AMA and SDSMA Membership After Graduation.

INTRODUCTION: One way to foster collaboration and continuing education is medical students' participation in medical associations. However, it isn't clear if being a student member leads to continued membership. In this study, the primary goal is to determine if student membership increases membership in the South Dakota State Medical Association (SDSMA) and American Medical Association (AMA) after graduation. METHODS: After validation with 10 physicians through a pilot study, the finalized survey was emailed by the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners to every South Dakota licensed physician. The survey included questions about membership in AMA, SDSMA, and other medical organizations. Descriptive data was assessed using counts and percentages. Comparisons were made based on Chi-square tests. RESULTS: In total, 438 individuals consented and participated. Overall, 296 (67.6%) indicated membership in a medical association in medical school; 101 only AMA, 38 only SDSMA, 133 both, and 24 only other. For the 234 with a student AMA membership, 71 (30.3%) continued. Of the 171 with a student SDSMA membership, 88 (51.5%) continued. Comparing those with and without a student AMA membership, 22.6% without joined after graduation and 30.3% with continued (p = 0.07). For SDSMA memberships, 28.5% without joined after graduation, while 51.5% of those with continued. Common reasons for maintaining included professional advocacy (n = 44) and educational opportunities (n = 32), for AMA and professional advocacy (n = 58) and networking (n = 45), for SDSMA. Common reasons for non-continuation in both AMA and SDSMA, were lack of specialty representation and political disagreement. CONCLUSIONS: Those who were members of SDSMA as students were more likely to maintain their membership. This difference was less pronounced for AMA. Networking was a common reason for maintaining SDSMA. Focusing on this aspect may be beneficial for retaining members.

Comparison of Educational and Academic Quality of Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy Videos on WebSurg® and YouTube® Platforms.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the educational and academic quality of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) videos on YouTube® and WebSurg® platforms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: YouTube and WebSurg platforms were searched with the keyword "laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy". According to the exclusion criteria, 12 videos were found on WebSurg. To ensure a 1:1 ratio, the first 12 videos that met the criteria on YouTube were also analyzed. Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria were used to evaluate the reliability of the videos. The non-educational quality of the videos was calculated using the Global Quality Score (GQS), the educational and academic quality of videos was calculated using Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy-specific score (LDP-SS) and Laparoscopic Surgery Video Educational Guidelines scoring system (LAP-VEGaS). RESULTS: The mean JAMA score was 1.58 on YouTube and 2.83 on WebSurg (P < .001). The median GQS was 2 on YouTube and 5 on WebSurg (P < .001). The median LAP-VEGaS score was 8 on YouTube and 14.5 on WebSurg (P < .001). The median LDP-SS score was 6 on YouTube and 9.5 on WebSurg (P = .001). According to the LAP-VEGaS, eleven (91.7%) of the WebSurg videos had a high score of 11 or more (P = .04). According to Spearman correlation analysis, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between LDP-SS and JAMA, GQS and LAP-VEGaS (r: .589, P = .002; r: .648, P = .001; r: .848, P < .001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The WebSurg is superior to the YouTube in terms of educational and academic value, quality, accuracy, reliability and usability in scientific meetings for LDP videos.

Accuracy of Valuations of Surgical Procedures in the Medicare Fee Schedule.

BACKGROUND: The Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC) of the American Medical Association plays a central role in determining physician reimbursement. The RUC's role and performance have been criticized but subjected to little empirical evaluation. METHODS: We analyzed the accuracy of valuations of 293 common surgical procedures from 2005 through 2015. We compared the RUC's estimates of procedure time with "benchmark" times for the same procedures derived from the clinical registry maintained by the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). We characterized inaccuracies, quantified their effect on physician revenue, and examined whether re-review corrected them. RESULTS: At the time of 108 RUC reviews, the mean absolute discrepancy between RUC time estimates and benchmark times was 18.5 minutes, or 19.8% of the RUC time. However, RUC time estimates were neither systematically shorter nor longer than benchmark times overall (ß, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.94 to 1.01; P = 0.10). Our analyses suggest that whereas orthopedic surgeons and urologists received higher payments than they would have if benchmark times had been used ($160 million and $40 million more, respectively, in Medicare reimbursement in 2011 through 2015), cardiothoracic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and vascular surgeons received lower payments ($130 million, $60 million, and $30 million less, respectively). The accuracy of RUC time estimates improved in 47% of RUC revaluations, worsened in 27%, and was unchanged in 25%. (Percentages do not sum to 100 because of rounding.). CONCLUSIONS: In this analysis of frequently conducted operations, we found substantial absolute discrepancies between intraoperative times as estimated by the RUC and the times recorded for the same procedures in a surgical registry, but the RUC did not systematically overestimate or underestimate times. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health.).

