Evaluating the WISE (Women in the South-East) Telehealth Network: A Model of Healthcare and Health Promotion at Rural Libraries.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the WISE (Women in the South-East) Telehealth Network. DESIGN: A follow-up survey design was used to determine the impact of the program on access to healthcare. SETTING: WISE provided preventive care to women and gender expansive people at local libraries and the Mobile Library in the rural South Carolina Lowcountry. SUBJECTS: In 1 year (February 2021-2022), WISE reached 523 individuals with 151 agreeing to participate in the study. Most participants identified as white (66%) or Black (22%). INTERVENTION: A Community Health Worker provided health education, connection to telehealth services, referrals, and connected individuals with community and social services. MEASURES: The Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ), changes in knowledge, satisfaction with WISE, Acceptability of Intervention measure (AIM), and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Participants with a high telehealth usability score were significantly more likely to be under the age of 35 (OR 4.60 [95% CI 1.21-17.52]), married (OR 10.00 [95% CI 2.19-45.64]), or white (OR 4.00 [95% CI 1.06-15.08]). The intervention earned a high acceptability score 4.46 (± .61)/5.0 by helping participants obtain necessary medical care and resources, as well as meeting their educational needs. CONCLUSION: This study offers practical suggestions to expand the use of telehealth initiatives to improve health outcomes by engaging libraries in rural communities.

"Do you want a period?" Launching and evaluating a brief contraceptive decision-making educational intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Do you want a period? empowers people who menstruate to better understand their reproductive health and contraceptive choices through informed patient-centered contraceptive decision-making. METHODS: Researchers partnered with the WISE (Women in the South-East) Telehealth Network to design, implement and evaluate the Do you want a period? brief educational intervention. Participants completed a longitudinal research study, including a web-based survey at baseline and a mobile-optimized text-based survey up to 6 weeks following baseline. RESULTS: Do you want a period? was believable (93%, n = 79), informative (89%, n = 76), and helpful (85%, n = 72). Participants who reported that the intervention was helpful were significantly more likely to be satisfied with the usefulness of information provided (OR 5.61 [95% CI 1.65-19.12]), the overall quality of services (OR 3.39 [95% CI 1.04-11.08)], and obtaining necessary medical care (OR 2.40 [95% CI 1.08-5.33)]. At longitudinal follow-up, participants who received contraceptive services reported high acceptability of intervention (4.51 (±0.53) out of 5). CONCLUSIONS: Do you want a period? envisions a new dialogue between women and clinicians, family, and friends. This brief educational intervention supports people who menstruate to determine if a safe and effective tailored contraceptive regimen is right for them.

The remarkable journey of one female individual with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency diagnosed post-mortem.

Urea cycle disorders (UCDs) comprise a group of inborn errors of metabolism with impaired ammonia clearance and an incidence of ~1:35 000 individuals. First described in the 1970s, the diagnosis and management of these disorders has evolved dramatically. We report on a 59-year-old woman with a UCD who contributed to advances in the understanding and treatment of this group of disorders. This individual was diagnosed with carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency based on a biochemical assay under a research context predating genetic sequencing, treated longitudinally as having this metabolic disorder, and was among the first participants to trial UCD pharmaceutical therapies. She ultimately succumbed to a SARS-CoV-2 infection while maintaining unexpectedly normal ammonium levels. Postmortem genetic testing revealed ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. This individual's contributions to the field of UCDs is discussed herein.

Evaluation and Management of Early Pregnancy: A Flipped Classroom Case for OB/GYN Clerkship Students.

Introduction: Evaluation and management of an early pregnancy diagnosis are clinically pertinent to multiple specialties that will encounter reproductive-age patients. We designed an interactive, small-group, flipped classroom session teaching concepts related to early pregnancy for obstetrics and gynecology clerkship students. Methods: Students received advance preparation materials prior to joining the small group facilitated by clinical educators in the OB/GYN department. Following each 2-hour session, students and facilitators were asked to voluntarily complete a satisfaction survey. Results: Over six clerkships, which occurred across 9 months, 116 students participated. Eighty-three students completed the satisfaction survey, with 98% agreeing that the session was helpful in applying learned principles to patient care. A very high rate of students (average: 93%) self-reported that they achieved the session's learning objectives after completing the prework and interactive small-group teaching. Eleven clinical instructors completed the survey, with 91% agreeing that they were able to facilitate active learning using the materials and 82% agreeing that the curriculum reduced their personal preparation time to teach compared to traditional didactics. Discussion: This interactive flipped classroom session achieves specified learning objectives and helps students apply learned concepts in the evaluation of early pregnancy while standardizing clerkship education and reducing the burden on clinical educators.

