Health Services Administration Commons^™

Prevalence Of Colorectal Cancer Screening Among A Multimorbid Rural Appalachian Population, Steven T. Fleming, Nancy E. Schoenberg, Yelena N. Tarasenko, Kevin A. Pearce

Yelena N. Tarasenko

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the relation among multiple morbidities and the prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among older adult Appalachian residents of Kentucky. This is the first known study to address multiple morbidities exclusively with a health-disparities population.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 1153 subjects, aged 50 to 76 years, from Appalachian Kentucky.

Results: White race, post-high school education, and perception of having more than enough income on which to survive were associated with higher rates of any guideline concordant CRC screening. Statistically significant trends in the outcome of …

The Role Of Social Support In Multiple Morbidity Self-Management Among Rural Residents, Shoshana Bardach, Yelena N. Tarasenko, Nancy E. Schoenberg

Yelena N. Tarasenko

Social support generally is considered a valuable asset that may compensate for health service deficiencies among rural populations. Employing a mixed methods approach, we explored how vulnerable rural residents described social support in the context of self-management for multiple chronic conditions. Participants generally felt support was available, though emotional/ informational support was perceived as less available than other types of support. Participants did not rely heavily on informal support to help them manage their multiple morbidities, preferring to call on their doctor and their own resources. We discuss implications of these findings for meeting this vulnerable population’s self-management needs.

The Emergency Department As A Potential Intervention Recruitment Venue Among Vulnerable Rural Residents, Yelena N. Tarasenko, Nancy E. Schoenberg, Keisa L. Bennett

Yelena N. Tarasenko

Meeting the health care needs of rural residents is complicated by their substantial medical burdens that frequently outstrip patient and community resources. Nowhere is this more evident than in central Appalachia. Preventive procedures are often sacrificed as patients and providers attend to more pressing medical issues. We report the results of a pilot study designed to explore the need for and appropriateness of a potential intervention placed in an emergency department (ED), with the eventual goal of using the ED to link traditionally underserved patients to preventive services. We used a convenience sample of 49 ED patients to explore their …