Articles: health.
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The reality of pilot health care avoidance behavior is often common knowledge to both pilots and aeromedical physicians, but the underlying factors leading to this behavior are less understood. In the current study, we conducted a qualitative assessment of a sample of U.S. Air Force (USAF) pilots to gather firsthand perceptions of the factors that encourage and discourage disclosure during aeromedical screening and use of mental and physical health care services, as well as recommendations to improve the USAF aeromedical health care system. ⋯ Results from firsthand interviews with pilots provide valuable information for flight surgeons to focus on building trust with their pilots to reduce health care avoidance.
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The fit of military clothing and equipment is essential for the health and safety of military operators. Given the aim of increasing the proportion of women and the known biological and morphological differences between male and female soldiers, an understanding of fit across different items of kit is needed. The aim of this study was to quantify subjective fit ratings of 8 items of military clothing and equipment, including combat shirt, combat pants, rucksack, small pack, tactical vest, fragmentation vest, helmet, and ballistic eyewear as a function of relative stature and occupational group among male and female Canadian Armed Forces members. ⋯ Military equipment fit has previously been shown to have implications for protection, performance, and mobility. The results of the investigation demonstrate different patterns of fit acceptability in male and female soldiers across items of clothing and equipment and may require different solutions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Cash Benefits on Health Care Utilization and Health: A Randomized Study.
Poverty is associated with greater barriers to health care and worse health outcomes, but it remains unclear whether income support can improve health. ⋯ In this randomized study, individuals who received a cash benefit had significantly fewer emergency department visits, including those related to behavioral health and substance use, fewer admissions to the hospital from the emergency department, and increased use of outpatient subspecialty care. Study results suggest that policies that seek to alleviate poverty by providing income support may have important benefits for health and access to care.
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Review
Association of physical function with hospital readmissions among older adults: A systematic review.
Hospital readmissions pose significant burdens on healthcare systems, particularly among older adults. While efforts to reduce readmissions have historically focused on medical management, emerging evidence suggests physical function may also play a role in successful care transitions. However, there is a limited understanding of the relationship between functional measures and readmission risk. This systematic review aims to assess the association between physical function impairments and hospital readmissions. ⋯ Functional impairments are robust predictors of hospital readmissions in older adults. Routine assessment of physical function during hospitalization can improve risk stratification and may support successful care transitions, particularly in older adults.
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Healthcare organizations attempt to address unwarranted fentanyl use, which often leads to increased risk of addiction and overdose. ⋯ Requiring specialist approval for fentanyl initiation for non-oncological chronic pain was associated with a decrease in fentanyl prescription initiations, especially among non-elderly patients. A decrease also occurred gradually in total opioid dispensations, further decreasing following the extension of the requirement to continuous fentanyl. The requirement for specialist approval upon fentanyl initiation and continuous fentanyl may present an effective tool for limiting the use of fentanyl and total opioids in healthcare systems.