco SD Basso Josué J de Oliviera Patrícia Roberta Berithe Pedrosa PRBP Sperling Stephan S Zuanazzi Marcus Vinicius Dutra MVD Oliveira Gabriel Gausmann GG da Silva Ivonice Martins IM Motta Raphael Mendes RM Gehres Luana Gonçalves LG de Brito Mallmann Érica É Rodrigues Átila Szczecinski ÁS Pachito Daniela V DV de Faria Leao Beatriz B

BMC health services research 20210925 1

<h4>Background</h4>Management of patient flow within a healthcare network, allowing equitable and qualified access to healthcare, is a major challenge for universal health systems. Implementation of telehealth strategies to support referral management has been shown to increase primary care resolution and to promote coordination of care. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of telehealth strategies on waiting lists and waiting times for specialized care in Brazil.<h4>Methods</h4> ...[more]

PMID: 34563176

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Project description:ImportanceAs the number of patients with diabetes continues to increase in the United States, novel approaches to clinical care access should be considered to meet the care needs for this population, including support for diabetes-related technology.ObjectiveTo evaluate a virtual clinic to facilitate comprehensive diabetes care, support continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) integration into diabetes self-management, and provide behavioral health support for diabetes-related issues.Design, setting, and participantsThis cohort study was a prospective, single-arm, remote study involving adult participants with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who were referred through community resources. The study was conducted virtually from August 24, 2020, to May 26, 2022; analysis was conducted at the clinical coordinating center.InterventionTraining and education led by a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist for CGM use through a virtual endocrinology clinic structure, which included endocrinologists and behavioral health team members.Main outcomes and measuresMain outcomes included CGM-measured mean glucose level, coefficient of variation, and time in range (TIR) of 70 to 180 mg/dL, time with values greater than 180 mg/dL or 250 mg/dL, and time with values less than 70 mg/dL or 54 mg/dL. Hemoglobin A1c was measured at baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks.ResultsAmong the 234 participants, 160 had type 1 diabetes and 74 had type 2 diabetes. The mean (SD) age was 47 (14) years, 123 (53%) were female, and median diabetes duration was 20 years. Median (IQR) CGM use over 6 months was 96% (91%-98%) for participants with type 1 diabetes and 94% (85%-97%) for those with type 2 diabetes. Mean (SD) hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in those with type 1 diabetes decreased from 7.8% (1.6%) at baseline to 7.1% (1.0%) at 3 months and 7.1% (1.0%) at 6 months (mean change from baseline to 6 months, -0.6%, 95% CI, -0.8% to -0.5%; P < .001), with an 11% mean TIR increase over 6 months (95% CI, 9% to 14%; P < .001). Mean HbA1c in participants with type 2 diabetes decreased from 8.1% (1.7%) at baseline to 7.1% (1.0%) at 3 months and 7.1% (0.9%) at 6 months (mean change from baseline to 6 months, -1.0%; 95% CI, -1.4% to -0.7%; P < .001), with an 18% TIR increase over 6 months (95% CI, 13% to 24%; P < .001). In participants with type 1 diabetes, mean percentage of time with values less than 70 mg/dL and less than 54 mg/dL decreased over 6 months by 0.8% (95% CI, -1.2% to -0.4%; P = .001) and by 0.3% (95% CI, -0.5% to -0.2%, P < .001), respectively. In the type 2 diabetes group, hypoglycemia was rare (mean [SD] percentage of time <70 mg/dL, 0.5% [0.6%]; and <54 mg/dL, 0.07% [0.14%], over 6 months).Conclusions and relevanceResults from this cohort study demonstrated clinical benefits associated with implementation of a comprehensive care model that included diabetes education. This model of care has potential to reach a large portion of patients with diabetes, facilitate diabetes technology adoption, and improve glucose control.

Project description:ObjectiveCOVID-19 accelerated telehealth use to ensure care delivery, but there is limited data on the patient perspective. This study aimed to examine telehealth visit uptake before and during COVID-19 and correlates of patient satisfaction and interest in future telehealth visits.Materials and methodsThis was a cross-sectional observational study between October 2019 and April 2020. Participants included patients who completed satisfaction surveys following telehealth visits.ResultsA total of 8930 patients completed the satisfaction survey using 4-point Likert Scales. Multivariable, hierarchical, cumulative logit models were constructed to examine correlates of satisfaction with quality of care and interest in future telehealth visits. Most patients were satisfied with the patient portal, video quality, and instructions (92.7%-96.8%). Almost half reported saving 1-2 h (46.9%). Correlates positively associated with quality of care and interest in future telehealth visits were ease of patient portal (odds ratio [OR], 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-1.58; OR, 1.56, 95% CI, 1.41-1.73, respectively), video quality (OR, 1.62, 95% CI, 1.50-1.75; OR, 1.26, 95% CI, 1.16-1.37, respectively), instructions (OR, 5.62, 95% CI, 5.05-6.26; OR, 1.80, 95% CI, 1.62-2.01, respectively), and time saved (>4 h: OR, 1.69, 95%,CI, 1.22-2.34; OR, 3.49, 95% CI, 2.47-4.93, respectively). Being seen after the COVID-19 surge in telehealth (OR, 0.76, 95% CI, 0.63-0.93) or by providers with higher visit volume (OR, 0.71, 95% CI, 0.60-0.85) was associated with lower interest in future telehealth visits.ConclusionsPatients expressed relatively high satisfaction levels with telehealth. Better technical quality, quality of instructions, and greater time saved were associated with higher satisfaction ratings. To maintain interest in future telehealth use and improve the patient experience, we must enhance the quality of telehealth delivery platforms and instructions provided to patients.

