UMass FMCH Tuesday Talk - April 26, 2022/RESEARCH
Welcome to the FMCH Tuesday Talk. Please continue to send us your announcements, celebrations, and accomplishments to FMCHtuesdaytalk@umassmed.edu.
Table of Contents
Upcoming Events
Focus of the Week - Research
Announcements
Faculty Presentations/Publications
Department Member Recognition
Frankly Speaking Podcast
Clinical Services Spotlight
Upcoming Events

FMCH Grand Rounds
Tuesday, April 26th, 12:00 - 1:00 pm. Rebecca Gwaltney, MD, and Claudeleedy Pierre, MD, present: "Intrauterine Fetal Demise".
Meeting ID: 191 986 273 Passcode: FMCH

Spring Department of Family Medicine and Community Health Faculty Retreat:  
Vision 2030 - The Next Chapter for FMCH
Save the Date: Friday - May 20, 2022 
8:00am-6:00pm
Plan for in-person retreat at South Street Campus, Shrewsbury
Registration link: https://umassmed.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2uwbi4qvBtSt6iq; Registration deadline is May 10th.  
Focus of the Week - Research

Keeping up with the latest research can feel daunting. We found a few new studies from the recent edition of Annals of Family Medicine to share and links for the full articles. Enjoy!
Link to the latest issue of Annals of Family Med (for reference): https://www.annfammed.org/content/20/2.

Social Risk Factors and Desire for Assistance Among Patients Receiving Subsidized Health Care Insurance in a US-Based Integrated Delivery System
Type: original research
Authors: Leah Tuzzio, Robert D. Wellman, Emilia H. De Marchis, Laura M. Gottlieb, Callie Walsh-Bailey, Salene M.W. Jones, Claudia L. Nau, John F. Steiner, Matthew P. Banegas, Adam L. Sharp, Alphonse Derus, Cara C. Lewis
  • Interesting (and timely!) article about SDOH screening among Kaiser Permanente members on subsidized exchange-based insurance.
  • A majority of respondents emphasized the importance and comfort with SDOH screening. However, those with “positive” screens, were 3 times as likely to express discomfort with screening.
  • Nearly half of participants reported at least 1 social risk factor; housing and food insecurity were most frequently cited.
  • Most participants believed there is a role for health systems to intervene. However, the desire for assistance varied based on number of self-reported social needs. Approximately one-quarter of participants with 1-2 social needs desired assistance, whereas 51% with 3-4 needs preferred support.
 
Clinic Factors Associated With Mailed Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) Completion: The Difference-Making Role of Support Staff
Type: original research
Authors: Melinda M. Davis, Jennifer L. Schneider, Amanda F. Petrik, Edward J. Miech, Brittany Younger, Anne L. Escaron, Jennifer S. Rivelli, Jamie H. Thompson, Denis Nyongesa, Gloria D. Coronado
Journal: The Annals of Family Medicine Mar 2022, 20 (2) 123-129; DOI: 10.1370/afm.2772
  • Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) screening aids in the detection, assessment, and treatment of colorectal cancer.
  • Researchers determined that the addition of non-physician support staff improved the return rate of mailed FIT screening tests among racially and ethnically diverse patient population served by an urban federally-qualified health center. In clinics with higher completion rates, additional staff was available to distribute FITs, provide educate, and help patients overcome screening barriers, compared to clinics with inadequate staffing.
 
Connecting Group Care Patients to Mental Health and Food Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Article type: primary care innovation
Authors: Catherine Wolcott, Lisa Wanger, Lara Penny
Journal: The Annals of Family Medicine Mar 2022, 20 (2) 180; DOI: 10.1370/afm.2790
  • In-person group-based care offered at a federally qualified health center in Denver, CO transitioned to remote, virtual visits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A bilingual group care coordinator conducted remote outreach with family members to schedule individual medical visits and assess food insecurity and/or behavioral health concerns. As part of this virtual care model, the group care coordinator issued referrals to other team members, already known to patients, including psychologists and clinical social workers. Authors concluded: “Relationship-based, culturally congruent care allowed medical providers, group care coordinators, and psychologists to effectively pivot during the pandemic and offer support and resources to underserved families.”
Announcements

Moth Storytelling – Note the WRONG day was shared in Family Medicine Moments: 
Wednesday, 4/27 at 5:30pm in the Albert Sherman Center Multipurpose Room
Adapted from the Moth Storytelling radio show and podcast, Med Moth is a place for anyone in the UMass Medical community to come and share in the practice of reflection. Come and listen to prose or poetry that reflects on a moment that impacted your life and your work in medicine. If you cannot attend in person, the event will also be broadcast over Zoom.
Passcode: 298395 
Faculty Presentations/Publications

Suzanne Cashman was the keynote speaker for the Educational Policy Committee Retreat on April 25th related to the new Longitudinal Focus Topic (LFTs) in the new VISTA curriculum. Susan Hogan is leading the Societal Forces LFT.

Jim Ledwith presented Grand Rounds to UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital on Tuesday, April 5. His topic was “Opioid Prescription Stewardship”, providing an update on evolving guidelines and current efforts to improve opioid prescribing safety within UMass Memorial Health. 

