scholarly journals Opioid Prescribing on an Internal Medicine Teaching Unit

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-21
Author(s):  
Samuel Quan ◽  
Cheyenne Lawton ◽  
Allison Budd

ObjectiveTo investigate the rationale and timing of opioid prescriptions for Internal Medicine inpatients in an academic center in Saskatoon, Canada.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study of Internal Medicine inpatients that were prescribed opioids in Saskatoon. We examined documentation of clinical rationale and timing of opioid initiation or first escalation.ResultsOf 57 patients, 34 (60%) were opioid naive prior to admission and 48 (84%) had opioid doses either initiated or escalated. Of these 48 patients, 27 (56%) occurred during on-call hours. Rationale for escalation was documented in 31 cases (65%), with reasons including terminal care (17%), musculoskeletal pain (15%), and skin and soft tissue infections (13%).ConclusionRationale for opioid use was frequently not documented. Initial decision to change opioid dose occurred equally between daytime and on-call hours. RÉSUMÉObjectifÉtudier la justification et le moment choisi pour prescrire des opioïdes chez les patients hospitalisés en médecine interne dans un centre universitaire de Saskatoon (Canada).MéthodologieNous avons mené une étude de prévalence sur des patients hospitalisés en médecine interne chez qui on a prescrit des opioïdes à Saskatoon. Nous avons examiné la documentation concernant la justification clinique et le moment choisi pour entreprendre le traitement par les opioïdes ou effectuer la première augmentation de dose. RésultatsDes 57 patients, 34 (60 %) n’avaient jamais pris d’opioïdes avant leur hospitalisation et 48 (84 %) ont reçu leur première dose d’opioïdes ou une augmentation de dose. De ces 48 patients, 27 (56 %) ont reçu leur dose durant les heures de garde. La justification de l’augmentation de dose est documentée dans 31 cas (65 %), les raisons étant les soins de fin de vie (17 %), la douleur musculosquelettique (15 %) et les infections de la peau et des tissus mous (13 %).ConclusionSouvent, la justification de l’utilisation des opioïdes n’est pas documentée. Le moment où la décision initiale de modifier la dose d’opioïde est prise est réparti de façon égale entre le jour et durant les heures de garde.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Alakchar ◽  
Abdisamad M. Ibrahim ◽  
Mohsin Salih ◽  
Mukul Bhattarai ◽  
Nitin Tandan ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Interpretation of electrocardiograms (EKG) is an essential tool for every physician. Despite this, the diagnosis of life-threatening pathology on EKG remains suboptimal in trainees. The purpose of this study is to study resident attitudes and behaviours towards EKGs, and describe an innovative way to teach EKGs. OBJECTIVE Study attitudes and behaviours towards EKGs. Describe an innovative way to teach EKGs. METHODS Design: An observational cross-sectional study through an anonymous online survey of resident attitudes and comfort with EKG interpretation. This was followed by creation of a WhatsApp group for discussion and interpretation of EKGs with peers. At the end of the day, the official EKG interpretation was posted. Setting: Internal medicine residency at Southern Illinois University. Participants: Internal medicine residents Interventions: Creation of WhatsApp group to aid with EKG interpretation Measurements: A 17 item questionnaire, followed by detection of degree of participation in a WhatsApp group. RESULTS Forty-one out of 63 residents (65%) completed the survey. 85% of respondents thought that an interactive way to teach EKGs is the best method of teaching, and 73% did not feel confident interpreting EKGs. 30% often rely on automated EKG interpretation. Further analysis indicated that PGY-1 residents reported ordering fewer EKGs (correlation coefficient -0.399, p = 0.012) and were uncomfortable diagnosing QT prolongation on an EKG (correlation coefficient -0.310, p = 0.049). Residents in the third or greater year of training ordered more EKGs (correlation coefficient 0.379, p = 0.015), less frequently relied on the computer for EKG diagnosis (correlation coefficient 0.399, p = 0.010), and were comfortable diagnosing an acute myocardial infarction and atrial arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, most IM trainees do not feel comfortable interpreting EKG, however, this does improve with PGY year. WhatsApp is a possible platform for teaching EKGs.


