Primary Care Physician Offices Research Articles

Why Do Patients Opt for the Emergency Department over Other Care Choices? A Multi-Hospital Analysis

Introduction: There are several options for receiving acute care besides emergency departments (ED), such as primary care physician (PCP) offices, urgent care centers (UCC), and telehealth services. It is unknown whether these alternative modes of care have decreased the number of ED visits for patients or whether they are considered before visiting the ED. A comprehensive study considering all potential methods of care is needed to address the evolving landscape of healthcare. Our goal was to identify any factors or barriers that may have influenced a patient’s choice to visit the ED as opposed to a UCC, PCP, another local ED, or use telehealth services. Methods: We surveyed ED patients between three hospital sites in the greater Buffalo, NY, area. The survey consisted of questions regarding the patients’ reasons and rationale for choosing the ED over the alternative care options. The study also involved a health record review of the patients’ diagnoses, tests/procedures, consults, and final disposition after completion of the survey. Results: Of the 590 patients consented and surveyed, 152 (25.7%) considered seeking care at a UCC, 18 (3.1%) considered telehealth services, and 146 (24.7%) attempted to contact their PCP. On the recommendation of their PCP, patients presented to the ED 110 (20.7%) times and on the recommendation of the clinician at the UCC 54 (9.2%) times. Patients’ perceived seriousness of their condition was the most common reason for their selected mode of transport to the ED and reason for choosing the ED as opposed to alternative care sites (PCP, UCC, telehealth). Based on criteria for an avoidable ED visit, 83 (14.1%) ED patients met these criteria. Conclusion: Individuals prioritize the perceived severity of their condition when deciding where to seek emergency care. While some considered alternatives (PCP, UCC, telehealth services), uncertainties about their condition and recommendations from other clinicians led many to opt for ED care. Our findings suggest a potential gap in understanding the severity of symptoms and determining the most suitable place to seek medical care for these particular conditions.

Emergency Department Versus Primary Care Use: A Patient Perspective.

When faced with an acute illness, patients routinely make the decision of whether to present to their primary care physician (PCP) or the emergency department (ED). While the ED is known to be a high-cost component of the health care system, many ED visits include nonurgent ailments that could easily be treated within the medical home/primary care office. Particularly for patients who have an established PCP, the factors driving a preference for ED use remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to better understand patient motivation for visiting the ED rather than the PCP office. This observational study aimed to take a qualitative look at the patient population using a health system ED in the city of Wilkes Barre, PA, from December 2021 to March 2022. We conducted 30 interviews of patients who recently visited the ED and analyzed the responses for recurring themes. Major themes included the benefit of the PCP-patient relationship, patients' preference for multiple sources of medical guidance, patients' subjectively justifying their symptoms as emergent, seeking emergent care despite perception of higher cost, and factoring in time spent at a health care facility waiting for answers. This study contributes to further understanding of the values that drive ED use by using patient voice as a powerful tool to understand communities and local trends, which will allow health care systems to adapt and personalize protocols to their specific population.

Population screening for hepatic fibrosis : who to screen, why and how ?

The development of liver fibrosis is the consequence of histological remodeling of the liver parenchyma, reflecting chronic inflammatory liver disease or hepatocyte necrosis. These tissue modifications result in structural changes to the extracellular matrix, predisposing to progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, whatever the underlying etiology. Recent data demonstrate the potential benefits of screening for hepatic fibrosis, in particular in order to detect and treat the cause of the underlying liver disease as early as possible, which could ultimately lead to the many known complications in cirrhotic patients. Early identification of the population at risk of hepatic fibrosis should precede screening, which may be initiated in the primary care physician's office and continued at a later stage by the specialist.

Pediatric diabetes mellitus hospitalizations and COVID-19 pandemic response measures

