Journal of general internal medicine
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Letter Randomized Controlled Trial
"Yoga Versus Education for Veterans with Chronic Low Back Pain: a Randomized Controlled Trial".
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Observational Study
The Association of Subspecialty and Sex with Industry Payments to Internal Medicine Physicians Who Recently Completed Training.
Financial relationships with drug and medical device companies may impact quality of care and academic research. However, little is known when and how these financial relationships develop among newly independent physicians who recently completed from residency or fellowship programs in internal medicine (IM). ⋯ Industry financial relationships among newly independent physicians in IM exist immediately after completion of training and are influenced by subspecialty, sex, and age.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Automated Reminders Enhance Mailed Fecal Immunochemical Test Completion Among Veterans: a Randomized Controlled Trial.
The Veterans Affairs (VHA) is working to establish a population-based colorectal cancer screening program for average-risk patients using mailed fecal immunochemical testing (FIT). However, low response rates to mailed FIT may hinder success. Key features of mailed FIT programs, including the use of reminders, differ among various national programs, with limited evidence among veterans. ⋯ Automated reminders increased colorectal cancer screening completion among average-risk veterans. An automated phone call or text message was equally effective. VHA facilities seeking to implement a mailed FIT program should consider using phone or text reminders, depending on available resources.
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The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated access barriers for patients with opioid use disorder. Telehealth presents an opportunity to improve access, treatment quality, and patient outcomes. ⋯ Our findings suggest that telehealth-initiated buprenorphine treatment is associated with reduced opioid overdose rate and improved patient engagement. Our findings strengthen the case for extending telehealth exemptions and prescribing flexibilities for treatment.