The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.
October 2024 Issue
Original Article
Improving Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus Control with a Dedicated Patient Navigator
Objectives: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) are the leading causes of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and chronic kidney diseases. They affect an estimated 47% and 11% of Americans, respectively. In this study, we assessed whether a dedicated patient navigator embedded within a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) using a structured panel management and…
Original Article
Association of Socioeconomic Variables with Primary Cesarean Section
Objectives: Socioeconomic characteristics may be associated with cesarean section (CS) rates. We probe the relationship between socioeconomic variables and primary cesarean section (PCS) by studying indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) in a population-based study in New York City. Methods: This was a retrospective study of all 80,506 women in New…
Original Article
Validity of Endometrial Cavity Length on 3D Pelvic Ultrasound before Endometrial Ablation
Objectives: This study aimed to compare endometrial cavity length measurements obtained by preoperative three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of coronal images on pelvic ultrasound with intraoperative endometrial cavity measurements obtained in advance of Minerva endometrial ablation. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 41 individuals who underwent a Minerva endometrial ablation…
Original Article
Fit Testing Failure of Reprocessed “Duckbill”-Type N95 Masks
Objectives: In response to worldwide shortages of N95 masks during the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 pandemic, various strategies have been used. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend several strategies, including simple isolation to reprocessing methods using vaporized hydrogen peroxide to guide reuse of masks up to five times….
Original Article
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis
Objectives: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions. Disparities in treatment and access to care can result in poor disease control and decreased quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine whether race and ethnicity affect treatment and healthcare utilization for pediatric…
Review Article
Numismedica II: Health Problems Caused by Coins
Coins occasionally cause health problems. These problems have a wide range of presentations and can affect multiple organ systems. This article updates a 2009 review of the medical literature addressing health problems caused by coins in several ways. The spectrum of clinical findings is expanded by describing new entities associated…
Original Article
Optimizing Dermatological Care Triage in a Safety-Net Hospital: Retrospective Analysis of Diagnoses and In-Person Referrals
Objectives: Teledermatology is a cost-effective and efficient approach to delivering care and is particularly beneficial for patients with limited access to specialized services. Considering the rapid expansion of telehealth, it is crucial to focus on optimization. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the triaging of dermatologic care in…
Perspectives
More Technology, Fewer Boundaries, and Physician Burnout in Academic Primary Care Physicians
Physician psychological burnout is a critical issue that affects all domains of health care, from nonacademic health systems that focus mostly on the provision of care to academic health centers also working across the missions of research and education.
Original Article
Skin Biopsies and Diagnostic Outcomes at a Multisite Family Medicine Residency Network
Objectives: Physicians other than dermatologists evaluate nearly 60% of all skin diseases, and 22% of these physicians are family physicians. Dermatology education is therefore an important aspect of Family Medicine training. Dermatologic procedural training in Family Medicine residency is not standardized, however, so family physicians graduate with highly variable skills….
Original Article
Exploring Bias in Health Care: Using Art to Facilitate a Narrative Medicine Approach among Third-Year Medical Students
Objectives: Teaching medical students about biases in health care poses challenges due to the complexity of modifying preexisting beliefs and the possibility of triggering strong emotional reactions. Narrative medicine fosters reflection and discussion among healthcare providers, and visual thinking strategies (VTS) enable providers to improve diagnostic ability through close and…
Original Article
A Qualitative Study of Transportation-Related Barriers to HIV Care in South Carolina
Objectives: Addressing structural barriers to care for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the southern United States is critical to increase rates of viral suppression and to reduce existing HIV disparities. This qualitative study aimed to describe transportation-related barriers experienced by people living with HIV in South Carolina,…