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New Product Summary: Initial Listing of the Gulf Coast UCO (Argus) (60,000 lb) Futures and the Gulf Coast UCO (Argus) Futures Contracts - Effective December 16, 2024




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Product Modification Summary: Expansion of the Listing Schedule of the New Crop Weekly Corn and New Crop Weekly Soybean Option Contracts - Effective December 16, 2024




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Internet Rallies Around Alleged Maryville Sexual-Assault Victim

A seven-month investigation into an alleged sexual assault by a high school football player in a small Missouri town has set the internet ablaze.




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Nebraska Expands Anti-Hazing Law to Cover Primary and Secondary Schools

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a bill into law Wednesday that expands the state's anti-hazing regulations to elementary, middle, and high schools rather than just post-secondary institutions.




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Principal Running for Congress to Challenge Incumbent in Democratic Primary

While the number of principals running for office has been dwarfed by teachers, school leaders are hoping to change policies in statehouses and in Washington that they say impact their students and families.




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Elementary Teacher Defeats West Virginia's State Senate President in Primary

After a couple years of clashes with teachers in the state, West Virginia Senate President Mitch Carmichael was ousted in Tuesday's Republican primary election by a teacher.




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Mary E. Rolling Reading Series presents alumna, writer Jami Nakamura Lin Nov. 14

Accomplished writer and Penn State alum Jami Nakamura Lin will read from her works at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, in Foster Auditorium as part of the 2024-25 Mary E. Rolling Reading Series.




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Delaware Child Psychiatry Access Program Looks to Remove Barriers, Empower Primary Care Providers

WILMINGTON – The Delaware Children’s Department has launched a program that links pediatric primary care providers with free psychiatry consultations and assistance to streamline behavioral health care for children and youth. Implemented in 2019, the Delaware Child Psychiatry Access Program (DCPAP) is a beneficial resource for primary care providers serving young people with behavioral health needs. […]



  • Department of Services for Children
  • Youth and their Families
  • children's mental health
  • Health care

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New Report Outlines Plan for Strengthening Primary Care in Delaware

Provisional Affordability Standards aim to strengthen primary care in Delaware through increased investment Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro announced the release of the Office of Value-Based Health Care Delivery’s initial provisional Affordability Standards as part of a new report, Delaware Health Care Affordability Standards: An Integrated Approach to Improve Access, Quality and Value, which includes plans […]




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Advances in Primary Care Reform Made Possible by Legislature

General Assembly sent key bill to the Governor The Delaware General Assembly passed legislation to increase Delawareans’ access to high quality, affordable health care through a series of reforms that will refocus Delaware’s healthcare system on primary care and improvements in value. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 120 requires commercial health insurance companies to […]




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Mary and Charles Vinson sentenced to over 150 years in serial child abuse case

A Kent County couple will effectively spend their lives in prison for the serial abuse and torture of their children, Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced today. “These children went through hell,” said Attorney General Jennings. “Now they never have to worry about their abusers again. Even when these cases are strong, they are not easy. […]



  • Department of Justice
  • Department of Justice Press Releases
  • News

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Two Additional Cases Of Avian Influenza Confirmed On Delaware And Maryland Farms

Federal laboratory testing has confirmed two cases of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI)—one in New Castle County, Delaware, and one in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. These avian influenza findings follow previously announced cases on farms in New Castle County, Delaware, and Cecil County, Maryland.




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Covid-19 Cases Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Summary Of Most Recent CDC Updates

   DOVER, DE (Aug. 19, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) reports that the 7-day average of new positive COVID-19 cases has declined since the previous monthly update in July. However, COVID-19 is still circulating in the community, and at higher levels in some counties. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 Community Levels data tracker, which was last […]




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Voting Alert: Automatically Registered Voters May Declare Their Political Party Affiliation at the Primary Election

The Delaware Department of Elections is informing voters that automatically registered voters may declare their party at the State Primary Election, September 10, 2024. Delaware is a Closed Primary State, meaning that only voters affiliated with the Democratic or Republican parties may vote in their party’s Primary Election. Eligible Voters must vote at their assigned Polling Place, and Polling Places are open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Primary Election Day.



