Care of the College Student.

Approximately 19 million students attend college in the United States. Although they are generally healthy, about 20% of youth have special health care needs, including asthma, diabetes mellitus, and learning, mental health, and substance use disorders. Physicians can facilitate the transition of a youth to an adult model of health care by using structured processes to orient the youth to self-care before entry into college. Stimulant medications are effective for treatment of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, but physicians should monitor for signs of drug diversion. Learning disorders may manifest with emotional or physical symptoms and are managed in a multidisciplinary fashion. Depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and posttraumatic stress and eating disorders are common in this population and can affect school performance. Screening and/or interventions for obesity, depression, anxiety, violence, nicotine use, and substance use are effective. Immunizations for influenza, human papillomavirus, meningococcus, and pertussis are crucial in this high-risk population. Lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, and queer students have unique health care needs.

Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (IgA Vasculitis): Rapid Evidence Review.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura, now called immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis, is a systemic, immune complex-mediated, small-vessel leukocytoclastic vasculitis characterized by nonthrombocytopenic palpable purpura, arthritis, and abdominal pain. It is the most common vasculitis in children but can also occur in adults. Diagnostic testing is required only to exclude other etiologies of purpura, to identify renal involvement, and, if indicated, to determine its extent with biopsy. Imaging or endoscopy may be needed to assess organ complications. IgA vasculitis spontaneously resolves in 94% of children and 89% of adults, making supportive treatment the primary management strategy. However, a subset of patients experience renal involvement that can persist and relapse years later. Additional complications can include gastrointestinal bleeding, orchitis, and central nervous system involvement. Systematic reviews have shown that steroids do not prevent complications and should not be used prophylactically. However, randomized trials have demonstrated success with high-dose steroids, cyclosporine, and mycophenolate in treating glomerulonephritis and other complications. Long-term prognosis depends on the extent of renal involvement. Six months of follow-up is prudent to assess for disease relapse or remission.

Untying the Gordian knot: remediation problems in medical schools that need remediation.

This position paper discusses on-going academic remediation challenges within the field of medical education. More specifically, we identify three common contemporary problems and propose four recommendations to strengthen remediation efforts. Selecting or determining what type of remediation is needed for a particular student is akin to analyzing a Gordian knot with individual, institutional and systemic contributors. More emphasis, including multi-institutional projects and research funding is needed. Recommendations regarding language use and marketing of such programs are given.

Pleuritic Chest Pain: Sorting Through the Differential Diagnosis.

Pleuritic chest pain is characterized by sudden and intense sharp, stabbing, or burning pain in the chest when inhaling and exhaling. Pulmonary embolism is the most common serious cause, found in 5% to 21% of patients who present to an emergency department with pleuritic chest pain. A validated clinical decision rule for pulmonary embolism should be employed to guide the use of additional tests such as d-dimer assays, ventilation-perfusion scans, or computed tomography angiography. Myocardial infarction, pericarditis, aortic dissection, pneumonia, and pneumothorax are other serious causes that should be ruled out using history and physical examination, electrocardiography, troponin assays, and chest radiography before another diagnosis is made. Validated clinical decision rules are available to help exclude coronary artery disease. Viruses are common causative agents of pleuritic chest pain. Coxsackieviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, parainfluenza, mumps, adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus are likely pathogens. Treatment is guided by the underlying diagnosis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are appropriate for pain management in those with virally triggered or nonspecific pleuritic chest pain. In patients with persistent symptoms, persons who smoke, and those older than 50 years with pneumonia, it is important to document radiographic resolution with repeat chest radiography six weeks after initial treatment.

Novel Pharmacotherapies for Hyperlipidemia.

The link between elevated LDL-C, low HDL-C, elevated triglycerides, and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease has solidified over the past decades. Concomitantly, the number of agents to treat dyslipidemia proliferated in clinical trials, proving or refuting their clinical efficacy. Many of these agents' role in reducing cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality is now clear. Recently, there has been an explosion in emerging therapeutics for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease through the control of dyslipidemia. This article reviews standard, new, and emerging treatments for hyperlipidemia.

