Consulting doctors online after offline treatment: investigating the effects of online information on patients' effective use of online follow-up services.

Introduction: The use of online follow-up services (OFUS) is becoming an increasingly important supplement to hospital care. Through OFUS, patients can find their doctors in online health communities (OHCs) and receive remote medical follow-ups after hospital treatment. However, the rate of effective use of OFUS by current patients is still low, and there is an urgent need for research to investigate the online information factors that affect patients' effective use of OFUS. Methods: Based on the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) of persuasion and an analysis of a panel dataset including 3,672 doctors in a leading OHC in China, this study explores how online information from doctors' knowledge contributions and patient feedback influences patients' effective use of OFUS. Results: The results show that both doctors' knowledge contributions and patient feedback positively influence patients' effective use of OFUS. Doctors' paid knowledge contributions and patients' paid feedback have stronger persuasive effects than doctors' free knowledge contributions and patients' free feedback, respectively. Moreover, there is a substitutional relationship between doctors' paid and free knowledge contributions and between patients' paid and free feedback in influencing patients' effective use of OFUS. Discussion: The findings of this study suggest that OHC platforms and healthcare providers should account not only for the persuasive effects of doctors' knowledge contributions and patient feedback but also for influential differences and relationships between the types of doctors' knowledge contributions and patient feedback to better persuade patients to effectively use OFUS.

Racial and Ethnic Concordance Between National Health Service Corps Clinicians and Underserved Populations.

Importance: Despite the widely recognized importance of racial and ethnic concordance between patients and clinicians, there is a lack of studies on clinician diversity in medically underserved areas and whether it aligns with the changing demographic landscape. Objective: To assess trends in National Health Services Corps (NHSC) clinician diversity and racial and ethnic concordance between NHSC clinicians and the populations in underserved areas from before to after the 2009 NHSC expansion. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional, population-based study compared trends in the diversity of NHSC clinicians practicing in health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) and the HPSA populations during 2003 to 2019 using the Health Resources and Services Administration's NHSC Field Strength Database and Area Health Resources Files. The analysis was performed from February through May 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Concordance was measured with an annual community representativeness ratio defined as the ratio of the proportions of same race or ethnicity NHSC clinicians to HPSA population. Results: There were a total of 41 180 clinicians practicing in HPSAs from 2003 to 2019; the median (IQR) age was 34 (30-41) years. Among 38 569 NHSC clinicians who reported gender, 28 444 (73.7%) identified as female and 10 125 (26.3%) identified as male. The average annual number of NHSC clinicians increased from 3357 in 2003 to 2008 to 9592 in 2009 to 2019. Before 2009, 1076 clinicians (5.3%) identified as Black, 9780 (48.6%) as Hispanic, 908 (4.5%) as other, and 8380 (41.6%) as White. During this period, concordance was low among non-Hispanic White and Black individuals due to clinician underrepresentation relative to the population, yet Hispanic clinicians were overrepresented. Following the 2009 NHSC expansion, the main change was the sharp decline in the proportion of Hispanic clinicians, to 1601 (13%) by 2019; while concordance was achieved for non-Hispanic White and Black individuals, Hispanic clinicians became underrepresented relative to population. The results held across 3 specialties: primary care, mental health care, and dental care. Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional study of trends in racial and ethnic concordance found that while the NHSC expansion starting in 2009 improved clinician-population concordance for non-Hispanic White and Black individuals, it reversed a prior trend for Hispanic individuals among whom clinicians became underrepresented relative to the population. Targeted NHSC clinician recruitment efforts are needed to improve concordance for Hispanic individuals in underserved areas, especially given Hispanics' projected growth in the US.

Changes in Health Care Workers' Economic Outcomes Following Medicaid Expansion.