Project description:BackgroundHealth system approaches to improve hypertension control require an effective referral network. A national referral strategy exists in Kenya; however, a number of barriers to referral completion persist. This paper is a baseline assessment of a hypertension referral network for a cluster-randomized trial to improve hypertension control and reduce cardiovascular disease risk.MethodsWe used sociometric network analysis to understand the relationships between providers within a network of nine geographic clusters in western Kenya, including primary, secondary, and tertiary care facilities. We conducted a survey which asked providers to nominate individuals and facilities to which they refer patients with controlled and uncontrolled hypertension. Degree centrality measures were used to identify providers in prominent positions, while mixed-effect regression models were used to determine provider characteristics related to the likelihood of receiving referrals. We calculated core-periphery correlation scores (CP) for each cluster (ideal CP score = 1.0).ResultsWe surveyed 152 providers (physicians, nurses, medical officers, and clinical officers), range 10-36 per cluster. Median number of hypertensive patients seen per month was 40 (range 1-600). While 97% of providers reported referring patients up to a more specialized health facility, only 55% reported referring down to lower level facilities. Individuals were more likely to receive a referral if they had higher level of training, worked at a higher level facility, were male, or had more job experience. CP scores for provider networks range from 0.335 to 0.693, while the CP scores for the facility networks range from 0.707 to 0.949.ConclusionsThis analysis highlights several points of weakness in this referral network including cluster variability, poor provider linkages, and the lack of down referrals. Facility networks were stronger than provider networks. These shortcomings represent opportunities to focus interventions to improve referral networks for hypertension.Trial registrationTrial Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03543787 , June 1, 2018.

Project description:BackgroundPeople with severe mental illness (SMI) must receive early interventions to prevent mental health deterioration or relapse. Telecommunications and other technologies are increasingly being used to assist in health care delivery using "telehealth," which includes telephones and mobile phones, computers, remote sensors, the internet, and other devices, to provide immediate real-time information to service users to improve the management of chronic health conditions. Some initial findings have suggested that technology could improve the quality of life of people with SMI.ObjectiveIn this systematic review, we aimed to identify the various uses and efficacy of telehealth technology for SMI.MethodsWe systematically searched electronic databases from inception to March 2016 (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Health Technology Assessment, CINAHL Plus, and NHS Economic Evaluations Database) to identify randomized controlled trials evaluating telehealth for adults with SMI published in English. Additional literature was identified through searching reference lists of key articles. The articles meeting the inclusion criteria were systematically reviewed and assessed for quality and risk of bias.ResultsOur search identified 31 articles describing 29 trials as eligible for the review. The included studies evaluated the use of computers to deliver cognitive rehabilitation (15 trials), patient education (3 trials), and Web-based self-management interventions (2 trials) and to support consultations (1 trial). Virtual reality was used to simulate work and social situations (2 trials) and to deliver cognitive training (1 trial). Telephones were used to prompt service users to take medications (3 trials) and to report symptoms to their health care team (1 trial). Remote sensors were used to monitor medication use (1 trial). Telephone support was found effective in improving medication adherence and reducing the severity of symptoms and inpatient days. Computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation was effective in improving cognitive function. The impact of telehealth on other outcomes was inconsistent. The results of this review should be taken in the context of varied quality in study design, with only 5 studies demonstrating a low risk of bias.ConclusionsA growing variety of telehealth technologies are being used to support the management of SMI. Specific technology types have been found to be effective for some outcomes (eg, telephone and remote medication monitoring for adherence to treatment), while other types of telehealth technologies (eg, delivery of patient education using computers) had no benefit over traditional nurse-based methods and were less acceptable to patients. Further research is warranted to establish the full potential benefits of telehealth for improving the quality of life in people with SMI, acceptability from the service user perspective, and cost-effectiveness. The findings of this review are limited by the poor quality of many of the studies reviewed.

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Dataset Information

Telehealth to support referral management in a universal health system: a before-and-after study.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Telehealth to support referral management in a universal health system: a before-and-after study.

Similar Datasets

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