7 results
Development of a model to predict antidepressant treatment response for depression among Veterans
- Victor Puac-Polanco, Hannah N. Ziobrowski, Eric L. Ross, Howard Liu, Brett Turner, Ruifeng Cui, Lucinda B. Leung, Robert M. Bossarte, Corey Bryant, Jutta Joormann, Andrew A. Nierenberg, David W. Oslin, Wilfred R. Pigeon, Edward P. Post, Nur Hani Zainal, Alan M. Zaslavsky, Jose R. Zubizarreta, Alex Luedtke, Chris J. Kennedy, Andrea Cipriani, Toshiaki A. Furukawa, Ronald C. Kessler
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- Journal:
- Psychological Medicine / Volume 53 / Issue 11 / August 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 15 July 2022, pp. 5001-5011
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Background
Only a limited number of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) respond to a first course of antidepressant medication (ADM). We investigated the feasibility of creating a baseline model to determine which of these would be among patients beginning ADM treatment in the US Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
MethodsA 2018–2020 national sample of n = 660 VHA patients receiving ADM treatment for MDD completed an extensive baseline self-report assessment near the beginning of treatment and a 3-month self-report follow-up assessment. Using baseline self-report data along with administrative and geospatial data, an ensemble machine learning method was used to develop a model for 3-month treatment response defined by the Quick Inventory of Depression Symptomatology Self-Report and a modified Sheehan Disability Scale. The model was developed in a 70% training sample and tested in the remaining 30% test sample.
ResultsIn total, 35.7% of patients responded to treatment. The prediction model had an area under the ROC curve (s.e.) of 0.66 (0.04) in the test sample. A strong gradient in probability (s.e.) of treatment response was found across three subsamples of the test sample using training sample thresholds for high [45.6% (5.5)], intermediate [34.5% (7.6)], and low [11.1% (4.9)] probabilities of response. Baseline symptom severity, comorbidity, treatment characteristics (expectations, history, and aspects of current treatment), and protective/resilience factors were the most important predictors.
ConclusionsAlthough these results are promising, parallel models to predict response to alternative treatments based on data collected before initiating treatment would be needed for such models to help guide treatment selection.
Development of a model to predict psychotherapy response for depression among Veterans
- Hannah N. Ziobrowski, Ruifeng Cui, Eric L. Ross, Howard Liu, Victor Puac-Polanco, Brett Turner, Lucinda B. Leung, Robert M. Bossarte, Corey Bryant, Wilfred R. Pigeon, David W. Oslin, Edward P. Post, Alan M. Zaslavsky, Jose R. Zubizarreta, Andrew A. Nierenberg, Alex Luedtke, Chris J. Kennedy, Ronald C. Kessler
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- Journal:
- Psychological Medicine / Volume 53 / Issue 8 / June 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 11 February 2022, pp. 3591-3600
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Background
Fewer than half of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) respond to psychotherapy. Pre-emptively informing patients of their likelihood of responding could be useful as part of a patient-centered treatment decision-support plan.
MethodsThis prospective observational study examined a national sample of 807 patients beginning psychotherapy for MDD at the Veterans Health Administration. Patients completed a self-report survey at baseline and 3-months follow-up (data collected 2018–2020). We developed a machine learning (ML) model to predict psychotherapy response at 3 months using baseline survey, administrative, and geospatial variables in a 70% training sample. Model performance was then evaluated in the 30% test sample.
Results32.0% of patients responded to treatment after 3 months. The best ML model had an AUC (SE) of 0.652 (0.038) in the test sample. Among the one-third of patients ranked by the model as most likely to respond, 50.0% in the test sample responded to psychotherapy. In comparison, among the remaining two-thirds of patients, <25% responded to psychotherapy. The model selected 43 predictors, of which nearly all were self-report variables.
ConclusionsPatients with MDD could pre-emptively be informed of their likelihood of responding to psychotherapy using a prediction tool based on self-report data. This tool could meaningfully help patients and providers in shared decision-making, although parallel information about the likelihood of responding to alternative treatments would be needed to inform decision-making across multiple treatments.
