Translational Medical Research Commons^™

The Effects Of A Group Visit Program On Outcomes Of Diabetes Care In An Urban Family Practice., Jeffrey A Reitz, Mona Sarfaty, James Diamond, Brooke Salzman

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent chronic health condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Those with diabetes must acquire self-efficacy in the tasks necessary for them to successfully manage their disease. In this study, a controlled pre- and post-design was used to determine the effect of an adult support and education group visit program embedded in an urban academic family medicine practice on weight and the achievement of treatment goals for hemoglobin A1C, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) blood concentration, and blood pressure (BP) several months after it was implemented. Participants in the program were matched to a comparison group based on …

Community-Based Partnerships For Improving Chronic Disease Management, James Plumb, Laura Carson Weinsten, Rickie Brawer, Kevin Scott

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

With the growing burden of chronic disease, the medical and public health communities are re-examining their roles and opportunities for more effective prevention and clinical interventions. The potential to significantly improve chronic disease prevention and have an impact on morbidity and mortality from chronic conditions is enhanced by adopting strategies that incorporate a social ecology perspective, realigning the patient-physician relationship, integrating population health perspectives into the Chronic Care Model, and effectively engaging communities using established principles of community engagement.

Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Career Support Network (Csn): Workforce Programming Through A New Lens, Rickie Brawer, Mph, Phd, James D. Plumb Md, Mph, Stephen Kern, Phd, Otr/L, Faota

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Challenges:

Loss of Earn center as referral source

Multiple IRB submissions

Training/orientation at Philadelphia Prison System for working with pre-release prisoners

Service team organization/scheduling

Coordinating of cohorts at various stages of enrollment

Sepa-Reads: Cardiovascular Health Literacy Coalition, Rickie Brawer, Mph, Phd, James D. Plumb Md, Mph, Rob Simmons Drph,Mph,Ches, Martha Romney Rn,Ms,Jd,Mph, Patricia Yurchick, Rn, Mba, Cphq, Leslie Stearns

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Poster includes:

Health literacy definition

Factors that contribute to health literacy

Extent of the literacy problem

What do we know from a decade of research?

Readmission rates

Evaluation: long and short term outcomes

And much more.

Vaccine-Preventable Diseases And Foreign-Born Populations, Marc Altshuler, Md, Giang Nguyen, Md

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Foreign-born individuals account for over 12% of the U.S. population, according to the most recent census data. Since many vaccine-preventable outbreaks in the U.S. have been correlated with disease importation, Congress has mandated vaccinations for numerous immigrant populations. It is essential for primary care physicians to be knowledgeable on the unique immunization-related needs of foreign-born individuals, to recognize some of the cultural and linguistic challenges that immigrants have accessing healthcare, and remember to use each medical encounter as an opportunity to provide necessary vaccinations.

Obesity And Other Predictors Of Absenteeism In Philadelphia School Children., Elizabeth B Rappaport, Constantine Daskalakis, Jocelyn Andrel

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Limited data indicate that obese children are absent from school more than their normal-weight peers. We analyzed administrative data from a large urban school district to investigate the association of obesity and student sociodemographic characteristics with absenteeism.

METHODS: We analyzed 291,040 records, representing 165,056 unique students (grades 1-12). Obesity status was classified according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention age- and sex-specific percentiles for body mass index (BMI) and analyses were based on negative binomial regression.

RESULTS: Overall rates of overweight and obesity were 17% and 20%, respectively, and the estimated absence rate was 17 absences per 180 …

Obesity And Cancer Screening According To Race And Gender., Heather Bittner Fagan, Richard Wender, Ronald E Myers, Nicholas Petrelli

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

The relationship between obesity and cancer screening varies by screening test, race, and gender. Most studies on cervical cancer screening found a negative association between increasing weight and screening, and this negative association was most consistent in white women. Recent literature on mammography reports no association with weight. However, some studies show a negative association in white, but not black, women. In contrast, obese/overweight men reported higher rates of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. Comparison of prostate cancer screening, mammography, and Pap smears implies a gender difference in the relationship between screening behavior and weight. In colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, the …

Transforming Chronic Care Education: A Longitudal Interprofessional Mentorship Curriculum, Lauren G. Collins, Md, Christine A. Arenson, Md, Christine Jerpbak, Md, Elena Umland, Pharmd, Stephen B. Kern, Phd, Otr/L, Faota, Leigh Ann Hewston, Pt, Med

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Rationale:

Future state of academic medicine demands preparing students for collaborative, team-based practice.

Interprofessional education (IPE) is widely advocated as a key element to promote an effective redesigned healthcare system

Evidence and curricular resources describing effective IPE remain limited

End-Of-Life Care For Hospitalized Patients With Lung Cancer: Utilization Of A Palliative Care Service., Barbara Reville, M.S., Achpn, Marshal N Miller, B.S., Richard W Toner, M.S., Joanne Reifsnyder, Ph.D., Achpn

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: High symptom burden and hospital mortality among patients with lung cancer argues for early palliative care intervention. Patient characteristics and discharge dispositions in hospitalized patients with lung cancer receiving usual care were compared to those referred to a new palliative care service.

