Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Rural Women: A Literature Synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in most countries. Lack of awareness of the impact CVD has on women is a continuing problem. Rural women are at a great risk for CVD and have specific barriers to early recognition and to access to treatment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review was to identify how the state of the science for rural women and CVD has progressed over the last decade. METHODS: Searches were conducted using the databases Cochrane, PubMed, and CINAHL with 5 major subject headings. The search resulted in the identification of 571 articles. Specific exclusion criteria resulted in an in-depth review of 15 articles. Two of the authors reviewed each article for scientific merit and interrater reliability. RESULTS: Most studies were conducted in the United States (67%). Four studies focused on CVD knowledge; one, on physical activity; one, on diet plus other factors; one, on the effect of dried curry leaf powder and cucumber slices on hyperlipidemia; and one each, on waist circumference, exposure to smoke from wood stoves, and social support. Five of the 15 studies focused on more than 1 component, most on diet and physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Depth in a body of knowledge on any 1 topic, such as the most efficacious means to decrease CVD risk factors in rural women and increase health promotion activities in the population, is lacking. Another area of concern is the lack of research articles published in cardiovascular journals that include CVD in rural women.

Complex comorbidity clusters in OEF/OIF veterans: the polytrauma clinical triad and beyond.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of research on US Veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq [Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF)] has described the polytrauma clinical triad (PCT): traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and pain. Extant research has not explored comorbidity clusters in this population more broadly, particularly co-occurring chronic diseases. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to identify comorbidity clusters among diagnoses of deployment-specific (TBI, PTSD, pain) and chronic (eg, hypertension, diabetes) conditions, and to examine the association of these clusters with health care utilization and adverse outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: The cohort comprised OEF/OIF Veterans who received care in the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal years (FY) 2008-2010. MEASURES: We identified comorbidity using validated ICD-9-CM code-based algorithms and FY08-09 data, followed by which we applied latent class analysis to identify the most statistically distinct and clinically meaningful patterns of comorbidity. We examined the association of these clusters with process measures/outcomes using logistic regression to correlate medication use, acute health care utilization, and adverse outcomes in FY10. RESULTS: In this cohort (N=191,797), we found 6 comorbidity clusters. Cluster 1: PCT+Chronic Disease (5%); Cluster 2: PCT (9%); Cluster 3: Mental Health+Substance Abuse (24%); Cluster 4: Sleep, Amputation, Chronic Disease (4%); Cluster 5: Pain, Moderate PTSD (6%); and Cluster 6: Relatively Healthy (53%). Subsequent health care utilization patterns and adverse events were consistent with disease patterns. CONCLUSIONS: These comorbidity clusters extend beyond the PCT and may be used as a foundation to examine coordination/quality of care and outcomes for OEF/OIF Veterans with different patterns of comorbidity.

A Comparison of Remote vs In-Person Proctored In-Training Examination Administration for Internal Medicine.

PURPOSE: In response to COVID-19, the American College of Physicians provided residents the option to complete the 2020 Internal Medicine In-Training Examination (IM-ITE) via in-person and remote proctoring. This study evaluated the extent to which scores obtained from both testing modalities were comparable. METHOD: Data were analyzed from residents from all U.S.-based Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited IM residency programs and participating Canadian and international programs who completed the IM-ITE in 2020. The final sample contained 27,115 IM residents: 9,205 postgraduate year (PGY) 1, 9,332 PGY-2, and 8,578 PGY-3. Testing modality, gender, PGY, time spent on assessment, and native language were used to predict percent-correct scores in a multilevel regression model. This model included all main effects and all 2-way interactions between testing modality and each resident-level demographic variable, allowing those effects to be controlled for. RESULTS: Of 27,115 residents studied, 11,354 (42%) tested remotely and 15,761 (58%) in person. Across the parameters of interest (main effect of testing modality and 2-way interactions), the only statistically significant effects were the interaction effects between testing mode (interaction effect: -0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.01 to -0.21) and PGY (interaction effect: -0.54; 95% CI, -0.95 to -0.13) ( P = .002). Differences between in-person and remote predicted scores were slightly larger for PGY-1 than for PGY-2 and PGY-3 residents, but the magnitude of these differences across residency training was well under one percentage point. Because these statistically significant effects were deemed educationally nonsignificant, the study concluded that performance did not substantively differ across in-person and remote examinees. CONCLUSIONS: Residents taking the 2020 IM-ITE performed similarly across in-person and remote proctoring. This study provides evidence of score comparability across the 2 testing modalities and supports continued use of remote proctoring for the IM-ITE.

