Perceptions and beliefs of general practitioners on their role in the cancer screening programmes in the Netherlands: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands, population-based cancer screening programmes (CSPs) are organized aiming at cervical, breast and colorectal cancer. For a CSP to be effective, high participation rates are essential; however, there is an alarming downward trend, including wide regional variation in screening uptake. General practitioner (GP) involvement can have a stimulating effect on screening participation. Current GP involvement is however, limited, varies between the programmes and has changed over time. Unexplored is what GPs think of their role(s) in the CSPs. The aim of this study was therefore to map the perceptions and beliefs of GPs regarding their current and future role in the Dutch CSPs. METHODS: A mixed-methods sequential explanatory study was conducted in the Leiden/The Hague area of the Netherlands, between the end of 2021 and 2022. A questionnaire was developed and distributed among 110 GPs. The aggregated results obtained from the questionnaires served as starting points for conducting semi-structured interviews, with purposefully selected GPs. With this sequential approach we aimed to further enhance the understanding of the questionnaire data, and delved into the topics that emerged from the questionnaire responses. RESULTS: In total, 46 GPs completed the online questionnaire (response rate 42%). Subsequent five semi-structured comprehensive interviews were conducted. GPs indicated that they frequently encounter the CSP in their daily practice and consider it important. They also emphasised it is important that GPs remain closely involved with the CSPs in the future. Nevertheless, GPs also repeatedly mentioned that they are not eager to take on more logistical/organizational tasks. They are however willing to empower CSPs in a positive manner. CONCLUSION: GPs were generally positive about the CSPs and their current role within these programmes. Nevertheless, several options have been proposed to improve the CSPs, especially to increase screening uptake for populations in a socioeconomically disadvantaged position. Since it is of utmost importance to screen those who are most at risk of developing the screening-specific tumours, efforts should be made to achieve this goal.

The physician's role in reducing health disparities for persons with epilepsy and intellectual disability: "it's not just epilepsy you really have to take a deeper dive."

Epilepsy affects approximately 25 % of people with intellectual disability (ID). Despite this high prevalence, evidence of health disparity exists in healthcare access and health outcomes for this population. Patients with ID experience additional challenges in accessing appropriate epilepsy care, and are at greater risk of experiencing inappropriate prescribing, polypharmacy and misdiagnosis compared with the general population. The expectations, attitudes and actions of physicians are key in addressing health inequalities, particularly those which disproportionately impact a specific group of patients, such as patients with ID and epilepsy. This qualitative study aimed to explore the views of specialist physicians as to why they believe this patient group are at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing appropriate epilepsy care, and how physicians can intervene to ensure that patients with ID are given equal access to suitable epilepsy care, and equal opportunity to achieve the best possible treatment outcomes. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with six physicians, located in six countries, who specialise in the care of persons with ID who have epilepsy. Interviews sought views on prognostic expectations, experiences of disparities in epilepsy care, and suggestions for advocacy interventions. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three core themes and nine subthemes were identified. Core themes included (1) 'Nervousness in care and treatment,' which reflected participants' descriptions of a nervousness by colleagues when treating epilepsy in patients with ID. (2) 'Taking a deeper dive' captured the harmful effects of accepting "common dogma," as well as the issue of a lack of clarity around treatment pathways for patients with epilepsy and ID. (3) 'Teach me' illustrated the importance of shared expertise, reflective practice and continued research and advocacy. Findings reflected participants' recommendations to address disparities in epilepsy care for patients with ID. These recommendations highlighted education and training, taking time to learn how to communicate in different ways, and regular reflection on personal assumptions and biases as important contributors to addressing inequalities in epilepsy care for patients with ID. It is hoped that findings will prompt those providing epilepsy care to reflect on their own practice and identify ways in which they might intervene to minimise inadvertent harm and reduce health disparities in epilepsy care for patients with ID.

Talking About Dying.

This essay describes a palliative medicine physician's experience with a dying patient and reflections on life.

