A Renaissance in Academic Medicine-Using a Coach Approach to Develop Early-Career Faculty.

This Viewpoint discusses contemporary approaches to mentoring and coaching new physicians.

Workplace Harassment, Cyber Incivility, and Climate in Academic Medicine.

Importance: The culture of academic medicine may foster mistreatment that disproportionately affects individuals who have been marginalized within a given society (minoritized groups) and compromises workforce vitality. Existing research has been limited by a lack of comprehensive, validated measures, low response rates, and narrow samples as well as comparisons limited to the binary gender categories of male or female assigned at birth (cisgender). Objective: To evaluate academic medical culture, faculty mental health, and their relationship. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 830 faculty members in the US received National Institutes of Health career development awards from 2006-2009, remained in academia, and responded to a 2021 survey that had a response rate of 64%. Experiences were compared by gender, race and ethnicity (using the categories of Asian, underrepresented in medicine [defined as race and ethnicity other than Asian or non-Hispanic White], and White), and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) status. Multivariable models were used to explore associations between experiences of culture (climate, sexual harassment, and cyber incivility) with mental health. Exposures: Minoritized identity based on gender, race and ethnicity, and LGBTQ+ status. Main Outcomes and Measures: Three aspects of culture were measured as the primary outcomes: organizational climate, sexual harassment, and cyber incivility using previously developed instruments. The 5-item Mental Health Inventory (scored from 0 to 100 points with higher values indicating better mental health) was used to evaluate the secondary outcome of mental health. Results: Of the 830 faculty members, there were 422 men, 385 women, 2 in nonbinary gender category, and 21 who did not identify gender; there were 169 Asian respondents, 66 respondents underrepresented in medicine, 572 White respondents, and 23 respondents who did not report their race and ethnicity; and there were 774 respondents who identified as cisgender and heterosexual, 31 as having LGBTQ+ status, and 25 who did not identify status. Women rated general climate (5-point scale) more negatively than men (mean, 3.68 [95% CI, 3.59-3.77] vs 3.96 [95% CI, 3.88-4.04], respectively, P < .001). Diversity climate ratings differed significantly by gender (mean, 3.72 [95% CI, 3.64-3.80] for women vs 4.16 [95% CI, 4.09-4.23] for men, P < .001) and by race and ethnicity (mean, 4.0 [95% CI, 3.88-4.12] for Asian respondents, 3.71 [95% CI, 3.50-3.92] for respondents underrepresented in medicine, and 3.96 [95% CI, 3.90-4.02] for White respondents, P = .04). Women were more likely than men to report experiencing gender harassment (sexist remarks and crude behaviors) (71.9% [95% CI, 67.1%-76.4%] vs 44.9% [95% CI, 40.1%-49.8%], respectively, P < .001). Respondents with LGBTQ+ status were more likely to report experiencing sexual harassment than cisgender and heterosexual respondents when using social media professionally (13.3% [95% CI, 1.7%-40.5%] vs 2.5% [95% CI, 1.2%-4.6%], respectively, P = .01). Each of the 3 aspects of culture and gender were significantly associated with the secondary outcome of mental health in the multivariable analysis. Conclusions and Relevance: High rates of sexual harassment, cyber incivility, and negative organizational climate exist in academic medicine, disproportionately affecting minoritized groups and affecting mental health. Ongoing efforts to transform culture are necessary.

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.

Contribution of Real-World Evidence in European Medicines Agency's Regulatory Decision Making.

Real-world data/evidence (RWD/RWE) may provide insightful information on medicines' clinical effects to guide regulatory decisions. While its contribution has been recognized for safety monitoring and disease epidemiology across medicines' life cycles, using RWD/RWE to demonstrate efficacy requires further evaluation. This study aimed to (i) characterize RWD/RWE presented by applicants to support claims on medicines' efficacy within initial marketing authorization applications (MAAs) and extension of indication applications (EoIs), and (ii) analyze the contribution of RWD/RWE to regulatory decisions on medicines' benefit-risk profile. RWD/RWE was included to support efficacy in 32 MAAs and 14 EoIs submitted 2018-2019. Of these, RWD/RWE was part of the preauthorization package of 16 MAAs and 10 EoIs, and was (i) considered supporting the regulatory decision in 10 applications (five MAAs, five EoIs), (ii) considered not supporting the regulatory decision in 11 (seven MAAs, four EoIs), and (iii) not addressed at all in the evaluation of 5 applications (four MAAs, one EoI). Common limitations of submitted RWD/RWE included missing data, lack of representativeness of populations, small sample size, absence of an adequate or prespecified analysis plan, and risk of several types of bias. The suitability of RWD/RWE in a given application still requires a case-by-case analysis considering its purpose of use, implying reflection on the data source, together with its assets and limitations, study objectives and designs, and the overall data package issued. Early interactions and continuous dialogues with regulators and relevant stakeholders is key to optimize fit-for-purpose RWE generation, enabling its broader use in medicines development.

