Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. However, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) population experiences significant disparities in CVD risk factors, placing them at higher risk for developing CVD. Assessing and addressing risk factors (RF) in this population requires identifying and addressing modifiable barriers in a timely fashion. We aimed to evaluate trainee assessment of CVD RF in the LGBTQ community while identifying potential barriers as opportunities for intervention. Methods: This was a multi-institutional study performed at three academic training programs in Georgia. An anonymous questionnaire was used to assess trainees' (interns, residents, and medical students) identification and perception of CVD RF in the LGBTQ community. The data was compiled and analyzed to identify perceived barriers to LGBTQ CVD RF assessment by medical trainees. Results: A total of 168 surveys were returned. More than a third (37%; 62/168) of trainees noted that the LGBTQ community is at increased risk of developing CVD compared to their cisgender heterosexual peers. Only 3.6% (6/168) reported complete confidence in assessing CVD risk factors in the LGBTQ community. The most identified (90%; 152/168) RF was environmental stress such as discrimination, rejection, and violence followed by HIV/AIDs (83%; 139/168) and hormone replacement therapies (81%; 136/168). Almost half (48%; 77/161) of trainees noted that they address risk factors for CVD in the LGBTQ community less than 25% of the time, listing a lack of knowledge of the unique risk factors in the LGBTQ community 45% (69/152) as the most significant barrier. Conclusion: Identifying and addressing unique CVD RF in LGBTQ populations is pivotal to improving overall CVD outcomes. Medical teaching teams and training programs can play a leading role in educating trainees about these unique risk factors and helping to address knowledge barriers. Our study demonstrates that medical trainees are largely unaware that the LGBTQ community is at increased risk for CVD, presenting a significant opportunity to address cardiovascular health disparities in this community through intentional changes in the structure of medical education.

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Background: Racial and ethnic healthcare disparities contribute to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs in cardiovascular disease. As one of the primary reasons for emergency department (ED) presentation, rapid assessment of patients with chest pain is necessary to guide further intervention and disposition. However, even with continued efforts to achieve health equity and eliminate disparities, Hispanics continue to face significant barriers to healthcare. Our goal was to assess the characteristics, and disposition, of Hispanic patients presenting to the ED with chest pain to identify potential targets for intervention to improve healthcare delivery. Methods: Data was obtained from the electronic medical record warehouse of a large, safety-net, academic hospital from January to December 2020. Patients who presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of “chest pain” were identified and medical records were reviewed. Bivariate analyses were performed to identify the relationship between Hispanic ethnicity and ED disposition. Results: Hispanic patients who presented with chest pain represented only 4.78% (530 of 11095). Hispanics were of younger age (43.4 vs 48.5) and had lower BP (128.8/77.8 vs 134.5/81.5), but were 2.93 times more likely to be uninsured (2.44-3.51, 95% CI, p<0.05). Hispanic females were 1.58 more likely to present with chest pain (1.32-1.88, 95% CI, p<0.05). Although Hispanics were admitted more often (17.74 vs 16.79%), overall disposition from the ED (admit to inpatient, observation, discharge) was 1.39 times longer for this ethnic group (99.0 vs 71.0 min, p<0.05). Disposition for admitted Hispanics took 1.98 times longer, (86.0 vs 43.5 min, p<0.05). Discussion: Our study suggests that Hispanics with chest pain may experience delays in triage and disposition from the ED. Contributing factors may be due to higher prevalence of undocumented status, lack of insurance, language barriers, and a lack of Hispanic providers who promote healthcare equity. Our next steps are to begin a focused educational program for residents to demonstrate that physician driven interventions are an effective way to promote the elimination of racial and ethnic healthcare disparities.

Introduction: Non-adherence to guideline directed medical therapies (GDMT) is responsible for significant health care costs, morbidity, and mortality in heart failure (HF) patients. Assessing and improving medication adherence (MA) is challenging in this patient population given its multifactorial nature. We aimed to evaluate trainee assessment of MA in HF patients while identifying potential barriers to addressing MA during patient encounters. Methods: This was a single-institution study performed at a large safety net hospital in Atlanta. An anonymous questionnaire was used to assess MA strategies of interns, residents, and medical students for HF patients. This data was compiled and analyzed to identify the most commonly perceived barriers to medication non-adherence. Results: 100 surveys were returned. 99% (99/100) noted that addressing MA is important in HF patients. However, only 83% (83/100) reported that they discussed the specific reasons for non-adherence with their HF patients, with 9%, 12%, and 78% addressing MA in the outpatient, inpatient, and both settings, respectively; the lack of time was reported as the most common contributor in all settings. The most common reasons reported by trainees for patient non-adherence include misunderstanding of their regimen (71%), cost (62%), and polypharmacy (57%). Although, 40% (40/100) of survey responders believed that ≥50% of their HF patients were nonadherent, strikingly, only 12% (12/100) discussed these MA barriers at all HF patient visits. Conclusion: Improving outcomes in HF patients is multifactorial. Medicine teaching teams can play a crucial role in this process by recognizing and addressing the specific barriers to MA in HF patients while promoting GDMT adherence. Our study demonstrates that although trainees recognize the importance of MA, the unique patient characteristics that contribute to non-adherence are under appreciated. Our long-term goal is to not only identify these barriers, but to implement educational interventions, then re-assess trainee comfort level with discussing MA, to demonstrate that trainee driven interventions can improve MA in HF patients while simultaneously reducing HF related re-admissions and hospital costs.