No description available.

Introduction: The epidemic of overweight and obesity both worldwide and in Canada is indicative of the need for proper growth monitoring beginning at birth. This study evaluated Family Physician’s (FP) Level of Use (LoU) of the recommended 2006 and 2007 World Health Organization (WHO) Growth Charts for monitoring their paediatric patients’ growth. It explored factors influencing LoU, utilizing the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory and Ecological Framework for Effective Implementation (EFEI) as guiding models. FPs’ awareness of resources to support paediatric weight management was also assessed. Methods: A survey was distributed to FP in British Columbia (BC), Canada (N = 2853). The survey addressed provider and innovation characteristics, prevention delivery and support system factors, and barriers and facilitators to chart use. Correlations and multiple linear regression were used to determine correlates and predictors of LoU. Results: Sixty-two surveys were returned (2.2%). WHO Growth Chart LoU was 80.4%. Six variables significantly predicted LoU, including age (β = -.28, t = -3.15, p < .05), practicing in Fraser Health Authority region (β = -.24, t = -2.67, p < .05), assessing head circumference of birth to two year olds (β = .23, t = 2.45, p < .05), perceived growth chart accessibility (β = .39, t = 4.22, p < .05) and compatibility (β = .47, t = 5.27, p < .05), and innovativeness (β = -.37, t = -4.11, p < .05). These variables accounted for 69% of the variance in LoU. The most commonly identified barrier and facilitator to chart use was related to the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. FPs’ awareness of resources to support overweight paediatric patients was low. Conclusion: The majority of FP in BC in this sample had adopted the WHO Growth Charts. The results showed partial support for DOI theory and EFEI derived factors. Despite a small sample size, the findings highlighted the importance of installing the charts in the EMR systems, and can provide a foundation for future public health dissemination efforts and research on medical guideline implementation. / Graduate / 0573 / 0769 / erand@uvic.ca

Introduction: The epidemic of overweight and obesity both worldwide and in Canada is indicative of the need for proper growth monitoring beginning at birth. This study evaluated Family Physician’s (FP) Level of Use (LoU) of the recommended 2006 and 2007 World Health Organization (WHO) Growth Charts for monitoring their paediatric patients’ growth. It explored factors influencing LoU, utilizing the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory and Ecological Framework for Effective Implementation (EFEI) as guiding models. FPs’ awareness of resources to support paediatric weight management was also assessed. Methods: A survey was distributed to FP in British Columbia (BC), Canada (N = 2853). The survey addressed provider and innovation characteristics, prevention delivery and support system factors, and barriers and facilitators to chart use. Correlations and multiple linear regression were used to determine correlates and predictors of LoU. Results: Sixty-two surveys were returned (2.2%). WHO Growth Chart LoU was 80.4%. Six variables significantly predicted LoU, including age (β = -.28, t = -3.15, p < .05), practicing in Fraser Health Authority region (β = -.24, t = -2.67, p < .05), assessing head circumference of birth to two year olds (β = .23, t = 2.45, p < .05), perceived growth chart accessibility (β = .39, t = 4.22, p < .05) and compatibility (β = .47, t = 5.27, p < .05), and innovativeness (β = -.37, t = -4.11, p < .05). These variables accounted for 69% of the variance in LoU. The most commonly identified barrier and facilitator to chart use was related to the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. FPs’ awareness of resources to support overweight paediatric patients was low. Conclusion: The majority of FP in BC in this sample had adopted the WHO Growth Charts. The results showed partial support for DOI theory and EFEI derived factors. Despite a small sample size, the findings highlighted the importance of installing the charts in the EMR systems, and can provide a foundation for future public health dissemination efforts and research on medical guideline implementation. / Graduate / 0573 / 0769 / erand@uvic.ca