Civilian and Military Medical School Graduates' Readiness for Deployment: Areas of Strength and Opportunities for Growth.

INTRODUCTION: Past research has examined civilian and military medical schools' preparation of physicians for their first deployment. Most recently, our research team conducted a large-scale survey comparing physicians' perceptions of their readiness for their first deployment. Our results revealed that military medical school graduates felt significantly more prepared for deployment by medical school than civilian medical school graduates. In order to further investigate these results and deepen our understanding of the two pathways' preparation of military physicians, this study analyzed the open-ended responses in the survey using a qualitative research design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a descriptive phenomenological design to analyze 451 participants' open-ended responses on the survey. After becoming familiar with the data, we coded the participants' responses for meaningful statements. We organized these codes into major categories, which became the themes of our study. Finally, we labeled each of these themes to reflect the participants' perceptions of how medical school prepared them for deployment. RESULTS: Four themes emerged from our data analysis: (1) Civilian medical school equipped graduates with soft skills and medical knowledge for their first deployment; (2) Civilian medical school may not have adequately prepared graduates to practice medicine in an austere environment to include the officership challenges of deployment; (3) Military medical school prepared graduates to navigate the medical practice and operational aspects of their first deployment; and (4) Military medical school may not have adequately prepared graduates for the realism of their first deployment. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provided insight into the strengths and areas for growth in each medical school pathway for military medical officers. These results may be used to enhance military medical training regardless of accession pathway and increase the readiness of military physicians for future large-scale conflicts.

Care of the college student.

There are approximately 20 million students in U.S. colleges and universities. Although this population is characterized as having good health, 600,000 students report some form of disability or some type of medical problem, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, psychiatric disorders, and chronic illnesses, among others. Physicians can enhance youth transition to an adult model of health care; the use of self-care skills checklists is one recommended method to assist with the transition. Stimulant medications are effective for treating adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, but physicians should use caution when prescribing stimulants to college students because of the high rates of medication diversion in this population. Depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, sleep problems, and eating disorders are common in college students and can significantly impact performance. Emphasis on immunization of students for influenza, meningococcus, and pertussis is necessary because of the low rates of compliance. Screening and interventions for obesity, tobacco use, and substance abuse are important because of the high prevalence of these problems in college students. Screening for alcohol abuse facilitates identification of students with problem drinking behaviors. Students who are war veterans should be monitored for suicidal ideation and posttraumatic stress disorder. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning students are at risk of harassment and discrimination. Caution should be exercised when prescribing medications to college athletes to avoid violation of National Collegiate Athletic Association eligibility rules.

Cardiovascular considerations in middle-aged athletes at risk for coronary artery disease.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States despite a 50% decrease in deaths from myocardial infarction and stroke in the past 30 years associated with improvements in blood pressure and lipid control. The National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey found that the least prevalent metrics of cardiovascular health in adults were healthy diets, normal weights, and optimal levels of exercise. A further reduction in rates of cardiovascular disease will require an increase in exercise. Clinicians who encourage exercise in middle-aged patients face several dilemmas. This article reviews exercise-related risks for sudden death and the performance of a global cardiovascular risk assessment. The need for additional preexercise risk stratification with electrocardiogram, graded exercise testing, or echocardiography is outlined. In addition, the optimum choice of medications for hypertension or dyslipidemia treatment and the effects of these medications and aspirin on endurance exercise are reviewed.

A Comparison of Uniformed Services University and Health Professions Scholarship Program Graduates' First Deployment Readiness.

