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Towards The Elimination Of Viral Hepatitis In Clinton County, New York, Michael H. Le Jan 2024

Towards The Elimination Of Viral Hepatitis In Clinton County, New York, Michael H. Le

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Chronic viral hepatitis is a major public health issue, affecting approximately 300 million persons globally. In Clinton County, New York, chronic viral hepatitis remains a major concern, with incidence rates for hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) in the top quartile and hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) in the 3rd quartile for the state in 2022. This current study aimed to identify the trends in incidence and prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis in Clinton County, rates of HBV birth dose vaccination, and to reflect on the experiences in treatment and prevention of chronic viral hepatitis at a community health clinic in …


Diabetic Foot Wound Care, Richard Q. Vuong Jan 2023

Diabetic Foot Wound Care, Richard Q. Vuong

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Diabetic foot wound care educational pamphlet developed during the family medicine rotation for 3rd-year medical students. This project was developed in Brookfield, CT.


Access To Prep In Plattsburgh, New York (Cvph Family Medicine), Kelly Knight Jan 2023

Access To Prep In Plattsburgh, New York (Cvph Family Medicine), Kelly Knight

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

This project examines ways to increase access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Plattsburgh, New York (located in Clinton County). After a review of the current literature on the subject and interviews with community members, an intervention was conducted at CVPH Family Medicine. EHR tools were generated and distributed to providers in the practice, with the goal of increasing the distribution of patient education materials about PrEP.


Benign Vs. Malignant: Improving Prevention And Detection Of Cancerous Vs. Non-Cancerous Skin Lesions Through Inclusive Patient Education, Simran Kalsi, Sam Afshari Jan 2022

Benign Vs. Malignant: Improving Prevention And Detection Of Cancerous Vs. Non-Cancerous Skin Lesions Through Inclusive Patient Education, Simran Kalsi, Sam Afshari

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Vermont consistently has one of the highest annual rates of melanoma in the United States. This is likely due to a range of factors including population demographics (predominantly white, aging population), active outdoor lifestyles, intense seasonal bursts of sun exposure, and inadequate Winter sun protection. The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated shutdowns have caused significant delays in healthcare delivery, further exacerbating the incidence and severity of melanoma. Primary care providers are therefore an increasingly essential first line of defense in detecting suspicious skin lesions and expediting treatment of skin cancer, but patients should be aware of when to seek evaluation. …


Improving Identification Of Dermatological Conditions In Skin Of Color, Sam Afshari B.S., Simran Kalsi M.S. Jan 2022

Improving Identification Of Dermatological Conditions In Skin Of Color, Sam Afshari B.S., Simran Kalsi M.S.

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Vermont primary care practitioners are less likely to have experience diagnosing dark skin tones given that the state population is 94.2% white. Only 4.5% of images in general medicine textbooks and 4-19% of images in dermatology textbooks depicted darker skin. Black patients are significantly less likely to see a dermatologist, which highlights the importance of diagnosis at the primary care office.


Tackling Access To A Healthier Life, Edom Alemayehu Girma Jan 2022

Tackling Access To A Healthier Life, Edom Alemayehu Girma

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Obesity is a known risk factor for complications during childhood and later in adult life. While numerous factors play a role in the prevalence of obesity, this project focused on better intervention for obesity management in the family medicine clinic located in Plattsburgh, NY. Interviews and literature searches were conducted to determine possible strategies to better assist patients in attaining their sustainable weight loss goals and an overall healthier lifestyle.


Lifestyle Changes In Covid-19 Pandemic And Impact On Modifiable Stroke Risk Factors, Kelly J. Chan Jan 2021

Lifestyle Changes In Covid-19 Pandemic And Impact On Modifiable Stroke Risk Factors, Kelly J. Chan

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability in the USA. Underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease predispose an individual to increased risk of stroke. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic presents many challenges to these patients in terms of active health management and maintenance. A screening tool was developed to assess patient patterns of lifestyle behavioral changes measured by modifiable risk factors for stroke (medical condition management, diet, exercise, and smoking habits).


How Prepped Are Our Providers?: Assessing Vermont Primary Care Providers’ Knowledge And Awareness Of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) Options For Hiv Prevention, Christopher Flynn Jan 2021

How Prepped Are Our Providers?: Assessing Vermont Primary Care Providers’ Knowledge And Awareness Of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) Options For Hiv Prevention, Christopher Flynn

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

In recent years, a number of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medications and dosing strategies have become available to patients to help prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The primary objective of this research was to assess current PrEP awareness and prescribing practices of family medicine providers at the Hinesburg Family Medicine practice in Hinesburg, VT.


