Interest In Infectious Diseases Research Articles

Gauging Medical Students' Interests in Infectious Diseases.

Infectious diseases is a crucial specialty in medicine, yet applications for fellowship have declined even as the United States faces an imminent shortage of infectious disease physicians. Career interests often develop in medical school, but little is known about which interests and experiences are associated with interest in ID. Evaluate interest in ID among medical students and identify factors associated with interest and disinterest in ID careers. We developed a 26-question survey to gauge interest in infectious diseases (ID). All 16 medical schools in Texas were contacted and invited to participate. A total of 262 students across 9 medical school campuses completed the survey. Those interested in ID as a career had a significantly higher interest in public health (p<0.0001) and global (p<0.0003) health. The presence of an ID campus interest group (p<0.0015) and direct experience with the ID profession (p<0.0001) were also associated with interest. The most common reasons for lack of interest were lack of interest in pursuing internal medicine or pediatric residency, lack of compensation, and lack of procedures. Those interested in ID expressed interest in a wide variety of career pathways within ID, the most common being general inpatient and outpatient ID, as well as medical microbiology and global health/tropical medicine/travel medicine. Based on this survey, recruitment efforts for new ID fellows might include focusing on students with interests in public and global health, as well as increasing direct exposure to ID at the medical school level.

Waning Interest in Infectious Diseases Among Trainees: Is Medicine Pulling the Goalie?

Relatively low salaries in infectious diseases (ID) compared to other medical specialties, in a world where cost of living is skyrocketing, are an easy explanation for unmet needs of ID training programs to fill their positions. However, the interest in ID falling short of expectations may reflect that some features of the ID specialty are counter to select pervasive tendencies of modern culture, including (1) slow uptake of innovation into daily routines of ID practitioners, (2) the emphasis of clinical mastery of ID practitioners in an environment of medical corporatization and increased focus on revenue generation, and (3) the fact that ID practice takes societal interests into consideration (eg, prevention of antibiotic resistance) in a world dominated by rights of individuals, frequently at the expense of the common good. This article reflects on these possibilities to determine what steps can be taken to resurrect interest in our specialty.

2003. Igniting the Spark: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Medical Student Preclinical Infectious Diseases Learning

Abstract Background Major educational goals of Infectious Diseases (ID) are to recruit more trainees into ID and promote good antimicrobial decision-making. National survey research (Bonura et al, 2016) revealed that ID curricula that deemphasize memorization are associated with greater odds of trainees entering the field of ID. As ID electives are not required during medical school, preclinical ID courses could represent the last dedicated opportunity for students to gain exposure to the field and acquire key clinical skills for antimicrobial selection. Yet little is known about how students experience preclinical ID courses. We aimed to explore how students experience and engage with these courses to better understand how best to augment their learning and interest in ID. Methods We conducted individual interviews with a purposeful sample of medical students who took the preclinical ID course during three curricular years (2019-2021). Our semi-structured interviews explored students' challenges in learning ID, as well as the motivations, learning principles, and strategies guiding that learning. We generated a codebook through an iterative, inductive process using Dedoose to code interviews and facilitate analysis. We confirmed and refined major themes over 19 interviews. Results Students face unique challenges learning ID but are motivated to succeed by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors (Table 1). We identified six core learning principles (Establishing Relevance, Organized Study, Relating Ideas, Multi-Modal Learning, Socially Constructed Learning, and Active Engagement with Material) that support student learning, deployed through four main strategies (Peer Advice, Writing it Out, Talking it Out, and Use of External Resources) (Table 2; Figure 1).Table 1.Challenges and Motivations in Learning Infectious Diseases (ID)Table 2.Infectious Diseases (ID) Learning Principles and StrategiesFigure 1.Infectious Diseases (ID) Learning Principles with Supportive Strategies Conclusion Our results build on prior research indicating that students learning ID benefit from incorporation of educational principles and strategies that move beyond rote memorization to encourage active engagement and self-reflection. We found that students preference deep, strategic learning methods propelled by intrinsic motivation, despite external pressures. Our findings have implications for optimizing ID education and ultimately increasing interest in the field. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Handling conflicts of interest in infectious diseases

Handling conflicts of interest in infectious diseases

The Infectious Diseases Specialist, At Risk of Extinction.

