Fred Hutch News Service

Researchers say they have created nanoparticles loaded with messenger RNA (mRNA) that can give cells the ability to fight cancers and other diseases.

To use these freeze-dried nanocarriers, the team added water and introduced the resulting mixture to cells.

The nanocarriers were able to target T cells and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), delivering mRNA directly to the cells and triggering short-term gene expression.

The T cells were then able to fight leukemia and lymphoma in vitro and in vivo. And the HSCs demonstrated improvements in growth and regenerative potential.

Matthias Stephan, MD, PhD, of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, and his colleagues described this research in Nature Communications.

“We developed a nanocarrier that binds and condenses synthetic mRNA and protects it from degradation,” Dr Stephan said.

The researchers surrounded the nanocarrier with a negatively charged envelope with a targeting ligand attached to the surface so the carrier homes and binds to a particular cell type. When this happens, the cell engulfs the carrier, which can be loaded with different types of manmade mRNA.

The researchers mixed the freeze-dried nanocarriers with water and samples of cells. Within 4 hours, cells started showing signs that editing had taken effect.

The team noted that boosters can be given if needed. And the nanocarriers are made from a dissolving biomaterial, so they are removed from the body like other cell waste.

Testing the carriers

Dr Stephan and his colleagues tested their nanocarriers in 3 ways.

First, the researchers tested nanoparticles carrying a gene-editing tool to T cells that snipped out their natural T-cell receptors and was paired with genes encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR).

The resulting CAR T cells maintained their ability to proliferate and successfully eliminated leukemia cells.

Next, the researchers tested nanocarriers targeted to CAR T cells and containing foxo1 mRNA. This prompted the T cells to develop into a type of memory cell with enhanced antitumor activity.

The team found these CAR T cells induced “substantial disease regression” and prolonged survival in a mouse model of B-cell lymphoma.

Finally, the researchers tested nanocarriers targeted to HSCs. The carriers were equipped with mRNA that “induced key regulators of self-renewal,” accelerating the growth and regenerative potential of the HSCs in vitro.

Future possibilities

Dr Stephan and his colleagues noted that these nanocarriers are built on existing technology and can be used by individuals without knowledge of nanotechnology. Therefore, the team hopes the nanocarriers will be an off-the-shelf way for cell-therapy engineers to develop new approaches to treat diseases.

The researchers believe the nanocarriers could replace electroporation, a multistep cell-manufacturing technique that requires specialized equipment and clean rooms. The team noted that up to 60 times more cells survive the introduction of the nanocarriers than survive electroporation.

“You can imagine taking the nanoparticles, injecting them into a patient, and then you don’t have to culture cells at all anymore,” Dr Stephan said.

He is now looking for commercial partners to move the technology toward additional applications and into clinical trials. 

Fred Hutch News Service

Researchers say they have created nanoparticles loaded with messenger RNA (mRNA) that can give cells the ability to fight cancers and other diseases.

To use these freeze-dried nanocarriers, the team added water and introduced the resulting mixture to cells.

The nanocarriers were able to target T cells and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), delivering mRNA directly to the cells and triggering short-term gene expression.

The T cells were then able to fight leukemia and lymphoma in vitro and in vivo. And the HSCs demonstrated improvements in growth and regenerative potential.

Matthias Stephan, MD, PhD, of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, and his colleagues described this research in Nature Communications.

“We developed a nanocarrier that binds and condenses synthetic mRNA and protects it from degradation,” Dr Stephan said.

The researchers surrounded the nanocarrier with a negatively charged envelope with a targeting ligand attached to the surface so the carrier homes and binds to a particular cell type. When this happens, the cell engulfs the carrier, which can be loaded with different types of manmade mRNA.

The researchers mixed the freeze-dried nanocarriers with water and samples of cells. Within 4 hours, cells started showing signs that editing had taken effect.

The team noted that boosters can be given if needed. And the nanocarriers are made from a dissolving biomaterial, so they are removed from the body like other cell waste.

Testing the carriers

Dr Stephan and his colleagues tested their nanocarriers in 3 ways.

First, the researchers tested nanoparticles carrying a gene-editing tool to T cells that snipped out their natural T-cell receptors and was paired with genes encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR).

The resulting CAR T cells maintained their ability to proliferate and successfully eliminated leukemia cells.

Next, the researchers tested nanocarriers targeted to CAR T cells and containing foxo1 mRNA. This prompted the T cells to develop into a type of memory cell with enhanced antitumor activity.

The team found these CAR T cells induced “substantial disease regression” and prolonged survival in a mouse model of B-cell lymphoma.

Finally, the researchers tested nanocarriers targeted to HSCs. The carriers were equipped with mRNA that “induced key regulators of self-renewal,” accelerating the growth and regenerative potential of the HSCs in vitro.

Future possibilities

Dr Stephan and his colleagues noted that these nanocarriers are built on existing technology and can be used by individuals without knowledge of nanotechnology. Therefore, the team hopes the nanocarriers will be an off-the-shelf way for cell-therapy engineers to develop new approaches to treat diseases.

The researchers believe the nanocarriers could replace electroporation, a multistep cell-manufacturing technique that requires specialized equipment and clean rooms. The team noted that up to 60 times more cells survive the introduction of the nanocarriers than survive electroporation.

“You can imagine taking the nanoparticles, injecting them into a patient, and then you don’t have to culture cells at all anymore,” Dr Stephan said.

He is now looking for commercial partners to move the technology toward additional applications and into clinical trials. 

Fred Hutch News Service

Researchers say they have created nanoparticles loaded with messenger RNA (mRNA) that can give cells the ability to fight cancers and other diseases.

To use these freeze-dried nanocarriers, the team added water and introduced the resulting mixture to cells.

The nanocarriers were able to target T cells and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), delivering mRNA directly to the cells and triggering short-term gene expression.

The T cells were then able to fight leukemia and lymphoma in vitro and in vivo. And the HSCs demonstrated improvements in growth and regenerative potential.

Matthias Stephan, MD, PhD, of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, and his colleagues described this research in Nature Communications.

“We developed a nanocarrier that binds and condenses synthetic mRNA and protects it from degradation,” Dr Stephan said.

The researchers surrounded the nanocarrier with a negatively charged envelope with a targeting ligand attached to the surface so the carrier homes and binds to a particular cell type. When this happens, the cell engulfs the carrier, which can be loaded with different types of manmade mRNA.

The researchers mixed the freeze-dried nanocarriers with water and samples of cells. Within 4 hours, cells started showing signs that editing had taken effect.

The team noted that boosters can be given if needed. And the nanocarriers are made from a dissolving biomaterial, so they are removed from the body like other cell waste.

Testing the carriers

Dr Stephan and his colleagues tested their nanocarriers in 3 ways.

First, the researchers tested nanoparticles carrying a gene-editing tool to T cells that snipped out their natural T-cell receptors and was paired with genes encoding a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR).

The resulting CAR T cells maintained their ability to proliferate and successfully eliminated leukemia cells.

Next, the researchers tested nanocarriers targeted to CAR T cells and containing foxo1 mRNA. This prompted the T cells to develop into a type of memory cell with enhanced antitumor activity.

The team found these CAR T cells induced “substantial disease regression” and prolonged survival in a mouse model of B-cell lymphoma.

Finally, the researchers tested nanocarriers targeted to HSCs. The carriers were equipped with mRNA that “induced key regulators of self-renewal,” accelerating the growth and regenerative potential of the HSCs in vitro.

Future possibilities

Dr Stephan and his colleagues noted that these nanocarriers are built on existing technology and can be used by individuals without knowledge of nanotechnology. Therefore, the team hopes the nanocarriers will be an off-the-shelf way for cell-therapy engineers to develop new approaches to treat diseases.

The researchers believe the nanocarriers could replace electroporation, a multistep cell-manufacturing technique that requires specialized equipment and clean rooms. The team noted that up to 60 times more cells survive the introduction of the nanocarriers than survive electroporation.

“You can imagine taking the nanoparticles, injecting them into a patient, and then you don’t have to culture cells at all anymore,” Dr Stephan said.

He is now looking for commercial partners to move the technology toward additional applications and into clinical trials. 

Photo courtesy of Merck

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a statement warning about an increased risk of death associated with an unapproved use of pembrolizumab (Keytruda).

Results from 2 clinical trials have shown that combining pembrolizumab with dexamethasone and an immunomodulatory agent (lenalidomide or pomalidomide) increases the risk of death in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

The FDA issued its statement to remind doctors and patients that pembrolizumab is not approved to treat MM and should not be given in combination with immunomodulatory agents to treat MM.

Pembrolizumab is currently FDA-approved to treat classical Hodgkin lymphoma, melanoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, urothelial carcinoma, and microsatellite instability-high cancer.

The FDA believes the benefits of taking pembrolizumab and other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for their approved uses continue to outweigh the risks, according to Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

However, the FDA is investigating trials of pembrolizumab as well as trials of other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.

Pembrolizumab in MM

The FDA’s warning is based on a review of data from 2 clinical trials—KEYNOTE-183 and KEYNOTE-185. The FDA placed a clinical hold on these trials—as well as KEYNOTE-023—in July.

KEYNOTE-183 is a phase 3 study of pomalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone, given with or without pembrolizumab, to patients with refractory or relapsed and refractory MM.

KEYNOTE-185 is a phase 3 study of lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone, given with or without pembrolizumab, to patients with newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve MM.

KEYNOTE-023 is a phase 1 trial of pembrolizumab in combination with backbone treatments. Cohort 1 of this trial was designed to evaluate pembrolizumab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in MM patients who received prior treatment with an immunomodulatory agent (lenalidomide, pomalidomide, or thalidomide).

Interim results from KEYNOTE-183 and KEYNOTE-185 revealed an increased risk of death for patients receiving pembrolizumab, when compared to patients receiving the control therapies.

Merck & Co., Inc., the company developing pembrolizumab, was informed of this risk by an external data monitoring committee. The company suspended enrollment in the trials and notified the FDA of the issue in June.

The following month, the FDA announced that all patients enrolled in KEYNOTE-183 and KEYNOTE-185, as well as patients in the pembrolizumab/lenalidomide/dexamethasone cohort of KEYNOTE-023, would discontinue investigational treatment with pembrolizumab.

FDA investigation

The FDA is examining data from the pembrolizumab trials and working with Merck to better understand the cause of the safety concerns, according to Woodcock.

The agency is also working with sponsors of other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors to examine other trials in which these drugs are being studied in combination with immunomodulatory agents and trials in which the inhibitors are being studied in combination with other classes of drugs in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Woodcock said the FDA will take appropriate action as warranted to ensure patients enrolled in these trials are protected and that doctors and researchers understand the risks associated with this investigational use.

The agency is also encouraging healthcare professionals and consumers to report any adverse events or side effects related to the use of pembrolizumab and other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program.

Photo courtesy of Merck

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a statement warning about an increased risk of death associated with an unapproved use of pembrolizumab (Keytruda).

Results from 2 clinical trials have shown that combining pembrolizumab with dexamethasone and an immunomodulatory agent (lenalidomide or pomalidomide) increases the risk of death in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

The FDA issued its statement to remind doctors and patients that pembrolizumab is not approved to treat MM and should not be given in combination with immunomodulatory agents to treat MM.

Pembrolizumab is currently FDA-approved to treat classical Hodgkin lymphoma, melanoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, urothelial carcinoma, and microsatellite instability-high cancer.

The FDA believes the benefits of taking pembrolizumab and other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for their approved uses continue to outweigh the risks, according to Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

However, the FDA is investigating trials of pembrolizumab as well as trials of other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.

Pembrolizumab in MM

The FDA’s warning is based on a review of data from 2 clinical trials—KEYNOTE-183 and KEYNOTE-185. The FDA placed a clinical hold on these trials—as well as KEYNOTE-023—in July.

KEYNOTE-183 is a phase 3 study of pomalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone, given with or without pembrolizumab, to patients with refractory or relapsed and refractory MM.

KEYNOTE-185 is a phase 3 study of lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone, given with or without pembrolizumab, to patients with newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve MM.

KEYNOTE-023 is a phase 1 trial of pembrolizumab in combination with backbone treatments. Cohort 1 of this trial was designed to evaluate pembrolizumab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in MM patients who received prior treatment with an immunomodulatory agent (lenalidomide, pomalidomide, or thalidomide).

Interim results from KEYNOTE-183 and KEYNOTE-185 revealed an increased risk of death for patients receiving pembrolizumab, when compared to patients receiving the control therapies.

Merck & Co., Inc., the company developing pembrolizumab, was informed of this risk by an external data monitoring committee. The company suspended enrollment in the trials and notified the FDA of the issue in June.

The following month, the FDA announced that all patients enrolled in KEYNOTE-183 and KEYNOTE-185, as well as patients in the pembrolizumab/lenalidomide/dexamethasone cohort of KEYNOTE-023, would discontinue investigational treatment with pembrolizumab.

