Mei Po Yip

Promoting Culturally Appropriate Colorectal Cancer Screening Through a Health Educator A Randomized Controlled Trial

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality in the US. Surveys reveal low CRC screening levels among Asians in the US, including Chinese Americans.

Medicaid Coverage Expansion and Implications for Cancer Disparities

OBJECTIVES We estimated the impact on cancer disparities in US states that have chosen or not chosen to expand Medicaid since passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. METHODS Data came from the 2013 Uniform Data System for colorectal and cervical cancer screening rates among patients of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs); the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer screening rates; and the US Cancer Statistics (2007-2011) for colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs). Dyads of Medicaid expansion decisions with cancer screening rates and MIRs were mapped using ArcMap. RESULTS States that had not expanded Medicaid as of September 2014 had lower cancer screening rates, especially among FQHC patients. Overall, cancer MIRs were not significantly different by Medicaid expansion status. However, Southeastern states without Medicaid expansion tended to have higher cancer MIRs and lower screening rates. CONCLUSIONS Disparities in cancer screening that already disfavor states with high cancer rates may widen in states that have not chosen to expand Medicaid unless significant efforts are mounted to ensure their residents obtain preventive health care.

Changes to DA-CPR instructions: can we reduce time to first compression and improve quality of bystander CPR?

INTRODUCTION Dispatcher-assisted CPR (DA-CPR) can increase rates of bystander CPR, survival, and quality of life following cardiac arrest. Dispatcher protocols designed to improve rapid recognition of arrest and coach CPR may increase survival by (1) reducing preventable time delays to start of chest compressions and (2) improving the quality of bystander CPR. METHODS We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing a simplified DA CPR script to a conventional DA CPR script in a manikin cardiac arrest simulation with lay participants. The primary outcomes measured were the time interval from call receipt to the first chest compression and the core metrics of chest compression (depth, rate, release, and compression fraction). CPR was measured using a recording manikin for the first 3 min of participant CPR. RESULTS Of the 75 participants, 39 were randomized to the simplified instructions and 36 were randomized to the conventional instructions. The interval from call receipt to first compression was 99 s using the simplified script and 124 s using the conventional script for a difference of 24s (p<0.01). Although hand position was judged to be correct more often in the conventional instruction group (88% versus 63%, p<0.01), compression depth was an average 7 mm deeper among those receiving the simplified CPR script (32 mm versus 25 mm, p<0.05). No statistically significant differences were detected between the two instruction groups for compression rate, complete release, number of hands-off periods, or compression fraction. DISCUSSION Simplified DA-CPR instructions to lay callers in simulated cardiac arrest settings resulted in significant reductions in time to first compression and improvements in compression depth. These results suggest an important opportunity to improve DA CPR instructions to reduce delays and improve CPR quality.

The Effect of Language Barriers on Dispatching EMS Response

Abstract Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of language barriers during medical 9-1-1 calls, on the time to dispatch and level of medical aid (Basic or Advanced Life Support). Methods. All 9-1-1 medical calls to two large call centers during one week for each of the months of August, October, December 2010 and February 2011, were reviewed for a notation of language barrier (LB). Non-language barrier calls were identified from the same time period such that there were an equal proportion of LB and non-LB calls by dispatch code and dispatcher. A total of 272 language barrier calls were identified. The computer-assisted dispatch (CAD) reports for the LB and non-LB calls were abstracted by research staff using a standard form, including: Start time of call, time to dispatch of BLS, time to dispatch of ALS, dispatch code, interpretation service use, on-scene upgrade to ALS, and on-scene downgrade to BLS. 9-1-1 recordings were abstracted for LB calls only to obtain information about use of interpreter services. Difference between LB and English speakers in time to assignment of BLS and ALS was examined using linear mixed effects models with log time as the outcome; language barrier, call center and dispatch code as fixed effects and dispatcher as a random effect. Results. The effect of language barrier on time to BLS assignment was, on average, 33% longer (p < 0.001) and time to ALS assignment 43% longer (P = 0.008). A majority of the effect was due to the effect of interpreter use, which increased time to BLS by 82% and 125% for ALS, when compared to non-language barrier calls. Data from the 9-1-1 recordings showed an average of 49 seconds between connecting to the service operator and connecting to the language interpreter. Language barrier calls were more likely to be up- and down-graded, only statistically significantly so for on-scene downgrades. Conclusion. Language barriers increase time to dispatch and the accuracy of the level of aid dispatched during medical emergency calls. Decreasing the time to connecting to an actual interpreter when using an interpretation service could minimize existing delays.

