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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Safe Storage: Prevention Of Drug Misuse And Overdose With Locked Medication Bags, Emily Claire Battle
Safe Storage: Prevention Of Drug Misuse And Overdose With Locked Medication Bags, Emily Claire Battle
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Safe storage of medications is critical to public health and safety in the state of Maine as well as across the country. Current public health efforts target education and prevention of accidental ingestion of medication by children and animals at home. This has become especially important in Maine with the increasing prevalence of substances used for treatment of opioid use disorder, as well as increasing prevalence of other non-prescription substances including fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine. In Lewiston, Maine, interviews with public health leaders, patients, and providers at the Family Medicine Residency at Central Maine Medical Center reiterated concerns for the …
The Medication-Assisted Therapy (Mat) Program Algorithm At Community Health Centers Riverside (Chc-R), Aathman Swaminathan
The Medication-Assisted Therapy (Mat) Program Algorithm At Community Health Centers Riverside (Chc-R), Aathman Swaminathan
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
No abstract provided.
Increasing Narcan Distribution In A Primary Care Setting, Charlotte Evans
Increasing Narcan Distribution In A Primary Care Setting, Charlotte Evans
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Opioid use and overdoses are an ongoing health issue in Maine, especially in the Lewiston/Auburn metropolitan area. While Maine has a robust Narcan distribution system, it is not frequently given out in primary care settings. Though interviews and an anonymous survey, it seems the reason behind this is multifaceted, so multiple interventions were created to target both patient awareness and education and provider screening and prescription, with the goal of increasing distribution in this setting.
Narrative Medicine: Perspectives On Opioid Maintenance, Noorin Damji
Narrative Medicine: Perspectives On Opioid Maintenance, Noorin Damji
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
People who experience opioid addiction often feel marginalized by healthcare workers, or stigmatized by the medical system. Additionally, there are not enough medical providers to meet the needs of people who struggle with opioid addiction. These factors create barriers that prevent the medical establishment from effectively meeting the needs of people who experience addiction. This project compiles rich perspectives of patients on opioid maintenance treatment to share with medical students and providers to foster greater empathy for these patients, and positive attitudes toward managing substance use disorder among future medical providers.
Hhhn Clinicians' Beliefs, Barriers, And Motivations Surrounding Mat, Casandra Nowicki
Hhhn Clinicians' Beliefs, Barriers, And Motivations Surrounding Mat, Casandra Nowicki
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) consists of using medications that act on the same receptors as opioids to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). MAT providers require formal training and a DEA waiver in order to prescribe certain medications. Providers were asked to complete a survey about the beliefs, barriers, and motivations surrounding MAT to provide valuable insight into what the future of MAT might look like at a specific nonprofit network of community health centers in upstate New York.
Improving Patient Educational Materials For A Suboxone Clinic In Southeastern Vermont, C. Wesley Cubberley
Improving Patient Educational Materials For A Suboxone Clinic In Southeastern Vermont, C. Wesley Cubberley
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Access to medical treatment for opioid use disorder plays a significant role in the ability of a community to support a person's recovery. In Springfield, VT, community workers and providers are attempting to organize a Suboxone (buprenorphine + naloxone) clinic in order to bridge the significant geographic and socioeconomic gaps implicit to this rural community's location. In order to garner interest and increase awareness of this forthcoming project, a short, accessible educational flyer was developed with the input of the health center's staff for future use.
Accessing Opioid Use Disorder Resources In Vermont, Wendy Hou
Accessing Opioid Use Disorder Resources In Vermont, Wendy Hou
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
A handout listing contact information for opioid use disorder resources in Vermont.
Factors Influencing Suboxone Relapse: A Survey In A Northwestern Vermont Rural Private Family Practice, Derek W. Tan
Factors Influencing Suboxone Relapse: A Survey In A Northwestern Vermont Rural Private Family Practice, Derek W. Tan
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
The opioid crisis has warranted nationwide attention towards not only the current prescribing patterns of pain medications, but also towards rehabilitating affected members of the community. Current interventions include the use of Suboxone (buprenorphine + naloxone) as well as Subutex (buprenorphine). As the implementation of partial opioid antagonists increase on a statewide level, investigating factors such as drivers of substance relapse are worth considering to further improve adherence to currently available treatment regimens.
