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ABSTRACT: Accreditation in medical education serves to create and sustain a culture of excellence in medical education endeavors. Accreditors in undergraduate medical education, graduate medical education, and continuing professional development spaces on the medical education continuum need to enhance collaboration across international boundaries to develop and implement best practices in medical education accreditation. One opportunity that exists to achieve this is the emerging field of accreditation research, and more broadly, accreditation scholarship. In this commentary, the authors, both professional members of Canadian accreditation committee secretariats (the Committee on the Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools and the Committee on the Accreditation of Continuing Medical Education) highlight accreditation scholarship as tool to support medical education accreditation improvement, growth, and innovation.
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Nickel phosphides are an emerging class of earth-abundant catalysts for hydrogen generation through water electrolysis. However, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of Ni2P is lower than that of benchmark Pt group catalysts. To address this limitation, an integrated theoretical and experimental study was performed to enhance the HER activity and stability of hexagonal Ni2P through doping with synergistic transition metals. Among the nine dopants computationally studied, zinc emerged as an ideal candidate due to its ability to modulate the hydrogen binding free energy (ΔG H) closer to a thermoneutral value. Consequently, phase pure hexagonal Ni2-x Zn x P nanocrystals (NCs) with a solid spherical morphology, variable compositions (x = 0-17.14%), and size in the range of 6.8 ± 1.1-9.1 ± 1.1 nm were colloidally synthesized to investigate the HER activity and stability in alkaline electrolytes. As predicted, the HER performance was observed to be composition-dependent with Zn compositions (x) of 0.03, 0.07, and 0.15 demonstrating superior activity with overpotentials (η-10) of 188.67, 170.01, and 135.35 mV, respectively at a current density of -10 mA/cm2, in comparison to Ni2P NCs (216.2 ± 4.4 mV). Conversely, Ni2-x Zn x P NCs with x = 0.01, 0.38, 0.44, and 0.50 compositions showed a notable decrease in HER activity, with corresponding η-10 of 225.3 ± 3.2, 269.9 ± 4.3, 276.4 ± 3.7 and 263.9 ± 4.9 mV, respectively. The highest HER active catalyst was determined to be Ni1.85Zn0.15P NCs, featuring a Zn concentration of 5.24%, consistent with composition-dependent ΔG H calculations. The highest performing Ni1.85Zn0.15P NCs displayed a Heyrovsky HER mechanism, enhanced kinetics and electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), and superior corrosion tolerance with a negligible increase of η-10 after 10 h of continuous HER. This study provides critical insights into enhancing the performance of metal phosphides through doping-induced electronic structure variation, paving the way for the design of high-efficiency and durable nanostructures for heterogeneous catalytic studies.
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Dodecane-capped silicon nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesized by using a low-temperature (800-1100 °C) polymer variant of traditional hydrogen silsesquioxane thermal disproportionation. Highly crystalline Si NCs having tunable diameters (3.0-6.7 nm) and thus photoluminescence (PL) peaks (1.68-1.29 eV) were attained via changes in the maximum annealing temperature. Modifications in the NC band structure with diameter were explored by comparison of emission with absorption spectra obtained from diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Large apparent energy shifts between onsets and PL were noted, being significant for smaller NCs (≤â¼4.0 nm). This, along with comparatively "softer" onsets, is commensurate with density of states elongation around PL peaks associated with increasing confinement predicted for indirect semiconductor nanostructures. Tauc analyses of absorption additionally revealed three distinguishable optical transitions in all NCs: attributed to indirect Γ25'-Δ1 in lower energy ranges (likely the emission progenitor), indirect Γ25'-L1 overtaken by quasi-direct Γ-X wave function mixing for NC diameters ≤â¼4.0 nm within the midenergy regime, and direct Γ25'-Γ15 transitions at energies nearing and above â¼3 eV.
