Journal of general internal medicine
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In 2011, the U. S. Department of Veterans Health (VA) implemented a homeless-tailored primary care medical home model called the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams (HPACTs). ⋯ Included studies were categorized into studies that described the following: (1) early HPACT pilot implementation; (2) HPACT's association with service quality and utilization; and (3) specialized HPACT programs. Together, studies in this review suggest HPACT is associated with reductions in emergency department utilization and improvements in primary care utilization, engagement, and positive patient experiences; however, the methodological rigor of the included studies was low, and thus, these findings should only be considered preliminary. There is a need for randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of the PACT model on key outcomes of interest, as well as to determine whether the model is a viable way to manage healthcare for persons experiencing homelessness outside of the VA system.
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Telemedicine's dramatic increase during the COVID-19 pandemic elevates the importance of addressing patient-care gaps in telemedicine, especially for patients with limited English proficiency. ⋯ Among linguistically diverse patients with limited English proficiency, video telemedicine use differed by specific language. Disaggregating patient subpopulation data is necessary for identifying those at greatest risk of being negatively impacted by the digital divide.
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Despite recognition of the importance of substance use disorder (SUD) terminology, few studies examine terminology preferences among patients with SUDs. ⋯ Terminology preferences among people receiving methadone treatment aligned with existing guidelines recommending that clinicians use medically accurate and destigmatizing terminology when referring to substance use disorders and the persons who have them. Demographic differences emerged in terminological preferences, warranting further examination.
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The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) recommends at least annual spirometry for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Since spirometry acquisition is variable in clinical practice, identifying characteristics associated with annual spirometry may inform strategies to improve care for patients with COPD. ⋯ In a cohort of high-risk COPD patients, just over half completed spirometry within 1 year of hospitalization. Pulmonary clinic visit was most strongly associated with 1-year spirometry, though provider variables were not. Spirometry completion for high-risk COPD patients remains suboptimal and strategies to improve post-hospitalization care for patients not seen in pulmonary clinic should be developed to ensure guideline concordant care.
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Limited studies have explored the predictive efficiency of prediabetes based on two definitions for diabetes among Chinese middle-aged and older populations with prediabetes. ⋯ Neither definition of prediabetes is robust for predicting diabetes development in Chineses middle-aged and older populations.