FDA investigation

The FDA is examining data from the pembrolizumab trials and working with Merck to better understand the cause of the safety concerns, according to Woodcock.

The agency is also working with sponsors of other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors to examine other trials in which these drugs are being studied in combination with immunomodulatory agents and trials in which the inhibitors are being studied in combination with other classes of drugs in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Woodcock said the FDA will take appropriate action as warranted to ensure patients enrolled in these trials are protected and that doctors and researchers understand the risks associated with this investigational use.

The agency is also encouraging healthcare professionals and consumers to report any adverse events or side effects related to the use of pembrolizumab and other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program.

Photo courtesy of Merck

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a statement warning about an increased risk of death associated with an unapproved use of pembrolizumab (Keytruda).

Results from 2 clinical trials have shown that combining pembrolizumab with dexamethasone and an immunomodulatory agent (lenalidomide or pomalidomide) increases the risk of death in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

The FDA issued its statement to remind doctors and patients that pembrolizumab is not approved to treat MM and should not be given in combination with immunomodulatory agents to treat MM.

Pembrolizumab is currently FDA-approved to treat classical Hodgkin lymphoma, melanoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, urothelial carcinoma, and microsatellite instability-high cancer.

The FDA believes the benefits of taking pembrolizumab and other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for their approved uses continue to outweigh the risks, according to Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

However, the FDA is investigating trials of pembrolizumab as well as trials of other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.

Pembrolizumab in MM

The FDA’s warning is based on a review of data from 2 clinical trials—KEYNOTE-183 and KEYNOTE-185. The FDA placed a clinical hold on these trials—as well as KEYNOTE-023—in July.

KEYNOTE-183 is a phase 3 study of pomalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone, given with or without pembrolizumab, to patients with refractory or relapsed and refractory MM.

KEYNOTE-185 is a phase 3 study of lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone, given with or without pembrolizumab, to patients with newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve MM.

KEYNOTE-023 is a phase 1 trial of pembrolizumab in combination with backbone treatments. Cohort 1 of this trial was designed to evaluate pembrolizumab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in MM patients who received prior treatment with an immunomodulatory agent (lenalidomide, pomalidomide, or thalidomide).

Interim results from KEYNOTE-183 and KEYNOTE-185 revealed an increased risk of death for patients receiving pembrolizumab, when compared to patients receiving the control therapies.

Merck & Co., Inc., the company developing pembrolizumab, was informed of this risk by an external data monitoring committee. The company suspended enrollment in the trials and notified the FDA of the issue in June.

The following month, the FDA announced that all patients enrolled in KEYNOTE-183 and KEYNOTE-185, as well as patients in the pembrolizumab/lenalidomide/dexamethasone cohort of KEYNOTE-023, would discontinue investigational treatment with pembrolizumab.

FDA investigation

The FDA is examining data from the pembrolizumab trials and working with Merck to better understand the cause of the safety concerns, according to Woodcock.

The agency is also working with sponsors of other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors to examine other trials in which these drugs are being studied in combination with immunomodulatory agents and trials in which the inhibitors are being studied in combination with other classes of drugs in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Woodcock said the FDA will take appropriate action as warranted to ensure patients enrolled in these trials are protected and that doctors and researchers understand the risks associated with this investigational use.

The agency is also encouraging healthcare professionals and consumers to report any adverse events or side effects related to the use of pembrolizumab and other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program.

Photo by Rhoda Baer

A recent survey of young cancer patients in the UK revealed their desire for additional digital oncology resources.

The survey showed that many of the patients already used digital resources to access information about their cancer.

However, many also expressed a need for additional resources such as online counseling or psychological support.

Esha Abrol, of Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust in London, UK, and her colleagues reported these findings in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship.

The researchers surveyed 102 cancer patients, ages 13 to 24, about digital media use.

The patients reported having active digital lives, with 41.6% of them rating digital resources as “essential” to their lives.

The patients reported using a variety of healthcare-related digital resources to access information about their disease, including independent sources and ones recommended to them by the professional team treating them.

Half (51%) of respondents said they kept in contact through digital means with other patients they had met during treatment. Twelve percent contacted others or started new digital relationships with people they had never met in person.

However, most of the patients were still most likely to get information about their treatment from professionals in a face-to-face environment, such as when visiting their doctor.

“This is a reassuring and appropriate finding, as this is the conventional means by which teenage and young adult oncology care is delivered by the multidisciplinary team, whether the young people choose to engage or not,” Abrol said.

At the same time, many survey respondents expressed a desire for virtual online groups (54.3%), online counseling or psychological support (43.5%), and the ability to receive (66.3%) and share (48.9%) clinical information online.

Young adults (ages 19 to 24) were more interested than adolescents (ages 13 to 18) in online counseling options and preferred receiving clinical information online.

The researchers said this may reflect young adults’ greater independence, resilience, breadth of experience in the digital world, and confidence in discussing clinical matters online.

Abrol believes these preliminary results can help inform the development of local, national, and global services to teenagers and young adults with cancer to address their unmet needs.

“These digital support resources have the potential to improve patient experience and engagement for an important subsection of teenagers and young people treated for cancer,” Abrol said.

Photo by Rhoda Baer

A recent survey of young cancer patients in the UK revealed their desire for additional digital oncology resources.

The survey showed that many of the patients already used digital resources to access information about their cancer.

However, many also expressed a need for additional resources such as online counseling or psychological support.

Esha Abrol, of Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust in London, UK, and her colleagues reported these findings in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship.

The researchers surveyed 102 cancer patients, ages 13 to 24, about digital media use.

The patients reported having active digital lives, with 41.6% of them rating digital resources as “essential” to their lives.

The patients reported using a variety of healthcare-related digital resources to access information about their disease, including independent sources and ones recommended to them by the professional team treating them.

Half (51%) of respondents said they kept in contact through digital means with other patients they had met during treatment. Twelve percent contacted others or started new digital relationships with people they had never met in person.

However, most of the patients were still most likely to get information about their treatment from professionals in a face-to-face environment, such as when visiting their doctor.

“This is a reassuring and appropriate finding, as this is the conventional means by which teenage and young adult oncology care is delivered by the multidisciplinary team, whether the young people choose to engage or not,” Abrol said.

At the same time, many survey respondents expressed a desire for virtual online groups (54.3%), online counseling or psychological support (43.5%), and the ability to receive (66.3%) and share (48.9%) clinical information online.

Young adults (ages 19 to 24) were more interested than adolescents (ages 13 to 18) in online counseling options and preferred receiving clinical information online.

The researchers said this may reflect young adults’ greater independence, resilience, breadth of experience in the digital world, and confidence in discussing clinical matters online.

Abrol believes these preliminary results can help inform the development of local, national, and global services to teenagers and young adults with cancer to address their unmet needs.

“These digital support resources have the potential to improve patient experience and engagement for an important subsection of teenagers and young people treated for cancer,” Abrol said.

Photo by Rhoda Baer

A recent survey of young cancer patients in the UK revealed their desire for additional digital oncology resources.

The survey showed that many of the patients already used digital resources to access information about their cancer.

However, many also expressed a need for additional resources such as online counseling or psychological support.

Esha Abrol, of Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust in London, UK, and her colleagues reported these findings in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship.

The researchers surveyed 102 cancer patients, ages 13 to 24, about digital media use.

The patients reported having active digital lives, with 41.6% of them rating digital resources as “essential” to their lives.

The patients reported using a variety of healthcare-related digital resources to access information about their disease, including independent sources and ones recommended to them by the professional team treating them.

Half (51%) of respondents said they kept in contact through digital means with other patients they had met during treatment. Twelve percent contacted others or started new digital relationships with people they had never met in person.

However, most of the patients were still most likely to get information about their treatment from professionals in a face-to-face environment, such as when visiting their doctor.

“This is a reassuring and appropriate finding, as this is the conventional means by which teenage and young adult oncology care is delivered by the multidisciplinary team, whether the young people choose to engage or not,” Abrol said.

At the same time, many survey respondents expressed a desire for virtual online groups (54.3%), online counseling or psychological support (43.5%), and the ability to receive (66.3%) and share (48.9%) clinical information online.

Young adults (ages 19 to 24) were more interested than adolescents (ages 13 to 18) in online counseling options and preferred receiving clinical information online.

The researchers said this may reflect young adults’ greater independence, resilience, breadth of experience in the digital world, and confidence in discussing clinical matters online.

Abrol believes these preliminary results can help inform the development of local, national, and global services to teenagers and young adults with cancer to address their unmet needs.

“These digital support resources have the potential to improve patient experience and engagement for an important subsection of teenagers and young people treated for cancer,” Abrol said.

CE/CME No: CR-1709

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Earn credit by reading this article and successfully completing the posttest and evaluation. Successful completion is defined as a cumulative score of at least 70% correct.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
• Understand and identify the low- and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types that can lead to benign and malignant manifestations.
• Know the recommended age range and dosing schedule for individuals who can and should receive the vaccination.
• Recognize important barriers to HPV vaccination in the health care setting.
• Understand how to promote HPV vaccination to parents/caregivers and patients.
• Find resources and educational material from national organizations that recommend and support HPV vaccination.

FACULTY
Tyler Cole practices at Coastal Community Health Services in Brunswick, Georgia, and is a clinical instructor in the DNP-APRN program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Marie C. Thomas is a registered nurse on a surgical oncology unit at MUSC and will receive her DNP-FNP from MUSC in December 2017. Katlyn Straup practices at Roper St. Francis Healthcare and Southern Care Hospice in Charleston, South Carolina; she is also a clinical associate faculty member in the MUSC College of Nursing. Ashlyn Savage is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at MUSC College of Nursing and is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

This program has been reviewed and is approved for a maximum of 1.0 hour of American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Category 1 CME credit by the Physician Assistant Review Panel. [NPs: Both ANCC and the AANP Certification Program recognize AAPA as an approved provider of Category 1 credit.] Approval is valid through August 31, 2018.

Article begins on next page >>

Although human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a safe and effective means of preventing most HPV-related cancers, HPV vaccination rates lag well behind those of other vaccines recommended for children and adolescents. Understanding the barriers to HPV vaccine acceptance and effective strategies for overcoming them will improve vaccine uptake and completion in adolescents.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.^1,2 HPV causes approximately 30,700 new cancer cases in the US annually.³ It is the primary cause of cervical cancer, which resulted in more than 4,000 deaths in the US in 2016.⁴ HPV is also associated with some vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers and causes anogenital warts.³

Although HPV vaccines are available to protect against infection with the HPV types that lead to these sequelae, HPV vaccination rates remain low compared with other routinely administered vaccines.⁵ Reasons for these lower rates include vaccine cost, lack of patient and provider education, providers’ failure to recommend, stigmas related to sexual behavior, and misconceptions about the vaccine, such as concerns about harm.⁵ This article discusses these barriers to better educate providers about the HPV vaccine and encourage them to assist in increasing vaccination rates.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Approximately 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV, and 14 million new cases are reported each year.² In the US, the prevalence of HPV is highest among sexually active adolescents and young adults, especially those ages 20 to 24.² Of the more than 150 types of HPV that have been identified, 40 infect the genital area. HPV genital infections are mainly spread through sexual intercourse but can also be spread through oral-to-genital contact.²

The genital HPV types are categorized as low-risk and high-risk based on their association with cervical cancer.² High-risk types 16 and 18 are the most troublesome, accounting for 63% of all HPV-associated cancers, with HPV 16 posing the highest risk for cancer.³ High-risk types HPV 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 account for another 10% of these cancers.³ Low-risk types, such as HPV 6 and 11, can cause low-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions, and HPV 6 and 11 account for more than 90% of genital warts.²

Most HPV infections, whether with high- or low-risk types, do not cause symptoms and resolve spontaneously in about two years.² Persistent high-risk HPV infection is necessary for the development of cervical cancer precursor lesions—and therefore, once the infection has cleared, the risk for cancer ­declines.²

HPV VACCINES

Three HPV vaccines are licensed for use in the US: bivalent (Cervarix), quadrivalent (Gardasil), and 9-valent (Gardasil 9) vaccines (see Table 1).^2,6,7 The bivalent, Cervarix, has recently been removed from the US market due to a decrease in product demand.^6,8

To ensure optimal protection, the vaccines must be administered in a series of scheduled doses over six to 12 months. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently updated their recommendations to include a two- or three-dose series based on age (see Table 2).⁷

HPV vaccines are recommended for males and females between the ages of 9 and 26 years, but the ACIP and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) strongly promote a targeted age range for vaccination between 11 and 12 years for both genders.^6,7 Earlier vaccination is preferred because clinical data show a more rapid antibody response at a younger age, and because the vaccines are more effective if administered before an individual is exposed to or infected with HPV (ie, before the start of sexual activity).^6,7

