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This study implemented a 16-week Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance® intervention for older adults in churches in hard-to-reach, medically underserved, rural communities, and evaluated the process using the RE-AIM Framework. Community-dwelling adults, aged 55 years, or older, were eligible. Data (N = 237) were collected at baseline, 16 weeks, and 32 weeks on falls efficacy, depression, physical/mental health-related quality of life, aerobic activity, gait speed, mobility, balance, and leg strength. Generalized/linear mixed models determined if outcomes improved. Eighteen churches sponsored 16 classes. Church adoption was 94%, instructor adoption was 86%, reach was 90%, and fidelity was good/fair. All outcomes improved except physical health-related quality of life and gait speed. Thirty-six percent of participants, 28% of churches, and 37% of instructors continued Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance at 32 weeks. Compared with two prior RE-AIM evaluations, adoption and reach rates, improvements in outcomes, and satisfaction were comparable; attendance, program completion, and continuation rates were lower.
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Tai Chi Chuan , Humanos , Idoso , West Virginia , População Rural , Qualidade de Vida , Equilíbrio PosturalRESUMO
BACKGROUND: West Virginia has one of the highest rates of opioid overdose related deaths and is known as the epicenter of the opioid crisis in the United States. In an effort to reduce opioid-related harms, SB 273 was signed in 2018, and aimed to restrict opioid prescribing in West Virginia. SB 273 was enacted during a time when physician arrests and convictions had been increasing for years and were becoming more prevalent and more publicized. This study aims to better understand the impact of the legislation on patients and providers. METHODS: Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with opioid-prescribing primary care physicians and specialists practicing throughout West Virginia. RESULTS: Four themes emerged, 1. Fear of disciplinary action, 2. Exacerbation of opioid prescribing fear due to restrictive legislation, 3. Care shifts and treatment gaps, and 4. Conversion to illicit substances. The clinicians recognized the harms of inappropriate prescribing and how this could affect their patients. Decreases in opioid prescribing were already occurring prior to the law implementation. Disciplinary actions against opioid prescribers resulted in prescriber fear, which was then exacerbated by SB 273 and contributed to shifts in care that led to forced tapering and opioid under-prescribing. Providers felt that taking on patients who legitimately required opioids could jeopardize their career. CONCLUSION: A holistic and patient-centered approach should be taken by legislative and disciplinary bodies to ensure patients are not abandoned when disciplinary actions are taken against prescribers or new legislation is passed.
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Analgésicos Opioides , Overdose de Opiáceos , Analgésicos Opioides/efeitos adversos , Medo , Humanos , Padrões de Prática Médica , Estados Unidos , West VirginiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: A paucity of information exists to advise medical school applicants who have had to retake the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to achieve a competitive score. To better advise repeat test takers from West Virginia and other Appalachian and southern areas, MCAT data from West Virginia applicants were analyzed and compared with national data. METHODS: In the application cycles of 2017-2020, the following factors were analyzed in relation to medical school acceptance in West Virginia applicants: MCAT scores, the number of test-taking attempts, biology-chemistry-physics-math grade point average, time between test-taking attempts, and academic major. MCAT data from medical school applicants from West Virginia who took the test more than once also were compared with national data. RESULTS: Of the total repeat test takers from West Virginia (N = 285) in the study timeframe, 57 (20%) were ultimately accepted into medical school. Factors associated with medical school acceptance were as follows: first MCAT test score (odds ratio [OR] 1.3, 95% confidence level [CL] 1.2-1.4, P < 0.001), change in MCAT test score (OR 1.2, 95% CL 1.1-1.3, P = 0.0015), and biology-chemistry-physics-math grade point average (OR 15.1, 95% CL 4.2-54.8, P < 0.0001). The highest benefit for improved scores occurred between the first and second attempts. The highest point gain occurred when the first MCAT score was in the range of 477 to 487 (<1st-12th percentile); this finding was not found in the national data. CONCLUSIONS: Although the study was limited to West Virginia medical school applicants, this information could prove useful in advising premedical applicants from other Appalachian and southern US areas.
