Southern medical journal
-
Southern medical journal · Dec 2022
Geographic Access to Primary Healthcare Services among Latinos/as/x in Western Alabama.
Alabama's Latino/a/x population grew 278% from 2000 to 2018. Tuscaloosa County, located in the largely rural region of western Alabama, also experienced a significant influx of Latino/as/x during this time frame. Geographic healthcare access (GHA) to primary care and hospitals is crucial for immigrant Latino/as/x to care for their health, but few studies have characterized it. The goals of this article were to describe the availability (defined as number of provider locations) and accessibility (defined as travel impedance between potential patients and provider locations) of primary healthcare services and to discuss potential strategies to address these healthcare access challenges. ⋯ Outreach and technology-based approaches, including home visit programs, mobile health units, and telemedicine, may be particularly important in bridging the GHA gaps for this and other largely rural populations the southeastern United States. Some of this potential was unlocked during the coronavirus disease 2019 crisis. These gains should be leveraged toward sustainable healthcare access initiatives for rural Latino/a/x populations.
-
Southern medical journal · Dec 2022
Impact of Benzodiazepine Use on Length of Stay and 30-Day ED Visits among Hospitalized Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients.
This study assesses the impact of benzodiazepine (BNZ) use on length of stay (LOS) and 30-day emergency department (ED) visits after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). ⋯ BNZ use resulted in increased 30-day ED visits after autologous HSCT. BNZ-naïve recipients were less likely to use BNZs during hospital stays; if they required BNZs, then it was in lower dosages.
-
Southern medical journal · Dec 2022
Relationship between Perceived Quality of Prenatal Care and Maternal/Infant Health Outcomes.
Studies have shown that quality of care affects patient health outcomes and well-being. In this study, we examine the relationship between perceived quality of prenatal care, birth outcomes, and postpartum depression (PPD). ⋯ Negative prenatal care experiences may exacerbate adverse patient outcomes. Positive prenatal care experiences may buffer/improve adverse outcomes. Quality of care measures were most consistently predictive of PPD outcomes. Providers should focus on improving the quality of prenatal care as one of the means to improve maternal and infant health and well-being.
-
Southern medical journal · Dec 2022
Using Fictional Medical Television Programs to Teach Interprofessional Communication to Graduating Fourth-Year Medical Students.
Effective interprofessional (IP) communication is crucial to high-quality patient care, but significant obstacles remain regarding implementing IP communication curricula for undergraduate medical students. As such, as part of a bootcamp required for University of Pittsburgh graduating medical students in 2021, we developed and evaluated a workshop using clips from medical television shows (eg, ER) to teach IP communication skills. ⋯ Results suggest that using clips from fictional medical television programs may be a valuable approach to teaching graduating medical students IP communication skills. Future research could examine whether improved attitudes are sustained over time and the influence of the workshop on clinical IP communication behavior.
-
Southern medical journal · Dec 2022
Intermediate or Intensive Care Unit Admission across Race and Ethnicity.
The aim of this study was to assess the association between race and ethnicity and admission to intermediate (IMCUs) or intensive care units (ICUs) among hospitalized patients. ⋯ Among hospitalized patients, racial minorities are slightly more likely to use higher levels of care, whereas Hispanic patients are generally slightly less likely than non-Hispanic White patients to use higher levels of care. Further evaluation is needed to identify reasons for disparate IMCU or ICU admission.