Knowing How to Ask Good Questions: Comparing Latinos and Non-Latino Whites Enrolled in a Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Study.

INTRODUCTION: Latinos face unique challenges engaging with their health care providers for risk management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). OBJECTIVE: To better understand differences in how Latinos and non-Latino whites (NLWs) experience CVD care. METHODS: We examined self-reported activation, engagement, confidence, and communication comparing Latinos (n = 194) and NLWs (n = 208). Data were taken from baseline survey assessments of participants in the CREATE Wellness Study (NCT02302612), designed to help patients with poorly controlled CVD risk factors more actively engage in their care. The groups were compared using χ2 tests and separate logistic regression models adjusting for age, age and income, and age and educational attainment. RESULTS: Latinos in this cohort were younger, were less educated, and had lower incomes than did NLWs. In age-adjusted models, Latinos were significantly less likely to report knowing how to ask good questions about their health (71.1% vs 83.7% for NLW, p < 0.01; adjusted odds ratio = 0.49, 95% confidence interval = 0.29-0.83). Further adjustment by educational attainment or income did not attenuate this association. Latinos were also significantly more likely to report positive experiences and confidence with several measures of chronic illness care (adjusted odds ratio range = 1.57-2.01). Further adjustment by educational attainment eliminated these associations. CONCLUSION: We found notable differences between Latinos and NLWs in their experience of health care. These results provide insights into how CVD risk management programs can be tailored for Latinos. Interventions to improve patient activation and engagement for Latinos with CVD should emphasize question-asking skills.

CREATE Wellness: A multi-component behavioral intervention for patients not responding to traditional Cardiovascular disease management.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the US. Many patients do not benefit from traditional disease management approaches to CVD risk reduction. Here we describe the rationale, development, and implementation of a multi-component behavioral intervention targeting patients who have persistently not met goals of CVD risk factor control. METHODS: Informed by published evidence, relevant theoretical frameworks, stakeholder advice, and patient input, we developed a group-based intervention (Changing Results: Engage and Activate to Enhance Wellness; "CREATE Wellness") to address the complex needs of patients with elevated or unmeasured CVD-related risk factors. We are testing this intervention in a randomized trial among patients with persistent (i.e > 2 years) sub-optimal risk factor control despite being enrolled in an advanced and highly successful CVD disease management program. RESULTS: The CREATE Wellness intervention is designed as a 3 session, group-based intervention combining proven elements of patient activation, health system engagement skills training, shared decision making, care planning, and identification of lifestyle change barriers. Our key learnings in designing the intervention included the value of multi-level stakeholder input and the importance of pragmatic skills training to address barriers to care. CONCLUSIONS: The CREATE Wellness intervention represents an evidence-based, patient-centered approach for patients not responding to traditional disease management. The trial is currently underway at three medical facilities within Kaiser Permanente Northern California and next steps include an evaluation of efficacy, adaptation for non-English speaking patient populations, and modification of the curriculum for web- or phone-based versions. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: NCT02302612.