Importance: The extent to which changes in health sector finances impact economic outcomes among health care workers, especially lower-income workers, is not well known. Objective: To assess the association between state adoption of the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion-which led to substantial improvements in health care organization finances-and health care workers' annual incomes and benefits, and whether these associations varied across low- and high-wage occupations. Design, Setting, and Participants: Difference-in-differences analysis to assess differential changes in health care workers' economic outcomes before and after Medicaid expansion among workers in 30 states that expanded Medicaid relative to workers in 16 states that did not, by examining US individuals aged 18 through 65 years employed in the health care industry surveyed in the 2010-2019 American Community Surveys. Exposure: Time-varying state-level adoption of Medicaid expansion. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcome was annual earned income; secondary outcomes included receipt of employer-sponsored health insurance, Medicaid, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Results: The sample included 1 322 263 health care workers from 2010-2019. Health care workers in expansion states were similar to those in nonexpansion states in age, sex, and educational attainment, but those in expansion states were less likely to identify as non-Hispanic Black. Medicaid expansion was associated with a 2.16% increase in annual incomes (95% CI, 0.66%-3.65%; P = .005). This effect was driven by significant increases in annual incomes among the top 2 highest-earning quintiles (ß coefficient, 2.91%-3.72%), which includes registered nurses, physicians, and executives. Health care workers in lower-earning quintiles did not experience any significant changes. Medicaid expansion was associated with a 3.15 percentage point increase in the likelihood that a health care worker received Medicaid benefits (95% CI, 2.46 to 3.84; P < .001), with the largest increases among the 2 lowest-earning quintiles, which includes health aides, orderlies, and sanitation workers. There were significant decreases in employer-sponsored health insurance and increases in SNAP following Medicaid expansion. Conclusion and Relevance: Medicaid expansion was associated with increases in compensation for health care workers, but only among the highest earners. These findings suggest that improvements in health care sector finances may increase economic inequality among health care workers, with implications for worker health and well-being.

Research activity among physicians in the United Kingdom: results from the Royal College of Physicians Census 2022.

We present the results of the 2022 Census of the Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians of Edinburgh, Glasgow and London on whether physicians undertake research and the barriers they have encountered. 40% of physicians reported that they undertook research alongside their clinical work. Multivariate analysis of the responses showed that men were 1.6 times more likely to say they undertake research than women. The main barriers to undertaking research were having enough time, organisational factors and a lack of confidence. In this opinion piece we discuss some of the challenges and how they could be addressed.

Conocimiento de la enfermedad venosa crónica en los profesionales sanitarios en España / Knowledge of chronic venous disease among healthcare professionals in Spain

Introducción La enfermedad venosa crónica (EVC) está catalogada como la enfermedad vascular más prevalente en el ser humano. Se ha asociado con un aumento de la incidencia de enfermedades cardiovasculares y es un fuerte predictor de mortalidad por todas las causas, suponiendo un problema de salud pública de primera magnitud. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las actuaciones en el manejo de la EVC en la práctica clínica diaria de los profesionales sanitarios en España. Material y métodos Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal con recogida de datos a través de una encuesta de opinión de 22 preguntas cumplimentadas electrónicamente a través de un formulario Google® para profesionales implicados en la atención a la enfermedad venosa crónica. Se analizaron 300 encuestas. Las variables cuantitativas se representaron con medias y desviación estándar y las cualitativas con porcentajes e intervalos de confianza. Resultados Analizadas 300 encuestas; 65,3% eran mujeres. La franja de edad más participativa fue la de mayores de 55 años; 85% de los encuestados consideraba que la EVC es una enfermedad infradiagnosticada e infratratada, con un impacto negativo añadido en lo que se refería al seguimiento durante la pandemia de COVID-19, ya que 91,7% consideraba que no había sido el adecuado. Cuarenta y siete por ciento de los participantes no conocía la clasificación CEAP y 56,3% tampoco la Escala de Severidad Clínica Venosa (VCSS); 92,7% de facultativos prescribía medias de compresión y 74,7% fármacos flebotónicos. La hidrosmina era el fármaco venoactivo más conocido y prescrito (51,7%); 73% de los galenos reconocía no utilizar ningún algoritmo o protocolo para el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de la EVC en su práctica clínica habitual y 91% afirmaba que no se les formaba en sus centros de trabajo (AU)