INTRODUCTION: Military physicians must be prepared to lead health care teams across complex landscapes of war during future small- and large-scale combat operations. This preparation optimally begins in medical school so that early career physicians are fully ready for their first deployment. Past qualitative research has suggested that military physicians who attended civilian medical school are not as well prepared for the operational environment as physicians who attended the Uniformed Services University (USU), our nation's military medical school. However, there is a lack of larger-scale quantitative research comparing the readiness differences between the two medical school pathways. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to quantify any differences in first deployment preparation between students attending USU and civilian medical schools through the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared USU and HPSP graduates' first deployment experiences by distributing a 14-item Likert survey to active duty military physicians in the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force who graduated within the past 10 years from medical school (USU or civilian). RESULTS: The USU graduates rated themselves significantly higher than the HPSP graduates on their readiness for deployment (3.83 vs. 3.24; P < .001); ability to navigate the operational environment (3.59 vs. 2.99; P < .001); confidence in communicating with their commanding officer (3.59 vs. 2.99; P = .002); navigating the combined role as physician and officer (3.33 vs. 2.84; P = .004); leading a health care team (3.94 vs. 3.43; P = .001); preparation by a medical school (3.78 vs. 2.52; P < .001); and overall readiness compared to peers (4.20 vs. 3.49; P < .001). There was no significant difference between the two pathways regarding their stress level at the beginning of deployment (2.74 vs. 2.68; P = .683); clinical preparation (3.94 vs. 3.76; P = .202); and success of first deployment (3.87 vs. 3.91; P = .792). The largest effect size of the difference between the two pathways was noted on the question "How well did medical school prepare you for your first deployment" (Cohen's d = 1.02). CONCLUSIONS: While both groups believed that they were prepared for their first deployment, USU graduates consistently reported being more prepared by medical school for their first deployment than HPSP graduates. To close this readiness gap, supplemental military unique curricula may help to optimize HPSP students' readiness.

The Retention of USUHS Military Physicians: An Exploratory Study.

BACKGROUND: Previously, researchers investigated the career accomplishments of USU medical graduates using the data from a USU alumni survey. To better understand if such accomplishments are related to military retention, the current study investigates the relationship between accomplishments (such as military career milestones and academic achievement) and military retention. METHODS: Utilizing the responses to the alumni survey sent to USU graduates in the Classes of 1980 to 2017, the researchers investigated the relationship between a series of survey items (e.g., military rank, medical specialties, and operation experiences) and military retention. RESULTS: Among the respondents who had a deployment history in support of an operational mission, 206 (67.1%) stayed longer than their initial active duty service or planned on staying longer than their current active duty service commitment. Fellowship directors (n = 65, 72.3%) showed a higher retention rate than other positions. The PHS alumni had the highest retention rate (n = 39, 69%) of the military branches, whereas physicians in medical specialties with higher demand (e.g., otolaryngology and psychiatry) showed less promising retention. CONCLUSIONS: By conducting future research on underlying reasons as to why full-time clinicians, junior physicians, and physicians in medical specialties with higher demand showed less promising retention, stakeholders will be able to identify what needs to be addressed to retain highly skilled physicians in the military.

Reflecting on LTCOS Scholarship and Implications for Educational Practice.

The Long Term Career Outcome Study is a central program of research in the Center for Health Professions Education at the Uniformed Services University. The overarching goal of Long Term Career Outcome Study is to perform evidence-based evaluations before, during, and after medical school, and as such, it represents a form of educational epidemiology. In this essay, we highlighted the findings of the investigations published in this special issue. These investigations span from "before" medical school matriculation to "during" medical school and "after" learners go on to graduate training and practice. Furthermore, we discuss how this scholarship might shed light on improving the educational practices at the Uniformed Services University and potentially elsewhere. We hope that this work demonstrates how research can enhance medical education processes and connect research, policy, and practice.

A Comparison of HPSP and USU Graduates' Preparation for Residency.