Pain Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth B Hogans ◽  
Bernadette C Siaton ◽  
Michelle N Taylor ◽  
Leslie I Katzel ◽  
John D Sorkin

Abstract Objective Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of pain and disability. Substance use complicates the management of LBP, and potential risks increase with aging. Despite implications for an aging, diverse U.S. population, substance use and LBP comorbidity remain poorly defined. The objective of this study was to characterize LBP and substance use diagnoses in older U.S. adults by age, gender, and race. Design Cross-sectional study of a random national sample. Subjects Older adults including 1,477,594 U.S. Medicare Part B beneficiaries. Methods Bayesian analysis of 37,634,210 claims, with 10,775,869 administrative and 92,903,649 diagnostic code assignments. Results LBP was diagnosed in 14.8±0.06% of those more than 65 years of age, more in females than in males (15.8±0.08% vs. 13.4±0.09%), and slightly less in those more than 85 years of age (13.3±0.2%). Substance use diagnosis varied by substance: nicotine, 9.6±0.02%; opioid, 2.8±0.01%; and alcohol, 1.3±0.01%. Substance use diagnosis declined with advancing age cohort. Opioid use diagnosis was markedly higher for those in whom LBP was diagnosed (10.5%) than for those not diagnosed with LBP (1.5%). Most older adults (54.9%) with an opioid diagnosis were diagnosed with LBP. Gender differences were modest. Relative rates of substance use diagnoses in LBP were modest for nicotine and alcohol. Conclusions Older adults with LBP have high relative rates of opioid diagnoses, irrespective of gender or age. Most older adults with opioid-related diagnoses have LBP, compared with a minority of those not opioid diagnosed. In caring for older adults with LBP or opioid-related diagnoses, health systems must anticipate complexity and support clinicians, patients, and caregivers in managing pain comorbidities. Older adults may benefit from proactive incorporation of non-opioid pain treatments. Further study is needed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S518-S518
Author(s):  
Jen E Mainville ◽  
Ed Gracely ◽  
Zsofia Szep

Abstract Background Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective daily oral antiretroviral medication that was approved by the FDA in 2012 and has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV by 95% in real-world studies. Despite this, many healthcare providers are not offering PrEP to their patients who are at risk for HIV. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study among Drexel Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology residents. The survey included questions about experience, knowledge, attitudes toward and barriers to using PrEP. The survey was adapted from previous studies regarding medical providers’ attitudes and knowledge about PrEP (Petroll, 2016; Seifman, 2016; Blumenthal, 2105). A Likert 5-point scale was used for attitude and barriers questions. Results Among 143 participants, 80% specialized in Internal Medicine. 43% of participants were in their first year of training and the mean age (+ SD) was 28.8 + 2. 76% reported never initiating a conversation about PrEP with a patient and only 18% reported ever prescribing PrEP to their patients. 92% reported being very or extremely willing to prescribe PrEP to a male with a current male partner known to be HIV positive. Only 43% of residents reported being moderately likely to prescribe PrEP to a patient coming in for a STI exposure. 68% of residents reported their knowledge about PrEP was a major barrier to prescribing PrEP. Conclusion We found that most residents have minimal experience with prescribing PrEP, and knowledge was identified as the largest barrier. Additional education and a better understanding of PrEP indications is necessary to ensure eligible PrEP patients have access to this highly effective HIV prevention method. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. e013898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas V Perneger ◽  
Antoine Poncet ◽  
Marc Carpentier ◽  
Thomas Agoritsas ◽  
Christophe Combescure ◽  
...  

2022 ◽  
Vol 71 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sana Javed ◽  
Muhammad Zaid ◽  
Sumera Imran ◽  
Ayesha Hai ◽  
Muhammad Junaid Patel

