Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Dec 2014
ReviewWhere are the rest of us? Improving representation of minority faculty in academic medicine.
Low numbers of underrepresented minority faculty members in academic medicine (black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American/Alaskan) continue to be a concern for medical schools because there is higher attrition and talent loss among this group. Although much has been written on this topic, there has not been a systematic review of the indexed literature published. ⋯ This systematic review provides evidence that racism, promotion disparities, funding disparities, lack of mentorship, and diversity pressures exist and affect minority faculty in academic medicine. Based on these observed challenges, this review also provides specific recommendations that could improve representation of minority faculty members in academic medicine. These recommendations include implementing proven pipeline programs to increase the number of minority medical students, a systemwide adoption of proven culture change initiatives, reexamination of assignments to ensure equitable time distribution, and a reduction of medical school debt.
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Southern medical journal · Dec 2014
Comparative StudyEMS patients and walk-in patients presenting with severe sepsis: differences in management and outcome.
Sepsis is a significant problem. The differences between patients with sepsis who walk into the emergency department (ED) and those who are transported via emergency medical services (EMS) have not been clarified. The aim of the study was to determine whether there was a difference in outcome between patients arriving by EMS and those presenting directly to the ED. ⋯ Neither arrival by EMS nor fluid administration by EMS is associated with decreased mortality in severe sepsis.
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Southern medical journal · Dec 2014
Clinical TrialEdmonton Symptom Assessment System for outpatient symptom monitoring of sickle cell disease.
Although the extension of palliative care methodology to sickle cell disease (SCD) care has been proposed, there is no current standard for symptom assessment. Our goal was to assess the feasibility of integrating the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) into the outpatient management of SCD. ⋯ Our data suggest that the ESAS is well received and can be successfully included as part of the longitudinal symptom management strategy for SCD.
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Southern medical journal · Nov 2014
Yield of diagnostic tests and its impact on cost in adult patients with syncope presenting to a community hospital.
Total annual costs for syncope-related hospitalizations were $2.4 billion in 2000. The aim of this study was to examine the type and number of tests ordered for patients admitted with syncope and whether these tests helped establish the cause. ⋯ Physicians ordered unnecessary tests that have a low yield and are not cost-effective. A standardized algorithmic approach should be the cornerstone in the evaluation of syncope.