Block Clerkship Projects

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Improving Identification of LDCT Lung Cancer Screening Eligible Patients

McKenna L. Schimmel

USPSTF updated lung cancer screening guidelines this year to include all patients 50-80 years old who have 20+ pack years of smoking history and are active smokers or who have quit within the last 15 years. While providers and patients both support lung cancer screening efforts, only a small fraction of eligible patients end up getting screened annually. One way we can improve this metric is by making sure we are correctly identifying which patients meet screening criteria.
Impact of MyChart Communication on Provider Burden

Samantha R. Schuetz

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.
Infant Care in Our Community: Development of an Infant Care Guide

Justin G. Schulz

Improving health outcomes for infants and parent-provider communication at FQHCs by designing patient/parent focused health education literature.
Perceptions on Childhood COVID-19 Vaccination

Grant M. Schumaker

COVID-19 vaccination, especially, in children has been a point of both political and scientific contention since its inception. The purpose of this project was to qualitatively assess patients' perceptions on COVID-19 vaccination for children between the ages of 5-11 years old using survey data. Understanding our patient's perceptions on why they may or may not support vaccination may guide how we approach discussing the topic. A total of 17 responses were collected from patients between the ages of 18-80 years old, with >75% of patients found to be in support, already vaccinated, or had a vaccine appointment scheduled for their child. The remaining who did not support the vaccine cited "not enough known" or "concerns for side effects" as reasons. This data gives a foundation into why people may or may not support administering the COVID- 19 vaccine to children and how we can start educating the public and guide the conversation when it comes to vaccines.
Assessing Barriers to Mental Health Resources

Young Bo Sim

This project was done to assess patients' barriers to mental health services in Newtown Primary Care. The project focused on identifying and developing questionnaires to assess if there were any perceived barriers and what those barriers were.
At Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

Aneesh Singal

Blood pressure measurements in the office are often falsely elevated and do not reflect a patients at-home measurements. This project explores the values of home blood pressure monitoring and includes a pamphlet for use at the Colchester Family Medicine office. It has information on how to check blood pressure, which cuffs to buy, and how to enter home measurements into Epic so the physician can easily view them.
Improving Sleep: Patient Education on Sleep Hygiene Techniques

Anya Srikureja

Approximately one third of adults in the United States sleep less than the recommended 7 hours a night. Insufficient sleep is associated with increase risk of chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. While pharmacologic sleep aids are available, cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended as an effective, first line treatment for insomnia. This project aimed to create patient education materials on sleep hygiene techniques that could be easily distributed by providers through the electronic medical record in order to help improve sleep for the patient population in Vergennes, Vermont.
Implementation of the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Model: Information for Patients

Amy Stedman

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.
Evaluating Patient and Provider Knowledge of Safe Pharmaceutical Disposal Procedures in Vermont through a Public Health and Environmental Lens

Emily R. Straley

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 medications is critical to encouraging participation in safe drug disposal practices in Vermont.
Mental Health Technology During the Era of COVID-19

Michael Tabet

Mental health symptoms - especially those of depression and anxiety - have become more prevalent during the COVID pandemic. As seen in previous years, direct and indirect costs of depression can be staggering. Apps exist on smart devices that are based in evidence-based practices that can be therapeutic for mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia. A simple handout with some suggested popular mental health apps and accompanying descriptions was created to be used in the CVPH Family Medicine clinic to increase awareness of these apps among patients suffering from depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
Patient Attitudes and Education about the COVID-19 Vaccine

Zeynep Tek, Faith Wilson, and Claudia Russell

We gave patients a survey about if they were interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and if not why across three different sites in Vermont and Connecticut. We also made and handed out a pamphlet about commonly asked questions about the vaccine and what the state's distribution plan was. A majority of patients were interested in the getting the vaccine, and those who were unsure were worried about the long term side effects.
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Resources in Northern New York

Cyrus Neal Thomas-Walker and Maegan Cabrera MD

COVID-19 continues to be a significant health threat and has caused significant disease and mortality in the fall 2021 wave largely driven by the Delta Variant and complicated by unvaccinated patients. In the state of NY, approximately 40 patients died per day (7 day moving average) from serious COVID-19 illness during this time period. During this time, approximately 35% of Clinton County’s population is not vaccinated for COVID-19 and is subsequently unprotected from serious COVID-19 illness. This work discusses reasons for non-vaccination and strategies to combat vaccine hesitancy. Additionally, it includes a pamphlet for local distribution as well as a dot phrase to be utilized for patients seen in the outpatient setting to serve as a personalized reminder on the importance of receiving vaccination against COVID-19 and to answer questions identified as concerns for vaccine hesitancy.
Implementing an Intimate Partner Violence Screening at a Connecticut Family Medicine Practice

