Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2009
Interdisciplinary curriculum to train internal medicine and obstetrics-gynecology residents in ambulatory women's health: adapting problem-based learning to residency education.
Although residents in internal medicine (IM) and obstetrics-gynecology (OG) must provide primary care for women, studies indicate that both groups require more skills and training in women's health. Our goals were to assess the needs of residents at our academic medical center and to design an interdisciplinary curriculum that addresses these needs utilizing a modified problem-based learning (PBL) format. The aim of this article is to report on the development, logistics, and successful implementation of our innovative curriculum. ⋯ Interdisciplinary modified PBL conferences focusing on shared curricular needs in ambulatory women's health are well-received by both IM and OG residents. This format utilizes theories of adult learning and maximizes limited time and resources by teaching IM and OG residents concurrently, and can be successfully implemented at a large academic medical center.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2009
Self-reported vulvar pain characteristics and their association with clinically confirmed vestibulodynia.
We evaluated a series of questions pertaining to vulvar pain symptoms to determine their association with a localized vulvodynia (vestibulodynia) diagnosis in women from the general population. ⋯ Our findings suggest that a small number of symptoms may be suitable for identifying a large proportion of women suffering from vestibulodynia which may be ideal for the development of an effective screening test in the future. However, we also recognize that a large proportion of women experiencing vulvar pain symptoms will not meet the diagnostic criteria for vestibulodynia. Thus, implementing such a screening procedure as part of a routine examination or testing would require a subsequent pelvic examination to confirm a vestibulodynia diagnosis and to rule out other known explanations for vulvar pain.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2009
An approach to enhance communication about screening mammography in primary care.
Informed decision making for preventive and screening services in primary care is receiving increased emphasis, yet the actual practice of informed decision making in clinical settings is limited. Lack of training, time, and standardized approaches to engage patients in decision making have been cited as barriers. In initiating screening mammography for women in their 40s, most organizations advise clinicians to educate women about the benefits and potential harms of screening, yet provide no practical guidelines on how to do so in clinical practice. ⋯ The dialogue may be used in office and in academic clinical settings to engage women in decision making about initiating screening mammography, to educate them about the potential benefits and harms, and may also serve as a foundation for teaching medical students and residents about patient-centered communication.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2009
Comparative StudyParity and breastfeeding in relation to obesity among black and white women in the southern community cohort study.
This research sought to describe associations among parity, breastfeeding, and adult obesity in black and white women in the southeastern United States. ⋯ The associations between childbearing factors and measures of adult obesity appear to be larger in white women compared to black women but relatively small overall. However, when considered as part of the constellation of factors that lead to obesity, even these small associations may be important in an overall obesity prevention strategy.