The rising costs of health care and burgeoning government deficits have prompted new ways to control costs, while continuing to provide necessary health care. One method increasingly chosen by states to achieve these objectives is managed health care. There are many forms of managed care organization today. There are HMOs that provide the financing and delivery systems under the control of a single for-profit or non-profit organization; preferred provider organizations consisting of providers that have a pre-negotiated and usually discounted rate for services; administration service organizations that provide claims adjudication; and managed indemnity services organizations that use case management to control costs, while providing beneficiary freedom of choice.

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This thesis is a case analysis of the nature of delays in emergency room admissions and the effects on ambulance dispatching and availability as it occurred in Southern California.

Background: Management of atrial fibrillation (AF) is complex and requires active patient engagement in shared decision making to achieve better clinical outcomes, greater medication adherence, and increased treatment satisfaction. Efficacy in patient-physician interactions is a critical component of patient engagement, but factors associated with efficacy in older AF patients have not been well-characterized. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the ongoing Systematic Assessment of Geriatric Elements in Atrial Fibrillation (SAGE-AF) study, a cohort study of older adults (age ≥ 65) with non-valvular AF and CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 2. Participants were classified according to their Perceived Efficacy in Patient-Physician Interactions (PEPPI-5) score (lower: 0-44; higher: 45-50). Logistic regression analysis was used to identify sociodemographic, clinical (AF type, AF treatment, medical comorbidities), and geriatric (cognitive impairment, sensory impairment, frailty, independent functioning) factors associated with lower reported efficacy. Results: Participants (n = 1209; 49% female) had a mean age of 75. A majority (66%) reported higher efficacy in their interactions with physicians. Lower efficacy was associated with persistent AF (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13-2.04) and with symptoms of depression (aOR = 1.67; CI = 1.20-2.33) or anxiety (aOR = 1.40; CI = 1.01-1.94). Decreased odds of lower efficacy were observed in participants with chronic kidney disease (aOR = 0.68; CI = 0.50-0.92) and those classified as pre-frail compared to those classified as not frail (aOR = 0.71; CI = 0.53-0.95). Conclusion: Older patients with persistent AF or symptoms of depression or anxiety have decreased efficacy in patient-physician interactions. These individuals merit greater attention from physicians when engaged in shared decision making.

Heat waves represent a public health challenge that requires multiple responses and warnings to protect vulnerable populations. Although studies have reported an increasing trend of heat wave occurrence in many areas of the world, no clear trend exists in East Tennessee. Using data from Parameter-elevated Relationships on Independent Slope Models (PRISM), CDC WONDER and the United States Census Bureau, the relationship between mortality rates and year was estimated during heat wave events between 1999 and 2010. Five heat wave definitions were tested. Overall, 2007 and 2010 stand out as the years with the highest number of heat wave days in East Tennessee. August could be described as the hottest month. Three of the heat wave definitions tested show increasing non-accidental mortality rates with year. The relative risk for cardiovascular mortality is elevated among females compared to males for one of the heat wave definitions (Relative Risk (RR) = 1.33, CI= 1.08-1.65).

