ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the attitudes of applicants of virtual physician assistant (PA) school interviews during the 2021-2022 cycle which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This quasi-experimental design studied applicants to PA programs in the United States. The study recruited applicants who interviewed virtually between March 2020 and January 2022 via an anonymous online survey. In addition to demographic information, the survey contained 20 questions regarding virtual PA school interviews. RESULTS: Study population n= 164. Most of the study participants were interviewed using a Zoom platform (n=147). Overall, there was an above-neutral satisfaction with virtual interviews (3.7 ±1.0, X2= 91.2, p=0.00001). The majority of participants preferred a virtual platform (56%) versus an in-person interview (44%). When stratified by race, 87% of non-White participants preferred a virtual platform for admissions. Ranked order benefits of attending virtual interviews included lower travel cost, less time away from work, ability to interview at more PA programs, and comfort interviewing at home. CONCLUSION: Virtual interviews were adopted by many medical education programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study provides support that PA applicants prefer a virtual platform due to lower cost and less time away from work. Further research is needed to determine preferences outside PA admissions.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Education, Medical , Physician Assistants , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Pandemics , Schools , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Hydrocephalus is one of the most common indications for pediatric neurosurgical intervention and is associated with the need for lifelong monitoring. All clinicians should be familiar with the complications that may arise throughout life in these patients so that they can provide timely intervention. This article focuses on the assessment of hydrocephalus, the appropriate diagnostic workup and differential diagnoses, and evidence-based surgical treatments and associated outcomes.
Subject(s)
Hydrocephalus , Humans , Child , Hydrocephalus/diagnosis , Hydrocephalus/etiology , Hydrocephalus/surgery , Diagnosis, DifferentialABSTRACT
Cleft lip and palate are types of craniofacial birth defects that affect thousands of children worldwide each year. These conditions are sensitive topics of conversations, often affected by the stigma of physical birth deformities and cultural myths. This article reviews the pathophysiology of cleft lip and palate, and describes the traditional management of patients with oral-facial clefts, including the extensive supportive care and an interprofessional team or cleft team approach that extends beyond the surgical correction.
Subject(s)
Cleft Lip , Cleft Palate , Breast Feeding , Cleft Lip/embryology , Cleft Lip/etiology , Cleft Lip/prevention & control , Cleft Lip/surgery , Cleft Palate/embryology , Cleft Palate/etiology , Cleft Palate/prevention & control , Cleft Palate/surgery , Folic Acid/administration & dosage , Humans , Infant , Patient Care Team , Preoperative Care , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Despite advances in diabetes management, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Up to one-third of children may present with DKA as the original presentation of type 1 diabetes. These children develop clinical manifestations of DKA including hyperglycemia, acidosis, and ketosis. Clinicians must be able to identify those patients at risk, recognize common signs and symptoms, and start prompt management.