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Functional assessment in neurocognitive evaluation is often provided via informant reports. These subjective reports can vary based on the characteristics of informants and their relationships with participants, such as informant sex. However, whether informant sex intersects with participant sex to impact subjective ratings of participants' daily functioning, and whether such effects mirror observed patterns in neuropsychological performance, has not been adequately examined with ethnoracially diverse samples. We examined differences among participant-informant sex-based dyads on subjective informant reports of participants' daily functioning (assessed via the Functional Activities Questionnaire [FAQ]), and whether any observed differences on reported functioning corresponded to differences in objective participant performance on neuropsychological performance, among middle-aged and older Hispanic/Latino (n = 543), non-Hispanic Black (NHB; n = 1030), and non-Hispanic White (NHW; n = 5356) adults in the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center cohort (n = 6929). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) tests revealed significant dyad differences on FAQ scores in the NHB (p<.001) and NHW subsamples (p<.05), but not in the Hispanic/Latino subsample (p>.05). For the Hispanic/Latino and NHB subsamples, ANCOVA tests revealed no significant effects of dyad on neuropsychological performance (ps>.01), whereas for the NHW subsample, ANCOVA tests revealed significant dyad differences on performance in multiple cognitive domains (ps<.01). Nevertheless, the pattern of dyad differences on neuropsychological performance did not mirror the pattern of observed differences on FAQ scores in the NHW subsample. Findings and their implications, including potential contributions of other informant characteristics on observed dyad differences on reported functioning, are discussed.
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The concept of professional resistance describes the principles professionals should follow when they seek to counter social harm and injustice. Applied to medical education, the principles of professional resistance can help learners and teachers balance the responsibilities to respond to harm and injustice with their roles and responsibilities as health professionals. However, there remains the problem of how educators and leaders can constructively respond to learner acts of resistance. It would seem that many leaders have dismissed learner resistance with variations on "Those Darn Kids!", a complaint that has long been levied at those in younger generations who challenge power and authority. How can productive change in medical education be achieved if learners' complaints are not taken seriously? Rather than dismissal, leaders and educators in these situations need the tools to engage learners in conversations that draw out their concerns.
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INTRODUCTION: Executive functioning and processing speed are crucial elements of neuropsychological assessment. To meet the needs of the Hispanic/Latino population, we aimed to provide normative data for the Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS) test. METHODS: The target population for the Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging included six heritage backgrounds (n = 6177). Average age was 63.4 ± 8.3 years, 54.5% were female, and mean education was 11.0 ± 4.7 years. Participants were administered the DSS as part of a larger battery. Heritage-adjusted DSS scores, and percentile cut-points were created using survey-adjusted regression and quantile regression models. RESULTS: Age, education, sex, heritage, and language preference were associated with DSS scores. DISCUSSION: Significant correlates of DSS performance should be considered when evaluating cognitive performance. Representative DSS norms for Hispanics/Latinos will advance assessment and accuracy of neurocognitive disorder diagnosis in clinical practice. To facilitate interpretation, we provide norms to reduce test biases and developed an online dashboard. Highlights: Normative data for the Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS) for diverse Hispanic/Latino adults: Results from the Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA) This study is the first to develop norms for the DSS test across four regions of the United States.Factors such as age, education, sex, and Hispanic/Latino heritage and language preference are associated with differences in executive functioning and information processing speed.We created norms and an online dashboard (https://solincalab.shinyapps.io/dsst_shiny/) providing an easily accessible tool to evaluate processing speed and executive functioning in Hispanic/Latino adults.