Orientador: Wilza Carla Spiri / Resumo: Objetivo: Compreender o significado do uso dos sistemas de classificação de pacientes como ferramenta gerencial para os gestores de enfermagem psiquiátrica e avaliar as características psicométricas do Sistema de Classificação de Pacientes Psiquiátricos – versão 2. Método: Estudo multimétodo sendo o delineamento qualitativo para a compreensão do significado, coleta de dados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas áudio gravadas e referencial metodológico da Análise de Conteúdo, já o delineamento de estudo metodológico foi utilizado para avaliar as características psicométricas através da Técnica Delphi com análise estatística. Participaram 10 gerentes de enfermagem de instituições psiquiátricas do Estado de São Paulo e 60 juízes especialistas. Utilizou-se o software NVivo para auxílio na análise das entrevistas e opiniões dos juízes e o software R Core Team para a análise estatística. A coleta de dados foi realizada entre agosto/2016 e maio/2017. Resultados: Quanto aos gerentes, a amostra constituiu-se de nove mulheres e um homem, com 14 anos de experiência em saúde mental e que estavam há quase sete anos no referido cargo na atual instituição. O ambiente do cuidado psiquiátrico emergiu como tema geral cercado por quatro subtemas: modelo atual de tomada de decisão, modelo ideal de tomada de decisão, dimensionamento de enfermagem, legislação profissional e de saúde mental. Apenas metade dos gerentes utilizaram um sistema de classificação de pacientes como ferramenta gerencial... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Objective: To understand the meaning of using patient classification systems as a managerial tool for psychiatric nursing managers and to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Psychiatric Patient Classification System - version 2. Method: Multi-method study used or qualitative quality design of the meaning, data collection through recorded semi-structured audio interviews and methodological references of Content Analysis, already outlining methodological studies used to evaluate how psychometric characteristics applied by the Delphi Technique with Statistical Analysis. Participated 10 managers of psychiatric nursing institutions in the State of São Paulo and 60 expert judges. The N-Vivo software was used to aid in the analysis of interviews and judges' opinions and the R Core Team software for statistical analysis. Data collection was carried out between August 2016 and May 2017. Results: As for the managers, a sample composed of nine women and one man, with 14 years of experience in mental health and who were almost seven years without a load at the current institution. The emerging psychiatric care environment as the general theme surrounded by four sub-themes: current decision model, ideal decision model, nursing dimension, professional legislation and mental health. Only half of the managers used a patient classification system as a management tool and as practices are still used without empiricism. As for the panel of judges, a sample composed of 14 documents,... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Background: Despite consensus guidelines, only about half of at-risk relatives in families with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) undergo clinical screening and even fewer undergo predictive genetic testing, leaving those unscreened at risk for sudden cardiac death. The use of qualitative inquiry to examine family communication and complex factors influencing uptake of screening may inform interventions to increase uptake and prevent sudden cardiac death. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the engagement of at-risk relatives in family screening for HCM. Specific Aims: The specific aims were to (1) Describe the experience of communication of genetic risk of HCM in families with a causative variant for HCM; (2) Use the Theory of Engagement to identify facilitators and barriers to family screening in families with a causative variant for HCM; and (3) Identify strategies to increase uptake of clinical screening and predictive genetic testing in families with a causative variant for HCM. Framework: The Theory of Engagement, adapted from McAllister, was used as an initial framework for the study. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design with purposive and snowball sampling was used and data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The overarching theme of Bringing Genetic Risk to the Foreground was comprised of three major themes: Cues to Action, Preferences for Knowledge and Gateways to Screening, reflecting factors that affect engagement with genetic risk and family screening throughout the lifespan. Conclusions: Integrated longitudinal care and access to genetic specialists are needed for patients and families with a causative variant for HCM.

When staffing reductions occur in the workplace, staff left behind may face increased stress, may not be given the support they need to manage the feelings caused by the reduction. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of stress caused by staffing reductions has on medical technologists (MT), medical technicians (MLT) and respiratory therapists (RT), and to identify any common methods of stress management used by those staff who remain in the organization. Literature research showed the negative impact stress can have on individuals when it is not addressed, such as decreased work performance, health issues, and even the inability to lead a normal life. After an extensive review of the data, no statistically significant common methods of coping strategies were identified between these two professions using prescribed variables. However, the same three strategies used to cope with staffing reduction-related stress were ranked at the top in both professions.

Innovative primary care models that deliver comprehensive primary care to address medical and social needs are an established means of improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs among persons living with chronic disease. Care management is one such approach that requires providers to monitor their respective patient panels and intervene on patients requiring care. Health information technology (IT) has been established as a critical component of care management and similar care models. While there exist a plethora of health IT systems for facilitating primary care, there is limited research on their ability to support care management and its emphasis on monitoring panels of patients with complex needs. In this dissertation, I advance the understanding of how computational methods can better support clinicians delivering care management, and use the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as an example scenario of use. The research described herein is segmented into 3 aims; the first was to understand the processes and barriers associated with care management and assess whether existing IT can support clinicians in this domain. The second and third aim focused on informing potential solutions to the technological shortcomings identified in the first aim. In the studies of the first aim, I conducted interviews and observations in two HIV primary care programs and analyzed the data generated to create a conceptual framework of population monitoring and identify challenges faced by clinicians in delivering care management. In the studies of the second aim, I used computational methods to advance the science of extracting from the patient record social and behavioral determinants of health (SBDH), which are not easily accessible to clinicians and represent an important barrier to care management. In the third aim, I conducted a controlled experimental evaluation to assess whether data visualization can improve clinician’s ability to maintain awareness of their patient panels.