Santina Wheat

Oct 22, 2024 | mdedge.com | Santina Wheat

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and persistent infection with high-risk strains is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Fortunately, vaccines are available to prevent many HPV-related diseases, but they haven’t fully eliminated the risks. Cervical cancer screening remains essential for early detection and prevention. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) currently recommends regular cervical cancer screenings for women aged 21-65.

Oct 9, 2024 | kevinmd.com | Santina Wheat |Michael McCutchen |Sara Pastoor |Christopher Habig

In December 2019, I reached out to the grief counselors at the hospice organization that cared for my mother as she passed. It had been almost a year since her death, and I was running out of time to seek help. I had spent so much energy ensuring my daughters were OK, believing, as I was taught in medical school, that grief just passes. Back then, I learned grief lasted about two months—but thankfully, we now acknowledge that it can last much longer.

Oct 3, 2024 | kevinmd.com | Santina Wheat |Martin Lustick |Benjamin Brookwell |George Mathew

The American Medical Association recently reported a decline in physician burnout rates, which is fantastic news. Decreasing burnout means happier doctors, improved patient care, and healthier relationships with family and friends. Yet, even with this progress, burnout rates in my own specialty, family medicine, along with other primary care specialties, remain staggeringly high—over 50 percent.

Sep 23, 2024 | annfammed.org | Santina Wheat |Elizabeth Beiter |Erin Kavanaugh

When family medicine leaders increase their understanding of health equity, their programs, residents, and communities’ benefit. AFMRD, with the AAFP, supports 2 health equity fellows annually. This fellowship, established in 2018, helps family physician leaders improve expertise in the social, cultural, and institutional influences on patient health, prioritizing the health of underserved communities and minority groups.

Sep 19, 2024 | mdedge.com | Santina Wheat

Publish date: September 19, 2024 Primary care physicians frequently offer postexposure prophylaxis for various infections, including influenza, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis, and Lyme disease, among others. However, the scope of postexposure prophylaxis in primary care is expanding, presenting an opportunity to further integrate it into patient care.