United States

Background: 
Anticipating a desire for at-home services during COVID-19, the authors hypothesized that there would be an increase in preference for medical abortions (“pill” abortion, at-home method) over surgical abortions (vacuum aspiration, in-patient setting) for first trimester voluntary terminations. There is limited information on the effects of the pandemic on a patient’s preference between medical or surgical abortion. Such research would allow healthcare professionals and policy-makers to understand factors that patients evaluate when choosing a pregnancy termination procedure.

Methods: 
One of nine independent abortion clinics in Southeastern Michigan took part in the study. Retrospective, deidentified data regarding the count and type of first trimester abortions was collected. Inclusion criteria included first trimester medical and surgical abortions performed January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020. In 2019, there was 2,221 first trimester abortions, with 1,519 surgical and 702 medical cases; in 2020, there was 2,482 first trimester abortions, with 1,503 surgical and 979 medical. A negative binomial statistical model compared the number of medical abortions by calendar year. A logistic regression time-period variable assessed for chronological trends over the 24-month period. Each calendar year was divided into quartile periods of three consecutive months. Analysis focused on Quarter 1 and Quarter 2, based on a Michigan executive order issued in March of 2020.

Results: 
Data showed that medical abortions increased from 702 in 2019 to 979 in 2020 (p-value=0.00499). Time-period variable analysis was statistically significant (p-value=0.00824), implying a significant chronological increase across the 24-months. There was no significant increase in medical abortions in Quarter 1 from 2019 to 2020 (185 vs 215, p-value=0.79). There were 175 medical abortions in Quarter 2 of 2019 compared to 294 in Quarter 2 of 2020 (p-value=0.00067).

Conclusion: 
Understanding medical abortion trends allows clinicians to better serve their patients - potentially prioritizing telemedicine and holistic at-home care. Expanding medical abortion access via telemedicine could assist clinics/patients in overcoming various barriers, including clinic costs and distance/transportation.

Acknowledgements: 
Protocol was determined IRB-exempt. This research did not receive any grants from any funding agencies or study sponsors.

AMA Research Challenge 2022

Medical abortion trends during COVID-19 at an independent clinic in Detroit, Michigan

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Background
On May 2nd, 2022, a leaked majority draft opinion revealed the Supreme Court's intention to overturn Roe v. Wade, thereby threatening abortion access in at least 26 states. On June 24, SCOTUS issued their ruling taking away the constitutional right to abortion. As physicians’ key interest groups, medical societies often leverage their power to advocate for policies to improve the health of our patients and colleagues alike. This study aims to describe which medical societies made statements advocating for abortion access following both the leaked opinion and the final decision overturning Roe v. Wade. 
Methods
The study included 130 U.S.-based medical societies from the AMA House of Delegates, Council of Medical Specialty Societies, CREOG, and other Ob/Gyn societies. Study authors (SF, ML) reviewed websites and social media profiles of medical societies to determine whether they made statements within 2 weeks post-leak (May 2-16) and post-SCOTUS decision (June 24-July 8). Outcomes included whether a statement was posted, the latency from event to statement, and whether statements contained the word “abortion.” 
Results
Within 2 weeks of the leaked draft opinion, only 13.1% (n=17) of societies made a statement. The average time from leak to statement was 2.4 days. Most statements [82.4%, (n=14)] used the word “abortion.” 
In the 2 weeks following the SCOTUS decision, 38.5% (n=50) of societies made a statement. Of those, 14% (n=7 of the 50) only joined collective statements. The average time from leak to statement was 3.2 days. Many statements [70%, (n=35)] used the word “abortion.” Significantly more societies made a statement in the 2 weeks following the SCOTUS decision (z = 4.6793, p < .00001). 
Discussion
After the leaked opinion indicated a likely overturning of Roe, when statements would likely have had maximal impact, few medical societies affirmed the importance of abortion access. Although significantly more spoke up once Roe v. Wade was officially overturned, the majority of societies (over 60%) remained silent. Medical societies have a responsibility to advocate for abortion access, and many missed the opportunity to influence policymakers and stand in solidarity with our patients and colleagues.

Medical Society Statements on Abortion Rights at SCOTUS Leaked Draft Opinion vs Final Decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

Background
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, patterns of trauma and injury have changed. The immediate lockdown period showed fewer ED visits but a higher proportion of severe injury. The objective of this study is to compare the incidence of eye-related injuries presenting at a single institution occurring in 2019 versus 2020. 

Methods
A retrospective study was conducted on 824 patients presenting to the ED from 01/01/2019 through 12/31/2020 at a freestanding Level 1 Trauma Center in the Midwest. Patients were >18 years old with any sort of ophthalmic trauma. Patients were organized by age, ethnicity, and gender. De-identified data from the Trauma Registry Database was filtered based on ICD codes relating the manner of injury, including the overarching categories of superficial, laceration, fracture, ocular trauma, and burns. 

