Comparing Email, SMS, and Concurrent Mixed Modes Approaches to Capture Quality of Recovery in the Perioperative Period: Retrospective Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Background: As patients are discharged from the hospital more quickly, the ability to monitor patient recovery between hospital discharge and the first follow-up clinic visit is becoming increasingly important. Despite substantial increase in both internet use and smartphone ownership over the past 5 years, clinicians have been slow to embrace the use of these devices to capture patient recovery information in the period between hospital discharge and the first clinical follow-up appointment.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the generalizability of using a web-based platform to capture patient recovery in a broad surgical patient population and compare response rates for 3 different web-based strategies for delivering recovery surveys over the perioperative period: email, SMS text messaging, and a concurrent mixed approach of using both email and SMS text messaging.

Management of hepatitis B infected pregnant women: a cross-sectional study of obstetricians.

Background: Our study aims to describe how obstetricians manage pregnant women infected with chronic hepatitis B in a region with a large high-risk population.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study among practicing obstetricians in Santa Clara County, California. All obstetricians practicing in Santa Clara County were invited to participate in the study.

Three-Dimensional Optical Imaging for Pectus Excavatum Assessment.

Background: Corrective surgery for pectus excavatum often relies on the Haller index (HI), derived from chest roentgenograms or computed tomography; however, this exposes children to potentially unnecessary radiation. Our aim was to develop a novel three-dimensional (3D) optical imaging technique to accurately measure chest wall dimensions in a clinically relevant manner.

Methods: Patients with pectus excavatum were imaged using a 3D structured light scanner.

A Simplified Method for Three-Dimensional Optical Imaging and Measurement of Patients with Chest Wall Deformities.

Background: Pectus excavatum and carinatum are two of the most commonly observed chest wall deformities in pediatrics. The standard diagnostic evaluation for these conditions includes either chest radiograph (CXR) or computed tomography (CT). Our research aims to develop a novel and reliable way of quantifying chest wall deformities in the clinic setting without radiation exposure.