AimsIn the United States, evidence suggests that during the COVID-19 pandemic, admissions of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have increased. This study assessed hospital admission rates for pediatric type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 (T2DM) diabetes mellitus during 2019–2021, and the potential influence of the timing of various pandemic response measures. MethodsRetrospective chart reviews were conducted of 854 T1DM and 135 T2DM hospital admissions between January 2019 and December 2021 in patients < 20 years old to collect demographic data, admission type, body mass index (BMI), and area deprivation index (ADI, a measure of socioeconomic vulnerability). Patients were divided into three cohorts based on their admission year: 2019 (Pre-pandemic), 2020 (Pandemic, Pre-vaccine), and 2021 (Pandemic, Post-vaccine). Admissions were categorized within each cohort by diagnosis (T1DM or T2DM) and clinical presentation (new onset, diabetic ketoacidosis: DKA). Cohorts were compared using an independent samples t-test for continuous variables or a chi-square test for categorical variables. ResultsThe incidence of T2DM hospitalizations tripled during the pandemic, increasing from 18 in 2019 (Pre-pandemic), to 55 in 2020 (Pandemic, Pre-vaccine), and 62 in 2021 (Pandemic, Post-vaccine). The rate of patients presenting with DKA was 15.4 % (95 % CI: 4 %-26.9 %) higher in 2020 (Pandemic, Pre-vaccine) among patients with new-onset T1DM (72/139 vs. 52/143), and 22.5 % (95 % CI: 9.6 %-35.4 %) higher in 2020 (Pandemic, Pre-vaccine) among T2DM patients (9/40 vs. 0/14). This increased rate of new onset T2DM significantly correlated with younger age (P = 0.046) and higher ADI score (P = 0.017), but not with BMI. ConclusionThe incidence of T1DM hospitalizations did not increase during the pandemic; however, they tripled for T2DM patients. All new onset DM pediatric patients during the pandemic were more likely to present in DKA. Patients admitted with new onset T2DM were socioeconomically more vulnerable. For T1DM, the peak of local pediatric diabetes admissions in 2020 occurred slightly later coinciding with the reopening of primary care physicians (PCP) offices and schools.

Journey to STEEEP healthcare: A focus on systems through a patient's experience

Healthcare systems continue to struggle with providing safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable and patient-centered (STEEEP) care. Upon audit by clinicians, treatment processes such as those completed following clinical pathways appear to manage care safely. However, when reviewing the treatment process through the patient and/or their family's lens, the experience is quite different. This article will use a vignette detailing care provided in a primary care physician's office along with the patient's outpatient testing experience to reveal opportunities for improvement, a glimpse into the patient's experience and share methods for achieving STEEEP healthcare.

Examining the Utility of a Telehealth Warm Handoff in Integrated Primary Care for Improving Patient Engagement in Mental Health Treatment: Randomized Video Vignette Study.

A warm handoff from a physician to a mental health provider is often patients' first contact with psychological services and provides a unique opportunity for improving treatment engagement in integrated primary care (IPC) settings. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study sought to examine the impact of different types of telehealth mental health referrals on both the anticipated likelihood of accepting treatment services and anticipated likelihood of continued treatment engagement. A convenience sample of young adults (N=560) was randomized to view 1 of 3 video vignettes: warm handoff in IPC, referral as usual (RAU) in IPC, or RAU in standard primary care. Logistic associations between referral type and the likelihood of referral acceptance (χ21=10.9, P=.004) and the likelihood of continued engagement (χ21=32.6, P<.001) were significant. Participants who received a warm handoff were significantly more likely to anticipate both accepting the referral (b=0.35; P=.002; odds ratio 1.42, 95% CI 1.15-1.77) and engaging in continued treatment (b=0.62; P<.001; odds ratio 1.87, 95% CI 1.49-2.34) compared with those who received RAU in the standard primary care condition. Furthermore, 77.9% (436/560) of the sample indicated that they would be at least somewhat likely to access IPC mental health services for their own mental health concerns if they were readily available in their own primary care physician's office. A telehealth warm handoff resulted in the increased anticipated likelihood of both initial and continued engagement in mental health treatment. A telehealth warm handoff may have utility in fostering the uptake of mental health treatment. Nonetheless, a longitudinal assessment in a primary care clinic of the utility of a warm handoff for fostering referral acceptance and continued treatment engagement is needed to hone the adoptability of a warm handoff process and demonstrate practical evidence of effectiveness. The optimization of a warm handoff would also benefit from additional studies examining patient and provider perspectives about the factors affecting treatment engagement in IPC settings.

Documentation and Treatment of Obesity in Primary Care Physician Office Visits: The Role of the Patient-Physician Relationship.