Traumatic brain injury in veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan: communication disorders stratified by severity of brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of communication disorders in veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Retrospective study of the prevalence of aphasia, fluency and voice disorders among veterans with different severity levels of TBI. Data was obtained from the VA National repository for OEF/OIF/OND veterans who received VA care in Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011. RESULTS: Among the 303,716 veterans in this study, 1848 were diagnosed with a communication disorder; 40% of these were also diagnosed with a TBI. Voice disorders were the most prevalent diagnosis (3.5 per 1000) followed by aphasia (1.9 per 1000) and fluency disorder (0.7 per 1000). Individuals with a TBI diagnosis were more likely to have a diagnosis of aphasia, followed by fluency and then voice disorder. The odds ratio (OR) of aphasia with TBI was 11.09-252.75 (95% CI = 8.78-441.52, p < 0.01). OR for fluency disorders with TBI was 3.58-10.41 (95% CI = 2.56-42.40, p < 0.01) and association of voice disorders with TBI was significant for all levels of TBI severity (OR = 1.5-6.61, 95% CI = 1.24-14.05, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Veterans who sustained a TBI were more likely to have a diagnosis of a communication disorder, regardless of TBI severity. Those with TBI, including mild TBI, should be screened and evaluated for communication disorders.

Education to increase women's knowledge of female myocardial infarction symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To test the use of acronyms to increase women's knowledge of female prodromal and myocardial infarction (MI) symptoms using acronyms, and the appropriate response to these symptoms. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental design. METHOD: An educational program, emphasizing two acronyms, was presented and knowledge of female heart attack, prodromal symptoms, and appropriate response was tested before and after the presentation. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 51 women. RESULTS: Knowledge scores increased from 81% pre-test to 91% post-test. This difference was statistically significant on a paired sample t-test, with each subject serving as her own control. Scores measuring knowledge of content specific to the acronyms also improved and were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Lack of knowledge of female heart attack symptoms may contribute to the delay of women seeking care and appropriate treatment, thus increasing morbidity and mortality. The findings from this study demonstrated that an educational program that focused on the use of acronyms was effective in increasing women's knowledge of female prodromal and MI symptoms.

Correlations Between the USMLE Step Examinations, American College of Physicians In-Training Examination, and ABIM Internal Medicine Certification Examination.

PURPOSE: To assess the correlations between United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) performance, American College of Physicians Internal Medicine In-Training Examination (IM-ITE) performance, American Board of Internal Medicine Internal Medicine Certification Exam (IM-CE) performance, and other medical knowledge and demographic variables. METHOD: The study included 9,676 postgraduate year (PGY)-1, 11,424 PGY-2, and 10,239 PGY-3 internal medicine (IM) residents from any Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited IM residency program who took the IM-ITE (2014 or 2015) and the IM-CE (2015-2018). USMLE scores, IM-ITE percent correct scores, and IM-CE scores were analyzed using multiple linear regression, and IM-CE pass/fail status was analyzed using multiple logistic regression, controlling for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge, and Step 3 scores; averaged medical knowledge milestones; age at IM-ITE; gender; and medical school location (United States or Canada vs international). RESULTS: All variables were significant predictors of passing the IM-CE with IM-ITE scores having the strongest association and USMLE Step scores being the next strongest predictors. Prediction curves for the probability of passing the IM-CE based solely on IM-ITE score for each PGY show that residents must score higher on the IM-ITE with each subsequent administration to maintain the same estimated probability of passing the IM-CE. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study should support residents and program directors in their efforts to more precisely identify and evaluate knowledge gaps for both personal learning and program improvement. While no individual USMLE Step score was as strongly predictive of IM-CE score as IM-ITE score, the combined relative contribution of all 3 USMLE Step scores was of a magnitude similar to that of IM-ITE score.

