Abstract

Variation in Provider Connectedness Associates with Outcomes of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in an Analysis of Data from a National Health System

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020 Aug 13;S1542-3565(20)31137-X.doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.08.028. Online ahead of print.

Shirley Cohen-Mekelburg 1, Xianshi Yu 2, Deena Costa 3, Timothy P Hofer 4, Sarah Krein 5, John Hollingsworth 6, Wyndy Wiitala 7, Sameer Saini 8, Ji Zhu 2, Akbar Waljee 8

 
     

Author information

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Michigan; VA Center for Clinical Management Research; Institute of Health Policy and Innovation. Electronic address: shcohen@umich.edu.
  • 2Department of Statistics, University of Michigan.
  • 3Institute of Health Policy and Innovation; University of Michigan School of Nursing.
  • 4VA Center for Clinical Management Research; Institute of Health Policy and Innovation; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan.
  • 5VA Center for Clinical Management Research; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan.
  • 6Institute of Health Policy and Innovation; Department of Urology, University of Michigan.
  • 7VA Center for Clinical Management Research.
  • 8Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Michigan; VA Center for Clinical Management Research; Institute of Health Policy and Innovation.

Abstract

Background and aims: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) often require multidisciplinary care with tight coordination among providers. Provider connectedness, a measure of the relationship among providers, is an important aspect of care coordination that has been linked to higher quality care. We aimed to assess variation in provider connectedness among medical centers, and to understand the association between this established measure of care coordination and outcomes of patients with IBD.

Methods: We conducted a national cohort study of 32,949 IBD patients with IBD from 2005 to 2014. We used network analysis to examine provider connectedness, defined using network properties that measure the strength of the collaborative relationship, team cohesiveness, and between-facility collaborations. We used multilevel modeling to examine variations in provider connectedness and association with patient outcomes.

Results: There was wide variation in provider connectedness among facilities in complexity, rural designation, and volume of patients with IBD. In a multivariable model, patients followed in a facility with team cohesiveness (odds ratio, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.16-0.88) and where providers often collaborated with providers outside their facility (odds ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.31-0.75) were less likely to have clinically active disease, defined by a composite of outpatient flare, inpatient flare, and IBD-related surgery.

Conclusions: A national study found evidence for heterogeneity in patient-sharing among IBD care teams. Patients with IBD seen at health centers with higher provider connectedness appear to have better outcomes. Understanding provider connectedness is a step toward designing network-based interventions to improve coordination and quality of care.

© Copyright 2013-2024 GI Health Foundation. All rights reserved.
This site is maintained as an educational resource for US healthcare providers only. Use of this website is governed by the GIHF terms of use and privacy statement.