Attitudes on breast feeding among persons with HIV who have given birth and their perceptions of coercion during counseling on safe infant feeding practices.

Persons with HIV can receive mixed messages about the safety of breastfeeding. We sought to assess if they felt coerced to formula feed when counseled about practices to reduce HIV transmission. Persons with HIV who had given birth were eligible to complete a survey to describe their experiences with infant feeding counseling and if they felt coerced to formula feed. An Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS) assessed attitudes towards breastfeeding. Qualitative analyses were performed on narrative responses. One hundred surveys were collected from sites in Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. The mean IIFAS score (n, 85) was 47 (SD 9.2), suggesting relatively favorable attitudes toward breastfeeding. Thirteen persons reported feeling coerced to formula feed. When controlling for choosing to give any breast milk, persons with any college education were more likely to report feeling coerced (aOR 9.8 [95% CI 1.8-52.5]). Qualitative analyses revealed three themes: perceiving breastfeeding as unsafe, engaging in shared decision-making, and resisting advice to formula feed. Persons with HIV desire to be counseled about safe infant feeding practices and have their questions answered without judgement. We highlight experiences of persons with HIV that reflect a need for a nuanced approach to infant feeding counseling.

Perception of coercion during contraceptive counseling among individuals with HIV.

OBJECTIVE: Historically, individuals with HIV have reported feeling coerced during contraceptive counseling or experienced forced sterilization. The purpose of this study was to assess perceptions of coercion related to counseling and influence on postpartum contraceptive choice among individuals with HIV. METHODS: This is a mixed methods study conducted in Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina between March 2020 and June 2021. Participants completed a survey to assess their experiences with contraception counseling and perceived coercion. An Interpersonal Quality of Family Planning (IQFP) care score was calculated to assess quality of counseling. Qualitative analyses were performed on narrative responses. Bivariate and regression analyses were used to evaluate factors associated with perceived coercion and IQFP scores. RESULTS: 100 surveys were collected. The median age of respondents was 29 (IQR 24-35). The median IQFP score was 53 (IQR 44-55) and 45 % of individuals had a maximum IQFP score of 55. Most individuals (96 %) report that a provider "did a good job" explaining contraceptive options and 26 % report their provider's preference affected their contraceptive choice to some degree. Few (11 %) respondents felt pressured to use long-acting reversible contraception postpartum. This perceived coercion was more likely when a provider suggested a specific contraceptive method, aOR 6.1 [95 % CI 1.1-33.1] and such specific provider suggestions were reported by one-third of respondents. CONCLUSION: While perceived coercion was reported by few individuals with HIV, it was strongly associated with the provider making a specific method suggestion. Disproportionate provider influence in the final contraceptive decision occurred in one-quarter of individuals. More research is needed to discern to what extent provider preference compromises patient autonomy in shared decision-making.

Improving feedback students receive on documentation during the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship.

