The Climate Impact of Medical Residency Interview Travel in the United States and Canada: A Scoping Review.

Background The change from in-person to virtual interviews for graduate medical education (GME) provides the opportunity to compare the potential environmental effects. Objective To explore and summarize the existing literature on the potential climate impact of medical residency interview travel through a scoping review. Methods The search was conducted in October 2022 using 5 research databases. Results were screened for inclusion by 2 reviewers in a 2-tiered process. Inclusion criteria were limited to English language articles from the United States and Canada, with no limitations on the type of study, type of applicant (allopathic, osteopathic, or international medical graduate), or type of residency. A thematic analysis focusing on the objectives and main findings of identified studies was conducted and an iteratively created standardized data extraction worksheet was used such that all studies were explicitly assessed for the presence of the same themes. Results The search identified 1480 unique articles, of which 16 passed title and abstract screening and 13 were ultimately included following full-text review. There were 3 main themes identified: the carbon footprint of residency travel, stakeholders' perspectives on virtual interviews, and advocacy for virtual interviews. All 13 articles employed persuasive language on interview reform, ranging from neutral to strongly in favor of virtual interviews based wholly or in part on environmental concerns. Conclusions Two main findings were identified: (1) Though carbon footprint estimates for in-person interviews vary, in-person interviews create considerable carbon emissions and (2) those working in GME are concerned about the climate effects of GME practices and describe them as a compelling reason to permanently adopt virtual interviewing.

Predicting access to postoperative treatment after glioblastoma resection: an analysis of neighborhood-level disadvantage using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI).

PURPOSE: Social determinants of health (SDoH)-socioeconomic and environmental factors-impact outcomes. The Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a composite of seventeen SDoH factors, has been correlated with poorer outcomes. We aimed to compare outcomes and treatment access for glioblastoma, a universally fatal malignant brain tumor, in patients more (ADI 34-100%) versus less disadvantaged (ADI 0-33%). METHODS: A 5-year retrospective study of Rhode Island Hospital and Mayo Clinic databases was conducted from 2012 to 2017 for patients ≥ 18 years with glioblastoma. Patient addresses were matched to ADI percentiles and grouped into more (top 66% ADI) and less disadvantaged. Adjusted multivariable regressions were used to compare outcomes between groups. RESULTS: A total of 434 patients met inclusion; 92.9% were insured, 56.2% were more disadvantaged (n = 244), and the more disadvantaged cohort was younger on average (62 years). After adjustment, the more disadvantaged group had decreased odds of receiving gross total resection (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.43, 95% CI [0.27-0.68]; p < 0.001). This cohort also had decreased odds of undergoing chemotherapy (aOR 0.51[0.26-0.98]), radiation (aOR 0.39[0.20-0.77]), chemoradiation (aOR 0.42[0.23-0.77]), tumor-treating fields (aOR 0.39[0.16-0.93]), and clinical trial participation (aOR 0.47[0.25-0.91]). No differences in length of survival or postoperative Karnofsky Performance Status Scale were observed. CONCLUSION: More disadvantaged glioblastoma patients had decreased odds of receiving gross total resection. They also exhibited decreased odds of receiving standard of care like chemoradiation as well as participating in a clinical trial, compared to the less disadvantaged group. More research is needed to identify modifiable SDoH barriers to post-operative treatment in disadvantaged patients with glioblastoma.

Health Care and Community-Based Organization Partnerships to Address Social Needs: Medicare Advantage Plan Representatives' Perspectives.

Payers and providers are increasingly being held accountable for the overall health of their populations and may choose to partner with community-based organizations (CBOs) to address members' social needs. This study examines the opportunities and challenges that health care entities, using Medicare Advantage (MA) plans as an example, encounter when forming these relationships. We conducted interviews with 38 representatives of 17 MA organizations, representing 65% of MA members nationally. Transcripts were qualitatively analyzed to understand overarching themes. Participants described qualities they look for in community partners, including an alignment of organizational missions and evidence of improved outcomes. Participants also described challenges in working with CBOs, including needing an evidence base for CBOs' services and an absence of organizational infrastructure. Results demonstrate areas where CBOs may target their efforts to appeal to payers and providers and reveal a need for health care entities to assist CBOs in acquiring skills necessary for partnerships.

Pregnancy and Parenting in Medical School: Highlighting the Need for Data and Support.

More than 7% of medical students graduate from medical school with at least 1 nonspouse dependent, the majority of whom are likely children. However, there are no national studies on medical students who are parents, and very little is known about what medical schools are doing to support them. A growing literature on the experiences of residents and attending physicians who are parents has neglected to include those of medical students who are parents. It is possible that focusing on research and policy change for residents and attending physicians who are parents without considering medical students may bring about improvements that come too late for many. Further data are needed both on the available policies for students who are parents and on the experiences and needs of these students. Leading national organizations in medical education can help guide medical schools by leveraging their national networks to highlight existing best practices and to foster discussions about how best to support medical students who are parents.