Nikkole Turgeon

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 office.
Resources for staying active during the COVID-19 pandemic

Peter K. Twining

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients find it difficult to stay active. Staying active when gyms are closed and school sports are cancelled can make staying active especially difficult. The purpose of this project was to compile a list of resources for patients to use to stay active and healthy at home during the pandemic.
Walk and Talk

Carly H. Watson

Implementing outdoor walks into the daily routine of residents at long-term care facilities.
Community Health Interventions to Reduce the Burden of Radon-Related Lung Cancer

Benjamin Weaver

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 exposure, how to get it tested, and what can be done to reduce the radon levels within their homes.
Educating Patients on the COVID-19 Vaccination

Jenna Wells and Sara Brennan

Patients are frequently coming into clinics with misinformation and frequently asked questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. The goal of this project was to address these frequently asked questions by educating patients and sparking conversation regarding the vaccine when patients came to their clinic appoints. This was accomplished via a handout that was given to patients on arrival.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information and Patient Opinions

Faith E. Wilson, Zeynep Tek, and Claudia Russell

As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available in Vermont, many patients have questions about the safety and efficacy, who it will be available for, when they can expect to get the vaccine, if their doctor would recommend it for them. These important questions are taking valuable time during already short patient visits, and as information is constantly evolving it is difficult to give a concise answer to many questions. This project outlined the basics of the vaccine and answered many FAQs.
Health Care Delivery to the Homeless Population in the Greater Danbury Community: A Needs Assessment

Ariella Yazdani
- The Greater Danbury Region has substantial health resources; two hospitals, community health centers and health clinics. Residents who lack health insurance struggle to access the full continuum of care, especially outpatient and preventative care. Although a vast majority of people in Danbury have health insurance, it is unclear if individuals living with homelessness are amongst this insured population and have equitable access to healthcare. Two transitional housing programs in Danbury were identified and interviewed directly. A qualitative assessment of healthcare delivery to members of these programs was then performed.
Streamlining Teledermatology in Primary Care

Hakeem Yousef

The use of telemedicine as a tool to aid in seeing patients has increased dramatically since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Skin problems are one of the many medical issues seen via telemedicine, and many patients and providers may find some difficulty maneuvering through this new age of technology
Smoking Cessation Patient Intervention in Connecticut Primary Care Clinic

Fay Abdullah

Cigarette smoking is associated with numerous adverse health effects. As such, USPSTF recommends clinicians provide smoking cessation interventions to patients. The aim of this project is to develop a consistent method for providing patients at the Newtown Primary Care facility in Newtown, Connecticut with a smoking cessation intervention during their annual physical exam.
Connecticut Anemia Screening Guidelines

Amelia Anderson

This handout serves to educate clinicians and other providers as to when anemia screening should be done. It contains a summary of the recommendations made by several national organizations as well as Connecticut-specific requirements.
Assessing Prescriber and Staff Readiness for Change and Evaluation of Chronic Pain Management

Collin J. Anderson

Survey-based study of opioid prescribers and staff members at a community health center. Designed to assess current opioid prescribing practices, management of chronic pain patients, and readiness for future change.
Promoting weight-loss via smartphone health applications (MyFitnessPal)

Michael S. Barnum

Obesity has become a public health crisis in the United States. 68% of men and 64% of women in the United States are considered overweight or obese. Obesity is being addressed through a variety of strategies, the use of mobile apps is a relatively new development that could prove useful in helping people to develop healthy dietary habits. Tracking the consumption of certain foods and drinks may potentially help individuals achieve an improved understanding of their dietary patterns. The goal of this project was to develop and provide educational materials on the use of MyFitnessPal to patients seeking dietary advice.
Myth Busters: The Flu Shot During a Pandemic

Elizabeth Baumgartner

Under-vaccination is a problem across the country, including influenza vaccination in Vergennes, VT. Members of the community at PMC - Primary Care Vergennes endorsed a few common reasons when declining the annual flu shot, noted by providers at the clinic. The project yielded two flyers for the office - one that addressed these common "myths" and another that addressed new considerations for influenza vaccination during the pandemic.