Implementation of an integrated primary care cardiometabolic risk prevention and management network in Montréal: does greater coordination of care with primary care physicians have an impact on health outcomes? / Mise en oeuvre d'un réseau intégré de prévention et de gestion du risque cardiométabolique en première ligne à Montréal : une plus grande coordination des soins avec les médecins de première ligne a-t-elle un impact sur les résultats de santé?

INTRODUCTION: Chronic disease management requires substantial services integration. A cardiometabolic risk management program inspired by the Chronic Care Model was implemented in Montréal for patients with diabetes or hypertension. One of this study's objectives was to assess the impact of care coordination between the interdisciplinary teams and physicians on patient participation in the program, lifestyle improvements and disease control. METHODS: We obtained data on health outcomes from a register of clinical data, questionnaires completed by patients upon entry into the program and at the 12-month mark, and we drew information on the program's characteristics from the implementation analysis. We conducted multiple regression analyses, controlling for patient sociodemographic and health characteristics, to measure the association between interdisciplinary team coordination with primary care physicians and various health outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1689 patients took part in the study (60.1% participation rate). Approximately 40% of patients withdrew from the program during the first year. At the 12-month follow-up (n = 992), we observed a significant increase in the proportion of patients achieving the various clinical targets. The perception by the interdisciplinary team of greater care coordination with primary care physicians was associated with increased participation in the program and the achievement of better clinical results. CONCLUSION: Greater coordination of patient services between interdisciplinary teams and primary care physicians translates into benefits for patients.

INTRODUCTION: La gestion des maladies chroniques nécessite une grande intégration des services. Un programme de gestion du risque cardiométabolique inspiré du Chronic Care Model a été implanté à Montréal pour les patients atteints de diabète ou d'hypertension. Un des objectifs de notre étude était d'apprécier l'impact de la coordination des soins entre les équipes interdisciplinaires et les médecins sur la participation des patients au programme et sur l'amélioration des habitudes de vie et le contrôle de la maladie. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Nous avons utilisé des données sur les résultats de santé issues d'un registre de données cliniques et de questionnaires aux patients à leur entrée dans le programme et à 12 mois de suivi, ainsi que des données sur les caractéristiques du programme provenant de l'analyse de son implantation. Nous avons réalisé des analyses de régression multiple, contrôlant pour les caractéristiques sociodémographiques et de santé des patients, pour mesurer l'association entre la coordination de l'équipe interdisciplinaire avec les médecins de première ligne et différents résultats de santé. RÉSULTATS: Au total, 1689 patients ont participé à l'évaluation (taux de participation 60,1 %). Environ 40 % des patients ont abandonné le programme durant la première année. À 12 mois de suivi (n = 992), nous avons observé une augmentation significative de la proportion des patients atteignant les différentes cibles cliniques. La perception par l'équipe interdisciplinaire d'une meilleure coordination des soins avec les médecins de première ligne était associée à une plus grande participation des patients au programme et à l'atteinte de meilleurs résultats cliniques. CONCLUSION: Greater coordination of patient services between interdisciplinary teams and primary care physicians translates into benefits for patients.

The prevention and management of chronic disease in primary care: recommendations from a knowledge translation meeting.

BACKGROUND: Seven chronic disease prevention and management programs were implemented across Quebec with funding support from a provincial-private industry funding initiative. Given the complexity of implementing integrated primary care chronic disease management programs, a knowledge transfer meeting was held to share experiences across programs and synthesize common challenges and success factors for implementation. METHODS: The knowledge translation meeting was held in February 2014 in Montreal, Canada. Seventy-five participants consisting of 15 clinicians, 14 researchers, 31 knowledge users, and 15 representatives from the funding agencies were broken up into groups of 10 or 11 and conducted a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis on either the implementation or the evaluation of these chronic disease management programs. Results were reported back to the larger group during a plenary and recorded. Audiotapes were transcribed and summarized using pragmatic thematic analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Strengths to leverage for the implementation of the seven programs include: (1) synergy between clinical and research teams; (2) stakeholders working together; (3) motivation of clinicians; and (4) the fact that the programs are evidence-based. Weaknesses to address include: (1) insufficient resources; (2) organizational change within the clinical sites; (3) lack of referrals from primary care physicians; and (4) lack of access to programs. Strengths to leverage for the evaluation of these programs include: (1) engagement of stakeholders and (2) sharing of knowledge between clinical sites. Weaknesses to address include: (1) lack of referrals; (2) difficulties with data collection; and (3) difficulties in identifying indicators and control groups. Opportunities for both themes include: (1) fostering new and existing partnerships and stakeholder relations; (2) seizing funding opportunities; (3) knowledge transfer; (4) supporting the transformation of professional roles; (5) expand the use of health information technology; and (6) conduct cost evaluations. Fifteen recommendations related to mobilisation of primary care physicians, support for the transformation of professional roles, and strategies aimed at facilitating the implementation and evaluation of chronic disease management programs were formulated based on the discussions at this knowledge translation event. CONCLUSION: The results from this knowledge translation day will help inform the sustainability of these seven chronic disease management programs in Quebec and the implementation and evaluation of similar programs elsewhere.