Drug Overdose Deaths Fall Slightly
According to preliminary data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US drug deaths decreased slightly in 2023, the first decrease in 5 years. Last year saw 107543 US drug overdose deaths, roughly a 3% drop from 2022.
Americans are still dying at near-record rates, due in large part to a toxic drug supply that includes fentanyl and a surge in poly-substance deaths that result from simultaneous use of opioids and stimulants such as methamphetamine or cocaine. However, after steady increases in the past several decades the decrease may provide a glimmer of hope.
The central US (Nebraska, Kansas, and Indiana), as well as Maine, all experienced overall drug death decreases of 15% or more. The Pacific Northwest (including Alaska, Washington, and Oregon) all saw increases of at least 27%.
The full report is available a https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm
IMGs Show Strong Performance in 2024 Match
The success of international medical graduates (IMGs) in pursuing graduate medical education (GME) in the US remains strong, with significant increases in the number of physicians obtaining firstt-year training positions, according to the results of the 2024 Main Residency Match® (The Match®) announced March 15, 2024, by the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®).
A total of 9045 IMGs obtained first-year residency positions in accredited US GME programs, an increase of 657 (7.8%) from last year and comprising more than one-quarter of all matched applicants (25.1%). Of the IMGs matched, 3181 are US citizens, a decrease of 175 compared to last year. The number of matched non-US citizen IMGs is 5864, up 832 compared to 2023. Despite record-high applicant participation, the match rates for US citizen and non-US citizen IMGs remained steady with less than a 1 percentage point difference from last year, 67.0% and 58.5%, respectively.
Source: https://www.ecfmg.org/news/2024/03/18/imgs-show-strong-performance-in-2024-match/ March 18, 2024
Impact of Telehealth Background Settings
A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that what a doctor has behind them during a telehealth visit can make a difference in how the patient feels about them and their care.
The findings suggest that even if the doctor is miles away from their usual in-person clinic or exam room, they should make it look like they're there. Even better: sitting in an office with their diplomas hanging behind them—or perhaps having a virtual background that's a photo of such an office. This is especially true if they haven't seen the patient before, the study shows.
A home office with a bookshelf or a plain solid-color background are both acceptable to patients, too. But providers should use blurred or virtual backgrounds if they carry out the visit in a home environment with a kitchen or a bed in the background, the study shows.
The findings come from a survey that asked patients to react to 7 different backgrounds behind a model physician, and to rate how knowledgeable, trustworthy, caring, approachable and professional the physician appeared in each, and how comfortable the patient would feel with that provider. It also asked them to consider each background for a first or returning appointment with a primary care or specialty provider.
The full article is available at https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarti-cle/2818730