  • Department of Elections
  • Department of Elections - Kent County Office
  • Department of Elections - New Castle County Office
  • Department of Elections - State Election Commissioner
  • Department of Elections - Sussex County Office

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Tempus ECO initial setup summary not matching timing report results

We are currently setting up the Tempus flow and have ran into some mismatched data regarding ECO and timing reports. I generated a timing report before running ECO and saw six total setup violations. When running opt_signoff -setup, the initial setup summary that was printed in the shell only showed one violation. I can see that violation from the initial setup summary in my pre-ECO timing report and it is not the worst path. Upon further investigation, I forced the tool to try to fix setup on one of the other five violations from the timing report using the opt_signoff_select_setup_endpoints attribute and the tool said that the endpoint had positive slack and would be ignored.

Has anyone experienced something like this before?




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Noise summary data per sub-block in Maestro output expressions

Hi,

I have a question about printing noise summary via maestro output expressions.

How can I print noise data using output expressions, for multiple levels of the hierarchy?

I have found this article which describe the procedure using ocnGenNoiseSummary() functionhttps://support.cadence.com/apex/ArticleAttachmentPortal?id=a1Od0000007MViHEAW&pageName=ArticleContent

I see also Andrew Beckett referring to the above mentioned article as a solution to a similar question: community.cadence.com/.../noise-summary-per-instance

However, this seems to work only if I'm to extract noise data from a single level of hierarchy.

If I have the output expression "ocnGenNoiseSummary(2 ?result 'hbnoise)", it will generate a "noisesummary" directory under results directory for a hierarchy level of 2.

If I am to extract data from various hierarchy levels, I should be able to generate multiple noise summary directories, such as noisesummary1, noisesummary2 where they correspond to "ocnGenNoiseSummary(1 ?result 'hbnoise)" & "ocnGenNoiseSummary(2 ?result 'hbnoise)", respectively. However this does not seem to be possible.

Can you please advice? Thanks.

My Cadence version: IC23.1-64b.ISR7.27

BR,

Denizhan Karaca




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Netflix's 'Mary' trailer sees Anthony Hopkins as the murderous King Herod

Netflix's new Biblical epic is on the way, with a trailer for "Mary" landing today. Watch.




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Market Summary — Papua New Guinea

Austrade’s ‘market in focus’ toolkit provides information and resources to help you better understand the Papua New Guinea education market.




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The Primary Importance of Sanctification (Galatians 4:19–20)

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.




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to write a chapter summary for college

to write a chapter summary for college




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to write a good summary paper

to write a good summary paper




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to write a summary analysis response paper

to write a summary analysis response paper




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A Comprehensive Guide to Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics for Primary Care Clinicians

We propose a paper that provides education on commonly used long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) to improve primary care based mental health interventions in patients with severe mental illnesses (SMIs) such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorders. With the expanding interface of primary care and psychiatry across all healthcare settings, it has become increasingly important for primary care clinicians to have a broader understanding of common psychiatric treatments, including LAIs. Long-acting injectable antipsychotics have been shown to be helpful in significantly improving treatment adherence, preventing disease progression, improving treatment response, decreasing readmission rates, and reducing social impairment. We discuss evidence-based indications and guidelines for use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics. We provide an overview of the treatment of SMI with LAIs, mainly focusing on the most commonly used long-acting injectable antipsychotics, advantages and disadvantages of each, along with outlining important clinical pearls for ease of practical application. Equipped with increased familiarity and understanding of these essential therapies, primary care clinicians can better facilitate early engagement with psychiatric care, promote more widespread use, and thus significantly improve the wellbeing and quality of life of patients with severe mental illness.




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Primary Care Clinicians' Interest In, and Barriers To, Medication Abortion

Purpose:

Providing medication abortion in the primary care setting is a promising way to increase access to abortion, a threatened service in many States. This study aimed to characterize primary care clinicians’ interest in prescribing medication abortion, what barriers they face in adding this service, and what support they need.