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Medicina Osteopática/educação , Estudantes de Medicina/estatística & dados numéricos , Habilidades para Realização de Testes/normas , Avaliação Educacional/métodos , Avaliação Educacional/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Razão de Chances , Medicina Osteopática/estatística & dados numéricos , Medicina Osteopática/tendências , Estudantes de Medicina/psicologia , Habilidades para Realização de Testes/psicologia , Habilidades para Realização de Testes/estatística & dados numéricos , West VirginiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: In this cross-sectional study, we examined correlates of manual therapy (spinal manipulation, massage therapy) and/or acupuncture use in a population engaging in conventional pain care in West Virginia. METHODS: Participants were patients (aged 18+ years) from 4 Appalachian pain and rheumatology clinics. Of those eligible (Nâ¯=â¯343), 88% completed an anonymous survey including questions regarding health history, pain distress (Short Form Global Pain Scale), prescription medications, and current use of complementary health approaches for pain management. We used age-adjusted logistic regression to assess the relation of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors to use of manual therapies and/or acupuncture for pain (complete-case Nâ¯=â¯253). RESULTS: The majority of participants were white (92%), female (56%), and middle aged (mean age, 54.8 ± 13.4 years). Nearly all reported current chronic pain (94%), and 56% reported ≥5 comorbidities (mean, 5.6 ± 3.1). Manual therapy and/or acupuncture was used by 26% of participants for pain management (nâ¯=â¯66). Current or prior opioid use was reported by 37% of those using manual therapies. Manual therapy and/or acupuncture use was significantly elevated in those using other complementary health approaches (adjusted odds ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-5.8). Overall Short Form Global Pain Scale scores were not significantly associated with use of manual therapies and/or acupuncture after adjustment (adjusted odds ratio per 1-point increase, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.03). CONCLUSION: We found no evidence for an association of pain-related distress and use of manual therapies and/or acupuncture, but identified a strong association with use of dietary supplements and mind-body therapies. Larger studies are needed to further examine these connections in the context of clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness in rural adults given their high pain burden and unique challenges in access to care.
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Terapia por Acupuntura/estatística & dados numéricos , Dor Crônica/terapia , Dor Lombar/terapia , Manipulação da Coluna/estatística & dados numéricos , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , População Rural/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Idoso , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Massagem/estatística & dados numéricos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Manejo da Dor , Inquéritos e Questionários , West Virginia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Context: West Virginia (WV) is afflicted by high rates of teenage pregnancy and births, opioid usage during pregnancy, and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome births. Current efforts are ineffective at reducing teenage pregnancy and opioid misuse. While pregnancy and opioid usage may appear to be separate issues, a number of associations suggest adolescent pregnancy, opioid use, and other health-related outcomes are part of a cluster of negative health conditions that should be addressed holistically. Objective: To determine whether there is an association between teenage pregnancy and negative health outcomes, including opioid misuse, among WV adolescent girls. Methods: This study was conducted from July 2018 to March 2019. We obtained the most recently-available aggregate data at the county level for each of the 55 WV counties from the WV Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR) on July 30, 2018, and we analyzed it during the fall of 2018. Raw data regarding pregnancy-related outcomes included WV girls between the ages of 15 and 19, was acquired between 2014 and 2017 by county, and was provided by the WVDHHR as a mean taken across all four years. Raw data regarding opioid misuse outcomes and heart-health variables included WV girls and women of all ages, was collected between 2014 and 2017 by county, and was provided by the WVDHHR as a mean taken across all four years, unless stated otherwise. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to examine the associations between the teenage pregnancy and birth rates, opioid misuse, pregnancy, and heart-health-related statistics, as well as environmental variables. Results: Teenage pregnancy and birth rates were positively associated with fetal death rates (r=0.308, p<0.05 and r=0.261, p<0.10, respectively). The rate of fetal death among mothers aged 15-19 years was higher in counties with higher teenage pregnancy and birth rates. As the pregnancy and birth rates increased, the rate of abortion increased even more (r=0.434 and r=0.304 respectively, both p<0.05). Teenage pregnancy and birth rates were associated with opioid overdose death rates for all WV girls and women (Pearson correlations, r=0.444 and 0.418 respectively, both p<0.01). WV counties with higher pregnancy and birth rates among girls aged 15-19 years had a greater proportion of women dying from opioid overdose. Teenage pregnancy and birth rates were both positively correlated with obesity, physical inactivity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure (all r>0.39, all p<0.05). Neither the high-school dropout rate nor the number of WVDHHR listed clinics were associated with teenage pregnancy or birth rates (p>0.10). Conclusion: Reduction of unintended teenage pregnancy may be viewed as a nontraditional, holistic, method of ameliorating the opioid misuse crisis in the state of WV. This recommendation should be part of a multi-pronged approach to mitigating the opioid epidemic in WV and all of Appalachia.