METHODS: A retrospective database review of all lung cancer discharges receiving usual care (UC) and palliative care service (PCS) consultation was conducted. Demographics, length of stay, discharge disposition, and mortality were described and compared. Palliative Performance Scale scores were described according to discharge disposition in the PCS group. Disposition of all patients receiving either chemotherapy or surgery …

Obesity And Cancer, Rickie Brawer, Phd, Mph, Nancy Brisbon, Md, James Plumb, Md

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Obesity has become the second leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States, trailing only tobacco use. Weight control, dietary choices, and levels of physical activity are important modifiable determinants of cancer risk. If multi-factorial approaches to prevention and management are not implemented, obesity will likely become the leading modifiable cause of death in the coming years. Physicians have a key role in integrating these approaches into clinical care and advocating for systemic prevention efforts. This article provides: 1) an introduction to the epidemiology and magnitude of childhood and adult obesity; 2) the relationship of overweight/obesity to …

Persistent Nodular Rash In An Elderly Patient, Daniel Dejoseph, Md, James Studdiford, Md, Amber Stonehouse, Md, Beth Careyva, Md

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

A 62yo white male presented to same day clinic with an erythematous nodular rash. He was initially treated with antibiotics for a furunculosis, but the rash worsened and he was eventually found to have secondary syphilis. He is an MSM who had a prior history of syphilis, putting him at high risk for STI’s and HIV, and should have been undergoing annual screening. He was found to be HIV positive. The rates of STI’s and HIV are increasing in older Americans. Despite this, physicians do not regularly screen this population for unsafe sexual behavior. This case emphasizes the importance of …

The Physician's Response To Climate Change., Mona Sarfaty, Safiya Abouzaid

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Climate change will have an effect on the health and well-being of the populations cared for by practicing physicians. The anticipated medical effects include heat- and cold-related deaths, cardiovascular illnesses, injuries and mental harms from extreme weather events, respiratory illnesses caused by poor air quality, infectious diseases that emanate from contaminated food, water, or spread of disease vectors, the injuries caused by natural disasters, and the mental harm associated with social disruption. Within several years, such medical problems are likely to reach the doorsteps of many physicians. In the face of this reality, physicians should assume their traditional roles as …

Intracerebral Hemorrhage For The Palliative Care Provider: What You Need To Know., B Brent Simmons, Susan M Parks

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) makes up 10%-30% of all strokes. Palliative care providers are often asked to get involved with ICH cases to aid with development of short-term and long-term goals. Prognosis can be calculated using the ICH score (based on Glasgow Coma Score score, ICH volume, presence of intraventricular hemorrhage, age, and location of origin) or the Essen score (based on age, NIH Stroke Scale [NIHSS], and level of consciousness). Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status is important to discuss with families. Expert consensus states DNR is appropriate if the patient has two of the following: severe stroke, life-threatening brain damage, or significant …

Angioedema After Local Trauma In A Patient On Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Therapy, B. B. Simmons, Michelle A. Folsom, L.Eslie A. Bryden, James Studdiford

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Angioedema is a side effect that is often associated with use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor medications. These medications result in increased levels of circulating bradykinins. This case illustrates the result of a local traumatic event to the upper lip, presumably causing marked bradykinin release in a patient who was taking an ACE-inhibitor. The local release of bradykinin from trauma, in addition to decreased bradykinin catabolism secondary to ACE-inhibitor therapy resulted in angioedema predominantly in the upper lip. The angioedema resolved with discontinuation of the ACE-inhibitor.

Increasing Appropriateness Of Hospital Admissions In The Emilia-Romagna Region Of Italy., Daniel Louis, Francesco Taroni, Rita Melotti, Carol Rabinowitz, Maria Vizioli, Monica Fiorini, Joseph Gonnella

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: The Emilia-Romagna region of Italy has reduced the number of available hospital beds and introduced financial incentives to curb hospital use. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of these policies on changes over time in the number of acute hospital admissions classified in diagnosis related groups (DRGs) that could be treated safely and effectively in alternative, less costly settings.

METHODS: The assessment of the appropriate site of care was based on analysis of hospital discharge data for all hospitals for the selected diagnosis related groups in the Emilia-Romagna region for 2001 to 2005. The necessity …

The Management Of Keloids: Hands-On Versus Hands-Off., James Studdiford, Amber Stonehouse, Marc Altshuler, Elliot Rinzler

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Keloids are benign fibrous growths that appear in scar tissue. The lesions can be severely disfiguring and early recognition of genetic lesions is crucial. This case report outlines and reviews the important management strategies for these lesions and the requirement for extensive counseling for the patient and their family. Many potential medical and surgical interventions exist. Unfortunately, these lesions tend to recur and overall outcomes remain poor. Given patient susceptibility to disfiguring results, surgical intervention should be used with extreme caution.

