11 research outputs found
Recommendations For Treating Males: An Ethical Rationale For The Inclusion Of Testicular Self-Examination (Tse) In A Standard Of Care
The phrase âstandard of careâ is primarily a legal term representing what procedure a reasonable person (i.e., health practitioner) would administer to patients across similar circumstances. One major concern for health practitioners is delivering and advocating for treatments not defined as a standard of care. While providing such treatments may meet certain ethical imperatives, doing so may unwittingly trigger medical malpractice litigation fears from practitioners. Apprehension to deviate, even slightly, from the standard of care may (seem to) put the practitioner at significant risk for litigation, which, in turn, may limit options for treatment and preventive measures recommended by the practitioner. Specific to testicular treatment, certain guidelines exist for cancer, torsion, vasectomy, and scrotal masses, among others. As it relates to screening, practitioner examination is expected for patients presenting with testicular abnormalities. Testicular self-examination (TSE) advocacy, however, is discouraged by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which may prompt a general unwillingness among health practitioners to promote the behavior. Considering the benefits TSE has beyond cancer detection, and the historical support it has received among health practitioners, it is paramount to consider the ethical implications of its official âexclusionâ from preventive health and clinical care recommendations (i.e., standard of care). Since good ethics should lead practitioner patient care guidelines, not fear of increased malpractice risks, we recommend the development of a standard of care for counseling males to perform TSE
From \u27D\u27 To \u27I\u27: A Critique Of The Current United States Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation For Testicular Cancer Screening
In 2004, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) gave testicular cancer (TCa) screening a \u27D\u27 recommendation, discouraging the use of this preventive service. The USPSTF suggested that screening, inclusive of testicular self-examination (TSE) and clinician examination, does not reduce TCa mortality rates and that the high risk of false positives could serve as a detriment to patient quality of life. Others suggests that TCa screening is ineffective at detecting early-stage cases of TCa and readily highlights a lack of empirical evidence demonstrating said efficacy. These assertions, however, stand in stark contrast to the widely held support of TCa screening among practicing public health professionals, advocacy groups, and clinicians.In this present study, a review was conducted of the methods and processes used by the USPSTF in their 2011 reaffirmation of the \u27D\u27 grade recommendation. The evidence base and commentary offered as to why TSE, as part of the overall recommendation for TCa screening, was given a \u27D\u27 grade were analyzed for logical reasoning and methodological rigor. Considering the methodological flaws and the veritable lack of evidence needed to grant a conclusive recommendation, the question is raised if the current \u27D\u27 grade for TCa screening (i.e. discourage the use of said service) should be changed to an \u27I\u27 statement (i.e. the balance of benefits and harms is indeterminate). Therefore the purpose of this paper is to present the evidence of TCa screening in the context of efficacy and prevention in order for the field to reassess its relative value
Overuse of corticosteroids in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) between 2011 and 2017 in the United States
Abstract Corticosteroids (CSs) are standard firstâline therapy for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Prolonged exposure is associated with substantial toxicity; thus guidelines recommend avoidance of prolonged CS treatment and early use of secondâline therapies. However, realâworld evidence on ITP treatment patterns remains limited. We aimed to assess realâworld treatment patterns in patients with newlyâdiagnosed ITP, using two large US healthcare databases (Explorys and MarketScan) between January 1, 2011 and July 31, 2017. Adults with ITP, â„12 months of database registration prior to diagnosis, â„1 ITP treatment, and â„1 month enrollment following initiation of first ITP treatment were included (n = 4066 Explorys; n = 7837 MarketScan). Information on lines of treatment (LoTs) was collected. As expected, CSs were the most common firstâline treatment (Explorys, 87.9%; MarketScan, 84.5%). However, CSs remained by far the most common treatment (Explorys â„77%; MarketScan â„85%) across all subsequent LoTs. Secondâline treatments such as rituximab (12.0% Explorys; 24.5% MarketScan), thrombopoietin receptor agonists (11.3% Explorys; 15.6% MarketScan), and splenectomy (2.5% Explorys; 8.1% MarketScan) were used much less frequently. CS use is widespread in the US in patients with ITP across all LoTs. Quality improvement initiatives are needed to reduce CS exposure and bolster use of secondâline treatments
Recommendations for Treating Males: An Ethical Rationale for the Inclusion of Testicular Self-Examination (TSE) in a Standard of Care
The phrase standard of care is primarily a legal term representing what procedure a reasonable person (i.e., health practitioner) would administer to patients across similar circumstances. One major concern for health practitioners is delivering and advocating for treatments not defined as a standard of care. While providing such treatments may meet certain ethical imperatives, doing so may unwittingly trigger medical malpractice litigation fears from practitioners. Apprehension to deviate, even slightly, from the standard of care may (seem to) put the practitioner at significant risk for litigation, which, in turn, may limit options for treatment and preventive measures recommended by the practitioner. Specific to testicular treatment, certain guidelines exist for cancer, torsion, vasectomy, and scrotal masses, among others. As it relates to screening, practitioner examination is expected for patients presenting with testicular abnormalities. Testicular self-examination (TSE) advocacy, however, is discouraged by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which may prompt a general unwillingness among health practitioners to promote the behavior. Considering the benefits TSE has beyond cancer detection, and the historical support it has received among health practitioners, it is paramount to consider the ethical implications of its official exclusion from preventive health and clinical care recommendations (i.e., standard of care). Since good ethics should lead practitioner patient care guidelines, not fear of increased malpractice risks, we recommend the development of a standard of care for counseling males to perform TSE