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An Analysis of Mental Health in Menopause
No full textMenopause is a major life transition and is frequently accompanied by significant symptoms. While many complaints are often addressed by healthcare providers, many others are frequently left out of the discussion. While these symptoms are significantly detrimental to quality of life and effective treatments are available, many symptoms of menopause remain under-addressed. Mental health symptomatology such as depression, cognitive changes, and decline in libido are common and frequently distressing in the menopause transition and are well worth focused attention. Depression in menopause is well treated by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) but may also benefit from treatment with menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in some cases. Cognitive changes can be treated with HRT in some cases but reassurance regarding dementia risk is also warranted. Loss of libido is well treated by HRT but openness of providers in introducing this topic is of particular importance here due to frequent reticence on the part of patients to do so. In the absence of contraindications, HRT is an effective course of treatment for many menopausal symptoms but common misconceptions regarding risks have corresponded with a reduction in treatment. Proactive initiation of screening and discussion by providers is of great importance
Distress Monitoring in Oncology Patients
No full textAbstract
Objective: Psychosocial distress significantly affects quality of life and clinical outcomes in cancer patients. This review evaluates the importance of distress monitoring in oncology and its role in improving patient outcomes and well-being.
Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for the years 2020–2025. Article types were limited to meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and systematic reviews. Selected studies were analyzed to assess the prevalence of psychosocial distress, commonly used screening tools, and recommended interventions.
Results: A total of 35 articles met inclusion criteria (26 from PubMed, 9 from Embase). Psychosocial distress was found to be highly prevalent, affecting 25.3% to 71.7% of breast cancer patients and about 50% of lung cancer patients. The Distress Thermometer emerged as the most frequently used screening tool. Studies showed that timely interventions based on distress scores were associated with improved quality of life and reduced distress levels.
Conclusions: Psychosocial distress is common among cancer patients, and regular screening—using validated tools like the Distress Thermometer—along with prompt referrals, can improve patient outcomes. Integrating standardized distress screening into oncology care, supported by a multidisciplinary team, is recommended
Educating for Equity: A Review of Training Approaches and Best Practices in Healthcare Equity Education
No full textHealthcare inequities remain a critical and persistent challenge and preparing future clinicians to address them has become an educational imperative. This paper aims to evaluate current approaches to healthcare equity training within physician assistant education, emphasizing their potential to prepare graduates to provide equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive care. The significance of this work lies in the urgent need for health professionals to go beyond clinical competence and actively address the social determinants and structural forces that perpetuate health disparities. To explore best practices, this project synthesized current literature on healthcare equity education, examining common instructional strategies, their strengths and limitations, and the barriers to implementation. Key approaches identified include lecture-based learning, case-based instruction, implicit bias training, cultural humility training, and experiential learning opportunities. While each method offers value, the evidence suggests that longitudinal, multimodal approaches integrated across the curriculum are more likely to produce meaningful and lasting changes in learners’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Implementation, however, is often hindered by competing curricular demands, limited faculty expertise and institutional resources, structural and contextual barriers, and the lack of standardized assessment tools. This paper concludes that healthcare equity training should be intentionally embedded throughout PA curricula, aligned with existing competencies, and supported by faculty development and institutional investment. Future research should focus on developing best practices for curricular inclusion and standardized assessment tools, as well as evaluating the impact of integrated, longitudinal models on both learner and patient outcomes
Pain Neuroscience Education in a Telehealth Format: A Case Report
No full textAbstract:
Background and Purpose: Describe if pain neuroscience education via telehealth is beneficial for an older adult with persistent pain.
Case Description: A 76 year old female presented with persistent pain in the low back and neck. Pain neuroscience education was delivered via telehealth through book club format and with flash cards.
Outcomes
NPRS improved over the 7 sessions. ROM measures did not show improvement. Fear avoidance belief scores showed significant improvement. The patient reported: “The more understanding about the science behind pain, the more tolerable the pain becomes.”