BACKGROUND: Students need feedback on written documentation to optimize their long-term development of this important clinical skill. The culture in surgical specialties does not always prioritize feedback regarding this skill. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of 2 specific forms to improve the quantity and quality of feedback to students about their medical documentation. STUDY DESIGN: In a multiphase quality improvement project, medical students were surveyed after the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship regarding their experience of receiving feedback on written notes. The proportions of students who received feedback on notes and those rating the feedback as meaningful were measured before and after the implementation of a required, formative feedback card. In phase 2, students were randomized to use a simplified feedback card or the original detailed card, and outcomes were compared. This study was conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina, a tertiary care academic medical center. The participants included third-year medical students that completed their 6-week obstetrics and gynecology clerkship. RESULTS: Before the intervention, of 82 students, 70 (85%) and 55 (67%) received feedback on written notes in the inpatient and outpatient settings, respectively, which increased to 99.6% (254/255) and 98.5% (251/255) (P<.001) after the implementation of any feedback card. Moreover, the proportion of students who felt the feedback helped them improve their clinical documentation skills increased from 72% to 90% (P<.001) with the use of a feedback card. These improvements were noted in all clinical units within the clerkship. There was no difference (P=.3) in outcomes between the simplified and detailed cards. CONCLUSION: A formative card is a simple, cost-effective, low-resource intervention that can increase both the quantity and quality of written note feedback that students receive during their obstetrics and gynecology clerkship. A less detailed card achieved comparable outcomes and increased faculty satisfaction.

An Atypical Presentation of Pyridoxine-Dependent Epilepsy Diagnosed with Whole Exome Sequencing and Treated with Lysine Restriction and Supplementation with Arginine and Pyridoxine.

Pyridoxine dependent-developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (PD-DEE) or pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in ALDH7A1. It classically presents as intractable infantile-onset seizures unresponsive to multiple antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) but with a profound response to large doses of pyridoxine (B6). We report a case of PDE with an atypical clinical presentation. The patient presented at 3 days of life with multifocal seizures, fever, increased work of breathing, decreased left ventricular systolic function, and lactic acidosis, raising suspicion for a mitochondrial disorder or infectious process. Within 1.5 weeks of presentation, seizure activity resolved with antiepileptic therapy. Whole exome sequencing (WES) revealed homozygous pathogenic variants in ALDH7A1 (c.1279G > C, p.E427Q) and confirmed the diagnosis of PDE. Follow-up biochemical testing demonstrated elevated urine pipecolic acid. In the second week of life, the patient was initiated on triple therapy, including pyridoxine supplementation, low lysine diet, and arginine supplementation, which he tolerated well. Urine pipecolic acid levels responded accordingly after initiation of therapy. Our case illustrates the diagnostic challenges in PDE, the utility of rapid WES in such cases, and the response in urine pipecolic acid to therapy.

Accelerated 3-Year MD Pathway Programs: Graduates' Perspectives on Education Quality, the Learning Environment, Residency Readiness, Debt, Burnout, and Career Plans.

PURPOSE: To compare perception of accelerated and traditional medical students, with respect to satisfaction with education quality, and the learning environment, residency readiness, burnout, debt, and career plans. METHOD: Customized 2017 and 2018 Medical School Graduation Questionnaires (GQs) were analyzed using independent samples t tests for means and chi-square tests for percentages, comparing responses of accelerated MD program graduates (accelerated pathway [AP] students) from 9 schools with those of non-AP graduates from the same 9 schools and non-AP graduates from all surveyed schools. RESULTS: GQ completion rates for the 90 AP students, 2,573 non-AP students from AP schools, and 38,116 non-AP students from all schools in 2017 and 2018 were 74.4%, 82.3%, and 83.3%, respectively. AP students were as satisfied with the quality of their education and felt as prepared for residency as non-AP students. AP students reported a more positive learning climate than non-AP students from AP schools and from all schools as measured by the student-faculty interaction (15.9 vs 14.4 and 14.3, respectively; P < .001 for both pairwise comparisons) and emotional climate (10.7 vs 9.6 and 9.6, respectively; P = .004 and .003, respectively) scales. AP students had less debt than non-AP students (P < .001), and more planned to care for underserved populations and practice family medicine than non-AP students from AP schools (55.7% vs 33.9% and 37.7% vs 9.4%; P = .002 and < .001, respectively). Family expectations were a more common influence on career plans for AP students than for non-AP students from AP schools and from all schools (26.2% vs 11.3% and 11.7%, respectively; P < .001 for both pairwise comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support accelerated programs as a potentially important intervention to address workforce shortages and rising student debt without negative impacts on student perception of burnout, education quality, or residency preparedness.

Pitfalls in the Diagnosis of Hereditary Fructose Intolerance.