An ongoing patient-physician relationship may increase the likelihood of acknowledging obesity and providing a treatment plan. The purpose of the study was to investigate if continuity of care was associated with recording of obesity and receipt of a weight-loss treatment plan. We analyzed data from the 2016 and 2018 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Only adult patients with measured body mass index of ≥ 30 were included. Our primary measures were acknowledgment of obesity, treatment of obesity, continuity of care, and obesity-associated comorbid conditions. Among patients who were objectively obese, only 30.6% had an acknowledgment of the patient's body composition in the visit. In adjusted analyses, continuity of care was not significantly related to recording of obesity but did significantly increase the likelihood of treatment for obesity. Continuity of care was only significantly related to obesity treatment when defined as a visit with the patient's established primary care physician. The effect was not seen with continuity with the practice. There are many missed opportunities for prevention of obesity-related disease. Continuity of care with a primary care physician was associated with benefits in treatment likelihood, but greater emphasis on managing obesity in a primary care visit seems warranted.

Hipertenzija kod dece i adolescenata

Until recently, secondary hypertension used to be the most common form of hypertension in the paediatric population. Due to the increasing prevalence of obesity-related hypertension in children and adolescents, the share of secondary hypertension has decreased from 85% to 9%. Today, primary hypertension has become the dominant form of hypertension in the paediatric population. The purpose of this paper is to show the prevalence of various forms of hypertension and the prevalence of primary hypertension in children and adolescents relative to sex, age and body weight category in the General Hospital "Dr. Laza K. Lazarević" in Šabac. In children with secondary hypertension, the impact of body weight was not assessed since an organic cause of hypertension had been identified in these patients. All children from the age of a new-born to the age of 18 years with a diagnosis of hypertension (International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (IDC-10), code I10-I15) in the period from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2022 were selected from the medical digital database. This analysis included all children who showed blood pressure values above 95th percentile for age, sex and height in children under 13 and above 120/80 mmHg in children over 13, upon repeated measurements of blood pressure in the General Hospital, who were presumed to have hypertension. These children were referred to further evaluation at tertiary healthcare institutions, where a diagnosis of hypertension was made. Of the 134 children referred to the General Hospital due to elevated blood pressure levels measured in the primary care physician's office, hypertension was diagnosed in almost one in four subjects (24.6%). Primary hypertension was diagnosed in 18 (54.5%), secondary hypertension in 8 (24.2%) and white coat hypertension in 7 (21.2%) children. Primary hypertension was more common in boys (70.6%) than girls (37.5%). Among children with primary hypertension, overweight and obese children represented 66.7% of the group at the time of diagnosis. Statistical data analysis did not find a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of primary hypertension among the body weight or age categories. Since primary hypertension is the most significant and potentially reversible factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, early detection and treatment of primary hypertension in children is crucial in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults.

LBSAT314 Diagnosis And Management Of A Rare Case Of Marine-Lenhart Syndrome

Abstract Introduction Marine-Lenhart syndrome is defined as Graves’ disease with co-existing toxic thyroid nodules. Approximately 25% to 30% of patients with Graves’ disease have accompanying nodules. More than 95% of these nodules are hypoactive, and thus, only a tiny percentage are hyperactive. In these patients, Graves’ disease and toxic nodules both contribute to thyrotoxicosis11. Here we present a case that details this syndrome's diagnosis, management, and treatment complication. Clinical Case A 68-year-old female presented to the primary care physician's office with complaints of anxiety and heat intolerance. Three years before this visit, the patient was diagnosed with Graves’ disease. She had achieved remission after one year of methimazole therapy. During the office visit, the patient was in sinus tachycardia at 112 BPM. There were no signs of exophthalmos on examination, and the thyroid was not palpable. Further testing revealed thyrotoxicosis with suppressed TSH of &amp;lt;0. 01 mcIU/mL (0.36-3.74) and elevated free T4 of 2.49 ng/dL (0.76-1.46). Thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) was positive at 2.60 IU/L (0. 00-1.75). The patient was started on atenolol. Although TRAb was positive, thyroid ultrasound and radioactive iodine uptake scan (RAIU) were ordered to look for alternative diagnoses. The thyroid ultrasound showed four nodules in the left lobe, the largest of which was 1.8×1.5×1.3 cm. RAIU showed increased 24-hour uptake of 45% and three areas of increased focal uptake in the left thyroid lobe consistent with toxic nodules. Definitive treatment was needed due to both toxic nodules and Graves’ disease. The patient agreed to radioiodine ablation therapy (RAI) and received a dose of 21 uCi. One month after receiving RAI, the patient complained of worsening anxiety and heat intolerance. On repeat testing, TSH was &amp;lt;0. 01mcIU/mL, and free T4 was 4.78 ng/dL. The patient developed radiation thyroiditis and was given methimazole 10mg daily for two weeks. Three weeks after the course of methimazole, the patient became hypothyroid and was managed with 88 mcg of levothyroxine daily with no symptoms. Conclusion Common causes of hyperthyroidism are Graves’ disease or autonomous functioning thyroid nodules per the American Thyroid Association12. However, in hyperthyroid patients, Marine-Lenhart syndrome should be considered, especially those with thyrotoxicosis recurrence. This diagnosis steers management away from antithyroid drugs and toward RAI or thyroidectomy. For patients treated with RAI, antithyroid medications should be included as an adjunct therapy to reduce post-radiation thyroiditis. References 1 Cakir, Mehtap. "Marine-Lenhart Syndrome.," Journal of the National Medical Association 97, no. 7 (July 2005): 1036-38.12 Ross, Burch, et al., Thyroid. Oct 2016, 26(10): 1343-1421. Presentation: Saturday, June 11, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

