scholarly journals General practitioners and consultation drift: the effects of supply-side changes and reforms on service delivery patterns

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Taylor ◽  
Dell Horey ◽  
Charles Livingstone ◽  
Siew-Pang Chan ◽  
Hal Swerissen

Objectives To determine what types of supply-side change underpinned the recent decline in longer (Level C and D) consultation provision and to evaluate the impact of the May 2010 reforms in realigning Medicare with long-term health policy objectives. Methods Retrospective analysis of Level C and D consultation provision by general practitioners (GPs) across Australia. Outcome measures were extent (number of consultations per providing GP) and participation (proportion of GPs providing these consultations). Results The proportion of GPs participating in Level C consultation provision is substantial (96%) and constant; however, extent of provision per GP decreased by 21% between 2006 and 2010. Level D participation decreased from 72% during 2006 to a nadir of 62% in 2009, and extent of provision decreased by 26% between 2006 and 2010. Conclusion Two distinct types of change underpinned the overall decline in Level C and D consultation provision. GPs appear to be providing Level C consultations less often, but the overwhelming majority still provide these consultations to some extent. The extent of provision of Level D consultations and the proportion of GPs providing them has decreased; an appreciable number of GPs simply stopped providing Level D consultations. Medicare reforms appear ineffective in realigning Medicare with long-term policy objectives. What is known about the topic? Previous research has demonstrated that GP consultation delivery patterns under Medicare have changed profoundly in recent years, with provision of Level C and D GP consultations having declined substantially. What does this paper add? This research shows that the overall decline in longer consultations is underpinned by distinct supply-side changes: (1) a decrease in average consultation provision per GP (for Levels C and D) and (2) the effective abandonment of Level D consultations by GPs. Medicare reforms do not appear to be entirely effective in addressing these supply changes. What are the implications for practitioners? Despite their centrality to health policy objectives of improved preventive care, chronic disease management and mental healthcare, longer GP consultations are declining in very distinct ways. The ability of the current Medicare model to achieve these health policy objectives appears increasingly questionable.

10.2196/15927 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e15927
Author(s):  
Scott Sittig ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Sriram Iyengar ◽  
Sahiti Myneni ◽  
Amy Franklin

Background Although there is a rise in the use of mobile health (mHealth) tools to support chronic disease management, evidence derived from theory-driven design is lacking. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the impact of an mHealth app that incorporated theory-driven trigger messages. These messages took different forms following the Fogg behavior model (FBM) and targeted self-efficacy, knowledge, and self-care. We assess the feasibility of our app in modifying these behaviors in a pilot study involving individuals with diabetes. Methods The pilot randomized unblinded study comprised two cohorts recruited as employees from within a health care system. In total, 20 patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited for the study and a within-subjects design was utilized. Each participant interacted with an app called capABILITY. capABILITY and its affiliated trigger (text) messages integrate components from social cognitive theory (SCT), FBM, and persuasive technology into the interactive health communications framework. In this within-subjects design, participants interacted with the capABILITY app and received (or did not receive) text messages in alternative blocks. The capABILITY app alone was the control condition along with trigger messages including spark and facilitator messages. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare adherence with behavioral measures and engagement with the mobile app across conditions. A paired sample t test was utilized on each health outcome to determine changes related to capABILITY intervention, as well as participants’ classified usage of capABILITY. Results Pre- and postintervention results indicated statistical significance on 3 of the 7 health survey measures (general diet: P=.03; exercise: P=.005; and blood glucose: P=.02). When only analyzing the high and midusers (n=14) of capABILITY, we found a statistically significant difference in both self-efficacy (P=.008) and exercise (P=.01). Although the ANOVA did not reveal any statistically significant differences across groups, there is a trend among spark conditions to respond more quickly (ie, shorter log-in lag) following the receipt of the message. Conclusions Our theory-driven mHealth app appears to be a feasible means of improving self-efficacy and health-related behaviors. Although our sample size is too small to draw conclusions about the differential impact of specific forms of trigger messages, our findings suggest that spark triggers may have the ability to cue engagement in mobile tools. This was demonstrated with the increased use of capABILITY at the beginning and conclusion of the study depending on spark timing. Our results suggest that theory-driven personalization of mobile tools is a viable form of intervention. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04132089; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT004122089


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea Baird ◽  
Marta H. Woolford ◽  
Carmel Young ◽  
Margaret Winbolt ◽  
Joseph Ibrahim

Effective self-management is the cornerstone of chronic disease self-management. However, self-management of chronic disease in patients with comorbid dementia is particularly challenging. It is vital that clinicians, patients and carers work collaboratively to tailor self-management programs to each patient with dementia. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators of successful self-management in the context of cognitive impairment in order to optimise the capacity for self-management for persons with dementia (PWD). A qualitative study based on semistructured interviews was conducted in Victoria, Australia. Interviews were conducted with 12 people (employed in the ambulatory and dementia care sectors), representing six health services. Participants identified a healthcare system that is complex, not dementia friendly and not accommodating the needs of PWD who have comorbidities. Individual and systemic barriers contributed to ineffective self-management. Chronic disease support programs do not routinely undertake cognitive assessment or have guidelines for modified management approaches for those with cognitive impairment. Support needs to be long-term and requires a specialised skillset that recognises not only chronic disease management, but also the effect of cognition on self-management. Although formal guidelines are needed, care also needs to be tailored to individual cognitive abilities and deficits.