Dry Eye: Patient Education, Mark Oet Jan 2021

Dry Eye: Patient Education, Mark Oet

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Recent literature has shown increased incidence of dry eye and eye strain symptomatology during the COVID-19 pandemic, coinciding with an increase in screen time for almost all populations. This project aims to address this observation at a community level by creating a patient-friendly education pamphlet for Newtown Primary Care about dry eye and digital ocular strain based on American Academy of Ophthalmology guidelines.


Community Health Interventions To Reduce The Burden Of Radon-Related Lung Cancer, Benjamin Weaver Jan 2021

Community Health Interventions To Reduce The Burden Of Radon-Related Lung Cancer, Benjamin Weaver

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. One in seven homes in Vermont has elevated levels of radon, but most patients are unaware of radon as a risk factor for lung cancer or that radon testing and mitigation services are available to them. To promote increased testing and mitigation of radon we screened patients presenting to a Family Medicine practice in Vermont about whether they had had these services done in their home. We also developed a patient education resource for providers to give to patients who had more questions about radon …


Increasing Oral Health Care For The Elderly In Plattsburgh, Ny, Megan E. Prue Jan 2020

Increasing Oral Health Care For The Elderly In Plattsburgh, Ny, Megan E. Prue

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Poor oral hygiene can have many adverse systemic effects in the elderly, including aspiration pneumonia. This project explored ways to increase dental care in the elderly, with the aim of decreasing rates of pneumonia along the way.


Genitourinary Effects Of Smoking In Men: An Alternative Approach To Smoking Cessation Through Patient Education, Michael J. Lawrence Jan 2020

Genitourinary Effects Of Smoking In Men: An Alternative Approach To Smoking Cessation Through Patient Education, Michael J. Lawrence

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Smoking remains a prominent problem in Vermont, especially outside Chittenden County. The genitourinary effects of smoking tend to be poorly appreciated among patients. This presents an opportunity for further patient education and incentivization to quit. This project focused on the genitourinary effects of smoking in men, specifically highlighting how smoking increases risk of bladder cancer, poorer outcomes in prostate cancer, and a higher risk of erectile dysfunction. The project culminated in creation of an educational poster intended for display in patient bathrooms in a medical setting.


Lifestyle Changes During The Covid-19 Pandemic And Their Impacts On Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Francis T. Mtuke Jan 2020

Lifestyle Changes During The Covid-19 Pandemic And Their Impacts On Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Francis T. Mtuke

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The COVID-19 Pandemic has been particularly stressful for a wide array of patients, which has manifested in a number of ways. At the Brookfield Primary Care Clinic in Brookfield, CT, one of the ways that this was most prominent was through the change in the way patients exercised and ate. The impact this will have down the line is unknown, but this study aimed to assess the degree to which these changes have permeated the lives of patients.


Blood Pressure Management Education, Lauren G. Gernon, Cara Rathmell Jan 2020

Blood Pressure Management Education, Lauren G. Gernon, Cara Rathmell

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The expansion of telehealth with COVID-19 and recent recommendations to use at-home blood pressure monitoring to diagnose and monitor hypertension have increased the need for materials and education for clinicians and patients. A pilot project in Primary Care Internal Medicine UVM in Essex, VT, produced an electronic medical record dot phrase and compiled educational materials to initiate nurse visits for at-home BP measurements. Materials and experience with this pilot was researched for initiation of a similar program at UVM Family Medicine Hinesburg.


Educating Patients On Screening Guidelines And Expectations For Well-Woman Examinations, Cyrus Maxim Jalai Jan 2019

Educating Patients On Screening Guidelines And Expectations For Well-Woman Examinations, Cyrus Maxim Jalai

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Female patients seeing primary care in rural settings often do not seek out specialized care from a practicing OB/GYN, favoring instead to utilize their family practitioner to respond to their complaints. As such, it would be effective to work to educate these patients at their well-women examinations on routine screenings, immunizations, and health maintenance methods they should expect based on their presenting age. A handout simplifying and synthesizing the main screening and general health guidelines for annual well-women examinations may be helpful for female patients using primary care practitioners as their source for obstetric and gynecologic care.


