Summary
Research has shown that higher activation and engagement with health care is associated with better self-management. To our knowledge, the linkage intervention (LINKAGE) is the first to engage patients receiving addiction treatment with health care using the electronic health record and a patient activation approach. Evidence from this nonrandomized clinical trial, the LINKAGE intervention will be used to explore the importance of patient engagement in health care, including patient portal use and communication with physicians about alcohol and other drug problems. The focus of the presentation will be interactive Linkage exercises to model how teaching and activating patients receiving addiction treatment to use health care may empower them to better engage in their health management. We will also discuss the potential that adaptations of LINKAGE hold for improving the health and well-being of other vulnerable populations.
Workshop Downloads
Objectives
- Reviewing background on Patient Activation and Engagement evidence, and discuss findings from LINKAGE RCT
- Describe the Linkage intervention: engaging patients receiving addiction treatment with health care using the electronic health record and a patient activation approach. Empower participants with necessary tools for providing integrated health services that embrace individual patients needs and prepare professionals for team-based care to break down barriers between addiction medicine and primary care.
- Identify core components from Linkage curriculum: Increase coordination and continuity of care between Primary Care and specialty addiction treatment; reduce repetitive use of Emergency Room and inpatient care for chronic substance use disorders; provide members with information and skills on how to communicate with their Primary Care Providers about the psychosocial and physiological consequences of substance use disorders; help address challenges in patient adherence to treatment plans; link members to online electronic health records (EHRs) and other health education resources available in the patient portal and activate members to play a role in managing their own health care by communicating with their medical home and specialty care providers
References
- Weisner CM, Chi FW, Lu Y, Ross TB, Wood SB, Hinman A, Pating D, Satre D, Sterling SA. (2016). Examination of the effects of an intervention aiming to link patients receiving addiction treatment with health care: the Linkage Study clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry 73(8):804-14. PMCID: PMC4972645.
- McLellan AT, Starrels JL, Tai B, et al. Can substance use disorders be managed using the Chronic Care Model? review and recommendations from a NIDA consensus group. Public Health Rev. 2014;35(2):http://www.journalindex.net/visit.php ?j=6676.
- Young JQ, Kline-Simon AH, Mordecai DJ, Weisner C. Prevalence of behavioral health disorders and associated chronic disease burden in a commercially insured health system: findings of a case-control study. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2015;37 (2):101-108.
- Ancker JS, Osorio SN, Cheriff A, Cole CL, Silver M, Kaushal R. Patient activation and use of an electronic patient portal. Inform Health Soc Care. 2015;40(3):254-266
- Compton WM, Blanco C, Wargo EM. Integrating addiction services into general medicine. JAMA. 2015;314(22):2401-2402
