Articles: health.
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This pilot retrospective case-control study questioned whether systemic statin use causes pulp calcification using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from the patients prescribed oral statins and comparing those of healthy individuals. ⋯ Within the limitations of the study, systemic statin use did not cause dental pulp calcification. The results suggest, oral administration of the statin drugs is not an unfavourable condition for dental practice. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to support this conclusion.
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The National Guard (NG) served as a critical component of the U.S. response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Understanding the impact of types of pandemic-related disaster work on mental health responses can aid in sustaining NG service members' health and preparation for subsequent activations and future pandemics. ⋯ Identifying work tasks associated with high levels of stress can help detect individuals at risk for adverse mental health responses post-exposure. Distinguishing features of high-stress work conditions can be generalized to other types of work conditions and disaster response and are important targets for planning and preventive efforts.
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The military is a unique cultural institution that significantly influences its members, contributing to the development and transformation of their identities. Despite growing interest in identity research in the military, challenges persist in the conceptualization of military identity, including understanding how it forms, assessing the influence of military culture on identity development, and evaluating the implications for mental health. The primary objective of this scoping review was to map the complexities of military culture's impact on military identity and its effects on mental health. ⋯ The scoping review conducted in this study challenges the notion of military identity as a singular concept promoting positive mental health outcomes. It highlights its multifaceted nature, revealing that individuals may face identity concealment and disruptions during periods of transition or adjustment, resulting in adverse mental health outcomes. To capture the complexity of military identity, the authors developed the Military Identity Model (MIM). Military leaders, policymakers, and health care professionals are encouraged to recognize the complex nature of military identity and its impact on mental health and well-being. We recommend using the Military Identity Model to explore military identity and adjustment-related difficulties.
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Aeromedical evacuations from the past few decades have yielded massive amounts of data that may inform the Military Health System (MHS) on patient needs, specifically for understanding the inpatient and outpatient needs of evacuees. In this study, we evaluate inpatient and outpatient trends based on aeromedical evacuation data from recent conflicts. We anticipate that evacuations requiring MHS inpatient beds are primarily trauma-related and necessitate an increased need for inpatient trauma care. ⋯ The results of this study reveal what the MHS can expect in future conflicts. Most evacuations are for psychiatric-/injury-/musculoskeletal-related diagnoses, typically requiring care by psychiatrists, orthopedic surgeons, or general surgeons. Outpatient care is important, though it is critical to bolster inpatient care requirements as future conflicts may bring extensive numbers of inpatient casualties. The MHS should program and plan resources accordingly, planning for the care of surgical/injured and psychiatric patients.
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Health disparities in the Military Health System (MHS) have been consistently documented despite the system ensuring equal access to care for its beneficiaries. Research has shown that social, economic, and political factors (i.e., Social Determinants of Health) and health care-specific factors like provider bias and systemic discrimination are key drivers of health disparities in the general population. Medical education focused on introducing these concepts using case-based learning has led to effective learning of health equity terminology. However, a significant gap exists in identifying optimal teaching approaches to develop skills to recognize these factors in actual clinical cases. This begs the million-dollar question: can case-based learning help trainees acquire the skills needed to identify the main factors contributing to health disparities in the MHS? ⋯ As the need to address health disparities in the United States becomes more pressing, so does the need for military physicians to recognize the drivers of these disparities within the MHS. Results from this pilot study of Health Equity Rounds suggest that case-based learning may be an optimal teaching approach to improve the skills of military Internal Medicine trainees in identifying and recognizing the impact of health care provider bias and systemic discrimination on clinical cases from the MHS.