Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Apr 2015
Race, socioeconomic status, health-related quality of life, and self-care of type 2 diabetes mellitus among adults in North Carolina.
The objective of this study was to examine the associations among race, education, income, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in self-care of type 2 diabetes mellitus among adults in North Carolina. ⋯ Individuals with poor HRQoL had significantly increased odds of good diabetes mellitus self-care practices. Although findings on race, education, and income were not statistically significant, they were consistent with previous research. In the future, individuals who are nonwhite, have less than a high school level of education, and have no health insurance should be targeted to improve diabetes mellitus self-care practices through educational and informational materials. Further investigation using more comprehensive measures of diabetes mellitus self-care is warranted.
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Southern medical journal · Apr 2015
Perceived discrimination in healthcare settings among Latinos with limited English proficiency in South Carolina.
Perceived discrimination in healthcare settings is reported frequently by Latino adults and is associated with reductions in healthcare utilization and having a usual source of care. Little is known about discrimination perceived by Latino adults with limited English proficiency (LEP) who also frequently experience difficulties with healthcare access and utilization. The objective of this pilot study was to examine perceived discrimination in healthcare settings among Latino adults with LEP living in South Carolina. ⋯ Although a significant percentage of the sample reported thinking about race/ethnicity daily, only approximately 25% reported experiencing health symptoms based on how they were treated as a result of their race and few perceived discrimination in healthcare settings.
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Southern medical journal · Mar 2015
Religion, sense of calling, and the practice of medicine: findings from a national survey of primary care physicians and psychiatrists.
A sense of calling is a concept with religious and theological roots; however, it is unclear whether contemporary physicians in the United States still embrace this concept in their practice of medicine. This study assesses the association between religious characteristics and endorsing a sense of calling among practicing primary care physicians (PCPs) and psychiatrists. ⋯ In this national study of PCPs and psychiatrists, we found that PCPs who considered themselves religious were more likely to report a strong sense of calling in the practice of medicine. Although this cross-sectional study cannot be used to make definitive causal inferences between religion and developing a strong sense of calling, PCPs who considered themselves religious are more likely to embrace the concept of calling in their practice of medicine.
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Southern medical journal · Mar 2015
Comparative StudyTrends in cigarette smoking and obesity in Appalachian Kentucky.
The southern region of the United States, particularly central and southern Appalachia, has long been identified as an area of health inequities. An updated and more complete understanding of the association among the leading risk factors for such health inequities allows researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to focus their efforts on the most effective strategies to minimize these risks. ⋯ A continuum of approaches to address smoking and obesity is warranted. Such approaches range from ensuring access to smoking cessation programs to implementing community- and state-level policies to curb smoking and unhealthy energy balance (eg, smoke-free policies and increases in tobacco and "junk food" taxes) and culturally appropriate individual-level interventions (evidence-based smoking cessation and weight-loss programming).
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Southern medical journal · Feb 2015
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyRegional variation in HIV clinical trials participation in the United States.
To ensure generalizability of clinical research results, it is important to enroll a heterogeneous population that is representative of the target clinical population. Earlier studies have found regional variation in participation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinical trials, with the lowest rates seen in the southern United States. Rates of new HIV diagnoses are highest in the South, highlighting the need for in-depth understanding of disparities in clinical trial participation. We evaluated whether regional variation in study participation remains, and describe factors that facilitate or prevent HIV clinical trial participation by region. ⋯ Significant regional variations in knowledge of and participation in HIV clinical trials exist. Our results suggest that increasing awareness and understanding of research studies, particularly among African Americans in the South, may facilitate HIV clinical trial participation that is more representative of the HIV-infected population across the United States.