A BEME systematic review of the effects of interprofessional education : BEME Guide No. 39

BACKGROUND: Interprofessional education (IPE) aims to bring together different professionals to learn with, from, and about one another in order to collaborate more effectively in the delivery of safe, high-quality care for patients/clients. Given its potential for improving collaboration and care delivery, there have been repeated calls for the wider-scale implementation of IPE across education and clinical settings. Increasingly, a range of IPE initiatives are being implemented and evaluated which are adding to the growth of evidence for this form of education. AIM: The overall aim of this review is to update a previous BEME review published in 2007. In doing so, this update sought to synthesize the evolving nature of the IPE evidence. METHODS: Medline, CINAHL, BEI, and ASSIA were searched from May 2005 to June 2014. Also, journal hand searches were undertaken. All potential abstracts and papers were screened by pairs of reviewers to determine inclusion. All included papers were assessed for methodological quality and those deemed as "high quality" were included. The presage-process-product (3P) model and a modified Kirkpatrick model were employed to analyze and synthesize the included studies. RESULTS: Twenty-five new IPE studies were included in this update. These studies were added to the 21 studies from the previous review to form a complete data set of 46 high-quality IPE studies. In relation to the 3P model, overall the updated review found that most of the presage and process factors identified from the previous review were further supported in the newer studies. In regard to the products (outcomes) reported, the results from this review continue to show far more positive than neutral or mixed outcomes reported in the included studies. Based on the modified Kirkpatrick model, the included studies suggest that learners respond well to IPE, their attitudes and perceptions of one another improve, and they report increases in collaborative knowledge and skills. There is more limited, but growing, evidence related to changes in behavior, organizational practice, and benefits to patients/clients. CONCLUSIONS: This updated review found that key context (presage) and process factors reported in the previous review continue to have resonance on the delivery of IPE. In addition, the newer studies have provided further evidence for the effects on IPE related to a number of different outcomes. Based on these conclusions, a series of key implications for the development of IPE are offered

Exploring consumer understanding and preferences for pharmacy quality information

Objective: To describe consumer understanding of pharmacy quality measures and consumer preferences for pharmacy quality information.Methods: Semi-structured focus group design was combined with survey methods. Adults who filled prescription medications for self-reported chronic illnesses at community pharmacies discussed their understanding of Pharmacy Quality Alliance approved quality measures. Questions examined preference of pharmacy quality information rating systems (e.g. stars versus percentages) and desired data display/formats. During the focus group, participants completed a survey examining their understanding of each pharmacy quality measure. All focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics.Results: Thirty-four individuals participated (mean age= 62.85; SD=16.05). Participants were unfamiliar with quality measures information and their level of understanding differed for each quality measure. Surveys indicated 94.1% understood “Drug-Drug Interactions” and “Helping Patients Get Needed Medications” better than other measures (e.g., 76.5% understood “Suboptimal Treatment of Hypertension in Patients with Diabetes”). Qualitative analysis indicated participants preferred an overall pharmacy rating for quick access and use. However, participants also wanted quality measures information displayed by health conditions. Participants favored comparison of their pharmacy to city data instead of state data. Most participants liked star ratings better than percentages, letter grades, or numerical ratings.Conclusions: Individuals who have a chronic illness and regularly use community pharmacies are interested in pharmacy quality measures. However, specific quality measures were not understood by some participants. Participants had specific preferences for the display of pharmacy quality information which will be helpful in the design of appropriate quality report systems

A qualitative inquiry into the patient-related barriers to linkage and retention in HIV care within the community setting