Social network analysis of publication collaboration of accelerating change in MedEd consortium.

INTRODUCTION: The American Medical Association formed the Accelerating Change in Medical Education Consortium through grants to effect change in medical education. The dissemination of educational innovations through scholarship was a priority. The objective of this study was to explore the patterns of collaboration of educational innovation through the consortium's publications. METHOD: Publications were identified from grantee schools' semi-annual reports. Each publication was coded for the number of citations, Altmetric score, domain of scholarship, and collaboration with other institutions. Social network analysis explored relationships at the midpoint and end of the grant. RESULTS: Over five years, the 32 Consortium institutions produced 168 publications, ranging from 38 papers from one institution to no manuscripts from another. The two most common domains focused on health system science (92 papers) and competency-based medical education (30 papers). Articles were published in 54 different journals. Forty percent of publications involved more than one institution. Social network analysis demonstrated rich publishing relationships within the Consortium members as well as beyond the Consortium schools. In addition, there was growth of the network connections and density over time. CONCLUSION: The Consortium fostered a scholarship network disseminating a broad range of educational innovations through publications of individual school projects and collaborations.

Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring at Home: A Joint Policy Statement From the American Heart Association and American Medical Association.

The diagnosis and management of hypertension, a common cardiovascular risk factor among the general population, have been based primarily on the measurement of blood pressure (BP) in the office. BP may differ considerably when measured in the office and when measured outside of the office setting, and higher out-of-office BP is associated with increased cardiovascular risk independent of office BP. Self-measured BP monitoring, the measurement of BP by an individual outside of the office at home, is a validated approach for out-of-office BP measurement. Several national and international hypertension guidelines endorse self-measured BP monitoring. Indications include the diagnosis of white-coat hypertension and masked hypertension and the identification of white-coat effect and masked uncontrolled hypertension. Other indications include confirming the diagnosis of resistant hypertension and detecting morning hypertension. Validated self-measured BP monitoring devices that use the oscillometric method are preferred, and a standardized BP measurement and monitoring protocol should be followed. Evidence from meta-analyses of randomized trials indicates that self-measured BP monitoring is associated with a reduction in BP and improved BP control, and the benefits of self-measured BP monitoring are greatest when done along with cointerventions. The addition of self-measured BP monitoring to office BP monitoring is cost-effective compared with office BP monitoring alone or usual care among individuals with high office BP. The use of self-measured BP monitoring is commonly reported by both individuals and providers. Therefore, self-measured BP monitoring has high potential for improving the diagnosis and management of hypertension in the United States. Randomized controlled trials examining the impact of self-measured BP monitoring on cardiovascular outcomes are needed. To adequately address barriers to the implementation of self-measured BP monitoring, financial investment is needed in the following areas: improving education and training of individuals and providers, building health information technology capacity, incorporating self-measured BP readings into clinical performance measures, supporting cointerventions, and enhancing reimbursement.

Next-generation assessment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 gene (ERBB2) amplification status in invasive breast carcinoma: a focus on Group 4 by use of the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists HER2 testing guideline.

AIMS: The American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) updated the testing guideline in 2018 to address issues arising from uncommon human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH) results according to the 2013 guideline. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) may be used to better classify patients. The aim of this study was to assess the ERBB2 amplification status of invasive breast carcinoma with equivocal HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) results by using NGS, focusing on Group 4 (HER2/CEP17 ratio of <2.0; average HER2 signals/cell of ≥4.0 and <6.0). METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively reviewed HER2 FISH and NGS data of HER2 IHC-equivocal breast carcinomas at our centre between January 2009 and September 2019, wherein all three assays were performed on the same tissue block, and compared HER2 FISH results, according to the 2018 ASCO/CAP guideline, and the ERBB2 amplification status determined with NGS. A total of 52 HER2 FISH and NGS results from 51 patients with HER2 IHC-equivocal breast carcinomas were reviewed. The cohort included eight cases classified as 2018 ASCO/CAP in-situ hybridisation Group 1, three classified as Group 2, three classified as Group 3, 14 classified as Group 4, and 24 classified as Group 5. Thirteen of 14 (92.9%) Group 4 (HER2-negative) cases were classified as ERBB2-non-amplified by the use of NGS; the discordant case was later classified as Group 1 with alternative sample FISH testing. NGS revealed no significant difference in somatic mutations or copy number alterations between Groups 4 and 5. CONCLUSIONS: Our NGS findings support the reclassification of HER2 FISH-equivocal cases as HER2-negative under the 2018 ASCO/CAP guideline.