INTRODUCTION: Military medical students enter residency through two main pathways: (1) The Uniformed Services University (USU) and (2) the Armed Services Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). The purpose of this study was to compare how these two pathways prepare military medical students for residency. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 18 experienced military residency program directors (PDs) in order to explore their perceptions of the preparedness of USU and HPSP graduates. We used a transcendental phenomenological qualitative research design to bracket our biases and guide our data analysis. Our research team coded each of the interview transcripts. We then organized these codes into themes, which served as the results of our study. RESULTS: Five themes emerged from our data regarding the residents' preparedness: (1) Ability to navigate the military culture, (2) understanding of the military's medical mission, (3) clinical preparation, (4) ability to navigate the Military Health System (MHS), and (5) teamwork. The PDs described how USU graduates better understand the military's medical mission and are more easily able to navigate the military culture and the MHS because of their lived experiences during military medical school. They also discussed the various levels of clinical preparation of HPSP graduates, in contrast to the USU graduates' more consistent skills and abilities. Finally, the PDs believed both groups to be strong team players. CONCLUSIONS: USU students were consistently prepared for a strong start to residency because of their military medical school training. HPSP students often experienced a steep learning curve because of the newness of the military culture and MHS.

Who will be the faculty of the future? Results of a 5-year study growing educators using an immersive third postgraduate year (PGY-3) faculty development mini-fellowship.

BACKGROUND: Residency education requires large numbers of skilled teaching faculty. Potential faculty can often be identified during residency training. AIMS: Employ a 4-week immersive faculty development mini-fellowship to enhance the teaching skills of selected PGY-3 residents and study outcomes over 5 years. METHODS: PGY-3 residents were competitively selected and completed the 4-week curriculum to increase skills in precepting, small group teaching, large group teaching, learner feedback/assessment, academic career development, and research. RESULTS: Fifteen residents completed the mini-fellowship over the 5-year study period. The curriculum was rated highly by the residents with mean ratings of curriculum components ranging from 4.5 to 4.9 on a 5-point scale. Eight residents (53%) were selected for faculty positions compared to a usual selection rate of 11%. Compared to new faculty without mini-fellowship completion, program directors rated the residents completing the mini-fellowship as better prepared to perform learner feedback (4.1 vs. 3.0, p ≤ 0.01) and to understand the conduct of research (3.6 vs. 2.5 p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates short-term success at growing faculty with enhanced teaching skills during residency. While long-term retention in academic medicine cannot be predicted, this program represents one method to mitigate shortages of qualified junior residency faculty.

Writing, self-reflection, and medical school performance: the Human Context of Health Care.

INTRODUCTION: Finding ways to improve communication and self-reflection skills is an important element of medical education and continuing professional development. This study examines the relationship between self-reflection and educational outcomes. METHODS: We correlate performance in a preclinical course that focuses on self-reflection as it relates to contextual elements of patient care (Human Context of Health Care), with educational measures such as overall grade point average, clinical clerkship scores, and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores. RESULTS: Student performance in Human Context of Health Care correlated with MCAT-Verbal scores, MCAT-writing sample scores, clerkship grades, and overall medical school grade point average (R = 0.3; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Writing and self-reflection skills are often neglected in undergraduate medical curricula. Our findings suggest that these skills are important and correlate with recognized long-term educational outcomes.

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: Risk Assessment.

As part of the approach to primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), adults should have their CVD risk estimated using a population-appropriate risk equation. In the United States, the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) pooled cohort equations are recommended by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) to estimate risk in patients ages 40 to 79 years. A 10-year ASCVD risk estimate of 20% or higher is considered high, and patients having this level of risk should be offered and counseled to receive statin therapy. A 10-year risk estimate of 7.5% to less than 20% is considered intermediate, and clinicians should discuss the potential benefits of statin therapy for primary prevention in the context of the patient's preferences and values. In some situations, use of CVD risk enhancers, particularly coronary artery calcium assessed by computed tomography, may help inform the clinician-patient discussion. All patients should be counseled about healthy lifestyle modifications to reduce CVD risk. The AHA's Life's Simple 7 defines ideal cardiovascular health as no tobacco use; ideal blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels; adequate physical activity; weight management; and healthy diet. An 8th component (sleep) was very recently added and 4 of the original components have been updated. These metrics provide goals that can drive efforts toward primordial prevention (ie, keeping risk factors themselves from developing).

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: Lifestyle Interventions for Primary Prevention.

