Annals of family medicine
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Primary care research is central to the successful transformation of care delivery, providing the crucial evidence to overcome the longstanding and widespread threats and challenges to the realization of primary care's full potential. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), as the federal agency specifically charged with conducting and supporting primary care research, plays a pivotal role in supporting the research and generating the evidence needed to advance primary care. Drawing upon decades of AHRQ-supported research studies, extensive stakeholder consultation, and a Primary Care Research Summit held in fall 2020, we discuss the primary care research central to successful primary care transformation and for realizing the vision of a high-performing US health system to effectively serve all Americans and their communities while advancing health equity. ⋯ Primary care research can provide the evidence to help stem the twin epidemics of clinician burnout and lack of trust in the health system. Actualizing this vision will require a concerted and coordinated effort by policy makers, researchers, clinicians, and community members and a commitment to ensuring people and communities have ready access to primary care. Appeared as Annals "Online First" article.
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2022
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status for the Detection of Dementia in Primary Care.
Cognitive diagnostic work-up in primary care is not always physically feasible, owing to chronic disabilities and/or travel restrictions. The identification of dementia might be facilitated with diagnostic instruments that are time efficient and easy to perform, as well as useful in the remote setting. We assessed whether the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) might be a simple and accurate alternative for remote diagnostic cognitive screening in primary care. ⋯ In the present older population, the TICS performed well as a diagnostic screening instrument for excluding dementia and might be particularly useful when face-to-face diagnostic screening is not feasible in family practice or research settings. The potential reach to large numbers of people at low cost could contribute to more efficient medical management in primary care.
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Annals of family medicine · Mar 2022
Failure of the Problem-Oriented Medical Paradigm and a Person-Centered Alternative.
Our problem-oriented approach to health care, though historically reasonable and undeniably impactful, is no longer well matched to the needs of an increasing number of patients and clinicians. This situation is due, in equal parts, to advances in medical science and technologies, the evolution of the health care system, and the changing health challenges faced by individuals and societies. ⋯ Shifting the focus of care from clinician-identified abnormalities to person-relevant goals would elevate the role of patients; individualize care planning; encourage prioritization, prevention, and end-of-life planning; and facilitate teamwork. Paradigm shifts are difficult, but the time has come for a reconceptualization of health and health care that can guide an overdue transformation of the health care system.