David V. Wagner

Youth Repeatedly Hospitalized for DKA: Proof of Concept for Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare (NICH)

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the most common reason for hospitalization of youth with type 1 diabetes. The annual cost of care for youth with type 1 diabetes with and without DKA was estimated to be

Treating the Most Vulnerable and Costly in Diabetes

14,236 and

NICH at Its Best for Diabetes at Its Worst: Texting Teens and Their Caregivers for Better Outcomes:

8,398, respectively (1). There appears to be a subgroup of youth with type 1 diabetes that encounters many psychosocial challenges that put them at risk for repeated hospitalizations for DKA. With intervention, these DKA-related hospitalizations may be avoidable. Thus, consistent with the triple aim of health care reform (i.e., reducing costs, improving health, and improving care) (2), Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare (NICH) was developed to address the triple aim in youth with type 1 diabetes (3). NICH is theoretically grounded in Urie Bronfenbrenner’s (4) social ecological …

Videoconferencing for Teens With Diabetes Family Matters

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is associated with negative health outcomes and high costs for patients, families, and communities. Interventions developed to effectively reduce DKA and related costs should target the multiple risk factors associated with DKA and adherence difficulties. Certain demographic, psychological, and family factors are associated with increased risk for adherence problems and DKA. Individuals with a combination of risk factors (e.g., mental health problems, low socioeconomic status, high family conflict) may be particularly vulnerable to DKA. Although several different interventions have demonstrated promise in improving adherence and/or decreasing the risk of DKA, the generalizability of treatment results to those individuals most vulnerable to DKA is limited. Approaches which include multiple evidence-based components of care, are flexible in treatment delivery (e.g., home- and community-based, utilize technology), and target the multiple risk factors across relevant systems (e.g., individual, family, school, medical) are warranted to effectively reduce DKA in vulnerable populations.

Distal technologies and type 1 diabetes management

Background: There is growing evidence for the feasibility of text-based interventions for pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, less is known regarding whether the use of personalized text messages with high-risk youth and their caregivers is associated with improvements in youth health. This study examines the use of diabetes-specific texts and associated health outcomes for participants of the Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare (NICH) program. Methods: Text messages sent to youth with T1D and their caregivers during NICH intervention were coded regarding diabetes relevance and adherence-related content. Health outcome data (eg, HbA1c values, hospital admissions) prior to and following NICH program enrollment were collected. Results: Fewer than half (43%) of texts sent to patients and their caregivers were identified as being related to diabetes, and over 95% of diabetes-related texts were identified as adherence-related. Participants in the NICH program demonstrated a significant decrease in HbA1c values, t(23) = 2.78, p ≤ .05, and DKA-related hospital visits, t(24) = 2.78, p ≤ .01, during program involvement. Although no relationships were identified between patient-recipient text characteristics and health outcomes, the frequency and type of text messaging with caregivers was significantly associated with changes in health outcomes. Conclusions: This study represents the most extensive evaluation of diabetes-related SMS use and health outcomes for NICH participants to date. Findings demonstrate improvements in patient health during NICH program involvement. Implications include that sending frequent, personalized, and adherence-reinforcing texts to patients’ caregivers may result in improved patient health, decreased utilization, and, potentially, associated reductions in health care costs.

Texting Adolescents in Repeat DKA and Their Caregivers

Background: Adolescence is a developmental period associated with increased difficulty managing diabetes. During adolescence family functioning, including miscarried helping, family conflict, and acceptance of illness, is an important predictor of adherence to treatment recommendations. Multiple barriers exist to receiving behavioral health interventions to address suboptimal adherence. We hypothesized that behavioral family systems therapy–diabetes (BFST-D) delivered via telehealth would yield changes in family functioning that were not significantly different than changes in clinic-based treatment. Furthermore, that BFST-D would significantly improve overall family functioning. Methods: Ninety adolescent participants and their parents were randomized to receive BFST-D via telehealth or traditional (Clinic) treatment conditions. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to assess changes in mean scores across pre, post, and follow-up assessments. Mediation analyses were conducted using methods outlined by Sobel and were confirmed by bootstrapping. Results: Changes in miscarried helping, family conflict and adjustment to illness were not significantly different across groups. Overall, clinically significant improvements were identified in youth- and parent-reported miscarried helping, family conflict, and acceptance of illness. Reductions in family conflict mediated the relationship between changes in miscarried helping and acceptance of illness. In addition, improvements in family functioning were associated with changes in adherence and glycemic control. Conclusions: Results provide strong support for BFST-D (and similar interventions) delivered via telehealth as yielding outcomes no different than clinic-based treatment. In addition, further support was provided for the effectiveness of BFST-D.