An Update On The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Early Lyme Disease: "Focusing On The Bull's Eye, You May Miss The Mark", Amber Stonehouse, James S. Studdiford, C. Amber Henry

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

To confidently diagnose and treat Lyme disease, the clinician must first understand the natural history of this disease, especially its protean early manifestations. Emergency physicians, primary care physicians, and other providers need to be vigilant in terms of the timely recognition of erythema migrans (EM), the unique marker of early localized stage 1 disease. The classic EM, originally described as a slowly expanding bull's eye lesion, is now recognized to be present in only the minority of cases (9%); the dominant morphologic lesion of EM is now recognized to be the diffusely homogenous red plaque or patch, which occurs in …

Allergic Contact Dermatitis From Tea Tree Oil

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

The sudden appearance of a pruritic confluent erythematous rash on the anterior neck and upper back prompted a 30-year-old woman to seek medical attention. She had recently started applying 5% tea tree oil to the area to treat chronic, recurrent tinea versicolor. An herbal specialist had recommended this therapy.

Predoctoral Directors: Who Are They And What Do They Do In These Trying Times?, John Gazewood, Katherine Margo, Christine Jerpbak, Sandra Burge, Thea Ballinger, Richard Usatine

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Family medicine faces declining student interest and funding. Predoctoral directors will help lead efforts to overcome these challenges. Academic success will be important for predoctoral directors to be effective leaders in academic health centers. We therefore sought to describe predoctoral directors and factors associated with their academic success.

METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional survey of all family medicine predoctoral directors at US allopathic medical schools using a Web-based questionnaire. The response rate was 82%. We measured academic success using a variable combining rank and tenure status. We used bivariate analysis and multiple linear regression …

Development Of A Reliable And Construct Valid Measure Of Nutritional Literacy In Adults, James J. Diamond

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

NOTE: The Nutritional Literacy Scale can be found here: http://jdc.jefferson.edu/nls/1/

Background: Research into the relation of literacy to health status has not included measures of nutritional literacy. This may be a critical area in the study of chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, which can both relate to obesity and nutrition. This paper details the development and psychometric characteristics of the Nutritional Literacy Scale (NLS), offered as a measure of adults' ability to comprehend nutritional information.

Methods: In order to assess the internal consistency and construct validity of the NLS, demographic data, readability statistics, NLS scores and …

Toward A Biopsychosocial Understanding Of The Patient-Physician Relationship: An Emerging Dialogue, Herbert M. Adler

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Complexity theory has been used to view the patient-physician relationship as constituted by complex responsive processes of relating. It describes an emergent, psychosocial relational process through which patients and physicians continually and reciprocally influence each other's behavior and experience. As psychosocial responses are necessarily biopsychosocial responses, patients and physicians must likewise be influencing each other's psychobiology. This mutual influence may be subjectively experienced as empathy, and may be skillfully employed by the clinician to directly improve the patient's psychobiology.

Family Medicine Predoctoral Education: 30-Something, Howard K. Rabinowitz

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

From the introduction:

The specialty of family medicine is now more than 30 years old. Fitting for its stage of life, family medicine predoctoral education has achieved appropriate maturity and parity with other core clinical departments and has assumed its role and responsibility in medical education within the academic health center. Of course, this wasn’t always true.

The Interplay Of Obesity And Asthma, James Plumb, Rickie Brawer, Nancy Brisbon

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

The relationships, interactions, and association between obesity and asthma are complex, and are active sources of hypotheses and research. An association between obesity and asthma has been reported in many studies, although considerable debate about the existence of the association and its meaning still exists. Potential associative relationships may result from genetics, immune system modifications, and mechanical mechanisms. The rising prevalence of asthma and obesity in children and adults, and the significant morbidity from both, makes it imperative that clinicians recognize the importance of weight management in patients with and without asthma.

Photo Quiz - Pruritic Rash After Ocean Swim, James Studdiford

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

We Must Test The Blood For Antigens, Fred W. Markham Jr.

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Bullous Eruption On The Posterior Thigh, James Studdiford, Amber Stonehouse

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Beyond Pain Management: A Primer For Providing Quality End-Of-Life Care, Linda P. Tomko, Terri L. Maxwell

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Providing excellent care for a dying patient is something all patients deserve. Hospices and palliative care centers exist in many areas to aid primary care physicians and patients through this difficult time. It is important to remember that most patients want to prepare for death, if at all possible. Everyone does this in his or her own way, but oftentimes concern about pain and symptom management interfere with this very involved and valuable process. Being prepared to treat these symptoms as well as addressing your patient's emotional needs is imperative. Referral to a hospice, if possible, will only strengthen the …

Cigarette Sources For Teens By Grade: Implications For Prevention And Intervention, Netra M. Thakur, Michael P. Rosenthal, Priscilla Latta, Jamie L. Robinson, James Diamond

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Objective: To identify at-risk teen populations and their sources of cigarettes, in order to help target future efforts in prevention of teen smoking. Methods: Analysis of smoking behavior questions for students in grades 6, 7, 9 and 12 from the 1997 Pennsylvania Biennial Youth Risk Survey. Results: Current smoking prevalence was 20.9% overall. The number of ninth grade smokers was almost five times higher than the number of sixth grade smokers (30.6% vs. 6.6%). Seventy-three percent of the teens identified friends as a source of tobacco. Stores became the most common source for twelfth graders only. Conclusion: Teenage smoking remains …