Medicare Advantage plan representatives' perspectives on Pay for Success.

OBJECTIVES: To understand how Medicare Advantage (MA) plan representatives perceive the alternative financing model Pay for Success (PFS) and its potential to address members' social risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: Semistructured qualitative interviews designed to understand plan representatives' priorities regarding addressing nonmedical needs of their members, awareness of and experiences with PFS, and thoughts about implementing PFS as a method to address members' nonmedical needs. METHODS: Interviews with 38 upper-management representatives from 17 MA plans, which represent 65% of MA beneficiaries nationally, were conducted from July to November 2018. Plans varied in geographic coverage, star rating, and enrollment. Transcripts were qualitatively analyzed to understand overarching themes and patterns of responses. RESULTS: MA plan representatives were largely unfamiliar with PFS and were interested in learning more about how it could address members' social needs. When probed about specific requirements of PFS, responses varied: Some reported willingness to share data with project partners and be reviewed by independent evaluators; others expressed their preference to keep data and performance analysis internal to the organization. Although most representatives prioritized innovation, some were more risk averse and preferred to use traditional methods to deliver new services. CONCLUSIONS: MA plan representatives were unfamiliar with PFS, but most expressed interest in it as an alternative model for funding initiatives to address members' social needs. Education of MA representatives about PFS as an alternative payment model for innovative programming is warranted. However, further guidance from CMS is needed to assuage the concerns raised by these representatives.

Perspectives of Medicare Advantage Plan Representatives on Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Response to the CHRONIC Care Act.

Importance: The passage of the Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act in 2018 allows Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, which enroll more than one-third of Medicare beneficiaries, greater flexibility to address members' social determinants of health (SDOH) through supplemental benefits. Objective: To understand MA plan representatives' perspectives on the importance of addressing members' SDOH and their responses to the passage of the CHRONIC Care Act. Design, Setting, and Participants: This semistructured qualitative interview study conducted via telephone from July 6, 2018, to November 7, 2018, included participants from 17 MA plans that collectively enrolled more than 13 million MA members (>65% of the total MA market). Data analysis was conducted from September 18, 2018, to December 13, 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures: Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and then analyzed using a modified content analysis approach to identify major themes and subthemes. Results: Thirty-eight participants representing 17 MA plans varying in region, star rating, and size were interviewed. Analysis of interviews revealed 3 key themes. The first theme was that participants increasingly recognize the value of addressing members' SDOH. The second theme was that participants had different perspectives on whether MA plans should directly address SDOH and how to do so. While some reported that they were taking advantage of the increased flexibility provided by the CHRONIC Care Act to design new benefits or partner with community-based organizations, others indicated that it was outside of their purview to directly address members' SDOH. The third theme was that participants described complex decision-making around how to provide supplemental benefits, including a need for evidence, return on investment, strong community partnerships, and guidance from the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that the changes in MA plans' benefit packages in response to the CHRONIC Care Act and their efforts to address SDOH will vary. Therefore, it is likely that MA enrollees will be differentially affected by the implementation of the CHRONIC Care Act.

Incarcerated Individuals' Perspectives on Living with Serious Illness.

The object of this study was to elicit patient perspectives on the experience of living with serious illness while incarcerated. The study was conducted at the Rhode Island Adult Corrections Institutions (ACI) in both the men's medium security and women's (all levels) facilities in June of 2016. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants, who met study criteria for serious illness. Interviews were coded following the template organizing style. Eighteen participants were enrolled, 13 males and five females with majority Caucasian (n=11) and ages 40-59 (n=9). Incarcerated individuals with serious illness perceived diverse healthcare deficits, including access to care, quality of care, and accommodations for medical needs and physical disabilities. Deficits were somewhat mitigated through prison programs and support from community advocates. The findings of our study support a quantitative needs assessment of available physical accommodations in prisons, national standardization of what constitutes adequate care, and reevaluation of the prison co-pay system. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2019-03.asp].

Neighborhood disadvantage and chronic disease management.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between a composite measure of neighborhood disadvantage, the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), and control of blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol in the Medicare Advantage (MA) population. DATA SOURCES: Secondary analysis of 2013 Medicare Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set, Medicare enrollment data, and a neighborhood disadvantage indicator. STUDY DESIGN: We tested the association of neighborhood disadvantage with intermediate health outcomes. Generalized estimating equations were used to adjust for geographic and individual factors including region, sex, race/ethnicity, dual eligibility, disability, and rurality. DATA COLLECTION: Data were linked by ZIP+4, representing compact geographic areas that can be linked to Census block groups. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Compared with enrollees residing in the least disadvantaged neighborhoods, enrollees in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods were 5 percentage points (P < 0.05) less likely to have controlled blood pressure, 6.9 percentage points (P < 0.05) less likely to have controlled diabetes, and 9.9 percentage points (P < 0.05) less likely to have controlled cholesterol. Adjustment attenuated this relationship, but the association remained. CONCLUSIONS: The ADI is a strong, independent predictor of diabetes and cholesterol control, a moderate predictor of blood pressure control, and could be used to track neighborhood-level disparities and to target disparities-focused interventions in the MA population.