How Academic Medicine Can Help Confront the Opioid Crisis.

The United States is in the midst of a devastating overdose and addiction crisis involving opioids as well as other drugs. Yet, despite the existence of effective treatments for opioid use disorder, only a minority of people who need treatment for this or other substance use disorders receive it. Besides the terrible human and economic costs of overdose deaths and the other health consequences of addiction, untreated substance use has wide-ranging impacts across health care. Academic medicine can help address this crisis by increasing the preparedness of the current and future clinical workforce to detect and treat substance misuse and addiction through increased attention to these topics in medical and nursing schools and in residency programs. In this commentary, the authors explore the barriers to treatment for substance misuse and addiction and the role of academic medicine in improving treatment outcomes through training, clinical care, health service delivery, and research.

Monitoreo del impacto en la formación de especialistas en Medicina Intensiva y Emergencias en Matanzas / Monitoring the impact in the formation of specialist in intensive medicine and emergencies, Matanzas

Introducción: la evaluación y acreditación de la calidad en la formación de las especialidades médicas en Cuba, conceptualiza el monitoreo del impacto como el proceso dirigido a evaluar la correspondencia entre los objetivos del programa y los resultados alcanzados por sus participantes en el entorno social donde se desarrollan profesionalmente. Objetivo: aplicar la metodología diseñada para el monitoreo del impacto en la formación de las especialidades médicas en el Programa de Medicina Intensiva y Emergencias. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio de corte pedagógico donde se aplicó la metodología diseñada en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas, para monitorear el impacto en la formación de la especialidad de Medicina Intensiva y Emergencias, desarrollado en el Hospital Universitario Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández. Participaron 6 egresados, 11 profesores, 8 tutores y 4 directivos de la última edición concluida (octubre de 2016 a noviembre de 2019). Resultados: se observó un alto impacto en la institución y mediano en el individuo, con contraste entre el diagnóstico inicial y durante la formación: de excelencia en el 100 % de los residentes, pero un diagnóstico final con 33,3 % excelente y 66,6 % bien. No se evaluó la etapa de transferencia o impacto en la sociedad, por el corto de tiempo de experiencia laboral de los egresados. Conclusiones:la metodología aplicada permitió conocer un mediano impacto en la formación de los egresados de Medicina Intensiva y Emergencias, por contrastación entre el diagnóstico inicial y durante la formación, de excelente con un diagnóstico final de bien (AU).

Introduction: the evaluation of the quality in the formation of the medical specialties in Cuba, conceptualize the monitored of the impact like the process directed to evaluate the correspondence among the objectives of the program and the results reached by their participants in the social environment where they are developed professionally, guaranteeing the relevancy of the program. Objective: to apply the methodology designed for the monitored of the impact in the formation of the medical specialties in the program of intensive Medicine and emergencies. Materials and methods: carried out a study of pedagogic court where the methodology was applied designed in the Medical University of Matanzas, for the monitored of the impact in the formation of the specialty of intensive Medicine and emergencies, developed in the university hospital "Faustino Pérez Hernández." They participated six graduate, four directives, 11 professors and tutors of the last concluded edition, from October of the 2016 to November of the one 2019. Results: a high impact was observed in the institution and medium in the individual, with a contrast among the initial diagnosis and during for formation of excellence in 100% of the residents, with a final diagnosis of 33,3% excellent and 66,6% well. It was not evaluated the transfer stage or impact in the society, for the short of time of labor experience of the graduate. Conclusions: the applied methodology allowed to know the medium impact in the formation of graduate in Intensive Medicine and Emergencies in Matanzas, for a contrast among the initial diagnosis and during the formation of excellent with the final diagnosis of well (AU).

