Family Medicine Commons^™

Group Medical Visits To Provide Gynecologic Care For Women Affected By Breast Cancer, Sally R. Greenwald, Sarah Watson, Mindy Goldman, Tami S. Rowen

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose

Women with breast cancer have complex and unique gynecologic needs that are challenging to effectively and comprehensively meet in a traditional gynecology visit format. Group medical visits are an effective and well-received model of care in other disease settings and can provide comprehensive health education as an adjunct to one-on-one evaluation and treatment. There are limited data regarding the use of this type of health care delivery in providing gynecology-focused care to women affected by breast cancer.

Methods

A group medical visit model was created for gynecology providers to see new breast cancer patient consults. From May 2012 to …

Did You Hear What I Meant To Say?, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The author introduces Volume 4, Issue 1 of Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews by acknowledging the importance of communication between patient and caregiver in the clinical setting. Failure to communicate effectively can have a negative impact on a patient's well-being, therefore efforts to improve communication skills among clinicians, researchers and health practice administrators should be undertaken with regularity.

What Can A Primary Care Physician Discuss With Older Patients To Improve Advance Directive Completion Rates? A Clin-Iq, Judith M. Myers, Edmund Duthie Jr., Kathryn Denson, Steven Denson, Deborah Simpson

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Advance directives (ADs) provide patients with the opportunity to indicate their preferences for medical care while they still maintain the capacity to express their wishes, thus retaining autonomy. ADs increase the likelihood that patients will receive the care they desire, as their family members and physicians will better understand the level of care desired. Despite this, the AD completion rate by elderly patients continues to be low, especially for patients not facing serious illnesses. Primary care physicians (PCPs) are uniquely positioned to engage patients in discussions about ADs before a health crisis arises yet often do not due to time …

The Ethics Of Offering Futile Treatment, Rebekah L. Eddy, Viktoria Krajnc, Lauren Smith

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

It important to acknowledge our own emotional biases and be cognizant of how we present evidence-based options to patients and their families, so that they may provide truly informed consent.

Quality Improvement Of Procedural Services In Family Medicine Residency Clinics, Keisha Rogers, Nora Guschwan, Lisa Sullivan Vedder

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Performing common procedures in our family medicine residency clinics is often a difficult and inefficient process. A 2008 Society of Teachers of Family Medicine consensus statement on procedural training found higher job satisfaction and better financial compensation for family practitioners who performed procedures. Patient satisfaction is likely increased when minor procedures are able to be performed by their primary clinician. This would suggest a disconnect between the known benefits of providing procedural services and the ability of our residency clinics to provide those services in an efficient manner.

Purpose: To assess clinician and staff comfort with performance of common …

Proceedings Of 2016 Aurora Scientific Day

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

This supplement includes select abstracts presented at the 42nd annual Aurora Scientific Day research symposium, held May 25, 2016, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Aurora Scientific Day provides a forum for original research conducted by faculty, fellows, residents, students and other allied health professionals affiliated with Aurora Health Care, a not-for-profit health system comprised of integrated hospitals and clinics across eastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois.

Effect Of Code Status Handout On Resident Physician Comfort During The Admission Process, Krystina Pischke, Jessica Schmid, Jessica J.F. Kram, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Discussing code status can be a difficult part of the admission process, especially for residents. There have been various research studies looking at interventions to improve end-of-life discussions. However, these studies have focused on well-acquainted physicians and patients. With increasing use of hospitalists for inpatient care, there is increased need for improving code status discussions at admission.

Purpose: To determine if an easy-to-use handout would improve resident comfort with the code status discussion.

Methods: Following a literature search on how to discuss advance directives and end-of-life care, a code status handout was developed. The handout, written at fifth-grade reading …

Path To Resistance: Risk Factors Associated With Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Kushal Patel, Jessica J.F. Kram, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: An estimated 51,000 health care-associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections occur in the United States annually. More than 13% are secondary to non-carbapenem multidrug-resistant strains, which result in 400 yearly deaths. Traditional risk factors for resistance include ICU stay, mechanical ventilation, previous hospitalization and major comorbidities. As microbes evolve, risk factors also may evolve.

Purpose: To determine if traditional and/or new risk factors for P. aeruginosa resistance are valid and predictive of infection with carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa.

