ImportanceAlthough quality care markers exist for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the predictors of meeting these markers are unclear.ObjectiveTo explore factors associated with quality care among patients with RA.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA retrospective cohort study using insurance claims from 2009 to 2017 was conducted, and 6 sequential logistic regression models were built to evaluate quality care markers. Quality care markers were measured at 1 year post-RA diagnosis for each patient. The MarketScan Research Database, which contains commercial and Medicare Advantage administrative claims data from more than 100 million individuals in the US, was used to identify patients aged 18 to 64 years with a diagnosis claim for RA. Patients with conditions presenting similar to RA and missing demographic characteristics were excluded. Data analysis occurred between February 18 and May 5, 2022.ExposuresSuccess or failure to meet selected RA quality care markers within 1 year after RA diagnosis.Main Outcomes and MeasuresPrevalence of meeting successive quality care markers for RA.ResultsAmong 581 770 patients, 430 843 (74.1%) were women and the mean (SD) age was 48.9 (11.3) years. Most patients (236 285 [40.6%]) resided in the South and had an income less than or equal to $45 200 (490 366 [84.3%]). Of the total study population, 399 862 individuals (68.7%) met at least 1 quality care marker and 181 908 (31.3%) met 0 markers. Most commonly, patients met annual laboratory testing (299 323 [51.5%]) and referral to a rheumatologist (256 765 [44.1%]) markers. The least met marker was receiving hepatitis B screening prior to initiation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy (18 548 [3.2%]). Women were most likely to meet all quality care markers except receiving DMARDs with hepatitis B screening (odds ratio, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.12-1.16). Individuals with lower median household income had lower odds of receiving a rheumatologist referral, an annual physical examination, or annual laboratory testing, but greater odds of receiving the other quality care markers. Patients with Medicare and those with comorbidities were generally less likely to meet quality care markers.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cohort study of patients with RA, findings indicated downstream associations with rheumatologist referral and receiving DMARDs and varied associations between meeting quality care markers and patient characteristics. These findings suggest that prioritizing early care, especially for vulnerable patients, will ensure that quality care continues.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery • January 2023 success. This article will discuss the importance of EI for us as individuals and its impact on the people around us in health care, and will introduce strategies to improve our EI abilities.
Summary: Health policy impacts all aspects of the authors’ field. Research on this topic informs future policy direction and serves as an impactful means to advocate for their patients. The present work aims to promote policy research in plastic surgery. To accomplish this goal, the authors discuss quasi-experimental research design. The authors include in-depth discussion regarding study techniques that are well suited to health policy, including interrupted time series, difference-in-differences analysis, regression discontinuity design, and instrumental variable design. For each study design, the authors discuss examples and potential limitations.
Background: Patients with Dupuytren contracture can receive a variety of surgical and nonsurgical treatments. The extent to which patients participate in the shared decision-making process is unclear. Methods: An explanatory-sequential mixed-methods study was conducted. Participants completed the Nine-Item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire and the brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire before completing semi-structured interviews in which they described their experience with selecting treatment. Results: Thirty participants [25 men (83%) and five women (17%); mean age, 69 years (range, 51 to 84 years)] received treatment for Dupuytren contracture (11 collagenase injection, six needle aponeurotomy, and 13 limited fasciectomy). Adjusted mean scores for the Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire and brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire were 71 (SD 20) and 77 (SD 16), respectively, indicating a high degree of shared decision-making and satisfaction. Patients who received limited fasciectomy accepted invasiveness and prolonged recovery time because they believed it provided a long-term solution. Patients chose needle aponeurotomy and collagenase injection because the treatments were perceived as safer and more convenient and permitted rapid return to daily activities, which was particularly valued by patients who were employed or had bilateral contractures. Conclusions: Physicians should help patients choose a treatment that aligns with the patient’s preferences for long-term versus short-term results, recovery period and postoperative rehabilitation, and risk of complications, because patients used this information to assist in their treatment selection. Areas of improvement for shared decision-making include equal presentation of all treatments and ensuring realistic patient expectations regarding the chronic and recurrent nature of Dupuytren contracture regardless of treatment received.
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