Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Jan 2021
Historical Alternans in the Emergency Department (H.A.t.E.D.) for Pain: An Analysis of Patient Pain Descriptors to Attending and Trainee Clinicians.
The concept of "historical alternans" (HA), a teaching folklore term referring to different descriptions of patient histories to trainees versus attending clinicians, can cause disjointed care and be a source of frustration for the trainee. Increased focus on the proper evaluation and treatment of pain in the emergency department (ED) setting prompts an evaluation of the HA concept as it relates to pain. ⋯ Most patient encounters had at least one difference in categorical pain descriptors between trainee and attending clinicians. Although differences in severity of pain were present, they were not significant. HA does occur in the ED setting, but the magnitude of difference may be minimal.
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Southern medical journal · Jan 2021
Using a Hybrid Lecture and Small-Group Standardized Patient Case to Teach the Inclusive Sexual History and Transgender Patient Care.
Previous negative experiences with the medical community often leave transgender people reluctant to seek medical care. Inadequate teaching and exposure to transgender health during medical training perpetuates the health disparities experienced by this community. Although undergraduate medical education is uniquely positioned to address these disparities, curricular coverage of these topics remains inadequate. ⋯ Our findings suggest that students found this brief, interactive sexual history workshop, which included a lecture and standardized patient case, to be an effective component of their medical training. Although our transgender patient case was acted primarily by cis-gender people, students perceived this as a realistic opportunity to actively explore the nuances of obtaining a history from a transgender patient. In addition, our findings suggest that it is possible to merge teaching on sexual history and transgender health care, which is important in time-limited undergraduate medical education curricula.
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Southern medical journal · Dec 2020
Implementation of a Vertically Integrated Trainee Program (VITP): Progress and Lessons Learned.
Mentorship is vital in the effective progression of a physician's educational training. This journey often begins during a physician's undergraduate career prior to advancing on to medical school, residency, and fellowship training. These levels of training distinguish different tiers of mastery, and collaboration among these tiers is integral in order to facilitate a meaningful transition into an independent physician.
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Southern medical journal · Dec 2020
Association of Hypertension and Hyperthyroidism in a Subspecialty Clinic and a National Database.
Hypertension can cause significant morbidity and reduced life expectancy. Most patients with hypertension have primary hypertension; however, 10% to 15% have secondary hypertension. Endocrine disorders as a secondary cause occur in approximately 10% of patients with secondary hypertension, and thyroid disorders account for approximately 1% of all patients with hypertension. The identification of patients with hyperthyroidism has important benefits for these particular patients. The objective of this study was to examine the occurrence of high blood pressure in patients with hyperthyroidism. ⋯ These findings from a specialty clinic and a national sample suggest that clinicians should consider the possibility of hyperthyroidism in patients with hypertension, even in older patients.