Barriers and Facilitators to Using 9-1-1 and Emergency Medical Services in a Limited English Proficiency Chinese Community

Effective communication during a medical emergency is crucial for an appropriate emergency medical services (EMS) response. This exploratory qualitative study explored intentions to use 9-1-1 in a Chinese speaking community and the barriers and facilitators to accessing EMS. Focus groups with Chinese adults who self-reported limited English proficiency were conducted. An inductive iterative approach was used to categorize and connect themes identified in the discussions. Language difficulties, negative perceptions of EMS, perceived costs of using emergency services, and no previous experience with 9-1-1 were commonly described as barriers to calling EMS during emergencies. Positive past experiences with EMS and encountering an emergency situation perceived as too great to manage alone are common facilitators for calling 9-1-1. Further exploration is necessary to assess barriers to calling 9-1-1 unique to specific communities, test findings, and tailor interventions to improve EMS communication.

Adaptation of an evidence-based intervention to promote colorectal cancer screening: a quasi-experimental study

BackgroundTo accelerate the translation of research findings into practice for underserved populations, we investigated the adaptation of an evidence-based intervention (EBI), designed to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in one limited English-proficient (LEP) population (Chinese), for another LEP group (Vietnamese) with overlapping cultural and health beliefs.MethodsGuided by Diffusion of Innovations Theory, we adapted the EBI to achieve greater reach. Core elements of the adapted intervention included: small media (a DVD and pamphlet) translated into Vietnamese from Chinese; medical assistants distributing the small media instead of a health educator; and presentations on CRC screening to the medical assistants. A quasi-experimental study examined CRC screening adherence among eligible Vietnamese patients at the intervention and control clinics, before and after the 24-month intervention. The proportion of the adherence was assessed using generalized linear mixed models that account for clustering under primary care providers and also within-patient correlation between baseline and follow up.ResultsOur study included two cross-sectional samples: 1,016 at baseline (604 in the intervention clinic and 412 in the control clinic) and 1,260 post-intervention (746 in the intervention and 514 in the control clinic), including appreciable overlaps between the two time points. Pre-post change in CRC screening over time, expressed as an odds ratio (OR) of CRC screening adherence by time, showed a marginally-significant greater increase in CRC screening adherence at the intervention clinic compared to the control clinic (the ratio of the two ORs = 1.42; 95% CI 0.95, 2.15). In the sample of patients who were non-adherent to CRC screening at baseline, compared to the control clinic, the intervention clinic had marginally-significant greater increase in FOBT (adjusted OR = 1.77; 95% CI 0.98, 3.18) and a statistically-significantly greater increase in CRC screening adherence (adjusted OR = 1.70; 95% CI 1.05, 2.75).ConclusionsTheoretically guided adaptations of EBIs may accelerate the translation of research into practice. Adaptation has the potential to mitigate health disparities for hard-to-reach populations in a timely manner.

