Adapting to Create Innovative Virtual Falls Prevention Programs for at Risk Older Adults During a Global Pandemic

Baystate Health’s Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) postponed implementation of Group Medical Visits focused on falls reduction for older adults in Springfield, Massachusetts due to COVID-19 and quickly shifted efforts to participate in Dartmouth’s Falls Prevention Training Program. Long standing GWEP Community Based Organizations (CBOs) were consulted, and all believed that the virtual Tai Ji Quan Moving for Better Balance® (TJQMBB) program would combat social isolation and improve older adults’ comfort with technology in addition to reducing falls during the COVID-19 pandemic. Baystate’s GWEP was able to reallocate grant dollars to support the purchase of equipment for CBOs to deliver TJQMBB virtually. While many challenges continue to arise, the innovative and collaborative approach between the two GWEPs and Baystate’s CBOs leveraging Administration for Community Living falls prevention funding has led to high level engagement and rapid implementation. Dartmouth’s model capitalizes on and strengthens existing GWEP partnerships with its CBOs.

Chronic disease stigma, skepticism of the health system, and socio-economic fragility: Qualitative assessment of factors impacting receptiveness to group medical visits and microfinance for non-communicable disease care in rural Kenya

Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality in the world, and innovative approaches to NCD care delivery are being actively developed and evaluated. Combining the group-based experience of microfinance and group medical visits is a novel approach to NCD care delivery. However, the contextual factors, facilitators, and barriers impacting wide-scale implementation of these approaches within a low- and middle-income country setting are not well known. Methods Two types of qualitative group discussion were conducted: 1) mabaraza (singular, baraza), a traditional East African community gathering used to discuss and exchange information in large group settings; and 2) focus group discussions (FGDs) among rural clinicians, community health workers, microfinance group members, and patients with NCDs. Trained research staff members led the discussions using structured question guides. Content analysis was performed with NVivo using deductive and inductive codes that were then grouped into themes. Results We conducted 5 mabaraza and 16 FGDs. A total of 205 individuals (113 men and 92 women) participated in the mabaraza, while 162 individuals (57 men and 105 women) participated in the FGDs. In the context of poverty and previous experiences with the health system, participants described challenges to NCD care across three themes: 1) stigma of chronic disease, 2) earned skepticism of the health system, and 3) socio-economic fragility. However, they also outlined windows of opportunity and facilitators of group medical visits and microfinance to address those challenges. Discussion Our qualitative study revealed actionable factors that could impact the success of implementation of group medical visits and microfinance initiatives for NCD care. While several challenges were highlighted, participants also described opportunities to address and mitigate the impact of these factors. We anticipate that our approach and analysis provides new insights and methodological techniques that will be relevant to other low-resource settings worldwide.

Qualitative Needs Assessment for the Development of Chronic Pain Group Medical Visits

Group medical visits (GMVs) for patients with chronic pain are becoming more accessible and have been shown to be successful in furthering patient education on multidisciplinary, nonopioid interventions. Unfortunately, evidence suggests that many group visit models lack sustainability due to recruitment issues and retention rates. Additionally, most of the studies surrounding GMVs are located in primarily urban health centers, potentially limiting their generalizability. This study aims to identify patient interest in and barriers to GMVs for chronic pain and to explore how chronic pain impacts daily lives for GMV content optimization in a nonurban population. Nineteen participants age 18 to 65 years participated in semistructured phone interviews to generate a thematic analysis. Participants received their care from family practitioners at a suburban multiclinic academic medical group and were being prescribed at least 50 morphine milligram equivalents (MME) at the time of recruitment. Analysis generated two themes: (1) Participants expressed specific interest in GMVs with few barriers identified, and (2) Pain has a negative impact on mental health and most aspects daily life, creating a foundation for discussion in GMVs. Findings support significant patient interest in group medical visits for chronic pain, but careful planning is necessary to address patient needs, expectations, and barriers in order to ensure GMV sustainability.

