Interdisciplinary teams in primary care: a systematic scoping review

Rapporten kan lastes ned gratis fra Folkehelseinstituttets nettsider : www.fhi.noI Stortingsmelding 26 om primærhelsetjenesten (2014-2015) foreslås det å opprette tverrfaglige team i den kommunale helse- og omsorgstjenesten. Teamarbeid er en økende benyttet arbeidsform i organiseringen av helsevesenet i mange land, men det er fortsatt mange ubesvarte spørsmål knyttet til en slik organiseringsmodell. Formålet med denne kartleggingsoversikten var å identifisere og beskrive forskningslitteratur om tverrfaglige team i primærhelsetjenesten. En kartleggingsoversikt over forskningskunnskapen viser først og fremst hva slags type forskning som er gjort. Kartleggingen kan bygges videre på for utvikling av prosjektplaner, etablering av tverrfaglige team, evalueringer av eksisterende og nye team og til bruk i den videre diskusjonen om tverrfaglige primærhelseteam i Norge.publishedVersio

Effekt av tiltak for å redusere potensielt uhensiktsmessig bruk av legemidler i sykehjem: en systematisk oversikt over randomiserte kontrollerte forsøk

Beskriver en systematisk litteraturstudie hvor hensikten var å undersøke effekt av tiltak for å redusere uhensiktsmessig legemiddelbruk i sykehjem.Bakgrunn: Studier har vist at beboere i sykehjem kan være utsatt for uhensiktsmessig medisinering, spesielt med psykofarmaka. Dette øker risikoen for uønskede bivirkninger. Oppdrag: Denne rapporten har identifisert, vurdert og sammenstilt forskning om effekten av tiltak for å redusere uhensiktsmessig bruk av legemidler i sykehjem. Rapporten ble bestilt av Helsedirektoratet i tilknytning til arbeidet med Omsorgsplan 2015. Hovedfunn: • Pedagogiske oppsøkende tiltak og undervisningstiltak gitt alene eller som del av en sammensatt pakke rettet mot helsepersonell er vist i noen sammenhenger å føre til reduksjon av antatt uhensiktsmessig legemiddelbruk. Dokumentasjonen for disse resultatene i sykehjem varierer fra svært lav til lav kvalitet. • Legemiddelgjennomgang med farmasøyt i et tverrfaglig samarbeid med sykehjemslegen og annet relevant helsepersonell er vist i noen sammenhenger å føre til reduksjon av uhensiktsmessig legemiddelbruk. Dokumentasjonen for disse resultatene varierer fra svært lav til lav kvalitet. • Bruk av geriatrisk team som ansvarlig for all medisinsk behandling av de eldre viste en statistisk signifikant effekt på forskrivning av legemidler i én studie med få deltagere og med høy risiko for systematisk skjevhet i resultatet. Dokumentasjonsgrunnlaget blir derfor av for lav kvalitet til å kunne bedømme om tiltaket kan påvirke uhensiktsmessig bruk av legemidler. • Tidlig psykiatrisk intervenering viste ingen statistisk signifikant effekt på bruk av psykofarmaka. Ettersom kvaliteten av dokumentasjonen for dette resultatet er svært lav kan vi ikke avgjøre om tiltaket påvirker bruk av legemidler. • Aktivitetstiltak til beboere gitt sammen med utdanningsmøter for helsepersonell viste ingen statistisk signifikant effekt på bruk av antipsykotika eller antall legemidler totalt. Ettersom kvaliteten av dokumentasjonen for dette resultatet er svært lav kan vi ikke avgjøre om tiltaket påvirker bruk av legemidler. • Kvaliteten av dokumentasjonsgrunnlaget er for lav til å bedømme om tiltak for å redusere antatt uhensiktsmessige legemidler påvirker helseutfall

Effekt av tiltak for å forbedre kvaliteten på helsetjenester til etniske minoriteter: en systematisk oversikt over randomiserte kontrollerte forsøk

