United States

2022 AMA Research Challenge

Donation Trend from the American College of Physicians and American Academy of Family Physicians Politcal Action Committees: A 2006-2020 Analysis of Partisan Contributions

**About**
 The PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments (PETRA) conference is a highly interdisciplinary conference that focuses on computational and engineering approaches to improve the quality of life and enhance human performance in a wide range of settings, in the workplace, at home, in public spaces, urban environments, and other. Outcomes of this conference have a broad impact in application areas that include, manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, energy systems, security and safety, robotics, biomedicine, environment and conservation, and many others. PETRA brings together very different types of technologies to also address important social and healthcare issues for sensitive populations, such as the elderly, persons suffering from chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Cerebral Palsy, and other disabilities or traumas.

 PETRA (which means “stone” in Greek) addresses important human living needs. From a technological perspective, PETRA motivates and inspires new scientific thrusts, innovations and discoveries to improve living environments, a particularly important issue, in an increasingly crowded and complex world where the need for inclusiveness and connectivity with the rest of the world is key. For the elderly in particular, PETRA addresses the fact that, as people grow older; they will increasingly rely on technology to be able to prolong staying in their homes and enjoy an independent life.

 The PETRA 2021 proceedings will be published in the ACM Digital Library as part of the ACM ICPS program. The ISBN number assigned to PETRA '21 is 978-1-4503-8792-7

PETRA 2021

The PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments (PETRA) conference is a highly interdisciplinary conference that focuses on computational and engineering approaches to improve the quality of life and enhance human performance in a wide range of settings, in the workplace, at home, in public spaces, urban environments, and other. Outcomes of this conference have a broad impact in application areas that include, manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, energy systems, security and safety, robotics, biomedicine, environment and conservation, and many others. PETRA brings together very different types of technologies to also address important social and healthcare issues for sensitive populations, such as the elderly, persons suffering from chronic conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Cerebral Palsy, and other disabilities or traumas.

poster

Welcome to the largest national, multi-specialty research event **featuring research from 750 medical students, residents and fellows, and international medical graduates.**


#### Event Details
The 2022 American Medical Association Research Challenge includes a poster symposium hall and a semifinals hall with the top scored research. Log in at any time throughout the event to:
* **View posters and presentations** on a variety of topics and specialties
* **Score posters in the semifinals** to help decide the top five finalists (AMA member exclusive opportunity)
* **Connect with participants** and provide feedback to help advance their research

At the conclusion of this event, the AMA will announce the top five finalists who will advance to the AMA Research Challenge finals, present their research to an elite panel of judges and compete to win a $10,000 grand prize sponsored by Laurel Road.
 

#### Attend Live Forums
**Oct. 20, 6 — 7 p.m. Central**
 **How to plan a career in academic medicine** 
 Learn how to plan a career in academic medicine and get your questions answered. [Access Here](https://underline.io/events/363/lounge)
 
 **Speakers**
![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/d5adb133dfc58eb0a6d469e9cedcd5d4.jpg)
Ricardo Correa, MD, EdD
![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/5f9437ab87861538bf02b9ca7c0d926e.jpg)
Stuart M. Greenstein, MD
![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/05b1b637c99286d558c371f8e8b185ce.jpg)
Stephanie Strohbeen, MD
 
 **Oct. 22, 11 a.m. — Noon Central**
 **How to get published**
 Learn tips to get your research published and get your questions answered. [Access Here](https://underline.io/events/363/lounge)
 
 **Speakers**
![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/8ce6235e957d31cb5e6f9097cc6f6972.jpg)
Jessica Li, MD/PhD Candidate
![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/9950ef2e0237f54cb3d8280334d42491.jpg)
Charles Lopresto, DO

### Sponsor
AMA would like to thank Laurel Road for sponsoring a $10,000 grand prize for the winner of the AMA Research Challenge. Laurel Road is not involved in the judging or scoring process to select the winner. The winner will be announced on Dec. 7 during the AMA Research Challenge finals. Payment of the grand prize will be directly from Laurel Road. See the AMA Research Challenge Official Rules for terms and conditions.

![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/611e331d4a0eba0920f240cfc04b4d77.png)

**There is no registration fee for this event! **

Register to explore research in a variety of topics. AMA members get exclusive access to score posters in the semifinals.