LOW VACCINATION RATES

HPV vaccination rates in the US are significantly lower than rates for other regularly administered vaccines; furthermore, they do not meet the Healthy People 2020 national goal of 80% for all vaccines.⁹ Immunization rates for most childhood vaccines range from 80% to 90%, but in 2015 only 28.1% of males and 41.9% of females ages 13 to 17 had completed the entire HPV vaccine series.^9-11

The total HPV vaccination rates for male and female adolescents combined were 56.1% for one dose or more, 45.4% for two or more doses, and 34.9% for all three doses.⁹ In comparison, coverage rates for the meningococcal and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) immunizations, also recommended at the same age range as the HPV vaccine, were 81.3% and 86.4%, respectively.⁹

In addition to variation by gender and age, factors such as race, insurance coverage, and socioeconomic status influence vaccination rates.¹¹ For the HPV vaccine specifically, Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, and American Indian/Alaska Native adolescents have higher rates of receiving each of the vaccine doses and higher rates of completing the vaccine series, compared to non-Hispanic white adolescents.⁹ Adolescents with Medicaid insurance and those living below the federal poverty level have better HPV vaccination coverage compared with adolescents with commercial insurance plans or those living at or above the poverty level.^9,11

The HPV vaccine series completion rates in 2015 for males and females ages 13 to 17 living below the poverty level were 31.0% and 44.4%, respectively, compared to 27.4% and 41.3% for those living at or above the poverty level.⁹ One reason for increased rates among those living in lower-income households may be their eligibility for vaccinations at no cost through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, a federal program that provides vaccines to children who might otherwise forgo vaccination because of inability to pay.⁹

BARRIERS TO VACCINATION

Impediments that prevent adolescents and young adults from receiving the HPV vaccine exist throughout the vaccination process, with providers, parents, and the medical system itself contributing to low rates. Barriers to vaccination include fear and misconceptions, costs and socioeconomic status, lack of understanding and education, and logistic obstacles to completing the full series.⁵ Understanding these barriers, as well as discussing methods to overcome them, is key to increasing HPV vaccination rates and preventing the spread of this cancer-causing infection.

Health care provider barriers

Even though accredited national institutions and committees such as the CDC, ACIP, and ACOG strongly recommend vaccination based on current evidence, some health care providers still do not recommend the HPV vaccine to parents and patients.^2,6,7,11 Lack of provider recommendation and the resulting lack of parental awareness of the vaccine account for many adolescents not receiving the vaccination.^10,12

Providers do not recommend the vaccine for a number of reasons. Some have limited knowledge or conflicting ideas about the specific disease protection of the HPV vaccine, while others are hesitant to administer the vaccine before the onset of sexual activity, because they feel the suggested age for vaccination (11 to 12 years) is too young.^10,11 Still other providers report difficulty approaching parents who they perceive as having concerns about the vaccine’s association with a sexually transmitted infection or believing that it might promote sexual activity.¹⁰

Some professionals simply claim that they forget to address the HPV vaccine at health visits, or that they propose it as optional and up to the parent’s discretion.^5,10 Many providers do recommend and administer the initial dose of the vaccine, but have difficulties ensuring that patients complete the full multidose series.¹³ Evidence has shown that a strong provider recommen­dation is one of the most important incentives for parents and patients to accept ­vaccination.¹⁴

Parental and caregiver barriers

Lack of knowledge about the HPV vaccine and lack of recommendation from providers are two top reasons parents and caregivers cite for not vaccinating their children.^5,10,14,15 In a national survey, almost all parents whose daughters completed the full vaccination series reported being counseled by their provider on the appropriate age for vaccination and the timeline of the series.¹⁴

Fears and apprehensions about side effects, especially with newer vaccines, can prevent some parents from having their children vaccinated.¹⁵ Although there is some stigma related to the vaccine’s association with the sexually transmitted HPV, this is a much less significant barrier than lack of provider recommendation or knowledge about the vaccine.^5,11

Health care system barriers

Both providers and parents agree that system-level issues such as access, follow-up, and cost are barriers to initiating or completing the vaccination series.^11,13 Many adolescents have few opportunities to receive the vaccine because they do not have a primary care provider.¹¹ For those with access to primary care, visits are often problem-focused and frequently do not include a review of immunization history.¹³ Health care professionals also report challenges with scheduling follow-up visits for the second and third doses to complete the series within the recommended timeframe.¹³

Cost, insurance coverage, and reimbursement pose additional hurdles for both providers and patients, with some providers citing concerns about the cost of stocking the vaccine.¹⁶ Providers, both family practice providers and gynecologists, agree that reimbursement for administering the HPV vaccine in office poses a barrier when recommending the vaccine to patients.¹⁷ Lack of insurance coverage and type of insurance also pose barriers, with Medicaid patients more often completing the full series compared to those with private or no insurance, because Medicaid covers the cost of vaccination for men up to age 19.^9,18 A national survey of males ages 9 to 17 found that the percentage of HPV vaccine initiation was double for those with public insurance compared to those with private insurance.¹⁹ Changes at the system-level, such as participation in the VFC program, in coordination with better provider recommendation should help increase HPV vaccination rates.^9,11

STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE ­VACCINATION RATES

Many strategies for increasing HPV vaccination acceptance, decreasing barriers to access, and improving compliance with vaccine completion have been reported in the literature, with some strategies achieving more success than others. This section discusses interventions and strategies designed to help overcome provider-, parent-, and system-related barriers that have been shown to be effective (see Table 3).

Evidence supports a number of provider-level strategies to increase HPV vaccination rates (see Table 3). An improvement in vaccination acceptance was observed when providers promoted the vaccine as a safe, effective way to prevent cancer, rather than as a means to prevent a sexually transmitted infection.^10,11,20

Some primary care providers found that encouraging the HPV vaccine at the same time as the meningococcal and Tdap vaccinations, which are also recommended at age 11 to 12 years, increased vaccination rates as well.^13,20 Another successful strategy is reviewing vaccination history at every visit, whether the visit is for an acute event or an annual well exam.^10,13,20 These tactics are most useful when providers practice them consistently, which may require them to change or adapt their way of practice.

Provider-based trainings that educate and prepare them to consistently recommend the vaccine have demonstrated success in increasing HPV vaccination uptake.^21,22 The CDC’s Assessment/Feedback/Incentive/eXchange (AFIX) quality improvement program to increase vaccination rates, which includes Web-based or in-­person consults, has been shown to increase HPV vaccination rates.^20-23 The Assessment phase of the AFIX program determines a practice’s current immunization practices and rates, while the Feedback portion provides strategies for increasing vaccination rates.²³ A study by Perkins and colleagues utilized AFIX strategies, specifically for the HPV vaccine, such as focusing provider education on HPV-related cancers and vaccine efficacy, as well as preparing providers to discuss and answer questions through basic motivational interviewing tactics.²⁰

The CDC also offers PowerPoint presentations, flyers, posters, videos, and other informational resources to guide and educate providers, parents, and patients about the HPV vaccine.²⁴ Educational resources, such as pamphlets, flyers, or fact sheets given to parents and patients, have been shown to improve intent to vaccinate as well as awareness of the vaccine.^25-27

Although Fu and colleagues in a systematic review concluded that there was insufficient data to support a specific educational intervention for widespread use, the authors did recommend utilizing educational pieces and adapting them to specific populations.²⁵ These simple interventions help increase awareness and can be implemented with other interventions in health care offices by providers and other staff.

System-level interventions

The use of systems that track patients for necessary vaccines and remind providers, parents, and patients about vaccine appointments have increased vaccination rates.^13,28 Facility-based interventions, such as electronic medical records (EMR) that track patients for scheduled vaccines and remind providers when patients are due for vaccinations, will help increase provider recommendations and completion of the entire vaccination series.¹³

The National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) suggests that provider offices implement reminder-recall systems and provide educational material for parents and patients to increase vaccination rates.²⁹ One specific study using both educational material and text-message reminders for parents found that these interventions significantly increased vaccination rates.³⁰ Health care facilities could also incorporate reminder letters mailed to patients and parents to promote vaccine initiation and completion.³¹ The evidence supports the use of reminder alerts and EMR tracking systems to increase rates, but more research is warranted to determine the most cost-effective approach.

National programs, committees, and organizations have provided recommendations for overcoming system-related barriers to HPV vaccination, such as access and cost.^29,32 The NVAC recommends incorporating alternative venues for vaccination delivery, such as pharmacies, schools, and health clinics, to increase availability to the adolescent population, especially to those who do not have primary care providers.²⁹ One study that addressed parental opinions of vaccination administration in schools found that the majority of parents were in favor of this type of program.³³ Although these recommendations seem promising and are accepted by parents, logistical barriers such as reimbursement to the pharmacies, schools, and clinics and accurate documentation of the doses received need to be addressed.²⁹ The NVAC recommends continued evaluation and efforts to develop these programs in the future.²⁹

In addition to school-based interventions, providing home visits for vaccination and implementing standing orders are other suggestions to overcome access and cost barriers for vaccinations, including HPV.³² Standing orders allow for individuals to receive a vaccine by a health care professional in an approved institution, where allowed by state law.³² This provides easier access to vaccinations, especially for those who do not see a primary care provider.

Although some of the system-level interventions mentioned in this article are outside the realm of what providers can do in the office, understanding and advocating for these advancements will promote vaccine uptake.

CONCLUSION

Lack of provider recommendation, coupled with poor or no parental knowledge about the HPV vaccine, are significant factors affecting vaccination uptake. Evidence supports the use of multifaceted interventions that promote and support provider recommendation and parent/patient education. Studies of interventions that incorporated educational resources and alert systems for both providers and patients or their caregivers have shown these strategies to be effective in increasing vaccination uptake and completion.

In addition to recommending the HPV vaccine, providers must educate parents/caregivers and patients about it, particularly by presenting the vaccine as a means of cancer prevention. Primary care facilities should implement reminder plans and provide educational literature to promote vaccine uptake. Although the interventions highlighted here have increased HPV vaccination rates, further research is warranted to evaluate more effective strategies for overcoming barriers and to determine which strategies are most cost-effective.

CE/CME No: CR-1709

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Earn credit by reading this article and successfully completing the posttest and evaluation. Successful completion is defined as a cumulative score of at least 70% correct.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
• Understand and identify the low- and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types that can lead to benign and malignant manifestations.
• Know the recommended age range and dosing schedule for individuals who can and should receive the vaccination.
• Recognize important barriers to HPV vaccination in the health care setting.
• Understand how to promote HPV vaccination to parents/caregivers and patients.
• Find resources and educational material from national organizations that recommend and support HPV vaccination.

FACULTY
Tyler Cole practices at Coastal Community Health Services in Brunswick, Georgia, and is a clinical instructor in the DNP-APRN program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Marie C. Thomas is a registered nurse on a surgical oncology unit at MUSC and will receive her DNP-FNP from MUSC in December 2017. Katlyn Straup practices at Roper St. Francis Healthcare and Southern Care Hospice in Charleston, South Carolina; she is also a clinical associate faculty member in the MUSC College of Nursing. Ashlyn Savage is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at MUSC College of Nursing and is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

This program has been reviewed and is approved for a maximum of 1.0 hour of American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Category 1 CME credit by the Physician Assistant Review Panel. [NPs: Both ANCC and the AANP Certification Program recognize AAPA as an approved provider of Category 1 credit.] Approval is valid through August 31, 2018.