Disaster Preparedness in Home-based Primary Care: Policy and Training
- Maria L. Claver, Tamar Wyte-Lake, Aram Dobalian
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 30 / Issue 4 / August 2015
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 June 2015, pp. 337-343
- Print publication:
- August 2015
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Introduction
Veterans served by Veterans Health Administration (VHA) home-based primary care (HBPC) are an especially vulnerable population due to high rates of physical, functional, and psychological limitations. Home-bound patients tend to be an older population dealing with normal changes that accompany old age, but may not adequately be prepared for the increased risk that often occurs during disasters. Home health programs are in an advantageous position to address patient preparedness as they may be one of the few outside resources that reach community-dwelling adults.
ProblemThis study further explores issues previously identified from an exploratory study of a single VHA HBPC program regarding disaster preparedness for HBPC patients, including ways in which policy and procedures support the routine assessment of disaster preparedness for patients, including patient education activities.
MethodsThis project involved semi-structured interviews with 31 practitioners and leadership at five VHA HBPC programs; three urban and two rural. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using content analysis techniques.
ResultsPractitioners reported a need for further training regarding how to assess properly patient disaster preparedness and patient willingness to prepare. Four themes emerged, validating themes identified in a prior exploratory project and identifying additional issues regarding patient disaster preparedness: (1) individual HBPC programs generally are tasked with developing their disaster preparedness policies; (2) practitioners receive limited training about HBPC program preparedness; (3) practitioners receive limited training about how to prepare their patients for a disaster; and (4) the role of HBPC programs is focused on fostering patient self-sufficiency rather than presenting practitioners as first responders. There was significant variability across the five sites in terms of which staff have responsibility for preparedness policies and training.
ConclusionVariability across and within sites regarding how patient needs are addressed by preparedness policies, and in terms of preparedness training for HBPC providers, could place patients at heightened risk of morbidity or mortality following a disaster. Despite the diversity and uniqueness of HBPC programs and the communities they serve, there are basic aspects of preparedness that should be addressed by these programs. The incorporation of resources in assessment and preparedness activities, accompanied by increased communication among directors of HBPC programs across the country, may improve HBPC programs’ abilities to assist their patients and their caregivers in preparing for a disaster.
,Claver ML ,Wyte-Lake T .Dobalian A Disaster Preparedness in Home-based Primary Care: Policy and Training . Prehosp Disaster Med.2015 ;30 (4 ):1 7.
Pre-earthquake Burden of Illness and Postearthquake Health and Preparedness in Veterans
- Claudia Der-Martirosian, Deborah Riopelle, Diana Naranjo, Elizabeth M. Yano, Lisa V. Rubenstein, Aram Dobalian
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 29 / Issue 3 / June 2014
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 10 April 2014, pp. 223-229
- Print publication:
- June 2014
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Background
During an earthquake, vulnerable populations, especially those with chronic conditions, are more susceptible to adverse, event-induced exacerbation of chronic conditions such as limited access to food and water, extreme weather temperatures, and injury. These circumstances merit special attention when health care facilities and organizations prepare for and respond to disasters.
MethodsThis study explores the relationship between pre-earthquake burden of illness and postearthquake health-related and preparedness factors in the US. Data from a cohort of male veterans who were receiving care at the Sepulveda Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Los Angeles, California USA during the 1994 Northridge earthquake were analyzed.
ResultsVeterans with one or more chronic conditions were more likely to report pain lasting two or more days, severe mental/emotional stress for more than two weeks, broken/lost medical equipment, having difficulty refilling prescriptions, and being unable to get medical help following the quake compared to veterans without chronic conditions. In terms of personal emergency preparedness, however, there was no association between burden of illness and having enough food or water for at least 24 hours after the earthquake.
ConclusionThe relationship that exists between health care providers, including both individual providers and organizations like the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and their vulnerable, chronically-ill patients affords providers the unique opportunity to deliver critical assistance that could make this vulnerable population better prepared to meet their postdisaster health-related needs. This can be accomplished through education about preparedness and the provision of easier access to medical supplies. Disaster plans for those who are burdened with chronic conditions should meet their social needs in addition to their psychological and physical needs.
