J Natl Med Assoc
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Comparative Study
Inpatient outcomes comparing White and Black patients with obesity hospitalized for COVID-19 infection.
Comparisons between Black and White patients with obesity hospitalized with COVID-19 have not been fully studied. We sought to determine outcomes differences between these two groups. ⋯ During the first year of the pandemic, Black patients with obesity and COVID-19 were less likely to die during the incident hospitalization but used greater hospital resources compared to White patients.
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As healthcare systems become more complex, medical education needs to adapt in many ways. There is a growing need for more formal leadership learning for healthcare providers, including greater attention to health disparities. An important challenge in addressing health disparities is ensuring inclusive excellence in the leadership of healthcare systems and medical education. ⋯ Also consistently noted, through qualitative assessments, are broader healthcare system knowledge and shared tactics for addressing common challenges among Scholars. This case example shows that the promotion of leadership equity may jointly enhance professional development while creating opportunities for systems change within academic medical centers. Such an approach can be a potential model for academic medical institutions and other healthcare schools seeking to promote leadership equity and inclusion.
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The purpose of our study is to examine the barriers and facilitators for urban African American students interested in pursuing health professions careers in the Midwest. In our analysis of the key informant interviews and focus groups, we identified four barriers (lack of preparation, lack of funding, lack of support/isolation, and perceived discrimination) and three facilitators (early preparation, support/mentorship, funding). ⋯ Novel future directions for this work should include comprehensive interventions tailored to URM students that span the health professions education pipeline and begin as early as elementary school. Interventions that engage mentors should take place at high school, undergraduate, and graduate health professions school levels.
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Impostor syndrome (IS) is prevalent in medical professionals. However, little is known about the prevalence of IS among medical trainees and those who are underrepresented in medicine (UiM). Even less is known about the experiences of UiM students at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) and historically black colleges/universities (HBCUs) relative to their non-UiM peers. The purpose of this study is to investigate differences in impostor syndrome among UiM and non-UiM medical students at a PWI and a HBCU. We additionally explored gender differences in impostor syndrome among UiM and non-UiM students at both institutions. ⋯ Impostor syndrome is informed by gender, UiM status, as well as environmental context. Efforts to provide supportive professional development for medical students should be directed towards understanding and combatting this phenomenon at this critical juncture of their medical career.
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Most research on autism has targeted White Americans. Although challenges and coping mechanisms are present for all parents, some aspects are influenced by culture. This study aims to compare the experiences, challenges and coping strategies for parents of children with autism residing in the US and Arab countries. ⋯ Lower satisfaction with all aspects of the diagnosis process was found among parents in Arab countries compared to those residing in the US. Lack of community support for Arab parents was also a more significant challenge compared to US parents. With such poor community support for Arab parents, it is pivotal to expand upon initiatives that minimize the stigma and shame associated with an autism diagnosis to ultimately reduce challenges and allow for better parental experiences.