Author(s):  
Srikar Sama ◽  
Alekhya Gajjala

Routine care for chronic disease is an ongoing major challenge. We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on routine care for chronic diseases. A deeper understanding helps to increase the health system’s resilience and adequately prepare for the next waves of the pandemic. Diabetes, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension were the most impacted conditions due to the reduction in access to care. It is important routine care continues in spite of the pandemic, to avoid a rise in non-COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality. This is a review article discussing the potential impact of COVID-19 on chronic disease management.


2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca O'Hara ◽  
Heather Rowe ◽  
Louise Roufeil ◽  
Jane Fisher

Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether endometriosis meets the definition for chronic disease in Australian policy documents. Methods A qualitative case study approach was used to thematically analyse the definitions contained in Australian chronic disease policy documents and technical reports. The key themes were then compared with descriptions of endometriosis in peer-reviewed literature, clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus statements. Results The search yielded 18 chronic disease documents that provided a definition or characteristics of chronic disease. The thematic analysis identified key elements of chronic diseases pertaining to onset, causation, duration, treatment, disease course and impact (individual and societal). A comparison with endometriosis descriptions indicated that endometriosis meets five of the six chronic disease key elements. Conclusion In Australia, long-term and complex conditions are managed within a chronic disease framework and include mechanisms such as chronic disease management plans (CDMPs) to assist with coordination and management of these conditions. Because endometriosis has most of the characteristics of chronic disease, it could potentially be reframed as a chronic disease in endometriosis clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements. Further, the use of CDMPs may provide a mechanism to promote individualised care and multidisciplinary management of this chronic, enigmatic and debilitating disease. What is known about the topic? In Australia, long-term complex diseases can be managed within a chronic disease framework that include mechanisms for coordinated care such as CDMPs and team care arrangements. Endometriosis is described as an inflammatory, progressive, relapsing and, for some women, debilitating condition, but is rarely described as a chronic disease in the clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements available in Australia. What does this paper add? Endometriosis shares most of the characteristics of a chronic disease so may benefit from chronic disease management systems such as CDMPs. What are the implications for practitioners? CDMPs may be a useful mechanism to coordinate and improve the effectiveness of care for women with endometriosis who experience sustained symptoms of endometriosis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-23
Author(s):  
Sara Barsanti ◽  
Francesca Guarneri

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of general practitioners’ perspectives across key criteria for effective chronic disease management. The study setting is the Tuscany Region in Italy that implemented the Chronic Care Model in 2010 with multidisciplinary team to assist chronic patients. We used the results of a web-based survey of general practitioners (N = 1136) conducted in 2015 to compare the experiences and satisfaction of general practitioners involved (group 1) and not involved (group 2) in the Chronic Care Model. The analysis included all general practitioners, and compared the two groups’ perspectives of the different core aspects of Chronic Care Model through conducting an ANOVA analysis and Bonferroni test. General practitioners involved in the Chronic Care Model are found to be more favourably disposed toward measurement and benchmarking, and more satisfied in terms of decision support system. Conversely, no significant differences were found in terms of collaboration with specialists, which remains weak and in terms of community collaboration and involvement. This study provides a detailed investigation of the implementation of Disease Management Programs, by considering the professional point of view.


2011 ◽  
pp. 1075-1092
Author(s):  
Julia Adler-Milstein ◽  
Ariel Linden

This chapter describes the broad array of information technologies currently used in programs that manage individuals with chronic diseases and discusses evaluation strategies to assess the impact of implementing programs that incorporate such technologies. More specifically, it describes the three components of a chronic disease management program and then details the technologies commonly used in each component. Three evaluation designs well-suited to measure DM program effectiveness are also discussed. The intent of this chapter is to educate readers on the range of approaches to incorporating information technology into chronic disease management and the most appropriate evaluation designs that will strengthen the understanding of which approaches are most successful.


2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 323-326
Author(s):  
Catherine Best

Health coaching aims to empower patients to self-manage their long-term health conditions. Catherine Best explores the effect health coaching can have on patients and the shifts that are required to deliver it Non-communicable diseases now account for the vast majority of deaths globally. It is recognised that personalised care is key to managing non-communicable disease and health coaching is considered an essential element. Health coaching is a developing field of practice that encourages patients to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviours that can avert the impact of chronic disease. This article explores the effect health coaching can have on patients and the shifts that are required to deliver it.


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