Military medicine
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The admission interview is regarded as one of the most significant moments in the process of applying to medical school, but there is limited empirical evidence that supports this claim. Previous analyses have offered what is largely anecdotal evidence of the interview's importance while also suggesting that there is ample opportunity for ethnic and gender bias to impact interview scores. We also asked what medical schools can learn from comparing the attributes of matriculants and those applicants who rejected offers of acceptance. ⋯ Our analysis provides some justification for the importance of the interview in the admission process. Applicant demographics (age, race, gender, and ethnicity) were not associated with interview scores. Differences between matriculants to the USU and those who rejected offers of acceptance are small, indicating that the USU continues to build a class body that excels in both cognitive and noncognitive domains.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A Pilot Feasibility Study of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for the Prevention of Excess Weight Gain Among Adolescent Military-dependent Girls.
Adolescent military-dependents face unique psychosocial stressors due to their parents' careers, suggesting they may be particularly vulnerable to excess weight gain and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Despite these risk factors, there is a lack of tested preventative interventions for these youths. Given the transient nature of military family deployments, research may be hindered due to difficulty in collecting long-term prospective outcome data, particularly measured height and weight. The primary aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of collecting body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) outcome data up to 2 years following a randomized controlled pilot trial of an adapted interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) program aimed at preventing excess weight gain and improving psychological functioning for adolescent military-dependents. In exploratory analyses, patterns in body composition over time were examined. ⋯ For this randomized controlled prevention trial, long-term outcome data collection of measured BMI was possible in adolescent military-dependents and IPT was an acceptable and feasible intervention. An adequately powered trial is required to assess the efficacy of this intervention among military-dependents for obesity prevention and improvements in BMI.
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Respiratory tract infections (RTI), such as those caused by influenza viruses and, more recently, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, pose a significant burden to military health care systems and force readiness. The gut microbiota influences immune function, is malleable, and may provide a target for interventions aiming to reduce RTI burden. This narrative review summarizes existing evidence regarding the effectiveness of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, all of which are gut microbiota-targeted interventions, for reducing the burden of RTI in military-relevant populations (i.e., healthy non-elderly adults). ⋯ Dietary supplementation with certain gut microbiota-targeted interventions, and certain probiotics in particular, may provide viable strategies for reducing RTI-related illness in military personnel. Research in military populations is warranted to fully understand the magnitude of any military health and cost benefits, and to establish definitive recommendations for use.