Establishing the diagnosis of hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) remains difficult despite the availability of specific molecular genetic testing of the ALDOB gene. This is attributable, at least in part, to the lack of a specific and practical biomarker. We report the incidental diagnosis of HFI as a consequence of nontargeted genetic testing ordered for alternative indications in 5 patients, including 3 children and 2 adults. Two of the children were diagnosed with HFI after extensive evaluations that ultimately involved clinical or research exome sequencing. The third child was diagnosed with HFI during subsequent genetic testing of at-risk family members. Both adults learned to avoid fructose and remained asymptomatic of HFI before diagnosis. One was diagnosed with HFI during preconception, nontargeted expanded carrier screening. For the other, concern for HFI was initially raised by indeterminate direct-to-consumer genetic testing results. None of these patients presented with infantile acute liver failure or other acute decompensation. Our findings suggest that the emphasis of classic teaching on infantile liver failure after first exposure to fructose may be inadvertently increasing the likelihood of missing cases of HFI characterized by other manifestations. HFI is likely underdiagnosed and should be considered for patients with nonspecific findings as well as for individuals with significant aversion to sweets.

Association of Trust and Locus of Control with Postpartum Contraception Choice.

Objective: In this study, we explored associations of trust in the healthcare system, health locus of control, and patient factors with choice of effective postpartum contraception. Methods: For this observational study, we measured trust in the healthcare system and health locus of control using validated scales. The primary outcome was postpartum contraceptive choice. We defined effective contraception as methods with failure rate ≤ 10%. We used bivariate and multivariate analyses to determine associated variables. Results: Neither trust in the healthcare system nor health locus of control were associated with effective contraceptive choice. Black women were more likely to report choice of effective contraception compared to white women (OR = 4.26, 95% CI 1.43, 12.68). Choice of effective contraception did not differ between women who intended to become pregnant again in less than 2 years versus greater than 2 years although women with no desire for future pregnancy were more likely to choose effective methods (OR = 4.78, 95% CI 1.56, 14.64). Conclusions: Neither trust nor health locus of control were associated with choice of effective postpartum contraception. The increased likelihood of effective post-partum contraception in black women suggests coercion and bias in counseling and provision.

Prevalence of early discontinuation and associated factors among a retrospective cohort of etonogestrel contraceptive implant users.

Purpose: To characterise the frequency of and predictors of contraceptive implant discontinuation within 12 months of insertion in our clinical setting.Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study included women receiving the etonogestrel contraceptive implant at our hospital between May 2007 and May 2012. We abstracted data from charts including implant removal date, bleeding complaints, reproductive and demographic characteristics, prior contraceptive use, tobacco use and implant insertion timing. Our primary outcome was implant discontinuation within 12 months following insertion. SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) was used to generate frequencies, bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression models.Results: Implant discontinuation was documented in 16% of implant users prior to 12 months (89/544). Women with documented bleeding complaints in the medical record were more likely to discontinue within 12 months (OR: 4.36, CI: 2.71, 7.00). No other demographic or clinical characteristics were associated with premature discontinuation. Having less than two prior pregnancies and tobacco use were associated with documented bleeding complaints.Conclusions: Discontinuation of the implant is associated with bleeding complaints. Women with lower parity and tobacco users may be more likely to experience bleeding or to find it intolerable.

Postpartum LARC discontinuation and short interval pregnancies among women with HIV: a retrospective 9-year cohort study in South Carolina.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate rates of discontinuation and short interval pregnancy among women with HIV who received a postpartum IUD or implant. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women who had an IUD or implant placed within 3 months postpartum during a 9-year period (1/1/09 to 2/14/18). We assessed the prevalence of discontinuation within 12 months and rates of subsequent delivery within 18 months. We examined differences in these outcomes between women with and without HIV. RESULTS: Of the 794 women who received a long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) within 3 months postpartum, most chose an IUD (85%). Twenty-one percent (165) elected for immediate postpartum placement: 119 IUDs and 46 implants. Women with HIV were more likely to receive an implant (48% vs 13%, p<.0001) and were more likely to have immediate postpartum placement (76% vs 17%, p<.0001). Women with HIV (n=50) were not more likely to remove LARC devices within 12 months of placement (38% vs 36%, p=.9), and they did not experience any short interval pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Women with HIV in South Carolina were more likely than HIV-negative women to receive immediate postpartum LARC and to receive an implant. They were not more likely to discontinue LARC within 12 months nor experience short interval pregnancies. IMPLICATIONS: Further study is needed to evaluate preferences for implants and immediate postpartum insertion among women with HIV.