Introduction Chronic venous disease (CVD) is classified as the most prevalent vascular disease in humans. It has been associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases and is a strong predictor of all-cause mortality, representing a public health problem of the first magnitude. The objective of this study was to analyze the actions in the management of CVD in the daily clinical practice of health professionals in Spain. Material and methods Observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study with data collection through an opinion survey of 22 questions completed electronically through a Google® form for professionals involved in chronic venous disease care. Three hundred surveys were analyzed. The quantitative variables were represented with means and standard deviation and the qualitative ones with percentages and confidence intervals. Results Three hundred surveys analyzed. 65.3% were women. The most participatory age group was over 55 years of age. 85% of those surveyed considered that CVD is an underdiagnosed and undertreated disease, with an added negative impact in terms of follow-up during the Covid-19 pandemic, since 91.7% considered that it had not been adequate. 47% of the participants did not know the CEAP classification and 56.3% did not know the venous clinical severity scale (VCSS). 92.7% of physicians prescribed compression stockings and 74.7% phlebotonic drugs. Hidrosmine was the best known and most prescribed venoactive drug (51.7%). 73% of the doctors recognized that they did not use any algorithm or protocol for the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of CVD in their usual clinical practice and 91% stated that they were not trained in their workplaces (AU)

A Physician Crisis in the Rural US May Be About to Get Worse.

This Viewpoint discusses the overturning of Roe v Wade and subsequent banning of abortion or placement of gestational limits in almost half of US states, and the potential effects that such policies will have on the ability to recruit and retain health care professionals in these states.

A national analysis of the medical schools of training for merit award-winning laboratory medical doctors working in Britain.

AIMS: To inform the discussion regarding the origins of Laboratory Medical Consultant clinical merit award holders (LMC) whether the awards came from the Clinical Excellence Awards (CEA) or Distinction Awards (DA) schemes. METHODS: Setting - CEA is a scheme to financially reward senior doctors in England and Wales who are assessed to be working over and above the standard expected of their role. The DA scheme is the parallel and equivalent scheme in Scotland. Participants - All of the merit award holders in the 2019 round. Design - This involved a secondary analysis of the complete 2019 published dataset of award winners. Statistical analyses were performed with Chi-square tests set at p < 0.05 level for statistical significance. RESULTS: The top five medical schools (London University, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Oxford) were responsible for 68.4% of the LMC merit award holders in the 2019 round. 97.9% of the LMC merit award holders were from European medical schools, whereas 90.9% of the non-LMC award holders were from European medical schools. The LMCs with A plus or platinum awards came from only six medical schools: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, London University, Oxford, Sheffield and Southampton. In contrast, the B or silver/bronze LMC award holders came from a more diverse background of 13 medical schools. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of LMC merit award holders originated from only five university medical schools. All the LMCs with A plus or platinum awards came from only six university medical schools. There is an apparent overrepresentation of a small number of medical schools of origin amongst those LMCs that hold national merit awards.

Management of menopause: a survey of physicians from the Middle East and Africa.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated physicians' perceptions, practices, confidence, comfort level and prior training in managing menopause. METHODS: A survey was conducted of a convenience sample of physicians from the Middle East and Africa (MEA) in 2019. We covered knowledge of symptoms, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), other menopause management strategies and prior training in menopause medicine. RESULTS: Of the 254 participants, 64.2% were seniors in family medicine (36.4%), endocrinology (36.0%), gynecology (15.8%) and internal medicine (13.8%). Fewer than one-third (28.8%) correctly identified the diagnostic criteria of menopause. Almost all recognized vasomotor symptoms (99.5%), vaginal dryness (96.2%) and mood disturbance (94.3%), but to a lesser extent other symptoms. Inconsistency and critical gaps were identified in responses to competence questions on six case studies. They recalled having occasional (43.2%) or no training (19.4%) in menopause medicine and rated their preparedness to treat menopause widely. A total of 66.2% agreed that training is very important. Variation between specialties was identified. CONCLUSION: Many physicians recognize the importance of education in menopause management, but their responses revealed critical knowledge gaps that underscored the need for comprehensive, evidence-based menopause management.

Black men in white coats - Barriers black men face in medicine, implications to decreased representation, and potential interventions at the uniformed services university of the health sciences.

