Medical Education Commons^™

Osa Stop-Bang Screening Tool, Seth E. Wolf

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

No abstract provided.

An Educational Module For Adolescents On Cannabis Following Its Legalization, Anna Lidofsky

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Recreational use of cannabis has been recently legalized in Vermont. One year prior to its legalization, 42% of high school students in Washington County reported at least one-time use of cannabis. An educational module for adolescents was developed to address the increasing potency of cannabis and health risks associated with its use.

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

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 …

Emergency Medical Services In Hinesburg, Vt, William Tyler Prince

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Ambulance transport in Hinesburg, VT is currently provided by a service over 20 minutes away and will cease in June 2020. Town officials are currently trying to decide whether to expand local first response to include ambulance transport or to contract with Richmond Rescue, which is a well-established 911 transport service in a nearby town. Through literature/budget reviews and interviews with involved community members, it is apparent that although an independent Hinesburg EMS may have shorter response times, its volunteer corps is insufficient to sustain a transport service. Richmond Rescue can provide a higher level of medical care at a …

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.

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

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.

Aces And Resilience: Increasing Patient Knowledge Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Stress Coping Techniques, Mary Griffin

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

At The Health Center, a federally qualified health center in Plainfield, Vermont, providers have begun an initiative to screen patients during routine clinic visits for their Adverse Childhood Experiences score. In a population subject to the social, economic, and health-related challenges of rural Vermont, providers have identified the screening process as a vital tool for better understanding their patients' health. To better aid in both provider comfort and patient education during said interactions, a pamphlet was created to guide provider conversations concerning ACEs. The pamphlet details information about ACEs and health consequences, the importance of the relaxation response in dealing …

Ace’S Contextualization For Healthcare Workers, Nektarios Konstantinopoulos

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

There is a well-established causative relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) and pathology. Despite strong supporting evidence, some healthcare workers are unaware of how deep this relationship is. I conducted an educational session surrounding ACEs targeting healthcare workers in an attempt to contextualize the relationship between ACE’s and consequent disease.

Physical Activity And Fall Prevention In Older Adults, An Educational Intervention, Caleb Daniel Knight

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Falls in adults over 65 years of age constitute a significant health burden in our country, and this age group is growing rapidly. Falls are addressed with a multifactorial approach, addressing comorbidities, medications, and the physical environment, however, an effective point of intervention accessible by most older adults is physical activity. A brief educational presentation about the morbidity and mortality associated with falls, and the protective effects of physical activity, was provided to Meadowbrook Healthcare subacute nursing home residents in Plattsburgh, NY. Questions were encouraged and answered afterwards, and copies of the presentation were left for the residents to review …

Marijuana And The Teenage Brain: Public Health Impact, Katie C. Warther

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

This project explores the neurobiological impact of teenage marijuana use, and the ways that public health interventions can help educate adolescents and delay the onset of use.

Smoking Prevention Program For Adolescents: A Hands-On Approach, Sean Closs

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

This project is an initial pilot idea for hands-on experiences to reinforce smoking prevention in adolescents. The proposed idea is to have students specifically those identified 'at-risk', being given opportunities to interact with pathology specimens on-site at the hospital, introduce spirometry, and real-world panel discussions. The resources of the hospital provide a unique opportunity for promotion of this public health goal.

Nutrition And Exercise Resources For Clinton County, Paige M. Wood

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The obesity epidemic is a nation wide problem that has increased prevalence in Clinton County, NY when compared to the surrounding areas. Obesity leads to many co-morbid health conditions and is associated with a large increase in health care spending costs. This brochure tackles the limited resources, such as limited number of fitness centers, lack of nutrition education and an overall lower socioeconomic status, that is present in the Clinton County area. This brochure offers help in these areas through free phone applications which cover nutrition education, healthy shopping guidance, at home exercise routines, motivation, habit trackers and mindfulness exercises.

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 …

Immunization Safety: Addressing Parental Safety Concerns, Andrew Gallagher

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Since 1998, when a fraudulent research paper alleged a connection between the MMR vaccine and autism, increasing numbers of parents are refusing routine childhood vaccinations. Recent research has shown parents’ top vaccine-related concerns included the number of vaccines during the first 2 years of life, administration of too many vaccines in a single doctor visit, and a possible link between vaccines and autism. More than 10% of parents of young children refuse or delay vaccinations, with most believing that delaying vaccine doses is safer than providing them in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended vaccination.

Increasing Advance Directive Knowledge Among Healthcare Professionals, Laura K. Donnelly

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Advance Directives (ADs) have been shown to be associated with increased patient satisfaction with end-of-life care, decreased in-hospital deaths, and decreased end-of-life costs in high-cost regions. Nationally, prevalence of ADs has increased over the last 20 years, but the majority of patients still have not completed an AD. A significant obstacle to completion is lack of awareness. A presentation to increase knowledge regarding ADs among primary care staff was created to address this.