Family Medicine Resident Education On Perioperative Management Of Patients On Anticoagulation, Hanna Mathers Jan 2019

Family Medicine Resident Education On Perioperative Management Of Patients On Anticoagulation, Hanna Mathers

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Family Medicine residents at CMMC in Lewiston, Maine manage patients in an outpatient clinic as well as on an inpatient family medicine teaching service. Many patients in the community are anticoagulated for native valve atrial fibrillation and undergo surgical procedures both in the inpatient and outpatient setting. Residents are often asked on to determine the necessity and timing of anticoagulation discontinuation for patients that they see. With patients on newer oral anticoagulants and various degrees of risk, it can be a challenge to make an informed choice. Residents have found that they would feel more confident in perioperative management of …


Quality Improvement: Cervical Cancer Screening Rates Within Hudson Headwaters Health Network, Dylon K. Gookin Jan 2019

Quality Improvement: Cervical Cancer Screening Rates Within Hudson Headwaters Health Network, Dylon K. Gookin

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Nearly 8 out of every 100,000 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. However, powerful screening tools exist that enable us to detect and manage cervical changes before they develop into cervical cancer. In spite of this, cervical cancer screening rates remain low for many providers. This public health project sought to identify and address a cause for low cervical cancer screening rates within the Hudson Headwaters Health Network. A literature review determined that education and mailed invitation letters were proven methods for improving cervical cancer screening rates. Following a review of the local population demographics, West Mountain Health …


Promoting Bone Health Through Weight-Bearing, Resistance Training, And Balance Exercises, Kinjal Thakor Jan 2018

Promoting Bone Health Through Weight-Bearing, Resistance Training, And Balance Exercises, Kinjal Thakor

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Osteoporosis and low bone density affect 54 million Americans. Advanced age, female gender, an underweight BMI, lack of estrogen, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle all increase one’s risk of developing osteoporosis or experiencing bone fractures from minor trauma. In addition, residents of northern states, like Vermont, experience an increased risk of bone loss over time due to limited exposure to sunlight and decreased physical activity over winter months. Although screening, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, general exercise, and treatment are largely discussed, patients are unaware of the specific exercise routines that can be done to strengthen their bones. In response, I …


A Patient Centered Intervention To Promote Primary Care Based Screening For Diabetic Retinopathy, William B. Earle Jan 2018

A Patient Centered Intervention To Promote Primary Care Based Screening For Diabetic Retinopathy, William B. Earle

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in patient's age 25-74 in the world. Onset of disease is insidious and early intervention is the only way to reduce morbidity. On average only 60% of diabetic's get an annual eye exam, but in the Western Connecticut Health Network (WCHN) that number is closer to 32%. This project sought to educate and encourage patients to take advantage of a new tele-medicine, primary care based diabetic retinopathy screening program starting at Brookfield Family Medicine (part of the WCHN).


Diet Management For Adult Onset Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Michael A. Persaud Jan 2018

Diet Management For Adult Onset Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Michael A. Persaud

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

In Southbury, Connecticut, diabetic diet management is an issue that perturbs both primary care providers and their patients. This project seeks to ameliorate the lack of readily available resources for diabetic dietary considerations. A brochure was made including helpful dietary information for patients that are unable or unwilling to see a Certified Diabetic Educator. As the incidence of diabetes continues to rise, patient education will be a powerful tool to help patients manage their diabetic care.


Window Of Opportunity For Opiate Dependence, Scott C. Mitchell Ii Jan 2018

Window Of Opportunity For Opiate Dependence, Scott C. Mitchell Ii

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Opiate dependence is a prevalent problem and there is a need for current regional information for those seeking to break opiate dependence. There is a small window of opportunity for these patients to seek and find help before they give up and return to using. This project provides a pamphlet with current resources for opiate dependent individuals to get help in a rapid period of time for the Bangor, Maine area.


Recommendation For Routine Prenatal Screening For Hepatitis C, Althea L. Morrison Jan 2018

Recommendation For Routine Prenatal Screening For Hepatitis C, Althea L. Morrison

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Hepatitis C prevalence and incidence are on the rise, both nationally and in Vermont. This project aims to assess the feasibility and potential benefit of implementing routine prenatal Hepatitis C screening, as opposed to screening only patients who fall within the high exposure risk category. Routine prenatal screening is a simple and cost effective means of increasing the early detection and treatment of Hepatitis C.