The results of the Infectious Diseases (ID) fellowship match over the past decade have raised concerns that the future of our specialty is in peril, despite the unprecedented demand for ID expertise as exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. While there was a modest increase in ID fellowships applicants attributable to the pandemic, the disappointing 2023 match results indicate that the increase was short-lived. Multiple factors contribute to low interest in ID including but not only low salaries relative to other specialties. Solutions to grow the ID workforce are urgently needed and are critical to the public health of this nation.

Training infectious diseases senior residents during COVID-19: The impact and the lessons learnt

Background The COVID-19 pandemic had major impact on the training of Infectious Diseases (ID) residents across the globe. They were part of the frontline staff, while at the same time training to be ID physicians. This study focused on identifying their capability, i.e. the ability to adapt existing competencies to new situations, which is now recognised as an essential element of professional practice. Aim This study explored what ID residents learnt and how they learnt as they adapted to working in this unpredictable and challenging COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This qualitative explorative study was based in the Infectious Diseases Senior Residency Programme across three training institutions in Singapore. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using a template analysis technique. Results Nine ID residents participated in this study. They learnt to engage with uncertainty in a meaningful way by relying on prior training and rapidly learning how to most effectively learn (metacognition). Learning was enhanced by collaboration between multidisciplinary health professionals, strong leadership and intrinsic motivation from personal interest in ID. They learnt through observing how senior faculty approached and managed the COVID-19 situation. Conclusion When learning for future capability in a rapidly evolving situation, role-modelling and mentoring are essential as available information resources may still not provide the learning from skilled doctors with actual experiences managing complex, uncertain situations.

1350. Limited Opportunities for Student Involvement in Infectious Diseases in the Mountain West: How a New Group is Bridging the Gap

Abstract Background The documented lack of infectious disease physicians in the United States has motivated substantial research. A new student group, “InfectED”, was formed at the University of Utah with a particular focus on community and student education in infectious diseases. To explore the efforts of our peer clubs, this study characterized student groups focused on infectious diseases (ID), microbiology (M), or global/public health (GPH) in the Mountain West. Methods A list of undergraduate colleges, including associates/community colleges, with enrollments of 1,000+ students in eight Mountain West states was constructed. Enrollment was verified with the College Navigator service from the NCES. A second list of 26 schools providing either medical (MD &amp; DO) and/or physician assistant degrees was also developed. Club constitutions, campus and social media webpages were consulted to determine club activities and goals. Results Of the 90 final undergraduate schools, 19 (21.2%) had at least one group. 14 M, 16 GPH, and one ID group were found. 4 (12.9%) groups were at private institutions, with the remainder (87.1%) at public universities; none were at associates/community colleges. 11 (35.5%) groups were chapters of either the American Society for Microbiology, GlobeMed, or Operation Outbreak. Of the professional schools, 1 (3.85%) had groups for M, 11 (42.3%) for GPH, and 2 (7.69%) for ID. Community service, student and community education, guest lectures, journal club, and social and enrichment events were frequently mentioned in club bylaws. Undergraduate Groups Found in the Mountain West Thirty-one groups for infectious diseases, microbiology, or global/public health were found in undergraduate universities in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming. The state of Montana has no groups, and no groups were found at associates and community colleges. Conclusion We demonstrate a need for ID-related student involvement opportunities. By developing chapters of ID organizations such as IDSA, students can be inspired to consider the field later on. A strong interest in global/public health is seen, which can be leveraged to attract interest in ID. The absence of any groups at associates/community colleges is also striking. To target this gap and increase interest, InfectED is directing education and enrichment efforts in both English and Spanish at local community centers, community colleges, and high schools with audiences reporting higher interest in both healthcare and ID afterward. A qualitative survey with an invitation to collaborate is currently collecting responses from our peer clubs. Audience Interest in ID Increases Answer to the question "this presentation influenced my decision to consider pursuing a career in microbiology and/or infectious disease" by community college and high school students across multiple InfectED presentations. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.