The fact that up to one-third of the 800,000 yearly cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths in the United States may be preventable by diet and physical activity makes a compelling case for lifestyle interventions as a primary prevention strategy. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends offering or referring adults with CVD risk factors to behavioral counseling interventions to promote a healthy diet and physical activity. Although few US adults have ideal cardiovascular health, there exists a dose-response relationship whereby an increasing number of ideal cardiovascular health metrics is associated with lower CVD and all-cause mortality. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean diet have proven benefits in reducing CVD. Among individuals without CVD, high levels of physical activity are associated with an approximately 32% reduced risk of CVD death, and moderate levels are associated with approximately a 22% reduction. Resistance exercises confer additional benefits.

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: Pharmacologic Prevention.

Several drugs have shown benefits in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aspirin should be used routinely for the secondary prevention of CVD. Low-dose aspirin should not be used for the primary prevention of CVD in adults ages 60 years and older. Aspirin can be considered for primary prevention in adults ages 40 to 59 years with a 10% or greater 10-year CVD risk. Moderate- to high-intensity statin therapy should be prescribed for most patients with known atherosclerotic CVD, those with a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level of 190 mg/dL or higher, and those ages 40 to 75 years with diabetes or with a 10-year risk of CVD of 7.5% or greater. Newer lipid-lowering drugs have shown benefits in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, but at high cost and with limited evidence of reduction of CVD outcomes. Polypills provide a method to deliver multiple proven drugs at lower cost and to a broader population. Sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should be added to metformin as the preferred second-line drug in the management of diabetes because of their proven ability to improve cardiovascular outcomes. No supplements have proven benefits in CVD prevention. Omega-3 fatty acids and folic acid have shown benefits when consumed in food.

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: Prevention Through Control of Medical Risks.

Diabetes, hypertension, tobacco use, and obesity each substantially increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and must be controlled as part of CVD prevention. Among patients with diabetes, the reduction of CVD risk from lower A1c goals must be balanced against the risks of hypoglycemia. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends an A1c goal for adults of less than 7% if hypoglycemia can be avoided. A less stringent goal of less than 8% is appropriate in patients with limited life expectancy. A blood pressure (BP) goal of less than 140/90 mm Hg is prudent for all adults younger than 60 years. A goal of less than 140/90 mm Hg also is advised for initiating or intensifying pharmacotherapy in adults 60 years and older with a history of stroke or who are at high cardiovascular risk. BP targets should be individualized to balance the known benefits of lowering BP to 120/80 mm Hg with the risks of morbidity because of hypotension and adverse effects. Varenicline is the most effective drug for smoking cessation, and abstinence rates are increased by combining it with nicotine replacement therapy. Bariatric surgery is the most effective management for long-term weight loss and reduction of obesity-related comorbidities. Social drivers of health are the primary cause of CVD outcomes differences among races and ethnicities.

A diagnostic approach to pruritus.

Pruritus can be a symptom of a distinct dermatologic condition or of an occult underlying systemic disease. Of the patients referred to a dermatologist for generalized pruritus with no apparent primary cutaneous cause, 14 to 24 percent have a systemic etiology. In the absence of a primary skin lesion, the review of systems should include evaluation for thyroid disorders, lymphoma, kidney and liver diseases, and diabetes mellitus. Findings suggestive of less serious etiologies include younger age, localized symptoms, acute onset, involvement limited to exposed areas, and a clear association with a sick contact or recent travel. Chronic or generalized pruritus, older age, and abnormal physical findings should increase concern for underlying systemic conditions. Initial evaluation for systemic disease includes complete blood count and measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone, fasting glucose, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen. Hodgkin lymphoma is the malignant disease most strongly associated with pruritus, which affects up to 30 percent of patients with the disease. Chest radiography is needed when lymphoma is suspected. A wheal and flare response indicates histamine-induced pruritus in patients with urticaria or an allergic dermatitis. These patients benefit from continuous dosing of a long-acting antihistamine. Second-generation antihistamines, such as cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine, may be more effective because of improved patient compliance.