Low-income urban youth are high users of technology but still prefer face-to-face meetings with doctor

From This survey included urban youth (aged 14-24 years) to asses the Use of Technology with Health Care Providers.

Eight focus groups including 82 primarily low-income urban African-American adolescents and young adults were completed.

Low-income urban adolescents and young adults (mean age, 18.5 years) reported high access to and use of technology. However, they still preferred face-to-face meetings with a healthcare provider because they felt that the information provided would be better tailored to their individual needs and more credible. Many worried about the confidentiality of conversations conducted using technology.

In conclusion, although low-income urban youth are high users of technology, they still prefer face-to-face meetings with a healthcare provider.

References:

Use of Technology with Health Care Providers: Perspectives from Urban Youth. Sarah Lindstrom Johnson et al. The Journal of Pediatrics, Volume 160, Issue 6 , Pages 997-1002, June 2012.

What Will Social Media Look Like in 2020? (WSJ video)

The end of social networking? "Social, Inc." author Bob Zukis discusses his predictions on what the future holds for social media.

Common rashes - 2-minute video overview by a dermatologist for About.com

The whole playlist is here: Does it Itch? | Common Rashes & Skin Conditions - YouTube http://bit.ly/12k3vFB

Here are some helpful resources:

Rash diagnosis algorithm - NCEMI eTools http://bit.ly/WvZ5IU

Academic Life in Emergency Medicine: Paucis Verbis: Approach to rashes http://bit.ly/WvZ3B1

Related:

Acne Treatments | Skin Care - YouTube http://bit.ly/12k3zVP

Hepatitis A

Excerpts from a recent review in Am Fam Physician:

Hepatitis A is a common viral illness worldwide. It incidence in the U.S. has diminished as a result of immunization.

How is Hepatitis A transmitted?

Hepatitis A virus is transmitted through fecal-oral contamination, and there are occasional outbreaks through food sources.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A?

Young children are usually asymptomatic, although the likelihood of symptoms tends to increase with age.

What is the prognosis of Hepatitis A?

Most patients recover within 2 months of infection. However, 10-15% of patients will experience a relapse in the first 6 months. Hepatitis A virus does not usually result in chronic infection or chronic liver disease.

What is the treatment for Hepatitis A?

Supportive care is the mainstay of treatment, for example, PO and IV fluids if nausea and vomiting are severe, etc.

How to prevent Hepatitis A?

The CDC recommends routine vaccination of all children 12-23 months of age, as well as certain vulnerable populations.

What to do if you have just been exposed to Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A vaccine is also recommended for most cases of postexposure prophylaxis. Immunoglobulin is an acceptable alternative.

References:

Hepatitis A. Matheny SC, Kingery JE. Am Fam Physician. 2012 Dec 1;86(11):1027-34.

Empathy and patient experience - video from Cleveland Clinic

CEO Toby Cosgrove, MD, shared this video, titled "Empathy," with the Cleveland Clinic staff during his 2013 State of the Clinic address on Feb. 27, 2013. The video relates to any person - not only patients and physicians. It's so worth it 4 minutes of your time:



Physician Communication PEARLS from Cleveland Clinic

- Establish rapport and plan an encounter with the patient

- Elicit the patient perspective using FIFE (function, ideas, fears and
expectations)

- Apply PEARLS (partnership, empathy, acknowledgment, respect,
legitimation and support) to convey empathy

- Incorporate the patient into decision making and education using ART
(ask, respond, tell)

References:

Relationship-Centered Communication for Physicians (PDF) from Cleveland Clinic Academy

Comments from Twitter:

Dr Kelly Sennholz @MtnMD: This is JUST how I see the hospital. Magic place

PracticeMatch @PracticeMatch: Wow...great video!

Wouter van Furth @wvfurth: Take 4 min to watch this video. Worth it.

Mary Maier MD @MaryMaierMD: The Cleveland Clinic - it was/is a great place to train