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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Promoting Community Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Erik J. Zhang
Promoting Community Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Erik J. Zhang
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected aspects of health and community beyond the acute phase of COVID-19 infection, including chronic health conditions, mental health, substance use, food insecurity, access to healthcare, and housing insecurity. Further, existing disparities in these factors and other social determinants of health such as socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood, and physical environment have been exacerbated by the response to the COVID- 19 pandemic. Community members face negative health impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and response. They should be made aware of community resources for immediate and long-term solutions to the difficulties they experience.
Evaluating Patient And Provider Knowledge Of Safe Pharmaceutical Disposal Procedures In Vermont Through A Public Health And Environmental Lens, Emily R. Straley
Evaluating Patient And Provider Knowledge Of Safe Pharmaceutical Disposal Procedures In Vermont Through A Public Health And Environmental Lens, Emily R. Straley
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Patient and provider knowledge of safe pharmaceutical disposal procedures is crucial from both a public health and environmental standpoint. Unfortunately, studies have shown that Vermont residents are largely unaware of safe drug disposal programs in their communities. This project evaluated patient knowledge of drug disposal practices and awareness of safe pharmaceutical disposal procedures at Hinesburg Family Medicine. A short phrase was created to better disseminate information about safe drug disposal in Hinesburg, which can be added to a patient’s after visit summary. Many patients report never discussing medication disposal with their physician. Therefore, increased provider communication regarding leftover and unused …
Implementing An Intimate Partner Violence Screening At A Connecticut Family Medicine Practice, Nikkole Turgeon
Implementing An Intimate Partner Violence Screening At A Connecticut Family Medicine Practice, Nikkole Turgeon
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health problem throughout the United States. The aim of this project was to implement a validated IPV screening form into the work flow of the Newtown Primary Care office and increase awareness about IPV throughout the office. The Hits, Insults, Threatens, Screams (HITS) screening form was implemented and resources from local domestic violence agencies were obtained for the office. A system was set up for patients who screen positive to be referred to the in-house therapist and to local domestic violence agencies. Future steps could include further training and education for the …
Community Health Interventions To Reduce The Burden Of Radon-Related Lung Cancer, Benjamin Weaver
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 …
Addressing Adolescent And Young Adult Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Megan Boyer
Addressing Adolescent And Young Adult Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Megan Boyer
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
This quality improvement project at South Burlington Family Medicine aimed to investigate the mental health of individuals ages 13-25 in our practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible patients received a PHQ-9 questionnaire with two additional questions related to COVID-19. Recommendations for future interventions to serve this population were made based on these preliminary findings, with the goal of doing a full PDSA cycle in the near future.
Quality Improvement: Cervical Cancer Screening Rates Within Hudson Headwaters Health Network, Dylon K. Gookin
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 …
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 …
Adolescent Sex Education, Carolyn Payne
Adolescent Sex Education, Carolyn Payne
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
This project identified a significant need for adolescent sex education and curriculum development in Vermont and the United States. A comprehensive sex education presentation was developed, reviewed by experts in the field, and piloted at The Boys and Girls Club of Burlington. Subjective results were positive and future strategies to teach students, evaluate effectiveness, and expand impact were developed.
Vitamin D Screening And Supplementation, Christina Cahill
Vitamin D Screening And Supplementation, Christina Cahill
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Vitamin D helps protect against osteoporosis (by promoting calcium absorption), moderates cell growth, aids in neuromuscular and immune function and reduces inflammation. However, there is insufficient data to access the benefits and harms for screening for Vitamin D deficiency. This study looks at current recommendations for Vitamin D screening and aims to provide information to providers and patients about Vitamin D.
Improving Community Health With Affordable Internet Access, Joshua Jeremy Pothen
Improving Community Health With Affordable Internet Access, Joshua Jeremy Pothen
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Internet access is associated with increases in health information seeking and benefits in health statuses. However, many individuals of low socioeconomic status (SES) lack Internet access, thereby creating significant disadvantages from a health perspective. In this project, we describe a potential project for providing affordable Internet access to a neighborhood of Newport, VT containing many SES individuals. This network includes a splash page that provides regular health event promotion and health information dissemination to everyone connecting the network. We then discuss how to determine the impacts of the Internet on multiple aspects of health within the community.
Development Of Guidelines For Refugee Screening At Cmmc Family Medicine Residency, Lewiston, Maine, Catherine Hayes
Development Of Guidelines For Refugee Screening At Cmmc Family Medicine Residency, Lewiston, Maine, Catherine Hayes
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
Lewiston Maine has the second highest number of refugees in the state of Maine, with 191 total intakes in 2015. Refugee populations face unique health concerns, and providing care for refugees requires education and development of a specialized skill set. This project provided a reference for clinic providers to assist with medical intake screening visits for refugees.
Fighting The Flu - Devising A Novel Approach To Address Patient Concerns With The Seasonal Influenza Vaccine - South Burlington, Vt, Theodore Cisu
Fighting The Flu - Devising A Novel Approach To Address Patient Concerns With The Seasonal Influenza Vaccine - South Burlington, Vt, Theodore Cisu
Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects
In Vermont, it is estimated that influenza-like illness is responsible for $8.9 million annually in direct medical costs. The flu vaccination rate ranges from 33% to 56% across the nation, and Vermonters are vaccinated at a rate of approximately 49% each year. This program aims to provide a novel educational material to patients, specifically addressing concerns with the safety of the seasonal influenza vaccine.