Articles related to Family Medicine/General Practice

In this article from Pediatrics, the authors explore severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in children and its impact on the COVID-19 transmission. The argument concludes that children, particularly school-aged children, are far less important drivers of SARS-CoV-2 transmission than adults.

An urgent need exists for innovative testing strategies to expedite identification of COVID-19 cases and facilitate mass testing. Published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, this recent study aimed to determine the detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 using a novel, self-administered kit for saliva collection compared with standard swab testing.

Very cool or very scary? Published in the European Journey of Cardiology, a recent paper discussed a deep learning algorithm that uses facial recognition to assist in coronary artery disease (CAD) detection. The first work to demonstrate artificial intelligence (AI) being used to analyze faces to detect heart disease, can the technology be used for patients’ own screenings?

In this article from MedPage Today, sources claim the pandemic is a major reason for the spike, with some applicants finding a calling in medicine, while others are looking for something to fill idle time or combat uncertainty. No matter the reason, the potential for even stiffer competition is there as student slots remain largely unchanged.

Science tells us that face masks can prevent coronavirus transmission and save lives; however, all masks are not created equal. The WHO and CDC both recommend fabric face masks for the general public, but what about neck scarves and other types? Here’s how scientists have ranked mask materials so far, from the most to least protective.

Data to support the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and chloroquine (CQ) for COVID-19 are limited and inconclusive; this article from the American College of Physicians (ACP) discusses the facts to arm yourself with the proper information.