IntroductionChronic pain is highly prevalent and associated with a large burden of illness; there is a pressing need for safe, home-based, non-pharmacological, interventions. Virtual reality (VR) is a digital therapeutic known to be effective for acute pain, but its role in chronic pain is not yet fully elucidated. Here we present a protocol for the National Institute of Health (NIH) Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) VR trial that evaluates the effectiveness of three forms of VR for patients with chronic lower back pain (cLBP), a highly prevalent form of chronic pain.Methods and analysisThe NIH BACPAC VR trial will randomise 360 patients with cLBP into one of three arms, each administered through a head-mounted display: 1) skills-based VR, a program incorporating principles of cognitive behavioural therapy, mindful meditation and physiological biofeedback therapy using embedded biometric sensors; 2) distraction-based VR, a program using 360-degree immersive videos designed to distract users from pain; and 3) sham VR, a non-immersive program using two-dimensional videos within a VR headset. Research participants will be monitored for 12 weeks using a combination of patient-reported outcomes administered via REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture), wearable sensor data collected via Fitbit Charge 4 and electronic health record data. The primary outcome will be the NIH Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference scale. Secondary outcomes will include PROMIS Anxiety, PROMIS Sleep Disturbance, opioid prescription data and Pain Catastrophizing Scale Short Form. A subgroup analysis will explore patient level predictors for VR efficacy.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Cedars-Sinai Health System in April 2020. The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberNCT04409353.
OBJECTIVES
To develop a competency‐based, adaptable home visit curricula and clinical framework for family medicine (FM) residents, and to examine resident attitudes, self‐efficacy, and skills following implementation.
DESIGN
Quantitative analysis of resident survey responses and qualitative thematic analysis of written resident reflections.
SETTING
Urban FM residency program.
PARTICIPANTS
A total of 43 residents and 20 homebound patients in a home‐based primary care program.
INTERVENTION
A home‐based primary care practice and accompanying curriculum for FM residents was developed and implemented to improve learners’ confidence and skills to perform home visits.
MEASUREMENTS
A 10‐question survey with a 4‐point Likert scale and open‐ended responses. Written resident reflections following home visits.
RESULTS
Over 3 years, 43 unique respondents completed a total of 79 surveys evaluating attitudes, skills, and barriers to home care. Some residents may have completed the survey more than once at different stages in their training. Overall, 86% are interested in home visits in future practice, and 78% of survey responses indicated an increased likelihood to perform home visits with more training. Learners with two or more home visits reported significantly improved confidence. Themes across all resident reflections included social determinants of health, patient‐physician relationship, patient‐home assessment, patient autonomy/independence, and physician wellness/attitudes. Residents described how home visits encourage more holistic care to improve outcomes for patients who are homebound.
CONCLUSION
Our home visit curriculum provided new learning, an enhanced desire to practice home‐based primary care, improved learner confidence, and could help residents meet the need of a growing population of adults who are homebound. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:852–858, 2020
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