CLASSIC PRESENTATION OF SCLERODERMA-RELATED INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE IN A YOUNG FEMALE

CLASSIC PRESENTATION OF SCLERODERMA-RELATED INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE IN A YOUNG FEMALE

Use of Smartphone Health Apps Among Patients Aged 18 to 69 Years in Primary Care: Population-Based Cross-sectional Survey.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization has defined mobile health (mHealth) as the “use of mobile and wireless technologies to support the achievement of health objectives.” Smartphones currently represent one of the main media forms for mHealth democratization. Health apps can be an interesting tool for changing health behaviors. However, their use in France is still poorly documented.ObjectiveThe main aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of use of health apps among patients consulting in the primary care setting in France. The secondary aims were to evaluate the use of health apps according to the sociodemographic and medical characteristics of patients and to determine their use.MethodsA population-based cross-sectional survey was carried out between November 2017 and January 2018 in the Grenoble area of France among patients aged between 18 and 69 years who were consulting at 13 primary care physician offices. Patients were provided with anonymous paper self-questionnaires. The main criterion for participation was the use of a smartphone health app, defined for the purpose of this study as any app supporting patients in efforts to be healthy.ResultsThe participation rate was 49.27% (739/1500; 95% CI 46.7%-51.8%). The smartphone use was estimated at 82.6% (597/723; 95% CI 79.6%-85.2%). Of 597 smartphone owners, 47.7% (283/595; CI 43.6%-51.6%) used at least one smartphone health app. Health apps identified in this study were mainly related to wellness, prevention, and fitness (66.1%), as well as medication, treatments, and follow-up care (50.0%). The main factors associated with health app use were: use of social networks (odds ratio [OR] 3.4, 95% CI 2.1-5.3), age under 30 years (OR 2.7, CI 1.4-4.9), city size between 5001 and 10,000 inhabitants (OR 1.8, CI 1.1-2.8), and city size more than 10,000 inhabitants (OR 2.1, CI 1.4-3.2).ConclusionsIn this survey, nearly one out of two patients reported the use of smartphone health apps, which are currently focused on wellness, prevention, and fitness, and are largely used by the younger population.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03351491; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03351491

A Case of Membranous Nephropathy Hypothesized to be Associated With COVID-19 Vaccine

A 56-year-old male patient with a medical history of essential hypertension was referred to the emergency room after he was found to have a serum creatinine level of 13 mg/dL at his primary care physician’s office. The patient reported that he had developed a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-like infection six months prior that was not confirmed. Two months later, he started to notice dyspnea on exertion and bilateral lower limb swelling and was started on furosemide. He received the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine a month before the presentation but did not receive the second dose. Subsequently, his lower limb swelling and exertional dyspnea started worsening. He denied any new medication, dysuria, oliguria, hematuria, fever, or any other symptoms. Initial evaluation was consistent with kidney failure. Hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia were noted, along with medical renal disease on renal ultrasound. Eosinophils and nephrotic-range proteinuria were found in the urine. His serum phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibodies were positive. A renal biopsy showed membranous glomerulonephritis with moderate segmental sclerosis, as well as tubulointerstitial fibrosis with neutrophils, consistent with acute interstitial nephritis. Positive staining for PLA2R in the glomerular deposits suggested primary membranous nephropathy (MN). He was treated with prednisone first, and when the kidney biopsy was conclusive for membranous glomerulopathy, he was started on rituximab. On admission, he received hemodialysis intermittently, but this was stopped a month after discharge as his renal function normalized. Recently, there have been numerous cases reported with new onset of glomerular disease after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Further studies of vaccinated patients are needed to determine whether the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus vaccination is associated with a higher risk of MN and to identify potential predisposing factors and mechanisms of kidney injury in patients in whom it occurs.

