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ABSTRACT: PURPOSE: New strategies for delivering cancer follow-up care are needed. We surveyed primary care providers (PCPs) and oncologists to assess how physician attitudes toward and self-efficacy with cancer follow-up affect preferences for different cancer survivorship models. METHODS: The survey of physician attitudes regarding the care of cancer survivors was mailed to a randomly selected national sample of PCPs and oncologists to evaluate their perspectives regarding physician roles, knowledge about survivorship care processes, and views on cancer surveillance. Multinomial logistic regression models were constructed to examine how physician attitudes towards, and self-efficacy with, their own skills affected preferences for different cancer survivorship care models. RESULTS: Of 3,434 physicians identified, a total of 2,026 participants provided eligible responses: 938 PCPs and 1,088 oncologists. Most PCPs (51 %) supported a PCP/shared care model; whereas, the majority of specialists (59 %) strongly endorsed an oncologist-based model (p < 0.001). Less than a quarter of PCPs and oncologists preferred specialized survivor clinics. A significant proportion of oncologists (87 %) did not feel that PCPs should take on the primary role of cancer follow-up. Most PCPs believed that they were better able to perform breast and colorectal cancer follow-up (57 %), detect recurrent cancers (74 %), and offer psychosocial support (50 %), but only a minority (32 %) was willing to assume primary responsibility. PCPs already involved with cancer surveillance (43 %) were more likely to prefer a PCP/shared care than oncologist-based survivorship model (OR, 2.08; 95 % CI, 1.34-3.23). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: PCPs and oncologists have different preferences for models of cancer survivorship care. Prior involvement with cancer surveillance was one of the strongest predictors of PCPs' willingness to assume this responsibility.
Journal of Cancer Survivorship 03/2013; · 2.63 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: : To assess factors associated with nursing home admission, severe functional impairment, or death 1 year after surgery for stage I-IIIa non-small cell lung cancer.
: Patients perceive long-term disability to be one of the most undesirable complications of lung cancer treatment.
: A multiregional cohort was surveyed 12 months after surgery. Logistic regression was used to determine adjusted predictors of long-term disability. Recursive partitioning was used to create a risk index based on preoperative factors.
: Of the 1007 patients, 146 (15%) were admitted to a nursing home or died by 1 year after surgery, with higher risk among patients 80 years or older, those with severe comorbidities, and those with stage II-IIIa disease (all Ps ≤ 0.01). Among 759 survivors who completed the follow-up survey, 51 (7%) were admitted to a nursing home or reported inability to get out of bed, dress or wash themselves, or perform usual activities. Patients with moderate comorbidities (P < 0.001) or lack of high school diploma (P = 0.03) were more likely to experience nursing home admission or severe functional impairment. The risk of nursing home admission, severe functional impairment, or death was low (16%) for patients younger than 75 years and for those 75 years or older with stage I disease, intermediate (33%) for patients 75 years or older with stage II-IIIa disease and no or mild comorbidities, and high (60%) for those 75 years or older with stage II-IIIa disease and moderate or severe comorbidities.
: Patients' risk of long-term disability should be incorporated in preoperative counseling.
Annals of surgery 03/2013; 257(3):555-63. · 7.90 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:: Overuse of surveillance testing for breast cancer survivors is an important problem but its extent and determinants are incompletely understood. The objectives of this study were to determine the extent to which physicians' breast cancer surveillance testing beliefs are consistent with test overuse, and to identify factors associated with these beliefs. METHODS:: During 2009-2010, a cross-sectional survey of US medical oncologists and primary care physicians (PCPs) was carried out. Physicians responded to a clinical vignette ascertaining beliefs about appropriate breast cancer surveillance testing. Multivariable analyses examined the extent to which test beliefs were consistent with overuse and associated with physician and practice characteristics and physician perceptions, attitudes, and practices. RESULTS:: A total of 1098 medical oncologists and 980 PCPs completed the survey (response rate 57.5%). Eighty-four percent of PCPs [95% confidence interval (CI), 81.4%-86.5%] and 72% of oncologists (95% CI, 69.8%-74.7%) reported beliefs consistent with blood test overuse, whereas 50% of PCPs (95% CI, 47.3%-53.8%) and 27% of oncologists (95% CI, 23.9%-29.3%) reported beliefs consistent with imaging test overuse. Among PCPs, factors associated with these beliefs included smaller practice size, lower patient volume, and practice ownership. Among oncologists, factors included older age, international medical graduate status, lower self-efficacy (confidence in knowledge), and greater perceptions of ambiguity (conflicting expert recommendations) regarding survivorship care. CONCLUSIONS:: Beliefs consistent with breast cancer surveillance test overuse are common, greater for PCPs and blood tests than for oncologists and imaging tests, and associated with practice characteristics and perceived self-efficacy and ambiguity about testing. These results suggest modifiable targets for efforts to reduce surveillance test overuse.