. ,Der-Martirosian C ,Riopelle D ,Naranjo D ,Yano E ,Rubenstein L .Dobalian A Pre-earthquake Burden of Illness and Postearthquake Health and Preparedness in Veterans . Prehosp Disaster Med.2014 ;29 (3 ):1 -7
General Household Emergency Preparedness: A Comparison Between Veterans and Nonveterans
- Claudia Der-Martirosian, Tara Strine, Mangwi Atia, Karen Chu, Michael N. Mitchell, Aram Dobalian
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 29 / Issue 2 / April 2014
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 March 2014, pp. 134-140
- Print publication:
- April 2014
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Background
Despite federal and local efforts to educate the public to prepare for major emergencies, many US households remain unprepared for such occurrences. United States Armed Forces veterans are at particular risk during public health emergencies as they are more likely than the general population to have multiple health conditions.
MethodsThis study compares general levels of household emergency preparedness between veterans and nonveterans by focusing on seven surrogate measures of household emergency preparedness (a 3-day supply of food, water, and prescription medications, a battery-operated radio and flashlight, a written evacuation plan, and an expressed willingness to leave the community during a mandatory evacuation). This study used data from the 2006 through 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a state representative, random sample of adults aged 18 and older living in 14 states.
ResultsThe majority of veteran and nonveteran households had a 3-day supply of food (88% vs 82%, respectively) and prescription medications (95% vs 89%, respectively), access to a working, battery-operated radio (82% vs 77%, respectively) and flashlight (97% vs 95%, respectively), and were willing to leave the community during a mandatory evacuation (91% vs 96%, respectively). These populations were far less likely to have a 3-day supply of water (61% vs 52%, respectively) and a written evacuation plan (24% vs 21%, respectively). After adjusting for various sociodemographic covariates, general health status, and disability status, households with veterans were significantly more likely than households without veterans to have 3-day supplies of food, water, and prescription medications, and a written evacuation plan; less likely to indicate that they would leave their community during a mandatory evacuation; and equally likely to have a working, battery-operated radio and flashlight.
ConclusionThese findings suggest that veteran households appear to be better prepared for emergencies than do nonveteran households, although the lower expressed likelihood of veterans households to evacuate when ordered to do so may place them at a somewhat greater risk of harm during such events. Further research should examine household preparedness among other vulnerable groups including subgroups of veteran populations and the reasons why their preparedness may differ from the general population.
. ,Der-Martirosian C ,Strine T ,Atia M ,Chu K ,Mitchell MN .Dobalian A General Household Emergency Preparedness: A Comparison Between Veterans and Nonveterans . Prehosp Disaster Med.2014 ;29 (2 ):1 -7
Competency in Chaos: Lifesaving Performance of Care Providers Utilizing a Competency-Based, Multi-Actor Emergency Preparedness Training Curriculum
- Lancer A. Scott, Derrick A. Swartzentruber, Christopher Ashby Davis, P. Tim Maddux, Jennifer Schnellman, Amy E. Wahlquist
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 28 / Issue 4 / August 2013
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 26 April 2013, pp. 322-333
- Print publication:
- August 2013
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Objective
Providing comprehensive emergency preparedness training (EPT) to care providers is important to the future success of disaster operations in the US. Few EPT programs possess both competency-driven goals and metrics to measure performance during a multi-patient simulated disaster.
MethodsA 1-day (8-hour) EPT course for care providers was developed to enhance provider knowledge, skill, and comfort necessary to save lives during a simulated disaster. Nine learning objectives, 18 competencies, and 34 performance objectives were developed. During the 2-year demonstration of the curriculum, 24 fourth-year medical students and 17 Veterans Hospital Administration (VHA) providers were recruited and volunteered to take the course (two did not fully complete the research materials). An online pre-test, two post-tests, course assessment, didactic and small group content, and a 6-minute clinical casualty scenario were developed. During the scenario, trainees working in teams were confronted with three human simulators and 10 actor patients simultaneously. Unless appropriate performance objectives were met, the simulators “died” and the team was exposed to “anthrax.” After the scenario, team members participated in a facilitator-led debriefing using digital video and then repeated the scenario.
