Search

INTRODUCTION: Moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease treatment transitioned from step-up therapy to induction of remission with a biologic agent, but insurance coverage varies. METHODS: Top 50 insurance companies were searched for publicly available policies for 5 biologic/small molecule agents. Data regarding coverage requirements were compared with American College of Gastroenterology/American Gastroenterological Association guidelines. RESULTS: Thirty-four insurers had public policies. Adherence to American College of Gastroenterology/American Gastroenterological Association guidelines ranged from 5.8% to 58.8%. Only 14.71%and 17.65% of policies permitted any first-line biologic therapy in Crohn's disease and in ulcerative colitis. DISCUSSION: Nearly every insurance company required failure of steroids and immunomodulators before biologic therapy. Further work is required to improve patient access to standard-of-care treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to qualitatively assess Elementary Education (El Ed) students' readiness to implement breakfast in the classroom (BIC) and identify whether an educational video could improve their perception of BIC as a model for breakfast delivery. METHODS A pre-test, post-test intervention methodology was utilized for this study. A convenience sample of university students majoring in El Ed from one university were recruited to participate in the study. Participants completed the pre-test survey and were then asked to complete the post-test survey one week later. Just prior to taking the post-test survey, participants watched an educational video about the benefits of school breakfast programs and the logistics of BIC. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze open-ended questions from the pre and post-test surveys. RESULTS Three themes emerged from the qualitative thematic analysis process (include type of analysis) and included 1) knowledge and readiness, 2) logistics, and 3) social implications. Initial responses showed an unfamiliarity with BIC. Participants varied in their willingness to implement BIC in their classrooms with some being apprehensive, while others were enthusiastic. Participants expressed several concerns about not knowing how BIC would logistically work and they believed social stigma prevented students from participating in school breakfast programs. Post-test responses revealed that the educational video was effective in educating participants about alternative breakfast programs. Post-test responses were generally more favorable towards accepting BIC after viewing the educational video in the post-test responses. APPLICATIONS TO CHILD NUTRITION PROFESSIONALS Suggestions to improve receptiveness of alternative breakfast programs include educating El Ed students and student teachers on the benefits of school breakfast and BIC prior to their career. The use of an educational video has the potential to improve perception of BIC amongst school teachers. El Ed programs should consider including curriculum related to the logistics and benefits of school breakfast models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As marijuana use is rising among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), so is interest in its potential use as a therapeutic agent. We sought to survey IBD patients regarding marijuana use, self-reported impact on IBD symptoms, and perceptions of safety. Methods: A multicenter anonymous survey was administered to patients with IBD between October 2020 and June 2021. The 70-question survey collected demographic variables, clinical variables, attitudes about marijuana, and perceptions of its safety and efficacy in IBD. Participants were classified by their marijuana use: "rarely/never," "current," and "former". Percentage and chisquare tests were used to compare categorical variables between the 3 groups, and means and 2-group ANOVA were used for continuous variables. Results: Of 181 patients surveyed, 166 were eligible for the study. Of these, 70 (42.2%) participants were rare/never marijuana users, 44 (26.5%) were current users, and 52 (31.3%) were former users. Fifty-three percent thought marijuana would help with IBD inflammation and 80% thought it would help with IBD pain. Over 70% of patients from all groups thought marijuana had a low-tomoderate risk of harm, and 69.6% of the participants who never or rarely used marijuana thought marijuana was addictive, compared to 20.5% of the current users and 44% of the former marijuana users. Conclusions: While many patients thought marijuana use helps with IBD-related pain and inflammation, many expressed concerns about addiction to marijuana and a possible risk of harm. Further studies are needed to examine the benefit and harm of marijuana in IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]