Dawn M. Finnie

A two-county comparison of the HOUSES index on predicting self-rated health

Background Mortality, incidence of most diseases, and prevalence of adverse health behaviours follow an inverse gradient with social class. Many proxies for socioeconomic status (SES) exist; however, each bears a different relation to health outcomes, probably following a different aetiological pathway. Additionally, data on SES can be quite difficult to gather. Five measures of SES were compared, including a novel measure, the HOUSES index, in the prediction of self-rated health (SRH) in two Midwestern settings, Olmsted County, Minnesota, and Jackson County, Missouri. Methods Using a probability sampling design, a cross-sectional telephone survey was administered to a randomised sample of households. The questionnaire collected a variety of sociodemographic and personal health information. The dependent variable, SRH, was dichotomised into excellent/very good/good versus fair/poor health. Information for the HOUSES index was collected through public property records and corroborated through the telephone questionnaire. Participants were parents/guardians of children aged 1–17 residing in Olmsted County (n=746) and Jackson County (n=704). Results The HOUSES index was associated with adverse SRH in Jackson County adults. All five SES measures were significant predictors in this group. Composite SES indices showed significant associations with SRH in Olmsted County adults. Conclusions The HOUSES index makes a unique contribution to the measurement of SES and prediction of health outcomes. Its utility is qualified by specific social contexts, and it should be used in concert with other SES indices.

Effect of multiple chronic diseases on health care expenditures in childhood.

Objectives: To examine multiple chronic conditions and related health care expenditures in children. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all dependents of Mayo Clinic employees aged 0-17 on Jan 1, 2004 with continuous health benefits coverage for 4 years (N=14,727). Chronic conditions, health care utilization, and associated expenditures were obtained from medical and pharmacy claims. Results: The most prevalent chronic conditions were asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (12%), allergic rhinitis (11%), and behavior problems (9%). The most costly conditions were congenital anomalies, asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and behavior problems (

Application of a novel socioeconomic measure using individual housing data in asthma research: an exploratory study.

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Impact of childhood psoriasis on parents of affected children

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Implementation of a new prenatal care model to reduce office visits and increase connectivity and continuity of care: protocol for a mixed-methods study

5378 annual cost per child, respectively). Annual health care expenditures increased substantially with the number of chronic conditions, and a small proportion of children with multiple chronic conditions accounted for a large proportion of health care costs. In addition, those with multiple chronic conditions were more likely to persist in the top 10th percentile spender group in year-to-year spending. Conclusion: Children with multiple chronic conditions accounted for a large proportion of health care expenditures. These children were also likely to persist as high spenders in the 4-year time frame. Further research into effective ways to manage the health care delivery for children with multiple chronic conditions is needed.

Short-term and long-term effectiveness of a post-hospital care transitions program in an older, medically complex population

Background:A housing-based socioeconomic index (HOUSES) was previously developed to overcome an absence of socioeconomic status (SES) measures in common databases. HOUSES is associated with child health outcomes in Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA, but generalisability to other geographic areas is unclear.Aim:To assess whether HOUSES is associated with asthma outcomes outside Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA.Methods:Using a random sample of children with asthma from Sanford Children’s Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD, USA, asthma status was determined. The primary outcome was asthma control status using Asthma Control Test and a secondary outcome was risk of persistent asthma. Home address information and property data were merged to formulate HOUSES. Other SES measures were examined: income, parental education (PE), Hollingshead and Nakao–Treas index.Results:Of a random sample of 200 children, 80 (40%) participated in the study. Of those, 13% had poorly controlled asthma. Addresses of 94% were matched with property data. HOUSES had moderate–good correlation with other SES measures except PE. Poor asthma control rates were 31.6%, 4.8% and 5.6% for patients in the lowest, intermediate and highest tertiles of HOUSES, respectively (P=0.023). HOUSES as a continuous variable was inversely associated with poorly controlled asthma (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=0.21 per 1 unit increase of HOUSES, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.05–0.89, P=0.035). HOUSES as a continuous variable was inversely related to risk of persistent asthma (OR: 0.36 per 1 unit increase of HOUSES, 95% CI, 0.12–1.04, P=0.06).Conclusions:HOUSES appears to be generalisable and available as a measure of SES in asthma research in the absence of conventional SES measures.

Health Care Providers Style May Impact Acceptance of Telemonitoring

Background: Childhood diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, have a negative impact on quality of life (QoL) of parents. How pediatric psoriasis affects a parents QoL is unknown. Objective: To explore the impact of childhood psoriasis on the lives of the parents. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 31 parents of children with psoriasis. Narrative data were analyzed and a conceptual framework of the effects of childhood psoriasis on parents was developed. Results: All parents reported that their childs psoriasis caused a substantial, negative impact on their own QoL. A conceptual framework showed a negative impact on health and self‐care, emotional well‐being, family and social function, personal well‐being, and life pursuits. Emotional well‐being was the most affected domain. Limitations: It was not possible to correlate psoriasis severity with parental QoL. Conclusion: Childhood psoriasis alters the QoL of parents in multiple ways. Information from this study can be used to develop a QoL instrument to explore treatment and support strategies for families affected by pediatric psoriasis.