Partnering with Insurers in Caring for the Most Vulnerable Youth with Diabetes: NICH as an Integrator

Type 1 diabetes requires intensive self-management to avoid acute and long-term health complications. In the past two decades, substantial advances in technology have enabled more effective and convenient self-management of type 1 diabetes. Although proximal technologies (eg, insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors, closed-loop and artificial pancreas systems) have been the subject of frequent systematic and narrative reviews, distal technologies have received scant attention. Distal technologies refer to electronic systems designed to provide a service remotely and include heterogeneous systems such as telehealth, mobile health applications, game-based support, social platforms, and patient portals. In this Review, we summarise the empirical literature to provide current information about the effectiveness of available distal technologies to improve type 1 diabetes management. We also discuss privacy, ethics, and regulatory considerations, issues of global adoption, knowledge gaps in distal technology, and recommendations for future directions.

Single (Aim)-minded strategies for demonstrating value to payers for youth with medical complexity

Background: Text message interventions are feasible, preferable, and sometimes effective for youth with diabetes. However, few, if any studies, have examined the personalized use of text messages with youth repeatedly hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and their caregivers. This study characterizes the use of personalized text messages in Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare (NICH). Methods: Approximately 2 months of text messages sent to youth with repeat DKA and their caregivers were logged regarding the following text characteristics: (1) content, (2) intervention type, (3) timing, and (4) recipient characteristics. Results: NICH interventionists sent 2.3 and 1.5 texts per day to patients and caregivers, respectively. Approximately 59% of outgoing texts occurred outside of typical business hours, and roughly 68% of texts contained some form of support and/or encouragement. The relation between type of intended intervention and day/time of text was significant, χ2(2, N = 5,808) = 266.93, P < .001. Interventionists were more likely to send behavioral intervention text messages outside of business hours, whereas they were more likely to send care coordination and case management text messages during business hours. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to specifically categorize and describe the personalized use of text messages with youth repeatedly hospitalized for DKA and their caregivers. Findings indicate that a promising treatment program for these youth frequently used text interventions to deliver praise and encouragement to patients and caregivers alike, often outside of typical business hours, and tailored text content based on patient and caregiver characteristics.

Novel Interventions in Children's Health Care (NICH): Innovative treatment for youth with complex medical conditions

Purpose of reviewIn this review, we outline barriers to appropriately caring for high-risk youth with diabetes and discuss efforts in partnering with insurers through Alternative Payment Models to achieve the Triple Aim (improved health, improved care, and reduced costs) for this population.Recent findingsCurrent approaches in caring for youth with diabetes who evidence a high degree of social complexity are woefully ineffective. These youth are vulnerable to repeat diabetic ketoacidosis episodes, poor glycemic control, and excessive utilization of healthcare resources. To effectively pursue the Triple Aim, an “integrator” (i.e., an entity that accepts responsibility for all components of the Triple Aim for a specified population) must be identified; however, this does not fit into current fee-for-service models.SummaryIntegrators for youth with diabetes are limited, but early examples of integrator efforts are promising. We present one successful “integrator,” Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare (NICH), and detail this program’s efforts in partnering with insurers to serve high-risk youth with diabetes.

Novel Interventions in Children's Healthcare for Youth Hospitalized for Chronic Pain.

In the current financial climate, health care institutions and providers experience substantial challenges in achieving the Triple Aim in health care reform (i.e., reducing costs, improving health, improving care). The present study describes the successes and challenges of garnering payment for a population health program, Novel Interventions in Children’s Health care (NICH), for youth with both medical and social vulnerability. Using 4 real patient scenarios, this study provides examples of how to use economic data to demonstrate program value to key stakeholders (i.e., insurance providers, hospital administrators) and obtain authorization and payment for services. Health care utilization and cost data were retrieved through retrospective review of patient medical records and hospital financial records. NICH utilized distinct strategies to overcome systemic barriers, demonstrate value, and show need for intervention to key stakeholders. Strategies included highlighting patients’: (a) history of utilization, (b) accumulated medical expenditures, (c) projected costs for anticipated procedures, and (d) social risk linked to poor health and high utilization. We describe each effort using real patient scenarios that feature varied medical conditions including Type 1 diabetes, chronic pain, and failure-to-thrive. Economic data can be a useful tool in garnering support for behavioral health interventions. And while these data offer programs like NICH the opportunity to make the case for investing in an alternative intervention, the strategies utilized by NICH to advocate for services can be applied by pediatric psychologists working with youth with medical complexity and social vulnerability.