**Please use the link below to register for free if you have not already done so:**

https://www.ama-assn.org/about/events/ama-research-challenge

Registration Is Required

Welcome to the largest national, multi-specialty research event featuring research from 750 medical students, residents and fellows, and international medical graduates.


Abstract Title: Exploration of Exercise Referrals to Personal Fitness Trainers by Primary Care Physicians to Increase Adherence to Exercise Recommendations in African American Women.

Background: The endless health benefits of physical activity are common knowledge, yet physical inactivity is still a public health crisis in the U.S. Increased intervention is necessary to improve adherence to recommendations on physical activity. Adjacent to this crisis, is an increase in patients with obesity. African American women are among those most impacted by obesity and have been found to be the least physically active group in the country. Exercise referrals by primary care physicians to other health care professionals, specifically personal fitness trainers, is one intervention that may increase physical activity. While exercise referrals to personal fitness trainers is an underutilized, understudied intervention in addressing physical inactivity, studies suggest that exercise referrals to personal fitness trainers may have some benefit to African American female women. This study explores how African American women might benefit from exercise referral programs from their primary care physician to personal fitness trainers.

Methods: A literature review was conducted on the value of personal fitness trainers for African American women. One hundred African American women, with a BMI over 30 were surveyed on their physical activity habits and exercise recommendations from their primary care physician, including referral to personal fitness trainers. Survey respondents were offered a $5-$10 gift card for survey completion. Responses were uploaded manually and analyzed using comparison analysis.

Results: Results show that while most African American female patients at the Deighton Family Medicine Clinic reported being advised on physical activity, none had been directed to meet with a personal fitness trainer. 

Conclusion: African American female patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years of age significantly report being advised to exercise by their primary care physician but report no referrals to personal fitness trainers. This study may be useful in influencing interventional programs that refer African American women to personal fitness trainers by identifying barriers and highlighting exercise referrals as an effective therapeutic approach that is not common use.






Exploration of Exercise Referrals to Personal Fitness Trainers by Primary Care Physicians to Increase Adherence to Exercise Recommendations in African American Women.

Background:
Helicobacter Pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that induces chronic gastritis resulting in peptic ulcer disease and can also cause non-ulcer dyspepsia, gastric carcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoma. Macrolide-based regimens were the first-line treatment for H. Pylori eradication;however, their widespread usage has led to increased resistance and subsequently treatment failure. Other factors contributing include poor compliance, smoking, prior antibiotics exposure.
Methods:
We performed retrospective analysis of electronic medical records of patients who were tested for H. pylori infection between January 2021 to December 2021. Data on patient’s sociodemographic factors, presenting symptoms, tests used for H. Pylori detection (stool antigen vs antibodies), prior use of antibiotics, the first line regimen used to treat the infection and follow up to confirm eradication of infection, were collected. Frequencies for all variables were calculated.
Results:
Among cohort of 670 with mean age of 57.9, 58% were females, 23% were of Hispanic ethnicity and 14% were former smokers, majority of cohort got tested in the ambulatory settings (75%) using stool antigen test 93% of which 37% (n= 234) tested positive for H. pylori and among these 53% were using PPI. The most common presenting symptoms were abdominal pain (64%) and GERD (22%), respectively. Standard triple regimen consisting of clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and PPI were prescribed to 76.1% of positive tested individuals with only 50%
completed the therapy and 28% of these had eradication confirmation on repeat stool antigen testing at a median follow-up of 12.7 weeks.
Conclusion:
Macrolide resistance, particularly for clarithromycin, has been observed at varying rates (1-21%) across different geographical regions and is now considered as an important factor in eradication failure. In our study we observed a low eradication rate among patients who were treated with macrolide-based regimen as first line therapy, suggesting that macrolide resistance may have played a role in eradication/treatment failure apart from other factors i.e., cost, duration of
therapy, poor compliance and loss of follow up. Thus, use of bismuth-quadruple or levofloxacin based regimen as first line therapy in high macrolide resistance areas is warranted.

Factors for H. Pylori Eradication Failure and Regimen Conformity withStandard Guidelines.

Introduction: Although the high rates of mental health issues and the unmet healthcare needs among Asian Americans have been recognized in literature, there is a lack of empirical research on the mental health issues of Filipino Americans (FAs). Using data from a mixed method study that integrated a quantitative survey with qualitative interviews, this study explored factors that influence mental health needs and access to care in FAs living in Eastern Virginia.

