The American Academy of Family Physicians has been awarded a $31 million funding to conduct a large-scale study on the comparative effectiveness of asthma treatments. The study will focus on inhaled steroids and specific antibiotics, alone or together, in over 3,000 patients with asthma aged 12 and over.
Public health researchers developed an interactive web-based guide to support family physicians in addressing COVID-19 vaccine concerns. The guide provides resources to counsel patients on safety, co-morbidities, conspiracy theories, and other issues, promoting better conversations and vaccine uptake.
Despite electronic health records and care coordination efforts, communication gaps between primary care and specialist physicians persist, with 22% of PCPs sending information rarely or never at referral times. This delay can lead to delayed diagnoses, unnecessary testing, and patient dissatisfaction.
Despite electronic health records, gaps in communication between primary care physicians and specialist physicians persist. The study found that 22% of PCPs report sending clinical information to specialists at the time of referral, and less than 35% receive information back after consultation.
The report proposes a health equity framework to address disparities in telehealth services, focusing on strategic priority, patient input, social determinants, and institutional racism. It calls for integrating equity and innovation efforts to ensure access to telemedicine and digitally enabled health tools.
The recently updated ICPC-3 guide provides health professionals with a better understanding of patient functioning and its impact on primary healthcare. By implementing ICPC-3, clinicians can improve data documentation, enhance information exchange, and ultimately provide more effective care to patients.
A new visualization tool combines clinical and home blood pressure readings to aid in blood pressure management. It enhances shared decision-making between doctors and patients by integrating at-home readings with electronic health records.
Researchers found similar operational procedures for remote medication abortion services across diverse practice settings, with adaptations made to local laws and regulations. The study highlights the feasibility of offering abortion services through telehealth, demonstrating potential variations in service adaptation.
A study of 17,000 US primary care patients with COPD found 49.9% experiencing multiple exacerbation episodes despite treatment. Patients reported high symptoms and breathlessness, highlighting the need for non-pharmacologic treatments and improved physician education.
Researchers developed an EHR-embedded card study to replace traditional paper-based methods in clinic-based research. The digital tool increased efficiency and reduced labor costs, as each participant's responses were linked to clinic and patient data.
A new study within the Veterans Health Administration system identified effective strategies to reduce benzodiazepine prescriptions for older adults. The researchers found that initiatives focusing on passive strategies like education and patient identification have limited success in lowering prescription rates.
Clinicians perceive electronic health records as a barrier to patient engagement, maintaining less eye contact and feeling less personal during visits. However, most patients report a positive experience with EHR use, indicating sufficient clinician-patient interaction.
A retrospective cohort study found that poor continuity of care is associated with increased health care use and sub-optimal prescribing of guideline-recommended medications in patients with CKD. Strengthening patient-provider relationships and guiding physicians on recommended prescribing can help mitigate these issues.
A study found that 24.5% of GPs used POCUS for exploratory purposes, rather than focused examinations, highlighting the need for guidelines on appropriate use. The study also showed that 75% of GPs performed exams outside their training areas, raising concerns about patient safety.
A randomized trial found that enhanced post-discharge telehealth programs reduced 30-day readmission rates among patients with moderate to severe depressive symptoms. However, implementation barriers, such as perceived counseling needs, limited the intervention's impact.
Researchers in Ontario, Canada assessed the impact of utilizing an electronic consultation service to provide timely access to COVID-19 specialist advice for primary care practitioners. The study found that eConsults resulted in rapid access to specialist care, with 24% of cases avoiding face-to-face referrals.
A systematic review of qualitative studies found that rural patients experience significant challenges in accessing health care services for chronic conditions. Cultural, structural, and individual factors influence these experiences, highlighting the need for culturally appropriate interventions to improve access to care.
Stepped wedge cluster randomized trials offer statistical power, incentivized recruitment, and staggered resource allocation. However, challenges include time-sensitive recruitment, retention issues, and the Hawthorne effect.
A new study evaluates the Ontario eConsult service over two years, finding increased usage and reduced need for in-person visits. The research team analyzed 60,474 eConsult records, resulting in a median subspecialist response time of one day and a cost of $50 per case.
A virtual community of practice intervention improved clinicians' attitudes towards health literacy and self-management support, but had no impact on patient-centeredness or self-activation. The study suggests that more comprehensive approaches are needed to promote patient empowerment.
The Australian General Practice Respiratory Clinic program effectively scaled up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing rapid infection control measures and anonymized patient data for surveillance reports. By September 2020, 150 clinics had opened across the country, demonstrating their integration with other health services.
A study suggests that lung ultrasounds performed by primary care physicians can accurately diagnose community-acquired pneumonia with high specificity. This could allow for direct antibiotic prescribing, saving time and money for patients and reducing X-ray radiation.
A study found that general practitioners use ultrasound for exploratory purposes, outside of formal training areas, raising concerns about appropriate use and scanning competency. Meanwhile, lung ultrasounds may enable primary care physicians to prescribe antibiotics directly, reducing radiation exposure and saving time.
A new study found that 48% of patients with subsidized health care insurance reported one or more social risks, with housing instability being the most prevalent. Patients with social risks were twice as likely to report having poor health, despite being demographically similar to those without social risks.