Impact Of Risk Adjustment For Socioeconomic Status On Medicare Advantage Plan Quality Rankings.

Sociodemographically disadvantaged patients have worse outcomes on some quality measures that inform Medicare Advantage plan ratings. Performance measurement that does not adjust for sociodemographic factors may penalize plans that disproportionately serve disadvantaged populations. We assessed the impact of adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic factors (sex, race/ethnicity, dual eligibility, disability, rurality, and neighborhood disadvantage) on Medicare Advantage plan rankings for blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol control. After adjustment, 20.3 percent, 19.5 percent, and 11.4 percent of Medicare Advantage plans improved by one or more quintiles in rank on the diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure measures, respectively. Plans that improved in ranking after adjustment enrolled higher proportions of disadvantaged enrollees. Adjusting quality measures for socioeconomic factors is important for equitable payment and quality reporting. Our study suggests that plans serving disadvantaged populations would have improved relative rankings for three important outcome measures if socioeconomic factors were included in risk-adjustment models.

A Behavioral Health Survey of Primary Care Integration in Rhode Island.

BACKGROUND: Integrating behavioral and primary care practices improves quality of care, but limited data exists regarding the extent or attributes of such integration. We conducted a baseline evaluation of the level and characteristics of integrated practices in Rhode Island. METHODS: The Rhode Island Department of Health 2015 Statewide Health Inventory Behavioral Health Survey was sent to behavioral health clinics and outpatient psychiatry and psychology practices. Survey questions assessed indicators of integration, including colocation, shared electronic medical records (EMRs), and shared communication systems. RESULTS: Only 19%, 9%, and 17% of behavioral health clinics, psychiatrists, and psychologists, respectively reported any integration with primary care practices. Compared to psychology (3.5%) and psychiatry (0.0%) practices, behavioral health clinics reported the highest level of practice colocation (10.4%, P<0.05). Compared to non-colocated practices, colocated behavioral health clinics reported higher levels of integration by other indicators, including shared EMRs (33.0% vs 0.0%, P=0.01). CONCLUSION: This statewide survey demonstrated that limited integration exists between behavioral health and primary care practices in Rhode Island, and that such integration has a range of characteristics and levels. More practice integration is needed to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care to the millions of individuals living with cooccurring behavioral and physical health needs.

Severe Hyperkalemia: Can the Electrocardiogram Risk Stratify for Short-term Adverse Events?

INTRODUCTION: The electrocardiogram (ECG) is often used to identify which hyperkalemic patients are at risk for adverse events. However, there is a paucity of evidence to support this practice. This study analyzes the association between specific hyperkalemic ECG abnormalities and the development of short-term adverse events in patients with severe hyperkalemia. METHODS: We collected records of all adult patients with potassium (K+) ≥6.5 mEq/L in the hospital laboratory database from August 15, 2010, through January 30, 2015. A chart review identified patient demographics, concurrent laboratory values, ECG within one hour of K+ measurement, treatments and occurrence of adverse events within six hours of ECG. We defined adverse events as symptomatic bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and/or death. Two emergency physicians blinded to study objective independently examined each ECG for rate, rhythm, peaked T wave, PR interval duration and QRS complex duration. Relative risk was calculated to determine the association between specific hyperkalemic ECG abnormalities and short-term adverse events. RESULTS: We included a total of 188 patients with severe hyperkalemia in the final study group. Adverse events occurred within six hours in 28 patients (15%): symptomatic bradycardia (n=22), death (n=4), ventricular tachycardia (n=2) and CPR (n=2). All adverse events occurred prior to treatment with calcium and all but one occurred prior to K+-lowering intervention. All patients who had a short-term adverse event had a preceding ECG that demonstrated at least one hyperkalemic abnormality (100%, 95% confidence interval [CI] [85.7-100%]). An increased likelihood of short-term adverse event was found for hyperkalemic patients whose ECG demonstrated QRS prolongation (relative risk [RR] 4.74, 95% CI [2.01-11.15]), bradycardia (HR<50) (RR 12.29, 95%CI [6.69-22.57]), and/or junctional rhythm (RR 7.46, 95%CI 5.28-11.13). There was no statistically significant correlation between peaked T waves and short-term adverse events (RR 0.77, 95% CI [0.35-1.70]). CONCLUSION: Our findings support the use of the ECG to risk stratify patients with severe hyperkalemia for short-term adverse events.