Comparison of virtual vs face-to-face medical nutrition therapy in patients with hyperlipidemia.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, utilization of telemedicine visits has increased. The outcomes of virtual compared to face-to-face (F2F) visits for treating hyperlipidemia are uncharacterized. This observational study compared pre- to post-visit change in lipid markers between 41 virtual and 151 F2F visits with a registered dietitian nutritionist at the University of Michigan Preventive Cardiology program from 3/31/2019-9/31/2022.

Readability and Non-English Language Resources of Heart Transplant Center Websites in the United States.

Objective: Health literacy is associated with heart failure (HF) care and outcomes. Online resources offer important educational materials for patients seeking access to heart transplantation but tend to be complex and potentially ineffective for non-English speakers and those with low reading levels. The purpose of this study was to evaluate both the readability of patient-level information posted on United States heart transplant center websites and the availability of non-English resources.

Rising use of surveillance colonoscopy and potential impacts.

Objectives: To quantify temporal changes in colonoscopy indication and assess appropriateness of surveillance use in older adults.

Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal study of national Veterans Health Administration (VHA) data of all patients who underwent outpatient colonoscopy in 2005-2014.

Methods: After validating an electronic algorithm for classifying colonoscopy indication in VHA, we examined trends in colonoscopy indication over time and across patient characteristics.