The number of black male applicants to US medical schools has remained stagnant over the last 30 years. The etiology behind the lack of applicants is multifaceted and involves greater systemic barriers, specifically, educational and social barriers. The lack of representation of black males in medicine also has downstream implications for the health of the African American/black community. African Americans exhibit some of the lowest levels of trust in the healthcare system, have less access to care than their non-minority peers, and have, comparatively, poorer healthcare outcomes than other populations in the US. Research has demonstrated that patient-provider race concordance improves communication, outcomes, culturally competent care, and satisfaction with care. The greater the gap between these two populations, the harder it becomes to improve healthcare outcomes, maintain a medically ready fighting force in the US military, and improve trust in the healthcare system. This article provides an analysis of the multifactorial barriers black male applicants face applying, matriculating, and graduating medical school and how decreased representation may affect healthcare delivery. Furthermore, this review explores next steps and potential implementations at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences to address the above deficiencies.

Computed tomography rates in pediatric trauma patients among emergency medicine and pediatric emergency medicine physicians.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric trauma patients undergo fewer computed tomography (CT) scans when evaluated at pediatric trauma centers (PTC) versus adult trauma centers (ATC) with no change in clinical outcome. Factors contributing to this difference are unclear. We sought to identify whether the training background of physicians, specifically emergency medicine (EM) versus pediatric emergency medicine (PEM), affected the CT rate of pediatric trauma patients within one institution. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study of CT utilization based on attending physicians' training in trauma patients <18 years between November 2018 and November 2020. Attendings were categorized into two groups: EM residency with no PEM fellowship, or pediatrics/EM residency with PEM fellowship. Primary outcomes measured were the proportion of patients receiving a CT and CT positivity rate. RESULTS: Of 463 study patients, CTs were obtained in 145/228 (64%) patients by EM, and 130/235 (55%) by PEM (p=.07). CT positivity rate was 21% and 19% in EM and PEM, respectively (p=.46). The mean number of CTs per patient in EM was 2.8 compared to 2.1 in PEM (p<.01), and for patients with an injury severity score (ISS) >15, mean number of CTs per patient increased to 4.9 in EM versus 2.4 in PEM (p=.01). CONCLUSIONS: The mean number of CTs ordered per patient was statistically higher for EM attendings. The differences between CT rates highlight future opportunities for ongoing development of pediatric trauma imaging guidelines and radiation exposure reduction. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective Study, Level III.

Rethinking premedical education.

The world needs more physicians. Increasing their numbers alone won't solve the many problems associated with improving health care. But it doesn't help to have a dearth of doctors, who were generally in short supply before COVID-19 struck. The pandemic has only exacerbated doctor shortages everywhere. This doesn't bode well for a world that must prepare for future pandemics and for populations that are both growing and aging. Better health outcomes require more physicians. So, where are the bottlenecks?

Conocimiento y uso de las distintas herramientas de tamizaje del cáncer de mama entre médicos del primer nivel de atención: un estudio transversal / Knowledge and use of different breast cancer screening tools among primary care physicians: a cross-sectional study / Conhecimento e uso de diferentes ferramentas de rastreamento do câncer de mama entre médicos da atenção primária: um estudo transversal

Resumen: Introducción: en Uruguay el cáncer de mama (CM) ocupa el primer lugar en incidencia y mortalidad por cáncer en la mujer. Objetivo: conocer la implementación del tamizaje del CM en la práctica clínica habitual y el grado de adhesión a las recomendaciones planteadas en el año 2015 por el Ministerio de Salud Pública (MSP) para la detección temprana del CM entre los médicos del primer nivel de atención. Material y métodos: se trata de un estudio observacional descriptivo y transversal. Se aplicó una encuesta dirigida a médicos del primer nivel de atención, de carácter anónimo. Resultados: se incluyeron 169 médicos, 89,4% (151) considera que el uso de la mamografía de tamizaje disminuye la mortalidad por CM, 54,4% (92) indica la mamografía a partir de los 40 años de edad y 38,5% (65) a partir de los 50 años. El 56,8% (96) indica la mamografía cada 2 años en la población de mujeres que se encuentran entre 50 y 69 años. El 65,7% de los encuestados (111) conoce la guía nacional y 47,9% (81) la utiliza, mientras que el 18,9% (32) utiliza recomendaciones de otras sociedades científicas. Conclusión: el presente estudio evidenció que los médicos del primer nivel de atención hacen un uso correcto de las distintas herramientas de tamizaje del CM. Se necesitan medidas activas para desarrollar programas educativos para el personal de salud, que podrían permitirles difundir conocimientos e influir positivamente en las actitudes de los pacientes.