Rapport basert på en systematisk oversikt over randomiserte kontrollerte studier av tiltak rettet mot helsepersonell eller helseorganisasjoner for å forbedre helsetjenester for etniske minoriteter.Bakgrunn: Ifølge helseforetakslovens § 1 skal alle pasienter ytes et likeverdig tilbud. Både nasjonale og internasjonale studier tyder imidlertid på at det eksisterer ulikheter i kvaliteten på helsetjenester på grunnlag av etnisitet, og at dette kan ha sin årsak i strukturelle, organisatoriske og kliniske barrierer. Oppdrag: Helse Sør-Øst RHF har gitt oss i oppdrag å innhente og kritisk vurdere tilgjengelig forskning om effekten av tiltak for å forbedre kvaliteten på helsetjenester til etniske minoriteter. Vi har i denne omgangen konsentrert oss om effekten av tiltak rettet mot helsepersonell og helseorganisasjoner. Hovedfunn: • Forskjellige former for opplæringstiltak og elektroniske påminnelser til helsepersonell kan under visse betingelser muligens ha en liten effekt på helsepersonells praksis og minoritetspasienters helseutfall. Kvaliteten varierer isolert sett fra svært lav til lav på dokumentasjonen, men funnene støttes av annen omfattende forskning om denne typen tiltak i andre sammenhenger. • Det er for lav kvalitet på tilgjengelig dokumentasjon til å avgjøre: • om bruk av fjerntolking påvirker pasientens tilfredshet med lege og tolk og fører til bedre kommunikasjon sammenlignet med tradisjonell tolking • om etnisk matching av klient og terapeut påvirker pasientens forståelse, symptomstatus og aksept og tro på nytten av terapeutiske strategier • om oppfølgings- og støttetiltak i form av økte personellressurser påvirker helseutfall hos minoritetspasienter.Helse Sør-Øst RH

Randomised controlled trial of a theoretically grounded tailored intervention to diffuse evidence-based public health practice [ISRCTN23257060]

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that Norwegian public health physicians do not systematically and explicitly use scientific evidence in their practice. They work in an environment that does not encourage the integration of this information in decision-making. In this study we investigate whether a theoretically grounded tailored intervention to diffuse evidence-based public health practice increases the physicians' use of research information. METHODS: 148 self-selected public health physicians were randomised to an intervention group (n = 73) and a control group (n = 75). The intervention group received a multifaceted intervention while the control group received a letter declaring that they had access to library services. Baseline assessments before the intervention and post-testing immediately at the end of a 1.5-year intervention period were conducted. The intervention was theoretically based and consisted of a workshop in evidence-based public health, a newsletter, access to a specially designed information service, to relevant databases, and to an electronic discussion list. The main outcome measure was behaviour as measured by the use of research in different documents. RESULTS: The intervention did not demonstrate any evidence of effects on the objective behaviour outcomes. We found, however, a statistical significant difference between the two groups for both knowledge scores: Mean difference of 0.4 (95% CI: 0.2–0.6) in the score for knowledge about EBM-resources and mean difference of 0.2 (95% CI: 0.0–0.3) in the score for conceptual knowledge of importance for critical appraisal. There were no statistical significant differences in attitude-, self-efficacy-, decision-to-adopt- or job-satisfaction scales. There were no significant differences in Cochrane library searching after controlling for baseline values and characteristics. CONCLUSION: Though demonstrating effect on knowledge the study failed to provide support for the hypothesis that a theory-based multifaceted intervention targeted at identified barriers will change professional behaviour

The potential for research-based information in public health: Identifying unrecognised information needs

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether there is a potential for greater use of research-based information in public health practice in a local setting. Secondly, if research-based information is relevant, to explore the extent to which this generates questioning behaviour. DESIGN: Qualitative study using focus group discussions, observation and interviews. SETTING: Public health practices in Norway. PARTICIPANTS: 52 public health practitioners. RESULTS: In general, the public health practitioners had a positive attitude towards research-based information, but believed that they had few cases requiring this type of information. They did say, however, that there might be a potential for greater use. During five focus groups and six observation days we identified 28 questions/cases where it would have been appropriate to seek out research evidence according to our definition. Three of the public health practitioners identified three of these 28 cases as questions for which research-based information could have been relevant. This gap is interpreted as representing unrecognised information needs. CONCLUSIONS: There is an unrealised potential in public health practice for more frequent and extensive use of research-based information. The practitioners did not appear to reflect on the need for scientific information when faced with new cases and few questions of this type were generated

Effect of interventions to reduce potentially inappropriate use of drugs in nursing homes: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

