Family Medicine Commons^™

Family Medicine’S Role In Addressing The Intersections Of Redlining And Climate Change, Daryl O. Traylor, Eboni E. Anderson, Brianna Clark, Alex M. Smith, Cooper K. Allenbrand

Journal of Sustainable Social Change

Redlining, the practice of discriminating against specific neighborhoods based on race and socioeconomic status, leads to persistent environmental hazards and socioeconomic inequalities that have lasting adverse health effects on their populations. Health disparities are further exacerbated through the concentration of environmental hazards, as well as the escalating impact of climate change, which poses an increased risk of respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, mental health issues, heat-related illness, infectious diseases, food insecurity, and socioeconomic difficulties in redline neighborhoods.

This paper examines the interplay of redlining, climate change, and health disparities, with an emphasis on the enduring consequences for these marginalized communities. Through …

Strategies For Combating Vaccine Hesitancy In Primary Care, Elizabeth Perkins Hayes

Student Scholar Showcase

This article will summarize methods for providers to effectively combat vaccine hesitancy in their patient populations. Vaccine hesitancy is a growing concern in the medical field, as new cases of vaccine preventable diseases arise. However, vaccine hesitancy is more common than vaccine resistance and can be converted into vaccine acceptance with effective communication strategies.

There is no easy solution to the complex problem of vaccine hesitancy. Most studies demonstrate that effective conversion to vaccine acceptance requires tailoring vaccine information to the patient and listening to their concerns. Other methods include exposing patients to survivors of vaccine preventable diseases, or using …

Screening For Social Determinants Of Health In The Primary Care Setting: A Quality Improvement Project, Winifred Ann Shouse

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Social determinants of health are the conditions in which individuals are born, age, work, and live that affect health status and outcomes (Rivich et al., 2019). These social and environmental factors can create barriers to patients being able to access and adhere to recommendations for chronic disease management (Gold, et al., 2019). Communication gaps between patients and primary care providers make it challenging for healthcare providers to be completely aware of the financial burdens their patients encounter (Patel et al., 2016). Research supports that identifying and addressing the barriers related to social determinants of health can improve the management of …

Evaluating Kentucky Advanced Practice Registered Nurses’ Confidence, Comfort, And Knowledge Levels Regarding Dermatology Care After A Web-Based Video Training, Victoria Hayden

DNP Projects

Background: It can take an average of 38.9 days to see dermatology from referral to initial appointment. As a result, delays in diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions such as malignant melanoma could occur. Primary care providers frequently refer patients for benign conditions that can be appropriately managed in the primary care setting; often due to lack of knowledge or confidence in their clinical management skills. Educational resources equip providers with the knowledge and tools to feel confident in their management of various skin conditions in a primary care setting. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to …

Depression Management Among Primary Care Providers: Evaluation Of An Educational Intervention, Whitney Hunt

DNP Projects

Background: Nearly one-third of patients diagnosed with depression and prescribed an antidepressant medication will stop taking their medication within the first month. Timely follow-up care can improve medication adherence and symptoms for depressed patients on antidepressants however, most patients do not receive timely follow-up. Common system and provider-based barriers to timely follow-up include limited provider time, lack of training, and mental health stigma.

Objective: The purpose of this project was to assess provider attitudes, knowledge level, perceived barriers, and current depression management strategies in a primary care setting.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental one group pre/post-test study a survey was used …

Perspectives Of Primary Care Physicians On Acceptance And Barriers To Covid-19 Vaccination, Philip Day, Chance Strenth, Neelima Kale, F. David Schneider, Elizabeth Mayfield Arnold

Family and Community Medicine Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the perspectives of primary care physicians in Texas around vaccine acceptance and potential patient barriers to vaccination. National surveys have shown fluctuating levels of acceptance for COVID-19 vaccination, and primary care physicians could play a crucial role in increasing vaccine uptake.

DESIGN: This study employed a cross-sectional anonymous survey design to collect data using an online questionnaire. Participants were asked about vaccination practices and policies at their practice site, perceptions of patient and community acceptance and confidence in responding to patient vaccine concerns.

SETTING: From November 2020 to January 2021, family …

Physician Burnout Among West Virginia Primary Care Providers, Kevin S. Mccann, Adam Baus, Joanna Bailey, Laura Boone, Jennifer Boyd, Martha Cook-Carter, Dan Doyle

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Introduction

Work related burnout is highly prevalent in US physicians and linked to adverse effects on patients, providers and organizations. This study measures burnout in West Virginia (WV) primary care providers, allowing for comparison of results to a similar, recent study of US physicians.

Methods

Anonymous survey through email that included Maslach Burnout Inventory, demographic, workload, and practice characteristics. Responses were analyzed using JMP Pro 13. Analysis used JMP Pro 13 for descriptive statistics, chi-square and regression modeling.

