Evaluation of Motor Complications in Parkinson’s Disease: Understanding the Perception Gap between Patients and Physicians

Background. Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) receiving levodopa treatment often report motor complications including wearing-off (WO), dyskinesia, and morning akinesia. As motor complications are associated with a decrease in patients’ quality of life (QoL), it is important to identify their occurrence and commence immediate management. This study investigated whether differences in the perception of motor complications exist between patients and their physicians in routine clinical practice. Methods. After an Internet-based screening survey, questionnaires were distributed to physicians and their patients in Japan. The 9-item Wearing-Off Questionnaire (WOQ-9) was used to objectively assess the presence of WO; patients with WOQ-9 scores ≥2 were considered to have WO. McNemar’s test was used to compare physician assessment versus WOQ-9 scores, patient self-awareness versus physician assessment, and patient self-awareness versus WOQ-9, separately. Morning akinesia and dyskinesia were assessed by both physician assessment and patient self-awareness with McNemar’s test. QoL was assessed using the 8-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-8) with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results. A total of 235 patients with PD and their 92 physicians participated in this survey. A significant discordance was observed between the WOQ-9 and physician assessment of WO (67.2% vs 46.0%; p < 0.0001 ). Furthermore, patient self-awareness of WO was 35.3% ( p = 0.0004 , vs physician). Morning akinesia (patient, 58.7%; physician, 48.9%; p = 0.0032 ), dyskinesia (patient, 34.0%; physician, 23.4%; p = 0.0006 ), and bodily discomfort (patient, 25.0; physician, 0.0; p = 0.0102 ) of QoL were underrecognized by physicians. Conclusions. This study investigated differences in the perception of WO between patients with PD and their physicians in routine clinical practice and highlighted that patients have a low awareness of the symptoms of WO compared with physician assessments and WOQ-9. Conversely, morning akinesia, dyskinesia, and bodily discomfort were underrecognized by physicians.

Predicting hospital readmission risk: A prospective observational study to compare primary care providers’ assessments with the LACE readmission risk index

Purpose This study aims to determine if the primary care provider (PCP) assessment of readmission risk is comparable to the validated LACE tool at predicting readmission to hospital. Methods A prospective observational study of recently discharged adult patients clustered by PCPs in the primary care setting. Physician readmission risk assessment was determined via a questionnaire after the PCP reviewed the hospital discharge summary. LACE scores were calculated using administrative data and the discharge summary. The sensitivity and specificity of the physician assessment and the LACE tool in predicting readmission risk, agreement between the 2 assessments and the area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves were calculated. Results 217 patient readmission encounters were included in this study from September 2017 till June 2018. The rate of readmission within 30 days was 14.7%, and 217 discharge summaries were used for analysis. The weighted kappa coefficient was 0.41 (95% CI: 0.30–0.51) demonstrating a moderate level of agreement. Sensitivity of physician assessment was 0.31 (95% CI: 0.22–0.40) and specificity was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.77–0.83). The sensitivity of the LACE assessment was 0.42 (95% CI: 0.25–0.59) and specificity was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.73–0.85). The AUROC for the LACE readmission risk was 0.65 (95% C.I. 0.55–0.76) demonstrating modest predictive power and was 0.57 (95% C.I. 0.46–0.68) for physician assessment, demonstrating low predictive power. Conclusion The LACE index shows moderate discriminatory power in identifying high-risk patients for readmission when compared to the PCP’s assessment. If this score can be provided to the PCP, it may help identify patients who requires more intensive follow-up after discharge.

Real-World Data from a Multi-Center Study: Insights to Psoriatic Arthritis Care

Introduction: Real-world data indicate disparities in biologic access across Europe. Objectives: To describe the national structure of PsA care in Poland, with a particular focus on the population of inadequate responders (IRs) and difficulties associated with biologic therapy access. Methods: A pool of rheumatologic and dermatologic care centers was created based on National Health Fund contract lists (n = 841), from which 29 rheumatologic and 10 dermatologic centers were sampled randomly and successfully met the inclusion criterium. Additionally, 33 tertiary care centers were recruited. For successful center recruitment, one provider had to recruit at least one patient that met the criteria for one of the four pre-defined clinical subgroups, in which all patients had to have active PsA and IR status to at least 2 conventional synthetic disease-modifying drugs (csDMARDs). Self-assessment questionnaires were distributed among physicians and their patients. Results: Barriers to biologic DMARD (bDMARD) treatment are complex and include stringency of reimbursement criteria, health care system, logistic/organizational, and personal choice factors. For patients who are currently bDMARD users, the median waiting time from the visit, at which the reimbursement procedure was initiated, to the first day of bDMARD admission was 9 weeks (range 2–212; 32% < 4 weeks, 29% 5–12 weeks, 26% 13–28 weeks, 13% with >28 weeks delay). Out of all inadequate responder groups, bDMARD users are the only group with “good” therapeutic situation and satisfaction with therapy. Patient satisfaction with therapy is not always concordant with physician assessment of therapeutic status. Conclusions: Despite the fact that over a decade has passed since the introduction of biologic agents, in medium welfare countries such as Poland, considerable healthcare system barriers to biologic access are present. Out of different IR populations, patient satisfaction with treatment is often discordant with physician assessment of disease status.