Promoting Firearm Injury Prevention and Advocacy as Pediatric Surgeons: A Call to Action From the APSA/AAP Advocacy Committee.

Firearm injuries have become the leading cause of death among American children. Here we review the scope of the problem, and the pivotal role pediatric surgeons have in preventing pediatric firearm injury. Specific methods for screening and counseling are reviewed, as well as how to overcome barriers. Community and hospital resources as well as organizational efforts are discussed. Finally, a path for surgeon advocacy is outlined as is a call to action for the pediatric surgeon, as we are uniquely poised to identify pediatric patients and deliver timely interventions to reduce the impact of firearm violence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Defining the Role of the Modern Oncology Provider in Mitigating Financial Toxicity.

Financial toxicity, the cumulative financial hardships resulting from cancer diagnosis and treatment, is a growing problem in the United States. With the proliferation of costly novel therapeutics and improved cancer survival, financial toxicity will remain a major issue in cancer care delivery. Frontline oncology providers serve as gatekeepers in the medical system and, as such, could play essential roles in recognizing and addressing financial toxicity. Providers and health systems could help mitigate financial toxicity through routine financial toxicity screening, financial navigation, and advocacy. Specific strategies include developing and implementing financial screening instruments that can be integrated in electronic medical records and establishing team-based financial navigation programs to help patients with out-of-pocket medical costs, nonmedical spending, and insurance optimization. Finally, providers should continue to advocate for policies and legislation that decrease cost and promote value-based care. In this review, we examine opportunities for provider engagement in these areas and highlight gaps for future research.

Características epidemiológicas de las consultas pediátricas en el servicio de emergencia de un hospital público del interior del país: Uruguay 2019 / Epidemiological characteristics of pediatric consultations at the emergency services of a public hospital in the interior of Uruguay in 2019 / Características epidemiológicas das consultas pediátricas no serviço de emergência de um hospital público do interior do Uruguai no ano 2019

El Hospital Escuela del Litoral de Paysandú es un centro de referencia departamental y regional con un Servicio de Emergencia único. Asiste a 68.000 usuarios, 25% pediátrico. Objetivos: describir la epidemiología global de las consultas durante el año 2019 en el Servicio de Emergencia del Hospital Escuela del Litoral de Paysandú y las características de la población pediátrica que concurre al mismo. Analizar los principales motivos de consulta, demanda asistencial, nivel de gravedad, rol del médico que asiste al paciente pediátrico y destino del paciente. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de la demanda asistencial durante el año 2019. Descripción y análisis de las consultas pediátricas entre el 1 de enero y el 30 de junio de 2019. Resultados: 47.647 consultas, 11.411 pediátricas. Meses de mayor consulta: julio, agosto y octubre. N: 4.905, 34,4% preescolares. 89% de las consultas se clasificaron como nivel 4 y 5. La patología respiratoria predominó en todas las franjas etarias y meses del año. Los pacientes nivel 1 se derivaron a cuidados moderados o CTI, y uno falleció. Discusión y conclusiones: mayor demanda asistencial en los meses fríos por patologías respiratorias. 1 de cada 100 consultas corresponden a emergencia-urgencia y 1 de cada 5 menos urgentes. Inadecuado uso del Servicio de Emergencia con sobrecarga asistencial. Se confirma utilidad del triage como herramienta en un Servicio de Emergencia mixto