A false alarm: Pacemaker pocket pseudo-infection.

A 87-year-old man had a dual-chamber pacemaker for almost 10 years implanted for symptomatic sinus node disease. Subsequently, he underwent device replacement in our department because of battery depletion. Nineteen months after the last procedure, he presented to a district hospital because he noticed a diffuse redness over the pacemaker area. Shortly after, he was transferred to our center with a presumed diagnosis of “pacemaker pocket infection.” On inspection, there was an obvious redness over the pacemaker pocket area extending to half of the left hemithorax (Figure 1 Panel A). The erythema was warm on palpation but there was no tenderness. Of note, the patient was afebrile in good clinical condition. His past medical history was significant for hypertension and hyperlipidemia treated with perindopril, amlodipine, and atorvastatin. The laboratory examinations were all within normal limits, apart from the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (initial value: 90 mg/L; normal value <8 mg/L). No specific site of injury, irritation, insect bite, or sting was evident over the pacemaker area. Given that a pacemaker pocket infection was suspected, he was placed on intravenous antibiotic treatment with ampicillin/sulbactam and clindamycin while an extraction procedure was scheduled. A transesophageal echocardiogram the following day did not reveal any abnormality. The blood cultures taken before the antibiotics institution were negative. Remarkably, the patient responded dramatically to the treatment and on the fifth day of hospitalization, the erythema disappeared (Figure 1B) while the CRP levels almost normalized (10 mg/L). Although the initial working diagnosis was a pocket infection, the possibility of a superficial infection caused by an involuntary irritation or minor injury was also considered. The patient was discharged home on the 8th day after admission and continued the same antibiotic treatment orally for another 7 days. During follow-up at 1, 6, and 12 months, the patient remained well without any relapse. The final diagnosis made by our team was local cellulitis that responded to antibiotic treatment and was confirmed by an internist with a special interest in infectious diseases. Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection represents a devastating complication leading to significant morbidity and mortality.1, 2 Current recommendations advocate a therapeutic approach consisting of complete removal of the system and antimicrobial therapy.2 Although most CIED infections occur within 1 year from the index procedure, a significant proportion of patients develop infections later.1, 3 The early recognition and management of CIED infections is important in terms of morbidity and mortality. The clinical presentation of our patient along with the elevated CRP was suspected of pocket infection, although 19 months had been elapsed since the generator replacement. Notably, we have reported a case series of patients with skin lesions that mimic pocket infection.4 These conditions include local cellulitis after CIED implantation, spontaneous bruising, herpes zoster, contact dermatitis because of the prolonged postoperative application of povidone-iodine.4 However, most conditions that may be misinterpreted as CIED pocket infection are neoplastic (malignant tumors).4 Moreover, titanium, nickel, or other pacemaker compounds may very rarely provoke allergic reactions including contact dermatitis.4 Our patient suffered localized diffuse cellulitis without any obvious cause (local injury, sting, or bite). Clinicians should be aware of conditions mimicking CIED pocket infection. Many of these entities can be treated conservatively without any meaningful complications. Inadvertent CIED extraction may have a negative impact on patient's clinical outcomes. Although CIED pseudo-infection is rare, a rapid and dramatic improvement of the local inflammatory signs after antibiotic treatment during the first few days may portend a benign outcome. However, the diagnosis of pseudo-infection would be certain only if complete remission will remain and no signs of infection recur after cessation of antibiotic treatment. Authors declare no conflict of interets for this article. The patient has given signed consent for publication of his medical case anonymously and without showing his face.