Atypical Herpetic Rash: ‘Knife-Cut’ Sign

A 73-year-old woman initially presented to her primary care physician's office with complaints of a linear rash in the right groin and lower abdominal region. Her past medical history included systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, depression, and chronic kidney disease (baseline serum creatinine around 1.8 mg/dL). There was concern for herpes zoster and a coexisting cutaneous fungal infection. Oral valacyclovir and topical betamethasone with clotrimazole were prescribed.

Identifying Mental Disorders in Primary Care: Diagnostic Accuracy of the Connected Mind Fast Check (CMFC) Electronic Screen.

Primary care physicians (PCPs) often daily address diagnoses and treatment of mental disorders in their practices. The current study examined the Connected Mind Fast Check (CMFC), a two-tiered electronic screen, assessing six common mental disorders. The eight-item Initial Screen assesses possible symptoms, whereas SAM modules establish provisional diagnoses and areas of clinical concern. With 234 patients from five independent PCP offices, diagnostic accuracy was tested with the SCID-5-RV as the external criterion. Concerningly, many patients were unaware of their current mental disorders and comorbidities. The CMFC Initial Screen evidenced strong sensitivity, identifying with very few missing diagnoses. About two-thirds of provisional SAM diagnoses were confirmed with high specificities. Bipolar Disorder posed the most challenges at both tiers. Importantly, the suicide screen identified all patients with suicide plans and three-fourths with ideation. In general, the CMFC effectively identified provisional diagnoses, impairment, and potential suicidality.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10880-021-09820-1.

Association of Patient Race and Ethnicity With Differences in Opioid Prescribing by Primary Care Physicians for Older Adults With New Low Back Pain

Substantial patient racial and ethnic differences in opioid prescribing have been documented, but how much of these differences were attributable to physicians prescribing opioids differently to patients of racial and ethnic minority groups is unknown, particularly during the first wave of the opioid epidemic when the dangers of opioid prescribing and use were not as well known. To examine associations of patient race and ethnicity with differences in opioid prescribing by the same primary care physician (PCP) for new low back pain episodes among older adults from 2007 to 2014. This cross-sectional study used Medicare data of PCP office visits by Medicare beneficiaries who were 66 years or older with new low back pain. Prescribing of any opioid in the first year of a new low back pain episode (days 1-365) and subsequent long-term use of an opioid (prescribed for ≥180 days in days 366-730). Among the study population of 274 771 patients (mean [SD] age, 77.1 [7.2] years; 192 105 [69.9%] women) with new low back pain, 15 285 (6%) were Asian or Pacific Islander, 16 079 (6%) were Black, 21 289 (8%) were Hispanic, and 222 118 (81%) were White, cared for by 63 494 physicians. In adjusted analysis, on average, 11.5% of the White patients (95% CI, 11.4 to 11.6) received an opioid prescription in the first year of new low back pain. The same prescribing physician was 1.5 percentage points (PP; 95% CI, -2.2 PP to -0.8 PP) less likely to prescribe an opioid if the patient was Black, 2.7 PP (95% CI, -3.5 PP to -1.8 PP) less likely if the patient was Asian or Pacific Islander, and 1.0 PP (95% CI, -1.7 PP to -0.3 PP) less likely if the patient was Hispanic. The same physician was more likely to prescribe a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug to a patient of a racial or ethnic minority group. White patients with new low back pain were more likely to develop subsequent long-term opioid use than patients of racial and ethnic minority groups (eg, 1.8% for White patients vs 0.5% for Hispanic patients). This cross-sectional study found that from 2007 to 2014, primary care physicians prescribed opioids for new low back pain more often to White patients than to patients of racial and ethnic minority groups. These results suggest that there may have been unequal treatment of pain by physicians when less was known about the morbidity associated with opioid use.

A prospective population-based study of stroke in the Central Region of Iran: The Qom Incidence of Stroke Study.

