Use of Complementary and Integrative Medicine Among Low-Income Persons With Mental Health Disorders.

Objective: To evaluate the use of complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) among a low-income population with mental health diagnoses and to assess differences in social determinants of health (SDOH) on the basis of CIM use.

Patients And Methods: We surveyed patients with mental health diagnoses and/or substance use disorders during outpatient evaluations between August 11, 2020, and November 18, 2021, at a community behavioral health center in Rochester, MN. We measured knowledge of current CIM, interest in future use of CIM, and SDOH.

Perceived Health Concerns and Barriers to Care in Persons With Overweight and Obesity: A Patient Survey.

Objectives: To identify patient characteristics, health concerns, and barriers to care based on overweight or obesity.

Methods: A 50-question anonymous survey was administered to patients. Data were compared by body mass index (BMI).

Overlapping conditions in Long COVID at a multisite academic center.

Background: Many patients experience persistent symptoms after COVID-19, a syndrome referred to as Long COVID (LC). The goal of this study was to identify novel new or worsening comorbidities self-reported in patients with LC.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with LC ( = 732) at the Mayo Long COVID Care Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and Jacksonville, Florida were sent questionnaires to assess the development of new or worsening comorbidities following COVID-19 compared to patients with SARS-CoV-2 that did not develop LC (controls).

A Diagnostic Dilemma: A Case of Angiosarcoma Presenting as Splenomegaly and Pathologic Fracture.

Background: Angiosarcomas are rare tumors that can be difficult to diagnose due to subtle changes in the vascular endothelium. When there is evidence to suggest malignancy, such as a pathologic fracture, further investigation is needed, and a high suspicion for angiosarcoma needs to be present so that appropriate immunohistochemical stains are utilized on biopsied tissue. In situations where such suspicion is high and prior biopsies have been negative, performance of splenectomy, can be both diagnostic and therapeutic when splenomegaly is present.

Physician preferences for Online and In-person continuing medical education: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The worldwide market for continuing medical education (CME) was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which precipitated an increase in web-based CME course attendance. Virtual education methods may be effective for engaging learners and changing behaviors. However, more information is needed about physician preferences for in-person vs.

Writing Groups for Healthcare Professionals in Academic Medicine.

Within the Department of Medicine (DOM) in a large tertiary academic health care facility in midwestern United States, we have developed an educational offering that incorporates an academic writing program (AWP) blending the approaches of a writing accountability work group, a writing workshop, and didactic writing courses. The purpose of this AWP was to assist healthcare professionals (HCP) with their manuscript writing skills to enhance academic productivity. We report our evolving journey and experiences with this AWP.

Longitudinal Progression of Patients with Long COVID Treated in a Post-COVID Clinic: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: In addition to the morbidity and mortality associated with acute infection, COVID-19 has been associated with persistent symptoms (>30 days), often referred to as Long COVID (LC). LC symptoms often cluster into phenotypes, resembling conditions such as fibromyalgia, postural orthostatic tachycardiac syndrome (POTS), and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). LC clinics have been established to best address the needs of LC patients and continuity of care.

Pro Inflammatory Cytokines Profiles of Patients With Long COVID Differ Between Variant Epochs.

Background: Over 30% of patients with COVID-19 have persistent symptoms that last beyond 30 days and referred to as Long COVID. Long COVID has been associated with a persistent elevation in peripheral cytokines including interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α. This study reports cytokine profiles of patients in our clinic across SARS-COV-2 variant epochs.

Gender and Professional Title Use in Internal Medicine Resident Narrative Assessments.

Residency is a time of personal and professional growth. Resident assessment and feedback are an integral part of that process. However, assessment may be influenced by various types of bias, including gender bias.

Reflect, Inspire, Strengthen, and Empower 2.0 Program: Advancing Careers and Leadership for Women Physician Staff in an Academic Institution.

Background: To study the effects of the Reflect, Inspire, Strengthen, and Empower (RISE) 2.0 Program designed for professional development of women staff. Topics included emotional intelligence, appreciative coaching, resilience, and strategic career development.

Guidelines for Data and Safety Monitoring in Pragmatic Randomized Clinical Trials Using Case Studies.

Pragmatic randomized clinical trials (pRCTs) have a unique set of considerations for data and safety monitoring. Because of their unconventional trial designs coupled with collection of multilevel data and implementation outcomes in real-world settings, thoughtful consideration is needed on the presentation of the trial design and accruing data to facilitate review and decision-making by the trial's data and safety monitoring board (DSMB). To our knowledge, there is limited information available in practical guidelines for generalists and medical general practitioners on what to monitor and to report to the DSMB during the conduct of pRCTs and what the DSMB should focus on in its review of reports.

Satisfaction and Feasibility Evaluation of an Electronic Massager-Expert Manipulative Massage Automation (EMMA): A Pilot Study.

Background: Electronic massagers have gained popularity for their non-invasive and cost-effective approach to healthcare. However, existing electronic massagers require manual manipulation, leading to inconsistency.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of the Electronic Massager-Expert Manipulative Massage Automation (EMMA) among the American population.