Methods: We retrospectively studied inpatients and outpatients ≥ 18 years old who presented to an Aurora Health Care facility with a positive P. …

Lack Of Cross-Reactivity Allergy Following A Switch From Alirocumab To Evolocumab, Matthew D. Stryker, Michael Kane, Robert Busch

Excerpts in Pharmacy Research Journal

The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene and gain-of-function mutations were first described in 2003. The gain-of-function mutations observed were associated with low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in the 400’s, in addition to premature cardiovascular disease. Subsequent loss-of-function experiments conducted in mice demonstrated marked reductions in plasma cholesterol levels in the absence of PCSK9. Physiologically, PCSK9 serves as a chaperone protein and functions to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor recycling; consequently, less LDL-C is removed from circulation and serum lipid concentrations become elevated. Inhibition of PCSK9 prevents LDL receptor degradation and preserves receptor recycling to the hepatocyte surface; this in …

When It Isn’T Always Lyme: Expanding The Differential Diagnosis For Acute-Onset Polyarthralgia In The West Virginia Eastern Panhandle, Natalie A. Moffett, Rosemarie Lorenzetti

Marshall Journal of Medicine

This case presentation discusses a 36 year-old female animal care worker presenting with an acute-onset polyarthropathy during the summer months in a Lyme endemic region. Though she appeared to be a good candidate for the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis, her screening serology reported negative results and alternative diagnoses were considered. Her subsequent diagnosis with parvovirus B19 acts to remind the general practitioner to have confidence in the accuracy of a negative Lyme screen and, upon negative result, to expand the differential to include less common infections including parvovirus B19. It also highlights the need to remember parvovirus B19 in a …

Spinal Compression Fractures: No Additional Pain Relief With Use Of Back Braces, Kayla A. Berigan, Brandon Baker, Zakaria Ahmad, Aaron Simpson

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A critical appraisal and clinical application of Li M, Law SW, Cheng J, Kee HM, Wong MS. A comparison study on the efficacy of SpinoMed® and soft lumbar orthosis for osteoporotic vertebral fracture. J. Prosthet. Orthot. Int. 2015;39(4):270-276. doi: 10.1177/0309364614528204

What Clinical Interventions Have Been Implemented To Prevent Or Reduce Postpartum Hypertension Readmissions? A Clin-Iq, Sara O'Meara, Molly Lepic

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

A literature review was conducted to determine what clinical interventions have been studied and implemented to prevent and/or reduce postpartum hypertension readmissions. Appropriate verbal and printed educational materials should be given to the patient prior to discharge with use of the “teach back” method. Patients and health care providers within the multidisciplinary team should be educated on the warning signs and symptoms of worsening hypertensive disease and when to appropriately involve the obstetrician. The use of text messaging may be useful in preventing hospital readmissions by increasing patient follow-up and compliance and appropriately managing patients in the postpartum period. Treating …

Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone) Supplementation And Its Benefits In Cardiovascular Disease, Osteoporosis, And Cancer, Grant S. Buchanan, Md, Thomas Melvin, Brandon Merritt, Charles Bishop, Md, Franklin D. Shuler, Md, Phd

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Vitamin K is known to play an essential role in the coagulation cascade; however, a growing body of research has found that a subtype of this vitamin, vitamin K₂ (menaquinone) may have a beneficial effect in osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. This purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of recent literature regarding menaquinone and its role in human health. This review discusses the physiology of menaquinone, its clinical benefits in cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancer, and how it may interact with certain medications. The authors conclude that menaquinone supplementation has been shown to improve carboxylation …

Restriction Therapy In Acute Heart Failure Is Not Shown To Be Effective, Amrit K. Basi, Colleen W. Harkreader, Nicholus H. Yee M.D., Shadia A. Yeihey M.D., Suraiya K. Azom M.D.