What Doctors Want: A Comment on the Financial Preferences of Organized Medicine.

Organized medicine's persistent demand for high payments is one factor that contributes to the rising costs of health care. The profession's long-standing preference for private and fee-for-service practice has pressured payers to increase reimbursement rates in fee-based systems; and it has stalled, thwarted, or otherwise co-opted attempts to contain costs in other payment systems. Yet what doctors want in fact varies. This article revisits classic comparative studies of organized medicine in advanced democracies to highlight two underemphasized findings: (1) physicians' financial preferences can deviate from traditional expectations, and (2) the structure of the organizations that represent doctors can shape whether and how those preferences are expressed. These findings remain relevant today as a discussion of contemporary American health politics illustrates.

Evaluation of YouTube videos about smile design using the DISCERN tool and Journal of the American Medical Association benchmarks.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: YouTube contains many videos on health-related topics. "Smile Design" is one that is frequently searched on YouTube. Whether YouTube can be considered useful for patients seeking information on smile design is unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess and validate the features of the most popular YouTube videos on smile design. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In September 2019, the keyword "smile design" was searched on YouTube in North America using a virtual private network (VPN). The top 100 videos in a constantly updated list were recorded. The DISCERN instrument (Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information) and the benchmarks established by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) were used to evaluate these 100 videos. A spreadsheet (Excel v2016; Microsoft Corp) was used to process statistical data, calculated as mean and frequency. RESULTS: Of the 100 videos identified, some were excluded as duplicates (11), irrelevant (4), and not presented in English (7). No video met all the JAMA criteria. Adherence to authorship and currency principles was observed in each video, and those adhering to attribution and disclosure principles were categorized as "good." The average DISCERN score for the 78 included videos was fair (39.6 points); all videos scored poor or fair-very poor, good, or excellent scores were not found. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of information on YouTube videos relating to smile design was only fair. Patients should use smile design information found on YouTube with caution. When professionals upload a video to YouTube, they should use evaluation tools as a quality guide.

Is It Time to Remove Total Calcium from the Basic and Comprehensive Metabolic Panels? Assessing the Effects of American Medical Association-Approved Chemical Test Panels on Laboratory Utilization.

BACKGROUND: The necessity of individual tests within the most commonly used disease-oriented test panels has not been well established. We evaluated test-ordering practices for total calcium, both before and after implementation of American Medical Association (AMA)-approved panels (basic metabolic panel [BMP] and comprehensive metabolic panel [CMP]) in our electronic ordering system. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all total calcium orders placed during April and June 2018, before and after implementation of the panels. Orders from inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department (ED) care units were totaled, and the percentage of abnormal test results was calculated. We then queried institutional databases to determine the number of unique patients with calcium-related diagnoses and compared the rates from a 5-month period both before and after implementation of the panels. RESULTS: Total test volumes and tests per unique patient increased by more than 3-fold after implementation of calcium-containing AMA-approved panels, with the majority of those orders coming from BMPs and CMPs. The rate of low calcium values increased because of the shift toward more inpatient testing; however, the percentage of abnormal results within each patient population (inpatient, outpatient, ED) decreased. The prevalence of hypo- and hypercalcemia-related diagnoses among patients in the 5 months after implementation did not change significantly (1.29% before implementation vs 1.27% after implementation). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of BMPs and CMPs dramatically increased total calcium testing volumes without changing the rate of calcium-related diagnoses. The results suggest that the increase in total calcium orders associated with panel-based testing largely constitutes excess or unnecessary testing.

STRENGTHENING OUR VOICE IN PUBLIC POLICY ON MEDICAL EDUCATION.

