Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Improving Access To Meditation And Mindfulness For The Management Of Anxiety, Stress, And Other Chronic Diseases, Alex Cohen, Jesse Naumann

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Chronic diseases can have an enormous burden on not only an individual’s quality of life, but their economic output as well. The challenge is that many patients with a chronic disease are not fully treated despite many different medications and doctor’s appointments. Mindfulness is an extremely beneficial tool that can be used as an adjunctive treatment for different chronic health diseases including anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, and many others. An enormous barrier is that many patients are unsure about what mindfulness truly is, and where one can go about accessing mindfulness resources. Our goal was to create a quick …

The Cures Act: How Can We Alleviate Patient Confusion And Provider Workload?, Michela Salusti Simpson

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

This project aimed to develop a better understanding of patient and provider needs at all UVMMC family medicine and urgent care offices in regards to the new Cures Act. Data was gathered via a 8 question multiple choice survey and we had 24 provider responses. Most providers have found that they are receiving more phone calls from patients with questions in regards to their medical notes or results since the enactment of the Cures Act. Providers mentioned common patient questions are about imaging results, CBC, and electrolytes. Nearly half of providers noted they have changed the way in which they …

Combating Seasonal Affective Disorder In Vermont, Prasanna Kumar

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a cyclical pattern of depression-like symptoms that occur during the winter months. In Vermont, SAD is estimated to affect up to 10% of individuals. An informational flyer was developed that explained the symptoms of SAD, what the treatment options are, and then linked individuals with local resources for wellness activities in Chittenden County using QR codes in order to prevent SAD. The flyer was distributed at the Community Health Care Centers of Burlington South End office. The flyer was met with enthusiasm and will be given out to patients at the end of this season …

Reach Out And Read Awareness And Utilization At The Community Health Centers Of Burlington, Catrina Hood, Jacob Shaw M.D.

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The Reach Out and Read (ROR) program is an evidence-based model of literacy promotion used to deliver anticipatory literacy guidance and books to parents and caregivers of children, ages 6 months through 5 years, at well child visits with Primary Care Providers (PCP's). The objective of this project was to assess provider familiarity with and utilization of ROR at the Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB) via anonymous survey.

Impact Of Mychart Communication On Provider Burden, Samantha R. Schuetz

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Patient portals have shown promise in engaging individuals in the management of their health by allowing exchange of secure electronic messages with their providers. Increased messaging increases physician workload and contributes to burnout among primary care physicians. This project examines both patient and provider perspectives of MyChart messaging and suggests ways in which this tool can be better utilized.

Implementation Of The Primary Care Mental Health Integration (Pcmhi) Model: Information For Patients, Amy Stedman

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

UVMMC Primary Care is transitioning to the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) model of care, in which behavioral health and/or psychiatric treatment is provided within a primary care setting via in-house consulting clinicians. There are currently no standardized informational materials to educate patients on the details of the PCMHI program, which is a new treatment model for most patients and clinicians involved. Development of educational materials, as well as broader public health implications of the PCMHI model of care, are addressed.

Herbs And Natural Supplements For Treatment Of Anxiety, Agatha Forstein

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

In the primary care setting, patients frequently bring in a list of various supplements or herbs that they are taking for a variety of medical conditions, including anxiety, with the hope to engage in a conversation with their PCP about whether these various supplements are safe and worth the cost. Physicians are often limited by a lack of training on the topic and/or by time constraints in the clinic. Thus, this aspect of care is not well addressed. This project includes the creation of a patient education sheet containing information about common herbal/natural supplements used for anxiety. It highlights the …

Resource Guide For Autism Spectrum Disorders, Jennifer Risi

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Children with autism spectrum disorder and their families have numerous needs for health and social support. The system through which they receive this support is complex and foreign to many parents. Interactions with patients and their families have made it clear that many of them do not know what resources are available to them or how to access these resources. Furthermore, healthcare provides frequently do not have the time to educate patients fully during visits. To address this, we created an educational pamphlet that acts as a resource guide for families with various unmet needs which can be handed out …

Walking Towards A Healthier Future: A Pocket Guide To Walking Routes In Colchester And The Health Benefits Of Walking, Kevin Dibona

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The obesity epidemic is a complex problem necessitating a multifaceted long-term response. While there is no single solution to this decade-evolving issue, exercise remains one of the most important health interventions available. This project aims to serve as a resource for patients seeking to lose weight; outlining some of the walking routes local to Colchester Vermont, as well as the health benefits of a sustained exercise plan.

Supporting Patient Education On Bladder Cancer And Risk Factors Specific To Vermont, Evan Gaston

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Physician and patient education materials regarding the incidence of bladder cancer in Vermont, the absence of recommended screening, and discussion of risks of bladder cancer with emphasis on private well water testing through the Vermont Department of Health.

Preventative Health Care Shortage, Jenna A. Elkhoury

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The primary care shortage is major problem that impacts people in rural and often low income communities. Our project seeks to address the primary care workforce shortage affecting the Vermont and Connecticut communities by better understanding current medical school student perspectives on primary care as a career of interest. Attractors and deterrents of primary care were highlighted through a survey distributed to all medical students at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont.

Skin Cancer, Skin Biopsies And Mohs Surgery: Patient Education, Negar Esfandiari

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. There are three main types of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma. While Melanoma is less common than Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma, it has a higher mortality rate. If diagnosed in earlier stages, Melanoma has a significantly better prognosis and lower patient costs. Most skin cancers are diagnosed through skin biopsies. Vermont has one of the highest rates of skin cancer. The goal of this project was to develop a patient handout to bring patient awareness to skin cancer and describe the different …

Autism Resources For Primary Care Patients And Families, Keara M. Lynn

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

At this time in Vermont, there are not enough resources to care for children with autism spectrum disorder. This problem has been exacerbated by the COVID19 pandemic and children are waiting months to years to access needed services. The goal of this project was to create a brochure for patients and families that has information about autism resources in the Northern Vermont community.

How To Have The “Vape Talk” With Adolescent Patients, Helen Gandler

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Recent years have shown a dramatic increase in the popularity of electronic vapor products, which include e-cigarettes, vapes, vape pens, e-cigars, e-hookahs, hookah pens, and mods. While emerging data shows that adolescents are becoming more aware of the dangers posed by these products, more than 3.6 million US youth still use e-cigarettes. As of February 18, 2020, a total of 2,807 hospitalized e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) cases or deaths in the United States have been reported to CDC.

This project had two goals: to create a tool to help facilitate discussions between providers and their adolescent …

Walk And Talk, Carly H. Watson

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Implementing outdoor walks into the daily routine of residents at long-term care facilities.

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.