Results

Subjects = 110, female/male ratio 1.4, all primary care physicians (PCP), or advanced practice registered nurses or physician assistants (APRN/PA). PCP …

The Preventative Healthcare Shortage: A Look At The Vt And Ct Community Perspectives And Medical Student Interest, Michael J. Lawler

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

We adapted and modified a previously generated survey to better understand the motivations and barriers of medical students to enter primary care. The survey was dispersed to all medical students at LCOM as well as third and fourth year medical students at Ross University and American University of the Caribbean (AUC). We analyzed preliminary data from 100 respondents. Notable barriers identified included cost of medical school, stigma associated with primary care, and inadequate time spent with patients. Recommendations for possible intervention were discussed.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (Cidp) In A Patient With Diabetes: A Primary Care Perspective, Jordan Dever, Adam M. Franks, Laura M. Given, William Rollyson, Adrienne Mays-Kingston

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a recurrent and progressive disease that causes proximal, symmetrical extremity weakness. The disease is diagnosed using clinical features, electrophysiologic testing, albumino-cytological disassociation in the cerebrospinal fluid, and sural nerve plexus biopsy. However, because of the low sensitivity of diagnostic criteria and other similar neuropathies, including diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), accurate diagnosis is difficult. Differentiating between these diseases is especially important as CIDP’s changes are reversible and DPN’s are not. Making this differentiation allows for symptomatic improvement in a patient’s quality of life that would not be achieved otherwise. Early recognition and treatment, with modalities including …

Implementing Evidence-Based Opioid Prescription Practices In A Primary Care Setting, Cyril Gaiennie

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The use and misuse of opioid pain medication has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. More than 16,000 people die each year due to the misuse or abuse of prescription opioid medications, which is more than from heroin, cocaine, and benzodiazepines combined. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project is to establish processes enabling a primary care clinic to implement and adhere to the 2016 Centers for Disease Control’s guidelines for opioid prescription practices in the primary care setting. A retrospective chart review conducted prior to implementation of the guidelines demonstrated that four of six of the CDC’s recommendations …

Effectiveness Of An Interventional Program For The Management Of Hypertension Through Strengthening Of The Health Care Delivery System : A Pilot Study, Waris Qidwai, Khawar Kazmi, Kashmira Nanji, Sana Anees

Department of Family Medicine

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of an interventional program to improve hypertension management through strengthening of the health care delivery system.
Methods: A pilot study was conducted from February to December 2014 in two off-site Family Medicine clinics of the Aga Khan Hospital Karachi, Pakistan. Patients aged > 40 years, with known hypertension were included. At the intervention site, Family Physicians were trained; individual and group education sessions were conducted for catchment population, while usual care was provided at the control site. Referral system between primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care was …

Performance Of Colorectal Cancer Screening Steps In Primary Care, Salini Mohanty, Mph, Mona Sarfaty, Md, Mph, Faafp, Randa Sifri, Md

Mona Sarfaty

Discussion:

This analysis revealed the differences in which physicians in primary care complete CRC screening steps. The approach and completion of screening steps varied greatly among practices.

There was a correlation between the quantitative data and the qualitative data. The analysis from both methodologies produced similar results and supports each other's assessment.

All of the practices analyzed possessed one of the essential elements (a physician recommendation) which is the foundation for increased screening. All of the practices have the potential to expand upon this foundation in order to ensure that all eligible patients are approached and screened for CRC.

The …

Performance Of Colorectal Cancer Screening Steps In Primary Care, Salini Mohanty, Mph, Mona Sarfaty, Md, Mph, Faafp, Randa Sifri, Md

Department of Family & Community Medicine Presentations and Grand Rounds

Discussion:

This analysis revealed the differences in which physicians in primary care complete CRC screening steps. The approach and completion of screening steps varied greatly among practices.

There was a correlation between the quantitative data and the qualitative data. The analysis from both methodologies produced similar results and supports each other's assessment.

All of the practices analyzed possessed one of the essential elements (a physician recommendation) which is the foundation for increased screening. All of the practices have the potential to expand upon this foundation in order to ensure that all eligible patients are approached and screened for CRC.

The …

Landscaping Health Financing Works In Pakistan, Shehla Zaidi, Shafqat Shehzad, Asad Sayeed, Liaquat Khowaja

Community Health Sciences

No abstract provided.

Tale Of A Woman With Stomatitis And Response Of Health Care System, Waris Qidwai

Department of Family Medicine

A 55 year-old housewife presented to the Family Medicine Clinic due to recurrent oral ulcers for a year. She also had generalized itching, weakness, anorexia and abdominal distension after meals. She had visited several practitioners including family physicians and sub-specialists but a diagnosis was not reached. She was diagnosed to have Lichen Planus and Hepatitis C at family practice clinic. Since a health care system does not properly exist, patients seek treatment from sub-specialists without first consulting a primary care practitioner. This report identifies a failure in health care system and it is also recommended that all patients should be …