Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Bilateral Eagle Syndrome: A Surprising Cause Of Neck Pain, Kailyn M. Mutsch, Alla Zamulko

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

We report the case of a 45-year-old female who presented with chronic neck pain primarily left sided, globus sensation, and dysphagia for several years. Bilateral elongated styloid processes were identified on CT scan completed prior to the visit. Clinical and radiographic features were consistent with bilateral Eagle syndrome. Eagle syndrome can manifest as a constellation of symptoms characterized by throat and neck pain aggravated by rotation of the head, globus sensation of the throat, dysphagia, headache, tinnitus, syncope, or transient ischemic attacks in some cases. The objective of this case report was to discuss the features of Eagle syndrome and …

Inter-Institutional Analysis Of Skin Of Color Representation In Dermatological Lecture Content At Md And Do Medical Schools, Oluwafunke Oluwatosin Ogunremi, Blake Fredericksen, John Komas, Sana Ismail, Siri Knutsen-Larson Md, Valeriy Kozmenko Md, Afia Albin Do

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

The purpose of this study was to analyze the lecture materials provided in medical schools through a diversity lens. Skin pathologies manifest distinctively on various shades of skin and physicians must be equipped with the proper knowledge to identify and diagnose these conditions accurately and promptly. For most medical students, images in prominent textbooks and lecture slides are their first encounter with disease presentations. Therefore, it is important to analyze the diversity of skin tones in the content that is being delivered. Specifically, the use of images featuring darker skin tones compared to those depicting lighter skin tones. This study …

Opioid Prescribing Habits Of Emergency Department Providers In Response To An Educational Intervention, Tory A. Makela, Benjamin Aaker

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Opioid prescribing habits of Emergency Department providers in response to an educational intervention

Tory Makela, MS4; Benjamin Aaker, MD

Introduction: Prescription opioid misuse and dependency has been a rising cause for concern in the United States in recent years, and many of these cases began with an initial prescription in the Emergency Department (ED). Prior studies found that patients seen by “high intensity” prescribers, who prescribe greater quantities of opioids than 75% of other ED physicians within the same hospital, are significantly more likely to suffer from long-term opioid use. Other studies have shown that educational interventions on appropriate opioid …

Balancing The Medical, Psychiatric, And Ethical Considerations In The Inpatient Treatment Of Extreme Anorexia Nervosa: A Case Report, Carter A. Schulz, Carolyn A. Kennedy

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Introduction: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric illness characterized by restricted energy intake, intense fear of gaining weight, and a disturbance in body image. A 2011 meta-analysis estimated the mortality rate for anorexia nervosa to be over 5 times that of the general population, with one-fifth of deaths in AN patients being due to suicide. Treating this disease is notoriously difficult, and treatment is complicated by these patients’ characteristically poor insight.

Case summary: Here we present the case of a 37 year old woman who visited the ED with complaints of nausea and weakness; she was admitted due to hypoglycemia, …

A Case Of Siadh After Bowel Preparation For Routine Colonoscopy, Joseph C. Rath, Allison M. Hemmer, Kennedy A. Forest, Kahlen R. Morris, Mary E. Watson

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Electrolyte abnormalities, including hyponatremia, are a known outcome of bowel preparations used for colonoscopy. Severe and symptomatic hyponatremia after bowel preparation is uncommon and occurs due to excessive release of ADH among other contributing factors. Risk factors for developing hyponatremia after bowel preparation include increased age, female gender, kidney disease, heart failure, and use of various medications. We present the case of a 78-year-old female who presented with altered mental status and possible seizures after completing bowel preparation with polyethylene glycol for a colonoscopy. Serum and urine studies were consistent with SIADH. She required fluid restriction, hypertonic saline, and sodium …

A Case Report And Review On The Anesthetic Considerations Of Anterior Mediastinal Masses, Carter A. Schulz, Joshua D. Mohs, Andrew M. Reuter

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Case summary: A 15-year-old female presented with chest pain, dyspnea, and weight loss. A chest X-ray and subsequent CT scan revealed a large anterior mediastinal mass with cervical lymphadenopathy and pericardial effusion. Two biopsies under general anesthesia were performed, with the latter confirming classic Hodgkin lymphoma, nodular sclerosis subtype.

Discussion: This case underscores the significant clinical challenges posed by anterior mediastinal masses due to their proximity to vital cardiovascular and respiratory structures. Physiologic changes during general anesthesia can exacerbate these challenges. Preoperative assessment, including imaging and symptom evaluation, is crucial to guide operative planning. It is key to individualize the …

Interprofessional Teamwork Through Remote Collaboration: A Mixed-Methods Approach, Sabina Kupershmidt, Tracy Cleveland, Mandy J. Williams, Whitney Lucas Molitor

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Introduction: Quality health care relies on effective, patient-centered teamwork. Interprofessional education and learning is one of the foundations of health education. These principles were challenged during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to determine whether a collaborative, online learning activity would be experienced as interprofessional by learners from eight health professions.

Methods: A mixed-methods, cross-sectional cohort study with retrospective analysis of survey data was utilized. Two custom-designed exit surveys to assess team behaviors: one from the learners’, the second from the faculty observers’ perspective. A thematic analysis of two open-ended questions was completed.

Results: Nursing was the largest discipline (45 %) …

Development Of A Conceptual Framework To Identify And Clarify The Concept Of Digital Skills In The Healthcare Sector, Kiriaki Anastasiou, David Smith

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

The purpose of this paper is to define and identify the enduring attributes of digital skills within the healthcare sector, in order to enhance the understanding of the concept. Digital skills, which are at the core of the healthcare agenda, is a challenging concept to define and has been viewed from varying perspectives. Much of the healthcare literature that discusses digital skills relies upon conceptualisations which are borrowed from other scientific fields. In fact, the term of digital skills is in widespread use within the healthcare sector, but there hasn’t been an agreed definition or characteristics that could be used …

Mentorship Program Offers Insight To Students’ Self-Efficacy Interested In Medicine, Brock Rops M.Ed, Chris Vanhove Md, Lauren Vanhove Md, Sanyogita Chandra Md, Ashley Durant Ms4, Shouri Dirks Ms3

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness and outcomes of a new mentorship program pairing medical students with high school students interested in attending medical school. Specifically, the aims of the program were looking at the self-efficacy of the process of application and entrance into medical school of high school students, the familiarity of the specialties/subspecialties in medicine, the confidence of pursuing a career in medicine, and the attitudes regarding the success of the mentorship program.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The researchers used a pre and post survey method; comparing qualitative data from responses to the surveys prior to …

Training Standardized Patients To Provide Effective Feedback: Development, Implementation, And Its Effect On The Efficacy Of Medical Students’ Education., Gavin Nelson, Julie Swenson, Valeriy Kozmenko, Paul Thompson

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Introduction: Standardized patient (SP) encounters are a pivotal part of medical student training and provide essential feedback on student performance. Optimizing the quality of SP feedback allows educators to provide students with focused comments on performance, leading to personal development and better patient care. This project hypothesis states SPs receiving feedback training have greater confidence and offer more effective feedback during student encounters.

Methods: SPs were taught to give quality feedback through a training workshop following a feedback model. Surveys were administered immediately prior to and after training for evaluation. Data gathered included demographics and questions relating to confidence in …

Integrating Standardized Videos To Supplement The Clinical Physical Examination Curriculum In The First Year Of Medical School: An Assessment Of Medical Student And Osce Evaluator Perspective, Sarah E. Lehmann Ms4, Rebecca K. Glanzer Ms4, Brian Wallenburg Npr, Roy Mortinsen M.D.

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Background

Existing literature indicates medical students benefit from the utilization of multimedia tools to supplement traditional didactic curricula of physical examination technique, as well as the standardization of physical examination instruction.^{1 2} Although current literature supports the integration of standardized multimedia tools into the didactic curriculum, it lacks a detailed, reproducible integration model for other institutions to follow. Current literature also fails to assess the effect of multimedia tools on student well-being and largely ignores the educator perspective. This study aims to address the above discrepancies by demonstrating a practical approach to integrating supplemental videos into an existing curriculum …

Nonbacterial Thrombotic Mitral Valve Endocarditis Presenting As Embolic Stroke In A Young Patient With Lupus And Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome, Andrew Mccuen, Muhammad Saad, Erin Jm Terpstra, Adam T. Stys

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

A 37-year-old man on systemic immunosuppression for clinically and biochemically quiescent lupus nephritis, presented with left hemiparesis. Brain MRI was concerning for right sided embolic stroke. Workup was negative for atrial fibrillation, deep venous thrombosis, and heart failure. Transesophageal echocardiogram was remarkable for fixed mitral valve leaflet echodensities. In the absence of bacteremia and systemic signs of infection, and with a history of lupus, small vegetations on atrial and ventricular sides of mitral valve leaflets are suggestive of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis. Nonbacterial thrombotic vegetations are composed of fibrin deposits on otherwise-healthy valves. Mainstay of treatment is therapeutic anticoagulation with clinical …

Provider And Caregiver Perceptions Of Sids/Siuds Prevention In The Black Hills Of South Dakota, Levi Franz, Kenneth Snell

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Introduction: In spite of advances in medical technology, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS) remain common causes of death throughout the US, and especially in South Dakota. This study aims to elucidating the assumptions that physicians and patients have regarding SIDS.

Methods: 300 surveys were distributed to care givers of 0-9 months old children at a local pediatric office. An additional 5 surveys were distributed to physicians at this clinic who were asked to predict the overall outcomes of the caregiver surveys. Data were entered into excel and analyzed with ANOVA.

Results: Caregivers who …

Evaluation Of The Spot™ Photoscreener’S Efficacy For Detecting Amblyopia Risk Factors Compared To Optometrists’ Examinations In 305 South Dakota Children, Jeremy J. Kudrna Md, Eric Habbe Md, Andrea Bordewyk Md, Hadly Carson Eisenbeisz Ms-Iv, Ryan Scarborough Od, Terrence Spencer Md

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Purpose: This study sought to further validate the efficacy of the SPOT^TM photoscreener version (v) 3.0.0500 as a screening device for amblyopia risk factors (ARF).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study from five different western South Dakota outpatient clinics. Data from 610 eyes of 305 children aged 6 months to 13.5 years collected between July 2018 to September 2018 were analyzed, using both the out-of-box referral criteria and the 2013 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) referral criteria. Optometrist (eye care provider or ECP) cycloplegia practice patterns were deferred to each clinics’ specific protocols. Power vector and …

Perioperative Anesthetics And Adjuvant Anxiolytic Approaches For Cataract Surgery Patients: Exploring Options, Levi Franz

Aesculapius Journal (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed worldwide. It has high rates of success and minimal adverse outcomes. In spite of the surgery’s effectiveness, patients frequently report perioperative anxiety. This anxiety is often treated with pharmacologic sedation; however, evidence suggests that this is unnecessary and can lead to poorer patient outcomes. There is evidence that other adjuvant therapies exist which can decrease perioperative anxiety and therefore the need for higher levels of pharmacologic sedation. This paper explores some of these adjuvant therapies, as well as current anesthetic technique used in cataract surgery.