Journal of general internal medicine
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A recent systematic review of randomised trials suggested that empathic communication improves patient health outcomes. However, the methods for training healthcare practitioners (medical professionals; HCPs) in empathy and the empathic behaviours demonstrated within the trials were heterogeneous, making the evidence difficult to implement in routine clinical practice. In this secondary analysis of seven trials in the review, we aimed to identify (1) the methods used to train HCPs, (2) the empathy behaviours they were trained to perform and (3) behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used to encourage the adoption of those behaviours. ⋯ We compared the effect sizes of studies but could not extrapolate meaningful conclusions due to high levels of variation in training methods, empathy skills and BCTs. Moreover, the methods used to train HCPs were often poorly described which limits study replication and clinical implementation. This analysis of empathy training can inform future research, intervention reporting standards and clinical practice.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Advanced Notification Calls Prior to Mailed Fecal Immunochemical Test in Previously Screened Patients: a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Phone calls as part of multimodal fecal immunochemical test (FIT) outreach are effective but resource-intensive. Previous studies of advanced notification calls before FIT mailing have not differentiated patients' prior screening status. ⋯ Advanced notification phone calls prior to FIT mailing did not improve rates at 1 year for patients with a previously negative FIT.
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Despite its importance to care and outcomes for older adults, functional status is seldom routinely measured in primary care. Understanding patient perspectives is necessary to develop effective, patient-centered approaches for measuring function, yet we know little about patient views on this topic. ⋯ Most patients and caregivers reported that measuring function was important, preferred face-to-face assessment, and emphasized the importance of providing context when asking about function. These findings suggest that incorporating patient and caregiver preferences for measuring function can improve satisfaction and experience with functional assessment in primary care.
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Observational Study
Impact of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Limitations on Hospital Readmission: an Observational Study Using Machine Learning.
Limitations in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) hinder a person's ability to live independently in the community and self-manage their conditions, but its impact on hospital readmission has not been firmly established. ⋯ IADL limitations are key predictors of 30-day readmission as demonstrated using several machine learning methods. Routine assessment of functional abilities in hospital settings could help identify those most at risk.
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To develop targeted and tailored interventions for addressing medication non-adherence, it is important to identify underlying factors. ⋯ The main factors associated with non-adherence to antihypertensive and antihyperlipidemic drugs are modifiable. In general, beliefs about the necessity of the drug are important but for antihyperlipidemic drugs concerns are important as well. Healthcare providers should pay attention to identify and address medication beliefs during patient counselling.