Introduction The wellbeing of sexual and gender minority (SGM) medical students and the impact of their experiences on career trajectory remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to characterize the incidence of mistreatment in SGM trainees as well as general perspectives on the acceptance of SGM individuals across medical and surgical specialties. Methods This was a cross sectional survey study of all actively enrolled medical students within the six University of California campuses conducted in March 2021. An online, survey tool captured incidence of bullying, discrimination, and suicidal ideation as well as perceived acceptance of SGM identities across specialties measured by slider scale. Differences between SGM and non-SGM respondents were assessed with two-tailed and chi-square tests. Qualitative responses were evaluated utilizing a multi-stage, cutting-and-sorting technique. Results Of approximately 3,205 students eligible for participation, 383 submitted completed surveys, representing a response rate of 12.0%. Of these respondents, 26.9% (n = 103) identified as a sexual or gender minority. Overall, SGM trainees reported higher slider scale scores when asked about being bullied by other students (20.0 vs. 13.9, P = 0.012) and contemplating suicide (14.8 vs. 8.8, P = 0.005). Compared to all other specialties, general surgery and surgical subspecialties had the lowest mean slider scale score (52.8) in perceived acceptance of SGM identities (All P < 0.001). In qualitative responses, students frequently cited lack of diversity as contributing to this perception. Additionally, 67.0% of SGM students had concerns that disclosure of identity would affect their future career with 18.5% planning to not disclose during the residency application process. Conclusions Overall, SGM respondents reported higher incidences of bullying and suicidal ideation as well as increased self-censorship stemming from concerns regarding career advancement, most prominently in surgery. To address such barriers, institutions must actively promote diversity in sexual preference and gender identity regardless of specialty.

Objective/Hypothesis Utilization of flaps for reconstruction of large head and neck cancer (HNCA) defects has become more prevalent. The present study aimed to assess the impact of center experience as measured by annual hospital caseload on mortality, major complications, resource utilization, and 90‐day readmissions following HNCA resection with flap reconstruction. Study Design Non‐Randomized Controlled Cohort Study. Methods All adult patients undergoing elective HNCA resection with flap reconstruction were identified utilizing the 2010 to 2018 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Hospitals were subsequently classified as low‐, medium‐, or high‐volume based on annual institutional surgical caseload tertiles. Multivariable regression models were implemented to assess the independent association of hospital volume with the outcomes of interest. Results Over the nine‐year study period, the proportion of HNCA resection with flap reconstruction gradually increased (12.8% in 2010 vs. 17.3% in 2018, P < .001). Although increasing hospital volume did not alter the odds of mortality, patients treated at high‐volume centers were less likely to experience both surgical (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67–0.97, P = .025) and medical complications (AOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.57–0.85, P < .001). Furthermore, these patients had shorter hospitalizations (−2.1 days, 95% CI −2.7 to −1.4 days, P < .001) and decreased costs (−$8,100, 95% CI −11,400 to −4,700, P < .001) compared to counterparts at low‐volume centers. However, hospital volume did not impact 90‐day readmissions. Conclusion Patients undergoing HNCA resection with flap reconstruction at high‐volume centers were less likely to experience surgical and medical complications while incurring shorter hospitalizations and lower costs. Implementation of volume standards may be appropriate to improve outcomes in this surgical population. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 132:1381–1387, 2022

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Background: Although patients with opioid use disorder have been shown to be more susceptible to traumatic injury, the impact of opioid use disorder after trauma-related admission remains poorly characterized. The present nationally representative study evaluated the association of opioid use disorder on clinical outcomes after traumatic injury warranting operative intervention. Methods: The 2010 to 2018 Nationwide Readmissions Database was used to identify adult trauma victims who underwent major operative procedures. Injury severity was quantified using International Classification of Diseases Trauma Mortality Prediction Model. Entropy balancing was used to adjust for intergroup differences. Multivariable regression models were developed to assess the association of opioid use disorder on in-hospital mortality, perioperative complications, resource utilization, and readmissions. Results: Of an estimated 5,089,003 hospitalizations, 54,097 (1.06%) had a diagnosis of opioid use disorder with increasing prevalence during the study period. Compared with others, opioid use disorder had a lower proportion of extremity injuries and falls but greater predicted mortality measured by Trauma Mortality Prediction Model. After adjustment, opioid use disorder was associated with decreased odds of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.53e0.70) but had greater likelihood of pneumonia, infectious complications, and acute kidney injury. Additionally, opioid use disorder was associated with longer hospitalization duration as well as greater index costs and risk of readmission within 30 days (adjusted odds ratio: 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.25e1.49). Conclusion: Opioid use disorder in operative trauma has significantly increased in prevalence and is associated with decreased in-hospital index mortality but greater resource utilization and readmission.

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