Article begins on next page >>

Although human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a safe and effective means of preventing most HPV-related cancers, HPV vaccination rates lag well behind those of other vaccines recommended for children and adolescents. Understanding the barriers to HPV vaccine acceptance and effective strategies for overcoming them will improve vaccine uptake and completion in adolescents.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.^1,2 HPV causes approximately 30,700 new cancer cases in the US annually.³ It is the primary cause of cervical cancer, which resulted in more than 4,000 deaths in the US in 2016.⁴ HPV is also associated with some vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers and causes anogenital warts.³

Although HPV vaccines are available to protect against infection with the HPV types that lead to these sequelae, HPV vaccination rates remain low compared with other routinely administered vaccines.⁵ Reasons for these lower rates include vaccine cost, lack of patient and provider education, providers’ failure to recommend, stigmas related to sexual behavior, and misconceptions about the vaccine, such as concerns about harm.⁵ This article discusses these barriers to better educate providers about the HPV vaccine and encourage them to assist in increasing vaccination rates.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Approximately 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV, and 14 million new cases are reported each year.² In the US, the prevalence of HPV is highest among sexually active adolescents and young adults, especially those ages 20 to 24.² Of the more than 150 types of HPV that have been identified, 40 infect the genital area. HPV genital infections are mainly spread through sexual intercourse but can also be spread through oral-to-genital contact.²

The genital HPV types are categorized as low-risk and high-risk based on their association with cervical cancer.² High-risk types 16 and 18 are the most troublesome, accounting for 63% of all HPV-associated cancers, with HPV 16 posing the highest risk for cancer.³ High-risk types HPV 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 account for another 10% of these cancers.³ Low-risk types, such as HPV 6 and 11, can cause low-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions, and HPV 6 and 11 account for more than 90% of genital warts.²

Most HPV infections, whether with high- or low-risk types, do not cause symptoms and resolve spontaneously in about two years.² Persistent high-risk HPV infection is necessary for the development of cervical cancer precursor lesions—and therefore, once the infection has cleared, the risk for cancer ­declines.²

HPV VACCINES

Three HPV vaccines are licensed for use in the US: bivalent (Cervarix), quadrivalent (Gardasil), and 9-valent (Gardasil 9) vaccines (see Table 1).^2,6,7 The bivalent, Cervarix, has recently been removed from the US market due to a decrease in product demand.^6,8

To ensure optimal protection, the vaccines must be administered in a series of scheduled doses over six to 12 months. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently updated their recommendations to include a two- or three-dose series based on age (see Table 2).⁷

HPV vaccines are recommended for males and females between the ages of 9 and 26 years, but the ACIP and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) strongly promote a targeted age range for vaccination between 11 and 12 years for both genders.^6,7 Earlier vaccination is preferred because clinical data show a more rapid antibody response at a younger age, and because the vaccines are more effective if administered before an individual is exposed to or infected with HPV (ie, before the start of sexual activity).^6,7

LOW VACCINATION RATES

HPV vaccination rates in the US are significantly lower than rates for other regularly administered vaccines; furthermore, they do not meet the Healthy People 2020 national goal of 80% for all vaccines.⁹ Immunization rates for most childhood vaccines range from 80% to 90%, but in 2015 only 28.1% of males and 41.9% of females ages 13 to 17 had completed the entire HPV vaccine series.^9-11

The total HPV vaccination rates for male and female adolescents combined were 56.1% for one dose or more, 45.4% for two or more doses, and 34.9% for all three doses.⁹ In comparison, coverage rates for the meningococcal and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) immunizations, also recommended at the same age range as the HPV vaccine, were 81.3% and 86.4%, respectively.⁹

In addition to variation by gender and age, factors such as race, insurance coverage, and socioeconomic status influence vaccination rates.¹¹ For the HPV vaccine specifically, Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, and American Indian/Alaska Native adolescents have higher rates of receiving each of the vaccine doses and higher rates of completing the vaccine series, compared to non-Hispanic white adolescents.⁹ Adolescents with Medicaid insurance and those living below the federal poverty level have better HPV vaccination coverage compared with adolescents with commercial insurance plans or those living at or above the poverty level.^9,11

The HPV vaccine series completion rates in 2015 for males and females ages 13 to 17 living below the poverty level were 31.0% and 44.4%, respectively, compared to 27.4% and 41.3% for those living at or above the poverty level.⁹ One reason for increased rates among those living in lower-income households may be their eligibility for vaccinations at no cost through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, a federal program that provides vaccines to children who might otherwise forgo vaccination because of inability to pay.⁹

BARRIERS TO VACCINATION

Impediments that prevent adolescents and young adults from receiving the HPV vaccine exist throughout the vaccination process, with providers, parents, and the medical system itself contributing to low rates. Barriers to vaccination include fear and misconceptions, costs and socioeconomic status, lack of understanding and education, and logistic obstacles to completing the full series.⁵ Understanding these barriers, as well as discussing methods to overcome them, is key to increasing HPV vaccination rates and preventing the spread of this cancer-causing infection.

Health care provider barriers

Even though accredited national institutions and committees such as the CDC, ACIP, and ACOG strongly recommend vaccination based on current evidence, some health care providers still do not recommend the HPV vaccine to parents and patients.^2,6,7,11 Lack of provider recommendation and the resulting lack of parental awareness of the vaccine account for many adolescents not receiving the vaccination.^10,12

Providers do not recommend the vaccine for a number of reasons. Some have limited knowledge or conflicting ideas about the specific disease protection of the HPV vaccine, while others are hesitant to administer the vaccine before the onset of sexual activity, because they feel the suggested age for vaccination (11 to 12 years) is too young.^10,11 Still other providers report difficulty approaching parents who they perceive as having concerns about the vaccine’s association with a sexually transmitted infection or believing that it might promote sexual activity.¹⁰

Some professionals simply claim that they forget to address the HPV vaccine at health visits, or that they propose it as optional and up to the parent’s discretion.^5,10 Many providers do recommend and administer the initial dose of the vaccine, but have difficulties ensuring that patients complete the full multidose series.¹³ Evidence has shown that a strong provider recommen­dation is one of the most important incentives for parents and patients to accept ­vaccination.¹⁴

Parental and caregiver barriers

Lack of knowledge about the HPV vaccine and lack of recommendation from providers are two top reasons parents and caregivers cite for not vaccinating their children.^5,10,14,15 In a national survey, almost all parents whose daughters completed the full vaccination series reported being counseled by their provider on the appropriate age for vaccination and the timeline of the series.¹⁴

Fears and apprehensions about side effects, especially with newer vaccines, can prevent some parents from having their children vaccinated.¹⁵ Although there is some stigma related to the vaccine’s association with the sexually transmitted HPV, this is a much less significant barrier than lack of provider recommendation or knowledge about the vaccine.^5,11

Health care system barriers

Both providers and parents agree that system-level issues such as access, follow-up, and cost are barriers to initiating or completing the vaccination series.^11,13 Many adolescents have few opportunities to receive the vaccine because they do not have a primary care provider.¹¹ For those with access to primary care, visits are often problem-focused and frequently do not include a review of immunization history.¹³ Health care professionals also report challenges with scheduling follow-up visits for the second and third doses to complete the series within the recommended timeframe.¹³

Cost, insurance coverage, and reimbursement pose additional hurdles for both providers and patients, with some providers citing concerns about the cost of stocking the vaccine.¹⁶ Providers, both family practice providers and gynecologists, agree that reimbursement for administering the HPV vaccine in office poses a barrier when recommending the vaccine to patients.¹⁷ Lack of insurance coverage and type of insurance also pose barriers, with Medicaid patients more often completing the full series compared to those with private or no insurance, because Medicaid covers the cost of vaccination for men up to age 19.^9,18 A national survey of males ages 9 to 17 found that the percentage of HPV vaccine initiation was double for those with public insurance compared to those with private insurance.¹⁹ Changes at the system-level, such as participation in the VFC program, in coordination with better provider recommendation should help increase HPV vaccination rates.^9,11

STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE ­VACCINATION RATES

Many strategies for increasing HPV vaccination acceptance, decreasing barriers to access, and improving compliance with vaccine completion have been reported in the literature, with some strategies achieving more success than others. This section discusses interventions and strategies designed to help overcome provider-, parent-, and system-related barriers that have been shown to be effective (see Table 3).

Evidence supports a number of provider-level strategies to increase HPV vaccination rates (see Table 3). An improvement in vaccination acceptance was observed when providers promoted the vaccine as a safe, effective way to prevent cancer, rather than as a means to prevent a sexually transmitted infection.^10,11,20

Some primary care providers found that encouraging the HPV vaccine at the same time as the meningococcal and Tdap vaccinations, which are also recommended at age 11 to 12 years, increased vaccination rates as well.^13,20 Another successful strategy is reviewing vaccination history at every visit, whether the visit is for an acute event or an annual well exam.^10,13,20 These tactics are most useful when providers practice them consistently, which may require them to change or adapt their way of practice.

Provider-based trainings that educate and prepare them to consistently recommend the vaccine have demonstrated success in increasing HPV vaccination uptake.^21,22 The CDC’s Assessment/Feedback/Incentive/eXchange (AFIX) quality improvement program to increase vaccination rates, which includes Web-based or in-­person consults, has been shown to increase HPV vaccination rates.^20-23 The Assessment phase of the AFIX program determines a practice’s current immunization practices and rates, while the Feedback portion provides strategies for increasing vaccination rates.²³ A study by Perkins and colleagues utilized AFIX strategies, specifically for the HPV vaccine, such as focusing provider education on HPV-related cancers and vaccine efficacy, as well as preparing providers to discuss and answer questions through basic motivational interviewing tactics.²⁰

The CDC also offers PowerPoint presentations, flyers, posters, videos, and other informational resources to guide and educate providers, parents, and patients about the HPV vaccine.²⁴ Educational resources, such as pamphlets, flyers, or fact sheets given to parents and patients, have been shown to improve intent to vaccinate as well as awareness of the vaccine.^25-27

Although Fu and colleagues in a systematic review concluded that there was insufficient data to support a specific educational intervention for widespread use, the authors did recommend utilizing educational pieces and adapting them to specific populations.²⁵ These simple interventions help increase awareness and can be implemented with other interventions in health care offices by providers and other staff.

System-level interventions

The use of systems that track patients for necessary vaccines and remind providers, parents, and patients about vaccine appointments have increased vaccination rates.^13,28 Facility-based interventions, such as electronic medical records (EMR) that track patients for scheduled vaccines and remind providers when patients are due for vaccinations, will help increase provider recommendations and completion of the entire vaccination series.¹³

The National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) suggests that provider offices implement reminder-recall systems and provide educational material for parents and patients to increase vaccination rates.²⁹ One specific study using both educational material and text-message reminders for parents found that these interventions significantly increased vaccination rates.³⁰ Health care facilities could also incorporate reminder letters mailed to patients and parents to promote vaccine initiation and completion.³¹ The evidence supports the use of reminder alerts and EMR tracking systems to increase rates, but more research is warranted to determine the most cost-effective approach.

National programs, committees, and organizations have provided recommendations for overcoming system-related barriers to HPV vaccination, such as access and cost.^29,32 The NVAC recommends incorporating alternative venues for vaccination delivery, such as pharmacies, schools, and health clinics, to increase availability to the adolescent population, especially to those who do not have primary care providers.²⁹ One study that addressed parental opinions of vaccination administration in schools found that the majority of parents were in favor of this type of program.³³ Although these recommendations seem promising and are accepted by parents, logistical barriers such as reimbursement to the pharmacies, schools, and clinics and accurate documentation of the doses received need to be addressed.²⁹ The NVAC recommends continued evaluation and efforts to develop these programs in the future.²⁹

In addition to school-based interventions, providing home visits for vaccination and implementing standing orders are other suggestions to overcome access and cost barriers for vaccinations, including HPV.³² Standing orders allow for individuals to receive a vaccine by a health care professional in an approved institution, where allowed by state law.³² This provides easier access to vaccinations, especially for those who do not see a primary care provider.

Although some of the system-level interventions mentioned in this article are outside the realm of what providers can do in the office, understanding and advocating for these advancements will promote vaccine uptake.

CONCLUSION

Lack of provider recommendation, coupled with poor or no parental knowledge about the HPV vaccine, are significant factors affecting vaccination uptake. Evidence supports the use of multifaceted interventions that promote and support provider recommendation and parent/patient education. Studies of interventions that incorporated educational resources and alert systems for both providers and patients or their caregivers have shown these strategies to be effective in increasing vaccination uptake and completion.

In addition to recommending the HPV vaccine, providers must educate parents/caregivers and patients about it, particularly by presenting the vaccine as a means of cancer prevention. Primary care facilities should implement reminder plans and provide educational literature to promote vaccine uptake. Although the interventions highlighted here have increased HPV vaccination rates, further research is warranted to evaluate more effective strategies for overcoming barriers and to determine which strategies are most cost-effective.

CE/CME No: CR-1709

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Earn credit by reading this article and successfully completing the posttest and evaluation. Successful completion is defined as a cumulative score of at least 70% correct.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
• Understand and identify the low- and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types that can lead to benign and malignant manifestations.
• Know the recommended age range and dosing schedule for individuals who can and should receive the vaccination.
• Recognize important barriers to HPV vaccination in the health care setting.
• Understand how to promote HPV vaccination to parents/caregivers and patients.
• Find resources and educational material from national organizations that recommend and support HPV vaccination.

FACULTY
Tyler Cole practices at Coastal Community Health Services in Brunswick, Georgia, and is a clinical instructor in the DNP-APRN program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Marie C. Thomas is a registered nurse on a surgical oncology unit at MUSC and will receive her DNP-FNP from MUSC in December 2017. Katlyn Straup practices at Roper St. Francis Healthcare and Southern Care Hospice in Charleston, South Carolina; she is also a clinical associate faculty member in the MUSC College of Nursing. Ashlyn Savage is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at MUSC College of Nursing and is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

This program has been reviewed and is approved for a maximum of 1.0 hour of American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Category 1 CME credit by the Physician Assistant Review Panel. [NPs: Both ANCC and the AANP Certification Program recognize AAPA as an approved provider of Category 1 credit.] Approval is valid through August 31, 2018.