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Introduction: We investigated cognitive profiles among diverse, middle-aged and older Hispanic/Latino adults in the Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA) cohort using a cross-sectional observational study design. Methods: Based on weighted descriptive statistics, the average baseline age of the target population was 56.4 years, slightly more than half were women (54.6%), and 38.4% reported less than a high school education. We used latent profile analysis of demographically adjusted z scores on SOL-INCA neurocognitive tests spanning domains of verbal memory, language, processing speed, and executive function. Results: Statistical fit assessment indices combined with clinical interpretation suggested five profiles: (1) a Higher Global group performing in the average-to-high-average range across all cognitive and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) tests (13.8%); (2) a Higher Memory group with relatively high performance on memory tests but average performance across all other cognitive/IADL tests (24.6%); (3) a Lower Memory group with relatively low performance on memory tests but average performance across all other cognitive/IADL tests (32.8%); (4) a Lower Executive Function group with relatively low performance on executive function and processing speed tests but average-to-low-average performance across all other cognitive/IADL tests (16.6%); and (5) a Lower Global group performing low-average-to-mildly impaired across all cognitive/IADL tests (12.1%). Discussion: Our results provide evidence of heterogeneity in the cognitive profiles of a representative, community-dwelling sample of diverse Hispanic/Latino adults. Our analyses yielded cognitive profiles that may assist efforts to better understand the early cognitive changes that may portend Alzheimer's disease and related dementias among diverse Hispanics/Latinos. Highlights: The present study characterized cognitive profiles among diverse middle-aged and older Hispanic/Latino adults.Latent profile analysis of neurocognitive test scores was the primary analysis conducted.The target population consists of middle-aged and older Hispanic/Latino adults enrolled in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos and ancillary Study of Latinos - Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging.
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Introduction: Early identification of residents who may require remediation could help prevent problems for both individual residents and their programs. Our aim in this project was to identify whether residents prone to challenges with professionalism could be identified early. Methods: For 3 years we tracked onboarding tasks completed by residents between official match and the first day of residency to develop a tool that would help identify residents who may be at risk for problems with timely chart completion and subsequent remediation. We compared residents' "at risk" scores with in-training exam (ITE) scores to differentiate between professionalism (task completion issues) and medical knowledge. Results: Our at-risk tool successfully predicted timely chart completion rates and need for remediation within our residency program (Fischer's exact P<.001), but was not predictive of ITE scores. Discussion: Using readily accessible information, we can identify residents at risk for poor task completion performance, who may benefit from extra support and development in the area of organizational skill. Early identification may increase opportunities for early intervention.
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The family medicine (FM) approach to health care across the life span is well-suited to providing care for persons living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Little is known about ASD curricula in FM residency training and the characteristics of FM residency programs that prepare their residents to care for persons with this disorder. METHODS: Our study questions were part of a larger omnibus survey by the Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance (CERA) with data collection from November 16 to December 18, 2022, from FM residency program directors (PDs). ASD curricula were investigated using 10 questions, with descriptive analyses and nonparametric comparisons between program variables and ASD curriculum. RESULTS: The response rate was 42.18%, with FM PDs reporting that their programs were preparing residents in the care of youth (71.53%) and adults (68.33%) with ASD, but to a lesser extent (58.89%) in facilitating transitions of care. Programs with faculty champions, access to published curricula, sufficient patients with ASD, and engagement of interprofessional faculty reported a higher proportion of resident preparedness. PDs of community-based programs were most confident in their ability to teach ASD care and transitions of care. CONCLUSIONS: Most FM PDs modestly agreed that they are preparing residents to provide care to patients with ASD and their families. PDs of programs with greater access to resources (ie, published curriculum, faculty champions, sufficient patients with ASD, interprofessional faculty experts) believed that their residents were more prepared. Community-based FM educators may help lead the way in providing models for care and education in this regard.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder , Autistic Disorder , Internship and Residency , Adult , Humans , Adolescent , Family Practice/education , Autism Spectrum Disorder/therapy , Curriculum , Surveys and Questionnaires , PerceptionABSTRACT
Objective: In neuropsychological evaluations, assessing cognitive functioning is often achieved using objective neuropsychological measures, whereas subjective informant reports are typically obtained to determine manifest daily functioning. Informant reports of participant functioning and their associations with objective participant performance on neuropsychological testing have been shown to vary based on informant characteristics. However, associations among informant characteristics, reported functioning, and neuropsychological performance have not been adequately examined with Mexican American or other Hispanic/Latino samples, despite these populations' disproportionately higher rates of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Method: We examined associations of informant characteristics with informant reports of participant functioning (assessed via the Functional Activities Questionnaire [FAQ]), and potential moderating effects of these characteristics on associations between reported functioning and participant performance on neuropsychological testing, for Mexican American adult participants in the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center cohort (n = 294). Results: Female informants reported significantly worse participant functioning compared to male informants (p = .035, r = .126). Moreover, significant associations between reported functioning and memory performance were observed for participants with female informants, but not for those with male informants (p = .024, r = .138). Higher levels of informant education were associated with significantly worse participant functioning (p = .011, r = .151). However, informant education did not moderate associations between reported functioning and neuropsychological performance (ps > .05). Conclusions: Compared to male informants, female informants may provide subjective reports of Mexican American participant functioning that more closely corroborate objective participant performance in memory.