Public Interest in Immunity and the Justification for Intervention in the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis of Google Trends Data.

BackgroundThe use of social big data is an important emerging concern in public health. Internet search volumes are useful data that can sensitively detect trends of the public's attention during a pandemic outbreak situation.ObjectiveOur study aimed to analyze the public’s interest in COVID-19 proliferation, identify the correlation between the proliferation of COVID-19 and interest in immunity and products that have been reported to confer an enhancement of immunity, and suggest measures for interventions that should be implemented from a health and medical point of view.MethodsTo assess the level of public interest in infectious diseases during the initial days of the COVID-19 outbreak, we extracted Google search data from January 20, 2020, onward and compared them to data from March 15, 2020, which was approximately 2 months after the COVID-19 outbreak began. In order to determine whether the public became interested in the immune system, we selected coronavirus, immune, and vitamin as our final search terms.ResultsThe increase in the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases that occurred after January 20, 2020, had a strong positive correlation with the search volumes for the terms coronavirus (R=0.786; P<.001), immune (R=0.745; P<.001), and vitamin (R=0.778; P<.001), and the correlations between variables were all mutually statistically significant. Moreover, these correlations were confirmed on a country basis when we restricted our analyses to the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Korea. Our findings revealed that increases in search volumes for the terms coronavirus and immune preceded the actual occurrences of confirmed cases.ConclusionsOur study shows that during the initial phase of the COVID-19 crisis, the public’s desire and actions of strengthening their own immune systems were enhanced. Further, in the early stage of a pandemic, social media platforms have a high potential for informing the public about potentially helpful measures to prevent the spread of an infectious disease and provide relevant information about immunity, thereby increasing the public’s knowledge.

Innovative strategies to fight antimicrobial resistance: crowdsourcing to expand medical training

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a serious public health concern across the world, but public awareness is low, few educational resources on diagnostics exist and professional interest in infectious diseases is waning. To spur interest in infectious disease, emphasize the role of diagnostics in management of resistant infections and develop educational resources to support antimicrobial stewardship. Methods: We employed crowdsourcing methods, using an open challenge contest to solicit clinical cases on antimicrobial resistance and clinical diagnostics. Results: We received 25 clinical cases from nine countries. After screening, 23 cases were eligible for judging. Three cases emerged as the top finalists and were further developed into an open access learning module on diagnostics and antimicrobial resistance. Conclusions: Crowdsourcing methods are beneficial for generating interest in infectious disease and developing educational resources to support antibiotic stewardship.

UK Paediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship: a call for action

Background: Paediatric antimicrobial stewardship (PAS) networks exist in the USA and Australia but not in the UK. We sought to capture a snapshot of the current PAS landscape across UK children’s hospitals. Methods: A survey of PAS activities was conducted in tertiary children’s hospitals. Results: Infectious disease or microbiology consultants responded to the survey (n=15). All hospitals had neonatal, paediatric intensive care and surgical patients.All centres provided a PAS education programme for doctors, 7 for nurses and 9 for pharmacists as well. All centres had empirical antimicrobial prescribing guidelines. All centres with a paediatric infectious diseases (PID) team (11/15) used “audit and feedback” rounds, although their frequency and coverage varied. The PAS teams mostly included a PID consultant and/or microbiology consultants and a pharmacist. Three centres also had a nurse covering also the paediatric out-patient antibiotic treatment programme. Funding for PAS were inconsistent: Great Ormond Street Hospital had secured a dedicated full-time paediatric microbiologist, antimicrobial pharmacist and PID consultant with a ratio of 1/453 in-patient beds. 9 centres did not have dedicated funding for a paediatric antimicrobial pharmacist, 7 did not have funding for a paediatric infectious disease consultant. Only 2 hospitals had microbiology consultant time for paediatric audit and feedback. Conclusion: PAS programmes in the UK are limited, funding is inconsistent and their set up is variable, even in tertiary children’s hospitals with a strong interest in infectious diseases. We propose a national PAS network to advocate for more consistency and research into the implementation of PAS programmes.

