Increasing science self-efficacy and identity through participation in the Native American Summer research internship program

Diaspora Indigenous and Minority Education · 2025-08-19

Indoor climbing and well-being of young adults: Perspectives among indoor climbers

PLoS ONE · 2025-04-29 · 1 citations

The ongoing mental health crisis among college students raises the necessity of further research on physical, mental, and social well-being; and the role that indoor climbing can play in fostering social connection and improving mental health while also increasing physical fitness. Indoor climbing has many health benefits. Increasing numbers of young adults are involved in indoor climbing; however, research on health and indoor climbing for young adults is lacking. The objective of this qualitative study was to describe indoor climbing and its relationship with the physical, mental, and social well-being of young adults based on perceptions among indoor climbers. Thirty indoor climbers age 18-25 were interviewed from October 2023 to December 2023. The interviews were transcribed and coded using thematic methods. Most participants agreed that indoor climbing positively affected all three areas of their well-being. Themes emerged showing that climbing facilitates a sense of connection, acts as a form of mindfulness, boosts overall mental health, and encourages healthier lifestyles. The results of this study suggest indoor climbing may be effective to promote health among college students and young adults.

Preparatory Program for Students Underrepresented in Medicine Promotes Self-Efficacy in the Medical School Application Process: Novel Insights from a Qualitative Analysis.

PubMed · 2024-01-01

Background: The current US physician workforce does not reflect the diversity of the patient population it serves. While programs have been designed to support learners underrepresented in medicine, evidence of their efficacy is lacking. Methods: We designed, implemented, and assessed a medical school admissions preparatory program (MAPP) for premedical students from underrepresented backgrounds, as defined by race, gender identity, and/or socioeconomic status. The program includes workshops, near-peer mentorship, and professional standardized test-preparation materials. We assessed the students' development using a mixed-methods, post-test approach that included surveys and one-on-one interviews. Questions were based on social cognitive career theory. We used independent thematic analysis to extract key themes across interviews. Results: We surveyed and interviewed 13 of 17 MAPP participants in 2021. The cohort had a mean age of 23.7+/-4; 77% were women; and 23% self-identified as Asian, 15% as Pacific Islander, 15% as Black, 31% as Hispanic, and 23% as American Indian. We found they had little experience with the medical school application process and developed new insights about themselves from participating in MAPP. The primary drivers of growth were (1) guidance in the medical school admission process, (2) near-peer mentorship and interactions, and (3) sense of community with other program participants. Conclusion: MAPP provided materials and methods that clarified the process and bolstered students' confidence in their ability to complete the application.

Healthcare Team Members’ Views on Social Determinants of Health Screening and Referral Practices in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Patient Experience Journal · 2024-04-29 · 2 citations

We aimed to explore the healthcare team members’ (HTMs) views on social determinants of health (SDH) screening and referral processes in a pediatric emergency department (PED). We conducted a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study to explore PED HTMs’ views on social care practices at a quaternary-level children’s hospital. The survey was created using a goal identification framework. The survey gathered quantitative and qualitative data by assessing SDH screening practices, comfort and personal habits in screening, prioritization of SDH domains, workflows to perform screening, and perceived barriers to screening. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis and multiple reviewers to identify themes in free-text responses. There were 63 HTMs (48% response rate, Table 1), all of whom reported SDH screening efforts should continue in the PED (Fig. 1), yet 36% were unaware of the current SDH screening processes. Participants reported a median comfort level rate of 47.5 out of 100 when asking SDH-related questions (Fig. 1), and the highest reported barriers were “lack of knowledge/skill on resources” (77.3%), “lack of time” (68%), and “patient volume” (59%) (Fig. 2). Regarding the screening process, approximately half of the respondents suggested improvements in “integration of screening” and “variability of screening” (Fig. 4). This explorative analysis demonstrated that HTMs support continuing screening and referring patients for SDH-related needs. In addition, HTM survey respondents suggested improvements in screening and referral processes, opportunities for HTM training, and screening support to address social needs and ultimately improve patient health outcomes.

Association between Kidney Function and Comprehensive Frailty in Elderly Japanese Community-Dwelling Adults

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology · 2024-10-01

Background: The Japanese government has implemented a new screening program to prevent the worsening of comprehensive frailty in older adults, and a new frailty assessment questionnaire for medical check-ups of old-old adults aged ≥75 years (QMCOO) has been developed starting in 2020. Few detailed studies have investigated renal function as a risk factor for comprehensive frailty. Therefore, this study examined the association between renal function and comprehensive frailty using the QMCOO score in Japanese community-dwelling elderly. Methods: Between April 2020 and March 2021, 4621 participants (mean age: 80.1 years; 39.5% male) underwent annual health check-ups in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. Subjects were divided into four groups based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): G4+5 (<30 mL/min/1.73m2, n=106), G3b (30–44 mL/min/1.73m2, n=473), G3a (45-59 mL/min/1.73m2, n=1477), and G1+2 (≥60 mL/min/1.73m2, n=2526). Associations between the eGFR groups and comprehensive frailty assessed using a cutoff score of 3/4 for the QMCOO (Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2023, 23,437) were examined. Physical, oral, nutritional, cognitive, and social frailty subdomains were also investigated. In a longitudinal analysis, the G1+2 group served as a reference to investigate the incidence of comprehensive frailty during the following year among participants without frailty at baseline (n=2398) using logistic regression models to examine odds ratios adjusted for potential confounders. Results: In this cross-sectional study, the frequency of comprehensive frailty increased with worsening renal function (G1+2: 21.5%; G3a: 23.2%; G3b: 32.8%, G4+5: 38.7%). The results were similar for the physical, oral, nutritional, and cognitive subdomains though no association between renal function and social frailty was identified. In the longitudinal study, a G4+5 eGFR was significantly associated with new-onset comprehensive frailty (G3a: odds ratio (OR): 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62–1.10; G3b: OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.43–1.09; G4+5: OR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.10-5.20). Conclusion: A decline in renal function in older adults may be a risk factor for comprehensive frailty.