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

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.

Barriers To Affordable Prescriptions In Rural Vermont, Niketu P. Patel

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

This project aimed at understanding why people in Rutland County, Vermont struggle with buying medications for their health. The project implemented and proposed several methods to help the population of Rutland area better adapt to the growing cost of prescriptions via $4 medication lists, rebates, samples, etc.

Accessing Reliable Health Information On The Internet, Nathaniel Sugiyama ,Ms3

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

In a low socioeconomic farming town at a rural family medicine clinic in upstate NY, I wanted to find a way to help reduce barriers to healthcare and help patients take an active role in their health using free internet resources. My idea was to help connect patients with reliable health information without needing to travel to the clinic, understanding that some patients may be limited in their ability to travel, take time off from work or afford the copays/expenses associated with seeing their providers. As such, I chose to investigate access to the internet, the ways in which users …

Evaluation Of Geo-Social Networking Application Use Among Young Adults, Caleb Seufert

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Background: Since 2009 geosocial networking applications (GNAs) have rapidly emerged as a new technological platform for users to communicate, date, and meet for sex. Popular GNAs include Tinder, Grindr, Bumble, Plenty of Fish, and many more. GNA’s are unique to traditional dating websites in that they allow users to connect with each other based on geographic proximity of their mobile phones. Given the pervasiveness of technology usage among young adults, it is important to understand the potential risks and benefits that GNA-facilitated communication poses on sexual health, emotional well-being, and safety. Popular GNA’s, like Tinder, estimate the majority of …

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.

Transportation As A Barrier To Access To Care In Bangor And The Surrounding Penobscot County Area, David A. Leon, David A. Leon

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The focus of this project was to assess issue with transportation as a potential barrier to accessing health care in Bangor, Maine. This pilot project involved interviews with community members and providers, as well as evaluated the needs in terms of transportation for accessing primary care. Research regarding this need was conducted through anonymous patient surveys, conducted by the author, and was used to guide the recommendations for future interventions that would address transportation issues in Bangor and the Penobscot County area.

Integrating Care: The Primary Care Provider’S Role In Age-Related Macular Degeneration In Eastern Maine, Homer Chiang, Steven Coffin

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Objectives: To assess general patient knowledge of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), including risk factors, early signs, treatment options, and low-vision resources. We also aimed to assess primary care provider practice patterns including early detection, timely referral to ophthalmology, and management after diagnosis of AMD.

Methods: A 20-point patient questionnaire was distributed to all adult patients at check-in by front office staff at the Center for Family Medicine office in Bangor, ME. Additionally, a looping waiting room slideshow and informational exam room flyer were created for patient education. A 10-point online questionnaire was distributed to residents and faculty at the Center …

Screening For Domestic Violence Against Women: A Public Health Crisis In Maine, Clare Park

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The role of healthcare providers in stopping domestic violence against women, a public health crisis, through promoting a culture of universal screening and community education.

Improving Healthy Habits In Berlin, Vt, Amy I. Triano

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

A significant percentage of patient’s at Berlin Family Practice have diagnoses of Type II Diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and/or obesity. Essential to treatment and management of these conditions are a healthy diet and exercise. There are many local and national resources available but no single place where patient’s can find links to national as well as local resources in the Central Vermont community. There is also insufficient time for physicians or nurses to counsel patients on relevant resources. This project involved creation of a website with community and national resources for healthy living that providers could refer patients to. A …

Determining Barriers To Oral Health Care In Bennington County, Taylor Goller Ms-3

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Bennington County has some of the worst oral health outcomes in the state of Vermont. A survey was designed to assess current oral health problems, maintenance habits, and barriers to oral health services access. Results are preliminary.

Community Perception Of Electronic Cigarettes And Their Role As Smoking Cessation Aids, Alejandro Velez

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The popularity of electronic cigarettes is increasing, yet the research is lagging behind. In an effort to better understand, and therefore better advice our patients, a small number of current daily cigarette smokers were surveyed on their understanding of electronic cigarettes and their usage. Two smoking cessation counselors were also interviewed to better contextualize the role of electronic cigarettes as possible smoking cessation aids. Finally, a review of the available research was done to produce a poster, and possibly a handout, in hopes to educate all patients (regardless of their current smoking habits) regarding electronic cigarettes.

Provider Resources For Smoking Cessation Counselling, Pierre Galea

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Tobacco is still the leading cause of preventable death. The Vermont Department of Health has instituted smoking-related goals for "Healthy Vermonters 2020." One resource that is useful for providers who counsel patients to quit smoking is 802quits. Strategic utilization of this resource and implementation within the healthcare center, is invaluable for providers, and is an effective tool to reach patients and support them throughout their journey.