Validity of early-onset dementia diagnoses in VA electronic medical record administrative data.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of diagnoses indicative of early-onset dementia (EOD) obtained from an algorithm using administrative data, we examined Veterans Health Administration (VHA) electronic medical records (EMRs). METHOD: A previously used method of identifying cases of dementia using administrative data was applied to a random sample of 176 cases of Post-9/11 deployed veterans under 65 years of age. Retrospective, cross-sectional examination of EMRs was conducted, using a combination of administrative data, chart abstraction, and review/consensus by board-certified neuropsychologists. RESULTS: Approximately 73% of EOD diagnoses identified using existing algorithms were identified as false positives in the overall sample. This increased to approximately 76% among those with mental health conditions and approximately 85% among those with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI; i.e. concussion). Factors related to improved diagnostic accuracy included more severe TBI, diagnosing clinician type, presence of neuroimaging data, absence of a comorbid mental health condition diagnosis, and older age at time of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: A previously used algorithm for detecting dementia using VHA administrative data was not supported for use in the younger adult samples and resulted in an unacceptably high number of false positives. Based on these findings, there is concern for possible misclassification in population studies using similar algorithms to identify rates of EOD among veterans. Further, we provide suggestions to develop an enhanced algorithm for more accurate dementia surveillance among younger populations.

Returning to school: experiences of female baccalaureate registered nurse students.

Most nurses enter the profession at the associate degree (AD) level, however, the link between nursing education and patient outcomes supports the need for nurses to be educated at the baccalaureate level. The purpose of this phenomenological study of 11 AD nurses enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program was to describe their perspectives on returning to school. The central question for this study was: "What are the experiences of RNs who return to school for a bachelor's degree after being nurses for at least 3 years?" A total of 11 baccalaureate nursing students were interviewed. Applying a phenomenological data analysis method, the researchers identified four themes in the context of juggling everything that was important in these students' lives: going back, sacrifices, managing, and rewards. Implications for nursing education and practice are made, including the need to encourage, support, and facilitate the process for nurses returning to school.

A Family's Affair: Caring for Veterans with Penetrating Traumatic Brain Injury.

Approximately 1.1 million family members are primary caregivers to post 9/11 veterans. These military caregivers assume a role that requires a long-term commitment that may affect their own health status; however, the impact on health among military caregivers is underestimated and underrepresented. As part of a larger retrospective cohort study that aimed to assess the health-related outcomes of post 9/11 veterans with penetrating traumatic brain injury (pTBI), we examined the health impact of caregiving on caregivers. Caregivers (n = 66) of veterans with pTBI completed a survey that captured the veterans' and their own health-related outcomes. Surveys included veteran and caregiver sociodemographics, caregiver role, tasks, burden, and caregiver-reported measures of veterans' health and quality of life. The participants were spouses (58%) and parents (32%) providing full-time assistance for more than 5 yr (74%). In their caregiver role, they provided assistance with activities of daily living and emotional/social support. Forty-eight percent of these caregivers met the definition of experiencing clinically significant burden. Veterans with pTBI had other comorbidities (e.g., depression, cognitive dysfunction, and anger), which were associated with caregiver burden. The findings further confirm the impact of caregiving on health status of caregivers, specifically when assisting veterans with pTBI.

Physical performance measures: an important component of the comprehensive geriatric assessment.

Performing a comprehensive geriatric assessment that includes objective physical performance measures is important. Gait speed and the Timed Up and Go test have been shown to predict health decline and mortality in older adults. Detecting subtle functional changes in older adults will help nurse practitioners provide optimal care.

Falls and balance confidence in persons with and without injection-related venous ulcers.

OBJECTIVES: With aging of injection users and the high occurrence of venous disease in their legs, falls are a potential health problem. We examined falls and balance confidence in persons with (VU+) and without (VU-) injection-related venous ulcers (VUs). METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional, retrospective, comparative design with 31 participants VU+ and 30 VU- recruited in a medical clinic. Participants' legs were assessed for clinical manifestations of venous disease. Participants completed background and fall questionnaires and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. RESULTS: Participants included 35 men and 26 women (mean age = 54 years); 93% were African American. Falling in the past year was reported by 65% of patients VU+ and 40% VU- (P = 0.048); 29 of these patients fell 2 or more times in the past year. Higher scores on the ABC Scale (N = 61) were significantly related to fewer falls (r = -0.68). Activities-specific Balance Confidence scores were lower/worse for the patients VU+ (P = 0.039). Area under the receiver operating curve for patients VU+ was significant; we found area under the curve of 0.84 and a cutoff score of 80.3% for ABC predictive of recurrent fallers with sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 83%. The ABC test had an internal consistency reliability of 0.97. CONCLUSIONS: Persons VU+ reported worse balance confidence and more falls than those without these ulcers. The ABC test was related to falls. With aging of injection users and increased occurrence of VUs, examining balance confidence and falls is crucial in long-term patient safety.

