Translating the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit into messages and materials to improve preventive care in older adults.

BACKGROUND

To increase the uptake of preventive healthcare services in the elderly, Medicare implemented the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). Many patients are unaware of this free annual visit so uptake of the AWV in primary care has been low. Boot Camp Translation (BCT) is an evidence-based method for translating complex medical jargon into messages and materials for patients and primary care practices.

METHODS

A national community advisory council of primary care clinicians and patients eligible for Medicare benefits were recruited from primary care practices across the United States. A BCT was conducted over 7 months and included a half day in-person kickoff, 5 phone calls, and 2 virtual video conferences.

RESULTS

Thirteen community patient partners, 4 clinicians, and 2 project staff participated in the Annual Wellness Visit BCT. This group gained a deep understanding of the AWV and developed messages tailored to people over 65 who are eligible for AWVs that included: prevention, staying healthy, having more time with primary care clinicians and getting to do the activities one likes for more years. Messages included that the visit is usually free and has potential financial benefit to the practice. Participants encouraged a combination of general messages that could be tailored and customized for local regions, cities, practice and community settings.

DISCUSSION: A group of patients and primary care clinicians participating in a BCT on AWVs successfully co-created an array of engaging and compelling messages and materials to promote the AWV. Future research will test the impact of these messages and materials on patient and clinician uptake of AWVs.