Background: People with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PWH) experience barriers to care within the community that impedes their progress from when they discover that they are HIV positive to becoming virally suppressed. For individuals with HIV to achieve sustained viral suppression, they must be linked to care to start receiving anti-retroviral therapy and remain retained in care for continuous treatment. However, HIV surveillance data shows that many PWH are not linked to care and become lost to continuous follow-up care. Although pharmacists, PWH, and social workers interact with one another and are aware of their roles in HIV care, their perspectives on barriers to linkage and retention in care have not been investigated collectively. Objectives: Explore the perspectives of PWH, pharmacists, and social workers on barriers to linkage and retention of HIV care within the community setting. Methods: Convenience sampling was used to recruit 15 stakeholders (five PWH, five community pharmacists, and five social workers) who participated in 1-h, semi-structured interviews based on three domains of the Patient-centered Medical Home Model including (1) experiences (individual and system-level barriers to care experienced by PWH), (2) activities (social workers and pharmacists initiatives that impact adherence to care)and (3) interventions (critical issues pharmacists can address in the community to engage PWH in their HIV care). We conducted a directed content analysis based on deductive coding. To establish rigor, we focused on Lincoln and Guba's criteria of rigorous qualitative methodology: credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability. Similarities and divergences of themes were discussed during data analysis and agreement was reached before interpretation. Results: Emergent themes uncovered barriers to linkage and retention in HIV care as HIV-related stigma, having mental health illnesses including a history of substance abuse and social determinants of health such as homelessness, food insecurity, and insurance issues. Conclusion: The perspectives of pharmacists, social workers, and PWH can provide insight into barriers that should be identified and addressed in people living with HIV to enhance their linkage and retention in care

Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Mixed Methods Feasibility Trial of a Culturally Adapted Peer Support and Self-Management Intervention for African Americans

Background: Due to diabetes disparities commonly seen among African Americans, it is important to address psychosocial and sociocultural barriers to medication adherence among African Americans with diabetes. Building on our prior work testing a culturally adapted peer supported diabetes self-management intervention for African Americans, this study will conduct a pilot randomized controlled feasibility trial that compares the culturally adapted intervention with a standard diabetes self-management program. Methods: Using an intervention mixed-methods design, the six-month trial will be conducted at two sites. Twenty-four African Americans with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes will be randomized to the intervention or control arm. Feasibility and acceptability outcomes in four domains (recruitment, intervention acceptability, intervention adherence, retention) will be collected. Primary clinical outcome (A1C), secondary outcome (medication adherence) and patient-specific psychosocial measures will be collected at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months. Document review, interview and focus groups will be used to gather qualitative data on feasibility and acceptability. Results: Expected results are that the trial protocol will be feasible to implement and acceptable for participants, and there will be a signal of clinically meaningful reduction in A1C and improvements in medication adherence. Conclusions: The results of this trial will inform a future powered large-scale randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of the culturally tailored intervention

Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Mixed Methods Feasibility Trial of a Culturally Adapted Peer Support and Self-Management Intervention for African Americans

Background: Due to diabetes disparities commonly seen among African Americans, it is important to address psychosocial and sociocultural barriers to medication adherence among African Americans with diabetes. Building on our prior work testing a culturally adapted peer supported diabetes self-management intervention for African Americans, this study will conduct a pilot randomized controlled feasibility trial that compares the culturally adapted intervention with a standard diabetes self-management program. Methods: Using an intervention mixed-methods design, the six-month trial will be conducted at two sites. Twenty-four African Americans with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes will be randomized to the intervention or control arm. Feasibility and acceptability outcomes in four domains (recruitment, intervention acceptability, intervention adherence, retention) will be collected. Primary clinical outcome (A1C), secondary outcome (medication adherence) and patient-specific psychosocial measures will be collected at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months. Document review, interview and focus groups will be used to gather qualitative data on feasibility and acceptability. Results: Expected results are that the trial protocol will be feasible to implement and acceptable for participants, and there will be a signal of clinically meaningful reduction in A1C and improvements in medication adherence. Conclusions: The results of this trial will inform a future powered large-scale randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of the culturally tailored intervention

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Pruritus Treated with Plasmapheresis

Evidence regarding the efficacy of plasmapheresis for pruritus due to hepatobiliary disease is sparse. The mechanism of pruritus in this context is poorly understood. Some candidates for the offending agents are bile salts and histamine. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is one such disease and appears to have an autoimmune component. The rationale for plasmapheresis for patients who are refractory to medical therapy has some plausibility because the nonspecific nature of plasmapheresis may significantly decrease one or more of the offending substances in the patient's plasma. We share our experience of a patient with pruritus due to primary sclerosing cholangitis who benefited from plasmapheresis