Medical care 12/2012; · 3.24 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Enrollment in Medicare Advantage, the managed care program for Medicare beneficiaries, has grown rapidly, from 4.6 million enrollees in 2003 to 12.8 million by 2012, or 27 percent of all current Medicare beneficiaries. We analyzed utilization patterns of enrollees in Medicare Advantage health maintenance organization (HMO) plans compared to matched samples of people in traditional Medicare during 2003-09, to ascertain whether the HMO enrollees demonstrated different levels of use of services, which can be a hallmark of more integrated care. We found that utilization rates in some major categories, including emergency departments and ambulatory surgery or procedures, generally were 20-30 percent lower in Medicare Advantage HMOs in all years. Medicare Advantage HMO enrollees initially had lower rates of ambulatory visits and hospitalizations, although these rates converged by 2008; they also received about 10 percent fewer hip or knee replacements. In contrast, HMO enrollees underwent more coronary bypass surgery than patients in traditional Medicare. These findings suggest that overall, Medicare Advantage HMO enrollees might use fewer services and be experiencing more appropriate use of services than enrollees in traditional Medicare.
Health Affairs 12/2012; 31(12):2609-17. · 4.31 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:: The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model has gained support, but the impact of this model on the quality and equity of care merits further evaluation. OBJECTIVE:: To determine if PCMHs are associated with improved quality and equity in pediatric primary care. RESEARCH DESIGN:: Using the 2007/2008 National Survey of Children's Health, a nationally representative survey of parents/guardians of children (age, 0-17 y), we evaluated the association of PCMHs with 10 quality-of-care measures using multivariable regression models, adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic covariates. For quality indicators that were significantly associated with medical homes, we determined if this association differed by race/ethnicity. RESULTS:: Compared with children without medical homes, those with medical homes had significantly better adjusted rates for 6 of 10 quality measures (all P≤0.02), such as obtaining a developmental history [adjusted rates % (SE): 41.7 (1.3) vs. 52.0 (1.1), P<0.001]. Having a medical home was associated with better adjusted rates of receiving a developmental history exam for both white and black children, but the disparity between these groups was not significantly narrowed [difference in risk differences (SE): 0.9 (4.3) for whites vs. blacks; P=0.83]. CONCLUSIONS:: Our results underscore the benefits of the medical home model for children while highlighting areas for improvement, such as narrowing disparities. Our findings also emphasize the key role of patient experience measures in the evaluation of medical homes.
Medical care 10/2012; · 3.24 Impact Factor
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S Yousuf Zafar,
Jennifer L Malin,
Steven C Grambow,
David H Abbott,
Jane T Kolimaga,
Leah L Zullig,
Jane C Weeks, John Z Ayanian,
Katherine L Kahn,
Patricia A Ganz,
Paul J Catalano,
Dee W West,
Dawn Provenzale
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine how patient preferences guide the course of palliative chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer. METHODS: Eligible patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) were enrolled nationwide in a prospective, population-based cohort study. Data were obtained through medical record abstraction and patient surveys. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate patient characteristics associated with visiting medical oncology and receiving chemotherapy and patient characteristics, beliefs, and preferences associated with receiving >1 line of chemotherapy and receiving combination chemotherapy. RESULTS: Among 702 patients with mCRC, 91% consulted a medical oncologist; and among those, 82% received chemotherapy. Patients ages 65 to 75 years and aged ≥75 years were less likely to visit an oncologist, as were patients who were too sick to complete their own survey. In adjusted analyses, patients aged ≥75 years who had moderate or severe comorbidity were less likely to receive chemotherapy, as were patients who were too sick to complete their own survey. Patients received chemotherapy even if they believed that chemotherapy would not extend their life (90%) or that chemotherapy would not likely help with cancer-related problems (89%), or patients preferred treatment focusing on comfort even if it meant not living as long (90%). Older patients were less likely to receive combination first-line therapy. Patient preferences and beliefs were not associated with receipt of >1 line of chemotherapy or combination chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients received chemotherapy even if they expressed negative or marginal preferences or beliefs regarding chemotherapy. Patient preferences and beliefs were not associated with the intensity or number of chemotherapy regimens. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Cancer 09/2012; · 4.77 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To assess the validity of race/ethnicity in Medicare databases for studies of racial/ethnic disparities.