Discussion:
PNE in a telehealth format is a viable option for people living with persistent pain as indicated in the case study. An attempt should be made to match the patient\u27s learning strategies with the delivery method be it face to face or via telehealth.
Conclusion:
This case suggests pain neuroscience education delivered in a telehealth format demonstrates promising results
Current Psychological and Pharmacological Therapies and Emergent Treatment Modalities in Anorexia Nervosa
No full textABSTRACT
The purpose of this clinical review article is to evaluate the efficacy of established psychological and pharmacological treatments for anorexia nervosa (AN) compared with emergent interventions. AN is a severe, psychological and medically complex eating disorder (ED) with high morbidity and mortality. Current treatment guidelines emphasize psychological therapy as the primary intervention—family-focused interventions in children and adolescents and cognitive behavioral therapy for adults. Currently there are no FDA approved medications for AN treatment. Despite current evidenced-based interventions, recovery rates remain low and treatment-resistant is common, which highlights the need for novel treatment approaches.
This author conducted a comprehensive search of the literature using the databases PubMed, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and Cochrane Library, which identified eight articles to substantiate their purpose. Promising novel interventions include neuromodulation, virtual reality therapy, psilocybin, and metreleptin. While initial evidence suggests potential efficacy, research is limited given their novelty. Future research should focus on understanding their underlying mechanisms to better appreciate and guide clinical application as well as establishing standardized treatment outcome measures, which are currently lacking and hindering progress in the field.
Keywords: Anorexia nervosa, treatment, psychological therapy, pharmacologic therapy, metreleptin, psilocybin, virtual reality, neuromodulatio
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Versus Electroconvulsive Therapy for Adults with Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Clinical Review
No full textABSTRACT
Adults with treatment-resistant depression face long-term symptoms and significant dysfunction despite antidepressant therapy. This review analyzes the evidence from 2020 to 2025 on the effectiveness, tolerability, and practical application of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ECT is more effective in alleviating symptoms and inducing remission in severe or psychotic conditions; however, it has more cognitive side effects and necessitates anesthesia. Both treatments require maintenance sessions or adjunct pharmacotherapy. Recent forms of TMS, including theta burst stimulation, deep stimulation, and high-frequency schedules, increase flexibility and can reduce recovery time. To support evidence-based selection of neuromodulation in the treatment of adult treatment-resistant depression, clinicians may consider TMS as the initial neuromodulation procedure and use ECT in emergencies or TMS-unresponsive situations. Given TMS\u27s safety profile, clinicians should consider initiating this treatment modality earlier in the treatment course for their patients
Effectiveness and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Trauma and Hemorrhage of Military Personnel in Combat Zones
No full textABSTRACT
Massive and uncontrolled hemorrhage accounts for nearly one-third of deaths in trauma patients, making rapid interventions critical. The use of antifibrinolytic agents such as tranexamic acid (TXA) has been found to help control hemorrhage and reduce mortality in civilian trauma patients. Severe multi-injury trauma and subsequent hemorrhage are commonly seen in US military personnel in combat zones. Treatment options that can quickly and effectively stabilize patients and reduce blood loss are vital in tactical medicine and can help reduce mortality rates. However, due to the extreme severity and need for massive transfusion protocols, there remains a question as to how TXA should be used in combat zones. This review evaluates the effectiveness and safety of TXA in controlling hemorrhage among trauma patients, with emphasis on its use with combat casualties.
Electronic databases, such as PubMed and Cochrane Library, were utilized in search of articles that discussed TXA administration, effectiveness, and safety in patients with traumatic injuries and hemorrhage in both civilian and combat situations. This reviewer selected articles with information from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials (RCT) that evaluated TXA use in patients with traumatic injuries and massive hemorrhage. Evidence suggests that TXA can significantly reduce all-cause mortality due to bleeding without increased risk of adverse events such as vascular occlusion events for both civilian and military populations
The Transformational Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Get PDFA brief commentary on the Transformational impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare