Optimising health literacy and access of service provision to community dwelling older people with diabetes receiving home nursing support

Background. Health literacy is the ability to access, understand, and use information and services for good health. Among people with chronic conditions, health literacy requirements for effective self-management are high. The Optimising Health Literacy and Access (Ophelia) study engaged diverse organisations in the codesign of interventions involving the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) needs assessment, followed by development and evaluation of interventions addressing identified needs. This study reports the process and outcomes of one of the nine organisations, the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS). Methods. Participants were home nursing clients with diabetes. The intervention included tailored diabetes self-management education according to preferred learning style, a standardised diabetes education tool, resources, and teach-back method. Results. Needs analysis of 113 quota-sampled clients showed difficulties managing health and finding and appraising health information. The service-wide diabetes education intervention was applied to 24 clients. The intervention was well received by clients and nurses. Positive impacts on clients\u27 diabetes knowledge and behaviour were seen and nurses reported clear benefits to their practice. Conclusion. A structured method that supports healthcare services to codesign interventions that respond to the health literacy needs of their clients can lead to evidence-informed, sustainable practice changes that support clients to better understand effective diabetes self-management

Evaluating barriers to uptake of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) in advanced cancer patients (pts)

Background: Despite increasing evidence of benefit supporting CGP in personalizing cancer therapy, its widespread uptake remains limited. Barriers include low patient understanding, unmet patient expectations related to low utility, clinician concerns over cost-effectiveness, perceived value, and discomfort in management of complex genomic results. Methods: This prospective cross-institutional demonstration study was designed to evaluate implementation of CGP in the care of adult and paediatric advanced cancer pts, incorporating pt reported outcomes (PROMs), discrete choice experiment (DCE), ongoing process optimization and clinician evaluations. DNA sequencing of FFPE tumor and matched blood was completed with CGP (PMCC Comprehensive Cancer Panel; 391 genes) via central laboratory. A tumor board reported results weekly with emphasis on therapeutic relevance. Oncologists performed consent and results delivery. Pts completed pre-and post-test surveys, including validated and study-specific questions, DCE and if eligible, semi-structured interviews. Qualitative interviews were undertaken with study clinicians and laboratory staff to evaluate processes. Results: 86% (315) of 365 enrolled pts had successful CGP; of these 63% (199) had relevant therapeutic, diagnostic or germline results. 50 (16%) had treatment change at 6m, 49 (16%) had germline mutations. 293 (88% of adult pts) completed PROMs. 17 of 19 clinicians/laboratory staff approached consented to an interview. At consent pts cited multifaceted value in testing, showed good understanding of basic concepts, but most (69%) overestimated the likelihood of result-led change. Post-test pts remained consistently satisfied with accessing CGP; valuing research contribution, taking opportunities and information for family. 21% struggled with understanding results but there were low levels of decisional regret following participation (89% had nil/mild regret). Pt-elicited preferences (via DCE) indicated priority for high rates of clinical utility and timeliness. Clinicians sited collaboration and communication as critical to delivery of CGP. Conclusions: Pts undergoing CGP are generally satisfied, and derive value on its use beyond potential therapeutic benefit. Our results suggest that to improve test utility and delivery of CGP with value to pts and investing institution, focus must be placed on addressing the additional barriers to its wider implications including efforts to improve process efficiencies, clinician genomic literacy and decision-making support