Patient quality of life in the mayo clinic care transitions program: A survey study

BackgroundMost low-risk pregnant women receive the standard model of prenatal care with frequent office visits. Research suggests that a reduced schedule of visits among low-risk women could be implemented without increasing adverse maternal or fetal outcomes, but patient satisfaction with these models varies. We aim to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of a new prenatal care model (OB Nest) that enhances a reduced visit model by adding virtual connections that improve continuity of care and patient-directed access to care.Methods and designThis mixed-methods study uses a hybrid effectiveness-implementation design in a single center randomized controlled trial (RCT). Embedding process evaluation in an experimental design like an RCT allows researchers to answer both “Did it work?” and “How or why did it work (or not work)?” when studying complex interventions, as well as providing knowledge for translation into practice after the study. The RE-AIM framework was used to ensure attention to evaluating program components in terms of sustainable adoption and implementation.Low-risk patients recruited from the Obstetrics Division at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) will be randomized to OB Nest or usual care. OB Nest patients will be assigned to a dedicated nursing team, scheduled for 8 pre-planned office visits with a physician or midwife and 6 telephone or online nurse visits (compared to 12 pre-planned physician or midwife office visits in the usual care group), and provided fetal heart rate and blood pressure home monitoring equipment and information on joining an online care community.Quantitative methods will include patient surveys and medical record abstraction. The primary quantitative outcome is patient-reported satisfaction. Other outcomes include fidelity to items on the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists standards of care list, health care utilization (e.g. numbers of antenatal office visits), and maternal and fetal outcomes (e.g. gestational age at delivery), as well as validated patient-reported measures of pregnancy-related stress and perceived quality of care. Quantitative analysis will be performed according to the intention to treat principle. Qualitative methods will include interviews and focus groups with providers, staff, and patients, and will explore satisfaction, intervention adoption, and implementation feasibility. We will use methods of qualitative thematic analysis at three stages. Mixed methods analysis will involve the use of qualitative data to lend insight to quantitative findings.DiscussionThis study will make important contributions to the literature on reduced visit models by evaluating a novel prenatal care model with components to increase patient connectedness (even with fewer pre-scheduled office visits), as demonstrated on a range of patient-important outcomes. The use of a hybrid effectiveness-implementation approach, as well as attention to patient and provider perspectives on program components and implementation, may uncover important information that can inform long-term feasibility and potentially speed future translation.Trial registrationTrial registration identifier: NCT02082275Submitted: March 6, 2014

A qualitative study of traditional healing practices among American Indians with chronic pain

BACKGROUND Care transition programs can potentially reduce 30 day readmission; however, the effect on long-term hospital readmissions is still unclear. OBJECTIVE We compared short-term (30 day) and long-term (180 day) utilization of participants enrolled in care transitions versus those matched referents eligible but not enrolled. DESIGN This cohort study was conducted from January 1, 2011 until June 30, 2013 within a primary care academic practice. PARTICIPANTS Patients at high risk for hospital readmission based on age and comorbid health conditions had participated in care transitions group (cases) or usual care (referent). MAIN MEASURES The primary outcomes were 30, 90, and 180 day hospital readmissions.. Secondary outcomes included: mortality; emergency room visits and days; combined rehospitalizations and emergency room visits; and total intensive care unit days. Cox proportional hazard models using propensity score matching were used to assess rehospitalization, emergency room visits and mortality. Poisson regression models were used to compare the numbers of hospital days. KEY RESULTS Compared to referent (n=365), Mayo Clinic Care Transitions patients exhibited a lower 30 day rehospitalization rate compared to referent; 12.4% (95% CI 8.9-15.7) versus 20.1% (95% CI 15.8-24.1%), respectively (P=0.002). At 180-days, there was no difference in rehospitalization between transitions and referent; 39.9% (95% CI 34.6-44.9%) versus 44.8% (95% CI 39.4-49.8%), (P=0.07). CONCLUSION We observed a reduction in 30 day rehospitalization rates among those enrolled in care transitions compared to referent. However, this effect was not sustained at 180 days. More work is needed to identify how the intervention can be sustained beyond 30 days.

Surgeons’ Perspectives on User-Designed Prototypes of Microsurgery Armrests

Health care provider’s acceptance of telemonitoring is pivotal for implementation. The aim of this study was to determine provider’s feelings about telemonitoring using a qualitative method. In regard to method, we interviewed physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses to explore their attitudes toward telemonitoring. Thematic and content analysis strategies were used to identify core concepts and develop categories for coding interview data. Results reveal that providers view telemonitoring as most appropriate for specific types of patients, especially older patients with chronic medical conditions. Telemonitoring offers reassurance to patients and providers. Some providers expressed concerns about excessive information that at times may not be clinically useful. In conclusion, home telemonitoring provides reassurance to patients and health care providers. Taking provider preferences into consideration when implementing telemonitoring may improve provider acceptance of this form of care.