Elizabeth Mertz1, Cynthia Wides2, Joel White3. 1. Division of Oral Epidemiology and Dental Public Health, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, Healthforce Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. Electronic address: elizabeth.mertz@ucsf.edu. 2. Division of Oral Epidemiology and Dental Public Health, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, Healthforce Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. 3. Division of Behavioral Sciences and Community Dental Education, Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study assesses dental clinicians' pre- and post-implementation attitudes, skills, and experiences with three clinical decision support (CDS) tools built into the electronic health record (EHR) of a multi-specialty group dental practice. METHODS: Electronic surveys designed to examine factors for acceptance of EHR-based CDS tools including caries management by risk assessment (CAMBRA), periodontal disease management by risk assessment (PEMBRA) and a risk assessment-based Proactive Dental Care Plan (PDCP) were distributed to all Willamette Dental Group employees at 2 time points; 3 months pre-implementation (Fall 2013) and 15 months after implementation (winter 2015). The surveys collected demographics, measures of job experience and satisfaction, and attitudes toward each CDS tool. The baseline survey response rate among clinicians was 83.1% (n = 567) and follow-up survey response rate was 63.2% (n = 508). Among the 344 clinicians who responded to both before and after surveys, 27% were general and specialist dentists, 32% were dental hygienists, and 41% were dental assistants. RESULTS: Adherence to the CDS tools has been sustained at 98%+ since roll-out. Between baseline and follow-up, the change in mean attitude scores regarding CAMBRA reflect statistically significant improvement in formal training, knowing how to use the tools, belief in the science supporting the tools, and the usefulness of the tool to motivate patients. For PEMBRA, statistically significant improvement was found in formal training, knowing how to use the tools, belief in the science supporting the tools, with improvement also found in belief that the format and process worked well. Finally, for the PDCP, significant and positive changes were seen for every attitude and skill item scored. A strong and positive correlation with post-implementation attitudes was found with positive experiences in the work environment, whereas a negative correlation was found with workload and stress. Clinicians highly ranked a commitment to evidence-based care and sense that the tools were helping to improve patient care, health, and experience as motivations to use the tools. Peer pressure, fears about malpractice, and incentive pay were rated the lowest among the motivation factors. CONCLUSION: This study shows that CDS tools built into the EHR can be successfully implemented in a dental practice and widely accepted by the entire clinical team. Achieving a high level of adherence to use of CDS can be done through adequate training, alignment with the mission and purpose of the organization, and is compatible with an improved work environment and clinician satisfaction.
OBJECTIVE: This study assesses dental clinicians' pre- and post-implementation attitudes, skills, and experiences with three clinical decision support (CDS) tools built into the electronic health record (EHR) of a multi-specialty group dental practice. METHODS: Electronic surveys designed to examine factors for acceptance of EHR-based CDS tools including caries management by risk assessment (CAMBRA), periodontal disease management by risk assessment (PEMBRA) and a risk assessment-based Proactive Dental Care Plan (PDCP) were distributed to all Willamette Dental Group employees at 2 time points; 3 months pre-implementation (Fall 2013) and 15 months after implementation (winter 2015). The surveys collected demographics, measures of job experience and satisfaction, and attitudes toward each CDS tool. The baseline survey response rate among clinicians was 83.1% (n = 567) and follow-up survey response rate was 63.2% (n = 508). Among the 344 clinicians who responded to both before and after surveys, 27% were general and specialist dentists, 32% were dental hygienists, and 41% were dental assistants. RESULTS: Adherence to the CDS tools has been sustained at 98%+ since roll-out. Between baseline and follow-up, the change in mean attitude scores regarding CAMBRA reflect statistically significant improvement in formal training, knowing how to use the tools, belief in the science supporting the tools, and the usefulness of the tool to motivate patients. For PEMBRA, statistically significant improvement was found in formal training, knowing how to use the tools, belief in the science supporting the tools, with improvement also found in belief that the format and process worked well. Finally, for the PDCP, significant and positive changes were seen for every attitude and skill item scored. A strong and positive correlation with post-implementation attitudes was found with positive experiences in the work environment, whereas a negative correlation was found with workload and stress. Clinicians highly ranked a commitment to evidence-based care and sense that the tools were helping to improve patient care, health, and experience as motivations to use the tools. Peer pressure, fears about malpractice, and incentive pay were rated the lowest among the motivation factors. CONCLUSION: This study shows that CDS tools built into the EHR can be successfully implemented in a dental practice and widely accepted by the entire clinical team. Achieving a high level of adherence to use of CDS can be done through adequate training, alignment with the mission and purpose of the organization, and is compatible with an improved work environment and clinician satisfaction.
Authors: Joel M White; Elizabeth A Mertz; Joanna M Mullins; Joshua B Even; Trey Guy; Elena Blaga; Aubri M Kottek; Shwetha V Kumar; Suhasini Bangar; Ram Vaderhobli; Ryan Brandon; William Santo; Larry Jenson; Stuart A Gansky Journal: Caries Res Date: 2019-06-05 Impact factor: 4.056
Authors: Joanna Mullins; Alfa Yansane; Elsbeth Kalenderian; Muhammad F Walji; Shwetha V Kumar; Suhasini Bangar; Ana Neumann; Todd R Johnson; Gregory W Olson; Krishna Kumar Kookal; Emily Sedlock; Aram Kim; Elizabeth Mertz; Ryan Brandon; Kristen Simmons; Joel M White Journal: BMC Oral Health Date: 2021-05-29 Impact factor: 2.757