The 2010 Medicare Consumer Assessments of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS(®)) survey was linked to Medicare enrollment data and local area characteristics from the 2000 Census.
Race/ethnicity was cross-tabulated for CAHPS and Medicare data. Within each self-reported category, demographic, geographic, health, and health care variables were compared between those that were and were not similarly identified in Medicare data.
The Medicare CAHPS survey included 343,658 responses from elderly participants (60 percent response rate). Data were weighted for sampling and nonresponse to be representative of the national population of elderly Medicare beneficiaries.
Self-reported Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and American Indians were underidentified in Medicare enrollment data. Individuals in these groups who were identified in Medicare data tended to be more strongly identified with their group, poorer, and in worse health and to report worse health care experiences than those who were not so identified.
Self-reported members of racial and ethnic groups other than Whites and Blacks who are identified in Medicare data differ substantially from those who are not so identified. These differences should be considered in assessments of disparities in health and health care among Medicare beneficiaries.
Health Services Research 04/2012; 47(3 Pt 2):1300-21. · 2.16 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The research goals of the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance (CanCORS) Consortium are to determine how characteristics and beliefs of patients, providers, and health care organizations influence the treatments and outcomes of individuals with newly diagnosed lung and colorectal cancers. As CanCORS results will inform national policy, it is important to know how they generalize to the United States population with these cancers. RESEARCH DESIGN: This study assessed the representativeness of the CanCORS cohort of 10,547 patients with lung cancer (LC) or colorectal cancer (CRC) enrolled between 2003 and 2005. We compared characteristics (sex, race, age, and disease stage) with the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) population of 234,464 patients with new onset of these cancers during the CanCORS recruitment period. RESULTS: The CanCORS sample is well matched to the SEER Program for both cancers. In CanCORS, 41% LC/47% CRC were female versus 47% LC/49% CRC in SEER. African American, Hispanic, and Asian cases differed by no more than 5 percentage points between CanCORS and SEER. The SEER population is slightly older, with the percentage of patients older than 75 years 33.1% LC/37.3% CRC in SEER versus 26.9% LC/29.4% in CanCORS, and also has a slightly higher proportion of early stage patients. We also found that the CanCORS cohort was representative within specific SEER regions that map closely to CanCORS sites. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the CanCORS Consortium was successful in enrolling a demographically representative sample within the CanCORS regions.
Medical care 03/2012; · 3.24 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Lobectomy is considered the standard treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, more limited resections are commonly performed. We examined patient and surgeon factors associated with limited resection and compared postoperative and long-term outcomes between sublobar and lobar resections.
A population- and health system-based sample of patients newly diagnosed with stage I or II NSCLC between 2003 and 2005 in five geographically defined regions, five integrated health-care delivery systems, and 15 Veterans Affairs hospitals was observed for a median of 55 months, through May 31, 2010. Predictors of limited resection and postoperative outcomes were compared using unadjusted and propensity score-weighted analyses. All P values are from two-sided tests.
One hundred fifty-five (23%) patients underwent limited resection and 524 (77%) underwent lobectomy. In adjusted analyses of patient-specific factors, smaller tumor size (P = .004), coverage by Medicare or Medicaid, no insurance or unknown insurance (P = .02), more severe lung disease (P < .001), and a history of stroke (P = .049) were associated with receipt of limited resection. In adjusted analyses of surgeon characteristics, thoracic surgery specialty (P = .02), non-fee-for-service compensation (P = .008), and National Cancer Institute cancer center designation (P = .006) were associated with higher odds of limited resection. Unadjusted 30-day mortality was higher with limited resection than with lobectomy (7.1% vs 1.9%, difference = 5.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5% to 10.8%, P = .003), and the adjusted difference was not statistically significant (6.5% vs 2.9%, difference = 3.6%, 95% CI = -.1% to 9.2%, P = .09). Postoperative complications did not differ by type of surgery (all P > .05). Over the course of the study, a non-statistically significant trend toward improved long-term survival was evident for lobectomy, compared with limited resection, in adjusted analyses (hazard ratio of death = 1.35 for limited resection, 95% CI = 0.99 to 1.84, P = .05).