Epidemiological Model for Pediatrics Patients with Leprosy Infection

Leprosy Infection (LI) is a long-term chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis. This infectious disease has caused the public issue in many countries around the globe. The disease is prevalent among the adults, although there are now cases of the minor contacting this disease through household contact which is the primary source of infection such as (babysitters, neighbors). The emerging and reemerging diseases have led to a revived interest in infectious diseases in which mathematical models have become important tools in analyzing the spread and control of infectious diseases. Mathematical models are used in comparing, planning, implementing, evaluating and optimizing various detection, prevention therapy, and control programs, the model provides conceptual results such as threshold and basic reproduction number. In this paper, the Passive Immunity Pediatrics (M) - susceptible- Exposed-infected-recovered-susceptible (MSEIRS) model was adopted to depict the spread of infections in our environment.

1308. Predictors of Career Interest in Infectious Diseases Among US Pharmacy Students

BackgroundPharmacists have a central role in infectious diseases (ID) and antibiotic stewardship efforts across multiple healthcare settings. The demand for pharmacist to fill ID and stewardship-related careers will likely increase as institutions create antibiotic stewardship programs in response to the 2016 Joint Commission standard. The objective of this study was to compare students’ perceptions of their school’s ID curriculum between students interested in an ID career and those who are not.MethodsA cross-sectional survey study of students graduating from US pharmacy schools was conducted in September 2017. Students received the survey link from the ID faculty at participating schools.ResultsFive hundred thirty-seven students from 28 pharmacy schools completed surveys. Quality of ID didactic education was rated as Very Good by 220 (41%), Good by 219 (40%), Acceptable by 76 (14%), and Poor by 22 (4%) respondents. The most common career interests were ambulatory care (44%), community practice (38%), and infectious diseases (29%). The most common preferred practice settings for students with an interest in ID (n = 157) were inpatient/hospital (86%), inpatient stewardship (70%), and inpatient ID consult service (66%). Differences in responses about didactic ID education between students interested in an ID career and those not interested included: perception of education as Very Good (52% vs. 37%, P = 0.005), faculty providing handouts and/or worksheets (89% vs. 82%, P = 0.009), and the desire for more time allocated to antibiotic stewardship (47% vs. 31%, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression found variables to be predictive of pharmacy student interest in an ID career including: pharmacy school curriculum (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5–4.0), perception of a Very Good didactic ID education (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0–2.3), and faculty mentor(s) (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–2.7).ConclusionPharmacy students expressing interest in ID as a career had positive views of their didactic ID education, were more likely to report faculty mentorship, and desired more time for antibiotic stewardship in the curriculum. These results can inform efforts to encourage pharmacy students to pursue careers in ID.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Comprehensive Assessment of Didactic Curriculum and Career Interest in Infectious Diseases Among Graduating United States Pharmacy Students.

BackgroundThe growing need for clinicians with antimicrobial stewardship (AS) skills has resulted in an examination of educational methods for pharmacy and medical learners. This study explores characteristics associated with student assessment of didactic infectious diseases (ID) education quality and variables associated with a career interest in ID and/or AS.MethodsInfectious diseases faculty from US pharmacy schools were sent a 15-question survey in September 2017. Faculty members e-mailed the survey link to graduating pharmacy students.ResultsParticipants from 29 pharmacy schools, representing 21 states, resulted in 537 student responses. Quality of ID didactic education was rated as Very Good by 41%, Good by 40%, Acceptable by 14%, and Poor by 4% of participants. The mean number of faculty-provided learning resources differed by quality rating and was significantly associated with perceived educational needs. Infectious diseases was identified as a career interest by 29% of students. These students more frequently rated their ID didactic education as Very Good (52% vs 37%, P < .01) and were more likely to become interested in ID during or after it was taught in pharmacy school (39% vs 21%, P < .01).ConclusionsIn this cohort of graduating pharmacy students, the perceived quality of didactic ID education was associated with a career interest in ID and/or AS. Factors associated with quality of education were quantity and quality of faculty-provided resources. Increasing the quality of the didactic ID curriculum has potential to increase interest in ID/AS careers among pharmacy students.