Article begins on next page >>

Although human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a safe and effective means of preventing most HPV-related cancers, HPV vaccination rates lag well behind those of other vaccines recommended for children and adolescents. Understanding the barriers to HPV vaccine acceptance and effective strategies for overcoming them will improve vaccine uptake and completion in adolescents.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.^1,2 HPV causes approximately 30,700 new cancer cases in the US annually.³ It is the primary cause of cervical cancer, which resulted in more than 4,000 deaths in the US in 2016.⁴ HPV is also associated with some vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers and causes anogenital warts.³

Although HPV vaccines are available to protect against infection with the HPV types that lead to these sequelae, HPV vaccination rates remain low compared with other routinely administered vaccines.⁵ Reasons for these lower rates include vaccine cost, lack of patient and provider education, providers’ failure to recommend, stigmas related to sexual behavior, and misconceptions about the vaccine, such as concerns about harm.⁵ This article discusses these barriers to better educate providers about the HPV vaccine and encourage them to assist in increasing vaccination rates.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Approximately 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV, and 14 million new cases are reported each year.² In the US, the prevalence of HPV is highest among sexually active adolescents and young adults, especially those ages 20 to 24.² Of the more than 150 types of HPV that have been identified, 40 infect the genital area. HPV genital infections are mainly spread through sexual intercourse but can also be spread through oral-to-genital contact.²

The genital HPV types are categorized as low-risk and high-risk based on their association with cervical cancer.² High-risk types 16 and 18 are the most troublesome, accounting for 63% of all HPV-associated cancers, with HPV 16 posing the highest risk for cancer.³ High-risk types HPV 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 account for another 10% of these cancers.³ Low-risk types, such as HPV 6 and 11, can cause low-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions, and HPV 6 and 11 account for more than 90% of genital warts.²

Most HPV infections, whether with high- or low-risk types, do not cause symptoms and resolve spontaneously in about two years.² Persistent high-risk HPV infection is necessary for the development of cervical cancer precursor lesions—and therefore, once the infection has cleared, the risk for cancer ­declines.²

HPV VACCINES

Three HPV vaccines are licensed for use in the US: bivalent (Cervarix), quadrivalent (Gardasil), and 9-valent (Gardasil 9) vaccines (see Table 1).^2,6,7 The bivalent, Cervarix, has recently been removed from the US market due to a decrease in product demand.^6,8

To ensure optimal protection, the vaccines must be administered in a series of scheduled doses over six to 12 months. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently updated their recommendations to include a two- or three-dose series based on age (see Table 2).⁷

HPV vaccines are recommended for males and females between the ages of 9 and 26 years, but the ACIP and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) strongly promote a targeted age range for vaccination between 11 and 12 years for both genders.^6,7 Earlier vaccination is preferred because clinical data show a more rapid antibody response at a younger age, and because the vaccines are more effective if administered before an individual is exposed to or infected with HPV (ie, before the start of sexual activity).^6,7

LOW VACCINATION RATES

HPV vaccination rates in the US are significantly lower than rates for other regularly administered vaccines; furthermore, they do not meet the Healthy People 2020 national goal of 80% for all vaccines.⁹ Immunization rates for most childhood vaccines range from 80% to 90%, but in 2015 only 28.1% of males and 41.9% of females ages 13 to 17 had completed the entire HPV vaccine series.^9-11

The total HPV vaccination rates for male and female adolescents combined were 56.1% for one dose or more, 45.4% for two or more doses, and 34.9% for all three doses.⁹ In comparison, coverage rates for the meningococcal and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) immunizations, also recommended at the same age range as the HPV vaccine, were 81.3% and 86.4%, respectively.⁹

In addition to variation by gender and age, factors such as race, insurance coverage, and socioeconomic status influence vaccination rates.¹¹ For the HPV vaccine specifically, Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, and American Indian/Alaska Native adolescents have higher rates of receiving each of the vaccine doses and higher rates of completing the vaccine series, compared to non-Hispanic white adolescents.⁹ Adolescents with Medicaid insurance and those living below the federal poverty level have better HPV vaccination coverage compared with adolescents with commercial insurance plans or those living at or above the poverty level.^9,11

The HPV vaccine series completion rates in 2015 for males and females ages 13 to 17 living below the poverty level were 31.0% and 44.4%, respectively, compared to 27.4% and 41.3% for those living at or above the poverty level.⁹ One reason for increased rates among those living in lower-income households may be their eligibility for vaccinations at no cost through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, a federal program that provides vaccines to children who might otherwise forgo vaccination because of inability to pay.⁹

BARRIERS TO VACCINATION

Impediments that prevent adolescents and young adults from receiving the HPV vaccine exist throughout the vaccination process, with providers, parents, and the medical system itself contributing to low rates. Barriers to vaccination include fear and misconceptions, costs and socioeconomic status, lack of understanding and education, and logistic obstacles to completing the full series.⁵ Understanding these barriers, as well as discussing methods to overcome them, is key to increasing HPV vaccination rates and preventing the spread of this cancer-causing infection.

Health care provider barriers

Even though accredited national institutions and committees such as the CDC, ACIP, and ACOG strongly recommend vaccination based on current evidence, some health care providers still do not recommend the HPV vaccine to parents and patients.^2,6,7,11 Lack of provider recommendation and the resulting lack of parental awareness of the vaccine account for many adolescents not receiving the vaccination.^10,12

Providers do not recommend the vaccine for a number of reasons. Some have limited knowledge or conflicting ideas about the specific disease protection of the HPV vaccine, while others are hesitant to administer the vaccine before the onset of sexual activity, because they feel the suggested age for vaccination (11 to 12 years) is too young.^10,11 Still other providers report difficulty approaching parents who they perceive as having concerns about the vaccine’s association with a sexually transmitted infection or believing that it might promote sexual activity.¹⁰

Some professionals simply claim that they forget to address the HPV vaccine at health visits, or that they propose it as optional and up to the parent’s discretion.^5,10 Many providers do recommend and administer the initial dose of the vaccine, but have difficulties ensuring that patients complete the full multidose series.¹³ Evidence has shown that a strong provider recommen­dation is one of the most important incentives for parents and patients to accept ­vaccination.¹⁴

Parental and caregiver barriers

Lack of knowledge about the HPV vaccine and lack of recommendation from providers are two top reasons parents and caregivers cite for not vaccinating their children.^5,10,14,15 In a national survey, almost all parents whose daughters completed the full vaccination series reported being counseled by their provider on the appropriate age for vaccination and the timeline of the series.¹⁴

Fears and apprehensions about side effects, especially with newer vaccines, can prevent some parents from having their children vaccinated.¹⁵ Although there is some stigma related to the vaccine’s association with the sexually transmitted HPV, this is a much less significant barrier than lack of provider recommendation or knowledge about the vaccine.^5,11

Health care system barriers

Both providers and parents agree that system-level issues such as access, follow-up, and cost are barriers to initiating or completing the vaccination series.^11,13 Many adolescents have few opportunities to receive the vaccine because they do not have a primary care provider.¹¹ For those with access to primary care, visits are often problem-focused and frequently do not include a review of immunization history.¹³ Health care professionals also report challenges with scheduling follow-up visits for the second and third doses to complete the series within the recommended timeframe.¹³

Cost, insurance coverage, and reimbursement pose additional hurdles for both providers and patients, with some providers citing concerns about the cost of stocking the vaccine.¹⁶ Providers, both family practice providers and gynecologists, agree that reimbursement for administering the HPV vaccine in office poses a barrier when recommending the vaccine to patients.¹⁷ Lack of insurance coverage and type of insurance also pose barriers, with Medicaid patients more often completing the full series compared to those with private or no insurance, because Medicaid covers the cost of vaccination for men up to age 19.^9,18 A national survey of males ages 9 to 17 found that the percentage of HPV vaccine initiation was double for those with public insurance compared to those with private insurance.¹⁹ Changes at the system-level, such as participation in the VFC program, in coordination with better provider recommendation should help increase HPV vaccination rates.^9,11

STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE ­VACCINATION RATES

Many strategies for increasing HPV vaccination acceptance, decreasing barriers to access, and improving compliance with vaccine completion have been reported in the literature, with some strategies achieving more success than others. This section discusses interventions and strategies designed to help overcome provider-, parent-, and system-related barriers that have been shown to be effective (see Table 3).

Evidence supports a number of provider-level strategies to increase HPV vaccination rates (see Table 3). An improvement in vaccination acceptance was observed when providers promoted the vaccine as a safe, effective way to prevent cancer, rather than as a means to prevent a sexually transmitted infection.^10,11,20

Some primary care providers found that encouraging the HPV vaccine at the same time as the meningococcal and Tdap vaccinations, which are also recommended at age 11 to 12 years, increased vaccination rates as well.^13,20 Another successful strategy is reviewing vaccination history at every visit, whether the visit is for an acute event or an annual well exam.^10,13,20 These tactics are most useful when providers practice them consistently, which may require them to change or adapt their way of practice.

Provider-based trainings that educate and prepare them to consistently recommend the vaccine have demonstrated success in increasing HPV vaccination uptake.^21,22 The CDC’s Assessment/Feedback/Incentive/eXchange (AFIX) quality improvement program to increase vaccination rates, which includes Web-based or in-­person consults, has been shown to increase HPV vaccination rates.^20-23 The Assessment phase of the AFIX program determines a practice’s current immunization practices and rates, while the Feedback portion provides strategies for increasing vaccination rates.²³ A study by Perkins and colleagues utilized AFIX strategies, specifically for the HPV vaccine, such as focusing provider education on HPV-related cancers and vaccine efficacy, as well as preparing providers to discuss and answer questions through basic motivational interviewing tactics.²⁰

The CDC also offers PowerPoint presentations, flyers, posters, videos, and other informational resources to guide and educate providers, parents, and patients about the HPV vaccine.²⁴ Educational resources, such as pamphlets, flyers, or fact sheets given to parents and patients, have been shown to improve intent to vaccinate as well as awareness of the vaccine.^25-27

Although Fu and colleagues in a systematic review concluded that there was insufficient data to support a specific educational intervention for widespread use, the authors did recommend utilizing educational pieces and adapting them to specific populations.²⁵ These simple interventions help increase awareness and can be implemented with other interventions in health care offices by providers and other staff.

System-level interventions

The use of systems that track patients for necessary vaccines and remind providers, parents, and patients about vaccine appointments have increased vaccination rates.^13,28 Facility-based interventions, such as electronic medical records (EMR) that track patients for scheduled vaccines and remind providers when patients are due for vaccinations, will help increase provider recommendations and completion of the entire vaccination series.¹³

The National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) suggests that provider offices implement reminder-recall systems and provide educational material for parents and patients to increase vaccination rates.²⁹ One specific study using both educational material and text-message reminders for parents found that these interventions significantly increased vaccination rates.³⁰ Health care facilities could also incorporate reminder letters mailed to patients and parents to promote vaccine initiation and completion.³¹ The evidence supports the use of reminder alerts and EMR tracking systems to increase rates, but more research is warranted to determine the most cost-effective approach.

National programs, committees, and organizations have provided recommendations for overcoming system-related barriers to HPV vaccination, such as access and cost.^29,32 The NVAC recommends incorporating alternative venues for vaccination delivery, such as pharmacies, schools, and health clinics, to increase availability to the adolescent population, especially to those who do not have primary care providers.²⁹ One study that addressed parental opinions of vaccination administration in schools found that the majority of parents were in favor of this type of program.³³ Although these recommendations seem promising and are accepted by parents, logistical barriers such as reimbursement to the pharmacies, schools, and clinics and accurate documentation of the doses received need to be addressed.²⁹ The NVAC recommends continued evaluation and efforts to develop these programs in the future.²⁹

In addition to school-based interventions, providing home visits for vaccination and implementing standing orders are other suggestions to overcome access and cost barriers for vaccinations, including HPV.³² Standing orders allow for individuals to receive a vaccine by a health care professional in an approved institution, where allowed by state law.³² This provides easier access to vaccinations, especially for those who do not see a primary care provider.

Although some of the system-level interventions mentioned in this article are outside the realm of what providers can do in the office, understanding and advocating for these advancements will promote vaccine uptake.

CONCLUSION

Lack of provider recommendation, coupled with poor or no parental knowledge about the HPV vaccine, are significant factors affecting vaccination uptake. Evidence supports the use of multifaceted interventions that promote and support provider recommendation and parent/patient education. Studies of interventions that incorporated educational resources and alert systems for both providers and patients or their caregivers have shown these strategies to be effective in increasing vaccination uptake and completion.

In addition to recommending the HPV vaccine, providers must educate parents/caregivers and patients about it, particularly by presenting the vaccine as a means of cancer prevention. Primary care facilities should implement reminder plans and provide educational literature to promote vaccine uptake. Although the interventions highlighted here have increased HPV vaccination rates, further research is warranted to evaluate more effective strategies for overcoming barriers and to determine which strategies are most cost-effective.