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Uso Indevido de Medicamentos , Gravidez na Adolescência , Adolescente , Região dos Apalaches , Feminino , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Epidemia de Opioides , Gravidez , West VirginiaRESUMO
Toxic effects of selenium (Se) contamination in freshwaters have been well documented. However, study of Se contamination has focused on lentic and larger order lotic systems, whereas headwater streams have received little scrutiny. In central Appalachia, surface coal mining is a common Se source to headwater streams, thus providing a useful system to investigate Se bioaccumulation in headwater food chains and possible longitudinal patterns in Se concentrations. Toward that end, we assessed Se bioaccumulation in 2 reference and 4 mining-influenced headwater streams. At each stream, we sampled ecosystem media, including streamwater, particulate matter (sediment, biofilm, leaf detritus), benthic macroinvertebrates, salamanders, and fish, every 400 m along 1.2- and 1.6-km reaches. We compared media Se concentrations within and among streams and evaluated longitudinal trends in media Se concentrations. Selenium concentrations in sampled media were higher in mining-influenced streams compared with reference streams. We found the highest Se concentrations in benthic macroinvertebrates; however, salamanders and fish bioaccumulated Se to potentially harmful levels in mining-influenced streams. Only one stream demonstrated dilution of streamwater Se with distance downstream, and few longitudinal patterns in Se bioaccumulation occurred along our study reaches. Collectively, our results provide a field-based assessment of Se bioaccumulation in headwater food chains, from streamwater to fish, and highlight the need for future assessments of Se effects in headwater streams and receiving downstream waters. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:692-704. © 2020 SETAC.
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Bioacumulação , Peixes/metabolismo , Selênio/metabolismo , Urodelos/metabolismo , Poluentes Químicos da Água/metabolismo , Animais , Rios , Virginia , West VirginiaAssuntos
Dieta Saudável , Transtornos Mentais/psicologia , Ciências da Nutrição/educação , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/psicologia , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/reabilitação , Adolescente , Adulto , Currículo , Depressão/psicologia , Depressão/terapia , Dieta Saudável/métodos , Dieta Saudável/psicologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Transtornos Mentais/terapia , Terapia de Relaxamento/métodos , Estudantes , Resultado do Tratamento , Universidades , West Virginia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
In spring 2013, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) reformatted its Anatomy Lab Tour Program to include interactive stations in the gross anatomy laboratory. The design of the outreach program introduces high school and allied health learners to osteopathic medicine while working through anatomy laboratory stations and how the tenets of osteopathic medicine relate to a person's overall health and wellness. Throughout the history of the program, first- and second-year osteopathic medical students at WVSOM have helped teach visiting learners in the laboratory experience. The new program design allows more time for one-on-one time between the student teachers and the learners. Exit surveys have reported that the current program design creates a synergistic learning environment in which both the learners and student teachers benefit through the encounter. The authors present this case study of the WVSOM Anatomy Lab Tour Program to establish a baseline for the collection of information gained through participant surveys to assess the impact of the program on learners and student teachers.
