Digital Commons Network^™

Neovascular Pruning By Ido1 Inhibitors Can Potentiate Immunogenic Cytotoxicity Of Ischemia-Targeted Agents To Synergistically Enhance Anti-Pd-1 Responsiveness, Shih-Chun Shen, Souvik Dey, James B. Duhadaway, Erika Sutanto-Ward, Maurice T. Hampton, Serguei V. Kozlov, George C. Prendergast, Alexander J. Muller

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Strategies for deploying indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1)-targeted therapies for use against cancer have focused on IDO1's role in promoting peripheral immune tolerance that shields tumors from effector T cells. However, preclinical investigation of both primary and metastatic tumor development in the lungs has uncovered a previously unappreciated role for IDO1 in directing a counterregulatory response to interferon (IFN)-γ that realigns the local inflammatory environment to promote tumor neovascularization. Understanding how to therapeutically leverage the ability of IDO1 inhibitors to subvert inflammatory neovascularization within the tumor microenvironment has potential ramifications for future clinical development of these compounds.

METHODS: Pulmonary metastases …

Decompression With Intradural Dissection For The Chiari Malformation Type I: Toward Eliminating Wound Complications, Anna Lin, Lindsey Asti, Marissa Carroll, Jeffrey Campbell, Jospeh Piatt

Department of Neuroscience Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: There is continuing conversation about surgical technique in the management of the Chiari malformation. Popular options include osseous decompression alone, decompression with dural splitting, and decompression with intradural dissection (DID) and duraplasty. Wound complications after intradural dissection are a persistent problem. The current study of an institutional series examines wound complication rates after intradural dissection without dural closure.

METHODS: A retrospective single-institution chart review was performed for patients < 21 years with Chari malformation type I who underwent DID without dural closure and had at least 6 months of follow-up. Bone removal corresponded to the area of attachment of the rectus capitis posterior minor muscles together with laminectomy of the atlas. The trapezius and semispinalis capitis muscles were retracted but were not separated from the occiput.

RESULTS: A total of 76 patients were treated from May 2010 through May 2024. Thirty-eight (50.0%) patients had syringomyelia. The median age at surgery was 9 years (interquartile range [IQR] 4-13), …

Integrating Radiogenomics And Machine Learning In Musculoskeletal Oncology Care, Rahul Kumar, Kyle Sporn, Akshay Khanna, Phani Paladugu, Chirag Gowda, Alex Ngo, Ram Jagadeesan, Nasif Zaman, Alireza Tavakkoli

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Musculoskeletal tumors present a diagnostic challenge due to their rarity, histological diversity, and overlapping imaging features. Accurate characterization is essential for effective treatment planning and prognosis, yet current diagnostic workflows rely heavily on invasive biopsy and subjective radiologic interpretation. This review explores the evolving role of radiogenomics and machine learning in improving diagnostic accuracy for bone and soft tissue tumors. We examine integrating quantitative imaging features from MRI, CT, and PET with genomic and transcriptomic data to enable non-invasive tumor profiling. AI-powered platforms employing convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and radiomic texture analysis show promising results in tumor grading, subtype differentiation …

Artificial Intelligence Use In Medical Education: Best Practices And Future Directions, Rasheed A. M. Thompson, Yash B. Shah, Francisco Aguirre, Courtney Stewart, Costas D. Lallas, Mihir S. Shah

Department of Urology Faculty Papers

PURPOSEOF REVIEW: This review examines the various ways artificial intelligence (AI) has been utilized in medical education (MedEd)and presents ideas that will ethically and effectively leverage AI in enhancing the learning experience of medical trainees.

