Patient-Centered Care for Underserved Populations: Best Practices, A Case Study of Cambridge Health Alliance

Describes the institutional supports and structures necessary to provide patient-centered care. Presents practices from a case study that could be replicated in a wide range of healthcare and social service settings. Provides policy recommendations

Patient-Centered Care for Underserved Populations: Definition and Best Practices

Defines key components of patient-centered care for diverse, vulnerable populations, and describes how patient-centered philosophies can be incorporated into effective delivery models targeting the underserved. Provides recommendations for policymakers

Patient-Centered Care for Underserved Populations: Best Practices, A Case Study of Massachusetts General Hospital

Describes the institutional supports and structures necessary to provide patient-centered care. Presents practices from a case study that could be replicated in a wide range of healthcare and social service settings. Provides policy recommendations

Doing Time, Doing Justice: Two Professors\u27 Tales of the Surprising Liberation They Found Inside of a Prison

Dr. Andi Stepnick and Dr. Andy Watts will discuss their work co-teaching classes inside the Charles Bass Correctional Complex over the past several years. They’ll share what they know about the injustices of the current prison system as well as some surprising lessons they have learned about the social and religious stereotypes and stigmas that perpetuate those injustices

Jejunum free flap in hypopharynx reconstruction: Case series

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of hypopharyngeal cancers with extension to the retrocricoid region generally requires a circumferential pharyngolaryngectomy followed by a reconstruction of the removed segment of the upper digestive tract. Historically, many techniques have been used in order to achieve a safe and functional reconstruction. Jejunum interposition is generally considered the best reconstructive technique. METHODS: This study examines the details of the surgical technique, the complications, the oncological and the functional results in a series of 29 consecutive patients submitted to circumferential pharyngoesophageal resection for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer followed by reconstruction with a free flap of jejunum. RESULTS: Three of the transplants failed because of venous thrombosis. The overall success rate was 90%. There were no general complications. A good swallowing has been preserved in all our patients. All our patients where a phonatory prosthesis was positioned (20/29) were able to achieve speech following speech therapy and all were satisfied with their own capacity to communicate. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of hypopharyngeal tumours (18–40% at 5 years) remains poor, but jejunum autografts are being shown to be an excellent choice for the reconstruction of the cervical hypopharyngo-oesophagus offering the patient fast rehabilitation and a reasonable quality of survival. Our experience confirm that this kind of reconstruction is safe with a good results in improving oncologic controls and restoring a good quality of life

Consumers in Health Care: Creating Decision Support Tools That Work

Examines the forms and functions of decision support tools currently available, summarizes evidence of their use and effectiveness, and offers strategies for promoting their widespread utilization