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Anatomia/educação , Escolha da Profissão , Medicina Osteopática/educação , Ensino , Cadáver , Humanos , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Estudantes de Medicina , Inquéritos e Questionários , West VirginiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Medication reconciliation is a critical step in the health care process to prevent hospital readmission, adverse drug events, and fall prevention. The purpose of the study was to pilot test a medication reconciliation process, MedManage, informed by the Medications at Transitions and Clinical Handoffs (MATCH) toolkit with nursing staff in a rural primary care clinic. METHODS: The research team conducted 38 chart audits of high-risk patients, and preintervention and postintervention were conducted to assess changes in medications reported by patients. The intervention included a chart audit tool and medication reconciliation tool created by the interdisciplinary team, MedManage, were pilot tested in the clinic. CONCLUSIONS: The Use of MedManage resulted in improvements in patient reporting of over-the-counter (82% of patients reported previously unrecorded OTCs), PRN medications (3% unreported), and herbal supplements/vitamins (28% reported previously unrecorded vitamins). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: MedManage may be an effective tool to assist clinical nursing staff to attain a more complete and accurate medication list from patients and should be assessed more broadly across rural primary care clinics.
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Erros de Medicação/prevenção & controle , Reconciliação de Medicamentos , Padrões de Prática em Enfermagem/normas , Idoso , Benchmarking , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Auditoria Médica , Erros de Medicação/enfermagem , Profissionais de Enfermagem , Atenção Primária à Saúde , Saúde da População Rural , West VirginiaRESUMO
CONTEXT: Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) limits osteoporosis screening because of machine size, technical requirements for operation, and exposure to ionizing radiation. OBJECTIVE: To establish data ranges from calcaneus ultrasonography (US) that correspond to bone mineral density (BMD) stratification identified by DXA and to determine whether vitamin D concentration adds to US bone health assessment. METHODS: Patients scheduled for DXA at the Robert C. Byrd Clinic, a rural primary care facility in Lewisburg, West Virginia, were recruited from June 2015 to June 2016. Ultrasonography was used to scan the left and right calcaneus of the patients, and blood was collected from a finger prick for vitamin D analysis. Information was collected regarding Fracture Risk Assessment tool parameters, menstrual history, and drug and supplement use. The correlations within and between DXA and US measurements were calculated, as well as the correlations between DXA and US measurements and vitamin D levels. Predictive performance of US readings on bone health determined by DXA scan was assessed with area under the curve analysis using receiver operator characteristic curves. RESULTS: Ninety-nine participants were included. Ultrasonography readings of either the left or right foot were predictive of good vs poor bone quality. No differences were found between US scans of the left foot vs the right foot. Area under the curve values for US BMD T scores for the left and right foot were 0.69 and 0.68, respectively. There was no correlation between DXA- and US-assessed BMD and vitamin D concentrations. Negative correlations were observed between the DXA BMD T scores and vitamin D concentration of the spine and right hip; negative correlations were also observed in the Z score from the spine in the subset of participants who reported not taking vitamin D supplements. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography of the calcaneus offers a low-cost, efficient means to screen bone health. The affordability and mobility of a US machine enables its use as a screening method that may be applicable to large numbers of people. This study established a T score greater than -1.05 as an indicator of good bone quality and a T score less than -1.05 as an indicator of poor bone quality when using US for BMD screening.
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Absorciometria de Fóton/métodos , Programas de Rastreamento/métodos , Osteoporose/diagnóstico por imagem , Ultrassonografia Doppler/métodos , Idoso , Instituições de Assistência Ambulatorial , Área Sob a Curva , Densidade Óssea/fisiologia , Calcâneo/diagnóstico por imagem , Estudos de Coortes , Feminino , Humanos , Incidência , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Osteoporose/diagnóstico , Curva ROC , Estudos Retrospectivos , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , West VirginiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Reading skills are crucial in medical school, where students are expected to absorb an onslaught of new and complex material. Studies on reading assessment in osteopathic medical education are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To address gaps in the literature related to reading assessment and to investigate the correlation of the Nelson-Denny Reading Test with various performance indicators in osteopathic medical education. METHODS: The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine administered the Nelson-Denny Reading Test to first- and second-year students between 2015 and 2017. Raw scores were translated into the percentile rank, scale score, grade equivalent score, and stanine score based on guidelines supplied with the Nelson-Denny Reading Test. These translated scores were compared with Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, first- and second-year performance on course examinations, Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEX-USA) Level 1 scores, and scores provided in a 2002 study by Haught and Walls. RESULTS: A total of 623 students took the first-year Nelson-Denny Reading Test, and 408 took both the first- and second-year Nelson-Denny Reading Test. Findings showed a large correlation between the Nelson-Denny Reading Test and the verbal reasoning section (r=0.56 for the class of 2020 and 0.46 for the class of 2021) of the old MCAT (before 2015) and the reasoning skills section (r=0.42 for the class of 2020 and 0.49 for the class of 2021) of the new MCAT (released in 2015). There were no correlations with first- and second-year course examination scores or COMLEX-USA Level 1 scores. The Nelson-Denny Reading Test scores reported by Haught and Walls for medical students and health professional students were slightly higher than those found for osteopathic medical students in this study. CONCLUSION: The reasoning skills section of the new MCAT could serve as a good proxy for a reading test. There were no correlations between the Nelson-Denny Reading Test and performance in the first 2 years of medical school or COMLEX-USA Level 1 performance. Further research can strengthen the findings and determine whether correlations exist with clinical performance.