RECENT FINDINGS: AI has improved accessibility to learning material in a manner that engages the wider population. It has utility as a reference tool and can assist academic writing by generating outlines, summaries and identifying relevant reference articles. As AI is increasingly integrated into MedEd and practice, its regulation should become a priority to prevent drawbacks to the education of trainees. By involving physicians in …

Port Site Metastasis After Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: Diagnosis Via Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (Psma)-Targeted 18f-Dcfpyl Pet/Ct, Joon Yau Leong, Maria D'Amico, Courtney Capella, Leonard Gomella, Joseph Izes

Department of Urology Faculty Papers

We present a case of port site metastasis (PSM) that was identified in an 82-year-old man with an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to 3.9 ng/mL, concerning for biochemical recurrence after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy, adjuvant radiation, and six months of androgen deprivation therapy with an undetectable PSA post-treatment over 10 years ago. A 2.1 cm solitary tracer avid nodule on the right lateral abdominal wall with no other evidence of recurrence or metastatic disease was found on prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)–targeted ¹⁸F-DCFPyL PET/CT scan. The patient underwent local excision of this metastatic lesion, and final pathology revealed metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Cardiac Amyloid, The Great Imitator, Nolan R. Fox, Nicholas J. Fox, Emily Newman, Brian Osler, Eugene Storozynsky

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Although endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is the criterion standard for diagnosis of infiltrative cardiac disease, cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) or cardiac amyloid can be diagnosed noninvasively through both clinical suspicion and advanced imaging techniques of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) or cardiac positron emission tomography (PET).

CASE SUMMARY: A 79-year-old man with mediastinal sarcoidosis presented with new chest pain and a right bundle branch block, raising concern for CS. CMR and cardiac PET also supported the diagnosis of CS, but EMB ultimately revealed transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. The patient was started on tafamidis and showed improvement at 1-year follow-up.

DISCUSSION: This case …

Spatiotemporal Calcium Signaling Patterns Underlying Opposing Effects Of Histamine And Tas2r Agonists In Airway Smooth Muscle, Stanley Conaway, Joshua Richard, Deepak A. Deshpande

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

Intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) release via phospholipase C (PLC) following G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation is typically linked to membrane depolarization and airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction. However, recent findings show that bitter taste receptor agonists, such as chloroquine (CQ), induce a paradoxical and potent relaxation response despite activating the Ca²⁺ signaling pathway. This relaxation has been hypothesized to be driven by a distinct compartmentalization of calcium ions toward the cellular periphery, subsequently leading to membrane hyperpolarization, in contrast to the contractile effects of histamine. In this study, we further investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of Ca²⁺ signaling in …

A Novel Arthroscopic-Assisted Fibular-Based Dual Reconstruction With Popliteus Repair Technique For Posterolateral Corner Injury: A Cadaveric And Functional Anatomic Study, S. Ali Ghasemi, Ahmad Naja, Benjamin C. Murray, Arthur Bartolozzi, Gene Shaffer, James Raphael

Einstein Health Papers

The structures of the posterolateral corner (PLC) work together as a single unit to provide both static and dynamic functions to the knee. Multiple techniques have been described for PLC reconstruction, however most of these techniques re-establish the static function of the PLC without addressing dynamic components. The popliteus muscle serves an important role in providing dynamic stability to the PLC, but this function is often not restored in reconstruction techniques. We describe a novel technique for PLC reconstruction that includes popliteus repair, and review the functional anatomy and biomechanics of the PLC. We also confirm the dynamic stabilizing role …

The Risk Of Interstitial Lung Disease In Psoriatic Arthritis Versus Psoriasis: A Retrospective Nationwide Database Analysis (2014-24), Andrew Engel, Christopher Xie, Ross Summer, Giorgos Loizidis

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: Psoriasis (PsO) is a systemic autoimmune disease primarily characterized by erythematous plaques on the skin. While extra-dermal manifestations like psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are well recognized, data linking PsO to interstitial lung disease (ILD) remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate whether patients with PsA have a higher risk of developing ILD compared with patients with PsO.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the TriNetX US database (2014-24) was performed. Adult patients with PsO or PsA treated with systemic immunosuppressive medications were included, excluding those with other autoimmune diseases. ILD risk in PsO and PsA cohorts was compared with a reference …