Summary: Introduction: in Uruguay, breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality in women. Objective: to understand the implementation of BC screening among primary care physicians in routine clinical practice and the degree of adherence to the recommendations put forward in 2015 by the Ministry of Public Health (MPH) for the early detection of BC. Materials and methods: this was a descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study. An anonymous survey was administered to physicians working in primary care. Results: 169 physicians were included, 89.4% (151) consider the use of screening mammography decreases mortality from BC, 54.4% (92) indicate mammography from 40 years of age and 38.5% (65) from 50 years of age. The majority (56.8%, 96) indicate mammography every 2 years in the population of women aged 50-69 years. Of the respondents, 65.7% (111) were aware of the national guidelines and 47.9% (81) followed them, while 18.9% (32) followed recommendations from other scientific bodies. Conclusion: this study showed that primary care physicians make correct use of the different BC screening tools. Active measures are needed to develop educational programs for healthcare personnel, which may enable them to disseminate knowledge and positively influence patients' attitudes.

Resumo: Introdução: o câncer de mama (CM) ocupa o primeiro lugar em incidência e mortalidade por câncer em mulheres no Uruguai. Objetivo: conhecer a implementação do rastreamento do CM na prática clínica de rotina e o grau de adesão às recomendações de 2015 do Ministério da Saúde Pública para detecção precoce do CM entre os médicos do primeiro nível de atenção. Material e métodos: trata-se de um estudo observacional descritivo e transversal. Foi aplicada uma pesquisa anônima destinada aos médicos do primeiro nível de atenção. Resultados: foram incluídos 169 médicos; 89,4% (151) consideram que o uso da mamografia de rastreamento diminui a mortalidade por CM, 54,4% (92) indicam mamografia a partir dos 40 anos e 38,5% (65) a partir dos 50 anos; 56,8% (96) indicam mamografia a cada 2 anos na população de mulheres entre 50 e 69 anos. 65,7% dos respondentes (111) conhecem o guia nacional e 47,9% (81) o utilizam, enquanto 18,9% (32) utilizam recomendações de outras sociedades científicas. Conclusão: este estudo mostrou que os médicos do primeiro nível de atenção fazem uso correto das diferentes ferramentas de rastreamento do CM. São necessárias medidas ativas para desenvolver programas educacionais para os profissionais de saúde, que possam permitir que eles disseminem o conhecimento e influenciem positivamente as atitudes dos pacientes.

Mortality from Cardiovascular Diseases: A Comparative Analysis between the Medical and Non-Medical Populations in Brazil

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, including among physicians. Professional peculiarities increase cardiovascular risk in this population, making it relevant to analyze mortality in the medical population (MPop) and non-medical population (NMPop). Objectives: To compare the CVD mortality coefficient (MC) in between MPop and NMPop in Brazil by analyzing the epidemiological profile and the main causes of deaths from CVD. Methods: Time-series study with data obtained from the Mortality Information System of the Federal Council of Medicine and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, from 2014 to 2018. The variables age group, sex, race, occupation, and CVD that caused the death were assessed in MPop and NMPop. MC, relative risk and odds ratio between the populations were calculated. Tests for difference in proportions, with approximation to the normal distribution, and chi-squared tests were performed, assuming p<0.01 as statistically significant. Results: Both MPop and NMPop had a predominance of men (86.7% and 52.3%), senior citizens (85.9% and 79.7%) and white individuals (86.4% and 52.2%). The MCs of the MPop and NMPop was 92.2 and 255.1 deaths/100,000 individuals, respectively. The main cause of death was acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (32.5% and 24.6% in MPop and NMPop, respectively) followed by cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (5.1% and 10.5% in MPop and NMPop, respectively). Conclusion: In Brazil, mortality from CVD was more prevalent in white elderly males, and mainly caused by AMI and CVA. Being a doctor, man and over 60 years old represents a greater chance of death from CVD in comparison with non-physicians.