Out-Of-Pocket Cost For Individuals Being Treated For Opioid Dependence In Rutland County, Vermont, Christopher T. Veal
Out-Of-Pocket Cost For Individuals Being Treated For Opioid Dependence In Rutland County, Vermont, Christopher T. Veal
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Each day more than 140 Americans die from drug overdoses, 91 specifically due to opioids. In Vermont, more than 50 people die each year from opioid poisoning. With insurance coverage being a critical component of Opioid Dependence Recovery, many people seeking treatment are unaware of the financial barriers to recovery- namely the out-of-pocket costs associated with treatment. This study sought to provide insight on the financial impact of Opioid Dependence Treatment on the patient, and provide financial assistance information to the Rutland County community.
Window Of Opportunity For Opiate Dependence, Scott C. Mitchell Ii
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.
Naloxone Administration: An Educational Video, Jennifer Boccia
Naloxone Administration: An Educational Video, Jennifer Boccia
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Identification of the need for client education on the use of naloxone opioid reversal kits.
Incorporating Naloxone Education Into Routine Primary Care, Eli Goldberg
Incorporating Naloxone Education Into Routine Primary Care, Eli Goldberg
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Opioid overdoses are a growing public health concern in Vermont and nationwide. Naloxone can save the life of someone who overdoses, if those around them know how to use it. This project investigates the feasibility of offering naloxone education as an element of routine primary care encounters with patients who do not use opioids themselves.
Combatting Opioid-Related Deaths In Rural Vermont Through Community Partnership, Brianna F. Waller
Combatting Opioid-Related Deaths In Rural Vermont Through Community Partnership, Brianna F. Waller
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Substance abuse continues to be a public health crisis. With legislative changes and creation of MAT programming in Vermont, access to behavioral health services for substance abuse treatment has shifted community response and perceptions. As Little Rivers Health Care houses both a MAT program and is a naloxone distribution site, a community event was organized to help train community leaders on how to administer naloxone and provide an avenue to form community partnerships.
Assessing Patient Perspective Of Current Suboxone Treatment, Midori Eckenstein
Assessing Patient Perspective Of Current Suboxone Treatment, Midori Eckenstein
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
The number of people seeking treatment for opioid abuse and heroin use. While this number is increasing the number of heroin fatalities is also on the rise. Methadone clinics are reporting better retention rates than suboxone treatment. This project explores the patient perspectives of suboxone therapy and what can be improved to help establish better practices.
Use Of Opioids For Pain Management: Educating Patients And Providers On Upcoming Changes To Vermont State Law, Ashley C. Hodges
Use Of Opioids For Pain Management: Educating Patients And Providers On Upcoming Changes To Vermont State Law, Ashley C. Hodges
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Vermont is suffering from an opioid epidemic. With 112 opioid-related deaths in 2016, nearly every community has been touched by this crisis. In an attempt to combat this problem, new legislation (effective July 1, 2017) will change how opioids are prescribed for both acute and chronic pain management in Vermont. Changes include dose limitations for acute pain, stricter monitoring requirements, and mandated prescribing of naloxone (an overdose reversal agent) for patients on high doses of opioids or on both opioids and benzodiazepines. This project aims to educate patients about upcoming changes.
Provider Education & Requirements For Opioid Prescriptions, Lawrence J. Leung
Provider Education & Requirements For Opioid Prescriptions, Lawrence J. Leung
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Nationally, there has been a surge in the opioid prescription crisis with associated overdose deaths. Vermont is no exception, with increasing opioid overdose related deaths within the last 10 years. A sample (n=111) of opioid addiction patients at the Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB) have demonstrated that 25% have their initial use due to provider prescription. New Vermont regulations to decrease opioid prescriptions are inefficient. The goal of this project is to implement a streamlined intervention to improve provider education and comfort regarding new Vermont state opioid prescribing regulations.