Grace, Inspiration, Fulfillment, Timeless, Soulful (GIFTS): The Why and How of Podcasts for Recognition and Mentoring of Faculty in Medicine.

This commentary offers the reader an alternative to mentoring through the use of PODCASTS. By providing the listener with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities for self-reflection and sharing of experiences by the interviewees, we are impacting the listener attitudes and future goals through lessons learned.

Postdischarge Video Visits for Adherence to Hospital Discharge Recommendations: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: To determine whether a postdischarge video visit with patients, conducted by hospital medicine advanced practice providers, improves adherence to hospital discharge recommendations.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a single-institution 2-site randomized clinical trial with 1:1 assignment to intervention vs control, with enrollment from August 10, 2020, to June 23, 2022. Hospital medicine patients discharged home or to an assisted living facility were randomized to a video visit 2-5 days postdischarge in addition to usual care (intervention) vs usual care (control).

Global well-being, anxiety, social isolation, and emotional support among hospitalists during COVID-19 and Mpox outbreaks.

Objective: The Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused a decline in hospitalist wellness. The COVID-19 pandemic has evolved, and new outbreaks (i.e.

Relationship of Weight Concerns to Body Mass Index in a Tobacco Treatment Program.

Our aim was to examine the relationship between weight concerns (WC) and smoking cessation. WC was assessed before smoking cessation treatment in 671 adult patients who completed a 12-month follow-up visit at the Centre for Tobacco-Dependent, Prague, Czech Republic, from 2013 through 2019. We evaluated the abstinence rate at 12-month follow-up.

Development of a Visit Facilitator Role to Assist Physicians in an Ambulatory Consultative Medical Practice.

Objective: To decrease the electronic health record (EHR) clerical burden and improve patient/clinician satisfaction, allied health staff were trained as visit facilitators (VFs) to assist the physician in clinical and administrative tasks.

Patients And Methods: From December 7, 2020, to October 11, 2021, patients with complex medical conditions were evaluated by an internal medicine physician in an outpatient general internal medicine (GIM) consultative practice at a tertiary care institution. A VF assisted with specific tasks before, during, and after the clinical visit.

Clinical outcome measures reporting in randomized trials evaluating Tuina therapy for chronic nonspecific low back pain: A systematic review.

Background: Tuina has gained widespread attention and utilization for the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP). However, evidence-based guidance for choosing accurate and appropriate outcome measures of Tuina is lacking. The objective of this study is to systematically synthesize the existing outcome measures reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating Tuina therapy in CNLBP.

Mindfulness Using a Wearable Brain Sensing Device for Health Care Professionals During a Pandemic: A Pilot Program.

Objective: The purpose of this feasibility pilot study was to evaluate safety and adherence of a wearable brain sensing wellness device designed to reduce stress among healthcare professionals (HCP).

Methods: A total of 40 HCP were invited to participate in an open-label pilot study. Participants were asked to use a brain sensing wearable device (MUSE-S™) on a daily basis to reduce their stress, for a total of 90 days.

Well-being in the Workplace: A Book Club Among Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction/objectives: A culture of joy in the workplace supports well-being, but less is known about the effect of a shared experience on well-being and burnout in a health care setting. This pilot study investigated personal well-being and occupational burnout among primary care staff who participated in a 3-month virtual book club.

Methods: In December 2021, health care workers from a primary care practice were invited to participate in a 3-month virtual book club.

Gabapentinoid Prescribing Practices at a Large Academic Medical Center.

Objective: To evaluate indications for gabapentinoid prescription at an academic medical center.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients aged 18 years or older who were prescribed gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin) during the 2019 calendar year at an academic medical center in the US Midwest. Patient demographic characteristics, indications for gabapentinoid prescription, and prescribing clinician specialities were abstracted from a random sample, and the findings were extrapolated to the overall cohort.

Clinician Adoption of an Artificial Intelligence Algorithm to Detect Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Primary Care.

Objective: To compare the clinicians' characteristics of "high adopters" and "low adopters" of an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled electrocardiogram (ECG) algorithm that alerted for possible low left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and the subsequent effectiveness of detecting patients with low EF.

Methods: Clinicians in 48 practice sites of a US Midwest health system were cluster-randomized by the care team to usual care or to receive a notification that suggested ordering an echocardiogram in patients flagged as potentially having low EF based on an AI-ECG algorithm. Enrollment was between June 26, 2019, and July 30, 2019; participation concluded on March 31, 2020.

Varenicline and Lorcaserin for Smoking Cessation and Weight Gain Prevention: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of combination varenicline with lorcaserin in preventing post-cessation weight gain.

Participants And Methods: We conducted a randomized (varenicline for 12 weeks + lorcaserin for 24 weeks vs varenicline for 12 weeks + placebo for 24 weeks) phase II clinical study to obtain preliminary data on the safety and effectiveness of combination varenicline and lorcaserin in preventing post-cessation weight gain in overweight and obese smokers. Eighty-four overweight and obese (body mass index [BMI], 27-40 kg/m) cigarette smokers were randomized before study termination (lorcaserin: n=40; placebo: n=44).