Methods: A Community Health Resources and Needs Assessment (CHRNA) survey was implemented online using REDCap and distributed to Asian and Pacific Islanders in Eastern Virginia in April-July 2022. Participants (N=1,462) were recruited through in-person events and social media channels using three sampling criteria: 1) persons of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, 2) ages 18-85 years, and 3) residents of Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore. Data from a subsample of 281 respondents who self-reported as Filipino were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression. Key informants (N=25, including 15 females and 10 males) were recruited through snowball sampling and referrals from Filipino community stakeholders. Semi-structured interviews (30-60 minutes) were conducted virtually via Zoom in English by trained researchers. Semantic analysis was guided by the grounded theory and the socio-ecological model.

Results: While 7.2% of FAs received diagnoses of depression or other mental health problems from healthcare providers, 27.4% frequently experienced the following: 1) had little interest or pleasure in doing things, 2) felt down, depressed, or hopeless; 3) feeling nervous, anxious or on edge; 4) being unable to stop or control worrying. Higher odds of having mental health issues were found in females, older participants, participants who experienced language barriers, and participants with less economic resources. Religious belief (e.g., Catholicism) and family support served as significant buffers for FAs to cope with stress. Stigma embedded within Filipino culture has been a key mental health barrier in FAs. While the Philippine Cultural Center (PCC) has served as a primary source of community support (particularly for the elderly population), the PCC could be further utilized as a community-based mental health resource, involving licensed mental health practitioners for culturally sensitive interventions in a community setting.

Conclusion: Findings demonstrate that FA mental health is influenced by a complex interplay of macro and micro-level socio-ecological factors. Culturally competent community-based interventions are urgently needed to normalize mental health, to increase awareness and access to care, and to reduce mental health issues and disparities.

Factors Related to the Mental Health of Filipino Americans in Eastern Virginia - Findings from a Mixed Methods Study Conducted in 2022

Though originally designed in the 1960s to provide emergency medical care, emergency medical service (EMS) systems have experienced non-emergency utilization by small groups of frequent EMS users. Frequent EMS use as a public health issue reflects healthcare waste, misused EMS resources, and underserved populations. In turn, municipalities such as San Francisco have developed community paramedicine (CP) programs to improve access to healthcare and social services in non-emergency settings. Prior evaluation has found that EMS-6 — one such CP program operated by the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) — is safe and effective at reducing frequent EMS use amongst the most frequent EMS users. That said, frequent EMS users are heterogeneous groups with diverse needs, such as housing assistance, primary care, urgent care, and detoxification. The goal of this in-progress study is to describe the characteristics of frequent EMS users in San Francisco over recent years. By characterizing those frequent EMS users who have not experienced decreases in frequent EMS use, the results may be used to inform adjustments to the CP services provided by EMS-6.

Frequent EMS Users in San Francisco: A Cross-Sectional Study

Healthy East Harlem (HEH): Improving Health Outcomes By Prescribing Fruits and Vegetables

Identifying Top Health Priorities Among Afghan Refugees

Context: 
This study assesses the needs of Afghan refugees receiving services at the Center for Refugee Services (CRS) in San Antonio. Services include assisting refugees with doctors’ appointments, applying for health insurance, and providing translation services. Research has shown that refugees face many health challenges like an increased predominance of chronic disease from the stress of resettlement. 

Objective: 
To identify the health priorities of Afghan refugees who visit the CRS using a needs assessment survey. 

Design: 
Each survey was administered in person with the help of an interpreter, as needed. The survey assesses basic demographics and the respondent’s top health concerns through a combination of open-ended and “check all that apply” questions. 

Setting: 
CRS, San Antonio 

Participants: 
Self-identified Afghan refugees (n=33) aged 18 years and older who reside in San Antonio, Texas, and receive services at the CRS. 

Main and Secondary Outcomes: 
By determining which health concerns are most prevalent among the Afghan refugees, the CRS can target their aid to address the specific needs. 

