Family Medicine Commons^™

Addressing Gaps In Care Through A Medical Student-Led Cancer Screening Project, Matthew Green, Hannah Ngo, Dakota B. Pastore, Jenna Zappetti, Olivia Siciliano, Meghan Mcquade, John Sauer, Anne Jones

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC), breast cancer (BrCa), and cervical cancer are three of the most preventable cancers. Despite the known significance for early detection and treatment, barriers to screening remain. We developed a medical student-led project to improve adherence to national cancer screening guidelines in patients across Rowan-Virtua Family Medicine (FM) practices. This study assesses the initiative’s efficacy in improving adherence to CRC, BrCa, and cervical cancer screenings.

Methods: Rowan-Virtua FM patients between the ages of 21-75 (n=735) were identified as due or up-to-date on cancer screenings based on chart review. Student volunteers were trained to contact patients to discuss …

Case Report And Brief Review: Co-Infection Covid-19 Virus And Influenza A Virus, James Espinosa, Umar Sannoh, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

We report the case of a 45 year old male who presented to the an emergency department with a complaint of myalgias, chills and sore throat of a two day duration. The patient tested positive for COVID-19 virus as well as Influenza A virus. The purpose of this brief review is to discuss what is known about co-infection of COVID-19 and influenza A.

Pathophysiology, Presentation, And Management Of Interstitial Cystitis In The Acute Setting, David Koziel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Interstitial cystitis (IC) also known as bladder pain syndrome (BPS) and more infrequently by other monikers represents a debilitating disease with a poorly understood pathophysiology. According to the Centers for Disease Control the incidence of IC ranges from 1 to 5.1 cases per 100,000 individuals. While a relatively rare condition, it is common enough that the provider in the acute setting recognizes the pathophysiology and is familiar with the management of this condition. It is a disease that is more prevalent in women, however men can also be affected. Due to the significant overlap with more common conditions, it is …

The Effectiveness Of Examination Table Cleaning Protocols In Osteopathic Family Medicine Offices, Riley Phyu, Harrison A. Patrizio, Thomas Boyle, Todd Schachter

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Contaminated environmental surfaces are responsible for acquisition of healthcare associated infections. In 2002 there were approximately 1.7 million healthcare associated infections, resulting in about 99,000 annual deaths. Appropriate disinfection of environmentally contaminated surfaces are required to reduce transmission of pathogens. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence is being used in hospital settings to audit the cleanliness in the hospital settings. However, there is a paucity of literature in different healthcare settings outside of hospital settings. This may unintentionally result in a more relaxed cleaning protocol in outpatient settings.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of disinfecting protocol in osteopathic family medicine offices using …

Improving Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Practices With Qi Methodology In Family Medicine Offices, Rea Isaac, Anne Jones

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is crucial in preventing vision loss and blindness in vulnerable diabetics. With around 7.7 million patients having DR, and the target population being 20 -75 years old, the potential for improving their quality of life is substantial (WHO, 2022). Despite the importance of timely and routine eye exams, 45% of diabetic patients do not complete an exam despite physicians recommendations (Lu, 2014). This project aims to standardize eye exams, improve process flow, and improve patient understanding of the urgency of timely and comprehensive eye exams for DR. Multiple PDSA cycles and QI …

Outcomes In Type Ii Diabetes Patients Through The Covid 19 Pandemic A Retrospective Chart Review, Zurwa Nishat, Tara Pellegrino, Robert Steer

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Context: The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity for urgent expansion of telemedicine services as providers continued to supply longitudinal care to patients. Patients with type II diabetes were vulnerable to serious infection with COVID-19 as well as disruption in management of their chronic disease.

Objective: To delineate the outcomes in type II diabetes patients through the COVID-19 pandemic by a retrospective chart review in which disease management was evaluated through HbA1c levels and BMI.

Methods: This retrospective chart review included adult T2DM patients receiving care from five university family medicine offices in NJ. HbA1c levels and BMI values were …

Clinical Practice Workflow Implementation For The Improvement Of Diabetic Metric Compliance, Sugosh Anur, Sohil Khanna, Alison Mancuso, Alexander Kowalski

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Recent guidance suggests the management of screen-detected diabetes can be optimized using multifactorial interventions to improve overall disease burden, patient outcomes, and cost-savings. We explored preventive diabetic care and implemented interventions to increase recommended testing compliance among patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus. This study employed a multi-faceted approach beginning with the distribution of surveys to patients in the Stratford Family Medicine Office in order to gauge their health literacy level pertaining to Diabetes management. Patient electronic medical records were evaluated to determine baseline levels for all laboratory values. Data analysis was completed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences …

Secondary Stroke Prevention Retrospective Analysis, Mansi Panse, Samantha Plasner, Nasrine Bendjilali

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability among adults in the United States, and there are well recognized modifiable risk factors for stroke. Secondary prevention efforts to reduce the likelihood of recurrent stroke should be top priority in this high-risk patient population. The role of the primary care team in implementing and assisting patients with adherence to secondary prevention efforts is critical. The objective of this retrospective analysis is to examine how successful primary care providers are at implementing secondary stroke prevention guidelines.

Preventing secondary stroke is critical to the welfare of this high-risk population and ultimately saves …

The Impact Of Exercise On Pregnant Women Aged 18-40 And Fetal Development, Jinisha Patwa

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

68% of those who performed minimum level exercise prior to pregnancy stopped completely during early pregnancy.

Women stop exercising during pregnancy due to worries about the impact it may have on the development of the fetus.

Starting moderate-intensity, weight-bearing exercise early in pregnancy increases placental growth rate and volume.

Exercise reduces the risks of excess gestational weight gain and high maternal body weight before pregnancy.

Physical exercise reduces the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus.