The Pregnancy Project: Impact of Ultrasound Use During Pregnancy Care

Paige Ricci — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 14:30:00 PDT

Use of ultrasounds during pregnancy continues to increase and there is much debate as to what the best practice is regarding their use, for what types of patients, at what volume level. Current evidence suggests, the extended routine use of ultrasound technology should be for all women that present complications to screen for structural anomalies during pregnancy. However, others have suggested that excessive ultrasound use may be both unnecessary, costly and potentially harmful. Evidence further suggests that mothers find the use of technology to be security enhancing during pregnancy and through the process of care, and that ultrasound use is important for boding with their unborn baby. Here, I examine the impact of ultrasound use on care satisfaction in a panel of women who have given birth in the northeast through a retrospective survey. Findings suggest that ultrasound use is not a driver of care satisfaction overall, however physicians may be acting on this differently with the coming implications of health care reform.

Human Papillomavirus: How Social Ideologies Influence Medical Policy and Care

Fadi Hachem — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 14:30:00 PDT

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the ways in which new advances in the production of a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) have been received by both the general public and the medical community. Despite its high prevalence in the general population, as a sexually transmitted infection, there is a great deal of shame and stigma associated with contracting the virus (Waller, et. al. 2007). HPV is a disease of disparities in that ethnic and sexual minorities are disproportionately affected. Since the HPV vaccine is most effective at both a younger age, and before the first sexual experience, it is important to protect the future sexual health of individuals. The debate is still ongoing in many states about whether the HPV vaccine should be a part of required school vaccinations for those entering the sixth grade. Many moral conservatives fear that forced vaccination infringes on parental rights and encourages sexual promiscuity before marriage. Abstinence-only messages being taught in schools has only served to amplify a sex-negative ideology in American culture. It is important for health care professionals to be aware of the social perspective of HPV and address these concerns, especially with their at risk patients. By addressing disparities, parent and provider views of vaccination, and sexual stigmas, vaccine uptake in all adolescents will be improved. Implementing a vaccine mandate for school entry will ensure that those at most risk of being affected will be reached.

The Power of Prevention

The Pregnancy Project: Impact of Ultrasound Use During Pregnancy Care

Human Papillomavirus: How Social Ideologies Influence Medical Policy and Care