Opioid stewardship training during the transition to residency to prepare medical students to recognize and treat opioid use disorder.

Background: With a drastic shortage of addiction medicine specialists-and an ever-growing number of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD)-there is a dire need for more clinicians to feel confident in prevention and management of OUD and obtain a DEA-X waiver to prescribe medications to treat OUD. Here we determine if it is feasible to certify 4th year medical students with DEA-X waiver training as a component of the PROUD (Prevent and Reduce Opioid Use Disorder) curriculum, and if PROUD enhanced preparedness for medical students to manage OUD as interns. Methods: We implemented a sequential mixed-methods IRB approved study to assess feasibility (completing all required components of DEA-X waiver training) and impact of PROUD (measured by knowledge growth, enhancement for residency, and utilization of training during internship). Students completed 11 hours of required OUD training. Quantitative data included pre-/post- knowledge and curriculum satisfaction assessments as well as long-term impact with follow up survey as interns. Qualitative data was collected by survey and semi-structured focus groups. Results: All 120 graduating medical students completed the required components of the curriculum. Knowledge improved on the Provider Clinical Support Services (12.9-17.3, p < 0.0001) and Brief Opioid Overdose Knowledge assessments (10.15-10.81, p < 0.0001). Course satisfaction was high: 90% recommended online modules; 85% recommended training overall. Six qualitative themes emerged: (1) curriculum content was practical, (2) online modules allowed flexibility, (3) in-person seminars ensured authenticity, (4) timing at the transition to residency was optimal, (5) curriculum enhanced awareness and confidence, and (6) training was applicable to future careers. At 3 months, 60% reported using their training during internship; 64% felt more prepared to treat OUD than peers. Conclusions: PROUD trained 4th year medical students in opioid stewardship. As interns, students felt ready to serve as change agents to prevent, diagnose, and treat OUD.

Scoping review of implementing a longitudinal curriculum in undergraduate medical education: The wake forest experience.

BACKGROUND: Hands-on ultrasound experience has become a desirable component for undergraduate medical education (UGME) curricula throughout medical schools in the United States (US) to enhance readiness for future training. Ultrasound integration can be a useful assistive educational method in undergraduate medical education to improve anatomy and physiology skills. Relatively few medical schools have integrated ultrasound experiences formally into their 4-year medical school curriculum due to limitations of a resource intensive set up. METHODS: We undertook a scoping review of published UGME ultrasound curricula integrated into all four years in peer-reviewed as well online literature. In addition, we provide a narrative review of our institutional experience in conceptualization, design and implementation of UGME ultrasound curriculum driven by need to address the fading knowledge in anatomy and physiology concepts beyond pre-clinical years. RESULTS: Integrated ultrasound curriculum at WFSOM utilizes focused ultrasonography as a teaching aid for students to gain a more thorough understanding of basic and clinical science concepts taught in the medical school curriculum. We found 18 medical schools with ultrasound curricula published in peer-reviewed literature with a total of 33 ultrasound programs discovered by adding Google search and personal communication CONCLUSIONS: The results of the review and our institutional experience can help inform future educators interested in developing similar curricula in their undergraduate programs. Common standards, milestones and standardized competency-based assessments would be helpful in more widespread application of ultrasound in UGME curricula.

Fluctuation of Public Interest in COVID-19 in the United States: Retrospective Analysis of Google Trends Search Data.

