Journal of general internal medicine
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Embedded research is an innovative means to improve performance in the learning healthcare system (LHS). However, few descriptions of successful embedded research programs have been published. In this perspective, we describe the Care Improvement Research Team, a mature partnership between researchers and clinicians at Kaiser Permanente Southern California. ⋯ We conclude that embedded research programs can play a key role in fulfilling the promise of the LHS. Program success depends on dedicated funding, robust data systems, and strong relationships between researchers and clinical stakeholders. Embedded researchers must be responsive to health system priorities and timelines, while clinicians should embrace researchers as partners in problem solving.
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Whether patients' reports of gaps in care coordination reflect clinically significant problems is unclear. ⋯ Participants' reports of gaps in care coordination were associated with an increased odds of preventable adverse outcomes. Future interventions should leverage patients' observations to detect and resolve gaps in care coordination.
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Evidence-based treatment of opioid use disorder, the prevention of opioid overdose and other opioid-related harms, and safe and effective pain management are priorities for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The VHA Office of Health Services Research and Development hosted a State-of-the-Art Conference on "Effective Management of Pain and Addiction: Strategies to Improve Opioid Safety" on September 10-11, 2019. ⋯ Participants were organized into three workgroups: (1) managing opioid use disorder; (2) Long-term opioid therapy and opioid tapering; (3) managing co-occurring pain and substance use disorder. Here we summarize the implementation and policy recommendations of each workgroup and highlight important cross-cutting issues related to telehealth, care coordination, and stepped care model implementation.
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Older adults' uptake of influenza and pneumococcus vaccines is insufficient worldwide. Although patient experience of primary care is associated with vaccine uptake in children, this relationship remains unclear for older adults. ⋯ Influenza and pneumococcal vaccine uptake were positively associated with patient experience of primary care in older adults. Consideration of patient experience, particularly longitudinality, coordination, comprehensiveness, and community orientation, could improve vaccine uptake.
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Observational Study
Observational Study of the Downstream Consequences of Inappropriate MRI of the Lumbar Spine.
Contrary to guidelines, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often ordered in the first 6 weeks of new episodes of uncomplicated non-specific low back pain. ⋯ The association between early imaging and increased utilization was apparent even in a setting largely unaffected by incentives of fee-for-service care. Reduced imaging cost is only part of the motivation to improve adherence with guidelines for the use of MRI. Early scans are associated with excess surgery, higher costs for other care, and worse outcomes, including potential harms from prescription opioids.