J Am Board Fam Med
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Faculty diversity has important implications for medical student diversity. The purpose of this analysis is to describe trends in racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in family medicine (FM) departments and compare these trends to the diversity of matriculating medical students, the diversity of all medical school faculty, and the population in general. ⋯ Although FM faculty diversity is growing over time, continued attention to URM representation should remain a priority.
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The challenge of responding to prescription opioid overuse within the United States has fallen disproportionately on the primary care clinic setting. Here we describe a framework comprised of 6 Building Blocks to guide efforts within this setting to address the use of opioids for chronic pain. ⋯ In response to prescription opioid overuse and the resulting epidemic of overdose and addiction, primary care clinics are making improvements driven by a common set of best practices that address complex challenges of managing COT patients in primary care settings.
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The purpose of this study was to describe how many rural family physicians (FPs) and other types of providers currently provide maternity care services, and the requirements to obtain privileges. ⋯ FPs continue to provide the majority of maternity care services in US rural hospitals, including cesarean deliveries. Some family medicine residencies should continue to train their residents to provide these services to keep replenishing this valuable workforce.
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In the United States, Latinos have poorer access to and utilization of health care than non-Latino whites. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) may reduce these disparities. The ACA's impact among Latino subgroups is unknown. ⋯ The ACA has reduced gaps in access to and utilization of health care for some Latino population subgroups. Remaining disparities necessitate policy solutions that move beyond the ACA, particularly for groups excluded from coverage options, such as noncitizens.
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Health extension programs represent an opportunity for practice-based research networks (PBRNs) and primary care practices to develop collaborations reaching beyond the clinic walls to address the upstream social determinants of health and engage in community-based research. The Health Extension Regional Officers (HEROs) program at the University of New Mexico described in this issue of the JABFM is an innovative model with a bidirectional approach to linking academic health centers to community-based practices and organizations. ⋯ PBRNs are measuring success in terms of collaboration across a spectrum of health activities. The Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network uses a "Four Pillars" model of community engagement, practice transformation, research, and education to involve researchers, health policy experts, educators, and health extension workers to improve community health.