Methods:

Data were collected from 162 practicing primary care clinicians in Minnesota using an online survey with closed- and open-ended response options. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, group comparison analyses, and content analysis for the open-ended questions.

Results:

Participants represented a diverse range of ages, years in practice, credentials, genders, and urban/rural practice settings, and held mixed knowledge and attitudes around medication abortion. All demographic groups surveyed expressed interest in prescribing medication abortion, with the strongest interest represented among younger respondents, women, and those practicing in urban settings. Clinicians who provide prenatal care or who already work with these medications in other contexts were more likely to want to add medication abortion to their practices. The most common barrier to providing medication abortion was a lack of knowledge about organizational policies and about the medications themselves. To empower clinicians to provide medication abortion, respondents voiced needing their health systems to build clear processes and wanting supportive networks of other clinicians for collaboration.

Conclusions:

Given the interest of primary care clinicians in providing medication abortion, health systems have a valuable opportunity to increase access.




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A Qualitative Analysis of a Primary Care Medical-Legal Partnership: Impact, Barriers, and Facilitators

Background:

Certain health-related risk factors require legal interventions. Medical-legal partnerships (MLPs) are collaborations between clinics and lawyers that address these health-harming legal needs (HHLNs) and have been shown to improve health and reduce utilization.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to explore the impact, barriers, and facilitators of MLP implementation in primary care clinics.

Methods:

A qualitative design using a semistructured interview assessed the perceived impact, barriers, and facilitators of an MLP, among clinicians, clinic and MLP staff, and clinic patients. Open AI software (otter.ai) was used to transcribe interviews, and NVivo was used to code the data. Braun & Clarke’s framework was used to identify themes and subthemes.

Results:

Sixteen (n = 16) participants were included in this study. Most respondents were women (81%) and white (56%). Four respondents were clinic staff, and 4 were MLP staff while 8 were clinic patients. Several primary themes emerged including: Patients experienced legal issues that were pernicious, pervasive, and complex; through trusting relationships, the MLP was able to improve health and resolve legal issues, for some; mistrust, communication gaps, and inconsistent staffing limited the impact of the MLP; and, the MLP identified coordination and communication strategies to enhance trust and amplify its impact.

Conclusion:

HHLNs can have a significant, negative impact on the physical and mental health of patients. Respondents perceived that MLPs improved health and resolved these needs, for some. Despite perceived successes, integration between the clinical and legal organizations was elusive.




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Using Primary Health Care Electronic Medical Records to Predict Hospitalizations, Emergency Department Visits, and Mortality: A Systematic Review

Introduction:

High-quality primary care can reduce avoidable emergency department visits and emergency hospitalizations. The availability of electronic medical record (EMR) data and capacities for data storage and processing have created opportunities for predictive analytics. This systematic review examines studies which predict emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and mortality using EMR data from primary care.

Methods:

Six databases (Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, EBM Reviews (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Methodology Register, Health Technology Assessment, NHS Economic Evaluation Database), Scopus, CINAHL) were searched to identify primary peer-reviewed studies in English from inception to February 5, 2020. The search was initially conducted on January 18, 2019, and updated on February 5, 2020.

Results:

A total of 9456 citations were double-reviewed, and 31 studies met the inclusion criteria. The predictive ability measured by C-statistics (ROC) of the best performing models from each study ranged from 0.57 to 0.95. Less than half of the included studies used artificial intelligence methods and only 7 (23%) were externally validated. Age, medical diagnoses, sex, medication use, and prior health service use were the most common predictor variables. Few studies discussed or examined the clinical utility of models.

Conclusions:

This review helps address critical gaps in the literature regarding the potential of primary care EMR data. Despite further work required to address bias and improve the quality and reporting of prediction models, the use of primary care EMR data for predictive analytics holds promise.




