Suchergebnisse

OBJECTIVE: Understanding whether states' breast density notifications are associated with desired effects, or disparities, can inform federal policy. We examined self-reported receipt of personal breast density information, breast density discussions with providers, knowledge about density's masking effect and association with increased breast cancer risk by state legislation status and women's sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational population-based telephone survey of women age >40 who underwent mammography within prior 2 years, had no history of breast cancer and had heard the term 'breast density'. RESULTS: Among 2,306 women, 57% received personal breast density information. Multivariate regression models adjusted for covariates indicated that women in notification states were 1.5 times more likely to receive density information while older, lower income, lower literacy, Black and Asian women were less likely. Overall, only 39% of women discussed density with providers; women in notification states were 1.75 times as likely. Older and Asian women were less likely to have spoken with providers; women with high literacy or prior biopsy were more likely. State legislation status was not associated with differences in density knowledge, but Hispanic, lower income, or low health literacy women had less knowledge regarding density's masking effects; older women were more knowledgeable. Lower income, Hispanic, or low health literacy women were more likely, and middle aged women less likely, to recognize increased breast cancer risk. DISCUSSION: Some positive effects were observed, but sociodemographic disparities suggest tailoring of future breast density communications for specific populations of women to ensure equitable understanding.

Background: Dense breasts on mammography independently increases breast cancer risk and decreases mammography sensitivity. Thirty-two states have adopted notification laws to raise awareness among women with dense breasts about supplemental screening. Little is known about these policies' impact on clinical practice among primary care providers (PCPs). Materials and Methods: This study explores PCP attitudes, knowledge, and the impact of the Massachusetts dense breast notification legislation on clinical practice after its enactment in 2015. An anonymous, online survey at two urban safety-net hospitals was administered in 2015–2016. Practicing MDs and nurse practitioners in primary care were invited to participate. Results: All 145 PCPs in general internal medicine at the two sites were e-mailed a survey link and 80 (55%) were completed. While 64 of 80 PCPs surveyed (80%) had some familiarity with the legislation, none identified the 8 required components of notifications contained in the Massachusetts legislation. Forty-nine percent (39/80) did not feel prepared to respond to patient questions about dense breasts. Forty-one percent (33/80) correctly identified that no current guidelines recommend the use of supplemental screening tests solely based on breast density and 85% (68/80) indicated interest in further training. Female and less experienced providers were more likely to be in favor of the legislation (49% vs. 11% by gender; 76% 20 years). Women practitioners (55%) who were more likely than men (17%, p = 0.01) to agree with the policy changed their discussions of mammography results with patients. Conclusions: PCPs feel underprepared to counsel women about breast density identified on mammography and its implications.

BACKGROUND: Patients' life contexts are increasingly recognized as important, as evidenced by growing attention to the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). This attention may be particularly valuable for patients with complex needs, like those with HIV, who are more likely to experience age-related comorbidities, mental health or substance use issues. Understanding patient perceptions of their life context can advance SDoH approaches. OBJECTIVES: We sought to understand how aging patients with HIV think about their life context and explored if and how their reported context was documented in their electronic medical records (EMRs). DESIGN: We combined life story interviews and EMR data to understand the health-related daily life experiences of patients with HIV. Patients over 50 were recruited from two US Department of Veterans Affairs HIV clinics. Narrative analysis was used to organize data by life events and health-related metrics. KEY RESULTS: EMRs of 15 participants documented an average of 19 diagnoses and 10 medications but generally failed to include social contexts salient to patients. In interviews, HIV was discussed primarily in response to direct interviewer questions. Instead, participants raised past trauma, current social engagement, and concern about future health with varying salience. This led us to organize the narratives temporally according to past-, present-, or future-orientation. "Past-focused" narratives dwelled on unresolved experiences with social institutions like the school system, military or marriage. "Present-focused" narratives emphasized daily life challenges, like social isolation. "Future-focused" narratives were dominated by concerns that aging would limit activities. CONCLUSIONS: A temporally informed understanding of patients' life circumstances that are the foundation of their individualized SDoH could better focus care plans by addressing contextual concerns salient to patients. Trust-building may be a critical first step in caring for past-focused patients. Present-focused patients may benefit from support groups. Future-focused patients may desire discussing long term care options.

The Centers for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (CCORs) held a meeting to review how cardiovascular outcomes research had evolved in the decade since the NHLBI 2004 working group report and to consider future directions. The conference involved representatives from governmental agencies, outcomes research thought leaders, and public and private healthcare partners. The main purposes of this meeting were to: 1) advance collaborative high-yield, high impact outcomes research; 2) identify priorities and barriers to important cardiovascular outcomes research; and 3) define future needs for the field. This report highlights key topics covered during the meeting, including an examination of the recent history of outcomes research, an evaluation of the current academic climate, and a vision for the future of cardiovascular outcomes research.

<p><strong>Background</strong>. Poor blood pressure (BP) control and racial disparities therein may be a function of clinical inertia and ineffective communication about BP care.</p><p><strong>Methods. </strong>We compared two different interventions (electronic medical record reminder for BP care (Reminder only [RO]), and clinician training on BP care-related communication skills plus the reminder (Reminder + Training, [R+T]) with usual care in three primary care clinics, examining BP outcomes among 8,866 patients, and provider-patient communication and medication adherence among a subsample of 793.</p><p><strong>Results. </strong>Clinician counseling improved most at R+T. BP improved overall; R+T had a small but significantly greater reduction in diastolic BP (DBP; -1.7 mm Hg). White patients at RO experienced greater overall improvements in BP control. Site and race disparities trends suggested that disparities decreased at R+T, either stayed the same or decreased at Control; and stayed the same or increased at RO. </p><p><strong>Conclusions. </strong>More substantial or racial/ethnically tailored interventions are needed. Ethn Dis. 2016;26(1):27-36; doi: 10.18865/ed.26.1.27</p>

Objectives: Despite numerous interven­tions to address adherence to antihyperten­sive medications, continued high rates of uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) suggest a need to better understand patient factors beyond adherence associated with BP con­trol. We examined how patients' BP-related beliefs, and aspects of life context affect BP control, beyond medication adherence.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey of primary care patients with hypertension between 2010 and 2011 (N=103; 93 had complete data on all variables and were included in the regression analyses). We assessed patient so­ciodemographics (including race/ethnicity), medication adherence, BP-related beliefs, aspects of life context, and used clinical BP assessments.Results: Regression models including sociodemographics, medication adherence, and either beliefs or context consistently predicted BP control. Adding context after beliefs added no predictive value while adding beliefs after context significantly predicted BP control.Conclusion: Including patients' BP beliefs after context had the strongest effects on BP control.Practice Implications: Results suggest that when clinicians must choose a dimen­sion on which to intervene, focusing on beliefs would be the most fruitful approach to effecting change in BP control.Ethn Dis. 2019;29(4):567-576; doi:10.18865/ ed.29.4.567