J Natl Med Assoc
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Electronic messaging and telemedicine visits increased during the COVID pandemic. African-Americans and older patients have less frequently used electronic messaging with their physicians. This study compares the utilization of virtual health care before and during the COVID pandemic for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. ⋯ The COVID pandemic emergency increased e-visits and e-messaging for care delivery. Expanded telemedicine options for IBD patients eliminated previously identified racial and age disparities in virtual medical care. African Americans utilized electronic communication as frequently as Whites during the pandemic. Post-pandemic policy consideration for continued telemedicine options may expand patient-physician engagement and eliminate disparities in health care.
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Disparities associated with trust in health information exist warranting a need for research assessing this relationship among adults. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess trust of cancer information among U.S. adults. ⋯ These finding suggest targeting specific population subgroups for information from sources they trust could be helpful in reducing disparities in trust.
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Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a chronic illness that requires frequent health care visits for preventative management. Adherence to national guidelines such as the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Expert Panel Report on the Evidence-Based Management of Sickle Cell Disease can be challenging to both the clinician and the patient. Utilizing effective communication strategies with patients and their families can improve clinician/patient relationships, as well as adherence to national guidelines. Aims of this overview are to review challenges faced in outpatient subspecialty medicine and describe evidence-based techniques for more effective communication for patients with sickle cell anemia.