Increasing pneumococcal vaccination in managed care through telephone outreach.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of a telephone reminder to increase pneumococcal vaccination in a population that had received mailed reminders and to evaluate whether the intervention effect is similar for clinics serving primarily non-Hispanic black or non-Hispanic white patient populations.

Study Design: Randomized trial within a managed care network.

Methods: All unvaccinated patients 18 years and older with chronic medical conditions and 65 years and older without chronic medical conditions (N = 6106) were randomized to receive telephone intervention or standard care and followed up for 6-month vaccination status.

Web-based weight management programs in an integrated health care setting: a randomized, controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a Web-based tailored behavioral weight management program compared with Web-based information-only weight management materials.

Research Methods And Procedures: Participants, 2862 eligible overweight and obese (BMI = 27 to 40 kg/m2) members from four regions of Kaiser Permanente's integrated health care delivery system, were randomized to receive either a tailored expert system or information-only Web-based weight management materials. Weight change and program satisfaction were assessed by self-report through an Internet-based survey at 3- and 6-month follow-up periods.

Mammography screening: addressing myths and other reasons for noncompliance.

In the Kaiser Permanente (KP) Georgia Region, a program of extensive mailings, call center contacts, and other avenues of patient education has been designed to increase the number of women having mammograms and to decrease the mortality rate from breast cancer. Citing statistics from various studies nationwide and in the Atlanta area, the authors outline some reasons for patient resistance to mammography and describe the resulting development of a "patient fact sheet" and other interventions intended to increase the rate of screening mammograms conducted in our target population of KP members.

Factors Associated with Smoking Cessation Among Quit Smart(™) Participants.

Objectives: To evaluate social and program factors associated with the one-year smoking cessation rate among participants of a smoking cessation program at a managed care organization (MCO).

Methods: As implemented at this MCO, the Quit Smart(™) program incorporated group sessions taught by health educators, discount vouchers for nicotine replacement patches, self-help manuals, and a relaxation audiotape. A survey of 97 patients who participated in the program during 1999 or 2000 or both was administered one year after these participants completed the program.