Objective: To estimate the frequency of patients with fibromyalgia (by using the 2010 Modified Criteria for Fibromyalgia by American College of Rheumatology ( ACR ) presenting to Internal Medicine clinics  Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in the department of Internal Medicine, the Indus Hospital, khi, Pakistan between December 2016 and March 2018. Patients who visited internal medicine clinics, met the selection criteria, were included in the study. After taking informed consent patients were assessed for fibromyalgia according to the new 2010 Fibromyalgia Diagnostic criteria questionnaire. The patients were asked the questions in the national language, Urdu. Data analyzed using SPSS version 21. P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of the 267 patients presenting to the internal medicine clinics and consenting for participating in the study 149 (55.80%) met at least one of the 2010 Fibromyalgia Criteria. The prevalence of fibromyalgia as estimated in this study was 56% with no difference in gender. Mean age of patients with fibromyalgia was 42.3 ± 14.6 and patients without fibromyalgia was 38.9 ± 13.7 which was statistically significant (p-value = 0.05, 10% level of significance). Of the 267 patient 197 (73.8%) were female and 70 (26.2%) were males, a male to female ratio of 1:2.81.  Conclusion: All patients with generalized pain should be evaluated for fibromyalgia and a diagnosis made to reduce the cost of further referrals and investigations and delay in the management of this debilitating disorder. Keywords: Fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue, Generalized Pain  


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S881-S882
Author(s):  
Luis Rubio ◽  
Emily Abdoler ◽  
Brian Schwartz ◽  
Brian Schwartz

Abstract Background Overnight fever is common in hospitalized patients. Past work has analyzed cross-covering resident practices regarding overnight fever, but little is known about how residents provide anticipatory guidance for overnight fever. We aimed to further our understanding of resident sign-out practices for overnight fever by analyzing the specific content of the guidance they provide and evaluating whether the presence of infection impacts the guidance provided. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study of resident sign-outs on an inpatient Internal Medicine service between September 2018 and April 2019 using a data collection tool we developed. Data collected included patient’s primary reason for hospitalization, whether fever was an anticipated problem, whether a differential diagnosis for fever was included, evaluation and management instructions for fever, and any rationale provided for the instructions. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and chi-squared analysis. Results Among 216 sign-outs reviewed, 38% indicated infection was the primary hospital diagnosis. Fever was an anticipated issue in 169 (78%) of sign-outs (Table 1). Of sign-outs recommending fever evaluation, 79% specified at least one diagnostic test but 34% still utilized a nonspecific phrase such as “full fever work-up” (Table 2). Only 62% of fever sign-outs included antibiotic guidance. In addition, rationales were provided for evaluation or management guidance in only 41% and 61% of sign-outs, respectively (Table 3). Chi-squared analysis did not show a statistically significant association between primary hospital problem and the sign-out including fever anticipatory guidance (P = 0.78), recommending in-person assessment (P = 0.11), or providing antibiotic guidance (P = 0.15). Conclusion Fever anticipatory guidance is commonly included in resident-written sign-out regardless of primary hospital problem. Specific evaluation instructions for fever are used more commonly than nonspecific fever work-up terms, but rationales for testing are given uncommonly. Future educational interventions around signing-out and evaluating fever overnight may lead to more effective anticipatory guidance and rationale testing and treatment. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen D. Francis ◽  
Mark L. Wieland ◽  
Sean Drake ◽  
Keri Lyn Gwisdalla ◽  
Katherine A. Julian ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Many internal medicine (IM) programs have reorganized their resident continuity clinics to improve trainees' ambulatory experience. Downstream effects on continuity of care and other clinical and educational metrics are unclear. Methods This multi-institutional, cross-sectional study included 713 IM residents from 12 programs. Continuity was measured using the usual provider of care method (UPC) and the continuity for physician method (PHY). Three clinic models (traditional, block, and combination) were compared using analysis of covariance. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of practice metrics and clinic model on continuity. Results UPC, reflecting continuity from the patient perspective, was significantly different, and was highest in the block model, midrange in combination model, and lowest in the traditional model programs. PHY, reflecting continuity from the perspective of the resident provider, was significantly lower in the block model than in combination and traditional programs. Panel size, ambulatory workload, utilization, number of clinics attended in the study period, and clinic model together accounted for 62% of the variation found in UPC and 26% of the variation found in PHY. Conclusions Clinic model appeared to have a significant effect on continuity measured from both the patient and resident perspectives. Continuity requires balance between provider availability and demand for services. Optimizing this balance to maximize resident education, and the health of the population served, will require consideration of relevant local factors and priorities in addition to the clinic model.


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