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Alzheimer Disease , Cognitive Dysfunction , Adult , Humans , Male , Female , Mexican Americans , Neuropsychological Tests , Cognition , Alzheimer Disease/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Cognitive Dysfunction/diagnosis , Cognitive Dysfunction/etiologyABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The overall purpose of this study was to elicit perspectives from a diverse group of postpartum individuals about their perinatal outpatient informational support and education. In addition, suggestions from participants are provided. Although informational support is crucial in the peripartum period, it is often inadequate or biased. Qualitative research, which offers a nuanced and patient-centered perspective, is limited. The qualitive research that does exist is limited to the prenatal period only, neglecting perspectives throughout the entire peripartum period. METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study was part of a larger observational cross-sectional study of postpartum individuals in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 2017. Two years after the initial study (2019), participants were recruited into 8 focus groups. Trained facilitators guided focus group conversations using semistructured interview questions. The questions centered on overall experiences with perinatal outpatient health care experiences and informational support. Thematic analyses were used in data analysis. Interrater reliability between coders ranged from 92% to 100%. RESULTS: Fifty-four individuals (22.1% response rate) participated in a total of 12 focus groups. The overarching theme was the need for recognition of individuality of patients. Three subthemes emerged, including time, multiple modalities of information support, and agency. DISCUSSION: This study extended previous qualitative findings across the entire peripartum period and that individualized prenatal care is an important distinction in perceived quality of care. Health care organizations should consider allocating time differently for perinatal office visits, offer flexible visit times based on individualized needs, offer information in multiple modalities, and promote agency of patients. This study was strengthened by the community involvement, women of color only focus groups, and oversampling of Black women. This study was limited by the self-selected, homogenous sample and potential for recall bias.
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Prenatal Care , Pregnancy , Humans , Female , Cross-Sectional Studies , Reproducibility of Results , Qualitative Research , Focus GroupsABSTRACT
OBJECTIF: Présenter aux professionnels de la santé les données probantes concernant l'utilisation des opioïdes et la santé des femmes. Les domaines d'intérêt sont la grossesse et les soins post-partum. POPULATION CIBLE: Toutes les femmes qui utilisent des opioïdes. RéSULTATS: Un dialogue ouvert et éclairé sur l'utilisation des opioïdes améliorera les soins aux patientes. BéNéFICES, RISQUES ET COûTS: L'exploration de l'utilisation d'opioïdes par une approche tenant compte des traumatismes antérieurs donne au professionnel de la santé et à la patiente l'occasion de bâtir une alliance solide, collaborative et thérapeutique. Cette alliance permet aux femmes de faire des choix éclairés. Elle favorise le diagnostic et le traitement possible du trouble lié à l'utilisation d'opioïdes. L'utilisation ne doit pas être stigmatisée, puisque la stigmatisation affaiblit le partenariat (le partenariat entre patiente et professionnel de la santé). Les professionnels de la santé ceus-ci doivent comprendre l'effet potentiel des opioïdes sur la santé les femmes enceintes et les aider à prendre des décisions éclairées sur leur santé. DONNéES PROBANTES: Une recherche a été conçue puis effectuée dans les bases de données PubMed et Cochrane Library pour la période d'août 2018 à mars 2023 des termes MeSH et mots clés suivants (et variantes) : opioids, opioid agonist therapy, illicit drugs, fertility, pregnancy, fetal development, neonatal abstinence syndrome et breastfeeding. MéTHODES DE VALIDATION: Les auteurs ont évalué la qualité des données probantes et la force des recommandations en utilisant le cadre méthodologique GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). Voir l'annexe A en ligne (tableau A1 pour les définitions et tableau A2 pour l'interprétation des recommandations fortes et conditionnelles [faibles]). PROFESSIONNELS CONCERNéS: Tous les professionnels de la santé qui prodiguent des soins aux femmes et aux nouveaux-nés. RéSUMé POUR TWITTER: La consommation d'opioïdes pendant la grossesse coïncide souvent avec des problèmes de santé mentale et est associée à des conséquences néfastes pour la mère, le fÅtus et le nouveau-né ; le traitement des troubles liés à la consommation d'opioïdes par agonistes peut être sûr pendant la grossesse lorsque les risques sont plus nombreux que les avantages. DÉCLARATIONS SOMMAIRES: RECOMMANDATIONS.