Abstract 15988: Heart Failure Group Medical Visits to Improve Quality of Life: A Feasibility Study

Introduction: Group Medical Visits (GMV) are medical appointments where patients with similar medical conditions are seen in a group setting. Heart Failure (HF) is an ideal fit for the GMV model of healthcare delivery. HF guidelines emphasize the need for a self-care regimen including symptom knowledge, medication adherence, dietary and lifestyle modifications and social support. We conducted an intervention with these elements in a GMV setting to assess feasibility and improvement in quality of life (QoL). Methods: We enrolled a convenience sample of high-risk veterans with HF who required frequent follow up. Veterans participated in a longitudinal GMV for eight sessions lasting two hours each and occurring once a month. A curriculum was prepared a priori, and each session was led by an invited guest facilitator and focused on nutrition, exercise, stress, holistic health among others. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment and retention data. We also collected pre-post medication compliance data and QoL change using the 12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12). We gathered feedback after each session. Results: Twelve patients were invited to the program and nine patients attended the first session. The average attendance was 6 participants each week with 4 participants attending all eight sessions. All were men, 22% identified as Black and 8 of 9 participants had preserved ejection fraction and obesity. At baseline, the mean KCCQ was 49.2. At the end of the intervention, the mean change in KCCQ-12 score was +9 (p=0.39). The largest change (+12, p=0.13) was seen on the QoL subscale. No significant improvement was seen in medication compliance. Participants listed community building, peer to peer education, learning about hospital services and continued contact with their provider as highlights of the program. Due to invitation of high-risk individuals, we had one death and seven hospitalizations during the study period. Conclusions: Longitudinal GMVs for high risk patients has a role in HF education and management. It may improve QoL and provider-patient relationship. It is well accepted by the veteran population and has the potential to be routinely integrated into clinical practice.

Chronic Disease Stigma, Skepticism of the Health System, and Socio-economic Fragility: Qualitative Assessment of Factors Impacting Receptiveness to Group Medical Visits and Microfinance for Non-Communicable Disease Care in Rural Kenya

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality in the world, and innovative approaches to NCD care delivery are being actively developed and evaluated. Combining the group-based experience of microfinance and group medical visits is a novel approach to NCD care delivery that has demonstrated beneficial impact in previous pilot studies. However, the contextual factors, facilitators, and barriers impacting wide-scale implementation of these approaches within a low- and middle-income country setting are not well known.Methods: Two types of qualitative group discussion were conducted: 1) mabaraza (singular, baraza), a traditional East African community gathering used to discuss and exchange information in large group settings; and 2) focus group discussions (FGDs) among rural clinicians, community health workers, microfinance group members, and patients with NCDs. Trained research staff members led the discussions using structured question guides. Content analysis was performed with NVivo using deductive and inductive codes that were then grouped into themes.Results: We conducted 5 mabaraza and 16 FGDs. A total of 205 individuals (113 men and 92 women) participated in the mabaraza, while 162 individuals (57 men and 105 women) participated in the FGDs. Participants expressed interest in participating in microfinance and group medical visits, but cited several key challenges: 1) stigma of chronic disease, 2) earned skepticism of the health system, and 3) socio-economic fragility.Conclusions: Our qualitative study revealed and illuminated actionable factors that could impact the success of implementation of group medical visits and microfinance initiatives for NCD care. While several challenges were highlighted, participants also felt that planned interventions could address and mitigate the impact of these dynamic factors. We anticipate that our approach and analysis provides new insights and methodological techniques that will be relevant to other low-resource settings worldwide.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02501746, registration date: July 17, 2015

4063 Glycemic control in a weight management-focused group medical visits (WM/GMV) intervention: examining the moderating effects of body mass index (BMI)

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The impact of baseline BMI on glycemic response to group medical visits (GMV) and weight management (WM)-based interventions is unclear. Our objective is to determine how baseline BMI class impacts patient responses to GMV and interventions that combine WM/GMV. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We will perform a secondary analysis of Jump Start, a randomized, controlled trial that compared the effectiveness of a GMV-based low carbohydrate diet-focused WM program (WM/GMV) to traditional GMV-based medication management (GMV) on diabetes control. The primary and secondary outcomes will be change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and weight at 48 months, respectively. Study participants will be stratified into BMI categories defined by BMI 27-29.9kg/m2, 30.0-34.9kg/m2, 35.0-39.9kg/m2, and ≥40.0kg/m2. Hierarchical mixed models will be used to examine the differential impact of the WM/GMV intervention compared to GMV on changes in outcomes by BMI class category. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Jump Start enrolled 263 overweight Veterans (BMI ≥ 27kg/m2) with type 2 diabetes. At baseline, mean BMI was 35.3 and mean HbA1c was 9.1. 14.5% were overweight (BMI 27–29.9) and 84.5% were obese (BMI ≥ 30). The proposed analyses are ongoing. We anticipate that patients in the higher BMI obesity classes will demonstrate greater reductions in HbA1c and weight with the WM/GMV intervention relative to traditional GMV. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This work will advance the understanding of the relationship between BMI and glycemic response to targeted interventions, and may ultimately provide guidance for interventions for type 2 diabetes.