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
Osteoporosis commonly affects postmenopausal women and accounts for 300,000 hip fractures in the United States each year. More women are deferring or discontinuing pharmacologic treatment because of intolerable adverse reactions or fear of long-term safety. Supplementing dietary intake of certain vitamins and minerals can have positive effects on bone parameters. Calcium is frequently recommended for osteoporotic patients but many not confer much benefit toward bone density. Certain forms of vitamins A and K have been shown to increase bone density. Isoflavones and phytates are phytochemicals found in soy foods that are comparable to bisphosphonates when consumed at certain levels. Lastly, increasing certain daily fruit and vegetable servings can improve bone health. Nutritional interventions are typically safe alternatives that should be considered for postmenopausal women who are seeking nonpharmacologic treatment options for osteoporosis.
Subject(s)
Diet , Dietary Supplements , Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/diet therapy , Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/prevention & control , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Bone Density , Female , Fruit , Humans , Isoflavones/administration & dosage , Middle Aged , Phytic Acid/administration & dosage , Phytochemicals/administration & dosage , Severity of Illness Index , Vegetables , Vitamin A/administration & dosage , Vitamin K/administration & dosageABSTRACT
Smaller leadless pacemakers placed in the right ventricle can reduce the risk of lead fracture or dislodgement and subcutaneous pocket complications, which can occur with traditional transvenous cardiac pacemakers. This article describes new leadless pacemakers and their indications.