Journal of general internal medicine
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Despite rising hospitalizations for opioid use disorder (OUD), rates of inpatient medications for OUD (MOUD) initiation are low. Addiction consult services (ACSs) facilitate inpatient MOUD initiation and linkage to post-discharge MOUD, but few studies have rigorously examined ACS OUD outcomes. ⋯ There was a strong association between ACS consultation and inpatient MOUD initiation and linkage to post-discharge MOUD. ACSs promote the delivery of evidence-based care for patients with OUD.
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Decisions to prescribe opioids to patients depend on many factors, including illness severity, pain assessment, and patient age, race, ethnicity, and gender. Gender and sex disparities have been documented in many healthcare settings, but are understudied in inpatient general medicine hospital settings. ⋯ Female patients were less likely to receive inpatient opioids and received fewer opioids when prescribed. Future work to promote equity should identify strategies to ensure all patients receive adequate pain management.
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Studies have demonstrated patients hold different expectations for female physicians compared to male physicians, including higher expectations for patient-centered communication and addressing socioeconomic or emotional needs. Recent evidence indicates this gender disparity extends to the electronic health record (EHR). Similar studies have not been conducted with resident physicians. ⋯ Female resident physicians experience significantly more patient-initiated messages and EHR workload despite equivalent number of results and panel size. Gender differences in inbasket burden may disproportionally impact the resident educational experience.