BACKGROUND: In the absence of vaccines and established treatments, nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are fundamental tools to control coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission. NPIs require public interest to be successful. In the United States, there is a lack of published research on the factors that influence public interest in COVID-19. Using Google Trends, we examined the US level of public interest in COVID-19 and how it correlated to testing and with other countries. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine how public interest in COVID-19 in the United States changed over time and the key factors that drove this change, such as testing. US public interest in COVID-19 was compared to that in countries that have been more successful in their containment and mitigation strategies. METHODS: In this retrospective study, Google Trends was used to analyze the volume of internet searches within the United States relating to COVID-19, focusing on dates between December 31, 2019, and March 24, 2020. The volume of internet searches related to COVID-19 was compared to that in other countries. RESULTS: Throughout January and February 2020, there was limited search interest in COVID-19 within the United States. Interest declined for the first 21 days of February. A similar decline was seen in geographical regions that were later found to be experiencing undetected community transmission in February. Between March 9 and March 12, 2020, there was a rapid rise in search interest. This rise in search interest was positively correlated with the rise of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 (6.3, 95% CI -2.9 to 9.7; P<.001). Within the United States, it took 52 days for search interest to rise substantially after the first positive case; in countries with more successful outbreak control, search interest rose in less than 15 days. CONCLUSIONS: Containment and mitigation strategies require public interest to be successful. The initial level of COVID-19 public interest in the United States was limited and even decreased during a time when containment and mitigation strategies were being established. A lack of public interest in COVID-19 existed in the United States when containment and mitigation policies were in place. Based on our analysis, it is clear that US policy makers need to develop novel methods of communicating COVID-19 public health initiatives.

Prematriculation Healthcare Employment Predicts Success in Clerkship Environment.

PURPOSE: The average age of the matriculating medical student is increasing as more students take time between college and medical school. Increasing numbers of students are employed in the healthcare field during these gap years. Studies have explored the relationship between matriculation age and medical school performance with conflicting findings. The impact of prior healthcare employment (PHE) on future clerkship performance has not been explored. We hypothesize that medical school performance metrics would be higher for students with PHE than their peers. METHODS: A retrospective review of four medical school classes at a single institution was conducted. Each student's admission application was examined to identify students with at least 6 months paid employment in a clinical healthcare position (i.e., pre-matriculation direct patient interaction, PHE cohort). Multiple medical school performance metrics were obtained for each student. RESULTS: Of the 434 included students, 49 were PHE (11.29%) and percent of students with PHE trended up over time. MCAT scores, USMLE Step 1, and Step 2 CK scores were not different for PHE and non-PHE medical students. PHE students had significantly higher NBME subject exams, clinical clerkship scores, and cumulative year 3 performance. CONCLUSIONS: Students who matriculate to medical school with prior healthcare employment outperform their peers in the clinical environment, possibly due to acquisition of knowledge or skills from their prior employment. These findings support students seeking paid healthcare experiences prior to medical school and have implications for pre-medicine advising, admissions, and medical school curricula.

Performing Under Pressure: Varsity Athletes Excel in Medical School.

PURPOSE: The admission process for medical school relies on objective and subjective measures of personal achievement, and selecting successful medical students is a daunting task for admission committees. While there is a significant body of literature examining MCAT scores and undergraduate grade point average (GPA) with medical school performance, there is a paucity of research on impact of specific student accomplishments on future performance. We hypothesize participation in a varsity collegiate sport will correlate with higher performance during medical school. METHODS: A retrospective review of four medical school classes at a single institution was completed. Each student's admission application was examined for at least 1 year of participation in a varsity-level sport at their respective undergraduate institution. A total of 62 athletes (16.36%) were identified out of 441 total students. Multiple medical school performance metrics were obtained for each student. RESULTS: There was no difference in MCAT scores between athletes and non-athlete medical students. There was a significant difference in step 1, step 2 CK, NBME shelf exams, cumulative year 3 performance, and AOA status with the athletes outperforming their peers. CONCLUSION: Students who participate in collegiate varsity athletics excel in medical school. One explanation for this finding may be participation in high-stakes athletic training and competition results in development of specific attributes beneficial in medical school. These attributes may include receptiveness to criticism, time management, resiliency, team participation, and performing under pressure. Additional research is needed to elucidate the attributes that determine improved medical school performance, such that medical educators can utilize this knowledge to better prepare all students for the rigors of medical school.

Toxic Alcohol Ingestion/Methanol Ingestion.