The School Hospital Hospital Escuela del Litoral de Paysandú is a departmental and regional reference center with a unique Emergency Service. It serves 68,000 users, 25% of which are pediatric users. Objectives: to describe the total epidemiology consultations in 2019 at the Emergency Service of the Hospital Escuela del Litoral de Paysandú and the characteristics of its emergency pediatric population. Analyze the key reasons for consultation, care demand, level of severity, the role of doctors who receive pediatric patients and patients' referral. Material and methods: retrospective descriptive study of the demand for care in 2019. Description and analysis of pediatric consultations between January 1 and June 30, 2019. Results: 47,647 consultations, 11,411 pediatric. Months of greater consultation: July, August and October. N: 4905. 34.4% preschool. 89% of the consultations were classified as level 4 and 5. Respiratory pathology prevailed in all age groups and months of the year. Level 1 patients were referred to moderate care or ICU and one died. Discussion and conclusions: higher demand for care in Winter months due to respiratory pathologies. 1 out of every 100 consultations belonged to Emergency-Urgency Services and 1 out of 5 were less urgent. Inadequate use of the Emergency Service with care overload. We confirm the effectiveness of Triage as a tool in a mixed Emergency Services patients' referral process.

O Hospital Escola do Litoral de Paysandú é um centro de referência departamental e regional com um Serviço de Emergência único. Atende 68.000 usuários, 25% pediátricos. Objetivos: descrever a epidemiologia geral das consultas durante o ano de 2019 no Serviço de Emergência do Hospital Escola de Paysandú e as características da população pediátrica que atende o Serviço de Emergência. Analisar os principais motivos de consulta, demanda de atendimento, grau de gravidade, atuação dos médicos que atendem os pacientes pediátricos e destino do paciente. Material e métodos: estudo descritivo retrospectivo da demanda de atendimento durante o ano de 2019. Descrição e análise das consultas pediátricas entre 1º de janeiro e 30 de junho. de 2019 Resultados: 47.647 consultas, 11.411 pediátricas. Meses de maior consulta: julho, agosto e outubro. N: 4.905. 34,4% pré-escolar. 89% das consultas foram classificadas como nível 4 e 5. A patologia respiratória prevaleceu em todas as faixas etárias e meses do ano. Pacientes nível 1 foram encaminhados para cuidados moderados ou UTI e um faleceu. Discussão e conclusões: maior procura de cuidados nos meses frios devido a patologias respiratórias. 1 em cada 100 consultas corresponde a Urgência-Emergência e 1 em cada 5 corresponde a consultas menos urgentes. Uso inadequado do Serviço de Emergência com sobrecarga de atendimento. Confirma-se a utilidade da Triagem como ferramenta em um Serviço de Emergência misto.

The Humanistic Approach to Aging and the Plastic Surgeon's Role.

The humanistic approach, including literature and arts, could be a tool for understanding the patient's mindset and establishing the surgeon's role. Dorian Gray syndrome, derived from a novel written by Oscar Wilde is a disease with three diagnostic criteria: body dysmorphic disorder, narcissistic regression, and denial of the maturation process. Suppressing patients' quest for youth is not possible by psychiatric methods. Title of " No Country for Old Men ," written by Cormac McCarthy, was derived from the poem "Sailing to Byzantium," which William Butler Yeats. Yeats desires to sail to Byzantium, which is a "land for old men," and articulates the appearance that he desires. In a novel titled "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" by James Joyce, Stephen Dedalus found perfect beauty in a girl. Joyce described the morphology of a "perfect beauty." A Korean writer, Lee Ok, wrote an essay entitled "Questions to the Mirror," which compares the external appearance of young and old faces. He asks the mirror; the mirror replies and comforts him. A painting "Old Man and Death," made by Joseph Wright is derived from Aesop's fables: old man never wants to die despite of exhaustion. "The Fountain of Youth" created by Lucas Cranach was based on the belief that certain baths might heal and rejuvenate. As Harold Gillies who operated until the age of 78, aging makes plastic surgeons more experienced and wiser than when they were young because surgery is a brain job, not a job for the hands.

The role of medical physicists in clinical trials across Europe.