Le continuel développement des outils statistiques permet aujourd’hui la modélisation de nombreux phénomènes, toujours plus complexes. En combinant l’approche offerte par des modèles statistiques spécifiques, dit "multiniveaux", et leurs applications à différentes problématiques médicales, cette thèse s’inscrit à la croisée de divers domaines : celui des statistiques, de par la méthodologie sur laquelle reposent les résultats ; mais aussi, celui de l’économie de la santé et de la santé publique en général, au travers des applications présentées.La première partie de cette thèse s’intéresse aux aspects théoriques, et plus particulièrement à l’évolution des méthodologies, du modèle de régression linéaire simple aux modèles multiniveaux pour des liens non nécessairement linéaires. Le déroulé historique de la modélisation mais également les hypothèses, le principe, la stratégie d'analyse et enfin les limites y sont abordés.La seconde partie s’articule autour de deux applications multiniveaux distinctes. La première concerne les déterminants de l'observance et des interruptions de traitement, chez les personnes infectées par le virus du VIH/Sida suivant un traitement par antirétroviraux, dans le contexte du Cameroun. La seconde, quant à elle, s'intéresse au recours aux soins dentaires chez les personnes âgées de 60 ans et plus et vivant en domicile ordinaire. Ces deux applications sont comparables dans leurs méthodologies puisqu’il s’agit de déterminer les comportements étudiés par des variables individuelles habituellement retenues, mais aussi des variables de "contexte" (caractéristiques de l’offre de soins).La troisième partie est consacrée aux applications sur le panel de médecins généralistes et traite deux études autonomes. La première expose les réticences des médecins, et le rôle de leurs aprioris, face aux Recommandations de Bonnes Pratiques (RBP). Elle nous permet de déboucher sur quelques pistes pour améliorer l’usage des RBP en médecine de ville. La seconde analyse la similarité – ou parfois la dissimilarité – entre le cycle d’activité des médecins généralistes et la saisonnalité des épidémies, dans le but d’identifier les facteurs favorisant l’ajustement des médecins généralistes aux variations saisonnières des besoins des patients. Cette étude pourrait permettre, notamment, d’anticiper et de mieux gérer des situations de crise sanitaire, avec l’appui effectif de la médecine de ville. / The continual development of statistical tools allows the modelling of numerous phenomena, including the complex ones. Using a set of statistical techniques and applications, based on the so-called “multilevel” modelling, this thesis deals with different aspects related to the statistical methodology and applications as per health economics and public health.The first part reconsiders the evolution of methodology, starting from the simple linear regression techniques to the more complex multilevel modelling as applied to both the linear and non-linear relations. It addresses issues related to the historical development, the hypotheses, the strategy of analysis, and the scope of applications. The second part presents two distinct multilevel studies. The first concerns the determinants of observance and interruptions of treatment for persons infected by the HIV/AIDS and treated with antiretroviral in Cameroon. The second one focuses on the use of dental services for the elderly. The two studies are methodologically comparable in that, besides integrating the usually retained individual variables, the analyses examine health seeking behaviours, particularly, the utilisation of health care services, while accounting for contextual determinants such as the characteristics of health supply (clinic, department or region).The third part is dedicated to the applications on GPs' panel and contains two different studies. The first one explains the GPs’ behaviours and the role of their aprioris vis-à-vis Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG), and suggests solutions to overcome their negative attitudes. The second study analyses the similarity – sometimes the differences – between the cycle of GPs’ activity and the seasonality of epidemics with the aim of better understanding determinants favouring the adjustment of the GP in the seasonal variations of the patients needs. This study helps anticipate and manage situations of sanitary crisis, with the effective support of general practitioners.

L’information est un des besoins les plus importants des patients atteints de cancer. Leurs attentes fortes, variables et hétérogènes, en matière d’informations sur les différents aspects de la prise en charge de la maladie, soulèvent la question de la qualité de ces informations mises à disposition des patients. L’élaboration d’outils d’information et d’aide à la décision de qualité, qu’ils soient destinés aux cliniciens, tels que les recommandations pour la pratique clinique (RPC), ou aux patients, tels que des documents écrits d’information, implique la prise en compte des trois composantes essentielles de la décision médicale : données actuelles de la science (evidence-based medicine), expertise professionnelle, et préférences et valeurs des patients. Pour pouvoir baser la décision médicale sur ces trois dimensions, l’enjeu est de partager avec les patients les données actuelles de la science, et d’intégrer les préférences des patients dans les RPC. Notre hypothèse est qu’il est possible d’intégrer les préférences des patients à deux niveaux de production des connaissances : l’élaboration de documents écrits d’information des patients dans le cadre du programme SOR SAVOIR Patient d’une part, et l’élaboration de RPC pour les cliniciens d’autre part. Les résultats de ces travaux fournissent une contribution méthodologique pour améliorer la qualité des documents écrits et impliquer les patients atteints de cancer dans le développement de ces informations / Information is one of the most important needs of cancer patients. Their strong, variable and heterogeneous expectations, in terms of information on different aspects of the management of the disease, raise the question of the quality of the information made available to patients. The development of good-quality information materials and decision aids, dedicated to clinicians, such as clinical practice guidelines (CPG), or dedicated to patients, such as patient information leaflets, requires taking into account the three essential components of medical decision: current scientific data (evidence-based medicine), professional expertise and patient values and preferences. To be able to base medical decisions on these three dimensions, the challenge is to share with the patients current scientific data, and incorporate patient preferences in the development process of CPG. Our hypothesis is that it is possible to integrate the preferences of patients at two levels of knowledge production: the development of written patient information in the French SOR SAVOIR Patient program on the one hand, and development of CPG for clinicians on the other hand. The results of this work provide a methodological contribution to improve the quality of written documents and involve cancer patients in the development of this information.

