Journal of general internal medicine
Audio Summaries

Extremely High NT-proBNP in Unselected Hospital Admissions: A Retrospective Analysis of Diagnoses and Outcomes

Sep 22, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the diagnoses and outcomes of hospitalized adults with extremely high NT-proBNP levels (≥ 20,000 pg/mL) to understand its clinical implications. Their retrospective analysis revealed that such elevated levels were more commonly associated with infections rather than heart failure, with a high mortality rate of 64.5% at six months. The findings suggest that NT-proBNP should be interpreted in the context of a broader range of acute illnesses rather than solely as an indicator of heart failure.

"I Can Open the Door": Sponsorship Roles and Practices in Academic Medicine

Sep 22, 2026

The authors aimed to explore how leaders in academic medicine approach and implement sponsorship to support faculty career advancement. Through qualitative interviews with 15 leaders, they found that while there is a commitment to sponsorship, barriers such as time constraints, unclear expectations, and a lack of institutional support hinder its effectiveness. The study highlights the need for clearer definitions and enhanced infrastructure to promote equitable sponsorship practices.

When "Well-Done" Is Not the Same: Item Response Theory Analysis of Medicine Residents' OSCE Communication Ratings Across Modalities

Sep 22, 2026

The authors aimed to compare the communication proficiency required for specific checklist ratings in virtual versus in-person Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) for Internal Medicine residents. While overall communication performance was similar across modalities, they found that residents needed a lower level of proficiency to achieve a "partly done" rating for the item related to patient understanding in virtual encounters. This study highlights the importance of examining individual communication skills to understand how modality may influence assessment outcomes.

Higher and Lower Intensity Outreach to Increase Enrollment in a Medicaid Food Is Medicine Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sep 22, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two outreach strategies—higher intensity (letter plus telephone) and lower intensity (letter only)—on enrollment in a Medicaid Food Is Medicine program compared to usual care. The study found that both outreach strategies significantly increased enrollment, with the higher intensity approach proving to be the most effective. These findings suggest that proactive outreach can enhance participation in such programs, although further research is needed to assess cost-effectiveness for broader implementation.

Understanding Key Stakeholders' Perspectives Towards Artificial Intelligence in Home Care Work

Sep 22, 2026

The authors aimed to explore the perspectives of home health aides (HHAs) and other key stakeholders regarding the deployment of AI technologies in home care work. Through qualitative interviews with 43 participants, they identified both the potential benefits of AI—such as enhancing patient care and improving organizational efficiency—and significant risks, including the erosion of patient-provider relationships and challenges related to data privacy and AI literacy. The findings emphasize the necessity for inclusive governance frameworks to ensure that AI adoption enhances care quality and supports the workforce.

How Internal Medicine Physicians Learn to Conduct Goals-of-Care Discussions: A Qualitative Study Across the Training Continuum

Sep 22, 2026

The authors aimed to explore how internal medicine (IM) trainees and physicians learn to conduct goals-of-care (GOC) discussions, identifying their experiences and learning needs. Through qualitative interviews, they found that understanding and approaches to GOC discussions evolve with experience, highlighting a gap in formal training and the necessity for a structured, longitudinal curriculum to enhance communication skills and clinical judgment in this area.

Physicians' Beliefs About Treating Asymptomatic Elevated Blood Pressure Readings Among Hospitalized Patients

Sep 18, 2026

The authors aimed to assess hospitalists' beliefs and preferences regarding the treatment of asymptomatic elevated blood pressure (BP) readings in hospitalized patients. Through a nationwide survey, they found significant variation in opinions, with nearly half of the physicians believing that asymptomatic elevated BP should not be routinely treated, particularly below a threshold of 170 mmHg. The study highlights the lack of consensus and the influence of patient history on treatment decisions among physicians.

The Association Between Visual Impairment and Delirium: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sep 18, 2026

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between visual impairment and the risk of developing delirium across various clinical settings. The findings indicate that visual impairment is linked to increased odds of delirium, with an odds ratio of 2.02 in adjusted analyses, although the evidence is rated as low certainty due to significant heterogeneity among studies. The authors highlight that while visual impairment may serve as a prognostic factor for delirium, causality has not been established, and further research is needed to determine if treating visual impairment can reduce delirium incidence.

Progress Toward the Health-Related Sustainable Development Goals: A Case Study of the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH)

Sep 17, 2026

This study examines the collaborative efforts between the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) over two decades to advance health-related Sustainable Development Goals (HRSDGs) in Kenya. The authors aim to demonstrate how partnerships among academic institutions, health ministries, and international organizations can effectively contribute to significant improvements in areas such as HIV care, maternal and neonatal health, and biomedical informatics. The findings suggest that this collaborative model can be replicated to achieve progress in HRSDGs globally.

Medication Adherence and Health Care Use After Medicaid Prescription Cap Removal Among People with HIV: a Difference-in-Differences Study

Sep 17, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the impact of removing Medicaid prescription caps on medication use, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, and health care utilization among adults with HIV in South Carolina. Their study found that the removal of the cap led to a significant increase in ART adherence and HIV-related prescription fills, particularly among individuals who previously had low prescription fills. However, the study did not observe consistent changes in overall health care utilization, suggesting that further strategies may be needed to enhance health outcomes.