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Impact of Dimensional Variability of Primary Packaging Materials on the Break-Loose and Gliding Forces of Prefilled Syringes

A prefilled syringe (PFS) should be able to be adequately and consistently extruded during injection for optimal safe drug delivery and accurate dosing. To facilitate appropriate break-loose and gliding forces (BLGFs) required during injection, certain primary packaging materials (PPMs) such as the syringe barrel and plunger are usually coated with silicone oil, which acts as a lubricant. Due to its direct contact with drug, silicone oil can increase the number of particles in the syringe, which could lead to adverse interactions. Compliance with regulatory-defined silicone oil quantities in certain drug products, such as ophthalmics, presents a trade-off with the necessity for desirable low and consistent BLGF. In addition to its siliconization, the dimensional accuracy of the PPM has an important role in controlling the BLGF. The dimensions of the PPM are individualized depending on the product and its design and have certain tolerances that must be met during manufacturing. Most studies on ophthalmics focused on the adverse interactions between silicone oil and the drug. To the authors' knowledge, there have been no public studies so far that have investigated the impact of the dimensional variability of the PPM on the BLGF in ophthalmic PFSs. In this study, we applied advanced optical shaft and tactile measuring technologies to investigate this impact. The syringes investigated were first sampled during aseptic production and tested for the BLGF. Subsequently, defined dimensions of the PPM were measured individually. The results showed that the dimensional variability of the PPM can have a negative impact on the BLGF, despite their conformity to specifications, which indicates that the currently available market quality of PPMs is improvable for critical drug products such as ophthalmics. This study could serve as an approach to define product-specific requirements for primary packaging combinations and thus appropriate specifications based on data during the development stage of drug products.




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The treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in migrants in primary care versus secondary care

Extract

With a disproportionate burden of tuberculosis (TB) amongst migrants in Europe [1], Burman et al. [2] have highlighted the pressing need for alternative approaches to make TB infection (TBI) screening comprehensive and accessible. Across high-income Organisation for Economic Co-operation and development countries, a median of 52% of TB cases occur in foreign-born individuals, who are at their highest risk of developing TB disease within the first 5 years of migration [3]. Molecular epidemiological studies indicate that the majority of these cases occur as a result of TBI reactivation, often acquired overseas [4]. Within the UK, overseas-born migrants have a 14-fold higher TB incidence than UK-born individuals [5]. The World Health Organization therefore recommends that migrants from countries with a high TB burden may be prioritised for TBI screening [6, 7].




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Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in migrants in primary care versus secondary care

Background

Control of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a priority in the World Health Organization strategy to eliminate TB. Many high-income, low TB incidence countries have prioritised LTBI screening and treatment in recent migrants. We tested whether a novel model of care, based entirely within primary care, was effective and safe compared to secondary care.

Methods

This was a pragmatic cluster-randomised, parallel group, superiority trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03069807) conducted in 34 general practices in London, UK, comparing LTBI treatment in recent migrants in primary care to secondary care. The primary outcome was treatment completion, defined as taking ≥90% of antibiotic doses. Secondary outcomes included treatment acceptance, adherence, adverse effects, patient satisfaction, TB incidence and a cost-effectiveness analysis. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis.

Results

Between September 2016 and May 2019, 362 recent migrants with LTBI were offered treatment and 276 accepted. Treatment completion was similar in primary and secondary care (82.6% versus 86.0%; adjusted OR (aOR) 0.64, 95% CI 0.31–1.29). There was no difference in drug-induced liver injury between primary and secondary care (0.7% versus 2.3%; aOR 0.29, 95% CI 0.03–2.84). Treatment acceptance was lower in primary care (65.2% (146/224) versus 94.2% (130/138); aOR 0.10, 95% CI 0.03–0.30). The estimated cost per patient completing treatment was lower in primary care, with an incremental saving of GBP 315.27 (95% CI 313.47–317.07).

Conclusions

The treatment of LTBI in recent migrants within primary care does not result in higher rates of treatment completion but is safe and costs less when compared to secondary care.