Timing of Infectious Disease Clinical Rotation Is Associated With Infectious Disease Fellowship Application.

With declining interest in infectious disease (ID) noted among internal medicine (IM) residents, national attention has been directed at methods to recruit more prospective ID applicants. The factors driving the recent decline in ID fellowship applications have thus far only been evaluated in survey studies. Since 2008 at our institution, all IM interns were required to complete a 4-week inpatient ID rotation. We evaluated this rotation to determine if any experiential factors could be linked to future ID interest. Categorical IM interns rotating on the mandatory ID rotation at our institution between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2015, were included. Interns were grouped by eventual application to ID fellowship (IDA) and nonapplication (non-IDA). Consult numbers and types and characteristics of team members during the rotation were compared. Between July 2008 and June 2015, 143 IM interns met inclusion criteria. Ten (7%) were IDA. There was no difference in number of consults seen, intern, team member, faculty, or fellow characteristics among groups. However, 90% of IDA compared with 46% of non-IDA rotated during the first 6 months of internship (P = .01). During a 7-year period, those interns randomly assigned to rotate on ID in the first 6 months of their intern year were more likely to become future ID applicants. This supports prior self-reported survey data that early exposure to the field may impact future career choice and suggests that incorporating ID early into the intern experience may increase recruitment.

Francis I. Proctor, MD and his wife Elizabeth C. Proctor: Their lives and legacy.

The Francis I. Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology is internationally recognized for its research in the fields of ocular inflammatory and infectious diseases. Although the name of one of its founders, Francis I. Proctor, MD (1864-1936) is memorialized, the legacy of his wife, Elizabeth C. Proctor (1882-1975) is not as well known. They were both full partners in this endeavor. Francis, a successful and wealthy ophthalmologist, retired to Santa Fe, New Mexico. After their marriage, they became interested in the problem of blinding trachoma, then an endemic problem on the Native American Indian reservations. The couple selected Phillips Thygeson, MD (1903-2002), a young ophthalmologist with an interest in infectious diseases, as their lead investigator. Using their own funds, the Proctors paid for Thygeson and themselves to study trachoma in Egypt, and then establish a trachoma research laboratory in Arizona where the causative agent of trachoma was identified. Not only did the Proctors fund these studies, they also studied bacteriology so they could help in the laboratory themselves. After Francis' death, Elizabeth endowed the Foundation in 1947 and continued to support it. She also established the Proctor Medal for The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

A study assessing the educational value of serious games in infectious diseases – Going beyond memorization

BackgroundThe method in which infectious diseases (ID) content is taught influences the career choices of healthcare professionals. A survey of medical residents found that memorization was the most common teaching method used for 78% of residents that were uninterested in a career in ID compared with only 33% for residents who were interested in an ID career. Alternatives to memorization need to be investigated and assessedMethodsDuring a one-time 3 hour session, pharmacy students engaged in 6 game-based active learning strategies each lasting 20 minutes. These strategies included audience response (Kahoot), simulation (Septris), problem-based learning (Carmen STD-go), a card game (BugOut!), a board game (Chutes and Ladders), and a quiz game (Catchphrase). Students then completed a survey for each game.ResultsForty-one students participated in the study and completed surveys. Students used a Likert scale from 1 to 10 (1=lowest value, 10=highest value) to evaluate aspects of each game. The mean educational value scores were Chutes and Ladders 8.58, Kahoot 7.24, Catchphrase 7.07, Septris 6.71, Carmen STD-go 6.20, and BugOut! 6.20. Educational value scores were statistically higher for the audience response, board, and quiz game compared with the simulation, card, and problem-based learning games. The percent of students that would recommend adding each game to the curriculum was 92.7% for Catchphrase, 87.8% for Chutes and Ladders, 82.9% for Kahoot, 78.0% for Carmen STD-go, 68.3% for Septris, and 61.0% for BugOut!. The percent of students indicating that the game increased their level of interest in ID was 92.7% for Chutes and Ladders, 87.8% for Catchphrase, 75.6% for Kahoot, Carmen STD-go, and BugOut!, and 65.9% for Septris.ConclusionThe majority of students indicated that all games increased their level of interest in ID and would recommend adding them to their schools curriculum. These six active learning games appear to be viable options for inclusion into teaching techniques and may increase healthcare students’ career interest in ID.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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

