Background Over one‐half of older adults are discharged to the community after emergency department (ED) visits, and studies have shown there is increased risk of adverse health outcomes in the immediate post‐discharge period. Understanding the experiences of older adults during ED‐to‐community care transitions has the potential to improve geriatric emergency clinical care and inform intervention development. We therefore sought to assess barriers experienced by older adults during ED‐to‐community care transitions. Methods We conducted a qualitative analysis of community‐dwelling cognitively intact patients aged 65 years and older receiving care in four diverse EDs from a single U.S. healthcare system. We constructed a conceptual framework a priori to guide the development and iterative revision of a codebook, used purposive sampling, and conducted recorded, semi‐structured interviews using a standardized guide. Two researchers coded the professionally transcribed data using a combined deductive and inductive approach and analyzed transcripts to identify dominant themes and representative quotations. Results Among 25 participants, 20 (80%) were women and 17 (68%) were white. We identified four barriers during the ED‐to‐community care transition: (1) ED discharge process was abrupt with missing information regarding symptom explanation and performed testing, (2) navigating follow‐up outpatient clinical care was challenging, (3) new physical limitations and fears hinder performance of baseline activities, and (4) major and minor ramifications for caregivers impact an older adult's willingness to request or accept assistance. Conclusions Older adults identified barriers to successful ED‐to‐community care transitions that can inform the development of novel and effective interventions.

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INTRODUCTION After emergency department (ED) discharge, persons living with cognitive impairment (PLWCI) and their care partners are particularly at risk for adverse outcomes. We sought to identify the barriers experienced by care partners of PLWCI during ED discharge care transitions. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study of 25 care partners of PLWCI discharged from four EDs. We used the validated 4AT and care partner‐completed AD8 screening tools, respectively, to exclude care partners of older adults with concern for delirium and include care partners of older adults with cognitive impairment. We conducted recorded, semi‐structured interviews using a standardized guide, and two team members coded and analyzed all professional transcriptions to identify emerging themes and representative quotations. RESULTS Care partners’ mean age was 56.7 years, 80% were female, and 24% identified as African American. We identified four major barriers regarding ED discharge care transitions among care partners of PLWCI: (1) unique care considerations while in the ED setting impact the perceived success of the care transition, (2) poor communication and lack of care partner engagement was a commonplace during the ED discharge process, (3) care partners experienced challenges and additional responsibilities when aiding during acute illness and recovery phases, and (4) navigating the health care system after an ED encounter was perceived as difficult by care partners. DISCUSSION Our findings demonstrate critical barriers faced during ED discharge care transitions among care partners of PLWCI. Findings from this work may inform the development of novel care partner‐reported outcome measures as well as ED discharge care transition interventions targeting care partners.

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Background A worldwide higher incidence of prostate cancer and lower incidence of testicular cancer in men of African ancestry compared to European ancestry has been observed previously. However, underlying mechanisms accounting for these observations are largely unknown. Methods The current study analyzed previously reported SNPs associated with either prostate cancer or testicular cancer to examine whether the risk allele frequency could help us understand the observed incidence disparities in men of African ancestry and European ancestry. Both t-test and regression analysis were performed. Results Here we show that men of African ancestry are more likely to have risk alleles of prostate cancer and less likely to have risk alleles of testicular cancer compared to men of European ancestry. Conclusions Our findings suggest that genetic factors may play an important role in the racial disparities in the risk of prostate and testicular cancers.