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National Politics’ Role in Developing Primary Health Care Policy for Maternal Health in Papua New Guinea: A Qualitative Document Analysis

ABSTRACTPolitics is one of the critical factors that influence health policy agendas. However, scholarly efforts, especially in low- and middle-income countries, rarely focus on how politics influence health policy agenda-setting. We conducted a qualitative document review to examine the factors that led to developing the free primary health care policy for maternal health in Papua New Guinea. We also discuss mechanisms through which national politics, as an overriding factor, influenced the development of the policy. The review draws on Kingdon’s multiple-stream model for agenda-setting and incorporates theoretical insights from Fox and Reich’s framework for analyzing the politics of health reform for universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries.




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Summary: Appropriate Use Criteria for the Use of Nuclear Medicine in Fever of Unknown Origin

The diagnostic work-up of patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) begins with a thorough history and physical examination, complete blood count with differential, chest x-ray, urinalysis and culture, electrolyte panel, liver enzymes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein level. Additional imaging procedures, including nuclear medicine tests, are generally used as second-line procedures, with 18F-FDG PET and PET/CT assuming increasingly important roles in the diagnostic work-up. The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the American College of Nuclear Medicine convened an autonomous expert work group to comprehensively review the published literature for nuclear imaging in adults and children with FUO and establish appropriate use criteria (AUC). This process was performed in accordance with the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, which requires that all referring physicians consult AUC by using a clinical decision support mechanism before ordering advanced diagnostic imaging services. The complete findings and discussions of the work group were published on January 8, 2023, and are available at https://www.snmmi.org/ClinicalPractice/content.aspx?ItemNumber=15666. The AUC in the final document are intended to assist referring health care providers in appropriate use of nuclear medicine imaging procedures in patients with FUO. The work group noted limitations in the current literature on nuclear medicine imaging for FUO, with the need for well-designed prospective multicenter investigations. Consensus findings from published data and expert opinions were used to create recommendations in common clinical scenarios for adults and children. Included in the complete document is a discussion of inflammation of unknown origin (IUO), a recently described entity. In view of the fact that the criteria for FUO and IUO are similar (except for fever > 38.3°C [100.9°F]) and that the most common etiologies of these 2 entities are similar, it is the expert opinion of the work group that the recommendations for nuclear medicine imaging of FUO are also applicable to IUO. These recommendations are included in the full guidance document. This summary reviews rationale, methodology, and main findings and refers the reader to the complete AUC document.




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Is the Clinical Application of CXCR4 Imaging in the Diagnosis and Management of Primary Aldosteronism Really Happening?




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Reclassification of the HPGD p.Ala13Glu variant causing primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy [VARIANT DISCREPANCY RESOLUTION]

Here, we highlight the case of a 31-yr-old man who had clinical features of primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHOAR) and harbored a homozygous variant (c.38C > A, p.Ala13Glu) in the HPGD gene, as indicated by whole-exome sequencing (WES). This variant has been previously classified by our laboratory as a variant of uncertain significance (VUS). However, another patient with the same phenotype and the same homozygous variant in HPGD was subsequently reported. In reassessing the variant, the absence of this variant in the gnomAD population database, supporting computational predictions, observation in homozygosity in two probands, and specificity of the phenotype for HPGD, all provide sufficient evidence to reclassify the HPGD c.38C > A, p.Ala13Glu variant as likely pathogenic.




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Geographic inequalities in need and provision of social prescribing link workers a retrospective study in primary care

