Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Signs Of Humanity: A Qualitative Exploration Of Panhandling In Philadelphia, Alyssa Tate, Rosemary Frasso, Phd, Msc, Cph, Willie Baronet, Mfa, Katherine Brierly, Steven Buffer, Kaela Edwards, Zach Fusfeld, Jenna Garret, Nisha George, Nichole Holmes, Emily Wei

Phase 1

People who participate in panhandling are those who ask for financial or other assistance on the street. In Philadelphia, it is known that a large portion of people who panhandle also experience housing insecurity or other hardship. Panhandlers are a very visible fraction of a city’s homeless population and their experiences are of particular interest because their cardboard signs can give insight into common hardships such as housing and food insecurity and substance abuse disorders. While panhandlers in Philadelphia have been surveyed in the past, there is not recent literature on their lived experiences and perspectives and information was not …

Demographics, Support Opportunities, And Self-Reported Well-Being Of Patients Presenting For Hepatitis C Treatment At A Federally Qualified Health Center In Philadelphia, Dina Zaret, C. Coleman, M. Dorshimer, J. Kostman, L. Magaldi, T. Preston, R. Rivera, S. Trooskin

Phase 1

Introduction: As the opioid epidemic develops and evolves, the number of people who inject drugs is rising. A growing number of new Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections have been identified in people who inject drugs.

Objective: This study aims to better understand the demographics, well-being, and satisfaction with medical care of patients presenting for HCV treatment at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in an urban setting. The study also looks to assess the impact of continued connection to holistic medical care.

Methods: Surveys were administered to 51 unique patients at their first visit for HCV treatment. Along with demographic …

Health Needs Of Philadelphia’S Latinos Through Photovoice, Martin Hehir, Rickie Brawer, Phd, Mph, Mches, Caleb Dafilou

Phase 1

Introduction: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires non-profit hospitals to complete a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years that provides insight into the health and social needs of the community served and develop a plan to address priority needs. Community engagement and collaborative participation are essential to the process. For the 2019 CHNA, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals is conducting a more in-depth assessment of the Philadelphia Latino community in North Philadelphia in order to better understand the specific issues faced by this population.

Objective: To conduct a CHNA in North Philadelphia’s Latino community that identifies priority …

A Longitudinal Assessment Of Change In Blood Pressure Among Participants In The Heart Smarts Program, Kathryn Haskins, Susana Suzrez, Rickie Brawer, Phd, Mph, Sandra Sherman, Edd, Michelle Abel, Msph, James Plumb, Md, Mph

Phase 1

Many low-income areas of the United States are considered food deserts because people living in those communities have limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV); lack of FFV is tied to numerous health issues, including cardiovascular disease and obesity. The Heart Smarts Program (HSP) provides increased access to FFV in food deserts, as well as providing participants with nutrition education courses and health screenings, including blood pressure. The purpose of this study is to examine HSP participants who have been with the program for differing lengths of time in order to determine if length of participation has an impact …

Normalized Healthcare Utilization Among Refugees Resettled In Philadelphia, 2007-2016, Kaushal Desai, Mph, Colleen Payton, Phd, Mph, Ches, Kevin Scott, Md, Brandon George, Phd, Ms, Marc Altshuler, Md

Phase 1

Background/Purpose: About 70,000 new refugees are resettled in the United States each year, of which approximately 600 are resettled in Philadelphia. This project seeks to better understand the patterns of healthcare utilization, including primary care, emergency, and hospitalization, among refugees resettled in Philadelphia, PA, between 2007 and 2016.

Methods: Demographic and healthcare utilization data for 1,144 refugees seen at Jefferson Family Medical Associates were compiled from the Jefferson Longitudinal Refugee Health Registry. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic characteristics of the refugee population. Negative binomial count regressions were used to test for significant correlations between major demographic variables …

Mental Health And Resilience In Adolescent Refugees Resettled In Philadelphia, Saya Bery, Pia Ghosh, Mph, Ellen Plumb, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Mental health in adolescents has a large impact on physical health, academic achievement, and overall well-being; moreover, refugee youth are at an increased risk for mental health disorders. While growing evidence shows that positive youth development interventions can prevent health risk behaviors, there is need for further evaluation that shows how to tailor interventions to meet population-specific needs.

Objective: The aim is to assess how targeted interventions can enhance protective factors and reduce negative adult outcomes in vulnerable refugee adolescents. The goals are to understand the current status of mental health and access to resources among resettled adolescents in …

Knowledge And Awareness Of Std Risk Perception Of Msm In Philadelphia, Timothy Chou, Nancy Brisbon, Md

Phase 1

There has been a rise in incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), in particularly in men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM were 106x as likely to have primary or secondary syphilis as compared to men who exclusively had sex with women (MSW). MSM account for large portion of antimicrobial resistant gonorrhea diagnoses and saw a 151% increase in incidence while compared to a 31.7% increase in MSW. This study examines what MSM in Philadelphia know about transmission methods and outcomes of syphilis and gonorrhea to better understand MSM risk perception of these diseases. A multiple-choice test was distributed …

Perspectives Of Asian/Pacific Islanders On Lung Cancer Screening In Philadelphia: A Qualitative Study, Melissa Chai, Kristine Pham, Mph, Rickie Brawer, Phd, Mph, Mches

Phase 1

Introduction: Even though rates of smoking, the leading cause of cancer, are lower in Asian/Pacific Islanders (API), the rates of lung cancer deaths are still one of the highest compared to those of other minority groups in the US. However, little is known about the beliefs and attitudes that influence lung cancer screening behaviors of APIs.

