Exploration of individual socioeconomic and health-related characteristics associated with human papillomavirus vaccination initiation and vaccination series completion among adult females: A comprehensive systematic evidence review with meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates among females are lower than the World Health Organization target and vaccination rates specifically among adult females are even much lower. METHODS: We systematically evaluated individual socioeconomic and health-related characteristics associated with HPV vaccination initiation and vaccination series completion among adult females (PROSPERO: CRD42023445721). We performed a literature search on December 14, 2022, and supplemented the search on August 1, 2023. We pooled appropriate multivariable-adjusted results using an inverse variance random-effects model and expressed the results as odds ratios with associated 95 % confidence intervals. A point pooled significantly increased/decreased odds of 30-69 % was regarded to be strongly associated, and ≥ 70 % was very strongly associated. RESULTS: We included 63 cross-sectional studies. There were strongly increased odds of vaccination initiation among White women compared with Black or Asian women, and those with higher education, health insurance, a history of sexually transmitted infection (STI), receipt of influenza vaccination in the preceding year, not married/cohabiting, not smoking, using contraception, and having visited a healthcare provider in the preceding year. We observed very strongly increased odds of vaccination initiation among those younger and having been born in the country of study. Similarly, there were strongly increased odds of completing the vaccination series for the same variables as initiating vaccination, except for higher education, prior STI, smoking and contraception use. Additional variables associated with strongly increased odds of vaccination series completion not seen in initiation were higher annual household income, being lesbian/bisexual, and having a primary care physician. We observed very strongly increased odds of vaccination series completion similar to vaccination initiation but including for White compared with Black women, higher education, and prior cervical cancer screening. CONCLUSIONS: These individual characteristics may be the key to identifying women at increased risk of not being vaccinated against HPV and could inform targeted messaging to drive HPV vaccination.

Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening and Satisfaction with Self-Sampling among Black Women in Michigan: a Mixed Methods Study.

Background: In recent years, cervical cancer screening among Black women in the United States has declined, followed by increased incidence and mortality. We aim to evaluate the individual, sociocultural, and structural barriers to cervical cancer screening in relationship to the exam technique barriers. Methods: Participants received cervical cancer self-screening kits in the mail. They returned their samples and a quantitative survey developed from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) modules designed to address the known individual, sociocultural, and structural barriers to screening. We established the fourteen attributes of cervical cancer screening techniques from prior work. Participants then shared their experiences in a semi-structured qualitative interview informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore the answers to the survey questions. We coded themes from the interviews. Women were grouped as younger (30-45 years) and older (46-65 years). Results: Of the 41 women completing the study, 21 were in the younger age group (mean 37.3, SD 4.7), and 20 were in the older age group (56.5 (5.5)). All participants self-identified as African American/Black and were due for cervical cancer screening. Women indicated that individual, sociocultural, and structural barriers influenced their cervical cancer screening, but the most significant barrier was the speculum-based technique itself. Three positive attributes and eight negative attributes significantly differed by screening technique, favoring the self-screening technique. Conclusions: The self-screening technique for screening for cervical cancer is feasible and acceptable to this group of Black women.

Lives Saved Through Increasing Adherence to Follow-Up After Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Results.

OBJECTIVE: To model the potential number of cancers prevented and life-years saved over a range of adherence rates to cervical cancer screening, surveillance follow-up, and follow-up colposcopy that may result from removing financial barriers to these essential clinical services. METHODS: A previously validated decision-analytic Markov microsimulation model was used to evaluate the increase in adherence to screening, surveillance, and colposcopy after an abnormal cervical cancer screening result. For each incremental increase in adherence, we modeled the number of cervical cancer cases avoided, the stages at which the cancers were detected, the number of cervical cancer deaths avoided, and the number of life-years gained. RESULTS: Compared with current adherence rates, the model estimated that an optimized scenario of perfect screening, surveillance, and colposcopy adherence per 100,000 women currently eligible for screening in the United States was 128 (95% CI, 66-199) fewer cervical cancers detected (23%), 62 (95% CI, 7-120) fewer cervical cancer deaths (20%), and 2,135 (95% CI, 1,363-3,057) more life-years saved. Sensitivity analysis revealed that any increase in adherence led to clinically meaningful health benefits. CONCLUSION: The consequences of not attending routine screening or follow-up after an abnormal cervical cancer screening result are associated with preventable cervical cancer morbidity and premature mortality. Given the potential for the removal of consumer cost sharing to increase the use of necessary follow-up after abnormal screening results and to ultimately reduce cervical cancer morbidity and mortality, public and private payers should remove cost barriers to these essential services.

