Southern medical journal
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The aim of this study was to examine, from the patient's perspective, the most common reasons for seeking medical attention for skin disease and how this varies among different races. ⋯ Reasons for visits to the dermatologist vary with race. White patients appear to be aware of their increased risk of skin cancer, visiting frequently for skin cancer screenings and skin lesions, whereas Blacks/African Americans are more affected by conditions associated with chronic pruritus. To train dermatologists and nondermatologists to provide equitable care for cutaneous conditions to all races and skin types, especially for those groups experiencing barriers to receiving dermatologic care, it is important that we characterize the reasons why patients visit the dermatologist.
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Southern medical journal · Sep 2022
Utilization of an Internal Medicine Triaging Resident in the Emergency Department Reduces Preventable Admissions and Improves Trainee Experiences.
Increasing patient care requirements and suboptimal communication between emergency department (ED) and Internal Medicine (IM) services may lead to inefficient hospital utilization, lapses in transitions of care, and reduced trainee satisfaction in the inpatient setting. Furthermore, a lack of triaging roles for IM trainees has been a common limitation in graduate medical education. We aimed to demonstrate that the addition of an IM triaging resident (TR) in the ED may represent an innovative solution to these problems. ⋯ Expansion of this model in select integrated health systems may improve graduate medical education and healthcare system performance. Future iterations of this study can aim to improve transitions of care between ambulatory and inpatient providers and limit the overuse of antimicrobial agents, radiography, and consultative services.
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Southern medical journal · Sep 2022
Exploring the Patient Experience with Patient-Reported Outcomes: A Qualitative, Multistakeholder Study.
Although the literature provides guidance regarding patient-reported outcome (PRO) implementation barriers, patients' perspectives are underreported. This study aimed to improve the understanding of patient experiences with PRO tools through examining perceptions of and attitudes toward PROs and expectations of data use after collection. ⋯ Design and implementation of PRO assessments into patient care should include the patients as key end users. Transparency of the purpose for data collection is critical for broader patient adoption. Ensuring that only necessary and sufficient data are collected for clinical action, and associated research may help minimize burden and maximize patient participation.
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Southern medical journal · Sep 2022
Factors Affecting Neurological Presentation and Severity in Pediatric Off-Highway Vehicle Accidents in Texas.
The purpose was to evaluate the characteristics of off-highway vehicle (OHV) crashes correlated with neurological injury and accident severity in the pediatric population in El Paso, Texas. ⋯ OHVs are associated with both TBIs and severe injuries. Stricter laws requiring helmets and forbidding children younger than 6 to ride are required, as modifying these factors could reduce the incidence of OHV crashes and their complications.