Jim Ledwith co-presented the MCSTAP Call In Hour with Dr. Christopher Shanahan on Wednesday, April 20th. The case discussion involved a case of apparent out of control escalating opioid dosage. This monthly webcast provides CME in opioid management and risk management. All caregivers can participate by registering at www.MCSTAP.com and select “How we help Providers” to register for the next event. All care givers can call MCSTAP to request assistance with challenging issues of pain management and/or substance use disorders.

Congratulations to Paula Gardiner for her publication in Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine. Sommers E, D'Amico S, Goldstein L, Gardiner P. Integrative Approaches to Pediatric Chronic Pain in an Urban Safety-Net Hospital: Cost Savings, Clinical Benefits, and Safety. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine. 2022 Mar 14. doi: 10.1089/jicm.2021.0296. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35285677.
Department Member Recognition

Thanks to Frank Domino and Lee Mancini for coordinating a skills session on ultrasound and joint injection on Monday evening, April 25th, with the assistance of Mike Maddaleni, Jess Andrade, Jake Ponti, Nick Hajj, Craig Pille, Laurel Banach, and Nick Martin. Medical and nursing students from FMIG, Rural and Urban Health Scholars and other groups attended. Thanks to MaryAnne Adams and Karen Rayla for organizing and the WFMR residency for loaning equipment. 
Frankly Speaking Podcast

A weekly Podcast series covering newsworthy topics in primary care medicine.

Please join us for an overview: The evidence continues to grow and evolve n the potential harms of e-cigarette use and on their efficacy and safety as a harm reduction strategy. One aspect of e-cigarette use that has not received much attention is the effect of secondhand exposure to the exhales aerosol from 3-cigarettes. Previous small studies have suggested some exposure risk, but a recent study of >2,000 participants found that secondhand exposure to e-cigarette aerosol increased the risk of bronchitic symptoms and shortness of breath in young adults. Join us as we discuss these findings and their implications to practice. Guest: Susan Feeney, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C, presents: "A Smoke Screen? Is Secondhand Aerosol Exposure From E-cigarettes Harmful?". - Frankly Speaking Ep 273.
Clinical Services Spotlight:
COVID-19 UPDATES

COVID-19 US
  • COVID was the third leading cause of death in 2021, behind heart disease and cancer. 
  • According to the CDC, the US 7-day average is 42,605 cases, a 35% increase from the previous 7-day moving average. Virus levels in wastewater are low across the country.
 
COVID-19 MA
  • The 7-day average of percent positivity is 4.56%.
  • There are 389 hospitalized patients with 25 in the ICU. Of the 25 in the ICU, 12 are intubated. 
  • The total confirmed cases are 1,600,844 and 19,100 total confirmed deaths

COVID-19 UMMMC
  • The 7-day average percent positivity is 16.1% for the UMMHC and 14.4% for the medical center.
  • Current census is 26 confirmed positive patients in-house; 18 of 26 are fully vaccinated; 69%.

Worcester County COVID Guidelines
People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease: 
  • Have a plan for rapid testing if needed (e.g., having home tests or access to testing).
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals, PrEP, and monoclonal antibodies.

Why Listening and Talking Matters- Communication is key to improving patient satisfaction. 
  • Communication improves trust and patient satisfaction.
  • Use interpreters – patients understand more when we speak their language and understand the culture. 
  • Effective healthcare begins with listening to one another. 
  • Caregivers who view their work as person-centered are more satisfied with their jobs than those who do not consider their work as person-centered. 
Wellness Resources

The Caring for the Caregiver Program provides resources such as the Caregiver Support Line (508-334-HELP) and The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which offers a variety of services and supports (including virtual peer support and wellness tips. EAP can be accessed at 866-263-3525, or www.LiveandWorkWell.com, [company code UmassMemorial]. More information is available on the Caring for the Caregiver page.

Wellness
You are invited to become a member of the Department Wellness Committee. Key goals for this year include improving the efficiency of use with the Electronic Health Record. Watch your email for future training sessions.
Working on Wellness
Yoga Classes with Dr. Liz Erban

Last class will be March 2nd, and then a brief hiatus/pause, with classes resuming on May 4th, 2022.

Great time to join!
This is a great time to join, new members always welcome. Start your mid week with some relaxing yoga! 

Please join department members for early morning gentle yoga, Wednesday mornings 6:30am via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting ID: 923 9393 3653 Passcode: 764113
Zumba with Dr. Anna Zheng

Thursdays 5:45pm: In-person or ZOOM
Please join department members Thursday evenings at 5:45pm**(30 Anna Street: tall & spacious indoor location) and get moving with Zumba. Please note details and any changes via webpage: http://annazheng.zumba.com/. ZOOM still an option for all classes.
 
Much appreciation to Dr. Anna Zheng for hosting these outstanding classes. New to the class? Please email Dr. Zheng at ZumbawithAnnaZheng@gmail.com to register, complete brief health screen if it's your first class and the ZOOM link.