Cervical cancer, a completely curable disease with early detection and management, is an international concern. Early identification allows for treatment of the disease, which prevents or slows progression, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality. Due to the regressive nature of most cervical lesions, the duration between cervical cytology has been lengthened to prevent over diagnosis and treatment. This was reflected in the 2012 United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) clinical practice guideline for cervical cancer screening. The purpose of this project was to determine the effectiveness of a quality improvement initiative to increase adherence to the 2012 USPSTF guideline at a volunteer medical clinic for the working uninsured. In this retrospective, time series observational evaluation, data were collected via chart review regarding adherence to the guideline. The intervention consisted of the placement of a visual algorithm educational tool for clinical decision-making for cervical cytology screening in each exam room. Data were collected during three time periods: (1) the 3 months prior to initial education of clinic staff regarding the guideline; (2) the 3months between initial education and introduction of the algorithm; and (3) the 3 months post introduction of the algorithm. A total of 335 charts were reviewed. There was a significant difference in the proportion of appropriate screening among the three groups (Χ2= 6.83 p=.03). There was also a significant difference in appropriate screening rates between the new and established patients’ group, controlling for group (p<.0001). The use of the interventional algorithm is recommended to improve adherence to evidence-based practice guideline related to cervical screening as it decreases harm(s) to the patient by reduction of fear, cost to the patient, and overtreatment of benign regressive lesions.

No description available.