Supporting faculty development for obesity education: A National Survey of United States family medicine residency programme directors.

Obesity is the most common chronic condition in the United States (US), yet primary care physicians face barriers in providing obesity treatment. This study examines the prevalence of American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) certified obesity specialists on the faculty of US Family Medicine residency training programmes, the preparedness of graduating resident physicians to treat obesity, and residency training programme director preferences for supporting faculty development to improve residency education in obesity management. This cross-sectional on-line survey of programme directors addressed the number of ABOM-certified faculty, perceived graduate preparedness to treat obesity, and priorities to improve faculty expertise and obesity curriculum. Of 672 eligible programme directors, 298 (44%) responded to our survey. Most programmes (76%) had no ABOM-certified faculty. The proportion of programme directors assessing their graduates as prepared to care for patients with obesity has significantly decreased in the last 5 years (2018: 74%, 2022: 58%, p = .016). Residents in programmes with ABOM-certified faculty member were more likely to be assessed as very prepared to provide medical care (18% vs. 7.8% p = .047). A majority (54%) of programme directors identified limited faculty training and expertise as the biggest faculty and resident-level barrier to quality obesity care. This study demonstrates an important trend towards increasing ABOM-certification among Family Medicine residency programme faculty and an urgent need to prioritise faculty development to improve faculty expertise and resident training to address the obesity epidemic.

The first year of a new era.

What happened when eLife decided to eliminate accept/reject decisions after peer review?

Acting on past lessons and learning new ones.

eLife has published a special issue containing articles that examine how cancer prevention, control, care and survivorship were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cost-effectiveness of p16/Ki-67 Dual-Stained Cytology Reflex Following Co-testing with hrHPV Genotyping for Cervical Cancer Screening.

The first biomarker-based cervical cancer screening test, p16/Ki-67 dual-stained cytology (DS), has been clinically validated and approved in the United States for triage of women being screened for cervical cancer who test positive for high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV). The primary aim of this work is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of DS triage after co-testing findings of positive non-16/18 HPV types and atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions cytology. A payer-perspective Markov microsimulation model was developed to assess the impact of DS reflex testing. Each comparison simulated 12,250 screening-eligible women through health states defined by hrHPV status and genotype, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 1-3, invasive cervical cancer (ICC) by stage, and cancer-related or non-cancer death. Screening test performance data were from the IMPACT clinical validation trial. Transition probabilities were from population and natural history studies. Costs of baseline medical care, screening visits, tests, procedures, and ICC were included. DS reflex after co-testing was cost-effective with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios per quality-adjusted life-year gained of $15,231 [95% confidence interval (CI), $10,717-$25,400] compared with co-testing with hrHPV pooled primary and genotyped reflex testing, and $23,487 (95% CI, $15,745-$46,175) compared with co-testing with hrHPV genotyping with no reflex test. Screening and medical costs and life-years increased, while ICC costs and risk of ICC death decreased. Incorporating DS reflex into co-testing cervical cancer screening algorithms is projected to be cost-effective. PREVENTION RELEVANCE: The p16/Ki-67 dual-stained cytology (DS) test was recently approved in the United States as a reflex test for cervical cancer screening following positive high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) test results. Adding DS reflex to hrHPV and cervical cytology co-testing strategies in the United States is expected to be cost-effective per life-year or quality-adjusted life-year gained.