Portación nasal de Staphylococcus aureus en el personal de salud de áreas críticas de un Hospital Pediátrico durante julio-setiembre 2018 / Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in health personnel in critical areas of a Pediatric Hospital during July-September 2018 / Transporte nasal de Staphylococcus aureus em profissionais de saúde em áreas críticas de um Hospital Pediátrico durante julho-setembro de 2018

Las infecciones intrahospitalarias (IIH) son causa de elevada morbimortalidad y representan un problema sanitario importante. El personal de salud es reservorio y potencial transmisor de los agentes etiológicos de las mismas. S. aureus es uno de los microorganismos implicados, por lo tanto es importante conocer la frecuencia de portación en el personal de salud y establecer el perfil de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana para contribuir con la elaboración de medidas de prevención incluyendo actividades educativas. Objetivo: Conocer la frecuencia de portación de S. aureus, distribución y antibiotipos de las cepas presentes en el personal sanitario del Hospital Pediátrico de Referencia (HPR). Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo durante el periodo julio-setiembre del año 2018. Se incluyeron muestras de hisopados nasales de trabajadores de la salud de distintas áreas de internación que consintieron participar en el estudio. Se excluyeron aquellos que recibieron antibióticos dentro de los 3 meses previos al estudio. Las muestras fueron sembradas en agar sangre ovina al 5% (ASO) y se incubaron a 35-37ºC en aerobiosis por 24-48 horas. La identificación de las colonias sospechosas de Staphylococcus aureus por métodos convencionales y MALDI-TOF. El patrón de resistencia antimicrobiana de S. aureus se detectó por disco-difusión. En los cultivos resistentes a meticilina (SAMR) se determinó la presencia del gen mecA y se realizó la tipificación del SCCmec por pruebas de reacción en cadena de polimerasa. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 225 hisopados a partir de 225 trabajadores, presentaron desarrollo 212. En 49 se recuperaron cultivos de S. aureus. Correspondieron a SAMR 11 de las 49 cepas, todas portaban el gen mecA. Hubo predominio en el personal de enfermería (7/11), en los servicios de hemato-oncología (3/11) y cuidados intensivos neonatales (4/11). Asociaron resistencia a macrólidos y clindamicina 8 de 11 aislamientos SAMR, a gentamicina 2 y a mupirocina uno. El SCCmec más frecuentemente identificado fue el tipo IV (7/11). Conclusiones: Los resultados muestran la presencia de cepas SAMR entre el personal de salud del CHPR y aportan información complementaria para efectuar prevención y control de las IIH, actuando sobre todo en el personal de salud encargado de la atención de pacientes susceptibles.

Hospital-acquired infections (IIH) are a cause of high morbidity and mortality and represent a major health problem. Health personnel are reservoirs and potential transmitters of their etiological agents. S. aureus is one of the microorganisms involved, therefore it is important to know the frequency of carriage in health personnel and establish the antimicrobial susceptibility profile to contribute to the development of prevention measures, including educational activities. Objective: To know the frequency of carriage of S. aureus, distribution and antibiotypes of the strains present in the health personnel of the Reference Pediatric Hospital (HPR). Materials and methods: A descriptive study was carried out during the period July-September 2018. Nasal swab samples from health workers from different hospitalization areas who agreed to participate in the study were included. Those who received antibiotics within 3 months prior to the study were excluded. The samples were seeded in 5% sheep blood agar (ASO) and incubated at 35-37ºC in aerobiosis for 24-48 hours. Identification of suspicious Staphylococcus aureus colonies by conventional methods and MALDI-TOF. The antimicrobial resistance pattern of S. aureus was detected by disc diffusion. In methicillin-resistant cultures (MRSA), the presence of the mecA gene was determined and SCCmec was typified by polymerase chain reaction tests. Results: 225 swabs were obtained from 225 workers, 212 showed development. S. aureus cultures were recovered from 49. 11 of the 49 strains corresponded to MRSA, all of them carried the mecA gene. There was a predominance in the nursing staff (7/11), in the hematology-oncology services (3/11) and neonatal intensive care (4/11). They associated resistance to macrolides and clindamycin in 8 of 11 MRSA isolates, 2 to gentamicin, and 1 to mupirocin. The most frequently identified SCCmec was type IV (7/11). Conclusions: The results show the presence of MRSA strains among the health personnel of the CHPR and provide complementary information to carry out prevention and control of IIH, acting especially on the health personnel in charge of the care of susceptible patients.