BackgroundLong-term health conditions are major challenges for care systems. Social prescribing link workers have been introduced via primary care networks (PCNs) across England since 2019 to address the wider determinants of health by connecting individuals to activities, groups, or services within their local community.AimTo assess whether the rollout of social prescribing link workers was in areas with the highest need.Design and settingA retrospective study of social prescribing link workers in England from 2019 to 2023.MethodWorkforce, population, survey, and area-level data at the PCN-level from April 2020 to October 2023 were combined. Population need before the rollout of link workers was measured using reported lack of support from local services in the 2019 General Practice Patient Survey. To assess if rollout reflected need, linear regression was used to relate provision of link workers (measured by full-time equivalent [FTE] per 10 000 patients) in each quarter to population need for support.ResultsPopulations in urban, more deprived areas and with higher proportions of people from minority ethnic groups had the highest reported lack of support. Geographically these were in the North West and London. Initially, there was no association between need and provision; then from July 2022, this became negative and significant. By October 2023, a 10-percentage point higher need for support was associated with a 0.035 (95% confidence interval = −0.634 to −0.066) lower FTE per 10 000 patients.ConclusionRollout of link workers has not been sufficiently targeted at areas with the highest need. Future deployments should be targeted at those areas.




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Support for primary care prescribing for adult ADHD in England: national survey

BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, for which there are effective pharmacological treatments that improve symptoms and reduce complications. Guidelines published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommend that primary care practitioners prescribe medication for adult ADHD under shared-care agreements with Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS). However, provision remains uneven, with some practitioners reporting a lack of support.AimThis study aimed to describe elements of support, and their availability/use, in primary care prescribing for adult ADHD medication in England to improve access for this underserved population and inform service improvement.Design and settingCross-sectional surveys were used to elicit data from commissioners, health professionals (HPs), and people with lived experience of ADHD (LE) across England about elements supporting pharmacological treatment of ADHD in primary care.MethodThree interlinked cross-sectional surveys were used to ask every integrated care board in England (commissioners), along with convenience samples of HPs and LEs, about prescribing rates, AMHS availability, wait times, and shared-care agreement protocols/policies for the pharmacological treatment of ADHD in primary care. Descriptive analyses, percentages, and confidence intervals were used to summarise responses by stakeholder group. Variations in reported provision and practice were explored and displayed visually using mapping software.ResultsData from 782 responders (42 commissioners, 331 HPs, 409 LEs) revealed differences in reported provision by stakeholder group, including for prescribing (95% of HPs versus 64% of LEs). In all, >40% of responders reported extended AMHS wait times of ≥2 years. There was some variability by NHS region – for example, London had the lowest reported extended wait time (25%), while East of England had the highest (55%).ConclusionElements supporting appropriate shared-care prescribing of ADHD medication via primary care are not universally available in England. Coordinated approaches are needed to address these gaps.




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Collaborative discussions between GPs and pharmacists to optimise patient medication: a qualitative study within a UK primary care clinical trial

BackgroundThere has been significant investment in pharmacists working in UK general practice to improve the effective and safe use of medicines. However, evidence of how to optimise collaboration between GPs and pharmacists in the context of polypharmacy (multiple medication) is lacking.AimTo explore GP and pharmacist views and experiences of in-person, interprofessional collaborative discussions (IPCDs) as part of a complex intervention to optimise medication use for patients with polypharmacy in general practice.Design and settingA mixed-method process evaluation embedded within the Improving Medicines use in People with Polypharmacy in Primary Care (IMPPP) trial conducted in Bristol and the West Midlands, between February 2021 and September 2023.MethodAudio-recordings of IPCDs between GPs and pharmacists, along with individual semi-structured interviews to explore their reflections on these discussions, were used. All recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.ResultsA total of 14 practices took part in the process evaluation from February 2022 to September 2023; 17 IPCD meetings were audio-recorded, discussing 30 patients (range 1–6 patients per meeting). In all, six GPs and 13 pharmacists were interviewed. The IPCD was highly valued by GPs and pharmacists who described benefits, including: strengthening their working relationship; gaining in confidence to manage more complex patients; and learning from each other. It was often challenging, however, to find time for the IPCDs.ConclusionThe model of IPCD used in this study provided protected time for GPs and pharmacists to work together to deliver whole-patient care, with both professions finding this beneficial. Protected time for interprofessional liaison and collaboration, and structured interventions may facilitate improved patient care.