Evidence is statistically inconclusive but suggestive that lobectomy, compared with limited resection, is associated with increased long-term survival for early-stage lung cancer. Clinical, socioeconomic, and surgeon factors appear to be associated with the choice of surgical resection.
CancerSpectrum Knowledge Environment 09/2011; 103(21):1621-9. · 14.07 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: ABSTRACT:
Overuse of anti-cancer therapy is an important quality-of-care issue. An aggressive approach to treatment can have negative effects on quality of life and cost, but its effect on survival is not well-defined.
Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database, we identified 7,879 Medicare-enrolled patients aged 65 or older who died after having survived at least 3 months after diagnosis of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between 1991 and 1999. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, propensity scores, and instrumental variable analysis (IVA) to compare survival among patients who never received chemotherapy (n = 4,345), those who received standard chemotherapy but not within two weeks prior to death (n = 3,235), and those who were still receiving chemotherapy within 14 days of death (n = 299). Geographic variation in the application of chemotherapy was used as the instrument for IVA.
Receipt of chemotherapy was associated with a 2-month improvement in overall survival. However, based on three different statistical approaches, no additional survival benefit was evident from continuing chemotherapy within 14 days of death. Moreover, patients receiving chemotherapy near the end of life were much less likely to enter hospice (81% versus 51% with no chemotherapy and 52% with standard chemotherapy, P < 0.001), or were more likely to be admitted within only 3 days of death.
Continuing chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC until very near death is associated with a decreased likelihood of receiving hospice care but not prolonged survival. Oncologists should strive to discontinue chemotherapy as death approaches and encourage patients to enroll in hospice for better end-of-life palliative care.
BMC Palliative Care 09/2011; 10:14. · 1.12 Impact Factor
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S Yousuf Zafar,
Jennifer L Malin,
Steven C Grambow,
David H Abbott,
Deborah Schrag,
Jane T Kolimaga,
Leah L Zullig,
Jane C Weeks,
Mona N Fouad, John Z Ayanian,
Robert Wallace,
Katherine L Kahn,
Patricia A Ganz,
Paul Catalano,
Dee W West,
Dawn Provenzale
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ABSTRACT: We describe early dissemination patterns for first-line bevacizumab given for metastatic colorectal cancer treatment.
We analyzed patient surveys and medical records for a population-based cohort with metastatic colorectal cancer treated in multiple regions and health systems in the United States (US). Eligible patients were diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer and initiated first-line chemotherapy after US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) bevacizumab approval in February 2004. First-line bevacizumab therapy was defined as receiving bevacizumab within 8 weeks of starting chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer. We evaluated factors associated with first-line bevacizumab treatment using logistic regression.
Among 355 patients, 31% received first-line bevacizumab in the two years after FDA approval, including 26% of men, 41% of women, and 16% of those ≥ 75 years. Use rose sharply within 6 months after FDA approval, then plateaued. 20% of patients received bevacizumab in combination with irinotecan; 53% received it with oxaliplatin. Men were less likely than women to receive bevacizumab (adjusted OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.32-0.93; p = 0.026). Patients ≥ 75 years were less likely to receive bevacizumab than patients < 55 years (adjusted OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.04-0.46; p = 0.001).
One-third of eligible metastatic colorectal cancer patients received first-line bevacizumab shortly after FDA approval. Most patients did not receive bevacizumab as part of the regimen used in the pivotal study leading to FDA approval.
BMC Cancer 08/2011; 11:354. · 3.01 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Recently observed trends toward increasingly aggressive end-of-life care may reflect providers' concerns that hospice may hasten death.
Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked database, we identified 7879 patients aged 65 years or older who died of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer from 1991 through 1999 after surviving for at least 3 months from their cancer diagnoses. Length of hospice admission post-cancer diagnosis and indicators of aggressive end-of-life care were ascertained based on claims data. We evaluated overall survival and care near death after controlling for baseline characteristics by using propensity score (PS) and instrumental variable analyses (IVA).
