PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Boyce-Smith

Publications and source records attributed to G Boyce-Smith.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Variations in treatment benefits influence smoking cessation: results of a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact and costs of coverage for tobacco dependence treatment benefits with no patient cost sharing for smokers with employer sponsored coverage in two large independent practice association (IPA) model health maintenance organisations (HMOs) in California, USA. METHODS: A randomised experimental design was used. 1204 eligible smokers were randomly assigned either to the control group, which received a self-help kit (video and pamphlet), or to the treatment group, which received the self-help kit and fully covered benefits for over the counter (OTC) nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) gum and patch, and participation in a group behavioural cessation programme with no patient cost sharing. RESULTS: The quit rates after one year of follow up were 18% in the treatment group and 13% in the control group (adjusted odd ratio (OR) 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 to 2.4), controlling for health plan, sociodemographics, baseline smoking characteristics, and use of bupropion. Rates of quit attempts (adjusted OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.8) and use of nicotine gum or patch (adjusted OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.6 to 3.2) were also higher in the treatment group. The annual cost of the benefit per user who quit ranged from $1495 to $965 or from $0.73 to $0.47 per HMO member per month. CONCLUSIONS: Full coverage of a tobacco dependence treatment benefit implemented in two IPA model HMOs in California has been shown to be an effective and relatively low cost strategy for significantly increasing quit rates, quit attempts, and use of nicotine gum and patch in adult smokers.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

A comparison of diabetes patient's self-reported health status with hemoglobin A1c test results in 11 California health plans.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test rates and values and various self-reported measures of health status within a sample of diabetes patients drawn from 11 California health plans, with a focus on improving diabetes care in this patient population. DESIGN: The analysis relies on data obtained from medical records of a sample population of 4,747 diabetes patients and a patient survey mailed to a large subsample of patients included in the medical-records analysis. METHODS: Descriptive methods were used to compare the medical records and survey-data results. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: There were substantive differences noted between diabetes patients' self-reported health status, their level of satisfaction with the care they received, and the actual care they received. There was a large discrepancy between diabetes patients' perceptions of the care they received for their diabetes, which was overwhelmingly positive, and the HbA1c test-frequency rates observed across the 11 health plans studied, which were low. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' self-reports of health status, satisfaction with care, and extent of control over diabetes--a chronic condition that may have few perceptible symptoms--are associated with significant methodological limitations. Our examination of the relationship between perceived levels of self-management of diabetes and test status indicated that for patients who had at least one HbA1c test, some education during that process may have resulted in behavioral change. Patients who received no tests, however, may remain unaware of their glycemic control and the long-term consequences associated with even mild hyperglycemia. A clear need thus exists to educate diabetes patients about their health status. Health plan and provider group investments in educational efforts aimed at increasing testing rates are likely to lead to improved glycemic control and a reduction in the incidence of diabetes-related complications and related expenditures.

California↗