Circumcision Decision: Prominence of Social Concerns

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-219
Author(s):  
Mark S. Brown ◽  
Cheryl A. Brown

Despite policy statements against routine circumcision of newborns by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology more than 10 years ago, there has been virtually no change in circumcision practices in the United States. In addition, controlled trials of programs to educate parents about the lack of medical indications for routine newborn circumcision have shown that parental education has little impact on the circumcision decision. We hypothesized that parents based their circumcision decision predominantly on social concerns rather than on medical ones. We prospectively surveyed parents of 124 newborns soon after they made the circumcision decision to learn their reasons for the decision. The strongest factor associated with the circumcision decision was whether or not the father was circumcised (P.0001). The survey also showed that concerns about the attitudes of peers and their sons' self concept in the future were prominent among parents deciding to circumcise. The circumcision decision in the United States is emerging as a cultural ritual rather than the result of medical misunderstanding among parents. In counseling parents making the circumcision decision, the health care provider should provide a knowledgeable and honest discussion of the medical aspects of circumcision. Until information is available that addresses parents' social concerns about circumcision, it is unreasonable to expect a significant change in circumcision customs in the United States.

1985 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-116

These guidelines were prepared by the Maryknoll Sisters, Office of Social Concerns, for the United States Catholic Mission Association, in March 1984. Each mission agency needs to have its own guidelines for procedures in crisis situations. These guidelines are published here to help others as they consider their own procedures under such circumstances.


2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana S. Curran ◽  
Pamela B. Andreatta ◽  
Xiao Xu ◽  
Clark E. Nugent ◽  
Samantha R. Dewald ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Residency programs seek to match the best candidates with their positions. To avoid ethical conflicts in this process, the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP or Match) has rules regarding appropriate conduct, including guidelines on contact between candidates and programs. Our study examined communication between obstetrics and gynecology (Ob-Gyn) programs and residency candidates after interviewing and prior to ranking. Methods Ob-Gyn program directors in the United States were sent a self-administered survey via e-mail. Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive methods to examine communication practices of these programs. Results The response rate was 40%. The findings showed that respondents had variable interpretations of the NRMP rules and suggest that programs may be communicating their match intentions especially to favored candidates. Respondents' open text comments highlighted program directors' frustrations with current NRMP rules. Discussion NRMP communication rules are intended to minimize pressure on residency candidates. Our findings suggest they may be leading to unforeseen stresses on program directors and candidates. Conclusions As educational leaders in medicine, we must consider what professional communications are acceptable without increasing the pressure on candidates during the ranking and match process.


Author(s):  
James St. Louis ◽  
Arinze Nkemdirim Okere

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, AJHP is posting these manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose To provide an overview of the impact of pharmacist interventions on antibiotic prescribing and the resultant clinical outcomes in an outpatient antibiotic stewardship program (ASP) in the United States. Methods Reports on studies of pharmacist-led ASP interventions implemented in US outpatient settings published from January 2000 to November 2020 and indexed in PubMed or Google Scholar were included. Additionally, studies documented at the ClinicalTrials.gov website were evaluated. Study selection was based on predetermined inclusion criteria; only randomized controlled trials, observational studies, nonrandomized controlled trials, and case-control studies conducted in outpatient settings in the United States were included. The primary outcome was the observed differences in antibiotic prescribing or clinical benefits between pharmacist-led ASP interventions and usual care. Results Of the 196 studies retrieved for full-text review, a cumulative total of 15 studies were included for final evaluation. Upon analysis, we observed that there was no consistent methodology in the implementation of ASPs and, in most cases, the outcome of interest varied. Nonetheless, there was a trend toward improvement in antibiotic prescribing with pharmacist interventions in ASPs compared with that under usual care (P < 0.05). However, the results of these studies are not easily generalizable. Conclusion Our findings suggest a need for a consistent approach for the practical application of outpatient pharmacist-led ASPs. Managed care organizations could play a significant role in ensuring the successful implementation of pharmacist-led ASPs in outpatient settings.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 961-963

This year marks the 42nd anniversary of the American Academy of Pediatrics. From its original 35 members, in this short span of years, the Academy has become a progressive, rapidly growing, vigorous group of more than 14,000 Fellows-four-fifths of all the United States pediatricians and a representative percentage of the pediatricians in Central and South America and Canada. During this interval, the Academy has consistently developed its programs and activities to advance and promote the health and welfare of children. Yet for the first 35 years we were basically an educational, disease-oriented organization, with little impact on community-oriented medical services, or on the socioeconomics of health care. Fortunately in the past several years there has been a decided change in the policies, priorities, and direction of the Academy. This is best reflected by its recent expanded goals and objectives in a complete revision of Article III, Section I of its Constitution. Even though we are still primarily disease-oriented physicians, we must not forget the problems that are deterrents to good health. We can hardly expect mcdicine to solve every social, political, and economic ill of the ghetto, suburbia, and the rural areas of our country; however, we do have an important role to play and we do have an important contribution to make in our communities. These areas, large or small and wherever they may be, will not have the same medical health and manpower needs, nor the same priorities, and will continually need our individual and collective attention. The United States has more physicians per capita than all but three or four other nations.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1976 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 464-465
Author(s):  
Robert O. Fisch

I am always amazed by the fascination of the American public with the "stories" from behind the Bamboo Curtain. The data of Dr. Wray in his article1 are biased, i.e., "I was told," etc. Any other article based upon similarly described data, especially from the United States, would not even be considered for publication by an editor, especially not by the editors of the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Wray's last sentence, "... Chairman Mao's command: ‘Serve the People!’" sounds more like a Marxist manifesto than the conclusion of a scientific report.


1990 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 136-141
Author(s):  
Robert A. Sinkin ◽  
Jonathan M. Davis

Approximately 3.5 million babies are born each year in approximately 5000 hospitals in the United States. Only 15% of these hospitals have neonatal intensive care facilities. Six percent of all newborns require life support in the delivery room or nursery, and this need for resuscitation rises to 80% in neonates weighing less than 1500 g at birth. Personnel who are skilled in neonatal resuscitation and capable of functioning as a team and an appropriately equipped delivery room must always be readily available. At least one person skilled in neonatal resuscitation should be in attendance at every delivery. Currently, a joint effort by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association has resulted in the development of a comprehensive course to train appropriate personnel in neonatal resuscitation throughout the United States. Neonatal resuscitation is also taught as part of a Pediatric Advanced Life Support course offered by the American Heart Association. In concert with the goals of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association, we strongly urge all personnel responsible for care of the newborn in the delivery room to become certified in neonatal resuscitation. The practical approach to neonatal resuscitation is the focus of this article.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 544-544
Author(s):  
L. J. Butterfield

On Monday, October 24, 1994 at 2:00 PM, a definitive stamp will be dedicated to Dr Virginia Apgar at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) annual meeting in Dallas. A definitive stamp lasts for years while the commemorative stamp is printed just one year. The United States Postal Service announced the 1994 stamp program on December 7, 1993 during a press conference at the National Postal Museum. Dr Apgar was nominated for a stamp in 1987 by the AAP. The initiative was spawned by the Perinatal Section at the 1985 annual meeting of the AAP in San Antonio.


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