Background: The 2023-2024 influenza season had predominant influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus activity, but A(H3N2) and B viruses co-circulated. Seasonal influenza vaccine strains were well-matched to these viruses.
Methods: Using health care encounters data from health systems in 8 states, we evaluated influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against influenza-associated medical encounters from October 2023-April 2024.
This case report describes the implementation approach and evaluation of a medical-dental integration (MDI) project in Colorado that embedded dental hygienists (DHs) into 10 medical practice settings. Through the MDI Learning Collaborative, DHs were integrated into primary care medical care practices to provide full-scope dental hygiene care to patients. Dental hygienists were trained to collect quality-improvement metrics on all encounters, including untreated tooth decay, and referred patients with restorative needs to partnering dentists.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: We evaluated Colorado's paid family caregiver certified nursing assistant (CNA) program by assessing stakeholders' perceptions of the model's strengths and potential areas for improvement.
Methods: A professional bilingual research assistant conducted key informant interviews of English- and Spanish-speaking certified nursing assistant (CNA) family caregivers (FCs), primary care providers, and pediatric home health administrators of children with medical complexity in the family caregiver CNA program. Interview questions focused on the program's benefits, drawbacks, and implications for the child and caregiver's quality of life.
Objective: Our goal is to establish the feasibility of using an artificially intelligent chatbot in diverse healthcare settings to promote COVID-19 vaccination.
Methods: We designed an artificially intelligent chatbot deployed via short message services and web-based platforms. Guided by communication theories, we developed persuasive messages to respond to users' COVID-19-related questions and encourage vaccination.
Background: Mobile applications (apps) exist to promote early child development; however, few studies have examined use of these apps among low-income families. Our objectives were to measure engagement with the Engage, Develop, Learn (EDL) app and determine if it promoted engagement and behavior change among low-income caregivers.
Methods: We conducted a pilot study among English and Spanish-speaking, low-income families with children ages 12 to 15 months who received either the EDL app or injury prevention text messages.
Background: Electronic health records are now the norm in US healthcare. Bidirectional patient portals allow frequent communication between patients and their healthcare team. Many studies have examined the importance of patient engagement and trust between patients and their healthcare team, typically in the context of face-to-face interactions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlmost 50% of patients with cardiovascular diseases face challenges in taking medications and increased morbidity and mortality. Text messaging may impact medication refill behavior and can be delivered at scale to patients by texting mobile phones. To obtain feedback from persons with chronic conditions on the design of interactive text messages and determine language of message for making messages that can motivate patients to refill medications on time.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Bright by Three (BB3), a non-profit organization that promotes caregiver behaviors to support language development in young children was augmented with a text-messaging program, Bright by Text (BBT), in 2015. While some evidence suggests that text-messaging can promote early development, it is unknown if these interventions are reaching children at increased sociodemographic risk for developmental delay. The purpose of this study is to compare socio-demographic characteristics of caregivers who did and did not enroll in BBT.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF. This study investigated participants' acceptance of a short messaging service (SMS) intervention designed to support asthma management, including suggestions regarding program delivery and message content. .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To explore the use of rapid needs assessment (RNA) surveys to determine the prevalence and factors contributing to delays in vaccination of children in two low middle-income countries (LMIC).
Methods: Data from two RNA surveys performed as part of program improvement evaluations in Guatemala and Peru were used for this analysis. The primary endpoint was the timeliness of immunization with delay defined as administration of vaccines beyond 28 days from recommended age for DTwP-HepB-Hib (Penta) and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines, as well as past age-restrictions for rotavirus vaccine.