Hospice patients were older, more likely to be non-Hispanic white and female, more likely to reside in urban areas with high hospice availability and higher socioeconomic status, more likely to be treated in a teaching hospital, and received less aggressive end-of-life care compared to nonhospice patients. Among hospice patients, those experiencing short-term hospice admissions within 3 days of death were more likely to be male, reside in urban areas, be treated in a teaching hospital, and receive more aggressive end-of-life care. PS analysis found that survival favored hospice patients slightly relative to nonhospice patients by 5.0 percentage points (25.7% versus 20.7%) at 1 year and 1.4 percentage points (6.9% versus 5.5%) at 2 years postdiagnosis (p < 0.001), while there was no significant difference between those with short- and longer duration hospice stays (p = 1.00). IVA confirmed these findings.
Hospice enrollment did not compromise length of survival following advanced lung cancer diagnosis.
Journal of palliative medicine 08/2011; 14(8):929-39. · 1.84 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The growing number of cancer survivors combined with a looming shortage of oncology specialists will require greater coordination of post-treatment care responsibilities between oncologists and primary care physicians (PCPs). However, data are limited regarding these physicians' views of cancer survivors' care.
To compare PCPs and oncologists with regard to their knowledge, attitudes, and practices for follow-up care of breast and colon cancer survivors.
Mailed questionnaires were completed by a nationally representative sample of 1,072 PCPs and 1,130 medical oncologists in 2009 (cooperation rate = 65%). Sampling and non-response weights were used to calculate estimates to reflect practicing US PCPs and oncologists.
PCPs and oncologists reported their 1) preferred model for delivering cancer survivors' care; 2) assessment of PCPs' ability to perform follow-up care tasks; 3) confidence in their knowledge; and 4) cancer surveillance practices.
Compared with PCPs, oncologists were less likely to believe PCPs had the skills to conduct appropriate testing for breast cancer recurrence (59% vs. 23%, P < 0.001) or to care for late effects of breast cancer (75% vs. 38%, P < 0.001). Only 40% of PCPs were very confident of their own knowledge of testing for recurrence. PCPs were more likely than oncologists to endorse routine use of non-recommended blood and imaging tests for detecting cancer recurrence, with both groups departing substantially from guideline recommendations.
There are significant differences in PCPs' and oncologists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices with respect to care of cancer survivors. Improving cancer survivors' care may require more effective communication between these two groups to increase PCPs' confidence in their knowledge, and must also address oncologists' attitudes regarding PCPs' ability to care for cancer survivors.
Journal of General Internal Medicine 07/2011; 26(12):1403-10. · 2.83 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Racial and ethnic disparities in the quality of health care are well documented in the U.S. health care system. Reducing these disparities requires action by health care organizations. Collecting accurate data from patients about their race and ethnicity is an essential first step for health care organizations to take such action, but these data are not systematically collected and used for quality improvement purposes in the United States. This study explores the challenges encountered by health care organizations that attempted to collect and use these data to reduce disparities.
Purposive sampling was used to identify eight health care organizations that collected race and ethnicity data to measure and reduce disparities in the quality and outcomes of health care. Staff, including senior managers and data analysts, were interviewed at each site, using a semi-structured interview format about the following themes: the challenges of collecting and collating accurate data from patients, how organizations defined a disparity and analyzed data, and the impact and uses of their findings.
To collect accurate self-reported data on race and ethnicity from patients, most organizations had upgraded or modified their IT systems to capture data and trained staff to collect and input these data from patients. By stratifying nationally validated indicators of quality for hospitals and ambulatory care by race and ethnicity, most organizations had then used these data to identify disparities in the quality of care. In this process, organizations were taking different approaches to defining and measuring disparities. Through these various methods, all organizations had found some disparities, and some had invested in interventions designed to address them, such as extra staff, extended hours, or services in new locations.
If policymakers wish to hold health care organizations accountable for disparities in the quality of the care they deliver, common standards will be needed for organizations' data measurement, analysis, and use to guide systematic analysis and robust investment in potential solutions to reduce and eliminate disparities.
Milbank Quarterly 06/2011; 89(2):226-55. · 5.62 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Patient navigators may increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates among adults in underserved communities, but prior randomized trials have been small or conducted at single sites and have not included substantial numbers of Haitian Creole-speaking or Portuguese-speaking patients.