An Advanced Nursing Directive for Children with Suspected Appendicitis: Protocol for a Quality Improvement Feasibility Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Pediatric appendicitis accounts for an estimated 7-10% of abdominal pain cases in the emergency department (ED). The diagnosis is time consuming, and the investigative process is dependent on physician assessment, resulting in delays in diagnosis and therapeutic management. The utility of an advanced nursing directive to expedite this process is unclear and needs further exploration. OBJECTIVE Our study aims to describe key components of ED flow in suspected appendicitis patients seen at a pediatric ED and pilot a directive that allows ED nurses to perform an order-set that includes blood work, urine tests, analgesics, fluids, and order an abdominal-pelvis ultrasound prior to physician assessment. METHODS This study involves conducting a retrospective chart review alongside a quality improvement initiative to compare key ED flow metrics before and after advanced nursing directive implementation. Primary outcome measures include median time from ED triage assessment to ultrasound completion, analgesia administration, bloodwork results, time to disposition (consult or discharge), alongside other key ED flow metrics for suspected appendicitis. Secondary outcomes will involve patient and caretaker satisfaction surveys. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize the data. For differences in proportions, a χ2 test will be used. Student’s t-test will be used for continuous variables. A variable-controlled run chart will be performed to assess impact on ED flow metrics. Patient and family satisfaction surveys are administered immediately after the directive encounter and seven days afterwards. RESULTS There are currently 3900 patients who have been screened, 344 patients enrolled, and 90 patients who have received the medical directive since implementation in June 2020. Interim results on reduction of time to diagnostic and therapeutic ED flow parameters and satisfaction surveys are expected to be published in February 2022. The final study endpoint will be in June 2022. CONCLUSIONS This study proposes a novel protocol for improving the diagnosis and treatment of suspected pediatric appendicitis through implementation of an evidence-based advanced nursing directive. This model may provide a standardized, international pathway for management of common pediatric and adult emergencies.

Sleep Apnea Screening in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia.

Background: Children with Sickle-Cell Anemia (SCA) are at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Screening for OSA is therefore recommended by current guidelines but no specific method described. The Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) is a validated detection tool for OSA in children. We assessed the utility of PSQ to screen for OSA in snoring children with SCA. Methods: A prospective study in children with SCA, aged 4 - 18 years. Subjects were assessed for snoring and PSQ administered at the same visit. All snoring children were then referred for polysomnography (PSG). Results: A total of 106 subjects were screened. Mean age was 10.5 years and 47.2% male. Snoring prevalence was 51/106 (48.1%). In the snoring group, OSA was detected in 83.9% (AHI ≥ 1.0/h) and 22.6% (AHI ≥ 5.0/h), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of PSQ in snoring children was 46.2% and 20.0% (AHI ≥ 1.0/h), and 57.1% and 50.0% (AHI ≥ 5.0/h), respectively. Physician assessment of snoring had a high sensitivity of 70.3% but low specificity of 58.4% (AHI ≥1.0/h), and 87.5% and 41.5% (AHI ≥ 5.0/h), respectively. Conclusion: PSQ is a poor screening tool for detection of OSA in snoring children with SCA. Physician assessment of snoring however could be an initial approach prior to polysomnography.

