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Background: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) has long recognized and championed increasing diversity within the surgical workplace. SAGES initiated the Fundamentals of Leadership Development (FLD) Curriculum to address these needs and to provide surgeon leaders with the necessary tools and skills to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in surgical practice. In 2019, the American College of Surgeons issued a request for anti-racism initiatives which lead to the partnering of the two societies. The primary goal of FLD was to create the first surgeon-focused leadership curriculum dedicated to DEI. The rationale/development of this curriculum and its evaluation/feedback methods are detailed in this White Paper. Methods: The FLD curriculum was developed by a multidisciplinary task force that included surgeons, education experts, and diversity consultants. The curriculum development followed the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation (ADDIE) instructional design model and utilized a problem-based learning approach. Competencies were identified, and specific learning objectives and assessments were developed. The implementation of the curriculum was designed to be completed in short intervals (virtual and in-person). Post-course surveys used the Kirkpatrick's model to evaluate the curriculum and provide valuable feedback. Results: The curriculum consisted of interactive online modules, an online discussion forum, and small group interactive sessions focused in three key areas: (1) increasing pipeline of underrepresented individuals in surgical leadership, (2) healthcare equity, and (3) conflict negotiation. By focusing on positive action items and utilizing a problem-solving approach, the curriculum aimed to provide a framework for surgical leaders to make meaningful changes in their institutions and organizations. Conclusion: The FLD curriculum is a novel leadership curriculum that provided surgeon leaders with the knowledge and tools to improve diversity in three areas: pipeline improvement, healthcare equity, and conflict negotiation. Future directions include using pilot course feedback to enhance curricular effectiveness and delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of technology in intervention and instruction for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing at a striking rate. The purpose of this paper is to examine the research literature underlying the use of technology in interventions and instruction for high school students with ASD. In this paper, authors propose a theoretical and conceptual framework for examining the use of technology by and for adolescents with ASD in school, home, and community settings. This framework is then used to describe the research literature on efficacy of intervention and instruction that utilizes technology. A review of the literature from 1990 to the end of 2013 identified 30 studies that documented efficacy of different forms of technology and their impact on academics, adaptive behavior, challenging behavior, communication, independence, social competence, and vocational skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies show that certain minority and ethnic communities experience low human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates despite a higher cervical cancer burden. HPV is known to be responsible for almost all cervical cancer cases. Hmong Americans, a growing Asian American population, appear to be at increased risk. The cervical cancer incidence rate among Hmong American women is three times higher than other Asian/Pacific Islanders and more than four times higher than Non-Hispanic Whites. Despite such alarming statistics, there is limited research focusing on HPV literacy and its associated factors in the Hmong American community. This study's objectives are to investigate: (1) the level of HPV knowledge among Hmong Americans; (2) HPV vaccination initiation and completion rates of Hmong Americans; and (3) factors associated with HPV literacy in the Hmong American community. Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use was used as the study's theoretical framework. A self-administered paper and online health survey was completed by192 Hmong Americans living in a major metropolitan area in Minnesota. Results revealed a mean score of 4.76 (SD 1.67) for the 7-item questionnaire measuring HPV knowledge. The HPV vaccination initiation rate was 46.3 % (n = 56), with 32.7 % completing the recommended three doses. Multiple regression analysis found that participants' level of education, number of doctor visits, and cervical cancer screening literacy were significantly associated with HPV knowledge. This study's results indicate the important role of health providers in educating Hmong Americans patients about HPV and cervical cancer prevention to decrease the cervical cancer burden in this high-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both theory and data suggest that religions shape the way individuals interpret and seek help for their illnesses. Yet, health disparities research has rarely examined the influence of a shared religion on the health of individuals from distinct minority communities. In this paper, we focus on Islam and American Muslims to outline the ways in which a shared religion may impact the health of a racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse minority community. We use Kleinman's 'cultural construction of clinical reality' as a theoretical framework to interpret the extant literature on American Muslim health. We then propose a research agenda that would extend current disparities research to include measures of religiosity, particularly among populations that share a minority religious affiliation. The research we propose would provide a fuller understanding of the relationships between religion and health among Muslim Americans and other minority communities and would thereby undergird efforts to reduce unwarranted health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses characteristics that are associated with enhanced maternal and child health (MCH) epidemiology functioning in state health agencies. The concept of the 'MCH Epidemiology Effort' is introduced as 'the epidemiologic work carried out by multiple units and agencies aimed at informing program planning and policy development on behalf of women, children and families.' This concept focuses attention on MCH epidemiology functioning at the organizational level rather than on individual MCH epidemiologists. The analysis used data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each state participated in a telephone interview and submitted material that demonstrated the breadth, depth, and capacity of its MCH Epidemiology Effort. Several organizations, including the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists, the Health Resources and Services Administration/Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided additional secondary data. The outcome for analysis was a three-category measure of MCH epidemiology functioning. The findings are consistent with, and add specificity to, those from prior assessments. In a multivariable model, agenda-setting by consensus, involvement of external stakeholders, the total of doctorally trained staff, and accessing CDC assignees or other staff were all significantly related to higher level MCH epidemiology functioning (ORs of 6.1, 6.6, 2.5, and 6.4, respectively; P < 0.05). Organizational visibility of the MCH Epidemiology Effort and a data environment marked by routine data-sharing and data integration were marginally related. We provide recommendations for action at the state and federal level for advancing evidence-based decision-making in maternal and child health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]