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Educação de Graduação em Medicina/métodos , Avaliação Educacional , Medicina Osteopática/educação , Leitura , Estudos de Coortes , Teste de Admissão Acadêmica , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Estudos Retrospectivos , Estudantes de Medicina/estatística & dados numéricos , West VirginiaRESUMO
CONTEXT: Just Say Know to Drugs! is a summer pharmacology enrichment program for high school students. First-year osteopathic medical students serve as teachers, introducing students to pharmacology while acquiring teaching skills. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of a pharmacology program on high school students and to understand the effects of teaching this program on first-year osteopathic medical students. METHODS: The influence of a pharmacology STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) enrichment program on high school students' career interests and student teacher preparedness was determined by a pre- and posttest, as well as a postprogram survey. RESULTS: Data from all 37 participating high school students and 10 of 16 student teachers (medical students and undergraduate assistants) were evaluated in the study. Survey findings suggested that this STEM program increased student awareness and knowledge of pharmacology, osteopathic medicine, and scientific research. Furthermore, student teachers thought that they developed the necessary skills to communicate and educate populations with diverse science backgrounds and comprehension levels. The immersion of high school students in the scientific content significantly increased student awareness of pharmacology (paired t test, P<.0001). CONCLUSION: The Just Say Know to Drugs! program delivered benefits for both high school students and student teachers.
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Educação em Saúde/organização & administração , Farmacologia/educação , Instituições Acadêmicas/organização & administração , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/prevenção & controle , Adolescente , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Desenvolvimento de Programas , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , População Rural , Estudantes de Medicina , West VirginiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The importance of medical ultrasonography (US) is well established, but given an already dense curriculum, integration of US into preclinical training can be difficult. Although there is no clear consensus on the best practice for integrating US into medical school curricula, growing student interest in US training demands investigation of potential solutions. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether US integration through peer-assisted learning (PAL) and extracurricular activities during preclinical training is perceived to be valuable by student participants. METHODS: First- and second-year students at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) were invited via email to attend 4 monthly PAL extracurricular US sessions on the following point-of-care US topics: (1) basic lung examination to assess pleural sliding, (2) extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma, (3) right upper quadrant biliary examination, and (4) US-guided central venous catheter placement. A brief survey using Likert-style questions inquired about participants' level of agreement with whether the given session was appropriately complex, increased comfort with US, was informative and interactive, and improved confidence in identifying anatomic structures (sessions 2 and 3 only). A final question asked participants whether they would attend more extracurricular US sessions. RESULTS: Fifty-eight students (36 unique students) attended the peer-led sessions. Of the 58 students, 50 responded to the survey for a response rate of 86.2%. Responses were overwhelmingly positive. All respondents strongly agreed or agreed that these sessions improved their confidence in identifying anatomic structures using US, and 49 (98%) strongly agreed or agreed that they would attend more US sessions. CONCLUSION: Respondents strongly endorsed the peer-led US sessions, which has facilitated the formal integration of an elective US course at WVSOM. The peer-led sessions introduced at WVSOM could provide the framework and motivation for similar courses at osteopathic medical schools across the country.