Based on the few population-based studies that have been conducted in the Middle East, we determined the incidence of stroke in Qom, one of the central provinces of Iran. The Qom province includes an estimated at-risk population of about 1 million. During a 12-month period (November 2018-November 2019), all first-ever strokes occurring in the target population were registered. Hospitalized cases were ascertained by discharge codes. Out-of-hospital cases were ascertained by a prospective screening of emergency medical services, emergency departments, ambulances records, primary care clinics, rural and urban public health centers, primary care physician offices, and neurologists' offices. Crude and age-adjusted incidence rates (per 100,000 person-years) were calculated. During the study period, 1462 first-ever strokes occurred with a mean age of 68.1 (17-103) years; of these 45.2% were females (661 cases). The crude annual incidence rate per 100,000 at-risk populations was 145.4 (95% confidence interval, 138.1-153.0) for all types of stroke (156.5 for males and 134.3 for females), 26.4 (95% confidence interval, 23.5-29.8) for hemorrhagic stroke, and 114 (95% confidence interval, 105-121) for ischemic stroke. The incidence rate adjusted to the world population was 201.4 (95% confidence interval, 193-210) per 100,000 at-risk populations (adj incidence, 218.5 for males vs 187.4 for females). The total fatality rate during the first 28 days was 19.6%. This study states that in this region there is a high incidence of stroke, which occurs at a younger age than the global average. There was a high prevalence of underlying stroke risk factors.

Factors Associated with the Primary Care Physician Offering Telehealth Appointments Among Medicare Beneficiaries: Results from a National Survey.

Many studies reported increased use of telehealth among primary care physicians (PCPs), however, there is no study on telehealth offering to Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed 1) telehealth offering from PCPs among Medicare beneficiaries, 2) PCP offered telehealth before and during COVID-19 pandemic, and 3) factors associated with telehealth offering.Data were from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) 2020 Fall COVID-19 Supplement. We conducted multivariable logistic regression model to examine factors associated with PCP offerings of telehealth appointment.Overall, 80% Medicare beneficiaries were offered telehealth appointments by their PCP offices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those with Internet access (OR=1.78, 95%CI: 1.48, 2.15), and who owned devices (OR=1.33, 95%CI: 1.10, 1.61) were more likely to be offered telehealth appointments from their PCPs controlling for all other variables in the model. Respondents between 65-74 years old (OR=1.28, 95%CI: 1.07, 1.54), with an income of ≥$25,000 (OR=1.31, 95%CI: 1.13, 1.52), living in a metropolitan area (OR=1.70, 95%CI: 1.48, 1.96), and living in the West (OR=1.27, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.56) were more likely to be offered telehealth appointments from PCPs when compared to their counterparts. Non-Hispanic black (OR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.53, 0.78) were less likely to be offered telehealth appointments by their PCPs when compared to Non-Hispanic white.DiscussionKey finding suggested health disparities existed in PCP offering of telehealth in terms of Internet access, devices owning, race, age, income, residential locations, and census regions. Policy makers should consider these health disparities when expanding and encouraging utilization of telehealth among Medicare beneficiaries.

Adherence to Maastricht V/Florence consensus report for the management of Helicobacter pylori infection among primary care physicians and medical students in Croatia: A cross-sectional study.

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) eradication is becoming increasingly difficult. The aim of our study was to determine the knowledge of current guidelines and attitude in the diagnosis and treatment of H pylori infection in primary care physicians (PCPs) and medical students in Croatia. A study was conducted among PCPs and medical students to evaluate adherence to Maastricht V consensus guidelines. Questionnaire was distributed by e-mail to 2338 PCPs offices in Croatia and to the medical students from the University of Split School of Medicine. Responses were collected electronically from June 22 to August 22, 2020. Two hundred forty-nine PCPs and 169 medical students were included in the study. Bismuth or non-bismuth-based quadruple therapy as first-line treatment for H pylori was the choice of 4.8% of PCPs and 13% of students, while 66.3% PCPs and 79.9% students would choose clarithromycin-based triple therapy. Bismuth-based quadruple therapy was the most preferred second line of treatment for 45.4% of PCPs and 34.9% of students. Only 2.8% PCPs and 7.1% of students would correctly recommend first and second line of treatment for H. pylori infection. A larger proportion of students than PCPs would prefer C13-urea breath test (50.3% vs 6.4%). Only 59.0% PCPs would treat for H pylori in all patients including the asymptomatic ones. Students more frequently recognized the link between H pylori and gastric cancer compared with PCPs (92.9% vs 73.5%). Primary care physicians and medical students' knowledge of H pylori guidelines are insufficient in Croatia and ask for additional training.

