Barriers and facilitators to implementation of evidence-based task-sharing mental health interventions in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review using implementation science frameworks

Background Task-sharing is a promising strategy to expand mental healthcare in low-resource settings, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Research on how to best implement task-sharing mental health interventions, however, is hampered by an incomplete understanding of the barriers and facilitators to their implementation. This review aims to systematically identify implementation barriers and facilitators in evidence-based task-sharing mental health interventions using an implementation science lens, organizing factors across a novel, integrated implementation science framework. Methods PubMed, PsychINFO, CINAHL, and Embase were used to identify English-language, peer-reviewed studies using search terms for three categories: “mental health,” “task-sharing,” and “LMIC.” Articles were included if they: focused on mental disorders as the main outcome(s); included a task-sharing intervention using or based on an evidence-based practice; were implemented in an LMIC setting; and included assessment or data-supported analysis of barriers and facilitators. An initial conceptual model and coding framework derived from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and the Theoretical Domains Framework was developed and iteratively refined to create an integrated conceptual framework, the Barriers and Facilitators in Implementation of Task-Sharing Mental Health Interventions (BeFITS-MH), which specifies 37 constructs across eight domains: (I) client characteristics, (II) provider characteristics, (III) family and community factors, (IV) organizational characteristics, (V) societal factors, (VI) mental health system factors, (VII) intervention characteristics, and (VIII) stigma. Results Of the 26,935 articles screened (title and abstract), 192 articles underwent full-text review, yielding 37 articles representing 28 unique intervention studies that met the inclusion criteria. The most prevalent facilitators occur in domains that are more amenable to adaptation (i.e., the intervention and provider characteristics domains), while salient barriers occur in domains that are more challenging to modulate or intervene on—these include constructs in the client characteristics as well as the broader societal and structural levels of influence (i.e., the organizational, mental health system domains). Other notable trends include constructs in the family and community domains occurring as barriers and as facilitators roughly equally, and stigma constructs acting exclusively as barriers. Conclusions Using the BeFITS-MH model we developed based on implementation science frameworks, this systematic review provides a comprehensive identification and organization of barriers and facilitators to evidence-based task-sharing mental health interventions in LMICs. These findings have important implications for ongoing and future implementation of this critically needed intervention strategy, including the promise of leveraging task-sharing intervention characteristics as sites of continued innovation, the importance of but relative lack of engagement with constructs in macro-level domains (e.g., organizational characteristics, stigma), and the need for more delineation of strategies for task-sharing mental health interventions that researchers and implementers can employ to enhance implementation in and across levels. Trial registration PROSPERO CRD42020161357

Healthcare providers perception of therapeutic patient education efficacy according to patient and healthcare provider characteristics

Objectives Therapeutic patient education improves numerous health and psychological outcomes in patients with chronic diseases. However, little is known about what makes a therapeutic patient education intervention more effective than another one. This study aims to identify in healthcare professionals the perceived determinants of therapeutic patient education efficacy at the individual level. Methods Semi-structured individual interviews have been conducted with healthcare professionals (HCP, n=28, including 20 nurses) involved in therapeutic patient education programs ( n=14) covering various chronic conditions (kidney and cardiovascular diseases, chronic pain, diabetes, etc.). A thematic content analysis following an inductive approach was used (Nvivo.11 software). Results Five themes were retrieved for patient characteristics: understanding and education, personality, readiness and motivation, social environment, and misinformation and beliefs. Four themes were retrieved for healthcare professionals’ characteristics: medical knowledge, appropriate attitude and relational skills, pedagogical skills, and training. Discussion Patient personality is rarely discussed in the literature. Patients who are introverted, lack curiosity, or are not compliant might benefit from specific therapeutic patient education practices or formats. All these potential determinants regarding patients and healthcare professionals should be routinely assessed in future studies about therapeutic patient education efficacy to understand precisely what makes an intervention successful.

National Survey of Pediatric Sickle Cell Providers on Their Contraceptive Practices for Female Patients