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. 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. We conducted all analysis using poststratification adjustment weights with survey data analysis procedures. Of the 590 participants, 42 (7%) selected category 1, 188 (32%) category 2, and 360 (61%) category 3. Most (65%) developed an interest in their ultimate career before residency. Of those interested in ID, >52% rated their ID medical school curriculum as very good and influential on their interest in ID. Ninety-one percent of category 2 participants felt mentorship was influential on career choice, although 43% identified an ID mentor. Category 2 chose salary as the most dissuading factor and the most likely intervention to increase ID interest. In this nationally representative sample of graduating IM residents, most develop an interest in their ultimate career before residency. Factors influencing this decision reside in both medical school and residency, which is consistent with career decision-making constructs. By identifying career determining factors and understanding how they fit into medical training frameworks, we can develop targeted initiatives to reinvigorate interest in ID.

In memoriam: Hans Gerd Schiefer (1935-2014).

Professor Hans Gerd Schiefer, known to many of us as a medical microbiologist with a strong interest in infectious diseases, died on October 11, 2014 from complications of a malignant tumor. Born on December 17, 1935 in Wuppertal–Elberfeld, he studied medicine at the universities of Marburg, Munich, and Dusseldorf and interrupted his studies for a 2-year period of work in the biochemistry laboratory of the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich under the direction of Carl Martius. After receiving his M.D. degree in 1962, he interned in medicine in Duisburg, Essen, and Cologne and again in biochemistry at the University of Cologne and at the Max Planck Institute for Experimental medicine in Gottingen. In 1971, he became a fellow at the Institute of Medical Microbiology of the University of Giessen, qualified in 1972 as a specialist in Laboratory Medicine, and became Assistant Professor for Medical Microbiology and Urogenital and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in 1974. In 1975, he was named Professor at that institution.

Student-led review sessions to reinforce pharmacotherapy knowledge prior to APPEs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of student-led pharmacotherapy review sessions for third-year pharmacy students in preparation for their Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs). MethodsA needs assessment survey was administered to determine which pharmacotherapy topics should be reviewed. A pre-test and a post-test consisting of five multiple-choice questions based on the topic being reviewed were administered to students at three of the review sessions. Attendees also completed a subjective evaluation following each review session. ResultsA total of 56 students in the third-year class (45%) responded to the needs assessment survey expressing interest in Infectious Diseases, Cardiology, and Endocrine review sessions. Students who attended the sessions had the following pre-test and post-test scores: Infectious Diseases (n = 23) 43% and 89%, Cardiology (n = 46) 54% and 85%, and Endocrine (n = 17) 33% and 79%; all of which were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Based on evaluations (overall response rate: 85%), students found the review sessions to be well-organized and at an appropriate level. The activity was rated overall as good or excellent by 94% of respondents, and 96% reported feeling more prepared for APPEs after attending the sessions. ConclusionsA student-led educational program designed to assist third-year pharmacy students in preparing for APPE rotations had a positive effect on students’ pharmacotherapy knowledge base of the disease states reviewed. The review sessions helped the students feel more prepared before starting their APPEs.