Objective: The objective of this study is to better understand the current beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge of APIs in Philadelphia towards lung cancer and lung cancer screening.

Methods: Six in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants, who all had extensive experience working with the …

A Mixed-Methods Refugee Community Health Needs And Assets Assessment, Eleni Florakis, Rickie Brawer, Phd, Mph, Mches, Abby Cabrera, Kaushal Desai, Saya Bery

Phase 1

Introduction:

Many factors may negatively affect the experience of refugees navigating the healthcare system in Philadelphia. These factors include, but are not limited to, lack of familiarity with the healthcare system, language and cultural barriers, limited health literacy, physical and transportation barriers, and fear and/or distrust of the healthcare system. In addition, there are a large proportion of United States refugees in Pennsylvania. According to usnews.com, Pennsylvania was ranked the top 6th state for taking in the most refugees in the year 2017.

Objective:

The primary objective is to assess the experiences of refugees within the healthcare system since resettlement …

Medication Assisted Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder In The Primary Care Setting In Philadelphia: A Retrospective Review, Denis Ostick, Lara Weinstein, Md, Mph

Phase 1

Introduction:

The opioid crisis continues to be a growing public health concern across the United States. Americans struggling with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) can seek different resources to help curtail their addiction. These include abstinence -based programs such as Narcotics Anonymous and Specialty treatment facilities including methadone and suboxone clinics. It has been shown that increased availability of drugs to treat opioid use addiction, such as methadone and buprenorphine, is linked to a lower likelihood of relapse and fatal overdoses. Therefore, medication assisted treatment (MAT) is a valuable asset because it combines behavioral therapy and medications to treat opioid use …

Medication Assisted Treatment In The Primary Care Setting: A Prospective Review, Bridget M. Smith, Lara Weinstein, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Project HOME Health Services (PHHS) initiated a Medication Assisted Treatment program for Opioid Use Disorder in a primary care setting that is the first of its kind in the city of Philadelphia. This study assesses the MAT program by evaluating the Quality of Life (QoL) of the participants as well as their perception of the program.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the QoL of the participants in the MAT program at PHHS and to evaluate the participants’ satisfaction with the program.

Methods: The population includes patients enrolled in the MAT program at PHHS who consented …

Medical Respite Care Services For Homeless Patients Discharged From Thomas Jefferson University Hospital: A Needs Based Assessment, Taylor Treacy, Lara Weinstein, Md

Phase 1

Introduction: Medical respite programs have been proposed as a temporary solution to address the increased hospital readmission rates and lack of appropriate discharge options that exist for homeless patients.

Objective: This study examines the 90-day readmission rate and discharge locations of patients experiencing homelessness.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of homeless patients discharged from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) between April 30^th 2017 to April 30^th 2018. Homelessness was identified as any patient with 1 of the following locations listed for residency: 833 Chestnut Street, Broad Street Ministry, St. John’s Hospice, shelter as address, no address …

Lnp Mediators For Posterity, Yinelia De La Cruz, Stephen Adasonla, Kieara Martin, Yi Soo Hahm, Jaymi Phillips, Holly Spring

Nexus Maximus

We have decided to tackle substance abuse in Lower North Philadelphia by eliminating the stigma around mental health in low income communities. By preventing drug usage in teen and young adult mental awareness, we can combat issues like suicide and the opioid epidemic. Using mediators by partnering with university students we can offer positive role models into the school system, while also offering internships and residency opportunities.

Nexus Maximus V

The 2018 Challenge: "Improving Lives Through Healthy Communities" Teams will evaluate and seek innovation that supports the health and well-being of specific local community populations. The team’s project work will …

Drug Abuse Manifesting As Persistent Hypoglycemia: A Case Report Of Hidden Sulfonylurea Poisoning, Frederick B. Peng, Sharon Li, Md

Department of Medicine Posters

Background

• Prescription drug abuse is on the rise. According to the Philadelphia Department of Health data in 2017, up to 26% of adults may be using benzodiazepines and/or opioids (Table 1).
• 12% or 1/8 Philadelphians are estimated to be current benzodiazepine users and have taken one in the last 7 days. Benzodiazepine use is most common among people with household incomes below $25,000 and among the 45-54 years old age group (17.7%) [1].
• Most current users (84%) obtain benzodiazepines from health care providers [1]. However, with new policies to closely monitor controlled substances, those with dependence on benzodiazepines may turn …