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Competência Clínica , Educação de Graduação em Medicina/métodos , Medicina Osteopática/educação , Sistemas Automatizados de Assistência Junto ao Leito , Ultrassonografia Doppler/métodos , Currículo , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Estudantes de Medicina/estatística & dados numéricos , West Virginia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
In rural communities, primary care providers continue to provide mental health services, and about 70% of children and adolescents identified to have a psychiatric disorder never receive treatment. A telehealth model for providing integrated mental health services in a school-based health clinic has the potential to increase access to specialized care for the most vulnerable youths. This column provides an overview of the strategies used to implement and integrate such a model in West Virginia. Operationalization, barriers, challenges, and judicious resource use are discussed. Appropriate reimbursement for services and state-specific legislation to ensure consistent revenue to sustain the program are considered.
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Prestação Integrada de Cuidados de Saúde/organização & administração , Transtornos Mentais/terapia , Serviços de Saúde Mental/organização & administração , Serviços de Saúde Escolar/organização & administração , Telemedicina/organização & administração , Adolescente , Criança , Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Serviços de Saúde Rural , West VirginiaRESUMO
This article presents an innovative holistic practice application based on evidence from a focus group study on managing diabetes. The purpose of this study addressed the research question: How do persons with type 2 diabetes describe ways of managing the challenge of living with diabetes? A second purpose was to link the findings on ways to manage diabetes to holistic nursing practice through story theory. Nine adults with type 2 diabetes living in rural West Virginia participated in 3 focus groups. Using content analysis, the study findings integrated themes with core qualities, and are as follows: living life as an evolving process is awakening to the present and doing it your way, being on guard is a vigilant ongoing responsibility, attending to bodily experience is awareness of body and facing life stress, and knowing the consequences is awareness of potential problems and taking charge. Merging the study findings with the concepts of story theory led to the development of an innovative practice application for managing diabetes. Managing diabetes in this practice application goes beyond problem-centeredness to a patient-centered approach, offering attention to individual preferences. Since managing diabetes is a major problem in Appalachia, there a need for innovative approaches. This study adds to the body of knowledge on how persons from Appalachia manage diabetes. In addition, it offers a story practice approach for managing diabetes-replacing a problem focus to a more holistic approach to practice leading to more meaningful and fulfilling outcomes.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/psicologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicações , Feminino , Grupos Focais , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pesquisa Qualitativa , População Rural , West VirginiaRESUMO
This paper argues against incorporating assessments of individual responsibility into healthcare policies by expanding an existing argument and offering a rebuttal to an argument in favour of such policies. First, it is argued that what primarily underlies discussions surrounding personal responsibility and healthcare is not causal responsibility, moral responsibility or culpability, as one might expect, but biases towards particular highly stigmatised behaviours. A challenge is posed for proponents of taking personal responsibility into account within health policy to either expand the debate to also include socially accepted behaviours or to provide an alternative explanation of the narrowly focused discussion. Second, a critical response is offered to arguments that claim that policies based on personal responsibility would lead to several positive outcomes including healthy behaviour change, better health outcomes and decreases in healthcare spending. It is argued that using individual responsibility as a basis for resource allocation in healthcare is unlikely to motivate positive behaviour changes, and is likely to increase inequality which may lead to worse health outcomes overall. Finally, the case of West Virginia's Medicaid reform is examined, which raises a worry that policies focused on personal responsibility have the potential to lead to increases in medical spending overall.
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Atenção à Saúde/ética , Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde , Política de Saúde , Estilo de Vida , Obrigações Morais , Autonomia Pessoal , Responsabilidade Social , Controle Comportamental , Causalidade , Dissidências e Disputas , Equidade em Saúde , Gastos em Saúde , Humanos , Medicaid , Princípios Morais , Motivação , Alocação de Recursos , Comportamento Social , Justiça Social , Estados Unidos , West VirginiaRESUMO
CONTEXT: Factors distinguishing osteopathic physicians from their allopathic counterparts include the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), application of osteopathic principles and practice (OPP), and a greater likelihood of entering primary care, specifically family medicine (FM). In the United States, the percentage of entering osteopathic medical students who were female rose from 14.3% in fall 1977 to 44.3% in fall 2015. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the perspectives of female osteopathic medical students as they relate to osteopathic distinctiveness. METHODS: Students at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine who were eligible to participate in graduation exercises in 2014 or 2015 were asked to complete the school's standard Exit Survey. The research team chose 5 items from the survey to include in the current analysis. Sex had been self-identified at admission, and residency in first postgraduate year was categorized as FM or other specialty. Graduates entering a transitional year or traditional internship were removed from analysis. RESULTS: Analysis was conducted for 308 of the 375 students (82%) expected to graduate in 2014 or 2015. χ2 analysis found no difference by sex in the number of graduates entering FM residencies vs other specialties (P=.727). Statistically significant differences were found in 2 survey items: "Use of OMT will enhance my practice" (P=.005) and "What emphasis do you believe OMT will have in your practice?" (P<.001). Graduating female students responded more favorably to OMT on both items. For the latter item, 91.4% of female and 80.3% of male students indicated OMT would have at least some role in their practices. Sex differences remained after statistically controlling for entry into FM. CONCLUSION: Female graduating osteopathic medical students were more likely to report that OMT will have at least some role in their practices. Future studies of the attitudes and practice patterns of osteopathic physicians should analyze for differences by sex.
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Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Educação de Pós-Graduação em Medicina , Medicina de Família e Comunidade/educação , Osteopatia , Medicina Osteopática/educação , Estudantes de Medicina/psicologia , Adulto , Escolha da Profissão , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Fatores Sexuais , Inquéritos e Questionários , West VirginiaRESUMO
Mine drainage from the low-sulfur surface coal mines in southern West Virginia, USA, is circumneutral (pH > 6) but contains elevated selenium (Se) concentrations. Removal of selenite ions from aqueous solutions under anoxic condition at pH 6-8.5 by zero valent iron steel wool (ZVI-SW) was investigated in bench-scale kinetic experiments using wet chemical, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). ZVI-SW could effectively and efficiently remove SeIV from solution with pH 6-8.5. A two-step removal mechanism was identified for SeIV reduction by ZVI-SW. The proposed mechanism was electrochemical reduction of SeIV by Fe0 in an initial lag stage, followed by a faster heterogeneous reduction, mediated by an FeII-bearing phase (hydroxide or green rust). Solution pH was a critical factor for the kinetic rate in the lag stage (0.33 h-1 for pH > 8 and 0.10 h-1 for pH 6-8). The length of lag stage was 20-30 min as determined by the time for dissolved FeII concentration to reach 0.30 ± 0.04 mg L-1 which was critical for induction of the faster stage. About 65% of the initial SeIV was reduced to Se0, the primary reductive product in both stages.
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Minas de Carvão , Ferro/química , Ácido Selenioso/análise , Aço/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Técnicas Eletroquímicas , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Espectroscopia Fotoeletrônica , Ácido Selenioso/química , Selênio/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/química , West VirginiaRESUMO
Introduction: Advance care planning (ACP) is an essential discussion between a health care provider and a patient about their future care during serious illness. In clinical practice, high-quality ACP may be addressed with an interprofessional approach. Role-playing is an ideal method to practice both ACP and shared decision-making before having these conversations with patients. Methods: This asynchronous role-playing workshop is prefaced with two prerecorded 25-minute videos for faculty and student preparation with one introducing ACP concepts, and one depicting a patient-physician ACP discussion. During the 2-hour workshop, students complete four role-play ACP scenarios with the following roles: patient, family member, nurse, nurse practitioner, and physician. Students rotate through different roles guided by scripts, and have a fact sheet for each scenario detailing prognostic information for disease processes. The role-play works optimally with three nursing students, three medical students, and one faculty facilitator per group. Facilitators are provided with a timeline, a guide for debriefing, and an evaluation rubric. Results: The survey data from 85 students spread over four course offerings were summarized. When asked both if learning objectives were met, and to reflect on the clinical relevance, teaching effectiveness, and the overall workshop experience, most participants reported a good to excellent rating. Discussion: This role-play activity allows students to practice ACP and shared decision-making, both with patient and family presence, and in premeeting rounds with the health care team. ACP exposure during student training helps trainees recognize the impact of high-quality interprofessional conversations on the care patients want and ultimately receive.