Risk factors of self-reported adverse drug events among Medicare enrollees before and after Medicare Part D

Objectives: Quantify risk factors for self-reported adverse drug events (ADEs) after the implementation of Medicare Part D, quantify selfreported ADEs before and after Medicare Part D and quantify the association between self-reported ADEs and increased use of prescription medication. Methods: The design was a longitudinal study including an internet survey before Medicare Part D in 2005 (n=1220) and a follow-up survey in 2007 (n=1024), with n=436 responding to both surveys. Harris Interactive® invited individuals in their online panel to participate in this study. Individuals who were 65 or older, English speakers, US residents and enrolled in Medicare were included. Data collected and used in analysis included selfreported ADE, socio-demographics, self-rated health, number of medications, symptoms experienced, concern and necessity beliefs about medicines, number of pharmacies, and whether doses were skipped or stopped to save money. Results: In 2007, reporting an ADE was related to concern beliefs, symptoms experienced and age. ADEs were experienced by 18% of respondents in 2005 and 20.4% in 2007. The average number of medications increased from 3.82 (SD=2.82) in 2005 to 4.32 (SD=3.20) in 2007 (t= -5.77, p<0.001). Among respondents who answered both surveys (n=436), 18.4% reported an ADE in 2005 while 24.3% reported an ADE in 2007. The increase in self-reported ADE was related to concern beliefs (OR=1.12, 95%CI=1.05, 1.19) and symptoms experienced (OR= 3.27, 95%CI=1.60, 6.69), not number of medications (OR=1.04, 95%CI=0.77, 1.41). Conclusion: Discussing elderly patients� beliefs about their medicines may affect their medication expectations, symptom interpretation and attributions and future medication attributions.Objetivos: Cuantificar los factores de riesgo para eventos adversos medicamentosos (ADE) autoreportados después de la implantación de Medicare Part D, cuantificar los ADE auto-reportados antes y después de Medicare Part D, y cuantificar la asociación entre ADE auto-reportados y el aumento del uso de medicamentos prescritos. Métodos: El diseño fue un estudio longitudinal incluyendo un cuestionario por internet antes de Medicare Part D en 2005 (n=1220) y una investigación de seguimiento en 2007 (n=1024), con n=436 que respondieron a los dos cuestionarios. Harris Interactive® invitó a individuos de su panel on-line a participar en este estudio. Se incluyó a individuos que tenían 65 o más 65 años, anglo-parlantes, residentes en USA y beneficiarios de Medicare. Los datos recogidos y utilizados en el análisis incluyeron los ADE autoreportados, socio-demografía, salud auto-relatada, número de medicamentos, síntomas que sufrían, preocupaciones y creencia de la necesidad de medicinas, número de farmacias, y si se saltaban dosis o abandonaban para ahorrar dinero. Resultados: En 2007, las ADE comunicadas estaban relacionadas con creencias de problemas, síntomas manifestados y la edad. Los ADE fueron padecidos por un 18% de los respondentes en 2005 y 20,4% en 2007. La media de medicamentos aumentó de 3,82 (SD=2,82) en 2005 a 4,32 (SD=3,20) en 2007 (t= -5.77, p<0.001). Entre los respondentes que contestaron los dos cuestionarios (n=436), el 18,4% comunicó un ADE en 2005 mientras que el 24,3% comunicó un ADE en 2007. El aumento de ADE auto-reportados estaba relacionado con las creencias de problemas (OR=1.12, 95%CI=1.05, 1.19) y los síntomas manifestados (OR= 3.27, 95%CI=1.60, 6.69), pero no con el número de medicamentos (OR=1.04, 95%CI=0.77, 1.41). Conclusión: Discutir con los ancianos sus creencias sobre medicamentos puede afectar sus expectativas sobre su medicación, interpretación y atribuciones de síntomas, y futuras atribuciones de medicación