The AGA understands how important it is for busy physicians to have access to the most trustworthy, actionable, and evidence-based guidelines in order to achieve the highest possible quality of patient care. According to a 2016 survey, AGA members ranked guidelines as the most important of all AGA-specific benefits, giving guidelines an average of 4.61 out of 5 (where 5 was defined as “extremely important”). The AGA’s guidelines landing page (www.gastro.org/guidelines) has long been the most frequently accessed page on the AGA website.

The life cycle of an AGA guideline

In 2010, the AGA Institute officially adopted the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) methodology for the development of all future guidelines. Since the publication of our first GRADE-based guideline in 2013, the AGA has developed and published 12 guidelines with an additional 11 more to be published by 2019. Based on the systematic rigor of the GRADE approach, the AGA’s guideline development process was created to result in clinical recommendations that are not only evidence based but actionable and responsive to varying patient needs and preferences at the point of care.

All told, a single AGA guideline costs around $45,000 and takes approximately 24 months to complete and publish. Currently, the AGA is working to pilot new methods of shortening the time to publication through the development of rapid reviews within a focused topic (e.g., opioid-induced constipation).1 The development of each guideline requires a team of one or more specially trained GRADE methodologists, two or more content experts, a medical librarian, a panel of three or more guideline authors, two AGA staff members, and the Clinical Guidelines Committee Chair.

Conclusion

Not all clinical guidelines are created with equal rigor. Clinicians should examine guidelines closely and consider whether or not they follow the Institute of Medicine’s standards for trustworthy clinical guidelines: Is the focus on transparency? Is a rigorous conflict of interest system in place that eliminates major sources of financial and intellectual conflict? Was an unconflicted GRADE-trained methodologist involved in ensuring that a systematic review process is followed and the method of rating the quality of evidence and strength of recommendation follows published principles? Are the recommendations clear and actionable?3 AGA Institute guidelines are developed with the goal of striking a balance between presenting the highest ideals of evidence-based medicine while remaining responsive to the needs of everyday practitioners dealing with real patients in real clinical settings.

Ms. Siedler is the director of clinical practice at the AGA Institute national office in Bethesda, Md.; Dr. Falck-Ytter is a professor of medicine at Case-Western Reserve University, Cleveland, chair of the AGA Institute Clinical Guidelines Committee, and chief of the division of gastroenterology at the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland. The authors disclose no conflicts of interest.

References

1. Hanson B., Siedler M., Falck-Ytter Y., Sultan S. Introducing the rapid review: How the AGA is working to get trustworthy clinical guidelines to practitioners in less time. AGA Perspectives. 2017; in press.

2. Siedler M., Allen J., Falck-Ytter Y., Weinberg D. AGA clinical practice guidelines: Robust, evidence-based tools for guiding clinical care decisions. Gastroenterology. 2015;149:493-5.

3. Institute of Medicine: Standards for developing trustworthy clinical practice guidelines. Available at http://www.nationalacademies.org/hmd/Reports/2011/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines-We-Can-Trust/Standards.aspx. Last accessed May 2017.Process for the selection of new guideline topics

The AGA understands how important it is for busy physicians to have access to the most trustworthy, actionable, and evidence-based guidelines in order to achieve the highest possible quality of patient care. According to a 2016 survey, AGA members ranked guidelines as the most important of all AGA-specific benefits, giving guidelines an average of 4.61 out of 5 (where 5 was defined as “extremely important”). The AGA’s guidelines landing page (www.gastro.org/guidelines) has long been the most frequently accessed page on the AGA website.

The life cycle of an AGA guideline

In 2010, the AGA Institute officially adopted the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) methodology for the development of all future guidelines. Since the publication of our first GRADE-based guideline in 2013, the AGA has developed and published 12 guidelines with an additional 11 more to be published by 2019. Based on the systematic rigor of the GRADE approach, the AGA’s guideline development process was created to result in clinical recommendations that are not only evidence based but actionable and responsive to varying patient needs and preferences at the point of care.

All told, a single AGA guideline costs around $45,000 and takes approximately 24 months to complete and publish. Currently, the AGA is working to pilot new methods of shortening the time to publication through the development of rapid reviews within a focused topic (e.g., opioid-induced constipation).1 The development of each guideline requires a team of one or more specially trained GRADE methodologists, two or more content experts, a medical librarian, a panel of three or more guideline authors, two AGA staff members, and the Clinical Guidelines Committee Chair.

Conclusion

Not all clinical guidelines are created with equal rigor. Clinicians should examine guidelines closely and consider whether or not they follow the Institute of Medicine’s standards for trustworthy clinical guidelines: Is the focus on transparency? Is a rigorous conflict of interest system in place that eliminates major sources of financial and intellectual conflict? Was an unconflicted GRADE-trained methodologist involved in ensuring that a systematic review process is followed and the method of rating the quality of evidence and strength of recommendation follows published principles? Are the recommendations clear and actionable?3 AGA Institute guidelines are developed with the goal of striking a balance between presenting the highest ideals of evidence-based medicine while remaining responsive to the needs of everyday practitioners dealing with real patients in real clinical settings.

Ms. Siedler is the director of clinical practice at the AGA Institute national office in Bethesda, Md.; Dr. Falck-Ytter is a professor of medicine at Case-Western Reserve University, Cleveland, chair of the AGA Institute Clinical Guidelines Committee, and chief of the division of gastroenterology at the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland. The authors disclose no conflicts of interest.

References

1. Hanson B., Siedler M., Falck-Ytter Y., Sultan S. Introducing the rapid review: How the AGA is working to get trustworthy clinical guidelines to practitioners in less time. AGA Perspectives. 2017; in press.

2. Siedler M., Allen J., Falck-Ytter Y., Weinberg D. AGA clinical practice guidelines: Robust, evidence-based tools for guiding clinical care decisions. Gastroenterology. 2015;149:493-5.

3. Institute of Medicine: Standards for developing trustworthy clinical practice guidelines. Available at http://www.nationalacademies.org/hmd/Reports/2011/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines-We-Can-Trust/Standards.aspx. Last accessed May 2017.Process for the selection of new guideline topics

The AGA understands how important it is for busy physicians to have access to the most trustworthy, actionable, and evidence-based guidelines in order to achieve the highest possible quality of patient care. According to a 2016 survey, AGA members ranked guidelines as the most important of all AGA-specific benefits, giving guidelines an average of 4.61 out of 5 (where 5 was defined as “extremely important”). The AGA’s guidelines landing page (www.gastro.org/guidelines) has long been the most frequently accessed page on the AGA website.

The life cycle of an AGA guideline

In 2010, the AGA Institute officially adopted the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) methodology for the development of all future guidelines. Since the publication of our first GRADE-based guideline in 2013, the AGA has developed and published 12 guidelines with an additional 11 more to be published by 2019. Based on the systematic rigor of the GRADE approach, the AGA’s guideline development process was created to result in clinical recommendations that are not only evidence based but actionable and responsive to varying patient needs and preferences at the point of care.

All told, a single AGA guideline costs around $45,000 and takes approximately 24 months to complete and publish. Currently, the AGA is working to pilot new methods of shortening the time to publication through the development of rapid reviews within a focused topic (e.g., opioid-induced constipation).1 The development of each guideline requires a team of one or more specially trained GRADE methodologists, two or more content experts, a medical librarian, a panel of three or more guideline authors, two AGA staff members, and the Clinical Guidelines Committee Chair.

Conclusion

Not all clinical guidelines are created with equal rigor. Clinicians should examine guidelines closely and consider whether or not they follow the Institute of Medicine’s standards for trustworthy clinical guidelines: Is the focus on transparency? Is a rigorous conflict of interest system in place that eliminates major sources of financial and intellectual conflict? Was an unconflicted GRADE-trained methodologist involved in ensuring that a systematic review process is followed and the method of rating the quality of evidence and strength of recommendation follows published principles? Are the recommendations clear and actionable?3 AGA Institute guidelines are developed with the goal of striking a balance between presenting the highest ideals of evidence-based medicine while remaining responsive to the needs of everyday practitioners dealing with real patients in real clinical settings.

Ms. Siedler is the director of clinical practice at the AGA Institute national office in Bethesda, Md.; Dr. Falck-Ytter is a professor of medicine at Case-Western Reserve University, Cleveland, chair of the AGA Institute Clinical Guidelines Committee, and chief of the division of gastroenterology at the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland. The authors disclose no conflicts of interest.

References

1. Hanson B., Siedler M., Falck-Ytter Y., Sultan S. Introducing the rapid review: How the AGA is working to get trustworthy clinical guidelines to practitioners in less time. AGA Perspectives. 2017; in press.

2. Siedler M., Allen J., Falck-Ytter Y., Weinberg D. AGA clinical practice guidelines: Robust, evidence-based tools for guiding clinical care decisions. Gastroenterology. 2015;149:493-5.

3. Institute of Medicine: Standards for developing trustworthy clinical practice guidelines. Available at http://www.nationalacademies.org/hmd/Reports/2011/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines-We-Can-Trust/Standards.aspx. Last accessed May 2017.Process for the selection of new guideline topics

Mariam Naveed, MD, opened a discussion in the Early Career Group forum in AGA Community that invited GIs to share how or when they knew which career path was the best fit. Among those sharing their stories were Peter Liang, MD, MPH; Avinash Ketwaroo, MD; Maisa Abdalla, MD, MPH; Tara Altepeter, MD; Elliot Tapper, MD; and Brijen Shah, MD. Their expertise spans across the GI spectrum, including academia, research, drug development, and regulatory science.

For Dr. Liang, the key to succeeding on the research path is to be passionate about your topic(s), enjoy reading and writing, and be able to accept constructive criticism and rejection. Dr. Altepeter encourages all GIs early in their career to be open to exploring a variety of career options, as regulatory science was not a career path she was aware of at the beginning of training.

The conversation continued when trainee and early career members brought their career-specific questions, including the possibility of achieving tenure without publishing.

View a summary of advice shared at http://community.gastro.org/calling. The discussions around finding your GI calling are in the AGA Community Early Career Group, at http://community.gastro.org/EarlyCareerGroup.
 

Mariam Naveed, MD, opened a discussion in the Early Career Group forum in AGA Community that invited GIs to share how or when they knew which career path was the best fit. Among those sharing their stories were Peter Liang, MD, MPH; Avinash Ketwaroo, MD; Maisa Abdalla, MD, MPH; Tara Altepeter, MD; Elliot Tapper, MD; and Brijen Shah, MD. Their expertise spans across the GI spectrum, including academia, research, drug development, and regulatory science.

For Dr. Liang, the key to succeeding on the research path is to be passionate about your topic(s), enjoy reading and writing, and be able to accept constructive criticism and rejection. Dr. Altepeter encourages all GIs early in their career to be open to exploring a variety of career options, as regulatory science was not a career path she was aware of at the beginning of training.

The conversation continued when trainee and early career members brought their career-specific questions, including the possibility of achieving tenure without publishing.

View a summary of advice shared at http://community.gastro.org/calling. The discussions around finding your GI calling are in the AGA Community Early Career Group, at http://community.gastro.org/EarlyCareerGroup.
 

Mariam Naveed, MD, opened a discussion in the Early Career Group forum in AGA Community that invited GIs to share how or when they knew which career path was the best fit. Among those sharing their stories were Peter Liang, MD, MPH; Avinash Ketwaroo, MD; Maisa Abdalla, MD, MPH; Tara Altepeter, MD; Elliot Tapper, MD; and Brijen Shah, MD. Their expertise spans across the GI spectrum, including academia, research, drug development, and regulatory science.

For Dr. Liang, the key to succeeding on the research path is to be passionate about your topic(s), enjoy reading and writing, and be able to accept constructive criticism and rejection. Dr. Altepeter encourages all GIs early in their career to be open to exploring a variety of career options, as regulatory science was not a career path she was aware of at the beginning of training.

The conversation continued when trainee and early career members brought their career-specific questions, including the possibility of achieving tenure without publishing.

View a summary of advice shared at http://community.gastro.org/calling. The discussions around finding your GI calling are in the AGA Community Early Career Group, at http://community.gastro.org/EarlyCareerGroup.
 

Physician burnout is a growing epidemic, particularly in the early careers of gastroenterologists. Up to 50% of new physicians and trainees experience burnout with the first 3 years of independent practice.¹ The negative consequences of burnout are well known – medical errors, depression, substance abuse, and even suicide.^2,3 To meet criteria for burnout syndrome (Table 1), one must have two of three core symptoms, often experienced as phases: 1) physical and emotional exhaustion; 2) cynicism and detachment; and 3) feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment.⁴

m-imagephotography / Thinkstock

Prevention of burnout through self-compassion

Even though it may sometimes be easy to forget, most of us chose medicine as our profession because of our inherent compassion towards others and desire to care for those in need. But have we properly learned how to apply that same compassion to ourselves?

Self-compassion is one of the primary qualities of a happy, flourishing, resilient individual.⁸ Self-compassion is a psychological skill that can be applied to feelings of inadequacy, failure, or lack of control and includes: 1) self-kindness, 2) belief in a common humanity, and 3) mindfulness.⁸

Dr. Keefer is director, psychobehavioral research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, division of gastroenterology, New York, N.Y.

