A one-year follow-up study of changes in social media addiction and career networking among college students with disabilities

OBJECTIVE

This one-year follow-up study examined the changes of impact of using social media among college students with disabilities from the initial survey.

PARTICIPANTS

193 students completed the follow-up survey of the 341 who agreed to participate.

METHODS

Paired t-test compared the changes in social media usage between the two surveys. Multiple linear regressions examined the relationship of social media use variables and social media addiction, career networking, disability subtypes between the two surveys.

RESULTS

The daily average time spent on social media remained similar over one year. However, the level of social media addiction increased, especially among male students. One positive change was that students spent more time using social media for career networking purposes.

CONCLUSION

Public awareness and education of social media addiction should be raised. Additionally, students could benefit from being guided and encouraged to use social media for positive activities such as career networking.

Risk Factors and Incidence of Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Comparative Study Between Young Adults and Older Adults

Introduction Approximately 5-10% of strokes occur in adults of less than 45 years of age. The rising prevalence of stroke risk factors may increase stroke rates in young adults (YA). We aimed to compare risk factors and outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) among YA. Methods Adult hospitalizations for AIS and concurrent risk factors were found in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. Weighted analysis using chi-square and multivariable survey logistic regression was performed to evaluate AIS-related outcomes and risk factors among YA (18-45 years) and older patients. Results A total of 4,224,924 AIS hospitalizations were identified from 2003 to 2014, out of which 198,378 (4.7%) were YA. Prevalence trend of YA with AIS showed incremental pattern over time (2003: 4.36% to 2014: 4.7%; pTrend<0.0001). In regression analysis, the risk factors associated with AIS in YA were obesity (adjusted odds ratio {aOR}: 2.26; p<0.0001), drug abuse (aOR: 2.56; p<0.0001), history of smoking (aOR: 1.20; p<0.0001), infective endocarditis (aOR: 2.08; p<0.0001), cardiomyopathy (aOR: 2.11; p<0.0001), rheumatic fever (aOR: 4.27; p=0.0014), atrial septal disease (aOR: 2.46; p<0.0001), ventricular septal disease (aOR: 4.99; p<0.0001), HIV infection (aOR: 4.36; p<0.0001), brain tumors (aOR: 7.89; p<0.0001), epilepsy (aOR: 1.43; p<0.0001), end stage renal disease (aOR: 2.19; p<0.0001), systemic lupus erythematous (aOR: 3.76; p<0.0001), polymyositis (aOR: 2.72; p=0.0105), ankylosis spondylosis (aOR: 2.42; p=0.0082), hypercoagulable state (aOR: 4.03; p<0.0001), polyarteritis nodosa (aOR: 5.65; p=0.0004), and fibromuscular dysplasia (aOR: 2.83; p<0.0001). Conclusion There is an increasing trend in AIS prevalence over time among YA. Both traditional and non-traditional risk factors suggest that greater awareness is needed, with prevention strategies for AIS among young adults.

Native kidney small renal masses in patients with kidney transplants: Does chronic immunosuppression affect tumor biology?

INTRODUCTION

We compared clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes of radical nephrectomy (RN) for small renal masses (SRM) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) before or after transplant at a high-volume urologic and transplant center.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of patients with ESRD (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] <15 mL/min) who underwent RN for suspected malignant SRM from 2000-2018. Group 1 consisted of patients who underwent RN after transplant; group 2 underwent RN prior to transplant, and group 3 underwent RN without subsequent transplant. Dominant tumor size and histopathologic characteristics, recurrence, and survival outcomes were compared between groups. Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare categorical and continuous baseline and histopathologic characteristics, respectively. Univariate analysis and log rank test were used to compare RCC recurrence rates.

RESULTS

We identified 34 nephrectomies in group 1, 27 nephrectomies in group 2, and 70 nephrectomies in group 3. Median time from transplant to SRM radiologic diagnosis in group 1 was 87 months, and three months from diagnosis to nephrectomy for all groups. There were no statistically significant differences between pathologic dominant mass size, histologic subtype breakdown, grade, or stage between the groups. Rates of benign histology were similar between the groups. Univariate analysis did not reveal a statistically significant difference in recurrence-free survival between the groups (p=0.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing nephrectomy before or after transplant for SRM have similar indolent clinicopathologic characteristics and low recurrence rates. Our results suggest that chronic immunosuppression does not adversely affect SRM biology.

Methodology for triage of urologic surgical cases in the setting of a pandemic

Background

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 forced our healthcare system in the Bronx, New York to cancel nearly all scheduled surgeries. We developed a framework for prioritizing postponed urologic surgeries that was utilized once cases were permitted to be rescheduled. As many parts of our country experience first and second waves of this pandemic, our framework may serve as a resource for other centers experiencing restrictions on the scheduling of elective urologic surgeries.

