Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Jul 2024
Epidemiologic Assessment of Craniosynostosis in Mississippi's Pediatric Population from 2015 to 2020.
This study aimed to report geographic and demographic patterns of patients with craniosynostosis (CS) treated at Children's of Mississippi, the state's only American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association-approved craniofacial team. ⋯ Results from this study suggest regional patterns of CS in Mississippi, which may reflect actual incidence patterns or proximity to Children's of Mississippi. Further study could reveal regional differences in risk factors underlying CS incidence or access to specialized CS care for different regions in the state. This will lead to opportunities for institutional outreach to decrease the burden of CS care in Mississippi.
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Southern medical journal · Jul 2024
Using a Chat-Based Trivia Activity to Foster Community in Residency.
For residency programs rotating at multiple sites, building a strong community can be challenging when house staff are geographically separated. Medical educators have had widespread use of technology to create virtual classrooms, discussion boards, and other activities. Less is known, however, about smaller-scale use of technology such as longitudinal use of chat to engage learners. We developed a chat-based trivia activity using social media tools to promote learning, community, and belonging in a large multisite residency program. ⋯ Our intervention used a theoretical framework of connectivism to design a virtual learning activity to engage residents, as well as to foster community among residents and between residents and program leadership. We believe this virtual learning experience is low cost and feasible, requiring mostly facilitator time. This study also contributes to the literature by evaluating outcomes related to social belonging and engagement. Future iterations should aim to optimize the methods of delivery by considering user-friendliness and the ability to opt out of the activity.
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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.