Medical education is in the eye of public policy makers more than ever before. Many forces contribute to the interest of policy makers in medical education, including public awareness of how policies can affect access to and quality of clinical care. Governmental legislatures are getting more involved in medical education policy, with less acceptance of the profession's autonomy. Professional societies are not positioned to respond optimally to governmental involvement in medical education policy due to limited resources, poor coordination, and competing concerns. To urge leaders in medicine to strengthen their voice in public policy on medical education, I review educational issues that have recently received attention in the policy arena, and what professional societies have focused on. I highlight strengths and weaknesses of how professional societies have addressed public policy on medical education, and suggest opportunities for strengthening the voice of the medical community.

The Fall and Rise of Mid-Century Student Health Activism: Political Repression, McCarthyism, and the Association of Internes and Medical Students (1947-1953).

Common narratives about the mid-century American medical profession's stunning rise forget a key element: political repression. During the 1940s and 1950s, the American Medical Association (AMA) and its allies sought to eliminate those who questioned American medicine's status quo, in particular opposition to national health insurance (NHI) and condoning of racism within its ranks. One casualty was the Association for Internes and Medical Students (AIMS), which into the 1940s, was the most prominent vehicle for medical student and trainee political organizing in the United Status. This article tells the story of its rapid demise in the era of McCarthyism at the hands of an AMA campaign to besmirch AIMS's name, and in the process, destroy it.

Comparative Analysis of Visual System Disability Evaluation Criteria between China and the United States.

ABSTRACT: Gradation of Disability in Human Body Injuries （hereinafter referred to as Gradation） has been released and used since January 2017, and has become the most widely used standard in forensic science practice. This paper calculates and rates the visual system evaluation provisions of the current domestic disability evaluation criteria represented by the Gradation which used the methods of Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment （hereinafter referred to as GEPI） issued by American Medical Association （AMA）. Through comparing, a good correlation between the provisions in Gradation and whole person impairment rating index in GEPI was shown. On the basis of this, suggestions are put forward to amend some provisions of Gradation, in order to provide reference for the revision and further improvement of domestic standards and provisions.

The clarion call for a third wave in medical education to optimise healthcare in the twenty-first century.

During the years preceding 1910, the education and training of physicians (doctors) -to-be was based mainly on a master-apprentice model; the primary focus then was on the teaching and development of clinical skills. In 1910, however, Abraham Flexner submitted a highly influential report to the American medical authorities: in it, he recommended that all medical schools should be university-based and that, importantly, medical practice should have a scientific basis strongly underpinned by the basic medical sciences. The recommendation provided the impetus for the design of medical education that begins with a pre-clinical phase to provide the strong scientific foundation for the clinical phase that follows. During the clinical phase, student learning will focus primarily on the clinical sciences relating to the diagnosis, treatment and management of patient care. Thus, two key 'pillars' (the basic sciences and the clinical sciences) of medical education were established; this two pillar model of medical education persisted for many decades thereafter and remained so till today. However, in order to optimise delivery of health care this must be viewed as an 'eco-system' taking into account the practice setting both present and future. The authors will attempt to provide a background to the changing trends in medical education and the changing practice environment, due primarily to the disruptive forces of change in this article.

Professor Samuel David Gross (1805-1884) and His Innovations in Surgery and Medicine.

Professor Samuel David Gross (1805-1884) is considered as one of the founders of American surgery. He was a skillful surgeon who could excellently perform a lithotomy, an amputation, and a cataract surgery. He introduced many new surgical techniques and designed new surgical and medical instruments. He expertise was not limited to surgery alone; he also published studies concerning internal medicine, pathology, experimental physiology, and pharmacology. His most important treatise was his 2-volume work, A System of Surgery, Pathological, Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Operative (1861), which was a standard reference book in surgery in the United States during the second half of 19th century. Gross received many honors during his life. He was active in the operating room until his death.

The impact of nurse practitioner regulations on population access to care.

BACKGROUND: By 2025, experts estimate a significant shortage of primary care providers in the United States, and expansion of the nurse practitioner (NP) workforce may reduce this burden. However, barriers imposed by state NP regulations could reduce access to primary care. PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to examine the association between three levels of NP state practice regulation (independent, minimum restrictive, and most restrictive) and the proportion of the population with a greater than 30-min travel time to a primary care provider using geocoding. METHODS: Logistic regression models were conducted to calculate the adjusted odds of having a greater than 30-min drive time. FINDINGS: Compared with the most restrictive NP states, states with independent practice had 19.2% lower odds (p = .001) of a greater than 30-min drive to the closest primary care provider. DISCUSSION: Allowing NPs full autonomy to practice may be a relatively simple policy mechanism for states to improve access to primary care.