Revisiting Traumatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage In The Context Of Enrich: Illustrative Cases, Erik Werheim, Brendan Mcshane, Zachary Sokol, Theodore Hannah, Robert Ziechmann, Phillip Villaneuva

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (tICH) is a common form of intracranial hemorrhage after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The role of surgical intervention in tICH remains a subject of discussion. Recent trials, such as Early Minimally Invasive Removal of Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ENRICH), have shown the efficacy of minimally invasive clot evacuation for non-tICH for hemorrhages with volumes of 30-80 mL. The generalizability of ENRICH to tICH remains unclear; however, it demonstrates the need for rigorous studies evaluating the efficacy of surgical intervention in tICH versus medical management.

OBSERVATIONS: Here the authors present 2 cases of tICH, both in the dominant temporal …

Cone Beam Ct Dose Optimisation: A Review And Expert Consensus By The 2022 Estro Physics Workshop Igrt Working Group, Lydia J. Wilson, Andria Hadjipanteli, Daniella E. Østergaard, Evelien Bogaert, Kirstie F. Brown, Rianne Dejong, James Earley, Magali Edouard, Marina Khan, Josh Lindsay, Jessica Van Der Himst, George X. Ding, Tim Wood, Marianne C. Aznar, Nuria Jornet, Georgios Ntentas

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

Image guided radiotherapy (IGRT) using kilovoltage cone-beam CT (CBCT) has become an indispensable tool to ensure the geometric accuracy of radiotherapy treatment delivery. Although significant technical advances have been made in reducing imaging dose, the repeated imaging procedures can still accumulate significant dose to healthy tissues. Despite the widespread use, we still lack clear guidance for optimisation and widely accepted frameworks for evaluating the quality and suitability of CBCT imaging protocols. To address this gap, the 2022 European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) Physics Workshop focused on image-quality and imaging-dose optimisation for IGRT using CBCT. This publication represents a …

A Smart Pill Bottle And Text Messaging Intervention For Promoting Medication Adherence In Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Pilot Study Of Txt4 Tki, Kuang-Yi Wen, Neil Palmisiano, Rita Smith, Rachel Slamon, Gina Keiffer, Christian Fidler, Margaret Kasner, Lindsay Wilde, Md

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) often face challenges with adherence, despite the efficacy of the treatment. Theory-guided and evidence-informed interventions addressing psychosocial and adherence barriers are critical for promoting adherence. Using a mixed-method approach, the pilot study developed and evaluated the feasibility and potential impact of an intervention "txt4TKI," to support medication and symptom management among CML patients undergoing TKI therapy.

METHODS: Guided by the Necessity and Concerns framework, the study comprised two phases: Phase 1 involved qualitative patient needs assessment interviews informing intervention design. Phase 2 was a single-arm pilot study …

Cenobamate Use In Pregnancy: A Case Report, Tiara Paul, Maromi Nei

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

A Semiclassical Model Of The Immediate Temperature Distribution Surrounding The Track Of Heavy Ions With Therapeutic Energies, Martin Rädler, Niayesh Afshordi, Reza Taleei, Katia Parodi, Ramin Abolfath, Julie Lascaud

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

Objective. Spikes of high temperature and pressure are created in the vicinity of heavy ions, especially at the Bragg peak. The expected subsequent thermoacoustic effects are however not well understood. In particular, the distribution of the densely packed primary interactions has not been considered in molecular dynamics (MDs) simulations or shock wave solutions. In this work, we derive a dedicated model to describe the primary interactions and their radial distribution, applicable to the modeling of acoustic and thermodynamic effects at the nanoscale. Approach. Starting from first principles, we assemble a semiclassical model of the energy loss of the primary heavy …

