Views of Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program Directors Regarding Methods to Increase Female and Under-Represented in Medicine Residents: A Cross-sectional Study.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Diagnostic radiology remains one of the least diverse medical specialties. Recent reports have found that the number of female and under-represented in medicine (URiM) residents have not increased despite efforts to increase representation over the last decade. Given the critical role of residency program directors in selecting diverse applicants, this study was performed to identify which strategies were most preferred to increase the number of female and/or URiM residents by directors of diagnostic radiology residency training programs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an anonymous, cross-sectional study of diagnostic radiology residency program directors that included a survey about program characteristics, demographics, and strategies to increase the number of female and/or URiM residents. RESULTS: The questionnaire was submitted to 181 potential participants with a 19.9% response rate. The most preferred strategies to increase diversity involved directly recruiting medical students, promoting mentorship, increasing the number of diverse teaching faculty, and unconscious bias training. The least supported strategies included deemphasizing exam scores, accepting more international graduates, accepting a minimum number of female and/or URiM applicants, and de-identifying applications. Female and/or URiM program directors indicated a statistically significant preference for medical student recruitment and providing an opportunity to discuss workplace issues for female and/or URiM trainees (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Diagnostic radiology residency program directors endorsed a wide variety of strategies to increase diversity. Recruitment of female and/or URiM medical students and promoting the number of diverse faculty members and mentorship of trainees by these faculty appear to be the most preferred strategies to increase female and/or URiM residents. Female and/or URiM program directors placed a greater importance on recruiting diverse applicants and supporting safe discussion of workplace issues faced by female and/or URiM radiology residents.

Imaging Utilization Patterns and Injury Characteristics Associated with Electric Standing Scooters in a Major Urban Area.

BACKGROUND: The recent proliferation of electric standing scooters in major urban areas of the United States has been accompanied by injuries of varying severity and nature, representing a growing public health concern. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to characterize imaging utilization patterns for injuries associated with electric scooter (e-scooter) use, including their initial emergency department (ED) management. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the electronic medical record for all patients presenting to affiliated EDs for e-scooter-related injuries between July 2018 and April 2020. Demographics, date and time of presentation, imaging study type, resultant injury, and procedural details were recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients were included; mean age was 27.6 years. Of these, 55 patients (57%) had injuries identified on imaging and 40% of all imaging studies were positive. Most identified injuries (61%) were musculoskeletal, with a small number of neurological (2%) and genitourinary (1%) injuries. The highest prevalence of presentations occurred in August; most patients (72%) presented between 3 pm and 1 am and granular peaks were between 12 am and 1 am and 5 pm and 6 pm. CONCLUSIONS: Patients presenting with e-scooter injuries have a high likelihood of injury to the radial head, nasal bone, and malleoli. Emergency physicians should be especially vigilant for injuries in these areas at presentation. Visceral injuries are uncommon but may be severe enough to warrant surgery.

Notions of Preprocedural Patient Anxiety in the Realm of IR.

PURPOSE: To determine the views and current practice preferences of interventional radiologists and allied healthcare providers regarding management of preprocedural anxiety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March to April 2018, members of the Society of Interventional Radiology were surveyed regarding their opinions in the assessment and management of patient anxiety. Degree of responsibility for the management of anxiety was also queried through the use of a scale (1 = no responsibility; 2 = some responsibility; 3 = major responsibility). RESULTS: Of 1163 respondents (23.8% response rate), most described preprocedural anxiety as somewhat to very important in their practice (n = 961, 82.6%), somewhat to very important to the patients (n = 1087, 93.5%), and at least sometimes interfering with delivery of care (n = 815, 70.1%). Most respondents did not measure preprocedural anxiety directly (n = 953, 81.9%), but would address it if raised by the patient (n = 911, 82.9%). Patient education (n = 921, 79.1%), medications (n = 801, 68.8%), and therapeutic or empathetic interactions (n = 665, 56.4%) were most preferred to manage anxiety. Radiologists, nurses, patients, primary care providers, family members, and psychologists or psychiatrists were all allocated responsibility to reduce anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Interventional radiologists and other providers are aware of the importance of preprocedural anxiety. Despite the notion that most radiologists did not address anxiety directly, most indicated a willingness to discuss the issue if raised by patients. Patient education, medications, and several other techniques are preferred to manage preprocedural anxiety. Responsibility to reduce anxiety is perceived to be shared among radiologists, nurses, patients, family members, and other health care providers.