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OBJECTIVE: To provide health care providers with the best evidence on opioid use and women's health. Areas of focus include general patterns of opioid use and safety of use; care of women who use opioids; stigma, screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment; hormonal regulation; reproductive health, including contraception and fertility; sexual function; perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms; and chronic pelvic pain syndromes. TARGET POPULATION: The target population includes all women currently using or contemplating using opioids. OUTCOMES: Open, evidence-informed dialogue about opioid use will lead to improvements in patient care and overall health. BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS: Exploring opioid use through a trauma-informed approach offers the health care provider and patient with an opportunity to build a strong, collaborative, and therapeutic alliance. This alliance empowers women to make informed choices about their own care. It also allows for the diagnosis and possible treatment of opioid use disorders. Use should not be stigmatized, as stigma leads to poor "partnered care" (i.e., the partnership between the patient and care provider). Therefore, health care providers and patients must understand the potential role of opioids in women's health (both positive and negative) to ensure informed decision-making. EVIDENCE: A literature search was designed and carried out in PubMed and the Cochrane Library databases from August 2018 until March 2023 using following MeSH terms and keywords (and variants): opioids, illicit drugs, fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and aging. VALIDATION METHODS: The authors rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. See online Appendix A (Tables A1 for definitions and A2 for interpretations of strong and weak recommendations). INTENDED AUDIENCE: All health care providers who care for women. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Opioid use can affect female reproductive function; health care providers and patients must understand the potential role of opioids in women's health to ensure informed decision-making. SUMMARY STATEMENTS: RECOMMENDATIONS.
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Chronic Pain , Opioid-Related Disorders , Pregnancy , Humans , Female , Chronic Pain/drug therapy , Analgesics, Opioid/adverse effects , Longevity , Contraception , Opioid-Related Disorders/drug therapy , Fertility , MenopauseABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To provide health care providers the best evidence on opioid use and women's health. Areas of focus include pregnancy and postpartum care. TARGET POPULATION: The target population includes all women currently using or contemplating using opioids. OUTCOMES: Open, evidence-informed dialogue about opioid use will improve patient care. BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS: Exploring opioid use through a trauma-informed approach provides the health care provider and patient with an opportunity to build a strong, collaborative, and therapeutic alliance. This alliance empowers women to make informed choices about their own care. It also allows for the diagnosis and possible treatment of opioid use disorders. Opioid use should not be stigmatized, as stigma leads to poor "partnered care" (i.e., the partnership between the patient and care provider). Health care providers need to understand the effect opioids can have on pregnant women and support them to make knowledgeable decisions about their health. EVIDENCE: A literature search was designed and carried out in PubMed and the Cochrane Library databases from August 2018 until March 2023 using following MeSH terms and keywords (and variants): opioids, opioid agonist therapy, illicit drugs, fertility, pregnancy, fetal development, neonatal abstinence syndrome, and breastfeeding. VALIDATION METHODS: The authors rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. See online Appendix A (Tables A1 for definitions and A2 for interpretations of strong and conditional [weak] recommendations). INTENDED AUDIENCE: All health care providers who care for pregnant and/or post-partum women and their newborns. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Opioid use during pregnancy often co-occurs with mental health issues and is associated with adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes; treatment of opioid use disorder with agonist therapy for pregnant women can be safe during pregnancy where the risks outnumber the benefits. SUMMARY STATEMENTS: RECOMMENDATIONS.