INTRODUCTION: The roles and responsibilities of medical physicists (MPs) are growing together with the evolving science and technology. The complexity of today's clinical trials requires the skills and knowledge of MPs for their safe and efficient implementation. However, it is unclear to what extent the skillsets offered by MPs are being exploited in clinical trials across Europe. METHODS: The EFOMP Working Group on the role of Medical Physics Experts in Clinical Trials has designed a survey that targeted all 36 current National Member Organisations, receiving a response from 31 countries. The survey included both quantitative and qualitative queries regarding the involvement of MPs in trial design, setup, and coordination, either as trial team members or principal investigators. RESULTS: The extent of MPs involvement in clinical trials greatly varies across European countries. The results showed disparities between the roles played by MPs in trial design, conduct or data processing. Similarly, differences among the 31 European countries that responded to the survey were found regarding the existence of national bodies responsible for trials or the available training offered to MPs. The role of principal investigator or co-investigator was reported by 12 countries (39%), a sign of efficient collaboration with medical doctors in designing and implementing clinical studies. CONCLUSION: Organisation of specific training courses and guideline development for clinical trial design and conduct would encourage the involvement of a larger number of MPs in all stages of trials across Europe, leading to a better standardisation of clinical practice.

Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, and Preparedness of Dental Professionals in Prescribing Nicotine Replacement Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, practice, attitude, and preparedness of dental professionals in prescribing nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Methodology. A prevalidated voluntary web-based questionnaire was generated as a link through Google Drive and was sent to 117 dental professionals in North India using Whatsapp, Messenger, and Instagram social media platforms. A total of 94 responses were received and out of which 76 responses were analyzed (18 forms were excluded due to incomplete or duplicate responses). Frequency analysis was done using SPSS software version 21. RESULT: The participation rate was found to be 80.3%. More than half of the study population were familiar with the term NRT (77.6%) and its uses (67.1%), but approximately less than half of the total study subjects knew the duration (32.9%), cost (27.6%), dosage (25%), and contraindications (36.8%) of the NRT. Approximately 56.6% of the study participants showed a positive attitude towards helping patients to quit smoking through tobacco cessation counseling. Nearly one-fourth of the study population, i.e., 27.6%, were confident in explaining the negative impacts of tobacco, while 22.4% knew about the tobacco cessation protocol. Among the participants, only 27.6% reported that they practice NRT and out of which approximately less than 20% of the study participants were prescribing correct dose of NRT. CONCLUSION: Though study subjects had an ample knowledge regarding NRT use in tobacco cessation, it does not reflect their current attitude and preparedness. Thus, there is a need for continuing education to further train dental professionals for prescribing NRT.

E-Cigarettes and Cardiopulmonary Health: Review for Clinicians.

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery powered electronic nicotine delivery systems that use a propylene glycol/vegetable glycerin base to deliver vaporized nicotine and flavorings to the body. E-cigarettes became commercially available without evidence regarding their risks, long-term safety, or utility in smoking cessation. Recent clinical trials suggest that e-cigarette use with counseling may be effective in reducing cigarette use but not nicotine dependence. However, meta-analyses of observational studies demonstrate that e-cigarette use is not associated with smoking cessation. Cardiovascular studies reported sympathetic activation, vascular stiffening, and endothelial dysfunction, which are associated with adverse cardiovascular events. The majority of pulmonary clinical trials in e-cigarette users included standard spirometry as the primary outcome measure, reporting no change in lung function. However, studies reported increased biomarkers of pulmonary disease in e-cigarette users. These studies were conducted in adults, but >30% of high school-age adolescents reported e-cigarette use. The effects of e-cigarette use on cardiopulmonary endpoints in adolescents and young adults remain unstudied. Because of adverse clinical findings and associations between e-cigarette use and increased incidence of respiratory diseases in people who have never smoked, large longitudinal studies are needed to understand the risk profile of e-cigarettes. Consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, clinicians should monitor the health risks of e-cigarette use, discourage nonsmokers and adolescents from using e-cigarettes, and discourage smokers from engaging in dual use without cigarette reduction or cessation.

General surgeon involvement in the care of patients designated with an American Association for the Surgery of Trauma-endorsed ICD-10-CM emergency general surgery diagnosis code in Wisconsin.

