Journal of general internal medicine
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There is a perception that income-based disparities are present in most countries but may differ in magnitude. However, there are few international comparisons that describe income-based disparities across countries and none that focus on hip fractures. ⋯ Income-based disparities in treatments and outcomes for older adults hospitalized for hip fractures differed in magnitude, but were present in all six high-income countries. Defying our expectations, the USA did not have consistently larger disparities than other countries suggesting that the impacts of poverty exist in vastly different healthcare systems and transcend geopolitical borders.
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Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in the United States play a crucial role in ensuring the ethical conduct of clinical trials, including assessing the scientific merit of studies to justify the risks to participants. However, prior research suggests that many IRBs do not systematically evaluate scientific merit, raising concerns about the approval of low-quality trials. ⋯ IRB guidance materials vary in their coverage of scientific merit dimensions, with significant gaps in areas critical for assessing study quality. Strengthening guidance materials by including comprehensive instructions for all 15 dimensions could improve IRB assessments of scientific merit, thereby enhancing the ethical oversight of clinical trials.
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Alcohol-related hospitalizations are rising; however, medications for alcohol use disorder (M-AUD) are underprescribed despite their effectiveness to reduce heavy drinking. In-hospital administration of intramuscular (IM)-naltrexone may reduce negative health outcomes among people with AUD who are unable to take daily MAUD. ⋯ ACS clinicians viewed IM-naltrexone provision favorably. Some patients expressed concern about their alcohol use and its health impacts while others were ambivalent. Despite this, most accepted MAUD. All forms of MAUD should be offered in the hospital to support patients' recovery goals.