SMJ // August 2013, Volume 106 - Issue 8

Original Article

Attitudes Toward Colorectal Cancer Screening in the Digital Age: A Survey of Practices and Attitudes among Screening-Eligible Alabamians

Objectives: To ascertain barriers to colorectal cancer screening in an environment of changing recommendations, payment structures, and information access, and to develop strategies for overcoming these barriers by undertaking a population survey of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening knowledge and attitudes in Alabama. Methods: An 80-item questionnaire focused on cancer screening,…

Invited Commentary

Commentary on “Utilization of Counseling Services at One Medical School”

Chang and colleagues are to be commended for undertaking this study of the use of mental health counseling by medical students on their campus.1 Two suicides had occurred in the recent past, and they determined the extent of depression/burnout in the students in their medical school, as well as the…

Invited Commentary

Commentary on “Cheating in Medical School The Unacknowledged Ailment”

Most physicians know someone who exhibits the behaviors of the cheating medical student. We all know or know of colleagues who have documented clinical examinations not done, who have copied passages from published material without attribution, or who have taken credit for work done by others; therefore, it is not…

Review Article

Electrical Alternans: A Sign, Not a Diagnosis

Electrical alternans is an electrocardiographic phenomenon defined as an alternating amplitude or axis of the QRS complexes in any or all leads. It is most commonly associated with a large pericardial effusion and impending threat of cardiac tamponade; however, a literature review showed that this electrocardiographic finding can be seen…

Review Article

Cheating in Medical School: The Unacknowledged Ailment

The reported prevalence of cheating among US medical students ranges from 0% to 58%. Cheating behaviors include copying from others, using unauthorized notes, sharing information about observed structured clinical encounters, and dishonesty about performing physical examinations on patients. Correlates of cheating in medical school include prior cheating behavior, burnout, and…

Editorial

Preoperative Medication Management: Filling in the Gaps

Preoperative medication management is central to the delivery of high-quality surgical care. The successful management of patients through an operation must address medication concerns related to anesthesia, individual patient care needs, and the surgical procedure itself. The number of patients who require preoperative medication management is formidable, with half of…

Original Article

Reducing High BMI in African American Preschoolers Effects of a Behavior-Based Physical Activity Intervention on Caloric Expenditure

Objectives: Overweight and obesity in young children are increasing concerns for medical professionals. Lack of sufficient physical activity may be the primary cause; therefore, the development and testing of a theory-based intervention for preschoolers is a priority. Methods: A 30-minutes/day preschool-based intervention (Start For Life), with a foundation in social…

Invited Commentary

Commentary on “Reducing High BMI in African American Preschoolers Effects of a Behavior-Based Physical Activity Intervention on Caloric Expenditure”

In this month’s issue of the Southern Medical Journal, Annesi and colleagues presents their study on the impact of childhood obesity and propose an interventional program to diminish the medical and emotional impacts on overweight and obese children.1 Their focus on children of excessive weight is clearly an important issue…

Invited Commentary

Commentary on “Attitudes Toward Colorectal Cancer Screening in the Digital Age: A Survey of Practices and Attitudes Among Screening Eligible Alabamians”

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States and Americans have a 5% lifetime risk for this malignancy.1 Most CRCs develop from preexisting adenomatous polyps, which usually take years to progress through an adenoma–carcinoma sequence to CRC.2 This…

Review Article

Major Sleep Disorders Among Women (Women’s Health Series)

Disruption of sleep causes adverse health outcomes and poor quality of life. People with sleep disruption have higher levels than people without disrupted sleep of depression and anxiety and increased rates of cardiovascular diseases. Women have a higher incidence than men of insomnia and depression related to poor sleep. The…

Original Article

Utilization of Counseling Services at One Medical School

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the usage of mental health counseling services by medical students. Medical students experience high rates of burnout, depression, and suicidal ideation. Our medical school (Baylor) provides free professional counseling services. Methods: The authors administered a survey that included a burnout scale;…

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