"My Body. My Choice": A Qualitative Study of the Influence of Trust and Locus of Control on Postpartum Contraceptive Choice.

Postpartum contraception helps reduce unintended pregnancy and space births to improve maternal and child health. This study explored women's perceptions of contraceptive choice during the postpartum period in the context of locus of control and trust in healthcare providers. Researchers conducted six focus groups with 47 women, ages 18-39, receiving postpartum care at an outpatient clinic. Techniques from grounded theory methodology provided an inductive approach to analysis. HyperRESEARCH 3.5.2 qualitative data analysis software facilitated a constant-comparative coding process to identify emergent themes. Participants expressed a preference for relationship-centered care, in which healthcare providers listened, individualized their approach to care through rapport-building, and engaged women in shared decision-making about contraceptive use through open communication, reciprocity, and mutual influence. Conflicting health messages served as barriers to uptake of effective contraception. While participants trusted their healthcare provider's advice, many women prioritized personal experience and autonomy in decisions about contraception. Providers can promote trust and relationship-centered care to optimize contraceptive uptake by listening, exploring patient beliefs and preferences about contraception and birth spacing, and tailoring their advice to individuals. Results suggest that antenatal contraceptive counseling should incorporate information about effectiveness, dispel misconceptions, and engage patients in shared decision-making.

The governing body nurse as a clinical commissioning group nurse leader.

Aim The aim of this study was to understand governing body nurses' perspective of their effect on, and leadership of, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). Method Semi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted with a sample of governing body nurses, CCG chairs and regional chief nurses. A total of 23 individuals were interviewed. Findings Governing body nurses were overwhelmingly positive about their role and believed they had a positive effect on the CCG governing body. Specifically, they provided leadership for the quality agenda and compassionate practice. Challenges experienced by some governing body nurses related to their capacity to undertake the role where this was on a part-time basis, time restraints and difficulties working with colleagues. Conclusion The role of the governing body nurse was not well defined when it was introduced, and as a result its development across CCGs has varied. Governing body nurses have used their leadership skills to advance important agendas for their profession, such as workforce redesign, new integrated care pathways and co-commissioned services.

The influence of trust in health care systems on postabortion contraceptive choice.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates whether trust in the health care system or other patient-level characteristics are associated with interest in immediate initiation of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) after abortion. STUDY DESIGN: A structured, self-administered survey was provided to English-speaking women 18 years or older presenting to a reproductive health center in the Southeastern United States for first-trimester surgical abortion. The survey collected information about patient characteristics, choice of postabortion contraception, health literacy and trust in the health care system. Trust was measured using a 17-item, previously validated survey and was treated as the primary independent variable. Our primary outcome variable is interest in immediate LARC placement postabortion. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square tests, Student's t tests and logistic regression with SAS® 9.2. RESULTS: Of 162 respondents who completed the survey, 24% planned to use LARC postabortion, which increased to 37% if LARC placement was available on the day of their abortion. The mean trust score was 59±8 (possible score of 17-85) and did not differ significantly between women who indicated an interest in immediate LARC placement postabortion and those who did not (p=.9). Women with a history of a prior birth were 3.4 times more likely to indicate interest in immediate postabortion LARC than others (adjusted odds ratio 3.42, 95% confidence interval 1.63, 7.18). CONCLUSION: Desire to accept LARC immediately postabortion is associated with history of a prior birth but not with trust in the health care system or other demographic variables. Participant interest in postabortion LARC varied based on immediate device availability. IMPLICATIONS: This research underscores the importance of policies and clinical practices that promote access to LARC methods on the day of an abortion. Further research is needed to elucidate factors that correlate with choice of LARC postabortion.