JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Splinting vs surgery in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can be treated with nonsurgical or surgical options. However, there is no consensus on the most effective method of treatment. ⋯ Treatment with open carpal tunnel release surgery resulted in better outcomes than treatment with wrist splinting for patients with CTS.
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Obesity, a leading cause of preventable death and chronic disease, is associated with disability. Little is known about obesity among adults with specific disabilities. ⋯ Obesity appears to be more prevalent in adults with sensory, physical, and mental health conditions. Health care practitioners should address weight control and exercise among adults with disabilities.
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International medical graduates (IMGs) consistently represent approximately one fourth of both the physician workforce and the graduate medical education (GME) population of the United States. To enter into accredited US GME programs, IMGs must be certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Changes in the number and characteristics of those seeking certification directly affect the GME population and the future physician workforce in the United States. ⋯ For this period, we found that the number of IMG candidates taking the Step 1 examination decreased by 45.5% (36,983 vs 16,828), and the number of IMGs registered to take Step 2 decreased by 38.1% (31 751 vs 12 122). The number of ECFMG certificates issued annually decreased, from a range of 9000 to 12,000 (1995-1998) to fewer than 6000 (1999-2001). Although the number of IMGs annually seeking and receiving certification has decreased, the quality of the applicants appears to have improved and the number of IMGs certified annually continues to adequately fill GME positions not taken by US medical graduates.