BACKGROUND: The current national burden of emergency general surgery (EGS) illnesses and the extent of surgeon involvement in the care of these patients remain largely unknown. To inform needs assessments, research, and education, we sought to: (1) translate previously developed International Classification of Diseases (ICD), 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis codes representing EGS conditions to ICD 10th Revision, CM (ICD-10-CM) codes and (2) determine the national burden of and assess surgeon involvement across EGS conditions. METHODS: We converted ICD-9-CM codes to candidate ICD-10-CM codes using General Equivalence Mappings then iteratively refined the code list. We used National Inpatient Sample 2016 to 2017 data to develop a national estimate of the burden of EGS disease. To evaluate surgeon involvement, using Wisconsin Hospital Association discharge data (January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018), we selected adult urgent/emergent encounters with an EGS condition as the principal diagnosis. Surgeon involvement was defined as a surgeon being either the attending provider or procedural physician. RESULTS: Four hundred and eighty-five ICD-9-CM codes mapped to 1,696 ICD-10-CM codes. The final list contained 985 ICD-10-CM codes. Nationally, there were 2,977,843 adult patient encounters with an ICD-10-CM EGS diagnosis. Of 94,903 EGS patients in the Wisconsin Hospital Association data set, most encounters were inpatient as compared with observation (75,878 [80.0%] vs. 19,025 [20.0%]). There were 57,780 patients (60.9%) that underwent any procedure. Among all Wisconsin EGS patients, most had no surgeon involvement (64.9% [n = 61,616]). Of the seven most common EGS diagnoses, surgeon involvement was highest for appendicitis (96.0%) and biliary tract disease (77.1%). For the other five most common conditions (skin/soft tissue infections, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction/ileus, pancreatitis, diverticular disease), surgeons were involved in roughly 20% of patient care episodes. CONCLUSION: Surgeon involvement for EGS conditions ranges from highly likely (appendicitis) to relatively unlikely (skin/soft tissue infections). The wide range in surgeon involvement underscores the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in the care of EGS patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/epidemiological, Level III.

Radiologists' Increasing Role in Population Health Management: AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review.

Population health management (PHM) is the holistic process of improving health outcomes of groups of individuals through the support of appropriate financial and care models. Radiologists' presence at the intersection of many aspects of health care, including screening, diagnostic imaging, and image-guided therapies, provides the opportunity for increased radiologist engagement in PHM. Furthermore, innovations in artificial intelligence and imaging informatics will serve as critical tools to improve value in health care through evidence-based and equitable approaches. Given radiologists' limited engagement in PHM to date, it is imperative to define the PHM priorities of the specialty so that radiologists' full value in improving population health is realized. The purpose of this expert review is to explore programs and future directions for radiologists in PHM.

Falling through the cracks: Evaluating the role of nonacute surgical liaison personnel during COVID-19-A narrative review.

BACKGROUND: In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Zealand government instituted a 4-level alert system, which resulted in the rapid dissolution of nonurgent surgical services to minimize occupational exposure to both patients and staff, with the primary health sector bearing most of the diverted caseload. Consequently, the study authors sought to collate information around the establishment of a supportive nonacute surgical liaison role in a public hospital surgical department, with an interest in establishing this role in New Zealand. METHODS: The narrative review conducted systematically in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Databases searched included Pubmed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials. A deductive analysis was applied using a demand management model developed by the Institute for Innovation and Improvement at Waitemata District Health Board. All included studies were rated using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence tool. RESULTS: Collation of 19 studies resulted in 3 key findings: first, that a surgical liaison could be utilized at the primary care to specialist interface to improve communication and workflow between services. Second, a liaison could be utilized directly communicating with patients as a means of increasing engagement and self-management. Finally, this service can be offered through multiple modalities including a noncontact telehealth service. CONCLUSION: Evidence of nonacute surgical liaisons both internationally and specifically within New Zealand has been collated to provide evidence for its application.