Resilience, physical performance measures, and self-perceived physical and mental health in older Catholic nuns.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The importance of physical performance measures and their influence on predicting future disability has been suggested; however, the association between resilience and physical performance measures in older women needs further study. The purpose of this research study was to investigate the resilience level in a convenience sample of older women who happened to be Roman Catholic nuns. The relationships of resilience with specific physical performance measures, self-perceived physical and mental health status, and depressive symptoms were also explored. METHODS: Descriptive correlational cross-sectional design was used. Data from 54 volunteer Roman Catholic nuns, aged 55-94 were collected beginning with self report questionnaires followed by physical performance tests. Self-report measures included the Resilience Scale, Short-Form revised (SF-12v2) Health Survey, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The 12-point Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and fast gait speed were the physical performance tests measured. RESULTS: This sample of nuns had moderate levels of resilience. Those with fewer depressive symptoms and better health had higher resilience levels. Fast gait speed was positively associated with resilience. DISCUSSION: The positive relationship between resilience and gait speed is an important finding of this study because it reinforces the connection between physical and emotional health. Future studies should examine if resilience and gait speed can serve as predictors of disability in a broader sample of older adults or if resilience can be targeted as a means of improving physical performance. CONCLUSION: Maintaining functional ability and recovering when physical injury is experienced is of great importance in older adults. It is reasonable for physical therapists to consider both resilience and physical performance measures when attempting to identify older women at risk for poor outcomes. Resilience may play a role in helping older adults recover from a physical injury.

Women & heart disease: symptoms and treatment guidelines.

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. Many women and some NPs are not aware of women's risk of myocardial infarction (MI) or that women's MI symptoms often differ from men's. NPs need to educate women about their risk and follow practice guidelines.

Resilience in rural community-dwelling older adults.

CONTEXT: Identifying ways to meet the health care needs of older adults is important because their numbers are increasing and they often have more health care issues. High resilience level may be one factor that helps older adults adjust to the hardships associated with aging. Rural community-dwelling older adults often face unique challenges such as limited access to health care resources. PURPOSE: To determine the resilience level of rural community-dwelling older adults and to determine if socio-demographic factors, social networks, and health status are associated with resilience. METHODS: Data were collected from 106 registered voters, aged 65 years or over from a rural area in New York State using a cross- sectional design. The instruments used in the study include the Resiliency Scale, the SF-12v2, and the Lubben Social Network Scale-Revised. FINDINGS: The mean resilience level of the sample was high. Resilience was not correlated with any of the socio-demographic factors which included gender, age, income, education, marital, and employment status. There was a weak positive correlation between social networks and resilience levels of rural older adults. Both physical and mental health status were positively correlated with resilience. In a regression model, mental health status was the strongest predictor of resilience levels. CONCLUSION: If low resilience levels are identified in rural community-dwelling older adults, interventions to build resilience may be helpful in promoting independence; however, further research is needed to determine this.

Measuring quality in nurse-managed centers using HEDIS measures.

Nurse-managed centers (NMCs) provide viable options for primary healthcare and contribute substantially to filling access gaps for vulnerable populations. The purposes of this paper are to (a) describe a pilot application and adaptation of eight Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures to six NMCs, (b) report the findings from the quality assessments, and (c) compare findings to national HEDIS data. The eight quality assessment areas are asthma, cervical cancer screening, childhood immunizations, depression, diabetes, hypertension, mammography screening, and smoking cessation. The NMCs achieved or exceeded HEDIS 50th percentile levels in a number of important clinical areas, but did not attain the 50th percentile level in others. Thus, HEDIS measures are relevant for the assessment of care quality and provide useful data for quality improvement in NMCs.

Patient satisfaction outcomes in nurse-managed centers.

Patient satisfaction remains one of the critical benchmarks of primary care delivery. Although much of the research reporting outcomes related to nurse-managed centers (NMC) has included patient satisfaction, most of the reports have been limited to individual clinical settings. This study collected satisfaction data from 7 NMCs operated by 4 different academic institutions. Results demonstrated 3 components of patient satisfaction: patient perceptions of care, phone contact, and the patient's willingness to return to or recommend the clinic. Consistent with previous research, professional responsiveness and respect and courtesy from nurse practitioners were rated high on the composite satisfaction levels from a heterogeneous sample of consumers.