Results
The number of distinct patients seen for eye-related traumas was 378 in 2019 and 446 in 2020. Most of the change from 2019 to 2020 arose from increases in lacerations and fractures, with lacerations increasing 24.5% and fractures increasing 27.0%. The number of fractures reported in each 3-month season following the initial March 2020 lockdown was 27.4-44.9% higher than the corresponding seasons in 2019. Superficial injuries marginally increased, while ocular trauma injuries decreased by 10.2%.

Demographically, the proportion of female patients compared to male patients increased from 2019 to 2020. There were increases in incidence across all age groups: 25.7% for age 18-30, 9.6% for age 31-50, 13.9% for age 51-65, and 25.7% for age >65. The proportion of ophthalmic trauma patients identified by self-reported race remained stable from 2019 to 2020, with approximately ⅓ patients identifying as Black/AA and ⅔ identifying as White.

Conclusion
Eye-related traumas increased during the initial COVID-19 wave through the end of 2020. We specifically found an increase in severe eye injuries including lacerations and fractures, although ocular traumas such as ruptured globes decreased. The drastic change in lifestyle mandated by COVID-19 lockdowns likely contributed to these changes, with more people sustaining injuries while completing home projects and a concurrent rise of intimate partner violence.

Changes in Incidence of Eye-Related Injuries from 2019 to 2020

Healthcare disparities in the United States lead to nearly $35 billion in excess health expenditures annually and can include increased risks of surgical complications and mortality among at-risk patients. However, these disparities have yet to be clearly elucidated within the field of orthopedic surgery. Moreover, minority populations receive poor trauma care and increased complications after spine surgical & joint replacement surgeries. This study aims to highlight the current disparities in orthopedics and provide strategies to decrease these discrepancies to provide equitable medical care. To accomplish this, we conducted a systematic review of the clinical, functional, and quality of life measures in relation to healthcare disparities in the field of orthopedics. Using the recommendations outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we screened studies in language, race, transportation, and orthopedic trauma coverage and extracted current data to synthesize strategies to reduce disparities. Preliminary analysis indicates lack of access to reliable and robust public transit infrastructure interrupts the continuity of care and produces worse health outcomes, specifically in Hispanic populations. Additionally, disparities based on language demonstrate a difference in the outcomes of their care. With regards to trauma coverage, uninsured and minority populations experienced more iatrogenic complications, had an increased risk of major adverse events, longer wait times, and lower chances of undergoing surgery resulting in more major adverse events. These results underscore the need for educational interventions to improve patient follow-up care in orthopedic settings.

Current Strategies for Decreasing Disparities in Orthopaedic Care: A Systematic Review

Background: Coronavirus (COVID-19) is transmissible via aerosolized particles (0.07-0.09μm). Healthcare workers are at risk when treating COVID+ patients; therefore, it is imperative to find ways to protect frontline staff. Patients who need emergency procedures or those that involve the aerodigestive tract may place staff at high risk of COVID transmission, as COVID status may not be known. Power drills operate at faster rpm and require irrigation in order to cool down the bone. This study investigated particle generation during maxillofacial trauma repairs using power and self-drilling techniques at different distances from the operating table during open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). In doing so, we aim to find ways to mitigate the risk of contracting airborne diseases such as COVID-19. 

Methods: Two cadaveric specimens in a simulated operating room underwent ORIF of midface and mandible fractures via intraoral incisions as well as maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) using hybrid arch bars. For both simulated ZMC and parasymphyseal mandible fractures, ORIF was performed utilizing self-drilling screws and a power drill. Real-time aerosol concentration was measured throughout each procedure using 3 particle counters placed 0.45, 1.68, and 3.81 m (1.5, 5.5, and 12.5 feet, respectively) from the operative site.

Results: There was a significant decrease in particle concentration in all procedures at 1.68 m compared to 0.45 m (P < 0.001). At all three distances away from the operative site, there was significantly less aerosolized particle generation when using self-drilling techniques compared to power drilling for ORIF (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Based on our study, self drilling techniques, unlike power drills, operate at lower rpm and do not require irrigation, therefore generating fewer particles and mitigating aerosol spread. Using self-drills and maintaining physical distancing protocols in the OR significantly reduce the number of aerosolized particles, which can decrease the risk of COVID-19 infection to the surgical team. While we have become more adept with the rise of multiple vaccines and more PPE, there is still uncertainty with the long term effects of COVID, and mitigation efforts are still critical. Furthermore, this and future studies will help us prepare for future pandemics and helping other at-risk populations, such as those at risk of tuberculosis.