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A critical appraisal and clinical application of Travers B, O’Loughlin C, Murphy NF, et al. Fluid restriction in the management of decompensated heart failure: no impact on time to clinical stability. J Card Fail. 2007;13(2):128-132. doi: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2006.10.012

Carotid Ultrasound Is Not Helpful In Simple Syncope, Nicholus Yee M.D., Shilin Patel M.D., Raymond Gong

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A critical appraisal and clinical application of Scott JW, Schwartz AL, Gates JD, Gerhard-Herman M, Havens JM. Choosing wisely for syncope: low-value carotid ultrasound use. J Am Heart Assoc. 2014 Aug 13;3(4). pii: e001063. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.114.001063

A Comparison Of Various Monoclonal Antibodies To The Previous Standard Of Care Chemotherapy In The Treatment Of Advanced-Stage Melanoma, Kevin Verde, Lauren Johnson, Alex Clancy, Ashley Goldberg, Aleia Monden, Priya Philip

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

In the year 2015, it is estimated that the number of new cases of invasive melanoma will be 42,670 in males and 31,200 in females.¹ Melanoma is treatable with early diagnosis; however, more advanced disease has devastating outcomes. For the past decade, two chemotherapy agents, dacarbazine and temozolomide, have been the treatment of choice for advanced stage III or IV melanoma requiring systemic treatment. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy has been used but with serious side effects. More recently, the focus has shifted to monoclonal antibodies and enzyme inhibitors as the main systemic treatment for advanced cutaneous melanoma. This literature review …

Aligning Asthma Education Across The Continuum Of Physician Education: Impact On Clinical Metrics, Lisa Sullivan Vedder, Deborah Simpson, Jacob L. Bidwell, John R. Brill, Theresa Frederick

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: All trainees entering family medicine residency training programs after June 1, 2012, must complete the same American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements as practicing physicians. These shared requirements provide an opportunity to align physician education initiatives across the continuum focused around a clinical care topic to improve health care system metrics.

Purpose: To assess the initial effectiveness of an ABFM Asthma Part IV approved MOC module, aligned to meet residency and medical student program accreditation requirements, on health care system metrics.

Methods: An ABFM Asthma Part IV MOC module was implemented for family medicine …

Disease-Management In Family Medicine Clinics Through The Addition Of A Health Coach: A Pilot Study, Crystal Y. Cichon, Jessica J.F. Kram, Tiffany A. Mullen, Pamela Voelkers, Kristin J. Magliocco, Kiley A. Bernhard, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: In the United States, more than 80% of health care spending is focused on the management of chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Controlling these chronic diseases can lead to better health outcomes and decrease the number of preventable deaths. Patient self-management has shown to improve clinical outcomes. In a primary care setting, a multidisciplinary approach can more effectively educate patients on improving their health.

Purpose: To assess the impact of a health coach in a primary care setting as it relates to clinical outcomes.

Methods: Patients from two Aurora family medicine clinics were referred to a …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of Implementation Of Unified Workflow In Improvement Of Medication Reconciliation For Aurora St. Luke’S Family Medicine Residency Outpatients, Katherine Meyers, Jessica Konarske, Jessica J.F. Kram, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Medication errors are the most common errors occurring in hospitals. Preventable adverse drug events are linked with 1 in 5 injuries or deaths; 23% of medication errors in primary care occur due to inaccuracies in the medication list. Quality improvement projects designed to improve accuracy of outpatient medication reconciliations may decrease the number of medication errors and increase patient safety by preventing adverse drug events.

Purpose: To determine whether a unified workflow for medication reconciliation improves the accuracy of ambulatory, electronic medical record (EMR)-based patient medication records.

Methods: Retrospective study of random sample of patients from Aurora Family Medicine …

Extrapolating Evidence About Preventing Recurrent Cellulitis For An Individual Patient Concern, Christina L. Benkert D.O., Amrit K. Basi, Kristina L. Bahrou M.D., Catherine R. Cherri M.D., Suraiya K. Azom M.D., Nicholus H. Yee M.D.

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A critical appraisal and clinical application of Thomas KS, Crook AM, Nunn AJ, et al. Penicillin to prevent recurrent leg cellulitis, N Engl J Med. 2013, May 2;368(18):1695-1703. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1206300

Physicians And Surgeons--The Expanding Role Of The Physician's Assistant, Joseph S. Beeson

West Virginia Law Review

The shortage of health care professionals in West Virginia today is a matter of grave concern, especially to inhabitants of rural areas where professional medical care is often nonexistent. Statistics are indicative of the problem, but do not reveal the entire picture. For example, in the United States today, there are approximately 171 physicians per 100,000 population. In West Virginia, each 100,000 persons is served by only 111 physicians. This figure alone is cause enough for concern, but the seriousness of the situation is more accurately indicated by the distribution of the physician population. West Virginia is primarily a rural …