Teaching Racial Affinity Caucusing as a Tool to Learn About Racial Health Inequity Through an Experiential Workshop.

Background And Objectives: In its landmark report, Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, the Institute of Medicine concluded that unconscious or implicit negative racial attitudes and stereotypes contribute to poorer health outcomes for patients of color. We describe and report on the outcome of teaching a workshop on the tool of racial affinity caucusing to address these issues.

Methods: Applying the framework described by Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training, we developed a 90-minute workshop teaching racial affinity caucusing to family medicine educators interested in racial health disparities.

Supporting Transgender and Nonbinary Residents.

Transgender and gender nonbinary (TGNB) individuals experience challenges while applying for and completing residency, although limited research exists. An academic panel reviewed best practices for residency programs who interview and match TGNB residents. Program leadership should identify and utilize the affirming name and pronouns for all applicants, not ask gender identity during an interview unless self-disclosed, and ensure that health insurance covers transition care.

Hormonal, Medical, and Nonsurgical Aspects of Gender Affirmation.

Although the acronym LGBTQ is often used as a catchall label for sexual and gender minorities, transgender people have unique and individual health needs and unfortunately experience significant health disparities. This article reviews essential terminology and concepts relevant to discussions of gender and gender identity, practical tips for changes that can be made on the clinical and institutional levels in order to create a welcoming and safe environment for transgender patients, as well as current recommendations for the provision of gender-affirming medical therapy.

Menstrual migraines: Which options and when?

Would your patient benefit from abortive therapy or prophylactic treatment? And which regimen is likely to provide the best--and safest--relief?

Adolescent pregnancy and contraception.

7% of US teen women became pregnant in 2008, totaling 750,000 pregnancies nationwide. For women ages 15 to 19, 82% of pregnancies are unintended. Adolescents have a disproportionate risk of medical complications in pregnancy.

Cardiovascular disease in women: contraceptive issues and nonvalvular cardiovascular disease.

Several reproductive issues affect cardiovascular risk in women. Polycystic ovary syndrome is common and may include menstrual irregularities, hirsutism, and metabolic symptoms. Patients with this syndrome have an increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance and dyslipidemia.

Reproductive health care of adolescent women.

Reproductive health care of adolescent women is focused on prevention of disease. Adolescents are at higher risk for pelvic inflammatory disease than adult women; therefore, screening regularly for sexually transmitted infections is important. Immunization for human papillomavirus is the primary means of cervical cancer prevention because new guidelines recommend not initiating Papanicolaou smears until the age of 21.

Emergency contraception: an underutilized resource.

This emergency contraception update and telephone triage guide can help ensure that your patients get the help they need, when they need it.