The Effect Of Celecoxib And Mumab911 On Strain Adaptive Bone Remodeling And Fracture Repair In Female Mice: Implications For Rapidly Progressive Osteoarthritis, Nicholas Ruggiero, Alexandra Ciuciu, Ashkan Sedigh, Ibtesam Rajpar, David Shelton, Patrice Belanger, Kathryn Gropp, John A. Collins, Theresa A. Freeman, Ryan E. Tomlinson

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Debilitating pain is the primary clinical feature of osteoarthritis (OA) that drives the enormous healthcare costs. Osteoarthritis-related pain is often treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which effectively relieve pain and inflammation by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. Antibodies directed against nerve growth factor (NGF) were tested some time ago as an alternative potential analgesic for musculoskeletal pain, including osteoarthritis-related pain. Unfortunately, clinical development of these drugs was put on hold due to adverse outcomes - primarily rapidly progressive osteoarthritis. Both prostaglandin synthesis and NGF have been implicated as critical mediators of strain adaptive bone remodeling, which may play a role …

Decoding Resistance To Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Plasma Proteomics And Therapeutic Implications, Michal Harel, Nili Dahan, Coren Lahav, Eyal Jacob, Yehonatan Elon, Igor Puzanov, Ronan J. Kelly, Yuval Shaked, Raya Leibowitz, David P. Carbone, David R. Gandara, Adam P. Dicker

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown substantial benefit for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, resistance to ICIs remains a major clinical challenge. Here, we perform a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of plasma proteomic profiles to explore the underlying biology of treatment resistance in NSCLC.

METHODS: The analysis was performed on 388 "resistance-associated proteins" (RAPs) that were previously described as pretreatment plasma proteomic predictors within the PROphet computational model designed to predict ICI clinical benefit in NSCLC. Putative tissue origins of the RAPs were explored using publicly available datasets. Enrichment analyses were performed to investigate RAP-related biological …

M6a Modification Is Incorporated Into Bacterial Mrna Without Specific Functional Benefit, Klara Szydlo, Leonardo Santos, Thomas W. Christian, Sunita Maharjan, Amir Dorsey, Isao Masuda, Jingxuan Jia, Yuan Wu, Weixin Tang, Ya-Ming Hou, Zoya Ignatova

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

N 6-Methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant modification in eukaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs), has also been found at a low level in bacterial mRNAs. However, enzyme(s) that introduce m6A modification on mRNAs in bacteria remain elusive. In this work, we combine deep-sequencing approaches that identify m6A sites with in vitro biochemical studies to identify putative m6A methyltransferases that would modify Escherichia coli mRNAs. We tested four uncharacterized candidates predicted to encode proteins with putative methyltransferase domains, whose deletion decreased the m6A level. However, in vitro analysis with the purified putative methyltransferases revealed that none of them installs m6A on mRNA. Exposure …

Corradjust Unveils Biologically Relevant Transcriptomic Correlations By Efficiently Eliminating Hidden Confounders, Stepan Nersisyan, Phillipe Loher, Isidore Rigoutsos

Computational Medicine Center Faculty Papers

Correcting for confounding variables is often overlooked when computing RNA-RNA correlations, even though it can profoundly affect results. We introduce CorrAdjust, a method for identifying and correcting such hidden confounders. CorrAdjust selects a subset of principal components to residualize from expression data by maximizing the enrichment of "reference pairs" among highly correlated RNA-RNA pairs. Unlike traditional machine learning metrics, this novel enrichment-based metric is specifically designed to evaluate correlation data and provides valuable RNA-level interpretability. CorrAdjust outperforms current state-of-the-art methods when evaluated on 25 063 human RNA-seq datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas, the Genotype-Tissue Expression project, and the Geuvadis …

The Effect Of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs On Union Rates Following Operative Repair Of Distal Radius Fractures, Michael Chang, Alexis Kasper, Juliet Chung, Justin Wright, Margaret Pennington, Asif M. Ilyas

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Purpose

Methods

Identification Of Surrogate Biomarkers For Mucopolysaccharidosis Type Iva, Yasuhiko Ago, Shaukat Khan, Kimberly Klipner, Allison Bradford, Shunji Tomatsu

