Alexis Guzman, MD

Abstract

People from racial and ethnic minoritized groups, those with disabilities, and those from low-income backgrounds are underrepresented in biomedical careers. Increasing diversity in the biomedical workforce, particularly health care providers, is imperative to address the disparities faced by minoritized patients. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted disparities experienced by minoritized populations and emphasized the need for a more diverse biomedical workforce. Science internship, mentorship, and research programs, which have historically been conducted in person, have been shown to increase interest in biomedical fields for minoritized students. During the pandemic, many science internship programs pivoted to virtual programming. This evaluation focuses on two such programs for both early and late high school students and evaluates change in scientific identity and scientific tasks pre- and post-program. Additionally, early high school students were interviewed to obtain more in-depth information on the program experiences and effects. Early and late high school students reported increased scientific identity and comfort with scientific tasks compared pre- to post-program in several domains. Desire to pursue biomedical careers was maintained pre- to post-program for both groups. These results highlight the importance and acceptance of developing curricula for online platforms to help boost interest in biomedical fields and desire for biomedical careers.

View details for DOI 10.15695/jstem/v6i1.07

View details for PubMedID 37425209

View details for Web of Science ID 000768696700119

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The lack of structured transition interventions for adolescents aging out of pediatric care is associated with poor health outcomes.METHODS: We assessed the effectiveness of a transition protocol that aimed to improve the transfer of adolescents to adult primary care. Chart reviews were conducted on 21- and 22-year-old patients seen 18 months before and after protocol implementation. Completion of an adult medicine appointment scheduled within 6 months from the last pediatric visit was the primary outcome of interest.FINDINGS: In pre-implementation period, 20.9% of patients versus 39.3% in post-implementation period were transferred. Transfer was higher in patients who had a dedicated transition visit, had a transition order placed, and were tracked during the transfer process.DISCUSSION: A transition protocol can increase the number of adolescents who transfer to adult care. Once a patient is ready to transition, a dedicated transition visit is ideal; however, providers should incorporate transition care during any clinical encounter. While an electronic transition order can facilitate appointment scheduling, patient tracking and appointment reminders can help ensure appointment completion. In addition, all clinical staff should receive transition training and clinicians should be frequently reminded about the need to transition their patients. However, even with these efforts to support transition, the majority of patients did not do so, which indicates a continued need to develop and evaluate transition interventions.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Implementing a transition protocol in pediatric clinics can improve the transition of adolescents aging out of pediatric care and may diminish gaps in medical care that can be associated with poor health outcomes.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.pedn.2021.07.023

View details for PubMedID 34343766

View details for Web of Science ID 000616262000058

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated published studies about foster care to a) determine the types of data used; b) describe the degree to which a sexual/reproductive health topic was addressed; and c) describe the consent process.DESIGN: Analysis of published literature SETTING: PubMed was searched using "foster care" for English articles published between January 1, 2017, and September 4, 2019.PARTICIPANTS: None INTERVENTIONS: None MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Articles were coded into four data source categories: primary, secondary, peripheral or perspective data. Articles with a primary data source were coded for participant ages: only 9 years-old, included 10-17-year-olds (minor adolescents) and only 18 years-old. Articles using a secondary data source were coded for the source of the data registry. All articles were coded for presence of a sexual/reproductive health outcome. The primary data articles that included minor adolescents were coded for the study topic and consent process.RESULTS: Of the 176 articles about foster care, 72 (41%) used primary data, 53 (30%) used secondary data and 51 (29%) used peripheral/perspective data. Forty-eight of the primary data articles included minor adolescents. Secondary data sources included few national research surveys. Sexual/reproductive health outcomes were measured in 17 articles, 4 of which used primary data. The consent process for minor adolescents varied and had no consistent pattern across studies.CONCLUSION: Research best practices for consent processes and use of registries could be developed to increase research on sexual/reproductive health outcomes among adolescents in foster care.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpag.2020.12.006

View details for PubMedID 33333259

View details for DOI 10.1007/s41347-020-00135-w

Abstract

Studies have shown that laws banning smoking in public places reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, but the impact of such laws on exposure to smoke outside the home and on household smoking policies has not been well documented. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of 2009 Wisconsin Act 12, a statewide smoke-free law enacted in July 2010, among participants in the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW).Smoking history and demographic information was gathered from 1341 survey participants from 2008 to 2010. Smoking behaviors of independent samples of participants surveyed before and after the legislation was enacted were compared.The smoking ban was associated with a reduction of participants reporting exposure to smoke outside the home (from 55% to 32%; P<0.0001) and at home (13% to 7%; P=0.002). The new legislation was associated with an increased percentage of participants with no-smoking policies in their households (from 74% to 80%; P=.04). The results were stronger among participants who were older, wealthier, and more educated.Smoke-free legislation appears to reduce secondhand smoke exposure and to increase no-smoking policies in households. Further research should be conducted to see if these effects are maintained.

View details for PubMedID 22970531

View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3529004