Introduction: Pregnancies of women with sickle cell disease (SCD) have increased risk of morbidity and mortality, with potential additional complications due to uncertain teratogenicity of hydroxyurea and the newer medications. Unintended pregnancy is common among adolescents and young adults (AYA). We aimed to assess the beliefs, practices and barriers of U.S. pediatric hematology providers related to contraception for female AYA with SCD, as little is known about this topic. Methods: We developed a 25-question, web-based survey guided by the Health Belief Model to assess pediatric SCD providers' contraceptive perspectives and practices. Most questions were adapted from published surveys assessing provider views and practices on contraception for general AYA care or patients with other chronic health conditions. The survey was distributed from December 2020-April 2021 to licensed U.S. prescribers who provided care to female SCD AYAs ages 12-21 years within the prior two years. The anonymous survey was distributed by two methods: (1) a list of 526 pediatric SCD and/or general hematology providers from the HRSA SCD Treatment Demonstration Program Regional Collaborative, cross-referenced for reminder emails to 126 providers using a list from the HRSA Regional Genetics Collaborative (https://www.hrsa.gov); (2) directors from all 74 U.S. ACGME-accredited Pediatric Hematology-Oncology fellowship programs, asking then to forward the survey to their SCD providers. Surveys with >50% completion were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi square analyses. Results: Of 177 respondents, 160 surveys met inclusion criteria and were analyzed: 73 (45.6%) contacted by emails and 87 (54.4%) contacted via the fellowship directors (Table 1). Respondents recruited via fellowship program directors were more frequently NP/PAs (total of 30 (18.7%)), of younger age (total 103 (64.4%) and had fewer years in practice compared to those contacted directly. The majority of providers reported counseling (76.9%) and/or referring patients for contraception (90.9%), but not prescribing (41.8%). Practices regarding contraception differed by provider characteristics (Table 2). Trainees vs. established providers less frequently reported counseling about contraception (54.1% vs. 84.6%, p<0.001). Overall however, younger vs. older providers (<45 years), did not differ in contraceptive counseling (75.7% vs. 80.7%, p=0.7). Motivators for providing counseling differed by certain demographics (data not shown): female providers more frequently counseled about contraception when patients disclosed being sexually active (87.0% vs 66.7%, p=0.046); NPs/PAs more frequently counseled if standards for counseling were in place (45.5% vs 22.0%, p=0.03); and providers with more years in practice when they had concerns about SCD patients' increased pregnancy risks (43.1% vs 23.9%, p=0.03). Provider practices did not differ by region or size of SCD practice. Providers who believed that hydroxyurea causes increased risk of pregnancy complications more frequently reported prescribing contraception (48.8% vs. 31.7%, p=0.04), but did not differ by counseling or referral practices. Concerns about teratogenic risk of hydroxyurea was not significantly associated with provider practices. The most frequently reported barriers for counseling (>30% respondents) were insufficiencies in time, patient/parent willingness, formal training, knowledge/ability and/or professional guidelines. Concerns about side effects was a barrier to prescribing (34.2%), while lack of access to providers with contraceptive expertise was the most common barrier to patient referral (34.9%). Multivariate analyses are ongoing. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first national report of pediatric hematology providers' beliefs and practices regarding contraception for female AYA with SCD. While providers generally felt responsible for offering counseling and referral but not prescribing, practices varied based on certain provider characteristics, beliefs and perceived barriers. Clinical guidelines, improved provider education and training, and patient/parent decision Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Smith-Whitley: Global Blood Therapeutics: Current Employment. Strouse: Takeda: Consultancy.

1129. Outpatient Prescribing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background The Joint Commission requires ambulatory healthcare systems to collect, analyze and report antimicrobial prescribing data. Duke University Health System (DUHS) piloted a dashboard to capture outpatient prescribing for pediatric patients with URI. Implementation in 2020 allowed for an assessment of antibiotic prescribing during the pandemic. Methods We included patients 0 - < 19 years seen at DUHS for URI and pharyngitis from 1/1/2019 -2/21/2021. Patient characteristics included: age, sex, race, ethnicity, Pediatric Medical Complexity Algorithm (PMCA) score and insurance status (public versus private). Provider characteristics included: type (physician, NP, PA) and specialty (pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, other). We compared pre- and post-COVID ( March 1, 2020) prescribing and prescribing during telehealth versus in-person visits. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors independently associated with antibiotic prescribing. Results 62,447 children were seen during the study period, 29% of whom received an antibiotic. Amoxicillin was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic (64.4%), followed by cefdinir (11%) amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (10%) and azithromycin (8%). Factors associated with antibiotic prescribing are shown in Table 1. White race, private insurance, visits with nurse practitioners and visits with non-pediatric providers were associated with high prescribing. Higher PMCA scores, indicating greater medical complexity, were associated with decreased likelihood of prescribing. Although the total number of outpatient visits plummeted during the COVID period, rates of prescribing only decreased mildly from 31% to 25% (Figure 1). Table 1. Factors Associated with Antibiotic Prescribing in Logistic Regression Model Conclusion Outpatient prescribing was associated with multiple patient and provider characteristics. Similar to other studies, white race, private insurance, and visits with non-physician, non-pediatric providers were associated with antibiotic prescription. Despite a large decrease in the number of outpatient visits during the pandemic, rates of prescribing for URI decreased minimally. A better understanding of factors associated with antibiotic prescribing during the pandemic may identify priority targets for outpatient stewardship as mitigation strategies are relaxed. Disclosures Michael J. Smith, MD, M.S.C.E, Merck (Grant/Research Support)Pfizer (Grant/Research Support)