Quantifying Aerosol Generation in Maxillofacial Trauma Repair Techniques

Background: Recent studies in large databases characterize child abuse and investigate the utility of clinical decision tools to detect physical abuse. This study characterizes risk factors preceding a diagnosis of physical abuse (NAT) in the pediatric trauma population to explore the potential of administrative databases in detecting physical abuse.
Methods: The Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) public-use data was queried for patients aged 0-19 to balance the number of patient records with the constraints of the database. Suspected physical abuse, confirmed physical abuse, and trauma were outcomes identified using ICD10 codes. Using logistic regression, odds ratios for each diagnostic code were identified unadjusted and adjusted for age, sex, race, ethnicity, year of encounter, and payer. Significance equals p<.05 after Bonferroni/Holm adjustment. Analysis was conducted in R (R Core Team, 2022).
Results: We identified 2,230 patients diagnosed with confirmed or suspected physical abuse totaling 10,546 encounters prior to NAT diagnosis. We identified 396,575 pediatric trauma patients totaling 606,146 encounters. The regression model comparing diagnostic codes of confirmed or suspected NAT with pediatric trauma yielded hundreds of statistically significant diagnostic codes. We report only the diagnoses with the highest frequency in the confirmed or suspected NAT population adjusted for demographic characteristics.
Conclusion: We identify known risk factors and findings associated with the child abuse population, such as racial disparities, psychiatric conditions, and congenital conditions. Several hundred statistically significant diagnoses were identified, demonstrating the limited immediate clinical utility of any single diagnostic code. We identified diagnostic codes such as cough, asthma, and visual pathologies that increase the odds of NAT but are poorly characterized in the literature. A large number of statistically significant diagnoses presents an opportunity to use machine learning in the child abuse population to assist clinicians in diagnosing and identifying NAT.

Identifying Risk Factors Preceding Non-Accidental Trauma Among Pediatric Trauma Patients in the HSCRC dataset

Socio-demographic Characteristics of Childhood Asthma and its Association With Substance Abuse – US Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Background: In Puerto Rico (PR), statistics of developmental disorders have not been published since 2017 when nearly 3,000 cases were documented. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a decrease in visits to pediatrician’s office for both preventive and urgent reasons. Moreover, in January 2020, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake devastated part of PR leading to further suspension of pediatrician's office. It is this concern for the loss of surveillance, screening and follow up amid these events and the lack of current statistic in PR, that there is a need to evaluate the prevalence of developmental delays (PDD) in this population. For such we established two objectives: (1) explore the yearly PDD in children admitted to the pediatric unit and (2) identify if there’s been a change in PDD during and after natural disaster and COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Electronic charts of 1,082 patients, ages 1-60 month, with no previous neurodevelopmental condition and who were admitted to the pediatric unit, during January 2017- December 2021 were reviewed. We obtained their sociodemographic data and the results from the domains of gross motor, fine motor, communication. personal-social and problem solving of the Ages and Stages Questionare-3 (ASQ-3). Results: Of the patients evaluated 56% were male and 44% females, with more than 2/3 of them below the poverty index. The mean age of evaluation was 21.4 month. A steadily increase yearly PDD was noted in all ASQ-3 domains. Statistical analysis showed significance in 3 out of the 5 domains with p-values <0.05. Conclusion: Our study shows steadily increasing PDD in at all areas of development in 2020-2021, correlating with the years of the events. The growing trend is statically significant when compared with previous years, which may be explained by the loss of follow up during this period. To our knowledge, this the only study evaluating how the mentioned events correlate with the normal development of Puerto Rican children. It also provides a recent statistic of patients with some form of developmental delay, suggesting that the current estimate in PR is far lower than the actual PDD.

Trends in Developmental Delays During a Natural Disaster and Covid-19 Pandemic.

Background: Stigma surrounding mental health issues can prevent members of the Asian Indian diaspora living in the United States (US) from seeking adequate medical attention. Asian Indian Americans (AIAs), like other immigrant groups in the US, face increased psychological distress from migration, acculturation pressures, and other social determinants that can adversely impact functioning and quality of life. We sought to determine if self-reported data regarding attitudes towards mental health issues and rates of access to mental healthcare among AIAs were unique when compared to other racial/ethnic groups within the US using the nationally representative 2015-2018 National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS).

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 111,065 adults aged 18-84 years old. The data were first stratified by race. Chi-square tests of independence were performed by survey question using Python 3.10 to assess how race/ethnicity correlated with self-reported symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments of anxiety and depression. The Wilcoxon rank-sums test was then performed to determine the uniqueness of AIA responses within the US population. 