Methods

As the COVID-19 pandemic started and peaked in New York, almost all of our scheduled urologic surgeries were cancelled. Each Urologist was asked to rank his/her cancelled surgeries by priority (Level 1—least urgent; Level 2—moderately urgent; Level 3—most urgent). A committee of Urologists assigned a subclass to Level 3 and 2 cases (3a—least urgent; 3b—moderately urgent; 3c—most urgent; 2a—lower priority; 2b—higher priority). The committee then reviewed cases by urgency to derive a final priority ranking.

Results

A total of 478 total urologic surgeries were canceled and categorized: 250 Level 1, 130 Level 2, 98 Level 3 (73 adult, 25 pediatric). Level 3c involved renal cell carcinoma ≥ T2b, high-grade bladder urothelial carcinoma, adrenal mass/cancer > 6 cm, testicular cancer requiring radical orchiectomy, and penile cancer. Level 3b involved T2a renal masses requiring nephrectomy, while high-risk prostate cancer and symptomatic nephrolithiasis were classified as 3a. Level 2 included testicular cancer requiring retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and complicated benign prostatic hyperplasia. Surgeries for urologic reconstruction, non-complicated nephrolithiasis, erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence were considered Level 1.

Conclusions

Our disease-specific approach to surgical rescheduling offers appropriate guidance for triaging urologic surgeries. Our system can provide guidance to other institutions as COVID-19 cases surge in different regions and with the growing second wave.

Multidisciplinary Approach and Outcomes of Tele-neurology: A Review

In rural and underserved areas, there are restrictions in healthcare due to the lack of availability of neurologists; patients have to travel long distances to receive the required care. Considering the fact that neurological conditions have large mortality and disability rates, there is a need for innovative services like tele-neurology. It is an important tool in improving the health and quality of life by using different ways of communication between neurologists and patients, or neurologists and other providers. We examine the current types of facilities available in tele-neurology, as well as outcomes, barriers, limitations, legal litigations, and the multidisciplinary nature based on prior studies. We have also suggested recommendations for the future of tele-neurology including effective-accessibility and inexpensive-utilization in developing countries.

There are various tele-health programs created by The Veterans Health Administration including a clinical video tele-health (CVT) system. This system allows direct patient care of veterans by neurologists. The University of South Carolina implemented a web-based tele-stroke program in which acute ischemic stroke patients were treated in the Emergency Department (ED) of rural hospitals by neurologists, after consulting with rural ED physicians. With growing technology and popularity of tele-neurology, there are now international collaborative efforts in tele-medicine that are looking to be adapted to tele-neurology. Thus, tele-neurology can provide quality neurological care with patient satisfaction, as well as time and cost savings. The tele-stroke group established by TRUST-tPA trial (Therapeutic Trial Evaluating Efficacy of Telemedicine (TELESTROKE) of Patients With Acute Stroke) has 10 community hospital-emergency rooms that were connected to a stroke center. It was found that tele-stroke is appropriate in places where there is no way for a patient to access a stroke unit within a 4.5-hour time window. Like other tele-neurology subtypes, tele-epilepsy and pediatric tele-neurology also offer more follow-up care to people of remote areas which have limited access. There are other subtypes like mental health, chronic neurological care, and hospitalist which are very effective in improving outcome and quality of life of people living in remote areas. Tele-neurology has effectively reduced travel costs and times; there is high patient satisfaction and reduced disparity for general and specialized neurological care. But there are certain limitations like large equipment costs, certain bandwidth requirement, and trained staff to use the equipment. Transmission of patient information using public internet raises the concern of legality. There should be sufficient encryption to satisfy the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements to ensure patient confidentiality and safety of personal data.

The adaptation of tele-neurology is a powerful and innovative way to enhance healthcare in areas with a shortage of specialists. Implementation of this tool is limited due to cost burden, lack of expertise to implement necessary technology, legal litigations, and suitable financial and professional incentives for the users. This review focuses on the trajectory of utilization and the issues to be addressed in order to provide the full benefits of tele-neurology to undeserved communities in the future.

Designing a system for managing the performance of mental health managed care: an example from New York State's prepaid mental health plan

The organization, financing, and delivery of publicly funded behavioral health services are undergoing massive changes nationwide. Managed care principles and practices are being implemented widely and are being relied on increasingly to meet the challenges of containing costs and improving service effectiveness. To meet these goals, comprehensive systems are under development for measuring and reporting outcomes experienced by individuals who received services and for assessing the impact of managed care strategies on the service delivery system. This article presents an example from the Prepaid Mental Health Program in New York State. It highlights the development, implementation, and early experiences with the plan's performance management system for public sector managed behavioral health, a basis for continuous quality improvement activities and information reporting products such as report cards. Policy, administrative, and financial implications are illuminated.