Using area health education centers to promote interest in rural practice

Introduction: In the USA, area health education centers (AHECs) work to recruit and educate students to serve in medically underserved communities, primary care, and rural settings. One important aspect of their work is connecting students with rural clinical experiences. Within these experiences, AHECs incorporate a community health/socioeconomic experience within the family medicine clerkship that may not be as prevalent in the standard family medicine clerkship experiences. The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between AHEC-sponsored family medicine clerkships with a self-reported intent to practice in a rural setting upon graduation. Methods: The study compared third-year medical students with the Indiana University School of Medicine, which participated in AHEC-sponsored family medicine clerkships to the standard family medicine clerkship. Following the 4-week clerkship, students were asked to report their intent to work in a rural setting using a five-point Likert scale. A χ2 test was used to determine the association of AHEC sponsorship, clerkship site location (rural/urban) and intent to practice in a rural setting. Results: The study consisted of 587 students. There was a statistically significant association between self-reported intent and rural clerkship site, χ2 (1, N=587)=6.542, p=0.01. Furthermore, 21.6% (n=25) of students with a rural clerkship experience reported a greater intent compared to 12.3% (n=58) of students with non-rural clerkship experience. Conclusions: The study confirmed a significantly positive association between participation in medical clerkship experiences in a rural primary care setting and the intent to practice in a rural setting upon graduation. The results also support the potential value-added benefits through academic–community partnerships with AHECs, family medical and other primary care specialty clerkship programs may perhaps succeed in increasing student interest in pursuing a practice serving in rural communities upon graduation

Responses of Birds and Reptiles in Warrumbungle National Park after the Extensive 2013 Wildfire

In 2013 extensive wildfire burnt 90% (22104 ha) of Warrumbungle National Park in New South Wales, Australia. In 2014-2016 we assessed how species composition and abundance of birds and reptiles varied with fire severity and habitat characteristics. Of 91 bird species observed during surveys of 35 sites, 47 were more often on low severity sites. Bird species composition did not differ among vegetation communities although activity levels (species per 10 minutes) were reduced in woodland on sedimentary geology as compared with volcanic areas. With increasing fire severity bird activity and total number of species detected decreased, and species composition changed. Differences in species composition were due mainly to lower numbers of detections of small to medium-sized insectivores and nectarivores on high severity sites. Results were more complicated for the 36 species of reptiles observed during surveys than for birds. Reptile species composition varied with fire severity, geology, presence of rock outcrops and between vegetation communities. Species richness and abundance of many reptile groups, as well as the total number of individuals, decreased with increasing fire severity, but for reptiles overall and diurnal reptiles, presence of rock outcrops had a stronger effect on number of species and abundance. Differences between reptiles and birds and among reptile groups suggest that fire management for conservation needs to be at a range of scales and consider habitat attributes

Murine Typhus in Austin, Texas, USA, 2008

Physicians should be alert for possible cases in this area

Everyday experiences of using fitness devices: A thematic analysis

Fitness devices such as Fitbits and Apple watches are designed to motivate people and their fitness, and are commonly worn on the wrist to help increase physical activity by monitoring aspects of health such as step count, energy expenditure and calories consumed (Canhoto and Arp 2017). Previous research has quantitatively measured elements of fitness devices such as the effectiveness and reliability, however, there has been a lack of research exploring people’s experiences of using these devices. Therefore, in this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen adults (eleven females, two males) aged 24-60 years old to explore their experiences. Four themes were identified which capture the participants’ experiences of using fitness devices: 1) Part of the individual, 2) Monitoring and validating health conditions, 3) Like a personal trainer and 4) Competition: with yourself and others. Whilst experiences of using fitness devices were mainly positive, there is potential for these devices to lead to a range of negative emotions. The importance of setting realistic and appropriate goals is highlighted to avoid potentially negative implications of not meeting targets. Implications for health promotion are discussed including the need for increased education and training on appropriate goal setting for fitness device users

Major Subject: Computer ScienceTECHNIQUES FOR MODELING AND ANALYZING RNA AND PROTEIN FOLDING ENERGY LANDSCAPES

Major Subject: Computer Scienceiii Techniques for Modeling and Analyzing RNA and Protein Folding Energ

Expanding the Reach of Extension Through Social Media

With increasing numbers of the public using social media applications, Extension professionals have the ability to apply these same tools to connect with their clients. This article demonstrates how a social media toolset can be employed by Extension professionals by identifying how Extension professionals are currently using social media, illustrating how social media can be integrated into outreach and measured, and describing opportunities and challenges for Extension professionals enhancing their work with social media. With this information, Extension professionals will be better prepared to expand their outreach efforts using social media