Beliefs and practices among primary care physicians during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany): an observational study.

BACKGROUND: During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic various ambulatory health care models (SARS-CoV-2 contact points: Subspecialised Primary Care Practices, Fever Clinics, and Special Places for Corona-Testing) were organised in a short period in Baden-Wuerttemberg, a region in Southern Germany. The aim of these SARS-CoV-2 contact points was to ensure medical treatment for patients with (suspected) and without SARS-CoV-2 infection. The present study aimed to assess the beliefs and practices of primary care physicians who either led a Subspecialised Primary Care Practice or a Primary Care Practice providing care as usual in Baden-Wuerttemberg during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on a paper-based questionnaire in primary care physicians during the first wave of the pandemic. Participants were identified via the web page of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Baden-Wuerttemberg. The questionnaire was distributed in June and July 2020. It measured knowledge, practices, self-efficacy and fears towards SARS-CoV-2, using newly developed questions. Data was descriptively analysed. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-five participants (92 leads of SARS-CoV-2 contact points/ 63 leads of primary care practices) completed the questionnaire. Out of 92 leads of SARS-CoV-2 contact points 74 stated to lead n Subspecialised Primary Care Practices. About half participants of both groups did not fear an own infection with the novel virus (between 50.8% and 62.2%), however about 75% feared financial loss. Knowledge was gained using various sources; main sources were the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (between 82.5% and 83.8%) and the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (RKI) (between 88.9% and 95.9%). Leads of Subspecialised Primary Care Practice felt more confident to perform anamnestic/diagnostic procedures (p < 0.001). The same was found for the confidence level regarding decision-making concerning the further treatment (p < 0.001). Several prevention measures to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 were adopted. Subspecialised Primary Care Practice had treated on average more patients with (suspected) COVID-19 (mean 408.12) than primary care practices (mean 83.8) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the Subspecialised Primary Care Practice that were implemented during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic contributed containment of the pandemic. Leads of Subspecialised Primary Care Practice indicated that physical separation of patients with potential SARS-CoV-2 infection was easier compared to those who continued working in their own practice. Additionally, leads of Subspecialised Primary Care Practice felt more confident in dealing with patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study has been prospectively registered at the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00022224).

We must take a One Health approach to improve pandemic infection control.

The Covid-19 pandemic must serve as a wake-up call to work more collaboratively between medical and veterinary practitioners, biologists and environmentalists say Camilla Benfield, David Heymann, Judy MacArthur Clark, AJ Trees and Babulal Sethia.

Just data? Solidarity and justice in data-driven medicine.

This paper argues that data-driven medicine gives rise to a particular normative challenge. Against the backdrop of a distinction between the good and the right, harnessing personal health data towards the development and refinement of data-driven medicine is to be welcomed from the perspective of the good. Enacting solidarity drives progress in research and clinical practice. At the same time, such acts of sharing could-especially considering current developments in big data and artificial intelligence-compromise the right by leading to injustices and affecting concrete modes of individual self-determination. In order to address this potential tension, two key elements for ethical reflection on data-driven medicine are proposed: the controllability of information flows, including technical infrastructures that are conducive towards controllability, and a paradigm shift towards output-orientation in governance and policy.

Highlights in Medical Entomology, 2019: Familiar Foes and New Frontiers.

The 2019 Entomological Society of America annual meeting was held in St. Louis, Missouri, just blocks away from the iconic Gateway Arch. Representing a 'gateway to the West', this inspired the theme of the Highlights in Medical Entomology to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year as we move into a 'new frontier' of vector biology research. Papers were selected broadly across arthropods that influence public health, focusing on topics ranging from West Nile virus transmission, ticks and tick-borne disease, to advances in genetics and 'big data' studies. This included current perspectives on West Nile virus ecology and epidemiology, which has now been endemic in the United States for 20 yr. Additional topics such as the advantages of citizen science and the importance of scientific communication were also discussed. Together, these papers demonstrate the achievements of the vector community while emphasizing the challenges that we collectively face to reduce the burden of vector-borne disease.