Results: Among 111,065 participants, 45.2% of respondents were male, 54.8% were female, 80.0% were white, 12.4% were black/African American, 1.3% were Native American, 1.2% were Asian Indian, 4.3% were other Asian, and 0.7% were other/multiple races. Race correlated with severity, symptoms, and treatment of both anxiety and depression. AIAs were most likely to self-report “never” experiencing symptoms such as nervousness (94.7%, p=0.0039), hopelessness (91.4%, p=0.010), worthlessness (94.7%, p=0.0039), and avolition (80.6%, p=0.0039) as compared to all other racial/ethnic groups at the 0.05 level of significance. AIAs were also more likely to report not receiving treatment for anxiety (95.7%, p=0.049) or depression (97.3%, p=0.049) in 2018. 

Conclusion: These data quantitatively indicate AIAs are less likely to self-report symptoms of anxiety and depression, and are less likely to seek treatment for the same. Given the prevalence of stigma concerning mental health in many South Asian cultures, it is essential to further investigate the nuances of how AIAs understand and advocate for their mental wellbeing. Further study is required to assess the role of stigma, overall mental health literacy, and possible success of targeted intervention with the AIA population.

Comparing Self-Reported Mental Health Data in Asian Indian Americans to National Trends

Abstract Title: Learning How to Cope: Medical Student Burnout and its Effect Over Emotional Development

Background: The medical curriculum is stressful due to its expanding academic workload, new responsibilities, and rigorous standardized testing. Some students have effective coping strategies to manage these stressors, while others may engage in maladaptive strategies that can lead to burnout syndrome. This study explores factors which may influence the development of burnout in future physicians.

Methods: Data was collected from self-report questionnaires of 131 medical students at the University of Puerto Rico-School of Medicine. Questionnaires were administered through REDCap and included the Maslach Burnout Inventory as a measure of burnout and Coping Strategies Survey. The study was approved by the UPR Institutional Review Board as protocol B1750121. Descriptive analyses were used to determine prevalence of burnout and coping strategies. Spearman’s Rho correlations were calculated to evaluate relationships between the variables. All analysis were performed using SPSS.


Results: Family support (rho=0.215, p=0.013) and visiting the Wellness center (rho= 0.193, p=0.027) were positively correlated with professional efficacy (PE). A negative correlation was observed between social withdrawal (rho=-0.341, p<0.001) and PE. Decreased eating (rho=0.259, p=0.003), social withdrawal (rho=0.372, p<0.001), compulsive shopping (rho=0.338, p< 0.001) and energy drink use (rho=0.202, p=0.020) were positively correlated to burnout. Seeking professional mental health help was associated with higher burnout (rho=0.185, p=0.35)

Conclusion: Dysfunctional coping strategies were correlated to increased mean burnout scores. In contrast, a moderate-strong correlation was observed between functional coping strategies with increased levels of PE and lower burnout levels. These results facilitate identification and promotion of effective strategies to decrease burnout among UPR-SoM students. Even though results were compelling, burnout could have been underestimated, therefore future longitudinal studies with similar cohorts are necessary to further investigate actual causal relationships.

Learning How to Cope: Medical Student Burnout and its Effect Over Emotional Development

Background: 
Studies suggest that LGBTQ+ youth are at increased risk of engaging in substance use and misuse, including alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many students to transition to a virtual learning environment in 2020 and early 2021, and the impacts of this have been purported to be detrimental. This study examines the prevalence of alcohol and substance use among lesbian, gay, and bisexual US high school students prior to the pandemic in 2019 compared to early 2021. We hope to identify possible factors which contribute to substance use in this population and provide direction for future studies. 
Methods
Results from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and 2021 Adolescent Behavior and Experiences Survey (ABES) were used for this study. These two surveys provide important data regarding the prevalence of substance use high school students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We selected 15 questions concerning alcohol and substance use common to both surveys and isolated results for lesbian, gay, and bisexual students. We directly compared results from 2019 and 2021 and calculated the relative change from 2019. 
Results
We found a decrease in prevalence for all 15 alcohol and substance use-related questions from 2019 to 2021 among lesbian, gay, and bisexual students. The largest relative decreases included “Ever used cocaine” (73% decrease), “Ever used ecstasy” (69% decrease), and “Were offered, sold, or given an illegal drug on school property” (62% decrease). “Ever used inhalants” demonstrated the most modest decrease at 7.4%.
Conclusion
This data illustrates what appear to be substantial decreases in alcohol and substance use among lesbian, gay, and bisexual high school students from 2019 to 2021. These decreases have occurred in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and reported increases in mental health problems among this population. These results should prompt further research into how social interactions at school (or the lack thereof) of LGBTQ+ youth contribute to patterns of alcohol and substance use. By identifying such factors, we can recognize potential points of intervention.

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Medical Society Statements on Abortion Rights at SCOTUS Leaked Draft Opinion vs Final Decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

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