We identified 465 primary care patients from 4 community health centers and 2 public hospital-based clinics who were not up-to-date with CRC screening and spoke English, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, or Spanish as their primary language. We enrolled participants from September 1, 2008, through March 31, 2009, and followed them up for 1 year after enrollment. We randomly allocated patients to receive a patient navigation-based intervention or usual care. Intervention patients received an introductory letter from their primary care provider with educational material, followed by telephone calls from a language-concordant navigator. The navigators offered patients the option of being screened by fecal occult blood testing or colonoscopy. The primary outcome was completion of any CRC screening within 1 year. Secondary outcomes included the proportions of patients screened by colonoscopy who had adenomas or cancer detected.
During a 1-year period, intervention patients were more likely to undergo CRC screening than control patients (33.6% vs 20.0%; P < .001), to be screened by colonoscopy (26.4% vs 13.0%; P < .001), and to have adenomas detected (8.1% vs 3.9%; P = .06). In prespecified subgroup analyses, the navigator intervention was particularly beneficial for patients whose primary language was other than English (39.8% vs 18.6%; P < .001) and black patients (39.7% vs 16.7%; P = .004).
Patient navigation increased completion of CRC screening among ethnically diverse patients. Targeting patient navigation to black and non-English-speaking patients may be a useful approach to reducing disparities in CRC screening.
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01141114.
Archives of internal medicine 05/2011; 171(10):906-12. · 11.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To profile hospitals by survival rates of colorectal cancer patients in multiple periods after initial treatment.
California Cancer Registry data from 50,544 patients receiving primary surgery with curative intent for stage I-III colorectal cancer in 1994-1998, supplemented with hospital discharge abstracts.
We estimated a single Bayesian hierarchical model to quantify associations of survival to 30 days, 30 days to 1 year, and 1-5 years by hospital, adjusted for patient age, sex, race, stage, tumor site, and comorbidities. We compared two profiling methods for 30-day survival and four longer-term profiling methods by the fractions of hospitals with demonstrably superior survival profiles and of hospital pairs whose relative standings could be established confidently.
Interperiod correlation coefficients of the random effects are (95 percent credible interval 0.27, 0.85), (0.20, 0.76), and (0.19, 0.82). The three-period model ranks 5.4 percent of pairwise comparisons by 30-day survival with at least 95 percent confidence, versus 3.3 percent of pairs using a single-period model, and 15-20 percent by weighted multiperiod methods.
The quality of care for colorectal cancer provided by a hospital system is somewhat consistent across the immediate postoperative and long-term follow-up periods. Combining mortality profiles across longer periods may improve the statistical reliability of outcome comparisons.
Health Services Research 01/2011; 46(3):729-46. · 2.16 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Although Native Americans experience substantial disparities in health outcomes, little information is available regarding healthcare delivery for this population.
To analyze trends in ambulatory quality of care and physician reports of barriers to quality improvement within the Indian Health Service (IHS).
Longitudinal analysis of clinical performance from 2002 to 2006 within the IHS, and a physician survey in 2007.
Adult patients cared for within the IHS and 740 federally employed physicians within the IHS.
Clinical performance for 12 measures of ambulatory care within the IHS; as well as physician reports of ability to access needed health services and use of quality improvement strategies. We examined the correlation between physician reports of access to mammography and clinical performance of breast cancer screening. A similar correlation was analyzed for diabetic retinopathy screening.
Clinical performance significantly improved for 10 of the 12 measures from 2002 to 2006, including adult immunizations, cholesterol testing, and measures of blood pressure and cholesterol control for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Breast cancer screening rates decreased (44% to 40%, p = 0.002), while screening rates for diabetic retinopathy remained constant (51%). Fewer than half of responding primary care physicians reported adequate access to high-quality specialists (29%), non-emergency hospital admission (37%), high-quality imaging services (32%), and high-quality outpatient mental health services (16%). Breast cancer screening rates were higher at sites with higher rates of physicians reporting routine access to mammography compared to sites with lower rates of physicians reporting such access (46% vs. 35%, ρ = 0.27, p = 0.04). Most physicians reported using patient registries and decision support tools to improve patient care.