Dermoscopy Training in Family Medicine Residencies: A CERA Survey of Program Directors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Diagnosing skin disorders is a core skill in family medicine residency. Accurate diagnosis of skin cancers has a significant impact on patient health. Dermoscopy improves a physician's accuracy in diagnosing skin cancers. We aimed to quantify the current state of dermoscopy use and training in family medicine residencies. METHODS: We included questions on dermoscopy training in the 2021 Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance (CERA) survey of family medicine residency program directors. The survey asked about access to a dermatoscope, the presence of faculty with experience using dermoscopy, the amount of dermoscopy didactic time, and the amount of hands-on dermoscopy training. RESULTS: Of 631 programs, 275 program directors (43.58% response rate) responded. Half of the responding programs (50.2%) had access to a dermatoscope, and 54.2% had a faculty member with experience using dermoscopy. However, only 6.8% of residents had 4 or more hours of didactics on dermoscopy over their entire training. Only 16.2% had 4 or more hours of hands-on dermoscopy use. Over half (58.9%) of programs planned to add more dermoscopy training. We did not find any correlations between the program's size/type/location and dermoscopy training opportunities. CONCLUSIONS: Despite reasonable access to a dermatoscope and the presence of at least one faculty member with dermoscopy experience, most family medicine residency programs provided limited dermoscopy training opportunities. Research is needed to better understand how to facilitate dermoscopy training in family medicine residencies.

Gender neutral HPV vaccination programs: Reconsidering policies to expand cancer prevention globally.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is responsible for many cancers in both women and men. Cervical cancer, caused by HPV, is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, even though it is one of the most preventable cancers. Prevention efforts include HPV vaccination, however these programs remain nascent in many countries. In 2020 the World Health Assembly adopted the Global Strategy for cervical cancer elimination including a goal to fully vaccinate 90% of girls with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15. However, very few countries have reached even 70% coverage. Increased vaccine availability in the future may allow the opportunity to vaccinate more people. This could add to the feasibility of introducing gender-neutral HPV vaccination programs. Adopting a gender-neutral HPV vaccine approach will reduce HPV infections transmitted among the population, combat misinformation, minimize vaccine-related stigma, and promote gender equity. We propose approaching programmatic research through a gender-neutral lens to reduce HPV infections and cancers and promote gender equality. In order to design more effective policies and programs, a better understanding of the perspectives of clients, clinicians, community leaders, and policy-makers is needed. A clear, multi-level understanding of these stakeholders' views will facilitate the development of target policy and programs aimed at addressing common barriers and optimizing uptake. Given the benefit of developing gender-neutral HPV vaccination programs to eliminate cervical cancer and address other HPV associated cancers, we must build knowledge through implementation research around this topic to inform policy-makers and funders for future policy shifts.

Peer review without gatekeeping.

eLife is changing its editorial process to emphasize public reviews and assessments of preprints by eliminating accept/reject decisions after peer review.

HPV vaccination initiation among white, black and Middle East North African (MENA) males.

Objectives: US males initiate HPV vaccination at older ages than females and currently have low population coverage. We aim to describe the prevalence and predictors of HPV vaccination initiation among males of White, Black, and Middle-Eastern/North-African (MENA) descent in southeast Michigan. Methods: We conducted three community-based surveys in 2019 that provided primary data via self report. Using population weights and multivariate modeling, we measured the prevalence and predictors of HPV vaccine initiation in each race/ethnicity of men (age 18-34 years) analyzed. Results: The vaccine initiation rates were 44.5 % (95 % CI: 44.4, 44.6) for White men, 46.2 % (46.0, 46.4) for Black men, and 23.2 % (22.8, 23.6) for MENA men, (p < 0.001). Being a student, compared to unemployed or disabled, was significantly associated with HPV vaccine initiation across all three races/ethnicities. Married men of any race/ethnicity were unlikely to be vaccinated. MENA men born in the US and having some college education were also more likely to initiate HPV vaccination. Conclusions: White, Black, and MENA men are not vaccinated in accord with Healthy (Healthy People 2030, 2022) goals. Each race/ethnicity has different predictors of vaccination.

A global view of the aspiring physician-scientist.

Physician-scientists have epitomized the blending of deep, rigorous impactful curiosity with broad attention to human health for centuries. While we aspire to prepare all physicians with an appreciation for these skills, those who apply them to push the understanding of the boundaries of human physiology and disease, to advance treatments, and to increase our knowledge base in the arena of human health can fulfill an essential space for our society, economies, and overall well-being. Working arm in arm with basic and translational scientists as well as expert clinicians, as peers in both groups, this career additionally serves as a bridge to facilitate the pace and direction of research that ultimately impacts health. Globally, there are remarkable similarities in challenges in this career path, and in the approaches employed to overcome them. Herein, we review how different countries train physician-scientists and suggest strategies to further bolster this career path.