Halting Progression Of Stasis Dermatitis: Community Perspectives And Strategies For Prevention, Allison B. Robbins Jan 2018

Halting Progression Of Stasis Dermatitis: Community Perspectives And Strategies For Prevention, Allison B. Robbins

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Complications of stasis dermatitis including venous ulcers, osteomyelitis, and cellulitis all significantly increase morbidity and mortality of disease. Progression beyond stasis dermatitis and avoidance of the aforementioned complications are preventable with patient education and adherence to basic therapies including compression stockings and lifestyle modification. Therefore the goals of this project were to: assess the community’s understanding of stasis dermatitis and their awareness of its complications; use this information to help healthcare providers tailor their preventative health counseling accordingly; and provide education for patients on stasis dermatitis, its complications, and therapies/behavioral changes to prevent disease progression.


Patient Education: Importance Of Diabetic Foot Care, John Paul Nsubuga Jan 2018

Patient Education: Importance Of Diabetic Foot Care, John Paul Nsubuga

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Diabetes is about the leading causes of mortality in united states, estimated to cause greater than 80,000 deaths annually. With the ongoing obesity epidemic, the prevalence and incidence of this debilitating disease is on the rise. Diabetes the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation in United states. These amputations are often preceded by infected non-healing foot ulcers. It is therefore of at most importance to continue educating diabetic patients on proper foot care management to prevent ulcer formation. This project aims to create a patient educational brochure about the importance of proper diabetic foot care, while providing easy to …


Prostate Cancer Screening Guidelines: Providing Patient Education, Michael Burton Jan 2018

Prostate Cancer Screening Guidelines: Providing Patient Education, Michael Burton

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) is planning to update their prostate cancer PSA screening guidelines to a category C from category D grade. This could potentially lead to confusion among both providers and patients as they have become accustomed to the previous guidelines and there has always been much discussion among providers about whether to offer the test. This project seeks to provide information to patients about the upcoming change so that they are more informed and able to better participate in discussion with their doctor about the pros and cons of PSA testing.


Hepatitis C Screening In The Baby Boomer Cohort, Peter Hyson Jan 2017

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.


Education On Tick Bites, Tick Borne Disease, And Prevention In Middlebury, Vt, Florence Dibiase Jan 2017

Education On Tick Bites, Tick Borne Disease, And Prevention In Middlebury, Vt, Florence Dibiase

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Tick borne disease and tick encounters are continuing to increase significantly in Vermont, and represent a significant portion of primary and urgent care visits. In order to spread awareness and educate both providers and patients as to the incidence, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of tick borne diseases, an informational guide was made. This guide includes information for providers including up to date statistics, a tick identification and life cycle guide, and a chart explaining symptoms, lab findings, diagnosis, and treatment of the diseases found in Vermont. It also includes a patient education handout with a cut out identification card. This …


Combating Diabetes In Chittenden County: A Healthcare Provider Referral Campaign To Increase Patient Participation In The Vermont Diabetes Prevention Program, Samantha Magier Jan 2017

Combating Diabetes In Chittenden County: A Healthcare Provider Referral Campaign To Increase Patient Participation In The Vermont Diabetes Prevention Program, Samantha Magier

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

As of 2016, diabetes affects more than 29 million people in the United States and is the 7th leading cause of death nationwide. In Vermont, 1/10 people are diagnosed with either diabetes or prediabetes, with 6% of Vermonters affected by prediabetes and 5% of Chittenden Country affected by prediabetes. The public health burden of this chronic disease is immense: diabetes costs Vermont an estimated $543 million each year and is the leading cause of kidney failure, lower limb amputations, and adult-onset blindness. Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar is higher than normal but not at the diagnostic threshold of diabetes. Prediabetes …


"Beaver Fever" - Giardiasis In Vermont, Anthony Sassi Jan 2017

"Beaver Fever" - Giardiasis In Vermont, Anthony Sassi

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

“Beaver Fever,” or Giardiasis, is caused by a single-celled parasite called Giardia intestinalis. According to the most recent reports by the CDC, Vermont consistently has the highest rate of Giardia infection in the nation. Since the risk of infection for Vermonters is so high, it is important for both patients and providers to understand the transmission, symptoms, and treatment of this very common disease.


Bringing Diabetes Education To Your Home Via Your Smart Phones, Nazey Z. Gulec Jan 2016

Bringing Diabetes Education To Your Home Via Your Smart Phones, Nazey Z. Gulec

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

No abstract provided.