Introduction: Methanol poisoning is an uncommon life-threatening ingestion associated with significant morbidity and requires prompt diagnosis and management for the best possible outcome. We created a simulation case that challenges learners to analyze case information, construct a differential diagnosis of an anion gap metabolic acidosis, narrow the differential based on reasoning, and empirically initiate management. Methods: The simulation case was designed for emergency medicine residents and pediatric emergency medicine fellows. The activity began with a brief overview of the monitors, equipment, and simulation experience. First-year residents managed the case as a team of two. Second- and third-year residents and fellows managed the case alone. The learners had 15 minutes to complete a focused history and physical exam, request and interpret labs and studies, provide stabilization of life threats, and initiate specific interventions based on a presumptive diagnosis. The simulation was followed by a 20-minute facilitated debrief session that reviewed key learning points and learner performance based on an evaluation checklist. Results: Residents completed a six-question, 5-point Likert-scale postparticipation questionnaire. Overall, residents reported a high degree of satisfaction with the simulation experience. The case and debrief were effective in meeting the educational objectives and proved to be an effective modality to fill this educational gap. Discussion: This simulation experience successfully exposed residents to the uncommon presentation of methanol poisoning. The simulation experience effectively closed the identified educational gap and provided an experiential learning opportunity that accomplished the targeted learning objectives.

How do physicians become medical experts? A test of three competing theories: distinct domains, independent influence and encapsulation models.

The distinction between basic sciences and clinical knowledge which has led to a theoretical debate on how medical expertise is developed has implications for medical school and lifelong medical education. This longitudinal, population based observational study was conducted to test the fit of three theories-knowledge encapsulation, independent influence, distinct domains-of the development of medical expertise employing structural equation modelling. Data were collected from 548 physicians (292 men-53.3%; 256 women-46.7%; mean age = 24.2 years on admission) who had graduated from medical school 2009-2014. They included (1) Admissions data of undergraduate grade point average and Medical College Admission Test sub-test scores, (2) Course performance data from years 1, 2, and 3 of medical school, and (3) Performance on the NBME exams (i.e., Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3). Statistical fit indices (Goodness of Fit Index-GFI; standardized root mean squared residual-SRMR; root mean squared error of approximation-RSMEA) and comparative fit [Formula: see text] of three theories of cognitive development of medical expertise were used to assess model fit. There is support for the knowledge encapsulation three factor model of clinical competency (GFI = 0.973, SRMR = 0.043, RSMEA = 0.063) which had superior fit indices to both the independent influence and distinct domains theories ([Formula: see text] vs [Formula: see text] [[Formula: see text]] vs [Formula: see text] [[Formula: see text]], respectively). The findings support a theory where basic sciences and medical aptitude are direct, correlated influences on clinical competency that encapsulates basic knowledge.

The impact of local immigration enforcement policies on the health of immigrant hispanics/latinos in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to understand how local immigration enforcement policies affect the utilization of health services among immigrant Hispanics/Latinos in North Carolina. METHODS: In 2012, we analyzed vital records data to determine whether local implementation of section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Secure Communities program, which authorizes local law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration laws, affected the prenatal care utilization of Hispanics/Latinas. We also conducted 6 focus groups and 17 interviews with Hispanic/Latino persons across North Carolina to explore the impact of immigration policies on their utilization of health services. RESULTS: We found no significant differences in utilization of prenatal care before and after implementation of section 287(g), but we did find that, in individual-level analysis, Hispanic/Latina mothers sought prenatal care later and had inadequate care when compared with non-Hispanic/Latina mothers. Participants reported profound mistrust of health services, avoiding health services, and sacrificing their health and the health of their family members. CONCLUSIONS: Fear of immigration enforcement policies is generalized across counties. Interventions are needed to increase immigrant Hispanics/Latinos' understanding of their rights and eligibility to utilize health services. Policy-level initiatives are also needed (e.g., driver's licenses) to help undocumented persons access and utilize these services.

The pediatric headache that would not go away.

We describe the clinical presentation, radiographic findings, management, and outcome of a subdural empyema in a 14-year-old male with history of recent partially treated acute sinusitis. Subdural empyema is a rare but life threatening complication, usually following paranasal sinusitis, otitis media, mastoiditis, cranial surgery, a skull fracture, or from distant spread from sites such as a pulmonary infection. The initial evaluation should include a thorough history and physical examination, complete blood count, electrolytes, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, chest x-ray, urinalysis, and neuroimaging of the brain with intravenous contrast. If a subdural empyema is identified, then intravenous antibiotics should be initiated, and immediate neurosurgical consultation should be obtained to consider operative drainage.