|
Prairie Doc Perspective Week of October 6th, 2024
“Prairie Doc or Prairie Bot?” By Jill Kruse, DO Artificial Intelligence or A.I. has gone from Science Fiction to a reality. This technology continues to evolve and find new applications in the world, including the world of medicine. With any new advancement, there are pros and cons to be considered when implementing it into regular use, especially in medicine. In 2023 the Journal of Medical Internet Research published an article where they had ChatGPT take 2 of the 3 USMLE exams. Step 1 is taken by third year medical students and all physicians must pass all three tests in order to become licensed as a physician. The program was given 4 different practice tests and scored between 44 to 64.4% correct. Over 60% is considered a passing score. The headlines read that ChatGPT passes medical boards. While this headline was shocking, reading the article gives more nuances to that declaration. There were three different AI programs used, and only one had a passing score for one of the four sample tests, the easiest step 1. When the exams themselves were broken down, the AI was able to answer the “easy” questions with the greatest accuracy. Questions were graded on a score from 1 (easy) to 5 (difficult). However, it was unable to answer any of the level 5 questions. When the program was given a “hint”, the performance increased to 22% correct of the level 5 questions. Students taking the test do not get hints. For this article I decided to ask Chat GPT to list “5 ways AI will improve the practice of medicine in the next 5 years” and “5 ways AI may harm the practice of medicine in the next 5 years.” Here is what the program came up with. Here are the 5 ways ChatGPT thought AI could improve the practice of medicine
Jill Kruse, D.O. is part of The Prairie Doc® team of physicians and currently practices as a hospitalist in Brookings, South Dakota. Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org and on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads featuring On Call with the Prairie Doc®, a medical Q&A show (most Thursdays at 7pm on streaming on Facebook), 2 podcasts, and a Radio program (on SDPB), providing health information based on science, built on trust for 23 Seasons. Prairie Doc Perspective Week of September 29th, 2024
“Children’s Dental Health: Key Points for Parents” By John Bisson, DDS Good dental health in children is crucial for overall well-being. Healthy teeth enable proper chewing, speech development, and contribute to self-esteem. Prioritizing dental health through education, preventive care, and regular check-ups lays the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles. The following topics are common discussion points of children’s dental health. First Dental Visit Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth erupts. Early visits help establish a dental home and allow the dental care team to monitor oral development and provide guidance on proper care. Regular dental visits every six months are essential for monitoring dental health and catching potential issues early. Fluoride Treatments Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps prevent tooth decay. Fluoride treatments can help strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. This in turn helps to significantly reduce the risk of cavities and promote stronger, healthier teeth. Dentists often recommend fluoride treatments for children and may also suggest fluoride toothpaste for at home use. Dental Sealants Dental sealants are thin coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of molars (back teeth) to protect them from cavities. Sealants act as a barrier against food particles and bacteria. They are typically recommended for children once their permanent molars emerge, usually around age six. Visiting An Orthodontist Children should have their first evaluation with an orthodontist by age seven. At this age, an orthodontist can identify potential issues with tooth alignment and bite. Early intervention may prevent more severe problems later and can help guide the growth of the jaw. Thumb Sucking Thumb sucking is common in infants and toddlers and usually doesn’t cause issues if stopped by age four. Prolonged thumb sucking can lead to dental problems, such as misalignment of teeth or changes in the roof of the mouth. If a child continues thumb sucking beyond this age, parents should consult a dentist for advice. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when sugary liquids like milk or juice cling to a child’s teeth, leading to decay. To prevent this, avoid putting a baby to bed with a bottle and ensure regular cleaning of the child’s teeth and gums. Water can be used as a nighttime beverage. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is common in children, especially during sleep. It can be caused by stress, misaligned teeth, or other factors. If grinding is frequent, it can wear down teeth and lead to discomfort. Parents should discuss the issue with their child’s dentist, who may recommend monitoring, relaxation techniques, or In some cases, a custom mouth guard. Dental Anxiety Dental anxiety is a common issue among children, characterized by fear or apprehension about visiting the dentist. This anxiety can stem from various factors, including fear of pain, unfamiliar environments, or negative past experiences. Prepare children by discussing what to expect at their visit, using positive reinforcement, and visiting the office beforehand to familiarize them with the environment. Regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene practices are vital for children’s dental health. Parents and caretakers should stay informed about common issues and consult their dentist for personalized advice to ensure the health of their child’s smile. John Bisson, DDS is a dentist and owns Bisson Dental in Brookings, SD. Dr. Bisson is originally from Sturgis, SD but moved to Brookings in 2015 and opened Bisson Dental in 2018. For more information about Bisson Dental head here, https://www.bisson-dental.com/. Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org and on Facebook featuring On Call with the Prairie Doc® a medical Q&A show providing health information based on science, built on trust, streaming live on Facebook most Thursdays at 7 p.m. central. Prairie Doc Perspective Week of September 22nd, 2024
