Identification of an ANCA-associated vasculitis cohort using deep learning and electronic health records.

Background: ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a rare but serious disease. Traditional case-identification methods using claims data can be time-intensive and may miss important subgroups. We hypothesized that a deep learning model analyzing electronic health records (EHR) can more accurately identify AAV cases.

Identification of an ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Cohort Using Deep Learning and Electronic Health Records.

Background: ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a rare but serious disease. Traditional case-identification methods using claims data can be time-intensive and may miss important subgroups. We hypothesized that a deep learning model analyzing electronic health records (EHR) can more accurately identify AAV cases.

Enhancing Faculty Development Through Compiled Verbal Feedback on Clinical Teaching From Trainees.

Objective: Feedback from fellows-in-training (FITs) is important for faculty development and to enrich clinical teaching. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of traditional online evaluations and a novel compiled verbal feedback mechanism.

Methods: An annual feedback system was implemented in our rheumatology division in which FITs provided verbal feedback on all faculty to a facilitator who compiled, deidentified, and shared the feedback with individual faculty members.

Steroid sparing in vasculitis: Myth or reality?

Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone of therapy for all forms of vasculitis. However, glucocorticoid treatment carries with it the risk of glucocorticoid toxicity. Recent research efforts in vasculitis have emphasized investigation into strategies that reduce glucocorticoid exposure.

Ear, Nose, and Throat Manifestations of Vasculitis and Other Systemic Autoimmune Diseases: Otologic, Sinus, and Airway.

Auricular, nasal, and laryngeal manifestations occur frequently in rheumatic diseases. Inflammatory ear, nose, and throat (ENT) processes often result in organ damage and have profound effects on quality of life. Herein, we review the otologic, nasal, and laryngeal involvement of rheumatic diseases, focusing on their clinical presentation and diagnosis.

Approach to laboratory ordering and interpretation in rheumatology.

Evaluation of suspected rheumatic disease is a significant challenge due to overlapping and sometimes non-specific clinical features. Most laboratory tests in rheumatic disease have incomplete sensitivity and specificity, leading to positive results without disease and negative results despite disease presence. Therefore, judicious ordering and correct interpretation of laboratory testing in rheumatology is critical in order to provide high-value care.

Development and Validation of a Simulation Model for Treatment to Maintain Remission in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis.

Objective: Fixed and tailored rituximab retreatment strategies to maintain remission in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) are associated with tradeoffs. The current study was undertaken to develop a simulation model (AAV-Sim) to project clinical outcomes with these strategies.

Methods: We developed the AAV-Sim, a microsimulation model of clinical events among individuals with AAV initiating treatment to maintain remission.

Pairing medical students on the wards: A multi-site analysis of pairing effect on clerkship performance.

Background: Medical students are often paired together on clinical teams during their clerkships. While this practice has multiple potential positive effects, evidence suggests that most students feel that their evaluation is impacted by the other student. This perception negatively impacts the learning environment.

Use of rituximab in the treatment of mucous membrane pemphigoid: An analytic review.

Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid (MMP) is a potentially fatal mucocutaneous autoimmune blistering disease. Autoantibodies are produced against various components of the dermo-epidermal or mucosal-submucosal junction are referred to as basement membrane zone (BMZ). The hallmark is deposition of of Ig and C3 on the perilesional tissues and in some patients detection of anti-BMZ autoantibodies.

Advanced Integrated Science Courses: Building a Skill Set to Engage With the Interface of Research and Medicine.

Scientific research has been changing medical practice at an increasing pace. To keep up with this change, physicians of the future will need to be lifelong learners with the skills to engage with emerging science and translate it into clinical care. How medical schools can best prepare students for ongoing scientific change remains unclear.

Pairing students on the wards: The effect on the clerkship learning environment.

Background: Medical students are often paired together on clinical teams during their clerkships, but the effect of this practice is unknown. We conducted a survey study to determine student perceptions and attitudes regarding being paired on the same team with a classmate.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews and utilized thematic analysis to develop themes for survey design.

Sicca syndrome associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Cancer immunotherapy, which seeks to stimulate a patient's own immune system to combat cancer, is quickly becoming a central pillar of cancer therapeutics and has resulted in the development of many novel anticancer therapies. One subtype of cancer immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has revolutionized cancer treatment and changed the standard of care for multiple indications. However, the advent of ICIs has produced a wide variety of inflammatory side effects termed immune-related adverse events (IRAEs), including ICI-induced Sicca syndrome.

Topic modeling to characterize the natural history of ANCA-Associated vasculitis from clinical notes: A proof of concept study.

Objectives: Clinical notes from electronic health records (EHR) are important to characterize the natural history, comorbidities, and complications of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) because these details may not be captured by claims and structured data. However, labor-intensive chart review is often required to extract information from notes. We hypothesized that machine learning can automatically discover clinically-relevant themes across longitudinal notes to study AAV.

Addressing the rheumatology workforce shortage: A multifaceted approach.

A significant challenge facing the field of rheumatology is the projected gap between the growing demand for rheumatologists and the available workforce. In order to improve access to care, augmenting the rheumatology workforce is required. Herein we discuss potential solutions to the anticipated workforce shortage, including 1) expanding the training of rheumatology physicians; 2) increasing nurse practitioner, physician assistant and pharmacist utilization in rheumatology practice; 3) growing the use of telemedicine; and 4) reducing burnout in order to retain practicing rheumatologists.

Management of ANCA associated vasculitis.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV) is a small to medium vessel vasculitis associated with excess morbidity and mortality. This review explores how management of AAV has evolved over the past two decades with pivotal randomized controlled trials shaping the management of induction and maintenance of remission. Contemporary AAV care is characterized by approaches that minimize the cumulative exposure to cyclophosphamide and glucocorticoids, increasingly use rituximab for remission induction and maintenance, and consider therapies with less toxicity (for example, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil) for manifestations of AAV that do not threaten organ function or survival.

The Harvard Medical School Pathways Curriculum: Reimagining Developmentally Appropriate Medical Education for Contemporary Learners.

As the U.S. health care system changes and technology alters how doctors work and learn, medical schools and their faculty are compelled to modify their curricula and teaching methods.