Les troubles douloureux de l’épaule (TDE) affectent jusqu’à 55% de la population générale et sont souvent difficiles à traiter. L’objectif de cette thèse était de développer une intervention de mobilisation des connaissances permettant d’implanter les recommandations de guides de pratique clinique (GPC) couvrant la prise en charge des TDE. Pour ce faire, un processus basé sur le cadre conceptuel Knowledge-to-Action a été utilisé. D’abord, une revue systématique des recommandations des GPC à implanter pour améliorer la prise en charge des TDE a été effectuée. Puis, les écarts dans la pratique des cliniciens ont été identifiés à l’aide d’un sondage documentant la prise en charge des TDE ainsi qu’une étude évaluant la concordance entre les physiothérapeutes et les orthopédistes au niveau du diagnostic et de la prise en charge des TDE. Ensuite, les déterminants à l’implantation des recommandations des GPC ont été identifiés en procédant à deux études qualitatives ciblant les expériences et les attentes des patients vivant avec un TDE, puis les barrières et facilitateurs à l’implantation des recommandations des GPC identifiés par les cliniciens. Enfin, l’utilisation du Behaviour Change Wheel et des déterminants ont permis d’identifier des stratégies visant à implanter les recommandations de GPC sur la prise en charge des TDE en première ligne de soins. La revue systématique des GPC a permis de déterminer qu’initialement, les TDE ne requièrent généralement pas d’imagerie médicale et de référence à un médecin spécialiste, mais qu’un programme de réadaptation actif est requis. Selon les résultats du sondage, les médecins de famille (n=76) ont recommandé plus d’imagerie que les physiothérapeutes (n=175). Jusqu’à deux physiothérapeutes sur trois ont sélectionné des traitements non recommandés par les GPC. Les résultats de l’étude de concordance démontrent que l’accord entre physiothérapeutes et orthopédistes était bon au niveau du diagnostic et modéré au niveau du triage des candidats chirurgicaux. Les patients souffrant de TDE interrogés (n=13) ont mentionné, dans la première étude qualitative, avoir attendu que leur douleur soit incapacitante avant de consulter un professionnel. Ces participants s’attendaient alors à recevoir un diagnostic clair et à être référés pour des tests d’imagerie. Finalement, ils espéraient recevoir des explications complètes et se voir proposer des options pertinentes de traitements. Les 19 physiothérapeutes et 16 médecins de famille interrogés dans la deuxième étude qualitative ont indiqué comme barrières à l’utilisation des recommandations des GPC : le manque de connaissances, le manque d’habileté à réaliser une évaluation clinique de l’épaule et la crainte de ne pas détecter une pathologie grave, si présente, sans un test d’imagerie. Le temps insuffisant de consultation avec les patients, leurs attentes et le manque d’accès à certains soins ont aussi été indiqués comme des barrières. Les principales stratégies identifiées suivant ces études incluent donc des interventions éducatives, la préparation de champions cliniques et la création d’équipes cliniques interdisciplinaires. À l’aide de ces stratégies, l’implantation pilote de l’intervention sera réalisée dans des groupes de médecine familiale. L’impact potentiellement bénéfique de cette implantation pourrait, à terme, améliorer la prise en charge des patients atteints de TDE. / Shoulder pain is a common and difficult to manage condition that can affect up to 55% of the general population. To optimize shoulder pain management in primary care, the main objective of this thesis was to develop a knowledge mobilization intervention to implement the recommendations from clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) covering the management of different shoulder disorders. A knowledge mobilization process based on four steps of the Knowledge-to-Action framework was used in this thesis. First, a systematic review of CPGs was performed to identify recommendations to be implemented for improving shoulder pain management in primary care. Then, the evidence-practice gaps were assessed using a survey documenting family physicians and physiotherapists shoulder pain management as well as in a study evaluating the concordance between physiotherapists and orthopedists for shoulder pain diagnosis and management. The determinants influencing CPGs recommendations’ implementation were identified by conducting two qualitative studies. The first study explored the experiences and expectations of patients living with shoulder pain and the second aimed to interview clinicians for identifying barriers and facilitators to the implementation of CPGs recommendations. Finally, based on the identified determinants and using the Behaviour Change Wheel method, we identified strategies for implementing CPGs recommendations covering the management of shoulder pain in primary care. Based on the systematic review of shoulder CPGs, we identified that shoulder pain generally does not initially require diagnostic imaging and referral to a medical musculoskeletal specialist, but that an active rehabilitation program is required. According to the survey results, family physicians (n=76) recommended more imaging than physiotherapists (n=175) for rotator cuff tendinopathy and adhesive capsulitis, although this is not indicated. Up to two out of three physiotherapists selected treatments not recommended by CPGs in the management of shoulder pain. The results of the concordance study showed that the agreement between physiotherapists and orthopedists was good in terms of diagnosis and moderate in terms of triage of surgical candidates. Patients (n=13) interviewed in the first qualitative study reported waiting until their shoulder pain was disabling before seeing a family physician or a physiotherapist. Participants expected a clear diagnosis and imaging tests to explain their shoulder pain. They also wished to receive clear and thorough explanations and relevant treatment options. The 19 physiotherapists and 16 family physicians that participated in focus groups indicated as barriers to the use of CPGs recommendations: lack of knowledge, poor skills in performing a clinical evaluation and fear of not identifying a serious pathology without medical imaging. Patients’ expectations, insufficient consultation time with patients and lack of patients’ access to certain care, such as rehabilitation treatments were also identified as barriers. The main strategies identified following these studies therefore include educational interventions, the preparation of clinical champions and the creation of interdisciplinary clinical teams. Using these strategies, pilot implementation of the intervention will be carried out in family medicine groups. The potentially beneficial impact of this implantation could ultimately improve the management of patients with shoulder pain in primary care.

No description available.

Opportunistic infections (OIs) have been identified as a leading cause of poor outcomes in the ARV therapy (ART) programme. In order to reduce OIs, the Malawi, MoH introduced routine prescription of cotrimoxazole preventive therapy (CPT) in 2005. The MoH also started scaling up a point-of-care electronic medical record (EMR) system in 2007 to improve monitoring and evaluation. This study had the following objectives: i) to quantify prescription of CPT before and after implementing EMR; ii) to compare the difference in CPT prescription before and after implementing EMR. A historically controlled study design was used to compare CPT prescriptions one year before, and one year after implementation of the EMR at two health facilities. The data indicated that there was a significant (P <0.001) decrease in CPT prescribing at one health facility and a significant increase in CPT prescription at another. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)