Reviewing Internal Medicine Clerkship Grading Through a Proequity Lens: Results of a National Survey.

Purpose: Equity in assessment and grading has become imperative across medical education. Although strategies to promote equity exist, there may be variable penetrance across institutions. The objectives of this study were to identify strategies internal medicine (IM) clerkship directors (CDs) use to reduce inequities in assessment and grading and explore IM CDs' perceptions of factors that impede or facilitate the implementation of these strategies.

Motivational interviewing and pediatric health behavior interventions.

Motivational interviewing (MI) is an empirically supported intervention with a large evidentiary base in the adult behavioral medicine and addictions literature. In the last decade, a growing body of research has shown promise for the use of MI in health behavior change settings with pediatric populations. This article provides a description of MI and its differences from other pediatric counseling and medical management approaches.

A high glycemic meal suppresses the postprandial leptin response in normal healthy adults.

Background/aims: To evaluate the metabolic effects of meals with varying glycemic index (GI).

Methods: We measured the glucose, insulin and leptin responses to two contrasting breakfast cereals in a group of 10 young healthy volunteers. Meals were provided on two separate occasions in random order after a 12-hour overnight fast, and consisted of 50 g of available carbohydrate from either Corn Flakes (Kellogg's), or Fiber One (General Mills).

Asthma evaluation and management.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory illness with acute exacerbations, which often is encountered in the ED setting. Knowledge of the presentation and treatment of asthma is crucial for any physician treating patients with this disease. Beta-agonist, anticholinergic, and corticosteroid therapy continue to be the mainstay of emergency therapy despite advances in newer medications.

Thrombocytopenia caused by splenic hamartoma: resolution after splenectomy.

We report a rare case of isolated thrombocytopenia due to a large hamartoma of the pulposal type, which resolved with splenectomy in a 46-year-old man. Although hamartomas are usually found incidentally, they may cause hematologic disturbances such as thrombocytopenia, anemia, or splenic rupture. The diagnosis of splenic hamartoma is difficult to make preoperatively.