References

1. West C.P., Shanafelt T.D., Kolars J.C. JAMA. 2011;306[9]:952-60.

2. Maslach C., Leiter M.P. World Psychiatry. 2016;15[2]:103-11.

3. Ahola K., Honkonen T., Kivimaki M., et al. J Occup Environ Med. 2006;48[10]:1023-30.

4. Ahola K., Honkonen T., Isometsa E., et al. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2006;41[1]:11-7.

5. Farber B.A. J Clin Psychol. 2000;56[5]:589-94.

6. Keswani R.N., Taft T.H., Cote G.A., Keefer L. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106[10]:1734-40.

7. Sharma A., Sharp D.M., Walker L.G., Monson J.R. Psychooncology. 2008;17[6]:570-6.

8. Houkes I., Winants Y., Twellaar M., Verdonk P. BMC Public Health. 2011;11:240.

9. Neff K.D. Hum Dev. 2009;52[4]:211-4.

10. de Vente W., van Amsterdam J.G., Olff M., Kamphuis J.H., Emmelkamp P.M. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:431725.

11. Rockliff H., Karl A., McEwan K., Gilbert J., Matos M., Gilbert P. Effects of intranasal oxytocin on ‘compassion focused imagery’. Emotion. 2011;11[6]:1388-96.

12. Porges S.W. Biol Psychol. 2007;74[2]:301-7.

13. Breines J.G., Chen S. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2012;38[9]:1133-43.

14. Heffernan M., Quinn G.M.T., Sister R.M., Fitzpatrick JJ. Int J Nurs Pract. 2010;16[4]:366-73.

15. Crocker J., Canevello A. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2008;95[3]:555-75.

16. Thompson G., McBride R.B., Hosford C.C., Halaas G. Teach Learn Med. 2016;28[2]:174-82.

17. Nie Z., Jin Y., He L., et al. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2015;8[10]:19144-9.

18. West C.P., Dyrbye L.N., Erwin P.J., Shanafelt T.D. Lancet. 2016. Nov 5;388(10057)2272-81.

19. Luchterhand C., Rakel D., Haq C., et al. WMJ. 2015;114[3]:105-9.

20. Montero-Marin J., Tops M., Manzanera R, Piva Demarzo MM, Alvarez de Mon M, Garcia-Campayo J. Front Psychol. 2015;6:1895.

Physician burnout is a growing epidemic, particularly in the early careers of gastroenterologists. Up to 50% of new physicians and trainees experience burnout with the first 3 years of independent practice.¹ The negative consequences of burnout are well known – medical errors, depression, substance abuse, and even suicide.^2,3 To meet criteria for burnout syndrome (Table 1), one must have two of three core symptoms, often experienced as phases: 1) physical and emotional exhaustion; 2) cynicism and detachment; and 3) feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment.⁴

m-imagephotography / Thinkstock

Prevention of burnout through self-compassion

Even though it may sometimes be easy to forget, most of us chose medicine as our profession because of our inherent compassion towards others and desire to care for those in need. But have we properly learned how to apply that same compassion to ourselves?

Self-compassion is one of the primary qualities of a happy, flourishing, resilient individual.⁸ Self-compassion is a psychological skill that can be applied to feelings of inadequacy, failure, or lack of control and includes: 1) self-kindness, 2) belief in a common humanity, and 3) mindfulness.⁸

Dr. Keefer is director, psychobehavioral research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, division of gastroenterology, New York, N.Y.

References

1. West C.P., Shanafelt T.D., Kolars J.C. JAMA. 2011;306[9]:952-60.

2. Maslach C., Leiter M.P. World Psychiatry. 2016;15[2]:103-11.

3. Ahola K., Honkonen T., Kivimaki M., et al. J Occup Environ Med. 2006;48[10]:1023-30.

4. Ahola K., Honkonen T., Isometsa E., et al. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2006;41[1]:11-7.

5. Farber B.A. J Clin Psychol. 2000;56[5]:589-94.

6. Keswani R.N., Taft T.H., Cote G.A., Keefer L. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106[10]:1734-40.

7. Sharma A., Sharp D.M., Walker L.G., Monson J.R. Psychooncology. 2008;17[6]:570-6.

8. Houkes I., Winants Y., Twellaar M., Verdonk P. BMC Public Health. 2011;11:240.

9. Neff K.D. Hum Dev. 2009;52[4]:211-4.

10. de Vente W., van Amsterdam J.G., Olff M., Kamphuis J.H., Emmelkamp P.M. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:431725.

11. Rockliff H., Karl A., McEwan K., Gilbert J., Matos M., Gilbert P. Effects of intranasal oxytocin on ‘compassion focused imagery’. Emotion. 2011;11[6]:1388-96.

12. Porges S.W. Biol Psychol. 2007;74[2]:301-7.

13. Breines J.G., Chen S. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2012;38[9]:1133-43.

14. Heffernan M., Quinn G.M.T., Sister R.M., Fitzpatrick JJ. Int J Nurs Pract. 2010;16[4]:366-73.

15. Crocker J., Canevello A. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2008;95[3]:555-75.

16. Thompson G., McBride R.B., Hosford C.C., Halaas G. Teach Learn Med. 2016;28[2]:174-82.

17. Nie Z., Jin Y., He L., et al. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2015;8[10]:19144-9.

18. West C.P., Dyrbye L.N., Erwin P.J., Shanafelt T.D. Lancet. 2016. Nov 5;388(10057)2272-81.

19. Luchterhand C., Rakel D., Haq C., et al. WMJ. 2015;114[3]:105-9.

20. Montero-Marin J., Tops M., Manzanera R, Piva Demarzo MM, Alvarez de Mon M, Garcia-Campayo J. Front Psychol. 2015;6:1895.

Physician burnout is a growing epidemic, particularly in the early careers of gastroenterologists. Up to 50% of new physicians and trainees experience burnout with the first 3 years of independent practice.¹ The negative consequences of burnout are well known – medical errors, depression, substance abuse, and even suicide.^2,3 To meet criteria for burnout syndrome (Table 1), one must have two of three core symptoms, often experienced as phases: 1) physical and emotional exhaustion; 2) cynicism and detachment; and 3) feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment.⁴

m-imagephotography / Thinkstock

Prevention of burnout through self-compassion

Even though it may sometimes be easy to forget, most of us chose medicine as our profession because of our inherent compassion towards others and desire to care for those in need. But have we properly learned how to apply that same compassion to ourselves?

Self-compassion is one of the primary qualities of a happy, flourishing, resilient individual.⁸ Self-compassion is a psychological skill that can be applied to feelings of inadequacy, failure, or lack of control and includes: 1) self-kindness, 2) belief in a common humanity, and 3) mindfulness.⁸

Dr. Keefer is director, psychobehavioral research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, division of gastroenterology, New York, N.Y.

References

1. West C.P., Shanafelt T.D., Kolars J.C. JAMA. 2011;306[9]:952-60.

2. Maslach C., Leiter M.P. World Psychiatry. 2016;15[2]:103-11.

3. Ahola K., Honkonen T., Kivimaki M., et al. J Occup Environ Med. 2006;48[10]:1023-30.

4. Ahola K., Honkonen T., Isometsa E., et al. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2006;41[1]:11-7.

5. Farber B.A. J Clin Psychol. 2000;56[5]:589-94.

6. Keswani R.N., Taft T.H., Cote G.A., Keefer L. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106[10]:1734-40.

7. Sharma A., Sharp D.M., Walker L.G., Monson J.R. Psychooncology. 2008;17[6]:570-6.

8. Houkes I., Winants Y., Twellaar M., Verdonk P. BMC Public Health. 2011;11:240.

9. Neff K.D. Hum Dev. 2009;52[4]:211-4.

10. de Vente W., van Amsterdam J.G., Olff M., Kamphuis J.H., Emmelkamp P.M. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:431725.

11. Rockliff H., Karl A., McEwan K., Gilbert J., Matos M., Gilbert P. Effects of intranasal oxytocin on ‘compassion focused imagery’. Emotion. 2011;11[6]:1388-96.

12. Porges S.W. Biol Psychol. 2007;74[2]:301-7.

13. Breines J.G., Chen S. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2012;38[9]:1133-43.

14. Heffernan M., Quinn G.M.T., Sister R.M., Fitzpatrick JJ. Int J Nurs Pract. 2010;16[4]:366-73.

15. Crocker J., Canevello A. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2008;95[3]:555-75.

16. Thompson G., McBride R.B., Hosford C.C., Halaas G. Teach Learn Med. 2016;28[2]:174-82.

17. Nie Z., Jin Y., He L., et al. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2015;8[10]:19144-9.

18. West C.P., Dyrbye L.N., Erwin P.J., Shanafelt T.D. Lancet. 2016. Nov 5;388(10057)2272-81.

19. Luchterhand C., Rakel D., Haq C., et al. WMJ. 2015;114[3]:105-9.

20. Montero-Marin J., Tops M., Manzanera R, Piva Demarzo MM, Alvarez de Mon M, Garcia-Campayo J. Front Psychol. 2015;6:1895.

There is no denying that practicing medicine calls us to serve a population that is diverse in many aspects. We live and work in a world that is evolving so quickly that medical workforce demographics fail to keep pace. In the U.S. in particular, racial and ethnic diversity has already exceeded many previous forecasts and will likely continue to do so.

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) recognizes that broader representation in the GI workforce requires increasing diversity at the trainee level and values this change for reasons beyond diversity for diversity’s sake. Based on education research, improving diversity at the trainee level helps learners thrive through the sharing of varied perspectives and enhancement of complex, critical thinking⁵. Moreover, diverse learning environments promote a culture of tolerance and understanding, tools needed to prepare trainees for future patient interactions. Diversity also translates into better patient satisfaction, as several studies have shown that physician-patient concordance on race, ethnicity, and gender result in higher patient satisfaction scores⁶. Additionally, minority physicians are more likely to practice in underserved areas and to conduct research addressing health care disparities, an area that will require an even greater investment as the U.S. population demographic continues to evolve^3,7.

The AGA is committed to diversity, which is an inclusive concept that encompasses race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, and disability. We strive to cultivate diversity within the organization at all levels, including governance, committee structure, staffing, and program and policy development. We are committed to the following goals intended to reflect the interests of the diverse patient population we serve:

1) Promotion of diversity within the practice of gastroenterology and in the individual care of patients of all backgrounds.

2) Recruitment and retention of GI providers and researchers from diverse backgrounds and the support of the advancement of their careers.

3) Elimination of disparities in GI diseases through community engagement, research, and advocacy.

Gastroenterology has been the most competitive fellowship specialty for the past 4 consecutive years, above pediatric surgery and cardiology⁸. We are privileged to practice an exciting, fascinating specialty that demands diversity of skill, acuity of care, and knowledge of pathophysiology. Increased diversity among those who research, teach, and practice in this wonderful field will only enhance it, and being mindful of this goal in our recruitment and retention efforts will help us achieve it.

For more information on the AGA Institute Diversity Committee and its ongoing initiatives, please visit http://www.gastro.org/about/people/committees/diversity-committee. Additionally, any specific enquiries should be addressed to Taylor Monson ([email protected]).
 

Dr. Quezeda is assistant dean for admissions, assistant professor of medicine, division of gastroenterology and hepatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, and a member of the AGA Institute Diversity Committee.

On behalf of the AGA Institute Diversity Committee: Rotonya M. Carr, MD (Chair, AGA Diversity Committee; assistant professor of medicine, division of gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia), Karen A. Chachu, MD, PhD (assistant professor of medicine, Duke University, Durham, N.C.), Elizabeth Coss, MD (clinical assistant professor, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio), Maria Cruz-Correa, MD PhD (associate professor of medicine, biochemistry and surgery, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center), Lukejohn Day, MD (associate clinical professor, University of California, San Francisco), Darrell M. Gray II, MD, MPH (assistant professor of medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center), Esi Lamouse-Smith, MD, PhD (assistant professor of pediatrics, Columbia University, New York), Antonio Mendoza Ladd, MD (assistant professor, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso), and Celena NuQuay (AGA staff liaison).

References

1. Projections of the Size and Composition of the U.S. Population: 2014 to 2060 Population Estimates and Projections Current Population Reports. Colby S, Ortman JM. Issued March 2015.

2. Association of American Medical Colleges 2016 Physician Specialty Databook, https://www.aamc.org/data/workforce/reports/457712/2016-specialty-databook.html.

3. Association of American Medical Colleges Diversity in the Physician Workforce: Facts and Figures 2010.

4. Deville C, Hwang WT, Burgos R. Diversity in Graduate Medical Education in the United States by Race, Ethnicity, and Sex, 2012. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(10):1706-8.

