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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Headphones And Adolescents: Hearing Loss Prevention, Taylor Sommer
Headphones And Adolescents: Hearing Loss Prevention, Taylor Sommer
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Headphone use of adolescents is on the rise due to increased availability of personal listening devices. Hearing loss has also increased in adolescents. This project aims at preventing noise-induced hearing loss by educating adolescents on proper use of headphones.
E-Cigarette Prevention Among Vermont Youth, Tyler W. Wark
E-Cigarette Prevention Among Vermont Youth, Tyler W. Wark
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
E-cigarettes are increasingly used by U.S. adolescents, a trend that is particularly troublesome from a public health perspective because they have been linked to conventional tobacco smoking. In Vermont, recent data from 2015 reports that 30% of high school students ever used electronic vapor products. At present the scientific, regulatory, and lay communities all have a dearth of quality information regarding e-cigarettes and their potential adverse health effects. This school-based intervention aims to promote awareness and educate at-risk youth in the Milton School District about e-cigarettes through an educational fact sheet and health blog post.
Connecting Seniors In Franklin County Vermont To Community Resources, Autumn Reilly
Connecting Seniors In Franklin County Vermont To Community Resources, Autumn Reilly
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Vermont currently has the second oldest population in the country and the elderly population is continuing to increase. Senior citizens define aging successfully as having good health, strong friendships, and being able to participate in activities. In order to meet the needs of seniors it is important to find ways to better connect them with available community resources. The aim of this project was to create a pamphlet of community resources available to seniors in Franklin County, Vermont to aid in connecting them to community involvement and support.
Assessing Patient Perspective Of Current Suboxone Treatment, Midori Eckenstein
Assessing Patient Perspective Of Current Suboxone Treatment, Midori Eckenstein
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
The number of people seeking treatment for opioid abuse and heroin use. While this number is increasing the number of heroin fatalities is also on the rise. Methadone clinics are reporting better retention rates than suboxone treatment. This project explores the patient perspectives of suboxone therapy and what can be improved to help establish better practices.
Opioid Prescribing: New Vermont Regulations For Providers, Lloyd Patashnick
Opioid Prescribing: New Vermont Regulations For Providers, Lloyd Patashnick
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Opioid abuse is serious problem in Vermont with an estimated yearly health cost of $38 million. In 2015, 28% of Windham county residents were prescribed opioids. In order to combat the ongoing crisis of opioid prescription abuse, the State of Vermont will implement new prescribing regulations which will take effect in July, 2017. To ensure compliance with these new regulations, health care providers need to be educated to allow for a seamless transition in patient care.
Use Of Opioids For Pain Management: Educating Patients And Providers On Upcoming Changes To Vermont State Law, Ashley C. Hodges
Use Of Opioids For Pain Management: Educating Patients And Providers On Upcoming Changes To Vermont State Law, Ashley C. Hodges
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Vermont is suffering from an opioid epidemic. With 112 opioid-related deaths in 2016, nearly every community has been touched by this crisis. In an attempt to combat this problem, new legislation (effective July 1, 2017) will change how opioids are prescribed for both acute and chronic pain management in Vermont. Changes include dose limitations for acute pain, stricter monitoring requirements, and mandated prescribing of naloxone (an overdose reversal agent) for patients on high doses of opioids or on both opioids and benzodiazepines. This project aims to educate patients about upcoming changes.
Implementing A Community Bipolar Screening Questionnaire In Vt, Suven Cooper
Implementing A Community Bipolar Screening Questionnaire In Vt, Suven Cooper
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates the number of adults with a diagnosed mental disorder is nearly 1 in 5, this equates to about 43 million Americans. The national shortage of psychiatrists has hit Vermont particularly hard. There has been both a lack of funding and a lack of psychiatrists. For example there is often a waiting line for acute level 1 beds at the Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital since it opened after the flooding of the state hospital in 2011. In light of the shortage of resources and psychiatrists in Vermont it is important to maximize the limited …
Community Awareness Of Burgeoning Prostate Cancer Screenings, Rose Kristine Leu
Community Awareness Of Burgeoning Prostate Cancer Screenings, Rose Kristine Leu
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Prostate cancer screening is an ever-changing field because the benefits of using PSA as a screening tool is not clear-cut, subsequently causing a lack of standardization of screening protocols among various providers. In 2012, the USPSTF published their recommendation of grade D to prostate cancer screening, which caused a decrease in its use. However, the USPSTF recently changed their recommendation from grade D to C, conceding that screening can be beneficial to a certain group of people. Patients are understandably confused about what is appropriate for them; now is the perfect time to raise awareness about the importance of prostate …
Rutland City Public School At Risk Youth Mentorship, Michael J. Marallo
Rutland City Public School At Risk Youth Mentorship, Michael J. Marallo
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
This after school program’s purpose is to address the unique challenges of Rutland, VT Middle/High School students with multiple psychosocial risk factors (as determined by comparison to the ACE questionnaire) through mentorship, health and life skills education, and by guiding the development of positive coping skills. Activities will allow for self-expression outside of the classroom in a safe environment. Focus will be placed on assisting paraeducators and teachers with meeting goals that are appropriate for each individual student.
Top Pew, Dexter C. Allen
Top Pew, Dexter C. Allen
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Problem: Patients on Suboxone (buprenorphine-naloxone) therapy break compliance by taking higher Suboxone doses, by supplementing with Suboxone purchased illicitly (“off the street”), or by taking other opiates and illicit drugs (cocaine), excluding marijuana. Need: Physicians and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) counselors would benefit from an approach to counseling and treating their patients that would better address the specific vulnerabilities that Suboxone patients face that threaten their compliance.
Indirect Approach To Intimate Partner Violence, Jasmine Y. Robinson
Indirect Approach To Intimate Partner Violence, Jasmine Y. Robinson
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Discussing Intimate Partner Violence can be difficult, and has many barriers. An indirect approach to speaking with patients about domestic violence, whether is is sexual, physical, emotional or financial can be achieve with patient's trust in a physician if they withhold judgement.
My First Cookbook! Healthy Recipes That Kids Can Make, Emily Kinn
My First Cookbook! Healthy Recipes That Kids Can Make, Emily Kinn
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
The obesity epidemic in the United States continues to negatively impact health outcomes in every age group. Interventions aimed at the pediatric population is an especially attractive public health strategy to help kids early on develop important skills for healthy eating to carry with them into adulthood. Childhood obesity prevalence remains alarmingly high at about 17% and has a huge impact on children’s health including higher likelihood of developing risk factors for heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, sleep apnea, psychiatric problems and problems with self-esteem. This project aims to help elementary school aged children become more involved in making …
Improving Access To Resources For The Medically Uninsured And Underinsured, Katelyn Donaldson
Improving Access To Resources For The Medically Uninsured And Underinsured, Katelyn Donaldson
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Many patients are uninsured or underinsured and are burdened by paying for appointments, labs/imaging, and prescription medications. There are a number of resources available to help with financing healthcare; however, they are under often under utilized. The aim is to create a singular tool for patients to identify resources applicable to their specific healthcare needs to better empower the underserved community members.
Teaching Value-Based Care: A Framework For A Family Medicine Resident Clinic, Alexander W. Marchese
Teaching Value-Based Care: A Framework For A Family Medicine Resident Clinic, Alexander W. Marchese
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Milton Family Practice is home to the University of Vermont’s Family Medicine residency program. As efforts to improve the value of health care increase, graduate medical education accreditation organizations may begin to reward and penalize residency programs based on their commitment to teaching and providing value-based care. Residency programs currently lack a clear strategy to prepare residents to assess and deliver value-based care. In this presentation, I present the VALUE Framework (Patel, Davis, & Lypson 2012) for the University of Vermont Family Medicine residency program to teach residents to assess and deliver value-based care for their patients during preceptor sessions.
Provider Education & Requirements For Opioid Prescriptions, Lawrence J. Leung
Provider Education & Requirements For Opioid Prescriptions, Lawrence J. Leung
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Nationally, there has been a surge in the opioid prescription crisis with associated overdose deaths. Vermont is no exception, with increasing opioid overdose related deaths within the last 10 years. A sample (n=111) of opioid addiction patients at the Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB) have demonstrated that 25% have their initial use due to provider prescription. New Vermont regulations to decrease opioid prescriptions are inefficient. The goal of this project is to implement a streamlined intervention to improve provider education and comfort regarding new Vermont state opioid prescribing regulations.