Researchers synthesized 46 reports on mass vaccination clinics to offer guidance on planning, logistics, and human resources. Key findings highlight the importance of strong recommendations from healthcare providers in improving vaccine uptake and confidence.
A new study reveals that Latine children who prefer speaking Spanish are more likely to visit a community health center for their acute asthma symptoms than non-Hispanic white peers. Non-Hispanic Black children are also more likely to receive asthma-related care in emergency departments.
New research provides recommendations for quantitative health sciences to better understand the impact of racism on adverse health outcomes. The paper suggests applying theoretical frameworks, community consults, and elevating Black, Indigenous, and Latine scholars to leadership positions.
A new study found that clinics with higher FIT completion rates had added staff to support patients, provided educational materials, and offered on-call support. This approach reduced disparities among low-income and racially diverse populations, improving colorectal cancer screening outcomes.
A recent study found that physicians' choice of board certification activities is unaffected by their baseline quality of care. Only a quarter of physicians reviewed their quality dashboard, and median time spent reviewing it was just 82 seconds.
A new study finds that clinics supporting patients throughout the entire FIT process improve return rates and reduce colorectal cancer-related illness. Additionally, a telephone survey for dementia detection shows promise as a low-cost diagnostic tool, especially in primary care settings.
A new article applies a health equity lens to the National Academies' recommendations for high-quality primary care. The authors propose strategies to operationalize these recommendations, aiming to eliminate existing health inequities and ensure equitable access to quality primary care.
Investments in primary care research can enhance community-centeredness, reducing inequities in access, quality, and outcomes of care. Strategic research prioritizes whole person care and innovative payment models to support primary care's future success.
A telephone survey called Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) was found to be effective in detecting dementia in primary care patients. TICS scored well as a low-cost diagnostic tool, with a score of less than 30 indicating a positive screen for dementia.
Telehealth benefits for family caregivers include increased access to care, continuity of care, and reduced COVID-19 risk. However, concerns arise about caregiver involvement, patient-provider rapport, and quality of chronic condition care.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased job demands on primary care teams, but new skill development opportunities and sense of purpose boosted staff morale. Management support played a crucial role in mitigating burnout, with participants reporting greater support and patience within their practices.
A multilevel program improved the awareness and adoption of buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in rural Colorado. The program increased the proportion of practices providing or referring patients for treatment from 18.8% to 74.4%, with a significant increase in buprenorphine prescriptions over four years.
Technology-facilitated abuse is common among young men in the US, with 38% reporting experiences in the last year. Primary care doctors are urged to adapt intimate partner violence screening tools for male patients, including technology-facilitated abuse assessment.
Decision-making tools, including a double-sided document and video training, were ineffective in reducing antibiotic prescription rates for acute respiratory infections. Despite this, general practitioners' knowledge of relevant evidence increased significantly after the intervention.
A national survey reveals that over 85% of primary care practices struggle to access pediatric medication advice and evidence-based psychotherapy. Policy changes may be necessary to address these barriers and improve child behavioral health treatment.
A bibliometric analysis of Annals of Family Medicine submissions from 2015 to 2020 found that women represented 46.33% of all manuscript submissions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women submitted fewer original research articles and briefs than men, potentially impacting future promotions.
Proton pump inhibitors are underutilized in high-risk patients due to knowledge gaps and barriers among specialties. Multi-component interventions can improve guideline-based use to prevent upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
A mixed-method review and meta-analysis found that integrated palliative care in ambulatory settings has limited effect on reducing symptom burden, but improves health care utilization for U.S. adults with non-cancer related chronic illnesses. The models were also effective in increasing advanced directive documentation.
Common chronic conditions like high cholesterol, pulmonary diseases, and anxiety disorders saw significant declines in new diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic. A substantial increase in primary care physicians, face-to-face visits, and proactive care is needed to address this decline and prevent poor health outcomes.
A study found that team-based primary care, coupled with payment reform, can reduce emergency department use among patients. The analysis showed lower rates of increase in ED visits among those transitioning to a team-based capitated practice compared to non-team-based capitated practices.
A national survey of over 900 youths found that knowledge of health risks associated with unprotected oral sex is a significant barrier to using protection. Many respondents reported a lack of information about adequate protection methods and underestimated the severity of risk.
Researchers found that chat box interactions supported clinicians' needs for trustworthy information, practical resources, and affirmation, creating a community for connection and validation. The study highlights the importance of meeting clinician needs during public health crises for primary care to reach its full potential.
A new study reveals that over 85% of primary care practices face difficulties in obtaining evidence-based pediatric behavioral health care, including medication advice and family-based therapy. Policy changes are necessary to address these barriers and ensure comprehensive care for children's growing behavioral health needs.
Annual Wellness Visits (AWV) reached 47.6% among commercially insured white women with congenital disabilities, but were lower among Hispanic men with acquired disabilities. AWV use is nearly 15% less than the general population threshold.
The article highlights the importance of recovering routine vaccination rates after the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccinations for MMR, DTaP, polio, and HPV have seen significant drops, posing dire consequences to population health. Experts emphasize the need for stakeholders to drive awareness, facilitate access, and build vaccine confidence.
Case management programs help health practitioners address patients' social needs, such as housing and economic insecurity. However, several barriers hinder their effective implementation, including engaging community-based organizations and ensuring program sustainability.