ResultsTrainees (N = 39) included 24 (62%) medical students; seven (18%) physicians; seven (18%) nurses; and one (3%) emergency manager. Forty-seven percent of the VHA providers reported greater than 16 annual hours of disaster training, while 15 (63%) of the medical students reported no annual disaster training. The mean (SD) score for the pre-test was 12.3 (3.8), or 51% correct, and after the training, the mean (SD) score was 18.5 (2.2), or 77% (P < .01). The overall rating for the course was 96 out of 100. Trainee self-assessment of “Overall Skill” increased from 63.3 out of 100 to 83.4 out of 100 and “Overall Knowledge” increased from 49.3 out of 100 to 78.7 out of 100 (P < .01). Of the 34 performance objectives during the disaster scenario, 23 were completed by at least half of the teams during their first attempt. All teams except one (8 of 9) could resuscitate two simulators and all teams (9 of 9) helped prevent anthrax exposure during their second scenario attempt.
ConclusionsThe 1-day EPT course for novice and experienced care providers recreated a multi-actor clinical disaster and enhanced provider knowledge, comfort level, and EPT skill. A larger-scale study, or multi-center trial, is needed to further study the impact of this curriculum and its potential to protect provider and patient lives.
. ,Scott LA ,Swartzentruber D ,Davis CA ,Maddux PT ,Schnellman J .Wahlquist AE Competency in Chaos: Lifesaving Performance of Care Providers Utilizing a Competency-Based, Multi-Actor Emergency Preparedness Training Curriculum . Prehosp Disaster Med.2013 ;28 (4 ):1 -12
Personal Medication Preparedness Among Veteran and Nonveteran Men and Women in the California Population
- Kevin C. Heslin, June L. Gin, Melissa K. Afable, Karen Ricci, Aram Dobalian
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- Journal:
- Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 28 / Issue 4 / August 2013
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 26 April 2013, pp. 359-366
- Print publication:
- August 2013
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Introduction
The health of people with chronic medical conditions is particularly vulnerable to the disruptions caused by public health disasters, especially when there is massive damage to the medical infrastructure. Government agencies and national organizations recommend that people with chronic illness prepare for disasters by stockpiling extra supplies of medications.
ProblemA wide range of chronic illnesses has long been documented among veterans of the US armed forces. Veterans with chronic illness could be at great risk of complications due to disaster-related medication disruptions; however, the prevalence of personal medication preparedness among chronically ill veterans is not currently known.
MethodsData was used from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey on 28,167 respondents who reported taking daily medications. After adjusting for differences in age, health status, and other characteristics, calculations were made of the percentage of respondents who had a two-week supply of emergency medications and, among respondents without a supply, the percentage who said they could obtain one. Veteran men, veteran women, nonveteran men, and nonveteran women were compared.
ResultsMedication supplies among veteran men (81.9%) were higher than among nonveteran women (74.8%; P < .0001) and veteran women (81.1%; P = 0.014). Among respondents without medication supplies, 67.2% of nonveteran men said that they could obtain a two-week supply, compared with 60.1% of nonveteran women (P = .012).
DiscussionAmong adults in California with chronic illness, veteran men are more likely to have personal emergency medication supplies than are veteran and nonveteran women. Veteran men may be more likely to be prepared because of their training to work in combat zones and other emergency situations, which perhaps engenders in them a culture of preparedness or self-reliance. It is also possible that people who choose to enlist in the military are different from the general population in ways that make them more likely to be better prepared for emergencies.
ConclusionVeterans in California have a relatively high level of emergency medication preparedness. Given the health complications that can result from disaster-related medication disruptions, this is a promising finding. Disasters are a national concern, however, and the personal preparedness of veterans in all parts of the nation should be assessed; these findings could serve as a useful reference point for such work in the future.
. ,Heslin K ,Gin J ,Afable M ,Ricci K .Dobalian A Personal Medication Preparedness Among Veteran and Nonveteran Men and Women in the California Population . Prehosp Disaster Med.2013 ;28 (4 ):1 -8