Access to High-Resolution Anoscopy and Colorectal Surgery Support Identified as Important Facilitators to Successful Veterans Affairs Anal Cancer Screening Programs.

Background: Anal cancer disproportionately affects people living with HIV. The Department of Veterans Affairs is the largest single provider of health care to people living with HIV in the United States and recommends all veterans living with HIV be screened for anal cancer annually. There are barriers to developing successful anal cancer screening programs, and screenings within Veterans Affairs have been underused.

Relationship of interoceptive accuracy in acne vulgaris patients: A prospective, controlled study.

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition predominantly observed during adolescence. Interoception accuracy (IAc) refers to the ability to perceive internal bodily states such as hunger and thirst. Since the brain and skin originate from the same embryological layer, the ectoderm, it is hypothesized that skin changes and disorders might affect individual perceptions.

"I was in a very deep, dark place... I wasn't prepared for that": A qualitative assessment of the emotional well-being needs of patients undergoing cystectomy.

Introduction: Studies have shown that cystectomy has a large psychological burden on patients with bladder cancer. However, there has been little work characterizing areas of improvement. This project aimed to understand cystectomy patients' experiences and to identify patient-centered methods to improve perioperative support.

"…I Wish Someone Told Me About That…": A Qualitative Assessment of the Educational Needs of Patients Undergoing Cystectomy.

Objective: To utilize patient feedback to identify areas of need for information and ways to improve delivery of education, due to recognition that cystectomy and urinary diversion is a complex operation often overwhelming patients and caregivers.

Methods: We conducted 5 focus groups of bladder cancer patients (separated by gender and diversion type) treated with cystectomy and urinary diversion (n = 17). Questions focused on areas of improvement for patient education.