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Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome , Opioid-Related Disorders , Pregnancy , Humans , Female , Infant, Newborn , Breast Feeding , Analgesics, Opioid/adverse effects , Longevity , Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome/drug therapyABSTRACT
Assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) into functional macrostructures is imperative for the development of NP-based devices. However, existing methods employ insulating organic ligands, polymers, and biomolecules as mediators for the NP assembly, which are detrimental for charge transport and interparticle coupling that impede the efficient integration of low-dimensional properties. Herein, we report a methodology for the direct self-supported assembly of Ag/Pt/Pd alloy NPs into high surface area (119.1 ± 3.9 to 140.1 ± 5.7 m2/g), mesoporous (19.7 ± 6.2 to 23.0 ± 1.6 nm), and conducting nanostructures (aerogels) that show superior electrocatalytic activity and stability in methanol (MOR) and ethanol (EOR) oxidation reactions. Ultrasmall (3.9 ± 1.3 nm) and quasi-spherical Ag/Pt/Pd alloy NPs were synthesized via stepwise galvanic replacement reaction (GRR) of glutathione (GSH)-coated Ag NPs. As-synthesized NPs were transformed into free-standing alloy hydrogels via chemical oxidation of the GSH ligands. The composition of alloy aerogels was tuned by varying the oxidant/thiolate molar ratio of the precursor NP sol that prompts Ag dealloying with in situ generated HNO3, selectively enriching the Pt and Pd catalytic sites on the aerogel surface. The highest-performing alloy aerogel (Ag0.449Pt0.480Pd0.071) demonstrates excellent mass activity for methanol (3179.5 mA/mg) and ethanol (2444.5 mA/mg) electro-oxidation reactions, which are â¼4-5 times higher than those of commercial Pt/C and Pd/C electrocatalysts. The aerogel also maintained high alcohol oxidation activity for 17 h at a constant potential of -0.3 V in an alkaline medium. The synergistic effects of noble metal alloying, high surface area and mesoporosity, and the pristine active surface of aerogels provide efficient interaction of analytes with the nanostructure surface, facilitating both MOR and EOR activity and improving tolerance for poisonous byproducts, enabling the Ag/Pt/Pd alloy aerogel a promising (electro)catalyst for a number of new technologies.
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Low-income and food-insecure households are at risk of poor dietary quality and even more severe food insecurity. Especially in childhood, consuming a nutritionally adequate diet is an essential driver of health, growth, and development. Household-level factors can present challenges to support the nutritional needs of low-income and food-insecure household members. The aim of this scoping review is to identify the contributing household factors to dietary quality and food security in US households of school-aged children 5 to 19 years and synthesize the evidence around emergent themes for application to future interventions. The scoping review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols Extension for Scoping Reviews using search terms addressing food insecurity, low income, and dietary behaviors in the database PubMed. Screening by 3 independent reviewers of the title, abstract, and full study phases identified 44 studies. The 5 themes around which the studies grouped were: parental behaviors, child/adolescent behaviors, food procurement behaviors, food preparation behaviors, and household environment factors. Most studies were cross-sectional (n = 41, 93%) and focused on parental behaviors (n = 31, 70%), followed by food preparation and procurement behaviors. The themes identified were interrelated and suggest that incorporating education on parent and child behaviors that influence food procurement and preparation, along with strengthening organization and planning in the household environment, may hold promise to improve dietary quality and food security among food-insecure and low-income households. The findings can be used to inform future nutrition education interventions aimed at improving dietary quality and food security in households with school-aged children.