Lyme Disease: Prevention, Recognition & Treatment, Kristen J. Bartlett
Lyme Disease: Prevention, Recognition & Treatment, Kristen J. Bartlett
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Cases of Lyme disease have been steadily rising in Vermont every year. Though the public is becoming more aware of its presence, there is a great deal of misinformation regarding its prevention and treatment.
The Aging Lgbtq Population, John P. Corbett
The Aging Lgbtq Population, John P. Corbett
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Although being LGBTQ is more accepted than it was in previous times, there are still barriers that exist which keep some LGBTQ people from accessing quality healthcare. In the middle-age and older LGBTQ population, there are further issues that arise. Health care providers should be aware of some of these issues so that they can be addressed during an office visit if necessary.
Intimate Partner Violence In Immigrant/Refugee Populations, Lisa H. Wang
Intimate Partner Violence In Immigrant/Refugee Populations, Lisa H. Wang
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common type of violence affecting women. Globally, Central Africa and South Asia have some of the highest rates of IPV. In Vermont, the majority of refugees are from these regions. Individual, interpersonal, and especially cultural values play critical roles in the definition/appraisal and decision to seek help in these women. This study examines ways to mitigate challenges that healthcare professionals have in identifying women who need help and barriers preventing these women from seeking help.
Debate As A Tool For Rehabilitation: A 8 Week Debate And Public Speaking Course At Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center, Liam Donnelly
Debate As A Tool For Rehabilitation: A 8 Week Debate And Public Speaking Course At Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center, Liam Donnelly
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Sanction based prison approaches help to prevent crimes, but newer studies have shown that they do not prevent recidivism. Conversely, rehabilitation based programs have been shown to reduce recidivism rates, sparking a resurgence in these types of programs. Further, sanction based practices cost significantly more than rehabilitation programs that use parole. While rehabilitation programs are more effective and cheaper, more studies need to be performed to determine which type of rehabilitation program is the easiest and most effective. Preliminary studies show that education and CBT based programs are among the most effective. In order to add to the knowledge about …
Tackling Healthy Food Insecurity In Vermont’S Windham County, Marc J. Vecchio
Tackling Healthy Food Insecurity In Vermont’S Windham County, Marc J. Vecchio
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
The goal of this community project was to help bring healthy, nutritious food to underserved community members in Windham County, Vermont. It was designed to be an extension of the Vermont Foodbank's VeggieVanGo program, supplying fresh produce to those who cannot afford it. It was also designed to educate local businesses regarding available tax reductions for those who donate food to families in need.
Acrylate Allergy To Fake Nails: Unique Presentations Of Onchodystrophy And Subungual Hyperkeratosis, Marie Kenney
Acrylate Allergy To Fake Nails: Unique Presentations Of Onchodystrophy And Subungual Hyperkeratosis, Marie Kenney
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Artificial nails are commonly used worldwide for cosmetic nail enhancement. Chittenden County, Vermont has 20 operating salons that offer acrylic nail procedures. Common procedures for the administration of acrylic nails include self-curing sculptured nails and light-cured nail lacquer, also known as “gel” nails. Both methods employ binding agents that utilize acrylic monomers or polymers. These acrylates are a frequent cause of allergic contact dermatitis in both manicurists and clients. A distinct presentation of allergic contact dermatitis to nail lacquer has been recently recognized in the community. It involves the sudden onset of painful nails and lack of associated eczematous changes. …
Screening Youth For Suicide Risk In Middle School Setting, Nina Xue
Screening Youth For Suicide Risk In Middle School Setting, Nina Xue
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Depression and suicide ideation is a concern among the middle school population in Rutland County, VT. Youths who experience suicidal ideation are more likely to plan and/or attempt suicide later on in life. Standardized suicide screening and educational pamphlets would aid school counselors working with at risk students.
