Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Jul 2024
A Proportionate Mortality Study of Mississippi's Agricultural Industry, 2017-2021.
Individuals employed in the agricultural industry encounter hazards in their work that could lead to injury or illness. Furthermore, the mental stress of being involved in the agricultural industry could lead to negative health-related outcomes for workers. This study evaluates the causes of deaths among employees in Mississippi's agricultural industry from 2017 to 2021. ⋯ The causes of death for which agricultural employees show an excess mortality can be explained by the hazards associated with working in the agricultural industry. These findings can be used to create targeted future public health programs for individuals who are employed in agriculture.
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Southern medical journal · Jul 2024
Observational StudyDoes Insurance Provide Adequate Coverage for Physical Therapy Visits for Common Orthopedic Diagnoses? A Survey Study.
This study aimed to analyze the association between physical therapists' recommended number of visits for a full recovery from common orthopedic injuries/surgeries and the extent of insurance coverage for these visits. ⋯ The majority of practicing physical therapists in Alabama perceive insufficient insurance coverage for physical therapy visits for most orthopedic diagnoses. This study has implications for healthcare decision making and patient-centered rehabilitation goals. Physicians and physical therapists can use this information to optimize treatment decisions and rehabilitation goals. Patients will benefit from improved physical and economic well-being. This study has the potential to drive further research and influence national insurance policies to better serve patients' needs.
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Southern medical journal · Jul 2024
Patient Retention in a Substance Use Disorder Telemedicine Clinic.
Although research has continued to show that substance use disorders (SUDs) can be treated effectively with evidence-based treatment, there continues to be gaps in access, and utilization remains low. Alternative SUD treatment methods, including telemedicine, are increasingly being explored to reach patients where traditional in-person treatment approaches are inaccessible. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore SUD treatment retention, specifically comparing telemedicine-delivered opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment with a traditional in-person treatment delivery approach. ⋯ The findings of this study suggest that a telemedicine-delivered treatment program equals retention effectiveness when compared with in-person delivery. This suggests that leveraging telemedicine to treat patients with SUD could be an effective alternative for those unable to access treatment or who are less likely to attend or complete traditional in-person treatment sessions.