5. Wells AS, Fox L, Cordova-Cobo D. How Racially Diverse Schools and Classrooms Can Benefit All Students. The Century Foundation, Feb 2016. https://tcf.org/content/report/how-racially-diverse-schools-and-classrooms-can-benefit-all-students/.

6. Johnson RL, Saha S, Arbelaez JJ et al. Racial and ethnic differences in patient perceptions of bias and cultural competence in health care. J Gen Intern Med. 2004 Feb;19(2):101-10.

7. Saha S, Guiton G, Wimmers PF et al. Student body racial and ethnic composition and diversity-related outcomes in US medical schools. JAMA. 2008 Sep 10;300(10):1135-45.

8. Association of American Medical Colleges, ERAS Data. https://www.aamc.org/services/eras/stats/359278/stats.html.
 

There is no denying that practicing medicine calls us to serve a population that is diverse in many aspects. We live and work in a world that is evolving so quickly that medical workforce demographics fail to keep pace. In the U.S. in particular, racial and ethnic diversity has already exceeded many previous forecasts and will likely continue to do so.

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) recognizes that broader representation in the GI workforce requires increasing diversity at the trainee level and values this change for reasons beyond diversity for diversity’s sake. Based on education research, improving diversity at the trainee level helps learners thrive through the sharing of varied perspectives and enhancement of complex, critical thinking⁵. Moreover, diverse learning environments promote a culture of tolerance and understanding, tools needed to prepare trainees for future patient interactions. Diversity also translates into better patient satisfaction, as several studies have shown that physician-patient concordance on race, ethnicity, and gender result in higher patient satisfaction scores⁶. Additionally, minority physicians are more likely to practice in underserved areas and to conduct research addressing health care disparities, an area that will require an even greater investment as the U.S. population demographic continues to evolve^3,7.

The AGA is committed to diversity, which is an inclusive concept that encompasses race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, and disability. We strive to cultivate diversity within the organization at all levels, including governance, committee structure, staffing, and program and policy development. We are committed to the following goals intended to reflect the interests of the diverse patient population we serve:

1) Promotion of diversity within the practice of gastroenterology and in the individual care of patients of all backgrounds.

2) Recruitment and retention of GI providers and researchers from diverse backgrounds and the support of the advancement of their careers.

3) Elimination of disparities in GI diseases through community engagement, research, and advocacy.

Gastroenterology has been the most competitive fellowship specialty for the past 4 consecutive years, above pediatric surgery and cardiology⁸. We are privileged to practice an exciting, fascinating specialty that demands diversity of skill, acuity of care, and knowledge of pathophysiology. Increased diversity among those who research, teach, and practice in this wonderful field will only enhance it, and being mindful of this goal in our recruitment and retention efforts will help us achieve it.

For more information on the AGA Institute Diversity Committee and its ongoing initiatives, please visit http://www.gastro.org/about/people/committees/diversity-committee. Additionally, any specific enquiries should be addressed to Taylor Monson ([email protected]).
 

Dr. Quezeda is assistant dean for admissions, assistant professor of medicine, division of gastroenterology and hepatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, and a member of the AGA Institute Diversity Committee.

On behalf of the AGA Institute Diversity Committee: Rotonya M. Carr, MD (Chair, AGA Diversity Committee; assistant professor of medicine, division of gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia), Karen A. Chachu, MD, PhD (assistant professor of medicine, Duke University, Durham, N.C.), Elizabeth Coss, MD (clinical assistant professor, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio), Maria Cruz-Correa, MD PhD (associate professor of medicine, biochemistry and surgery, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center), Lukejohn Day, MD (associate clinical professor, University of California, San Francisco), Darrell M. Gray II, MD, MPH (assistant professor of medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center), Esi Lamouse-Smith, MD, PhD (assistant professor of pediatrics, Columbia University, New York), Antonio Mendoza Ladd, MD (assistant professor, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso), and Celena NuQuay (AGA staff liaison).

References

1. Projections of the Size and Composition of the U.S. Population: 2014 to 2060 Population Estimates and Projections Current Population Reports. Colby S, Ortman JM. Issued March 2015.

2. Association of American Medical Colleges 2016 Physician Specialty Databook, https://www.aamc.org/data/workforce/reports/457712/2016-specialty-databook.html.

3. Association of American Medical Colleges Diversity in the Physician Workforce: Facts and Figures 2010.

4. Deville C, Hwang WT, Burgos R. Diversity in Graduate Medical Education in the United States by Race, Ethnicity, and Sex, 2012. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(10):1706-8.

5. Wells AS, Fox L, Cordova-Cobo D. How Racially Diverse Schools and Classrooms Can Benefit All Students. The Century Foundation, Feb 2016. https://tcf.org/content/report/how-racially-diverse-schools-and-classrooms-can-benefit-all-students/.

6. Johnson RL, Saha S, Arbelaez JJ et al. Racial and ethnic differences in patient perceptions of bias and cultural competence in health care. J Gen Intern Med. 2004 Feb;19(2):101-10.

7. Saha S, Guiton G, Wimmers PF et al. Student body racial and ethnic composition and diversity-related outcomes in US medical schools. JAMA. 2008 Sep 10;300(10):1135-45.

8. Association of American Medical Colleges, ERAS Data. https://www.aamc.org/services/eras/stats/359278/stats.html.
 

There is no denying that practicing medicine calls us to serve a population that is diverse in many aspects. We live and work in a world that is evolving so quickly that medical workforce demographics fail to keep pace. In the U.S. in particular, racial and ethnic diversity has already exceeded many previous forecasts and will likely continue to do so.

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) recognizes that broader representation in the GI workforce requires increasing diversity at the trainee level and values this change for reasons beyond diversity for diversity’s sake. Based on education research, improving diversity at the trainee level helps learners thrive through the sharing of varied perspectives and enhancement of complex, critical thinking⁵. Moreover, diverse learning environments promote a culture of tolerance and understanding, tools needed to prepare trainees for future patient interactions. Diversity also translates into better patient satisfaction, as several studies have shown that physician-patient concordance on race, ethnicity, and gender result in higher patient satisfaction scores⁶. Additionally, minority physicians are more likely to practice in underserved areas and to conduct research addressing health care disparities, an area that will require an even greater investment as the U.S. population demographic continues to evolve^3,7.

The AGA is committed to diversity, which is an inclusive concept that encompasses race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, and disability. We strive to cultivate diversity within the organization at all levels, including governance, committee structure, staffing, and program and policy development. We are committed to the following goals intended to reflect the interests of the diverse patient population we serve:

1) Promotion of diversity within the practice of gastroenterology and in the individual care of patients of all backgrounds.

2) Recruitment and retention of GI providers and researchers from diverse backgrounds and the support of the advancement of their careers.

3) Elimination of disparities in GI diseases through community engagement, research, and advocacy.

Gastroenterology has been the most competitive fellowship specialty for the past 4 consecutive years, above pediatric surgery and cardiology⁸. We are privileged to practice an exciting, fascinating specialty that demands diversity of skill, acuity of care, and knowledge of pathophysiology. Increased diversity among those who research, teach, and practice in this wonderful field will only enhance it, and being mindful of this goal in our recruitment and retention efforts will help us achieve it.

For more information on the AGA Institute Diversity Committee and its ongoing initiatives, please visit http://www.gastro.org/about/people/committees/diversity-committee. Additionally, any specific enquiries should be addressed to Taylor Monson ([email protected]).
 

Dr. Quezeda is assistant dean for admissions, assistant professor of medicine, division of gastroenterology and hepatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, and a member of the AGA Institute Diversity Committee.

On behalf of the AGA Institute Diversity Committee: Rotonya M. Carr, MD (Chair, AGA Diversity Committee; assistant professor of medicine, division of gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia), Karen A. Chachu, MD, PhD (assistant professor of medicine, Duke University, Durham, N.C.), Elizabeth Coss, MD (clinical assistant professor, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio), Maria Cruz-Correa, MD PhD (associate professor of medicine, biochemistry and surgery, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center), Lukejohn Day, MD (associate clinical professor, University of California, San Francisco), Darrell M. Gray II, MD, MPH (assistant professor of medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center), Esi Lamouse-Smith, MD, PhD (assistant professor of pediatrics, Columbia University, New York), Antonio Mendoza Ladd, MD (assistant professor, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso), and Celena NuQuay (AGA staff liaison).

References

1. Projections of the Size and Composition of the U.S. Population: 2014 to 2060 Population Estimates and Projections Current Population Reports. Colby S, Ortman JM. Issued March 2015.

2. Association of American Medical Colleges 2016 Physician Specialty Databook, https://www.aamc.org/data/workforce/reports/457712/2016-specialty-databook.html.

3. Association of American Medical Colleges Diversity in the Physician Workforce: Facts and Figures 2010.

4. Deville C, Hwang WT, Burgos R. Diversity in Graduate Medical Education in the United States by Race, Ethnicity, and Sex, 2012. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(10):1706-8.

5. Wells AS, Fox L, Cordova-Cobo D. How Racially Diverse Schools and Classrooms Can Benefit All Students. The Century Foundation, Feb 2016. https://tcf.org/content/report/how-racially-diverse-schools-and-classrooms-can-benefit-all-students/.

6. Johnson RL, Saha S, Arbelaez JJ et al. Racial and ethnic differences in patient perceptions of bias and cultural competence in health care. J Gen Intern Med. 2004 Feb;19(2):101-10.

7. Saha S, Guiton G, Wimmers PF et al. Student body racial and ethnic composition and diversity-related outcomes in US medical schools. JAMA. 2008 Sep 10;300(10):1135-45.

8. Association of American Medical Colleges, ERAS Data. https://www.aamc.org/services/eras/stats/359278/stats.html.
 

As a contract and tax attorney for physicians for over 30 years, I have reviewed many asset summaries of late-career physicians. Although most have historically strong annual incomes of $200,000 to $400,000, accumulated wealth varies tremendously. Some physicians in their 60s have a home, a small retirement plan, and little else. Others have cash equivalents of $5,000,000 or more, no debt, real estate, and other assets. In my experience, this variance usually does not relate primarily to income differences but rather spending control and financial knowledge. If you are interested in having the opportunity to retire and not worry about finding an “early bird” special at your favorite restaurant, this article provides ten tips to help you achieve that dream.

Mr. Schiller is a physician contract and tax attorney and has practiced in Norristown, Penn. for the past 30 years. He can be contacted at 610-277-5900 or www.schillerlawassociates.com or [email protected].

As a contract and tax attorney for physicians for over 30 years, I have reviewed many asset summaries of late-career physicians. Although most have historically strong annual incomes of $200,000 to $400,000, accumulated wealth varies tremendously. Some physicians in their 60s have a home, a small retirement plan, and little else. Others have cash equivalents of $5,000,000 or more, no debt, real estate, and other assets. In my experience, this variance usually does not relate primarily to income differences but rather spending control and financial knowledge. If you are interested in having the opportunity to retire and not worry about finding an “early bird” special at your favorite restaurant, this article provides ten tips to help you achieve that dream.

Mr. Schiller is a physician contract and tax attorney and has practiced in Norristown, Penn. for the past 30 years. He can be contacted at 610-277-5900 or www.schillerlawassociates.com or [email protected].

As a contract and tax attorney for physicians for over 30 years, I have reviewed many asset summaries of late-career physicians. Although most have historically strong annual incomes of $200,000 to $400,000, accumulated wealth varies tremendously. Some physicians in their 60s have a home, a small retirement plan, and little else. Others have cash equivalents of $5,000,000 or more, no debt, real estate, and other assets. In my experience, this variance usually does not relate primarily to income differences but rather spending control and financial knowledge. If you are interested in having the opportunity to retire and not worry about finding an “early bird” special at your favorite restaurant, this article provides ten tips to help you achieve that dream.

Mr. Schiller is a physician contract and tax attorney and has practiced in Norristown, Penn. for the past 30 years. He can be contacted at 610-277-5900 or www.schillerlawassociates.com or [email protected].

The use of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in combination with dexamethasone and either lenalidomide or pomalidomide is associated with an increased risk of death in patients with multiple myeloma, according to an alert from the Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA issued the alert on Aug. 31 to inform the public, health care professionals, and oncology clinical investigators of the risk, which became apparent during the course of two now-halted clinical trials.

[email protected]

The use of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in combination with dexamethasone and either lenalidomide or pomalidomide is associated with an increased risk of death in patients with multiple myeloma, according to an alert from the Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA issued the alert on Aug. 31 to inform the public, health care professionals, and oncology clinical investigators of the risk, which became apparent during the course of two now-halted clinical trials.

[email protected]

The use of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in combination with dexamethasone and either lenalidomide or pomalidomide is associated with an increased risk of death in patients with multiple myeloma, according to an alert from the Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA issued the alert on Aug. 31 to inform the public, health care professionals, and oncology clinical investigators of the risk, which became apparent during the course of two now-halted clinical trials.

[email protected]