Chronic Pain: Improving Patient Awareness Of Management Options, Lauren E. Haggerty
Chronic Pain: Improving Patient Awareness Of Management Options, Lauren E. Haggerty
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Chronic pain affects 100 million Americans and places a significant burden on patients and their families. Opioids are frequently used to manage chronic pain, and their potential for misuse, addiction, and adverse effects are of growing concern in Vermont. Increasing patient awareness of different pain management options could decrease patient suffering and mitigate the opioid epidemic. This project aimed to educate patients on chronic pain management and resources available in Franklin County.
Increasing Naloxone Distribution In Vt Emergency Departments, Olivia M. Harris
Increasing Naloxone Distribution In Vt Emergency Departments, Olivia M. Harris
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Fatalities caused by overdose from opioids are increasing in Vermont. Evidence shows that Naloxone safely and effectively reverses the effects of opioids in overdose. This project aims to determine why physicians in VT Emergency Departments are not consistently distributing Naloxone to all patients with an overdose, and to increase awareness and implementation of this practice.
Evaluating Relapse Risks For Patients In An Office Based Buprenorphine Treatment Program, Brianna Spencer
Evaluating Relapse Risks For Patients In An Office Based Buprenorphine Treatment Program, Brianna Spencer
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Opioid abuse is a serious problem in Maine with a societal cost of 1.4 billion dollars. Buprenorphine has been used as an office based treatment for addiction management. In Maine there is a provider shortage for substance abuse and a large need in the community for treatment. In fact, there were 272 deaths in 2015 attributed to overdose. It is important that once patients begin treatment they remain in treatment without relapse. At EMMC Center for Family Medicine we explored the risks for relapse from the provider perspective, patient perspective and retrospective chart analysis in order to guide future interventions …
Chronic Pain Management: Local Resources And Education, Colby Russell Kearl
Chronic Pain Management: Local Resources And Education, Colby Russell Kearl
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Many patients with chronic pain are not aware of many treatment options and local resources available to them. Local providers know these resources, but often are not able to convey such vital information to patients due to time constraints. Educational handouts are often provided to patients allowing them to take time outside the clinical encounter to explore other options and resources.
Chronic Pain: Decreasing Dependence On Opioids, Derek Luzim
Chronic Pain: Decreasing Dependence On Opioids, Derek Luzim
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
An estimated 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. A substantial number of them have been prescribed opioid medication for pain management. Evidence has accumulated that opioid medication is inefective for long-term pain control, and that it is associated with increased risk of overdose and accidents, diversion, dependence and misuse. Doctors are increasingly attempting to reduce levels of opioid use in their patients, and some patients with chronic pain are reluctant to decrease their use. This project aimed to provide information to both doctors and patients about this issue.
Chronic Pain Management With High Dose Opioid Medication, Joshua Cohen
Chronic Pain Management With High Dose Opioid Medication, Joshua Cohen
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Chronic pain management with non-abuse deterrent high dose opioids is a necessary but dangerous practice. This project addressed physician opinions about this sensitive issue and audited patient records to assess documentation compliance with VT rules. The goal is to standardize communication and documentation in order to improve safety for patients, physicians, and the community at large.
Increasing Naloxone Availability, Brian Till
Increasing Naloxone Availability, Brian Till
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Administration of naloxone is credited with the reversal of at least 10,000 opioid overdoses in the United States between 1996-2010 alone.[i] Moreover, intranasal naloxone has proven an equally effective route of drug administration when compared to IV dosing in emergent prehospital settings[ii], and retrospective studies have shown no significant difference in efficacy between doses delivered by healthcare professionals and non-healthcare professionals.[iii] Despite these facts, and broad protections provided to physicians prescribing naloxone and citizens administering naloxone outlined in Vermont Act 75, few if any Vermont physicians have incorporated prescribing naloxone into their practice. This project intended …