Quality Care & Patient Safety

SMJ Article | Perspectives

Putting a Positive Spin on the Phubbing Phenomenon

For nearly a decade, professionals in the mental health and social sciences fields have studied why people phub one another. This smartphone-caused, societal phenomenon—“ph” for phone, “ub” for snub—describes a tête-à-tête in which one participant in the conversation elects to scroll/text/e-mail instead. The act of phubbing can abort sensory connections.

SMJ Article | Perspectives

Procedural Decision Making by Hospitalists: The Need for a Team Approach

Complex decision making about performing bedside procedures is a growing challenge for hospitalists. Although existing guidelines help stratify procedural risk and identify safe practices, these guidelines can be in conflict and may not capture all of the comorbidities that shape procedural decision making.

SMJ Article | Original Article

Healthcare Provider Perceptions of the Use of Medical Interpretation in Primary Care

Objectives: Sixty-three percent of Latinos/as/x in Alabama, speak English “not well” or “not at all.” Effective provider–patient communication is the foundation of successful clinical interactions. Medical interpretation is important to the healthcare provision for patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). We examined Alabama providers’ perceptions of working with medical interpreters...

SMJ Article | Original Article

Improving Communication with Family Members during a Global Pandemic: Effect on Patient Experience

Objectives: Communication with patients and their families/caregivers to facilitate informed decision making is an integral part of patient/family-centered care. Due to the high coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection rates and limited personal protective equipment, healthcare systems were forced to restrict patient visitors, limit patient–provider interactions, and implement other changes in...

Posted in: Infectious Disease123

SMJ Article | Perspectives

Optimizing Patient Experience to Improve Physician Survey Scores

A patient’s perception of his or her hospital experience has become an important driver in hospital metrics and reimbursement. Patient-centered care is one of the six domains of healthcare quality according to the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research.1 Studies show that patient experience is correlated with tangible outcomes such...

Posted in: Quality Health Care, Patient Safety, & Best Practices2

SMJ Article | Review Article

Open Access: Design and Impact of a Novel Rural Hospital Alliance

Without rural hospitals, many patients may not have access to essential services, or even any health care. Rural hospitals provide a community hub for local access to primary care and emergency services, as well as a bridge to specialized care outside the community. The goal of this review was to...

SMJ Article | Perspectives

State Advisory Council: Stakeholders’ Perspective for Shaping the Future of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in Arkansas

The US Renal Data System (USRDS) reports that 15% of the adult US population has chronic kidney disease (CKD), whereas only 10% of those with CKD know that they have it.1 Timely interventions can prevent the debilitating effects of CKD. This perspective aims to share the experience of an innovative...

Posted in: Nephrology and Urology13 Chronic Kidney Disease2

SMJ Article | Perspectives

The Current Challenge of Suffering

“Appears older than stated age.” It is mid-afternoon. There are other patients to see. I do not elaborate on the opening line of the physical exam. The inadequacy of the phrase comes back to me as I am driving home: It doesn’t begin to convey the weariness I saw in...

SMJ Article | Review Article

CME Article: Physician Leader, Humble Thyself: Balancing Narcissism and Humility in Healthcare Leadership

Data on expert leadership have shown numerous benefits, including enhanced job satisfaction, productivity, and job retention. Similarly, many of the top hospitals in the United States are physician led; however, the training of a successful physician and that of a successful healthcare administrator often are significantly different. Here, we specifically...

SMJ Article | Review Article

Long COVID, Disability, and the Workplace

The long-term societal impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) includes not only those who have died from COVID-19 but also those who have survived with prolonged residual symptoms. “Long COVID” symptoms such as fatigue may impair an individual’s ability to work, but gaps in disability law may leave such workers...

Posted in: Infectious Disease123

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