Examining the Perceptions and Experiences of Dental Care Among Immigrant Free Clinic Patients

Journal of Patient Experience · 2024-01-01 · 2 citations

Dental anxiety, the fear related to dental services, can be presented in diverse ways, hindering those in need of dental treatment. This anxiety often results in higher levels of untreated dental issues, affecting oral health-related quality of life primarily due to insufficient dental care or dental care avoidance. Identifying its causes is crucial for effective support and preventative care. This study explores dental care perceptions and experiences among patients at free clinics, offering valuable insights to improve dental support and care for uninsured and underserved individuals. Two hundred ninety-three immigrant patients, mainly Spanish speakers, participated from October 2023 to January 2024. Findings reveal that 14% experienced dental phobia, primarily linked to local anesthetic shots. The majority of patients reported unmet dental needs, highlighting dental care disparities. Understanding how dental phobia contributes to dental care needs is vital to understand, in order to improve oral health outcomes. Future research should address additional barriers like language, finances, and awareness of services. Additionally, exploring other anxiety factors beyond pain, noise, discomfort, and aesthetics is essential.

Experiences of Asian American College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cureus · 2024-12-19

The purpose of this study is to examine experiences among Asian American college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Six focus groups were held online via Zoom (Zoom Video Communications, Inc., San Jose, USA) with a total of 21 participants in October and November 2020. The focus group guide was built upon the socio-ecological model. Some participants expressed distress when having to leave their houses for pandemic safety and discrimination reasons. The impact of discriminatory events was addressed by participants' families. Participants emphasized the importance of communities and local organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants indicated that showing support for the Asian American community through social media and public awareness campaigns could be useful in stopping the stigma associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the experiences of Asian American college students during the COVID-19 pandemic provides insight on how to better support Asian American communities during the pandemic.

Utilization of Oral Healthcare Among Uninsured Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Cureus · 2024-12-12

BACKGROUND: Accessibility to dental care is vital for uninsured low-income individuals. There is a deficit of research that examines oral healthcare seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic among uninsured low-income individuals. The purpose of this study is to describe oral health-related issues among patients of a free clinic that does not provide dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The sample consists of 254 patients of a free clinic located in the Intermountain West. Data were collected by distributing self-administered paper surveys to patients 18 or older who spoke English and/or Spanish from December 2021 to May 2022. RESULTS: Nearly 40% of study participants reported being long overdue for dental appointments, with many not receiving care within the past two years (n = 96, 37.8%). Less than 30% of free clinic patients had a dental appointment within the past six months (n = 73, 28.9%). Cost is the most substantial barrier for free clinic patients to receive dental care (n = 150, 60%). CONCLUSION: This study's findings bridge the research gap on dental care experience during the pandemic among uninsured populations and are helpful in increasing knowledge for improving access to dental care at free clinics.

Covid-19 Vaccine Perception and Hesitancy Among Uninsured Free Clinic Patients

Patient Experience Journal · 2024-04-29

There are many complexities regarding the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, mainly because the COVID-19 vaccine had a fast track of development compared to vaccines developed in the past years. The purpose of this study is to understand COVID-19 vaccine perception and hesitancy among uninsured free clinic patients using the theory of planned behavior. This study had seven focus groups with 37 total participants, including 19 Spanish speakers. Free clinic adult patients (over the age of 18) participated in four focus groups during Summer of 2021. The average age of the participants was 44.7, and the majority of the participants self-identified as female and Hispanic. Social networks are found to be important factors in reducing vaccine hesitancy. Hesitant patients had concerns related to vaccines’ safety, effectiveness, and side effects. The lack of valid and reliable COVID-19 vaccination information was a challenge among this study’s participants. This exploratory study highlights some of the factors contributing to vaccine behavior among free clinic patients. This study concluded that the influence of family and friends are important motivational factors in vaccine behavior. A future study could focus on the multifaceted influences on vaccine hesitancy among free clinic patients, emphasizing the strong motivational role of family and friends while also addressing concerns about vaccine safety, efficacy, and the dissemination of reliable information.

The Impact of Patient Autonomy Among Uninsured Free Clinic Patients

Journal of Patient Experience · 2023-01-01 · 4 citations

Uninsured primary care patients tend to experience barriers to autonomy in clinical decision-making due to limited choices of healthcare facilities and low health literacy. This study examined whether certain factors, including the component of patient-centeredness, are associated with patient autonomy among these populations and contribute to reducing disparities in healthcare. This was a cross-sectional study using a convenience sample of free clinic patients aged 18 years and older who spoke English and/or Spanish. Multiple regression analyses were performed to understand factors associated with Ideal Patient's Autonomy. Data were collected from September to December 2019. Findings conclude that Spanish-speaking patients at the free clinic have a stronger belief in a paternalist model of the provider–patient relationship ( P &lt; .01). Better communication between patients and providers results in higher levels of autonomy ( P &lt; .01). Higher levels of educational attainment and better communication partnership were associated with higher levels of a free clinic patient's understanding of treatment risks ( P &lt; .01). This research study found that components of patient-centeredness are important considerations for improving patient autonomy among free clinic patients.