Quality of care has improved within the IHS for many services, however performance in specific areas may be limited by access to essential resources.
Journal of General Internal Medicine 12/2010; 26(5):480-6. · 2.83 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality, yet effective screening tests are often underused. Electronic patient messages and personalized risk assessments delivered via an electronic personal health record could increase screening rates.
We conducted a randomized controlled trial in 14 ambulatory health centers involving 1103 patients ranging in age from 50 to 75 years with an active electronic personal health record who were overdue for colorectal cancer screening. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a single electronic message highlighting overdue screening status with a link to a Web-based tool to assess their personal risk of colorectal cancer. The outcomes included colorectal cancer screening rates at 1 and 4 months.
Screening rates were higher at 1 month for patients who received electronic messages than for those who did not (8.3% vs 0.2%, P < .001), but this difference was no longer significant at 4 months (15.8% vs 13.1%, P = .18). Of 552 patients randomized to receive the intervention, 296 (54%) viewed the message, and 47 (9%) used the Web-based risk assessment tool. Among 296 intervention patients who viewed the electronic message, risk tool users were more likely than nonusers to request screening examinations (17% vs 4%, P = .04) and to be screened (30% vs 15%, P = .06). One-fifth of patients (19%) using the risk assessment tool were estimated to have an above-average risk for colorectal cancer.
Electronic messages to patients produce an initial increase in colorectal cancer screening rates, but this effect is not sustained over time.
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01032746.
Archives of internal medicine 12/2010; 171(7):636-41. · 11.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study assessed the relationship between area-level poverty and stage of breast cancer at diagnosis among low-income women when screening mammography was available at no cost.
The authors identified women diagnosed with breast cancer from 1999 to 2005 through the Massachusetts Cancer Registry, and compared the odds of advanced stage disease for women with low incomes (n=546) for whom screening mammography and diagnostic services were available at no cost through the Massachusetts Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, relative to a nonparticipating comparison group (n=1287) residing in the same neighborhoods with similar distribution of age, race, and ethnicity as Massachusetts Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program participants. Among Massachusetts Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program participants, the odds of advanced stage disease were estimated by mammography use.
Although screening mammography was available at no cost, only 36% of program participants diagnosed with breast cancer used screening mammography. Stage of breast cancer at diagnosis was not associated with area-level poverty among Massachusetts Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program participants. For the comparison group, advanced stage disease was more likely for residents in high-poverty areas, relative to low-poverty areas (49% vs 37%, P<.01). The adjusted odds of advanced stage disease at diagnosis was greater for women aged 41 to 49 years, compared with those aged 50 to 64 years (P=.01).
Programs that ensure breast cancer screening and diagnostic services are available at no cost to low-income women can mitigate the adverse effect of area-level poverty on stage of breast cancer. However, such programs require effective strategies to encourage use of screening mammography to promote diagnosis at an earlier stage.
Cancer 12/2010; 116(23):5487-96. · 4.77 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Disparities in care have been documented for foreign-born cancer patients in the United States. However, few data are available regarding patients with lung and colorectal cancer. In the current study, the authors assessed whether patient-reported quality and receipt of recommended care differed between US-born and foreign-born cancer patients.
The authors collected surveys and medical records for a population-based cohort including white, Hispanic, and Asian adults (2205 US-born and 890 foreign-born individuals) with lung or colorectal cancer diagnosed in California from 2003 through 2005. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between nativity and patient-reported quality of care and receipt of recommended treatments (adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for stage II/III rectal cancer, and curative surgery for stage I/II nonsmall cell lung cancer). The authors also assessed whether language explained any differences in care by nativity.
Overall, 46% of patients reported excellent care, but foreign-born patients were less likely than US-born patients to report excellent quality of care (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.80; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.65-1.00), a difference partly explained by the language of the survey, an indicator of English proficiency. Rates of recommended therapies ranged from 64% to 85%; foreign-born patients were less likely to receive chemotherapy and radiotherapy for stage II/III rectal cancer (AOR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.12-0.99). Rates of other treatments did not differ significantly by nativity.
Foreign-born cancer patients reported lower quality of care and were less likely to receive some cancer therapies than patients born in the Unites States. Better coordination of care and communication regarding cancer treatments and expanded use of interpreters may lessen these disparities.
Cancer 12/2010; 116(23):5497-506. · 4.77 Impact Factor