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA, Morquio A syndrome) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by skeletal dysplasia due to deficient N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase activity, resulting in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) accumulation. Identifying accurate biomarkers reflecting clinical severity and therapeutic response remains challenging. This study evaluated potential surrogate biomarkers, including N-terminal pro-C-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proCNP), collagen types I and II, mono-sulfated keratan sulfate (KS), di-sulfated KS, and chondroitin-6-sulfate (C6S), in blood and urine samples from 60 patients ranging from 1 to 62 years of age. NT-proCNP levels were significantly elevated in patients of all ages and negatively correlated with growth impairment, especially after 8 …

Imaging Hallmarks Of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension And Insights Into Pathogenesis, Albalooshy Basimah, Scott Faro, Hsiangkuo Yuan, Kiran Talekar, Prabath Mondel, Enchao Qiu, Joga Chaganti

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

Idiopathic Intracranial hypertension (IIH), also referred to as pseudotumor cerebri, is a term used to describe increased intracranial pressure in the absence of a known identifiable secondary cause. Despite advancements of neuroimaging techniques, imaging of the pathological underpinnings in the diagnosis of IIH has been limited. Although the causation of IIH has been ascribed to increased Cerebrospinal Fluid production and disordered drainage through the dural sinuses, new evidence shows that the glymphatic system which is an alternate pathway of drainage is likely to play a pivotal role. In this review, we address the pathophysiological underpinnings in the causation of IIH …

Methylprednisolone After Shoulder Arthroplasty Leads To Decreased Opioid Prescriptions Without An Increased Risk Of Infection: A Matched Cohort Analysis, Tej Joshi, Tuckerman Jones, Akhil Katakam, Daniella Ogilvie, Amanda Azer, Sefy Paulose, Balazs Galdi

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

Background

Methods

Evaluation Of Knowledge, Attitudes And Vaccine Hesitancy Towards Mmr Vaccine Among Parents In The United Arab Emirates, Kamel A. Samara, Hiba Jawdat Barqawi, Deema M. Alhayali, Samah Mohamed Kannas, Rim M. Elmorsy, Eman Abu-Gharbieh

Abington Jefferson Health Papers

BACKGROUND: The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective, but vaccine hesitancy (VH) is a key barrier to achieving herd immunity. This study aims to assess the general attitudes and knowledge of UAE parents regarding measles and the MMR vaccine while identifying determinants of VH.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was done from 15th April 2024 and 5th June 2024. This study recruited 462 parents residing in the UAE using convenience sampling. Recruitment occurred through various social media platforms including WhatsApp, X, and Instagram, as well as in public by approaching parents in parks and malls. Information collected included …

Towards Universal Chemosensory Testing: Needs, Barriers, And Opportunities, Steven D. Munger, Kai Zhao, Linda A. Barlow, Duncan Boak, Katie Boateng, Susan E. Coldwell, Pamela Dalton, Richard L. Doty, Jennifer E. Douglas, Valerie Duffy, Frank A. Franklin, John E. Hayes, Howard J. Hoffman, Patrice Hubert, Paule V. Joseph, Jeb M. Justice, Joshua M. Levy, Julie A. Mennella, Marianna Obrist, M. Yanina Pepino, Jayant M. Pinto, Edmund A. Pribitkin, Christopher T. Simons, Mark W. Albers, Valentina Parma

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

Millions of people in the United States experience a reduced or distorted ability to smell or taste. Chemosensory disorders such as anosmia (the inability to smell), parosmia (distorted smell), or dysgeusia (altered taste) have major impacts on health and quality of life including difficulty sensing dangers such as fire or spoilage, a diminished palatability of food and drink that can negatively influence diet and nutrition, feelings of social isolation, and an increased incidence of frailty, anxiety, and depression. Smell or taste dysfunction can also be symptoms of other health issues, including sinonasal disease, cancer, or neurodegenerative disease. Aging adults are …

Surrogate Trust In The Intensive Care Unit: What Can We Do Better?, Abdul W. Kazi, Phoebe Chun, David Oxman, Erika J. Yoo

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous investigation into patients' trust in medical providers is largely limited to the outpatient setting, where increased trust is associated with improved adherence, satisfaction, and self-reported quality of life. Contrastingly, in the intensive care unit (ICU), patients are frequently incapacitated, and it is surrogates that engage with clinicians for decision making. This pilot study aims to measure and compare surrogate trust in the healthcare system and ICU physicians.