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CGRP therapy in primary care for migraine: prevention and acute medication




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Primary care health professionals’ approach to clinical coding: a qualitative interview study




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Challenging the status quo: deprescribing antihypertensive medication in older adults in primary care




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Improving Access to Disability Assessment for US Citizenship Applicants in Primary Care: An Embedded Neuropsychological Assessment Innovation [Innovations in Primary Care]




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Using the Electronic Health Record to Facilitate Patient-Physician Relationship While Establishing Care [Innovations in Primary Care]




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Deep End Kawasaki/Yokohama: A New Challenge for GPs in Deprived Areas in Japan [Innovations in Primary Care]




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Face-to-Face Relationships Still Matter in a Digital Age: A Call for a 5th C in the Core Tenets of Primary Care [Reflections]

We primary care clinicians, scholars, and leaders ascribe value to Barbara Starfield’s core tenets of primary care—the 4 Cs: first contact, comprehensiveness, coordination, and continuity. In today’s era of rapid technological advancements and dwindling resources, what are the implications for face-to-face interactions of patient-clinician relationships? We propose adding a 5th C: "Contiguity." Contiguity—or physical proximity and presence—is a key dimension that not only enables the necessary technical aspects of a physical exam but also authenticates the most human aspects of a relationship and occurs specifically when we are physically vulnerable and responsible for the other before us. This, in turn, may best enable us to bridge difference and nurture trust with our patients. We measure what we value and, thus, naming Contiguity as a core tenet assures that we will not lose sight of this keystone in a patient’s relationship with their personal physician.




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Chest Pain in Primary Care: A Systematic Review of Risk Stratification Tools to Rule Out Acute Coronary Syndrome [Systematic Review]

PURPOSE

Chest pain frequently poses a diagnostic challenge for general practitioners (GPs). Utilizing risk stratification tools might help GPs to rule out acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and make appropriate referral decisions. We conducted a systematic review of studies evaluating risk stratification tools for chest pain in primary care settings, both with and without troponin assays. Our aims were to assess the performance of tools for ruling out ACS and to provide a comprehensive review of the current evidence.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and Embase for articles up to October 9, 2023 concerning adult patients with acute chest pain in primary care settings, for whom risk stratification tools (clinical decision rules [CDRs] and/or single biomarker tests) were used. To identify eligible studies, a combination of active learning and backward snowballing was applied. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment (following the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool) were performed independently by 2 researchers.

RESULTS

Of the 1,204 studies screened, 14 were included in the final review. Nine studies validated 7 different CDRs without troponin. Sensitivities ranged from 75.0% to 97.0%, and negative predictive values (NPV) ranged from 82.4% to 99.7%. None of the CDRs outperformed the unaided judgment of GP’s. Five studies reported on strategies using troponin measurements. Studies using high-sensitivity troponin showed highest diagnostic accuracy with sensitivity 83.3% to 100% and NPV 98.8% to 100%.

CONCLUSION

Clinical decision rules without troponin and the use of conventional troponin showed insufficient sensitivity to rule out ACS in primary care and are not recommended as standalone tools. High-sensitivity troponin strategies are promising, but studies are limited. Further prospective validation in primary care is needed before implementation.




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Lack of Knowledge of Antibiotic Risks Contributes to Primary Care Patients Expectations of Antibiotics for Common Symptoms [Research Briefs]

Patient expectations of receiving antibiotics for common symptoms can trigger unnecessary use. We conducted a survey (n = 564) between January 2020 to June 2021 in public and private primary care clinics in Texas to study the prevalence and predictors of patients’ antibiotic expectations for common symptoms/illnesses. We surveyed Black patients (33%) and Hispanic/Latine patients (47%), and over 93% expected to receive an antibiotic for at least 1 of the 5 pre-defined symptoms/illnesses. Public clinic patients were nearly twice as likely to expect antibiotics for sore throat, diarrhea, and cold/flu than private clinic patients. Lack of knowledge of potential risks of antibiotic use was associated with increased antibiotic expectations for diarrhea (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.4) and cold/flu symptoms (OR = 2.9; 95% CI, 2.0-4.4). Lower education and inadequate health literacy were predictors of antibiotic expectations for diarrhea. Future antibiotic stewardship interventions should tailor patient education materials to include information on antibiotic risks and guidance on appropriate antibiotic indications.