What works for whom in compassion training programs offered to practicing healthcare providers: a realist review

Background Patients and families want their healthcare to be delivered by healthcare providers that are both competent and compassionate. While compassion training has begun to emerge in healthcare education, there may be factors that facilitate or inhibit the uptake and implementation of training into practice. This review identified the attributes that explain the successes and/or failures of compassion training programs offered to practicing healthcare providers. Methods Realist review methodology for knowledge synthesis was used to consider the contexts, mechanisms (resources and reasoning), and outcomes of compassion training for practicing healthcare providers to determine what works, for whom, and in what contexts. Results Two thousand nine hundred ninety-one articles underwent title and abstract screening, 53 articles underwent full text review, and data that contributed to the development of a program theory were extracted from 45 articles. Contexts included the clinical setting, healthcare provider characteristics, current state of the healthcare system, and personal factors relevant to individual healthcare providers. Mechanisms included workplace-based programs and participatory interventions that impacted teaching, learning, and the healthcare organization. Contexts were associated with certain mechanisms to effect change in learners’ attitudes, knowledge, skills and behaviors and the clinical process. Conclusions In conclusion this realist review determined that compassion training may engender compassionate healthcare practice if it becomes a key component of the infrastructure and vision of healthcare organizations, engages institutional participation, improves leadership at all levels, adopts a multimodal approach, and uses valid measures to assess outcomes.

Oncologists' Perspective on Dental Care Around the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer: A Pattern of Practice Survey

PURPOSE: Patients with head and neck cancer are at risk of long-term dental complications. Proper dental assessment pre- and post-treatment can improve outcomes but is logistically challenging. We surveyed oncologists to better understand their perspectives surrounding dental care in this unique population. METHODS: We surveyed oncologists at institutions associated with an ongoing national study of oral health after treatment of head and neck cancer. Seventeen questions were used to assess provider characteristics, patterns of practice, patterns of referral, barriers to referral, and willingness to apply fluoride varnish in the oncology clinic. RESULTS: Ninety-seven oncologists were invited from six institutions, of whom 40 (41%) responded. Surgeons represented 45% of the sample, followed by radiation oncologists (40%) and medical oncologists (15%). Both generalists and subspecialists were included. All practiced in a metropolitan area with an academic dental practice, and many felt that this improved access to care. Despite this, most oncologists thought that financial factors were a significant barrier to obtaining timely dental care. Most oncologists performed a dental assessment during visits. Oncologists felt qualified to identify the most significant complications of treatment, such as exposed bone, but felt underqualified to identify early changes in need of intervention. When asked if the oncology clinic could apply fluoride varnish during follow-ups, most stated that this seemed feasible but would require education and financial support. CONCLUSION: Oncologists often perform limited dental evaluations during their routine visits. Given the challenges associated with access to proper dental care for this population, these oncology visits may provide a window for preventative intervention.

Motivation To Test, Treat, and Report Malaria Cases: A Quantitative Assessment Among Private Sector Providers in The Greater Mekong Subregion

Accurately testing, treating, and tracking all malaria cases is critical to achieving elimination. Ensuring health providers are able and motivated to test, treat, and report cases is a necessary component of elimination programs, and particularly challenging in low endemic settings where providers may not encounter a large volume of cases. With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this study aimed to identify and validate distinctive subtypes of motivation among private sector providers enrolled in the Greater Mekong Subregion Elimination of Malaria through Surveillance (GEMS) program, implemented by Population Services International. Quantitative questionnaires were administered electronically in person by trained enumerators to various provider groups in Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Vietnam. A three-stage confirmatory factor analysis was then conducted in STATA. Following this analysis, a two-factor solution that describes motivation in this population of providers was identified, and providers were scored on the two dimensions of motivation. Provider motivations were analyzed by provider characteristics, and associations with intentions and outcomes related to malaria service provision were explored. These providers, who are often assumed to only be financially motivated, engaged in malaria elimination activities because of both internal and external motivational factors that are independent of remuneration or financial gain. Motivation varied by provider characteristics and was associated with outcomes of importance to malaria elimination. Understanding components of provider motivation to test, treat, and report malaria cases in elimination settings will ensure that malaria programs can establish mechanisms to encourage lasting engagement by providers in pursuit of elimination goals.