Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Feb 2016
Observational StudyDoes Alkaline Colonic pH Predispose to Clostridium difficile Infection?
Clostridium difficile caused nearly 500,000 infections and was associated with approximately 29,000 deaths in 2011, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. C. difficile is a bacterium that causes diarrhea and, often, severe illness in healthcare facilities, as well as the community. Our objective was to determine whether alkaline colonic pH predisposes to colonization and infection with C. difficile. ⋯ A strong association between C. difficile infection and alkaline stool pH was found.
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Residency interviews play an integral part in medical residency placement. We aimed to develop and evaluate a mock interview program for fourth-year medical students interested in a pediatric specialty. ⋯ Implementation of a mock interview program was feasible and acceptable for senior medical students and may improve comfort and confidence levels in the residency interview process. Further longitudinal research is needed.
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Southern medical journal · Jan 2016
Disparities in Breast Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Quality of Care among African American and European American Women in South Carolina.
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women and the second-leading cause of female cancer deaths in the United States. African Americans and other minorities in the United States experience lower survival rates and have a worse prognosis than European Americans despite European Americans having a much higher incidence of the disease. Adherence to breast cancer treatment-quality measures is limited, particularly when the data are stratified by race/ethnicity. ⋯ These descriptive findings may provide significant insight for future interventions and policies aimed at eliminating racial/ethnic disparities in health outcomes. Further risk-reduction approaches are necessary to reduce minority group mortality rates, especially among African American women.
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Southern medical journal · Dec 2015
Impact of Neighborhood Environments on Health Consciousness, Information Seeking, and Attitudes among US-Born and Non-US-Born Free Clinic Patients.
This study examined the impact of neighborhood environments on health consciousness, information seeking, and attitudes among uninsured free clinic patients to better understand the specific needs of the population for health promotion and prevention efforts. ⋯ Health education programs for free clinic patients should include strategies to increase social cohesion. Health education programs should consider the diverse needs of these individual populations to maximize the effectiveness of the programs for free clinic patients.