Date Available
4-29-2022
Year of Publication
2022
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Committee Chair
Dr. Julianne Ossege
Clinical Mentor
Dr. Julianne Ewen
Committee Member
Dr. Angela Grubbs
Abstract
Background: Medicare Wellness Visits (MWV) came into use in 2011 to provide Medicare patients and their providers a chance to create a 5 to 10 year plan to prevent illness, disease, and disability. These visits are often underutilized due to various barriers on both the provider and patient side.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess provider barriers to conducting MWVs and provide an educational tool that will assist providers in increasing the number of MWVs conducted within this system.
Design: This is a descriptive, quasi-experimental study to assess provider barriers combined with a Quality improvement project that will focus on overcoming one of these barriers.
Methods: Provider barriers to MWVs were assessed via electronic survey. The educational tool, the ‘Differences Between Visits’ chart, was introduced to providers at a single primary care clinic within the healthcare system. Providers were educated on how to use the chart. After two months, a second survey was sent to the providers at the clinic to assess whether the chart was helpful and if providers would be willing to continue using it.
Results: Twelve respondents participated in the initial survey on provider barriers. Providers responded that the most important reason they did not complete MWVs was that they felt they already completed the requirements of the MWV during other visits and their patients want to discuss current health issues instead of discussing preventative measures. However, eight-three percent of the twelve respondents were somewhat or very likely to increase the number of MWVs they performed. After deployment of the ‘Differences Between Visits’ chart, one-hundred percent of the 4 providers who responded were satisfied with the chart and are somewhat or extremely likely to continue using the chart.
Discussion: In this study, providers seemed willing to improve the rate of MWVs they conducted and were receptive to the educational tool that was provided. Further research should be completed to identify strengths and weakness of the educational tool and what, if any, impact the tool has on completion of MWVs.
Recommended Citation
Rodriguez-Guerrant, Katherine, "Increasing Medicare Wellness Visit Participation in a Primary Care Clinic" (2022). DNP Projects. 397.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/dnp_etds/397
