Academic Promotions in Medicine: An Appraisal of Fairness.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the process of conferring academic rank or components of the promotion packet contribute to the lack of parity in academic advancement for women and individuals underrepresented in medicine (URMs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed prospective promotion applications to the position of associate professor or professor at Mayo Clinic from January 2, 2015, through July 1, 2019. Individuals with doctorate degrees who applied for either rank were included in the study. Data collected included demographic characteristics, curriculum vitae at time of application, committee score sheets, and deferral and approval decisions. Deferral rates for women compared with men and for URMs compared with non-URMs was the primary outcome. RESULTS: Of 462 people who applied for associate professor, 10% (n=46) were deferred. Those promoted had worked longer at Mayo Clinic (median, 6 years vs 2 years; P=.01), had more mentees (median, 6 vs 4; P=.02), authored more publications (median [interquartile range (IQR)], 39 [32-52] vs 30 [24-35]; P<.001), and were more likely to be on a National Institutes of Health or institutional grant (P<.05). Of the 320 people who applied for professor, 8.8% (n=28) were deferred. Those promoted had authored more publications (median [IQR], 77 [60-99] vs 56 [44-66]; P<.001) and were less likely to hold an elected office to a professional society (22.6% vs 39.3%; P=.05). There was no significant association between deferral status and sex (P>.4) or race/ethnicity (P>.9) for either rank. CONCLUSION: The process for academic advancement for professorships does not contribute to the gap in promotion rates for women and URMs.

Training fellows in neonatal tele-resuscitation using a simulation-based mastery learning model.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal tele-resuscitation uses real-time, audio-video telemedicine to connect neonatologists with community hospital care teams during advanced neonatal resuscitations. While telemedicine continues to expand, best practices for training fellows in tele-resuscitation are not known. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop a neonatal tele-resuscitation curriculum using a simulation-based mastery learning model that provides neonatal-perinatal medicine (NPM) fellows with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to lead tele-resuscitations. METHODS: Using technology-enhanced simulation education and a mastery learning model, we developed a longitudinal pilot tele-resuscitation curriculum. From 07/2018 to 03/2021, NPM fellows participated in the curriculum, which included individualized telemedicine learning, observing and leading simulated tele-resuscitations, and finally, performing clinical (non-simulated) tele-resuscitations. A performance assessment tool was developed to assess competency through eight questions mapped to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies, with responses on a 1 to 5 scale (1 = critical deficiencies; 5 = competence of an expert). RESULTS: Four NPM fellows participated in the curriculum, progressing through the curriculum at an individualized pace. Median scores on the three learning modules were 96-100%. Fellows participated in variable number of simulated tele-resuscitations based on when mastery was achieved (2-3 supervised simulations per fellow, 1-4 unsupervised simulations per fellow). In total, eighteen simulated tele-resuscitations (eight unsupervised, 10 supervised) and one clinical tele-resuscitation were conducted. Twenty-five performance assessments were completed. Assessment scores across the ACGME competencies were consistently high, with mean scores ranging from 4.2-4.6, with 4 equating to 'ready for unsupervised practice' and 5 equating to 'competence of an expert'. CONCLUSIONS: As telemedicine use continues to expand, curricula that improve learners' comfort with and proficiency in tele-resuscitation are essential. A simulation-based mastery learning model may be one approach that affords learners gradual exposure to and mastery of complex tele-resuscitation skills and behaviors.

Differences in Electronic Personal Health Information Tool Use Between Rural and Urban Cancer Patients in the United States: Secondary Data Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Studies have previously shown that rural cancer patients are diagnosed at later stages of disease. This delay is felt throughout treatment and follow-up, reflected in the fact that rural patients often have poorer clinical outcomes compared with their urban counterparts. OBJECTIVE: Few studies have explored whether there is a difference in cancer patients' current use of health information technology tools by residential location. METHODS: Data from 7 cycles of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS, 2003-2017) were merged and analyzed to examine whether differences exist in managing electronic personal health information (ePHI) and emailing health care providers among rural and urban cancer patients. Geographic location was categorized using Rural-Urban Continuum Codes (RUCCs). Bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine whether associations existed between rural/urban residency and use of health information technology among cancer patients. RESULTS: Of the 3031 cancer patients/survivors who responded across the 7 cycles of HINTS, 797 (26.9%) resided in rural areas. No difference was found between rural and urban cancer patients in having managed ePHI in the past 12 months (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.43-1.40). Rural cancer patients were significantly less likely to email health care providers than their urban counterparts (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.32-0.84). CONCLUSIONS: The digital divide between rural and urban cancer residents does not extend to general ePHI management; however, electronic communication with providers is significantly lower among rural cancer patients than urban cancer patients. Further research is needed to determine whether such disparities extend to other health information technology tools that might benefit rural cancer patients as well as other chronic conditions.