J Am Board Fam Med
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Because improved patient outcomes and experiences have been associated with health care workforce diversity, efforts to create a diverse family physician workforce have increased. However, a metric that could properly measure family physician representation in various contexts has seldom been studied. ⋯ We utilized the proposed metric logRQ to quantify the advancement in representation among ABFM certification candidates in different contexts. The proposed logRQ may serve as a useful tool to monitor representation progress systematically.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) in health care is the future that is already here. Despite its potential as a transformational force for primary care, most primary care providers (PCPs) do not know what it is, how it will impact them and their patients, and what its key limitations and ethical pitfalls are. ⋯ Primary care-as the dominant force at the base of the health care pyramid, with its unrivaled interconnectedness to every part of the health system and its deep relationship with patients and communities-is the most uniquely suited specialty to lead the health care AI revolution. PCPs can advance health care AI by partnering with technologists to ensure that AI use cases are relevant and human-centered, applying quality improvement methods to health care AI implementations, and advocating for inclusive and ethical AI that combats, rather than worsens, health inequities.
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Little data exist on the well-being of older adults from Asian American (AA) communities. ⋯ AA older adults report lower life satisfaction and not needed receiving social and emotional support compared with all other race/ethnicities. Among AAs, Korean older adults were most likely to report poorer well-being. AA older adult communities may be in urgent need of further research and investment in interventions.
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This is the first of two sequential equity and diversity-themed JABFM issues. Multiple articles address the social justice tenet of family medicine; ie, diversity and equity issues within the family medicine field and health care equity in the delivery of care to diverse patient populations. Within the field, we have a paper on how ABFM attempts to ensure equity in the board examination through differential item analyses review. ⋯ Gender inequity is also important for family medicine. For care of diverse populations, there is a discussion of pseudofolliculitis barbae implications, race-specific blood pressure medications and control, location of family physicians and of social services by need, and a large study of laboratory testing by gender. Articles on various clinical topics are also included.
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Medical marijuana is permitted in 36 states; 15 states allow recreational marijuana use. Previous surveys showed that family physicians were concerned about the physical and mental health effects of medical marijuana use, but the impact of recreational marijuana legalization and liberalization of marijuana laws on physician attitudes is unknown. ⋯ A survey was distributed to 1582 members of the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians' listserv, with items on individual and practice characteristics and experience with and attitudes toward medical marijuana. The results of this survey were compared with that of a nearly identical survey conducted with the same group in 2011. RESULTS: The proportion of family physician respondents in Colorado recommending medical marijuana to patients was the same in 2020 as in 2011 at 31%; 53% of physicians said that legislation allowing recreational marijuana did not change their approach to medical marijuana with patients. Family physicians were more likely to be in favor of legalization of recreational marijuana in 2020 than in 2011. CONCLUSIONS: Marijuana decriminalization and a robust marijuana economy in Colorado have not led to more family physicians recommending marijuana to patients, but there is now greater support for the legalization of recreational marijuana among family physicians.