J Natl Med Assoc
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Protests and the call to action in the aftermath of the deaths of Black citizens at the hands of police officers have reawakened the consciousness of American society on policing and the need for reforms. Racism in policing has a long history dating back to slave patrols following the Civil War. Criminal anti Black police behavior violates the police oath to "protect and defend" all individuals. ⋯ The forum panel concluded that reimagining policing especially at the community level will require multiple strategies that must include recruitment of a diverse group of police officers who can better represent their communities and society. As important, is better screening, testing and vetting of applicants to the police academy to route out those individuals who may demonstrate the potential for adverse behaviors antithetical to the police oath to protect and defend all people regardless of race and/or ethnicity.
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Electronic messaging and telemedicine visits increased during the COVID pandemic. African-Americans and older patients have less frequently used electronic messaging with their physicians. This study compares the utilization of virtual health care before and during the COVID pandemic for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. ⋯ The COVID pandemic emergency increased e-visits and e-messaging for care delivery. Expanded telemedicine options for IBD patients eliminated previously identified racial and age disparities in virtual medical care. African Americans utilized electronic communication as frequently as Whites during the pandemic. Post-pandemic policy consideration for continued telemedicine options may expand patient-physician engagement and eliminate disparities in health care.
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Student-run free clinics (SRFCs) primarily service the uninsured and are a unique way for medical students to gain hands-on exposure to ophthalmology. The free clinic model takes many different forms- some with episodic and longitudinal models-- and this is mirrored in corresponding eye services. ⋯ There are a small number of SRFCs that have ophthalmology services, and they share common features in terms of participants, staffing, and, barriers to sustainability. Ophthalmology services at SRFCs offer a unique venue for medical students to gain exposure to an under-represented field in medical school curricula. The growth of this critical venue for medical student training could be enhanced by recruitment strategies aimed at ophthalmology faculty with a strong interest in service and teaching.
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Currently, IOP reduction is the only way we can help reduce or even stop glaucoma progression. Due to higher rates of blindness in vulnerable poorer groups with decreased access to expensive medications, safer, uncomplicated cataract extraction/refractive lensectomy and microinvasive trabecular bypass surgery should be considered earlier. We need more studies with randomized controlled clinical trials comparing earlier cataract surgery and trabecular bypass to medical, and laser therapies in order to reassess our algorithm for treating enlarged lens-related glaucoma in adults over the age of 50.
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To determine whether the homeless population experiences disparities in care and communication during inpatient hospitalizations in a safety-net hospital. ⋯ In an urban safety-net hospital, disparities in communications regarding medications between hospital staff and patients were found based on housing status.