Factors Influencing Internal Medicine Resident Choice of Infectious Diseases or Other Specialties: A National Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Only 49% of infectious diseases (ID) fellowship programs were filled in 2015 through the national match, but little is known about internal medicine (IM) resident perceptions of ID and factors related to IM resident career choice.

Methods: We conducted 25 interviews and disseminated a Web-based survey to graduating IM residents in the United States utilizing a 2-stage sampling strategy. Participants were categorized into 3 groups based on interest in ID: (1) applied/intended to apply to ID; (2) interested in ID but did not apply; (3) never interested in ID.

Associations between race and ethnicity and treatment for chronic pain in the VA.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to identify racial and ethnic differences in patient-reported rates of treatment for chronic pain and ratings of pain-treatment effectiveness among veterans treated in Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from 255,522 veterans who participated in the VA Survey of the Healthcare Experiences of Patients (SHEP) in Fiscal Year 2005. Measures included demographics, the Veterans Rand Health Survey-12, a single item inquiring if the patient received treatment for chronic pain in the VA within the prior 12 months, and a single item asking the patient to rate the effectiveness of chronic pain care.

Facilitating outpatient treatment entry following detoxification for injection drug use: a multisite test of three interventions.

A multisite, randomized trial within the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) was conducted to test 3 interventions to enhance treatment initiation following detoxification: (a) a single session, therapeutic alliance intervention (TA) added to usual treatment; (b) a 2-session, counseling and education, HIV/HCV risk reduction intervention (C&E), added to usual treatment; and (c) treatment as usual (TAU) only. Injection drug users (n=632) enrolled in residential detoxification at 8 community treatment programs were randomized to 1 of the 3 study conditions. TA participants reported entering outpatient treatment sooner and in greater numbers than TAU participants.

Associations between race and ethnicity and receipt of advice about alcohol use in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Objective: This study sought to identify racial and ethnic differences in rates of alcohol-related advice given to veterans treated in Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from the VA Survey of the Healthcare Experiences of Patients (SHEP). Participants were 255,522 veterans treated in VA ambulatory clinics in fiscal year 2005.

Correlates and predictors of colorectal cancer screening among male automotive workers.

Background: Most studies examining factors associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening (CRCS) are cross-sectional and thus temporal relationships cannot be determined. Furthermore, less attention has been paid to psychosocial predictors of CRCS. We examined both cross-sectional correlates of prior CRCS and predictors of prospective CRCS initiation and maintenance during The Next Step Trial, a 2-year worksite behavioral intervention to promote regular CRCS and dietary change.

Symptoms of insomnia among adolescents in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

Study Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of symptoms of insomnia among adolescents living along the United States-Mexico border and to examine whether ethnicity and birthplace affect risk for such symptoms.

Design: Cross-sectional school-based survey using a version of the 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, modified to elicit data on sleep problems.

Setting: A probability sample of 13 high schools selected from more than 40 high schools in the 4 southernmost counties in Texas-the Lower Rio Grande Valley-contiguous with Mexico.

Measuring the prevalence of overweight in Texas schoolchildren.

Objectives: We describe results from year 1 of a surveillance system to monitor body mass index in children at the state level.

Methods: A sample of 6630 children attending Texas public schools, weighted to represent 4th, 8th, and 11th grades within race/ethnic subpopulations, was assessed. Body mass index was calculated from measured height and weight; demographic information was obtained from a questionnaire.