Journal of general internal medicine
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Observational Study
Identifying Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Interhospital Transfer: an Observational Study.
Interhospital transfer (IHT) is often performed to provide patients with specialized care. Racial/ethnic disparities in IHT have been suggested but are not well-characterized. ⋯ Black and Hispanic patients had lower odds of IHT, largely explained by a higher likelihood of being hospitalized at urban teaching hospitals. Racial/ethnic disparities in transfer were demonstrated at community hospitals, in certain geographic regions and among patients with specific diseases.
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, payers across the USA have stepped up to alleviate patients' financial burden by waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing and treatment. However, there has been no substantive discussion of potential long-term effects of COVID-19 on patient health or their financial and policy implications. ⋯ These complications are likely to place additional medical, psychological, and economic burdens on all patients, with lower-income individuals, the uninsured and underinsured, and individuals experiencing homelessness being most vulnerable. Thus, there needs to be a comprehensive plan for preventing and managing post-COVID-19 complications to quell their clinical, economic, and public health consequences and to support patients experiencing delayed morbidity and disability as a result.
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Correction to: Excess Weight Gain After Cure of Hepatitis C Infection with Direct-Acting Antivirals.
JGIM published the article matched with the editorial in this issue in the July 2020 issue. Our apologies to the authors of the paper and the editorial.
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Diseases of heads of state can affect national policy. Yet, cases of cover-up are numerous and involve not only dictatorships but also open and democratic societies. ⋯ These are issues of great relevance to national politics and medical ethics. They are particularly important as the 2020 presidential election is underway, and four out of the five leading candidates are well into their 70s.