Results: 
Preliminary results reveal most participants, 84.8%, are male (n=27) with an average age of 30.2. All participants speak Pashto with 75.8% (n=25) being their primary language, 87.9% (n=29) are married and live in households with an average size of 5 people, 45.5% (n=15) completed high school, 30.3% (n=10) are working full time, and 72.7% (n=24) have moved to the US within the past 12 months. 54.5% (n=18) of respondents reported they seek healthcare at the San Antonio Refugee clinic, 48.5% (n=16) seek care at a Doctor’s Office, and 42.4% (n=14) go to a hospital emergency department. The participants’ top three health concerns were teeth problems (n=28), no insurance (n=19), and language (n=12). 

Conclusions: 
This research in progress will help provide care and reduce the negative health consequences that refugees face. 


Identifying Top Health Concerns Among Afghan Refugees

Concern about sex education is primarily focused on prevention of unplanned pregnancy and STI’s. A broader perspective on the relationship of sex education with gender roles and stigma related to sexual behavior has been recognized, although data on these relationships is limited. We sought to address this gap by measuring prevalence of receipt of sex education, focus of sex education, perceived stigma related to sexual behavior, and its distribution amongst gender in undergraduate university students.

Impact of Sex Education on Stigma Surrounding Sexual Behavior in Undergraduate Students

Impact of socio-demographics, personal experiences, and barriers to care on COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in Massachusetts

Background: Vaccine hesitancy among minority communities stems from medical misinformation, decreased health literacy, and fear of vaccines. We predict that medical students providing vaccine education through a student-run free clinic (SRFC) would improve immunization rates by increasing access to and understanding of vaccines in underserved populations. 

Methods: Our vaccine program addresses low immunization rates in underserved West Dallas communities by providing individualized education sessions and handouts about vaccines translated to a 5th-grade reading level. First, a validated pre-survey adapted from the World Health Organization is given to gauge a patient’s knowledge and attitudes towards vaccines. Vaccine education derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website is offered, and vaccines are administered if the patient consents. Finally, a post-survey identical to the pre-survey is given. Medical students must complete CDC modules, orientation, and vaccine administration training at a simulation center before volunteering. 

Results: The patients were 67% female and averaged 48 years old. Most patients primarily spoke Spanish. Approximately 43% of the patients educated at the clinic received a vaccination. Most individuals (49.0%) surveyed obtained their vaccine information from the news or media. The second and third most common sources of information were from family or friends (36.7%) and healthcare providers (24.5%). Comparison of pre- and post-surveys revealed a significant difference in patients’ knowledge regarding the mechanism of vaccines (64.3% vs. 90.5%), trust in healthcare workers (90.5% vs. 97.6%), and belief that they received adequate vaccine information from a healthcare provider (73.8% vs. 90.5%) after education sessions. Of note, 32% of eligible patients received a Tdap vaccine through this program, which is not only higher than the national average for all adults (30%) but especially higher than those of national Hispanic populations (23%). 

Conclusion: Our vaccine program demonstrates that medical students can promote vaccine knowledge and increase immunization rates, especially for Tdap. Implementing our vaccine program has allowed patients to address their misconceptions and ultimately overcome barriers like fear, cost, and accessibility. This study thus highlights the importance of a vaccine element in SRFCs and may serve as a model for those hoping to implement similar programs in their own SRFCs.

Implementation and Operation of a Student-Run Vaccine Educational Program

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in Hispanics in the U.S. Hispanics are screened for CRC at a much lower rate. Implementing mailed fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) is a cost-effective intervention to increase CRC screening rates in vulnerable populations. We aim to describe the effect of using introductory calls coupled with mailed in-home FIT kits on CRC screening completion in two federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in a US-Mexico border county.

Methods: This was a prospective pragmatic two-arm intervention study with participants randomized to receive a FIT kit by mail or a FIT kit mailed with an introductory call. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients who returned the FIT kit.

Results: Participants who returned the FIT were primarily unemployed (51.1%), had less than a high school education(51.8%), had lived in the U.S. for at least 20 years (71.2%), and had poor self-reported health(48.9%). In addition, we observed a statistically significant absolue rate increase (6.1%, P = 0.003) in CRC screening return rates when a mailed FIT kit was preceded by an introductory compared to no initial call.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that adding an introductory phone call significantly improves the screening completion rate in a mailed-out CRC screening intervention in a US-Mexico border population.



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Donation Trend from the American College of Physicians and American Academy of Family Physicians Politcal Action Committees: A 2006-2020 Analysis of Partisan Contributions

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