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A Cluster-Randomized Study of Technology-Assisted Health Coaching for Weight Management in Primary Care [Original Research]

PURPOSE

We undertook a trial to test the efficacy of a technology-assisted health coaching intervention for weight management, called Goals for Eating and Moving (GEM), within primary care.

METHODS

This cluster-randomized controlled trial enrolled 19 primary care teams with 63 clinicians; 9 teams were randomized to GEM and 10 to enhanced usual care (EUC). The GEM intervention included 1 in-person and up to 12 telephone-delivered coaching sessions. Coaches supported goal setting and engagement with weight management programs, facilitated by a software tool. Patients in the EUC arm received educational handouts. We enrolled patients who spoke English or Spanish, were aged 18 to 69 years, and either were overweight (body mass index 25-29 kg/m2) with a weight-related comorbidity or had obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2). The primary outcome (weight change at 12 months) and exploratory outcomes (eg, program attendance, diet, physical activity) were analyzed according to intention to treat.

RESULTS

We enrolled 489 patients (220 in the GEM arm, 269 in the EUC arm). Their mean (SD) age was 49.8 (12.1) years; 44% were male, 41% Hispanic, and 44% non-Hispanic Black. At 12 months, the mean adjusted weight change (standard error) was –1.4 (0.8) kg in the GEM arm vs –0.8 (1.6) kg in the EUC arm, a nonsignificant difference (P = .48). There were no statistically significant differences in secondary outcomes. Exploratory analyses showed that the GEM arm had a greater change than the EUC arm in mean number of weekly minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity other than walking, a finding that may warrant further exploration.

CONCLUSIONS

The GEM intervention did not achieve clinically important weight loss in primary care. Although this was a negative study possibly affected by health system resource limitations and disruptions, its findings can guide the development of similar interventions. Future studies could explore the efficacy of higher-intensity interventions and interventions that include medication and bariatric surgery options, in addition to lifestyle modification.




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Challenges in Receiving Care for Long COVID: A Qualitative Interview Study Among Primary Care Patients About Expectations and Experiences [Original Research]

BACKGROUND

For many patients with post–COVID-19 condition (long COVID), primary care is the first point of interaction with the health care system. In principle, primary care is well situated to manage long COVID. Beyond expressions of disempowerment, however, the patient’s perspective regarding the quality of long COVID care is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the expectations and experiences of primary care patients seeking treatment for long COVID.

METHODS

A phenomenological approach guided this analysis. Using purposive sampling, we conducted semistructured interviews with English-speaking, adult primary care patients describing symptoms of long COVID. We deidentified and transcribed the recorded interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

This article reports results from 19 interviews (53% female, mean age = 54 years). Patients expected their primary care practitioners (PCPs) to be knowledgeable about long COVID, attentive to their individual condition, and to engage in collaborative processes for treatment. Patients described 2 areas of experiences. First, interactions with clinicians were perceived as positive when clinicians were honest and validating, and negative when patients felt dismissed or discouraged. Second, patients described challenges navigating the fragmented US health care system when coordinating care, treatment and testing, and payment.

CONCLUSION

Primary care patients’ experiences seeking care for long COVID are incongruent with their expectations. Patients must overcome barriers at each level of the health care system and are frustrated by the constant challenges. PCPs and other health care professionals might increase congruence with expectations and experiences through listening, validating, and advocating for patients with long COVID.

Annals Early Access article





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Mary Earps ‘humbled’ after winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award

Mary Earps said she felt “very honoured and humbled” to receive “the ultimate all-round sporting accolade”, after being named as the BBC’s Sports Personality of the year ahead of runner-up Stuart Broad to continue women’s sport’s strong recent run in the event.

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Maryland students charged with hate crimes over alleged beating of gay man...


Maryland students charged with hate crimes over alleged beating of gay man...


(Third column, 15th story, link)