Journal of general internal medicine
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Observational Study
Nurse Practitioner Care Environments and Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Hospitalization Among Medicare Beneficiaries with Coronary Heart Disease.
Nurse practitioners care for patients with cardiovascular disease, particularly those from racial and ethnic minority groups, and can help assure equitable health outcomes. Yet, nurse practitioners practice in challenging care environments, which limits their ability to care for patients. ⋯ Unfavorable care environments were associated with higher hospitalization rates among Black than among White beneficiaries with coronary heart disease. Racial disparities in hospitalization rates were not detected in practices with high-quality care environments, suggesting that improving nurse practitioner care environments could reduce racial disparities in hospitalizations.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Automated Reminders Enhance Mailed Fecal Immunochemical Test Completion Among Veterans: a Randomized Controlled Trial.
The Veterans Affairs (VHA) is working to establish a population-based colorectal cancer screening program for average-risk patients using mailed fecal immunochemical testing (FIT). However, low response rates to mailed FIT may hinder success. Key features of mailed FIT programs, including the use of reminders, differ among various national programs, with limited evidence among veterans. ⋯ Automated reminders increased colorectal cancer screening completion among average-risk veterans. An automated phone call or text message was equally effective. VHA facilities seeking to implement a mailed FIT program should consider using phone or text reminders, depending on available resources.