Elisheva Knopf

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, particularly large language models, are increasingly accessible to medical learners. Early attitudes toward AI may shape how students incorporate these tools into learning and professional development. This study captured first- and second year medical students’ AI familiarity, prior use, and perceptions during orientation week, providing a snapshot of incoming student attitudes. A cross-sectional survey was administered to first- and second year medical students ( N = 157) at a single U.S. medical school in August 2024. Data on demographics, AI familiarity, prior use, and perceptions were collected using multiple-choice and five-point Likert scale items. Descriptive statistics, Chi-squared analyses, and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare responses between cohorts. Of 108 responses, most students reported slight (42.6%) or moderate (37%) AI familiarity. ChatGPT was the most recognized (95.4%) and used (84.3%) tool. First year students were significantly more likely than second year students to have used AI previously, to have used AI during medical school applications, and to plan AI use in medical school (all p < 0.001). Students expressed optimism about AI integration but raised concerns about accuracy (76.9%), clinical thinking (67.6%), and ethics (63%). Over 60% rated ethical AI training as very or extremely important, and 57.4% were uncomfortable with AI-mediated assessment. Pre-clinical students anticipate a growing role for AI in medical education and favor structured, workshop-based ethical training. These findings can inform timely curricular planning as AI technologies continue to evolve.

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, with a particularly high incidence in women. Although many are cured of their malignancy, treatment options can present with significant long-term complications for the patient. Lymphedema is the accumulation of protein-rich fluid that occurs following a disturbance to the lymphatic system. Secondary lymphedema to the arm often results following breast surgery or axillary lymph node dissection, although risk and exacerbating factors include radiation and medical chemotherapy, both in the short- and long-term intervals. Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) develops secondary to treatment-related lymphatic injury, commonly involving the axillary lymphatic system, with clinical manifestations that may affect the ipsilateral arm, hand, breast, chest wall, and axilla. This article serves as an updated and comprehensive review of the available peer-reviewed literature regarding the pathophysiology, incidence, predictive/risk factors, clinical features, diagnostic strategies, comparative accuracy and utility of early detection and surveillance approaches, preventive strategies, and guidelines-based conservative/surgical/emerging management approaches for BCRL. The purpose of this review is to apprise healthcare professionals with the latest understanding of optimal care and counseling patients regarding BCRL.

Purpose To assess gender-based differences in career trajectories among reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) physicians in the United States, focusing on leadership, research productivity, and professional involvement. Methods This was a cross-sectional comparative study of demographic, professional, and research metrics stratified by gender. Practicing REI physicians were identified through the ASRM directory. Physician gender was evaluated as a variable influencing career outcomes. Main outcome measures included practice setting, geographic distribution, research productivity (h-index, publications, citations), academic leadership, journal editorial board, and society board positions. Mann–Whitney U and Chi-square tests were performed. Results Among 767 REI physicians, 55% were male and 45% female. Slightly more females worked in academic settings (33.3% vs. 25.1%), while more males were in private practice (70.4% vs. 66.7%). Leadership representation was comparable between genders. Female physicians had marginally greater representation on editorial (7.8% vs. 7.1%) and society boards (5.8% vs. 4.3%). Males, however, had significantly higher research productivity (mean h-index: 16.44 vs. 10.94; publications: 52.53 vs. 26.72; citations: 2216.69 vs. 1155.28; all p < 0.001). Conclusion Despite near parity in leadership representation, gender disparities persist in research productivity among REI physicians. These discrepancies may reflect systemic inequities in academic support, promotion criteria, and institutional culture. Structural barriers such as inequitable research resources, gendered service loads, and family-building or domestic responsibilities may further constrain women’s ability to engage in sustained scholarly productivity and advancement. Future efforts can prioritize inclusive data practices, equitable promotion policies, and targeted interventions to support diversity within reproductive medicine.

The purpose of this scoping review is to identify major social determinants of health and barriers affecting access to mental health services in pregnant and postpartum women in the United States. It will also examine the scope of existing evidence-based interventions and dissemination and implementation strategies that were developed and implemented to increase accessibility to mental health treatment in high-risk pregnant and postpartum women. The Arksey and O’Malley Framework guided the review process, along with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) recommendations for the extraction, analysis, and presentation of results in scoping reviews. Additionally, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-SCR) was used as a reference checklist. A total of 21 studies were used for analysis that were published between 2015 and 2025. An examination of social determinants of health (SDOH) influencing factors of mental health determined that those related to neighborhood and built environment had the highest rates. Using the socioecological model, individual barriers exhibited the highest frequency, with the most common themes to these barriers across all studies being language barriers, cultural barriers, and stigma-related challenges, followed by financial and childcare challenges and transportation challenges. Major findings included important evidence that therapeutic relationships with pregnant women who are depressed can be developed and that telehealth interventions improved access for women living in rural areas. Recommendations from this review will inform evidence-based interventions to address the gap in accessibility and affordability of mental health services in US pregnant and postpartum women residing in underserved communities.

Purpose Many physicians pursue advanced degrees (ADs), defined as a master’s or doctoral-level degree, in addition to a medical degree to enhance professional development. This study aimed to examine how holding an AD influences the career trajectory amongst reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) specialists. Methods A list of REI physicians was obtained from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine database. Physicians were divided based on AD status and compared across demographics, academic leadership, journal board, and reproductive society officer positions, and research productivity, measured by h-index and number of publications and citations. Fisher’s Exact T-tests, Chi-Squared analysis, and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for associations. Results Amongst 768 REI physicians, 163 (21%) possessed an AD. Proportionally more female physicians held an AD compared to males (23.4% vs. 19.4%, p < 0.001). Those with ADs were more likely to have an allopathic medical degree (98.8%), practice in the Northeast of the USA (33.7%), and work in private practice (55.8%) (p < 0.001). REI physicians with ADs demonstrated higher research productivity, reflected by higher average h-index (18.33 vs. 11.96), publications number (58.8 vs. 36.25), and citations number (2524 vs. 1531) (p < 0.001). They were also more likely to hold academic leadership, journal board, or reproductive society officer positions (p < 0.001). Conclusions Holding an AD was associated with greater research productivity and higher representation in academic leadership roles among REI physicians. These insights may help current and aspiring REIs evaluate the role of additional qualifications in achieving their professional goals.

Background: This systematic review has the following aims: (1) to identify measurement tools used globally by healthcare providers to diagnose PCOS in women at elevated risk; (2) to assess the comprehensiveness of these tools regarding mental health and chronic pain; (3) to list strategies for validating, disseminating, and implementing these tools; and (4) to provide future recommendations for experts in healthcare settings. Methods: This review utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the Arksey and O’Malley York methodology. Studies were sourced from the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases, with inclusion criteria focusing on peer-reviewed articles addressing PCOS diagnosis and associated comorbidities. Data extraction and analysis followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) recommendations. Results: A total of 63 studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings indicate that current screening tools for PCOS often lack comprehensive integration of mental health and chronic pain assessments. Tools like the PCOSQ and its updated version, PCOSQ-50, inadequately address pain-related symptoms, highlighting a gap in holistic patient evaluation. This review identified significant associations between PCOS and mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, emphasizing the need for mental health screenings as part of PCOS management. Conclusions: There is a critical need for validated PCOS screening tools that encompass both physical and psychological aspects of the condition. Educating healthcare providers on the cultural and social determinants influencing PCOS can improve diagnosis and patient outcomes. Future research should focus on developing holistic screening tools and culturally relevant educational resources, aiming to enhance the overall quality of life for women with PCOS.