The objectives of this study are to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing a deprescribing nudge intervention using pragmatic methods, confirm that outcomes can be feasibly measured and evaluated at scale in a subsequent embedded pragmatic clinical trial (ePCT), and explore representativeness of persons living with dementia and care partners identified.
The PCP nudge will consist of: a 'pre-commitment' EHR nudge triggered when a PCP opens a patient encounter (i.e., prompt to first have a discussion and then later deprescribe) and a brief message within the in-basket prior to upcoming visits including information about their patient. The patient living with dementia (PLWD)/care partner nudge will include an electronic message delivered prior to upcoming visits (in their primary language recorded in the EHR) that includes a recommendation for the PLWD (and care partner, if available) to discuss medications with the PCP at the visit.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
262
PCPs will receive an enhanced EHR alert (nudge) that triggers when a PCP opens an encounter for an eligible patient living with dementia (PLWD). The nudge will provide information about the risks of continued medication use as well as tips and tools to help providers discuss medication discontinuation with patients and care partners. Additionally, the providers will receive a brief message in their in-basket 10 days before the patient's appointment as a reminder. Eligible PLWD of a randomized PCP will receive the nudge intervention which includes a brief recommendation for the PLWD (and care partner, if available) via the linked patient portal prior to upcoming visits (unless explicitly opted out by the PCP) to discuss medications with the PCP at the visit and link to a general handout about medications, unless explicitly opted out by the PCP. For PLWD without a portal account, the handout will be sent to their mailing address recorded in the EHR.
Mass General Brigham
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Composite of the Percentage of Eligible PCPs or Their PLWD/Care Partners Who View or Click on Information on or Before the Primary Care Provider Visit, up to 10 Days
This is the primary progression criteria for the study, measured on the patient level. This is measured as a composite of the number of eligible PCPs or their PLWD/care partners who view or click on information on or before the primary care provider visit, up to 10 days
Time frame: On or before the primary care provider visit, up to 10 days
Number of Patients With Nudges That Fire as Intended: Fidelity
Number of patients who had provider EHR alerts that fired as intended, measured among patients who had a completed target visit (n=99) within EHR data.
Time frame: On the primary care provider visit date
Discontinuation or Prescribed Reduction in Medication
Discontinuation or prescribed reduction in dose of at least one high-risk medication of interest within 60 days after the visit using data from the EHR system, measured on the patient-level as the number of patients who have medications discontinued or have a prescribed reduction.
Time frame: Within 60 days on or after the primary care provider visit
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