Are Medical Students Adequately Trained to Care for Persons With Disabilities?

Background and Objectives: Insufficient provider training contributes to health care disparities for 61 million Americans with disabilities.2,4 This study examines medical students' perceptions of their disability training and the perceived effect training has on students' preparedness to care for people with disabilities (PWD) in future practice. Methods: Principles of the Core Competencies on Disability for Health Care Education5 generated 10 questions. The questions were included in a survey conducted by the Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance (CERA) and sent to medical student members of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). We compared responses using unadjusted χ2 tests. Results: One hundred forty-seven surveys were returned, with 126 used for this analysis; 36% of students reported that their medical training provided them with the knowledge necessary to provide high-quality, comprehensive health care for PWD in their future practice and 97.6% agreed or strongly agreed that they needed to learn more. Six of the curricular exposures demonstrating variations of the health care needs of PWD were associated with higher percentages of medical students agreeing they are trained to perform high-quality health care for PWD in future practice. Conclusion: Medical students continue to report deficiencies in training, knowledge, and preparedness to care for PWD. Based on the Core Competencies framework, we have identified six curricular exposures that increase readiness to care for PWD. Therefore, we recommend the Liaison Committee on Medical Education formally integrate requirements for disability training in the standards of accreditation.7.

Current State of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Use Within Family Medicine.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Following the publication of Point-of-Care-Ultrasound (POCUS) curriculum guidelines from the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2016, there has been a rapid expansion in POCUS curricula across family medicine departments in the US. There is growing appreciation for the potential role of POCUS in enhancing the clinical care family physicians provide to patients. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the utilization of POCUS in outpatient clinic care across Family Medicine departments nationwide and to identify perceived or realized barriers in integrating POCUS use for clinic care. METHODS: The questions were part of a larger omnibus survey of US Department of Family Medicine chairs, conducted by the Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance (CERA) between August 6 to August 31, 2021. RESULTS: 81% of departments have at least 1 POCUS-trained faculty, with 44% of departments using POCUS in some ambulatory clinical care. Currently, only 6% have established billing for the POCUS they perform. Faculty time, as well as funding, for POCUS training were seen as 2 primary barriers. The purchasing of equipment and billing for POCUS were described by FMCs as difficult. CONCLUSIONS: As POCUS use continues to rise in Family Medicine, it is imperative to create a more efficient and less hindered road to growth. Collaboration across departments to share best practices in training, purchasing equipment and billing for POCUS will be important to facilitate high-quality POCUS access for our patients.

Annual HIV screening rates for HIV-negative men who have sex with men in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for most new HIV diagnoses in the US. Annual HIV testing is recommended for sexually active MSM if HIV status is negative or unknown. Our primary study aim was to determine annual HIV screening rates in primary care across multiple years for HIV-negative MSM to estimate compliance with guidelines. A secondary exploratory endpoint was to document rates for non-MSM in primary care. METHODS: We conducted a three-year retrospective cohort study, analyzing data from electronic medical records of HIV-negative men aged 18 to 45 years in primary care at a large academic health system using inferential and logistic regression modeling. RESULTS: Of 17,841 men, 730 (4.1%) indicated that they had a male partner during the study period. MSM were screened at higher rates annually than non-MSM (about 38% vs. 9%, p<0.001). Younger patients (p-value<0.001) and patients with an internal medicine primary care provider (p-value<0.001) were more likely to have an HIV test ordered in both groups. For all categories of race and self-reported illegal drug use, MSM patients had higher odds of HIV test orders than non-MSM patients. Race and drug use did not have a significant effect on HIV orders in the MSM group. Among non-MSM, Black patients had higher odds of being tested than both White and Asian patients regardless of drug use. CONCLUSIONS: While MSM are screened for HIV at higher rates than non-MSM, overall screening rates remain lower than desired, particularly for older patients and patients with a family medicine or pediatric PCP. Targeted interventions to improve HIV screening rates for MSM in primary care are discussed.