Background Studies have shown that residents in nursing homes often are exposed to inappropriate medication. Particular concern has been raised about the consumption of psychoactive drugs, which are commonly prescribed for nursing home residents suffering from dementia. This review is an update of a Norwegian systematic review commissioned by the Norwegian Directorate of Health. The purpose of the review was to identify and summarise the effect of interventions aimed at reducing potentially inappropriate use or prescribing of drugs in nursing homes. Methods We searched for systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge, DARE and HTA, with the last update in April 2010. Two of the authors independently screened titles and abstracts for inclusion or exclusion. Data on interventions, participants, comparison intervention, and outcomes were extracted from the included studies. Risk of bias and quality of evidence were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Table and GRADE, respectively. Outcomes assessed were use of or prescribing of drugs (primary) and the health-related outcomes falls, physical limitation, hospitalisation and mortality (secondary). Results Due to heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes, we employed a narrative approach. Twenty randomised controlled trials were included from 1631 evaluated references. Ten studies tested different kinds of educational interventions while seven studies tested medication reviews by pharmacists. Only one study was found for each of the interventions geriatric care teams, early psychiatric intervening or activities for the residents combined with education of health care personnel. Several reviews were identified, but these either concerned elderly in general or did not satisfy all the requirements for systematic reviews. Conclusions Interventions using educational outreach, on-site education given alone or as part of an intervention package and pharmacist medication review may under certain circumstances reduce inappropriate drug use, but the evidence is of low quality. Due to poor quality of the evidence, no conclusions may be drawn about the effect of the other three interventions on drug use, or of either intervention on health-related outcomes

Nurse-Led Medicines' Monitoring for Patients with Dementia in Care Homes: A Pragmatic Cohort Stepped Wedge Cluster Randomised Trial

People with dementia are susceptible to adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, they are not always closely monitored for potential problems relating to their medicines: structured nurse-led ADR Profiles have the potential to address this care gap. We aimed to assess the number and nature of clinical problems identified and addressed and changes in prescribing following introduction of nurse-led medicines' monitoring.Pragmatic cohort stepped-wedge cluster Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of structured nurse-led medicines' monitoring versus usual care.Five UK private sector care homes.41 service users, taking at least one antipsychotic, antidepressant or anti-epileptic medicine.Nurses completed the West Wales ADR (WWADR) Profile for Mental Health Medicines with each participant according to trial step.Problems addressed and changes in medicines prescribed.Information was collected from participants' notes before randomisation and after each of five monthly trial steps. The impact of the Profile on problems found, actions taken and reduction in mental health medicines was explored in multivariate analyses, accounting for data collection step and site.Five of 10 sites and 43 of 49 service users approached participated. Profile administration increased the number of problems addressed from a mean of 6.02 [SD 2.92] to 9.86 [4.48], effect size 3.84, 95% CI 2.57-4.11, P <0.001. For example, pain was more likely to be treated (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 3.84, 1.78-8.30), and more patients attended dentists and opticians (aOR 52.76 [11.80-235.90] and 5.12 [1.45-18.03] respectively). Profile use was associated with reduction in mental health medicines (aOR 4.45, 1.15-17.22).The WWADR Profile for Mental Health Medicines can improve the quality and safety of care, and warrants further investigation as a strategy to mitigate the known adverse effects of prescribed medicines.ISRCTN 48133332

Reducing hospital admissions from nursing homes: a systematic review

Background: The geriatric nursing home population is vulnerable to acute and deteriorating illness due to advanced age, multiple chronic illnesses and high levels of dependency. Although the detriments of hospitalising the frail and old are widely recognised, hospital admissions from nursing homes remain common. Little is known about what alternatives exist to prevent and reduce hospital admissions from this setting. The objective of this study, therefore, is to summarise the effects of interventions to reduce acute hospitalisations from nursing homes. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and ISI Web of Science in April 2013. Studies were eligible if they had a geriatric nursing home study population and were evaluating any type of intervention aiming at reducing acute hospital admission. Systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, quasi randomised controlled trials, controlled before-after studies and interrupted time series were eligible study designs. The process of selecting studies, assessing them, extracting data and grading the total evidence was done by two researchers individually, with any disagreement solved by a third. We made use of meta-analyses from included systematic reviews, the remaining synthesis is descriptive. Based on the type of intervention, the included studies were categorised in: 1) Interventions to structure and standardise clinical practice, 2) Geriatric specialist services and 3) Influenza vaccination. Results: Five systematic reviews and five primary studies were included, evaluating a total of 11 different interventions. Fewer hospital admissions were found in four out of seven evaluations of structuring and standardising clinical practice; in both evaluations of geriatric specialist services, and in influenza vaccination of residents. The quality of the evidence for all comparisons was of low or very low quality, using the GRADE approach. Conclusions: Overall, eleven interventions to reduce hospital admissions from nursing homes were identified. None of them were tested more than once and the quality of the evidence was low for every comparison. Still, several interventions had effects on reducing hospital admissions and may represent important aspects of nursing home care to reduce hospital admissions