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Diet , Food Supply , Adolescent , Child , Humans , United States , Poverty , Family Characteristics , Food SecurityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Telemedicine use increased as a response to health care delivery changes necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, lack of standardized curricular content creates gaps and inconsistencies in effectively integrating telemedicine training at both the undergraduate medical education and graduate medical education levels. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a web-based national telemedicine curriculum developed by the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine for medical students and family medicine (FM) residents. Based on the Association of American Medical Colleges telehealth competencies, the asynchronous curriculum featured 5 self-paced modules; covered topics include evidence-based telehealth uses, best practices in communication and remote physical examinations, technology requirements and documentation, access and equity in telehealth delivery, and the promise and potential perils of emerging technologies. METHODS: A total of 17 medical schools and 17 FM residency programs implemented the curriculum between September 1 and December 31, 2021. Participating sites represented 25 states in all 4 US census regions with balanced urban, suburban, and rural settings. A total of 1203 learners, including 844 (70%) medical students and 359 (30%) FM residents, participated. Outcomes were measured through self-reported 5-point Likert scale responses. RESULTS: A total of 92% (1101/1203) of learners completed the entire curriculum. Across the modules, 78% (SD 3%) of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they gained new knowledge, skills, or attitudes that will help them in their training or career; 87% (SD 4%) reported that the information presented was at the right level for them; 80% (SD 2%) reported that the structure of the modules was effective; and 78% (SD 3%) agreed or strongly agreed that they were satisfied. Overall experience using the national telemedicine curriculum did not differ significantly between medical students and FM residents on binary analysis. No consistent statistically significant relationships were found between participants' responses and their institution's geographic region, setting, or previous experience with a telemedicine curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: Both undergraduate medical education and graduate medical education learners, represented by diverse geographic regions and institutions, indicated that the curriculum was broadly acceptable and effective.
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BACKGROUND: Vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic was exacerbated by an infodemic of conflating accurate and inaccurate information with divergent political messages, leading to varying adherence to health-related behaviors. In addition to the media, people received information about COVID-19 and the vaccine from their physicians and closest networks of family and friends. OBJECTIVE: This study explored individuals' decision-making processes in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, focusing on the influence of specific media outlets, political orientation, personal networks, and the physician-patient relationship. We also evaluated the effect of other demographic data like age and employment status. METHODS: An internet survey was disseminated through the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine Facebook account. The survey included questions on media sources for COVID-19 information, political affiliation, presidential candidate choice, and multiple Likert-type agreement scale questions on conceptions of the vaccine. Each respondent was assigned a media source score, which represented the political leaning of their media consumption. This was calculated using a model based on data from the Pew Research Center that assigned an ideological profile to various news outlets. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 1757 respondents, with 89.58% (1574/1757) of them choosing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Those employed part-time and the unemployed were at 1.94 (95% CI 1.15-3.27) and 2.48 (95% CI 1.43-4.39) greater odds of choosing the vaccine than those employed full-time. For every 1-year increase in age, there was a 1.04 (95% CI 1.02-1.06) multiplicative increase in odds of choosing to receive the vaccine. For every 1-point increase in media source score toward more Liberal or Democrat, there was a 1.06 (95% CI 1.04-1.07) multiplicative increase in odds of choosing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The Likert-type agreement scale showed statistically significant differences (P<.001) between respondents; those who chose the vaccine agreed more strongly on their belief in the safety and efficacy of vaccines, the influence of their personal beliefs, and the encouragement and positive experiences of family and friends. Most respondents rated their personal relationship with their physician to be good, but this factor did not correlate with differences in vaccine decision. CONCLUSIONS: Although multiple factors are involved, the role of mass media in shaping attitudes toward vaccines cannot be ignored, especially its ability to spread misinformation and foster division. Surprisingly, the effect of one's personal physician may not weigh as heavily in one's decision-making process, potentially indicating the need for physicians to alter their communication style, including involvement in social media. In the era of information overload, effective communication is critical in ensuring the dissemination of accurate and reliable information to optimize the vaccination decision-making process.