Time to Authorized Clearance From Sport-Related Concussion: The Influence of Health Care Provider and Medical Facility.

Return to play after sport-related concussion (SRC) requires authorized clearance from a health care provider (HCP). The variability in HCPs and facilities where athletes seek care may influence return time. To identify the initial examiner, HCPs who authorize clearance to return to play, and medical facilities that authorize clearance to return to play for high school student-athletes after SRC and compare authorized clearance time by HCPs and medical facilities. Prospective cohort study. High school. Student-athletes (n = 16 001) with SRC participating in athletics sponsored by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Frequencies of initial examiner and authorized clearance for each HCP (doctor of osteopathic medicine, medical doctor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant) and medical facility (neurologist's office; team physician, primary care physician or pediatrician's office [PCP]; hospital; urgent/ready care) for each case of SRC. We calculated Kaplan-Meier curves and Peto tests to evaluate differences in the median time to authorized clearance between HCPs and facilities. Only cases with a date on which clearance to return to play was authorized (80.3%; n = 12 856) were included in the authorized clearance and time-to-return analyses. An athletic trainer was at least 1 of the initial examiners in 71.3% (n = 11 404) of SRC cases; 81.2% (n = 12 990) had only 1 initial examiner. We observed an association between the initial examiner and the medical facility providing clearance for athletic director (χ2 = 52.6, P < .001, V = .06), athletic trainer (χ2 = 172.0, P < .001, V = .12), coach (χ2 = 161.5, P < .001, V = .11), doctor of osteopathic medicine (χ2 = 59.4, P < .001, V = .07), and nurse practitioner (χ2 = 10.0, P = .04, V = .12). Clearance was authorized most frequently by a medical doctor (63.9%, n = 8218) and at a PCP (70.8%, n = 9099). Median (interquartile range) time to authorized clearance varied by facility (urgent/ready care = 7 days [4-11 days], hospital = 9 days [6-14 days], PCP = 10 days [6-14 days], team physician = 12 days [8-16 days], neurologist's office = 13 days [9-20 days]; P < .001). An athletic trainer was the initial examiner more often for males (74.1%) than for females (65.8%). The medical facility where clearance to return to play was authorized also differed between males (PCP = 69.3%, team physician = 11.3%, neurologist's office = 8.4%) and females (PCP = 73.6%, team physician = 8.5%, neurologist's office = 8.3%). Clearance to return to play after SRC was frequently provided by a medical doctor and at a PCP. The median time to return to unrestricted participation after SRC varied by HCP and medical facility. Future researchers should elucidate the reasons for these differences and determine why athletes seek care at different types of medical facilities.

Isoniazid Induced Pure Red Blood Cell Aplasia

Pure red blood cell aplasia (PRCA) is one of the uncommon causes of anemia. Drug-induced PRCA is even more infrequent. Only a few drugs are implicated in PRCA. Isoniazid is a widely used drug for the treatment of tuberculosis all over the world. It is known to cause hepatotoxicity, but in rare instances, it can lead to PRCA. A 72-year-old Caucasian male, who was started on isoniazid after the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis, presented two months later with episodes of syncope to primary care physician’s office. The initial blood work showed severe anemia. There were no signs of acute or chronic gastrointestinal blood loss, and the stool hemoccult test was negative. Iron, vitamin B12, folate, lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin, transaminases, and erythropoietin were within normal limits. Peripheral blood smear showed normochromic and normocytic anemia. A reticulocyte count was less than 1,000 per microliter. Thymoma, human immunodeficiency virus, and parvovirus B19 were ruled out. Further work-up with bone marrow biopsy confirmed pure red blood cell aplasia. A detailed review of recently started medications revealed isoniazid as the offending drug. Isoniazid was stopped. Reticulocyte count and bone marrow recovered a few days after stopping with eventual improvement in hemoglobin level, thus confirming the diagnosis of isoniazid induced red blood cell aplasia.Isoniazid is the first-line therapy for tuberculosis. Rarely, it can cause pure red blood cell suppression and severe anemia, an untoward effect, worth remembering.