“Menopause” By: Kelly Evans Hullinger MD Menopause is one of those things that, let’s face it, will ultimately affect everyone with previously functional ovaries. Unfortunately we don’t talk about it enough, which makes it a topic riddled with misinformation. So… what is menopause? Menopause is defined by the permanent cessation of menstrual bleeding for 12 months. This occurs naturally when the ovaries stop reproductive activity and a marked decrease in ovarian hormones (estrogen and progesterone) occurs. Symptoms of menopause are a result of these hormonal changes. Most women enter menopause “naturally,” or just due to aging. The average age of menopause in North America is 51 years, but that can vary by up to 8-10 years on either side. However, menopause can also occur when the ovaries are surgically removed or if a patient needs to take a medication that affects ovarian hormone secretion, for example certain therapies for breast cancer. Perimenopause refers to the phase, often lasting 1-2 years, before complete cessation of menses in which a person is likely to experience irregularities in menstrual periods (shorter or longer intervals, lighter or heavier bleeding) and sometimes the start of menopausal symptoms like hot flushes. Some patients will experience problematic or heavy perimenopausal bleeding that warrants medical or surgical treatment. It is worth noting that laboratory testing is not recommended to diagnose menopause in a patient of typical age range with expected menopausal symptoms. In some cases, especially if a patient is younger than expected, limited testing is warranted to rule out other conditions including pregnancy and thyroid disorders. Some fortunate women experience no significant symptoms of menopause, but the majority will. The most common symptoms of menopause are the infamous vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) and urogenital symptoms (vaginal dryness and sexual dysfunction). The average duration of vasomotor symptoms after menopause is about 7 years, but approximately 10% of women have symptoms lasting more than 10 years. Decisions around various options for treatment for these symptoms is highly individualized and depends on how symptoms are affecting a given patient’s quality of life. Treatment, if warranted, can involve hormonal therapy (replacing estrogen is the most effective way to reduce hot flashes) or various non-hormonal options. This choice necessitates a conversation about an individual’s symptom severity and that patient’s risk of hormonal therapy, including breast cancer, blood clots, and cardiovascular events. In summary, menopause is indeed a part of life. However, if you are really suffering with symptoms of menopause, it is worthwhile to talk to your healthcare provider about potential treatment for your symptoms. Kelly Evans-Hullinger, MD. is part of The Prairie Doc® team of physicians and currently practices Internal Medicine at Avera Medical Group in Brookings, South Dakota. Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org, and on social media. Watch On Call with the Prairie Doc, most Thursday’s at 7PM on SDPB and streaming on Facebook and listen to Prairie Doc Radio Sunday’s at 6am and 1pm. Prairie Doc Perspective Week of September 15th, 2024
“It’s Complicated” By Debra Johnston, MD My personal connection with adoption began nearly 30 years ago. As my mentor Dr Holm and I hurried to the hospital, he told me about the child he and his wife Joanie had recently adopted. Rick loved being a father, even more, it seems to me, than he loved being a doctor. He couldn’t quite believe that he got to parent this amazing little person, that he was blessed not just with Joanie and his sons, but with this precious girl who was now their daughter. His besotted delight so moved me that I knew I wanted to adopt, too. Over the next few years, I witnessed other families grow through adoption. I walked with women as they wrestled with unplanned pregnancies. I watched them grieve the children being raised by other mothers. I read blogs and books by adult adoptees who discussed their joys and their struggles. Nearly 10 years after that conversation with Rick, my husband and I, too, became part of an adoptive family. As an adoptive parent, I’ve often been told how “lucky” my children are. Of course this is flattering: every parent wants to believe they are doing that incredibly difficult job well. However, people aren’t usually complimenting us on our parenting. They are frequently responding to a feel good-narrative about the orphan who is now part of a family, with the expectation that we will all live happily every after. The reality of adoption is much messier. No child comes to adoption except through loss. At a minimum, that child has lost a parent: to poverty, addiction, mental illness, incarceration, death, or some combination of factors. Even infants experience distress on separation from their biological mothers. Many children have lost more than one parent or caregiver. Some children are in open adoptions and able to maintain a connection with their biologic families, although that connection may be tenuous. More are not. I have never understood how a culture obsessed with genealogy can simultaneously discount the importance to an adopted person of knowing their own genetic heritage. Around the time I graduated medical school, researchers published a groundbreaking study linking traumatic experiences in childhood to a myriad of significant health and social challenges in adulthood. Subsequent research has born this out. These traumas are common; estimates are that 2/3 of middle class people have experienced at least one. They include abuse and neglect, having a household member who experiences addiction, mental illness, or incarceration, witnessing domestic violence, and the loss of a parent. Additional research has demonstrated the impact of factors outside the home, such as bullying and community violence. The more of these a person experiences, the higher the likelihood that they will suffer, for example, heart disease, suicide, lung disease, mental illness, and even cancer in adulthood. Adoption, even adoption into a stable, loving, privileged family, doesn’t erase the trauma that preceded it. We can’t address those wounds if we won’t acknowledge them. Debra Johnston, MD. is part of The Prairie Doc® team of physicians and currently practices as a Family Medicine Doctor at Avera Medical Group in Brookings, South Dakota. Follow The Prairie Doc® at www.prairiedoc.org , Facebook, Instagram, and Threads featuring On Call with the Prairie Doc® on SDPB, a medical Q&A show, 2 podcasts, and a Radio program on SDPB, providing health information based on science, built on trust. |
Archives
October 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed
