Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Emily Rhodes, Claire Kendall, Robert Talarico, Elizabeth Muggah, Caroline Gerin-Lajoie, Christopher Simon, Taylor McFadden, Daniel Myran, Manish M. Sood, Peter Tanuseputro
Summary: In this retrospective cohort study, the enrollment with a PCP practice and frequency of visits were found to be lower among physicians compared with a matched general population of nonphysicians. Further understanding of individual, system, and medical cultural factors associated with these results is needed.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mitch Steffler, Nadine Chami, Samantha Hill, Gail Beck, Stephen C. Cooper, Robert Dinniwell, Sarah Newbery, Sarah Simkin, Brittany Chang-Kit, James G. Wright, Jasmin Kantarevic, Sharada Weir
Summary: This study examined gender-based pay differences among physicians in Ontario, Canada, using data from the 2017-2018 fiscal year. Results showed that even after controlling for practice characteristics, region, and specialty, daily payment gaps between male and female physicians persisted, indicating the need for multiple interventions to ensure equal pay for equal work across genders.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Stephanie Welsh, Cindy Salazar-Collier, Benjamin Blakeslee, Lisa Kellar, A. Rose Maxwell, D. Leah Whigham, Miryoung Lee, R. Steven Lindheim
Summary: In a survey study comparing OB-GYN and family physicians, it was found that OB-GYNs had more negative perceptions and greater weight bias towards obese patients compared to FPs. This highlights the need for improved education in obesity management and bias reduction in OB-GYN training programs.
OBESITY RESEARCH & CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Irena Papst, Michael Li, David Champredon, Benjamin M. Bolker, Jonathan Dushoff, David J. D. Earn
Summary: The study analyzed over 277,000 SARS-CoV-2 infection records in Ontario, Canada, from January 23, 2020 to February 16, 2021. The findings showed that hospitalization rates peak among individuals aged 60-90, while deaths are more concentrated in those aged 80 and above. The research suggests a significant need for hospitalization among middle-aged individuals and young seniors, and highlights the importance of preventing infection in these age groups to limit stress on the healthcare system.
Article
Rheumatology
J. Denise Power, Anthony Perruccio, J. Michael Paterson, Mayilee Canizares, Christian Veillette, Peter C. Coyte, Elizabeth M. Badley, Nizar N. Mahomed, Y. Raja Rampersaud
Summary: This study examined the magnitude and costs of ambulatory primary care, specialist physician care, and hospital service use for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in Ontario, Canada. The results showed that MSDs place a significant and costly burden on the healthcare system.
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Daniel T. Myran, Nathan Cantor, Emily Rhodes, Michael Pugliese, Jennifer Hensel, Monica Taljaard, Robert Talarico, Amit X. Garg, Eric McArthur, Cheng-Wei Liu, Nivethika Jeyakumar, Christopher Simon, Taylor McFadden, Caroline Gerin-Lajoie, Manish M. Sood, Peter Tanuseputro
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in mental health and substance use visits among physicians. Physician mental health may have worsened during the pandemic, highlighting a greater need for access to mental health services and system-level changes.
Article
Education & Educational Research
Maureen O'Brien Pott, Anissa S. Blanshan, Kelly M. Huneke, Barbara L. Baasch Thomas, David A. Cook
Summary: Clinicians face challenges in obtaining CME due to expenses and travel time. Time and monetary support for CME activities is limited and not increasing. Online search and email are the most common sources of information about CME. Organizers and marketers of CME should explore options to reduce barriers and creatively use online platforms to promote new offerings.
BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Darly Dash, Henry Siu, David Kirkwood, Rebecca H. Correia, Paul Katz, Andrea Moser, Ahmed von Schlegell, Rhonda Collins, Andrew P. Costa
Summary: This study examined the practice patterns and trends of LTC physicians in Ontario, Canada, between 2019 and 2021. The findings showed a decrease in the number of MRPs during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as changes in their practice patterns, which had an impact on the provision of healthcare services in LTC homes.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Primary Health Care
Tara Kiran, Michael E. Green, C. Fangyun Wu, Alexander Kopp, Lidija Latifovic, Eliot Frymire, Rahim Moineddin, Richard H. Glazier
Summary: Two analyses were conducted using administrative data to examine the trend of family physicians in Ontario, Canada stopping work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results showed that a higher percentage of physicians aged 75 years or older, with fee-for-service reimbursement, and with a smaller patient panel size stopped working during the pandemic. Additionally, the increase in family physicians stopping work accelerated significantly during the pandemic compared to previous years. Further research is needed to understand the implications of physicians leaving practice on primary care attachment and access to care.
ANNALS OF FAMILY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jessica Liauw, Jessica Jurgutis, Elysee Nouvet, Brigid Dineley, Hannah Kearney, Naomi Reaka, Donna Fitzpatrick-Lewis, Leslea Peirson, Fiona Kouyoumdjian
Summary: The study explored women's experiences and perspectives of reproductive healthcare in prison, revealing three key components within a reproductive justice framework. Women in prison face limited access to healthcare, with reproductive safety and dignity influencing attitudes towards pregnancy and contraception, and a desire for better reproductive healthcare. Discrimination and stigma are common barriers in seeking reproductive healthcare for women in prison.
Article
Psychiatry
Manish M. Sood, Emily Rhodes, Robert Talarico, Caroline Gerin-Lajoie, Christopher Simon, Edward Spilg, Taylor McFadden, Kwadwo Kyeeremanteng, Daniel T. Myran, Nicholas Grubic, Peter Tanuseputro
Summary: This study assessed the risk of suicide and self-harm among physicians in Ontario and compared it to nonphysicians. The results indicated that physicians have a similar risk of suicide compared to nonphysicians, but a lower risk of self-harm requiring healthcare. Risk factors associated with suicide or self-harm may inform prevention programs.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY-REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tara Kiran, Michael E. Green, Rachel Strauss, C. Fangyun Wu, Maryam Daneshvarfard, Alexander Kopp, Lauren Lapointe-Shaw, Lidija Latifovic, Eliot Frymire, Richard H. Glazier
Summary: The study examined the association between the percentage of virtual visits in primary care and the rate of emergency department visits. The findings suggest that patients of physicians who provided a higher percentage of virtual care did not have higher ED visit rates compared with patients of physicians who provided the lowest levels of virtual care.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
John N. Mafi, Alexander Chen, Rong Guo, Kristen Choi, Peter Smulowitz, Chi-Hong Tseng, Joseph A. Ladapo, Bruce E. Landon
Summary: Nurse practitioners and physician assistants (NPs/PAs) are increasingly practicing in emergency departments (EDs). This study found that when NPs/PAs see patients alone, they use fewer medications, diagnostic tests, procedures, hospitalizations, and low-value CT/MRI studies compared to physicians alone. However, when NPs/PAs and physicians collaborate in patient care, there is an increase in the use of medications, diagnostic tests, procedures, hospitalizations, and low-value CT/MRI studies compared to physicians alone. These findings were consistent in EDs where nearly all NPs/PAs visits were collaborative with physicians.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Charles DiMaggio, Ezra Susser, Spiros Frangos, David Abramson, Howard Andrews, Christina Hoven, Megan Ryan, Guohua Li
Summary: The COVID-19 Healthcare Personnel Study is a longitudinal survey that assesses the impact of the pandemic on the New York State health care workforce. The study found that 20% of respondents expressed continuing concern about personnel shortages. It also found a significant association between persistent mental health issues and contemplating leaving one's profession.
PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Idan Roifman, Lu Han, Jiming Fang, Anna Chu, Peter Austin, Dennis T. Ko, Pamela Douglas, Harindra Wijeysundera
Summary: Significant variability in initial stress testing strategy was found in Ontario, Canada. Physician-level factors were the key drivers of this variation, which could be addressed through educational campaigns to reduce the variability and improve guideline adherence.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Evans Sumabe Batung, Kamaldeen Mohammed, Moses Mosonsieyiri Kansanga, Hanson Nyantakyi-Frimpong, Isaac Luginaah
Summary: Climate change has had a significant impact on agricultural productivity in the Global South, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study found that smallholder farmers' access to credit from informal sources and receiving remittances were positively associated with good climate change resilience. Surprisingly, households without livestock were also more likely to report good resilience.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rosalind Ragetlie, Yujiro Sano, Waliou Amoussa Hounkpatin, Isaac Luginaah
Summary: The study investigates the association between household food production and intimate partner violence in Atacora, Benin. Insufficient food production is positively associated with women's likelihood of experiencing physical and sexual violence, indicating that production-oriented interventions may reduce women's risk of IPV.
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Geography
Kamaldeen Mohammed, Evans Batung, Moses Kansanga, Hanson Nyantakyi-Frimpong, Isaac Luginaah
Summary: Joint household decision-making in smallholder farming in northern Ghana is associated with higher odds of food security. Factors such as household size and wealth are also significantly related to food security.
AFRICAN GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Daniel Kpienbaareh, Moses Mosonsieyiri Kansanga, Emmanuel Yiridoe, Isaac Luginaah
Summary: This article examines the factors influencing herbicide adoption and its perceived impacts, using theoretical insights from political ecology and data from interviews with backyard farmers in Ghana. The findings highlight the complex drivers of herbicide adoption, including climate variability and labor constraints, as well as the adverse impacts on human health, seed germination, water pollution, and ecosystems. Gender and locational variations in farmer perceptions indicate the importance of considering socio-economic and cultural factors in agricultural production decisions. The study recommends a community-based approach involving multiple stakeholders to regulate herbicide use and minimize adverse impacts.
GENDER TECHNOLOGY & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Geography
Daniel Kpienbaareh, Jinfei Wang, Isaac Luginaah, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Esther Lupafya, Laifolo Dakishoni
Summary: In the context of food insecurity, agroecology has been shown to improve crop productivity and health. This study found that crops on agroecological farms had higher leaf area indexes (LAIs), indicating healthier crops. Predictive models also showed higher LAIs on agroecological farms.
PROFESSIONAL GEOGRAPHER
(2023)
Article
Area Studies
Rosalind Ragetlie, Isaac Luginaah
Summary: Further research is needed to understand the relationship between food insecurity and masculinities, particularly in West Africa where gender norms and agrarian masculinity are deeply rooted. Using data from focus groups and interviews in the Atacora region of Benin, we find that worsening food insecurity undermines men's role as household breadwinners, leading to increased gender inequalities in labor division. Men attempt to assert their masculinity and dominance through violence, resulting in a renegotiation of gender roles within the household. This study highlights how food insecurity and masculinities intersect to perpetuate inequality and violence against women.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF AFRICAN STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Egbe B. Etowa, Josephine Pui-Hing Wong, Francisca Omorodion, Josephine Etowa, Isaac Luginaah
Summary: A study was conducted in Ontario to examine the HIV misconceptions held by heterosexual Black men (HBM) and identify the social determinants associated with these misconceptions. The results showed that a significant proportion of HBM held HIV misconceptions, with the most common ones being related to transmission through deep kissing and HIV testing. Discrimination, negative condom attitudes, and older age at sexual debut were associated with more HIV misconceptions, while being born in Canada, higher education, and resilience were associated with fewer misconceptions.
Article
Development Studies
Raymond Elikplim Kofinti, Samuel Kobina Annim, Isaac Luginaah
Summary: This study investigates the impact of the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana on household poverty and basic asset accumulation. The researchers control for endogeneity and sample selection bias. The findings indicate that subscribing to health insurance reduces household poverty and has a positive effect on asset accumulation. Moreover, the results show a more significant decrease in poverty for rural households. Expanding the coverage of health services through the insurance scheme is recognized as a potential mechanism for improving household welfare.
JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Daniel Amoak, Satveer Dhillon, Roger Antabe, Yujiro Sano, Isaac Luginaah
Summary: Deworming medication utilization among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, including Benin, is not well studied. This study analyzed the Benin Demographic and Health Survey data from 2017-2018 to explore the factors associated with deworming medication utilization. The findings revealed that 65% of pregnant women in Benin received deworming medication, with age, religion, education level, household wealth, employment status, and antenatal care visits being significant factors influencing utilization.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kamaldeen Mohammed, Abdul Razak Abubakari, Daniel Amoak, Roger Antabe, Isaac Luginaah
Summary: Despite significant advances in medicine and child healthcare globally, under-five mortality remains high in countries like Ghana in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study analyzed data from Ghana in 2017 and found disparities in under-five mortality time across different geographic regions, with various factors significantly associated with the timing of child mortality. Therefore, policy interventions should prioritize healthcare services in rural areas and improvements in urban areas to reduce child mortality risk.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Egbe Etowa, Kenneth Fung, Desmond Miller, Winston Husbands, Isaac Luginaah, Francisca Omorodion, Josephine Etowa, Josephine Wong
Summary: We used concept-mapping methods to gain insights into promising HIV prevention intervention strategies from the collective experience of heterosexual Black men (HBM) in four cities of Ontario. The highest-rated strategies were family and individual level interventions, followed by policy interventions and addressing racism. Intergenerational (family and individual), policy, and anti-racism interventions are the top three priority strategies for HIV prevention and care for HBM and communities in Ontario.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN SEXUALITY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Cornelius K. A. Pienaah, Evans Batung, Suleman Ansumah Saaka, Kamaldeen Mohammed, Isaac Luginaah
Summary: The impacts of climate change have exceeded the threshold for sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods. Smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa are particularly vulnerable due to limited resources and adaptive capacity. Early warning systems are essential in mitigating climate-related dangers and building resilience, however, there is a lack of coverage and understanding of their contribution to rural development in developing countries.
Article
Environmental Studies
Daniel Kpienbaareh, Kamaldeen Mohammed, Isaac Luginaah, Jinfei Wang, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Esther Lupafya, Laifolo Dakishoni
Summary: The objective of this study is to assess the most appropriate method, indices, and growth stage for predicting groundnut yield in smallholder agricultural systems in northern Malawi. The results demonstrate that the random forest model and the R5 growth stage are the best approaches for predicting groundnut yield. The use of open-source remote sensing data allows for accurate yield estimation and facilitates agricultural and food security planning.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Irenius Konkor, Isaac Luginaah, Winston Husbands, Francisca Omorodion, Roger Antabe, Josephine Wong, Vincent Kuuire, Paul Mkandawire, Josephine Etowa
Summary: This study aimed to examine generational disparities in the uptake of HIV screening services among heterosexual Black men in Ontario, Canada. The findings suggest that second-generation immigrants are less likely to test for HIV compared to first-generation immigrants.
JOURNAL OF MIGRATION AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Geography
Umar Haruna, Hannah Woods, Moses Kansanga, Irenius Konkor, Jenna Dixon, Isaac Luginaah
Summary: In the Global South, community emergency transport systems (CETS) are often established due to inadequate National Ambulance Services and poor transport networks, especially in rural areas. In Ghana, CETS have been implemented in some communities under the Community-based Health Planning Services program. The success of CETS in the Upper West Region is attributed to factors such as effective leadership, risk-pooling, and community cohesion, while barriers include community conflicts and lack of resources. In resource-constrained settings, CETS can be expanded to complement existing ambulance systems.
AFRICAN GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
(2022)