As infecções hospitalares (HII) são causa de alta morbidade e mortalidade e representam um importante problema de saúde. Os profissionais de saúde são reservatórios e potenciais transmissores de seus agentes etiológicos. O S. aureus é um dos micro-organismos envolvidos, por isso é importante conhecer a frequência de portadores em profissionais de saúde e estabelecer o perfil de suscetibilidade antimicrobiana para contribuir no desenvolvimento de medidas de prevenção incluindo atividades educativas. Objetivo: Conhecer a frequência de portadores de S. aureus, distribuição e antibiótipos das cepas presentes no pessoal de saúde do Hospital Pediátrico de Referência (HPR). Materiais e métodos: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo durante o período de julho a setembro de 2018. Foram incluídas amostras de swab nasal de profissionais de saúde de diferentes áreas de internação que concordaram em participar do estudo. Aqueles que receberam antibióticos nos 3 meses anteriores ao estudo foram excluídos. As amostras foram semeadas em 5% de ágar sangue de carneiro (ASO) e incubadas a 35-37ºC em aerobiose por 24-48 horas. Identificação de colônias suspeitas de Staphylococcus aureus por métodos convencionais e MALDI-TOF. O padrão de resistência antimicrobiana de S. aureus foi detectado por difusão em disco. Em culturas resistentes à meticilina (MRSA), a presença do gene mecA foi determinada e SCCmec foi tipificado por testes de reação em cadeia da polimerase. Resultados: 225 swabs foram obtidos de 225 trabalhadores, 212 apresentaram desenvolvimento. Culturas de S. aureus foram recuperadas de 49. 11 das 49 cepas correspondiam a MRSA, todas carregavam o gene mecA. Houve predominância na equipe de enfermagem (7/11), nos serviços de hematologia-oncologia (3/11) e de terapia intensiva neonatal (4/11). Eles associaram resistência a macrolídeos e clindamicina em 8 de 11 isolados de MRSA, 2 à gentamicina e 1 à mupirocina. O SCCmec mais frequentemente identificado foi o tipo IV (7/11). Conclusões: Os resultados mostram a presença de cepas de MRSA entre os profissionais de saúde do CHPR e fornecem informações complementares para realizar a prevenção e controle da HII, atuando principalmente sobre os profissionais de saúde responsáveis ​​pelo atendimento de pacientes suscetíveis.

Using nominal group technique among resident physicians to identify key attributes of a burnout prevention program.

PURPOSE: To identify preferred burnout interventions within a resident physician population, utilizing the Nominal Group Technique. The results will be used to design a discrete choice experiment study to inform the development of resident burnout prevention programs. METHODS: Three resident focus groups met (10-14 participants/group) to prioritize a list of 23 factors for burnout prevention programs. The Nominal Group Technique consisted of three steps: an individual, confidential ranking of the 23 factors by importance from 1 to 23, a group discussion of each attribute, including a group review of the rankings, and an opportunity to alter the original ranking across participants. RESULTS: The total number of residents (36) were a representative sample of specialty, year of residency, and sex. There was strong agreement about the most highly rated attributes which grouped naturally into themes of autonomy, meaning, competency and relatedness. There was also disagreement on several of the attributes that is likely due to the differences in residency specialty and subsequently rotation requirements. CONCLUSION: This study identified the need to address multiple organizational factors that may lead to physician burnout. There is a clear need for complex interventions that target systemic and program level factors rather than focus on individual interventions. These results may help residency program directors understand the specific attributes of a burnout prevention program valued by residents. Aligning burnout interventions with resident preferences could improve the efficacy of burnout prevention programs by improving adoption of, and satisfaction with, these programs. Physician burnout is a work-related syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a sense of reduced personal accomplishment [1]. Burnout is present in epidemic proportions and was estimated to occur in over 50 percent of practicing physicians and in up to 89 percent of resident physicians pre-COVID 19. The burnout epidemic is growing; a recent national survey of US physicians reported an 8.9 percent increase in burnout between 2011 and 2014 [2]. Rates of physician burnout have also increased [3] during the COVID-19 pandemic with a new classification of "pandemic burnout" experienced by over 52 percent of healthcare workers as early as June of 2020 [4]. Physician burnout can lead to depression, suicidal ideation, and relationship problems that may progress to substance abuse, increased interpersonal conflicts, broken relationships, low quality of life, major depression, and suicide [5-7]. The estimated rate of physician suicide is 300-400 annually [8-10].

A cross-sectional observational study of endotracheal intubation and extubation practices among doctors treating adult COVID-19 and suspected COVID-19 patients in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe COVID-19 may require endotracheal intubation. Unique adjustments to endotracheal intubation and extubation practices are necessary to decrease the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to healthcare workers (HCWs) while avoiding complications of airway management. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the practice of endotracheal intubation and extubation, resources available and complications encountered by clinicians performing endotracheal intubation and extubation of COVID-19 and suspected COVID-19 patients in South Africa (SA). METHOD: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted during the initial surge of COVID-19 cases in SA. Data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire completed by clinicians in the private and public healthcare sectors after performing an endotracheal intubation and/or extubation of a patient with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. RESULTS: Data from 135 endotracheal intubations and 45 extubations were collected. Anaesthetists accounted for 87.0% (n=120) of the study participants, specialist clinicians in their respective fields for 59.4% (n=82), and public HCWs for 71.0% (n=98). Cases from Gauteng Province made up 76.8% (n=106) of the database. Haemoglobin desaturation was the most frequent complication encountered during endotracheal intubation (40.0%; n=54). Endotracheal intubations performed at private healthcare institutions were associated with a significantly lower complication rate of 17.5% (n=7) compared with 52.6% (n=50) in the public healthcare sector (p<0.001). Endotracheal intubations performed in theatre had the lowest complication rate of 10.4% (n=5; p<0.001). Propofol was used in 90 endotracheal intubations (66.7%), and its use was associated with fewer complications relative to other induction agents. Minimising the number of intubation attempts (p=0.009) and the use of checklists (p=0.013) significantly reduced the frequency of complications encountered during endotracheal intubation. Intravenous induction technique, neuromuscular blocking agent used, intubating device used and time at which intubation was performed did not affect the incidence of complications. The majority of endotracheal extubations were uncomplicated (88.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The study provides valuable insight into the resources used by clinicians and complications encountered when endotracheal intubations and/or extubations were performed. Data from this study may be used to guide future clinical practice and research, especially in resource-limited settings.

Addressing Gender-Based Disparities in Earning Potential in Academic Medicine.

Importance: Gender-based disparities in compensation in academic medicine are recognized, but their estimated impacts on early career earning potential and strategies to mitigate them have not been well studied. Objectives: To compare earning potential between female and male academic physicians in the first 10 years of posttraining employment and to evaluate the estimated impact of promotion timing, starting salary, and salary growth rate on earning potential. Design, Setting, and Participants: Using publicly available mean debt and compensation data for full-time employed academic physicians in the US from 2019 to 2020, starting salary, salary in year 10 of employment, annual salary growth rate, and overall earning potential in the first 10 years of employment were estimated for each gender by subspecialty. The estimated impacts of promotion timing and potential interventions, including equalizing starting salaries and annual salary growth rates, were modeled. Data analysis was performed from March to May 2021. Exposures: Gender and subspecialty. Main Outcomes and Measures: Starting salary, annual salary growth rate, year-10 salary, and earning potential in first 10 years of employment. Results: This cross-sectional study included compensation data from 24 593 female and 29 886 male academic physicians across 45 subspecialties. Women had lower starting salaries in 42 of 45 subspecialties (93%), year-10 salaries in 43 of 45 subspecialties (96%), mean annual salary growth rates in 22 of 45 subspecialties (49%), and earning potential in 43 of 45 subspecialties (96%) (median [IQR], $214 440 [$130 423-$384 954], or 10%, less). A 1-year delay in promotion from assistant to associate professor reduced women's earning potential by a median (IQR) of $26 042 ($19 672-$35 671), but failure to be promoted at all reduced it by a median (IQR) of $218 724 ($176 317-$284 466). Equalizing starting salaries could increase women's earning potential by a median (IQR) of $250 075 ($161 299-$381 799) in the subspecialties for which starting salaries for women were lower than those for men. Equalizing annual salary growth rates could increase women's earning potential by a median (IQR) of $53 661 ($24 258-$102 892) in the subspecialties for which mean annual salary growth rates were lower for women than for men. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study suggest that gender-based disparities in starting salary and early career earning potential are pervasive in academic medicine in the US. Equalizing starting salaries would address the majority of the differences in earning potential.