Education On Tickborne Diseases And Prevention Strategies, Christopher Bernard
Education On Tickborne Diseases And Prevention Strategies, Christopher Bernard
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Research suggests that around 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year and that around one billion dollars is spent on healthcare for Lyme disease alone. Vermont has the highest rate of incidences of Lyme disease per 100,000 persons in the United States. While Lyme disease is certainly a major community health issue in Berlin, VT there are many other tickborne diseases that are becoming increasingly prevalent such as Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Powassan virus disease, and Borrelia miyamotoi disease. An educational handout was created providing helpful information for both community members as well as healthcare providers. For community members the …
Backpack Safety Awareness To Prevent Back Pain In School-Aged Children, Aaron M. Gelinne
Backpack Safety Awareness To Prevent Back Pain In School-Aged Children, Aaron M. Gelinne
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 6,300 children between the ages of 5 and 18 were treated in emergency rooms for backpack injuries in 2016. Swanton Elementary School services over 500 children and frequently cites back pain as a reason for nurse visits, but does not provide any education on proper backpack safety. September 20, 2017 was National School Backpack Awareness Day which provided a unique opportunity to educate school parents and children about backpack safety.
Food For All, Vicenta Hudziak
Food For All, Vicenta Hudziak
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Hardwick area free and reduced-cost local food resources. Includes schedules and contact information for local meals, food pantries, assistance programs, educational programs, and cookbook information.
Hepatitis C Screening In The Baby Boomer Cohort, Peter Hyson
Hepatitis C Screening In The Baby Boomer Cohort, Peter Hyson
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
The USPSTF recommends a one-time screening for Hepatitis C, irrespective of prior risk factors, for individuals born between 1945-1965. Many patients in this group may not be aware of this recommendation or understand very much about Hepatitis C infection. This project sought to educate and promote screening among the "Baby Boomer" cohort at Hinesburg Family Medicine Clinic. A literature review on HCV screening in the age group cohort was carried out and a poster was created.
Immunization Safety: Addressing Parental Safety Concerns, Andrew Gallagher
Immunization Safety: Addressing Parental Safety Concerns, Andrew Gallagher
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Since 1998, when a fraudulent research paper alleged a connection between the MMR vaccine and autism, increasing numbers of parents are refusing routine childhood vaccinations. Recent research has shown parents’ top vaccine-related concerns included the number of vaccines during the first 2 years of life, administration of too many vaccines in a single doctor visit, and a possible link between vaccines and autism. More than 10% of parents of young children refuse or delay vaccinations, with most believing that delaying vaccine doses is safer than providing them in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended vaccination.
Recognizing Depression In Elderly Patients, Maia Sakradse
Recognizing Depression In Elderly Patients, Maia Sakradse
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Recognizing depression in elderly patients can be challenging. Lack of awareness of mental health issues amongst elderly patients, ideas that depression is a normal part of aging, and confusing symptoms of depression as symptoms of other conditions are just a few of the challenges. Providing patient information about the signs and symptoms of depression in older patients may help encourage patient to talk to their doctors about depression.
Cervical Cancer Screening At Community Health Centers Of Burlington, Adrienne Jarvis
Cervical Cancer Screening At Community Health Centers Of Burlington, Adrienne Jarvis
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Most invasive cervical cancers are found in women who have never been screened or who have not been screened in the last five years. In order to improve the cervical cancer screening rate at the Community Health Centers of Burlington, a chart review was conducted of female patients who did not have records of Pap tests within current guidelines. It was found that the 28% of these patients had pap tests by outside providers, indicating local care coordination is a major barrier to cervical cancer screening tracking. Another major barrier to screening was patients seen for acute visits only or …
Chronic Pain: Improving Patient Awareness Of Management Options, Lauren E. Haggerty
Chronic Pain: Improving Patient Awareness Of Management Options, Lauren E. Haggerty
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Chronic pain affects 100 million Americans and places a significant burden on patients and their families. Opioids are frequently used to manage chronic pain, and their potential for misuse, addiction, and adverse effects are of growing concern in Vermont. Increasing patient awareness of different pain management options could decrease patient suffering and mitigate the opioid epidemic. This project aimed to educate patients on chronic pain management and resources available in Franklin County.