Publications by authors named "Shaina Lipa"
Introduction: Undiagnosed cervical spine stenosis is a risk factor for central cord syndrome (CCS), especially in vulnerable individuals. Social determinants of health (SDOH) are correlated with health outcomes. The aim of this study was to characterize the sociodemographic characteristics and outcomes in surgically-treated central cord syndrome (CCS) patients, and explore potential associations between them.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRace, Ethnicity, and Gender Representation Among US Academic Spine Surgeons.
J Am Acad Orthop Surg
October 2024
Background: Although diversity has improved across certain orthopaedic subspecialties, enhancing diversity within spine surgery has remained a challenge. We aimed to investigate the current state of sex, racial, and ethnic diversity among academic orthopaedic spine surgeons in the United States.
Methods: In January 2024, a cross-sectional analysis of orthopaedic spine surgery faculty in the United States was conducted using the Doximity database to identify eligible surgeons.
Affirmative action has been pivotal in addressing historical and systemic discrimination, particularly within healthcare. This paper delves into the impact of affirmative action policies on diversity in spine surgery, elucidating their critical role in fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities for individuals of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. Historically, affirmative action has been instrumental in breaking down barriers to education and careers in medicine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Racial and socioeconomic disparities impact the utilization of spine surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis in the U.S., potentially leading to poorer health outcomes for BIPOC patients.
- A study involving 9,941 patients revealed that BIPOC individuals were significantly less likely to undergo surgery compared to White patients and had lower odds of achieving important improvements in physical function and pain management.
- The findings highlight the need for addressing these disparities to improve health-related quality of life for affected populations.
Introduction: Quantitative parameters for diagnosis of congenital lumbar stenosis (CLS) have yet to be universally accepted. This study establishes parameters for CLS using CT, assessing the influences of patient sex, race, ethnicity, and anthropometric characteristics.
Methods: Interpedicular distance (IPD), pedicle length, canal diameter, and canal area were measured using 1,000 patients between 18 and 35 years of age who were without spinal pathology.
Article Synopsis
- The article focuses on the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in spine surgery and its implications.
- It suggests strategies like early education, mentorship, and addressing biases in hiring to improve representation.
- A supportive culture and ongoing assessment of diversity efforts are emphasized as keys to enhancing patient care in this field.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how social determinants of health (SDOH), such as race, insurance status, and income, affect hospital stay length and readmission rates for spine surgery patients, emphasizing a more comprehensive approach to analyzing these factors.
- Utilizing data from over 8,500 spine surgeries conducted between 2013 and 2023, researchers employed advanced machine learning techniques to assess the relationship between patient social history and surgical outcomes.
- Findings indicated that Black patients had longer hospital stays than white patients, while uninsured individuals experienced longer stays and higher readmission rates; however, race did not significantly influence 90-day readmission.
Background: The increasing accessibility of artificial intelligence (AI) text-to-image generators offers a novel avenue for exploring societal perceptions. The present study assessed AI-generated images to examine the representation of gender and racial diversity among orthopaedic surgeons.
Methods: Five prominent text-to-image generators (DALL·E 2, Runway, Midjourney, ImagineAI, and JasperArt) were utilized to create images for the search queries "Orthopedic Surgeon," "Orthopedic Surgeon's Face," and "Portrait of an Orthopedic Surgeon.
Background: Race and sex differences are not consistently reported in the literature. Fundamentally, anatomical differences of cervical neuroforaminal dimensions (CNFD) amongst these groups would be important to know.
Purpose: To establish normative radiographic morphometric measurements of CNFD and uncover the influence of patient sex, race, and ethnicity while also considering anthropometric characteristics.
➤ Despite being a social construct, race has an impact on outcomes in musculoskeletal spine care.➤ Race is associated with other social determinants of health that may predispose patients to worse outcomes.➤ The musculoskeletal spine literature is limited in its understanding of the causes of race-related outcome trends.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Some patients, particularly those who are socioeconomically deprived, are diagnosed with primary and/or metastatic cancer only after presenting to the emergency department. Our objective was to determine sociodemographic characteristics of patients undergoing surgery for metastatic spine disease at our institution.
Methods: This retrospective case series included patients 18 years and older who presented to the emergency department with metastatic spine disease requiring surgery.
Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.
Objective: Understand the benefit of addressing malalignment in revision surgery for proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK).
Summary Of Background Data: PJK is a common cause of revision surgery for adult spinal deformity patients.
Introduction: Cervical radiculopathy (CR) is commonly treated by spine surgeons, with surgical options including anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) and cervical disk replacement (CDR). CDR is a motion-sparing alternative to ACDF and was approved by the US FDA in 2007. CDR utilization has increased because evidence has emerged demonstrating its long-term efficacy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: Letters of recommendation (LORs) are highly influential in the residency selection process. Differences in language and length of LORs by gender have been demonstrated for applicants applying to surgical residencies and fellowships. This had yet to be studied in orthopaedic surgery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To understand the prognostic value of laboratory markers at presentation on post-treatment survival of patients 50 and older following cervical spine fracture.
Patients And Methods: We obtained clinical data on patients 50 and older treated for cervical spine fracture in a single healthcare system (2006-2016). Our primary outcome consisted of 1-year mortality, with mortality within 3-months of presentation considered secondarily.
Background: National changes in health care disparities within the setting of trauma care have not been examined within Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) or non-ACOs. We sought to examine the impact of ACOs on post-treatment outcomes (in-hospital mortality, 90-day complications, and readmissions), as well as surgical intervention among whites and nonwhites treated for spinal fractures.
Materials And Methods: We identified all beneficiaries treated for spinal fractures between 2009 and 2014 using national Medicare fee for service claims data.
Background Context: Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) were designed to reduce healthcare costs while simultaneously improving quality. Given that the success of ACOs is predicated on controlling costs, concerns have been expressed that patients could be adversely affected through restricted access to surgery, including in the context of spine fracture care.
Purpose: Evaluate the impact of Medicare ACO formation on the utilization of surgery and outcomes following spinal fractures.