Evaluation of motor complications in Parkinson’s disease: understanding the perception gap between patients and physicians

Background: Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) receiving levodopa treatment often report the motor complications including wearing-off (WO), dyskinesia and morning akinesia phenomena. Since motor complications are associated with a decrease in patient quality of life (QoL), it is important to identify its occurrence and commence immediate management. This study investigated whether differences in the perception of motor complications exist between patients and their physicians in routine clinical practice.Methods: Following an internet-based screening survey, questionnaires were distributed to physicians and their patients in Japan. The 9-item Wearing-off Questionnaire (WOQ-9) assessed the presence of WO objectively; patients with WOQ-9 scores ≥2 were considered to have WO. McNemar’s tests were used to compare physician assessment with the WOQ-9, patient self-awareness with physician assessment, and patient self-awareness with the WOQ-9, separately. Morning akinesia, dyskinesia, and QoL were also assessed.Results: A total of 235 patients with PD and their 92 physicians participated in this survey. A significant discordance was observed between the WOQ-9 and physician assessment of WO (67.2% vs 46.0%; p<0.0001). Furthermore, patient self-awareness of WO was 35.3% (p=0.0004, vs physician). Morning akinesia (patient, 58.7%; physician, 48.9%; p=0.0032), dyskinesia (patient, 34.0%; physician, 23.4%; p=0.0006), and bodily discomfort (patient, 25.0; physician, 0.0; p=0.0102) of QoL were underrecognized by physicians. Conclusions: This study investigated differences in the perception of WO between patients with PD and their physicians in routine clinical practice and highlighted that patients have a low awareness of the symptoms of WO compared with physician assessments and the WOQ-9. Conversely, morning akinesia, dyskinesia, and bodily discomfort were underrecognized by physicians.

Physician Assessment and Feedback During Quality Circle to Reduce Low-Value Services in Outpatients: a Pre-Post Quality Improvement Study

Background The impact of the Choosing Wisely (CW) campaign is debated as recommendations alone may not modify physician behavior. Objective The aim of this study was to assess whether behavioral interventions with physician assessment and feedback during quality circles (QCs) could reduce low-value services. Design and Participants Pre-post quality improvement intervention with a parallel comparison group involving outpatients followed in a Swiss-managed care network, including 700 general physicians (GPs) and 150,000 adult patients. Interventions Interventions included performance feedback about low-value activities and comparison with peers during QCs. We assessed individual physician behavior and healthcare use from laboratory and insurance claims files between August 1, 2016, and October 31, 2018. Main Measures Main outcomes were the change in prescription of three low-value services 6 months before and 6 months after each intervention: measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prescription rates of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and statins. Key Results Among primary care practices, a QC intervention with physician feedback and peer comparison resulted in lower rates of PPI prescription (pre-post mean prescriptions per GP 25.5 ± 23.7 vs 22.9 ± 21.4, p value<0.01; coefficient of variation (Cov) 93.0% vs 91.0%, p=0.49), PSA measurement (6.5 ± 8.7 vs 5.3 ± 6.9 tests per GP, p<0.01; Cov 133.5% vs 130.7%, p=0.84), as well as statins (6.1 ± 6.8 vs 5.6 ± 5.4 prescriptions per GP, p<0.01; Cov 111.5% vs 96.4%, p=0.21). Changes in prescription of low-value services among GPs who did not attend QCs were not statistically significant over this time period. Conclusion Our results demonstrate a modest but statistically significant effect of QCs with educative feedback in reducing low-value services in outpatients with low impact on coefficient of variation. Limiting overuse in medicine is very challenging and dedicated discussion and real-time review of actionable data may help.

From Orientation to Onboarding: A Survey-Based Departmental Improvement Program for New Radiation Oncology Faculty Physicians

PURPOSE: To evaluate physician-reported assessments of an established faculty orientation program for new radiation oncology physicians at a large academic center and to prospectively analyze the effects of an onboarding improvement program based on those assessments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous survey was designed and distributed to physicians new to the department who received onboarding orientation between 2013 and 2017. Survey questions addressed the comprehensiveness, effectiveness, and utility of various orientation activities. On the basis of the survey results, an improved onboarding program was designed and implemented for nine new faculty members between May 2018 and November 2018. A post-intervention survey querying topics similar to those in the pre-intervention survey was distributed to the new faculty members. Descriptive statistics were generated to compare the pre-intervention and post-intervention groups. RESULTS: The overall rate of survey completion was 85% (17 of 20). The intervention program markedly improved physician assessment of comprehensiveness and effectiveness of the onboarding process. Physicians strongly and consistently identified mentor shadowing, on-the-job training, and other faculty mentorship activities as the most important components of an effective onboarding experience. CONCLUSION: An enhanced, tailored, person-oriented, formal onboarding improvement program significantly increased physician assessment scores of comprehensiveness and effectiveness of the faculty onboarding process. This model can serve as a framework for increasing physician preparedness, encouraging early physician mentorship, and ensuring a universal standard of quality across large practices.