METHODS: We measured surrogate trust in both the healthcare system and providers by administering two domain-specific trust-measuring surveys (the Healthcare System Distrust Scale and a modified Trust in Physicians Scale) to …

Sociodemographic And Psychosocial Characteristics Of E-Cigarette Ever-Use: U.S. Hints 6 Survey, Lilianna Phan, Kuang-Yi Wen, Hee Jun Kim, Julie A. Barta, Hee-Soon Juon

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Objective

Methods

Results

Tacrolimus Dosing In Liver Transplant Recipients Using Phenotypic Personalized Medicine: A Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial, Jeffrey Khong, Megan Lee, Curtis Warren, Un Kim, Sergio Duarte, Kenneth Andreoni, Sunaina Shrestha, Mark Johnson, Narendra Battula, Danielle Mckimmy, Thiago Beduschi, Ji-Hyun Lee, Derek Li, Chih-Ming Ho, Ali Zarrinpar

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Tacrolimus is the most commonly used immunosuppression drug after solid organ transplantation; however, its dosing is challenging due to substantial inter-individual variability, often resulting in blood levels that deviate from the target therapeutic range. We explored whether a dynamically customized, phenotypic-outcome-guided drug dosing method could improve maintenance of drug trough levels within pre-determined target ranges, focusing on tacrolimus immediately after liver transplantation. This single-center, partially blinded, completed clinical trial involved 62 adults undergoing liver transplantation, block randomized into parallel groups: standard-of-care (SOC) clinician-determined or Phenotypic Personalized Medicine (PPM)-guided tacrolimus dosing. The primary outcome was percentage of post-transplant days with large …

Standardizing Icu-To-Ward Transitions: Implementing Icu-Pause In The Process Of Medical Intensive Care Unit Downgrade, Edwin Perez, Md, Benjamin Tasevac, Md, Timothy J. Kuchera, Md, Erika J. Yoo, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

• The ICU-to-ward transition is a high-risk process in which unstandardized communication can increase the risk for adverse events.
• Variability exists in documentation content, quality, and even authorship.
• Aims:
  • Institute the standardized ICU-PAUSE framework for ICU downgrades
  • Reassign documentation responsibility to the sending rather than receiving team
  • Evaluate the impact of these interventions on provider satisfaction & understanding of patient care

Interpreting Difficult Conversations In The Virtual World - Interpreter’S Perspective, Joyce Zhang, Bs, Kaitlyn Williams, Ms, Kathleen Mechler, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background

• Medical Interpreters are essential in language discordant patient-family-team interactions
  • Facilitate clear communication
  • Aid in understanding diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options
• Prior studies highlight range in interpreter comfort with serious illness conversations (SIC) though limited to in-person interpreter experience
• Rise of quick-access virtual interpreter services across the nation in many healthcare setting

Curricular Impact: Training Dpt Students To Look Upstream, Rebecca Operacz, Pt, Dpt, Edd

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background and Problem

• Healthcare literature highlights extensive health inequities and continued mistrust of the healthcare system among historically marginalized communities.
• Accrediting bodies advocate for inclusion of SSDH in training to prepare practitioners to address health inequities.
• Limited guidance exists regarding implementation of SSDH content or expectations for student clinicians.
• Effectiveness of education is typically measured by metrics with little connection to patients and populations (GPA, graduation rates, licensing exams).