The Role of Self-Efficacy in Communication and Emergency Response in Chinese Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Populations:

Background. Failure to engage in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery contributes to the differential outcome experienced by limited English proficiency (LEP) populations. Little is known about how psychosocial factors influence LEP individuals’ perception of emergency and their process of understanding, collecting, and synthesizing information. The purpose of this exploratory study is to understand how LEP conceptualize an emergency situation to determine when help is needed. Methods. The authors conducted 4 focus groups with 36 adult Chinese LEP speakers living in Seattle. All discussions were audio-taped, translated, and transcribed. Coded text passages were entered into Atlas.ti for data management and model generation. Results. Perception of an emergency situation affects LEP individual’s ability to manage the crisis. Self-efficacy may be an important psychological variable that positively shapes an individual’s response to an emergency situation by improving their confidence to handle the crisis and ability to connect to resources. Response to emergency resulting from this series of information gathering, synthesis, and utilization may not always result in a positive outcome. Discussion. Self-efficacy in risk communication messages should be included to engage LEPs in emergency preparedness. Effective communication can increase LEPs’ awareness of emergency situations and connecting LEP individuals with existing community resources may enhance LEPs’ level of self-efficacy in emergencies.

Preparedness for Cardiac Emergencies Among Cambodians with Limited English Proficiency

In the United Sates, populations with limited English proficiency (LEP) report barriers to seeking emergency care and experience significant health disparities, including being less likely to survive cardiac arrest than whites. Rapid utilization of 9-1-1 to access emergency services and early bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is crucial for successful resuscitation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. Little is understood about Asian LEP communities’ preparedness for emergencies. In this exploratory survey, we sought to assess intentions to call 9-1-1 in an emergency and knowledge of CPR in the Cambodian LEP community. We conducted an in-person interview with 667 Cambodian adults to assess their intentions to call 9-1-1 and their awareness of and training in bystander CPR. While the majority of participants stated that they would call 9-1-1 in an emergency, almost one-third of the sample would call a friend or family member. Awareness of CPR was very high but training in CPR was lower, especially for women. A higher level of English proficiency and greater proportion of time in the US was a strong predictor of CPR training and intention to call 9-1-1 in an emergency. This suggests that greater efforts need to be made to reach the most linguistically-isolated communities (those with little or no English) with emergency information in Khmer.

Is Availability of Mammography Services at Federally Qualified Health Centers Associated with Breast Cancer Mortality-to-Incidence Ratios? An Ecological Analysis

OBJECTIVE Mammography is the most effective method to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages, reducing the risk of breast cancer death. We investigated the relationship between accessibility of mammography services at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) of breast cancer in each county in the United States. METHODS County-level breast cancer mortality and incidence rates in 2006-2010 were used to estimate MIRs. We compared breast cancer MIRs based on the density and availability of FQHC delivery sites with or without mammography services both in the county and in the neighboring counties. RESULTS The relationship between breast cancer MIRs and access to mammography services at FQHCs differed by race and county of residence. Breast cancer MIRs were lower in counties with mammography facilities or FQHC delivery sites than in counties without a mammography facility or FQHC delivery site. This trend was stronger in urban counties (p=0.01) and among whites (p=0.008). Counties with a high density of mammography facilities had lower breast cancer MIRs than other counties, specifically in urban counties (p=0.01) and among whites (p=0.01). Breast cancer MIR for blacks was the lowest in counties having mammography facilities; and was highest in counties without a mammography facility within the county or the neighboring counties (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS Mammography services provided at FQHCs may have a positive impact on breast cancer MIRs. Expansion of services provided at the FQHCs and placement of FQHCs in additional underserved areas might help to reduce cancer disparities in the United States.

Communicating With Pictures: Perceptions of Cardiovascular Health Among Asian Immigrants

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, and does not discriminate by ethnicity.1 In fact, the health of many US ethnic minorities, especially immigrants, is known to be poorer than their Caucasian counterparts living at similar socio-economic levels and geographic regions.2–5 Issues related to poverty, heath care access, and quality of care greatly impact rates of disease once immigrants arrive in this country.6,7 Efforts to develop health promotion programs to decrease risk factors for CVD are complex because of language and cultural issues that must be addressed for efforts to succeed. It is important to “see” what a targeted group sees, to understand how they view specific topics if one intends messages to relate to them.