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  Helping People Overcome Barriers to Exercise Through In-Office PT Exercise Evaluation Referrals

  Matthew Charles Hill Brandt

  Short-term Project

  Utilization of a poster in a primary care exam room advertising Physical Therapy Exercise Evaluations in an effort to help patients overcome barriers to exercising. The goal of the project is to capture people in the contemplative/preparatory stage of behavior change and help them reach the action and maintenance phases to improve health.

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  The State of Sleep: What Keeps Vermont Up at Night?

  Magalie Carey

  Short-term Project
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  Lifestyle Changes in Covid-19 Pandemic and Impact on Modifiable Stroke Risk Factors

  Kelly J. Chan

  Short-term Project

  Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability in the USA. Underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease predispose an individual to increased risk of stroke. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic presents many challenges to these patients in terms of active health management and maintenance. A screening tool was developed to assess patient patterns of lifestyle behavioral changes measured by modifiable risk factors for stroke (medical condition management, diet, exercise, and smoking habits).

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  Nutritional Habits: Encouraging Simplicity and Consistency

  Alim Esemenli

  Short-term Project

  Nutrition plays a crucial role in development of diseases that are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Unites States. However, due to reasons such as time limitations, lack of clear guidelines, and what seems like a sense of hopelessness felt by providers and patients alike upon lack of results, discussions around nutrition may lack in frequency, consistency, and/or adequacy of duration, Research shows that flexibility of mindset, as well as achievability and sustainability of nutritional goals, play a key role in achieving success in weight This project proposes a three-page document that can potentially help primary care providers support and monitor nutritional behavioral changes determined by their patients.

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  The Use of Technology for Mental Wellbeing in the Era of COVID-19

  Adam Fakhri

  Short-term Project

  Prevalence of mental health issues has increased during the time of COVID-19. There are many contributing factors to consider, the main one reported has been social isolation due to quarantine precautions. Members of the community have spent extended periods of time at home and away from their loved ones during this pandemic. Many patients have reported many life events occurring including deaths in the family without the ability to even mourn with their family members. This has taken a toll on the community, especially in Vergennes where this small tight knit community that has relied on its tight social bonds for wellness. There has been a trend of depressive symptoms rising in the community as well as an increase in reported anxiety. There is a shortage of mental health services through therapists and psychiatrists during this time, and a possible solution is the use of technology, specifically phone apps to aid with mental health concerns for members of the community who are unable to meet with a specialist. This project consists of a handout containing 7 apps for mental wellbeing reviewed by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).

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  Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy

  Aram S. Garewal

  Short-term Project

  COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the United States is a major roadblock in the fight against a raging pandemic. Education on mRNA vaccine technology, efficacy, and safety may help reduce public hesitancy. An educational handout was created and distributed at the Brookfield Family Practice to help alleviate COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the local community.

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  Updating Evidence-Based Patient Education Resources for Sleep: Sleep Hygiene and Benzodiazepine Discontinuation

  Carolyn Geraci and Madeline Fritz

  Short-term Project

  There is a major need for patient education around the topics of sleep hygiene and benzodiazepine sleep aid discontinuation in the family medicine clinic setting. Current patient-focused educational materials need updating and are not comprehensive enough. We therefore created new handouts and smartphrases which integrate into the electronic medical record system with the goal of educating patients on these topics.

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  The Design and Impact of a Rural Community Supported Doula Program

  Kalin Jean Gregory-Davis

  Short-term Project

  The purpose of this study is to describe the design and impact of a rural community supported doula program. The Washington County Mental Health Doula Project is a unique collaboration between the Central Vermont Medical Center and Washington County Mental Health Services, whereby doula support services are offered for at risk patients during their pregnancy, through the birth process and the post partum period, and up to one year post delivery. Many more typical doula programs are of significant cost to the patient, making this support inaccessible to those that may need it the most. This program is unique in that not only are the doula services free for patients in need, but also the program is funded by a collaboration between a hospital and a community organization. What further sets this program apart is the case management background of the doulas and the significant logistical support offered to these clients who have a host of needs that go beyond just birth support. The WCMHS Doula Project has been a crucial element of women’s healthcare services in this rural community over the years, but no formal research has been conducted to evaluate the impact of the program. Through a qualitative analysis, this project seeks to give voice to the clients receiving the services in order to demonstrate the unique design and impact that such services have in the lives of patients facing numerous hardships during their pregnancy and early parenting period in rural Vermont.

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  Improving the Therapeutic Environment in the Crisis Stabilization Unit at Glens Falls Hospital

  Emma Hall

  Short-term Project

  The Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) at Glens Falls Hospital provides a separate, safe space within the Emergency Department for adults and children struggling with mental health crises to stabilize before discharge or admission to an inpatient psychiatric unit. An increase in mental health crises over the past 10+ years plus a shortage of nearby inpatient beds, especially for adolescents and children, has led to longer stays in the CSU. Longer stays in a place not built for therapeutic intervention but rather for crisis stabilization may lead to increased agitation, prolonged stays or prolonged time to stabilize a patient, and potentially increased need for de-escalation or restraint. This project aimed to improve the therapeutic environment to help counter those effects of longer stays in this space, utilizing evidence-based methods and community involvement.

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  Increasing Patient Access to LGBTQ+ Healthcare through Expanding the Vermont Diversity Health Project

  Rachel Harrison

  Short-term Project

  Numerous studies have documented various disparities in health outcomes and barriers to healthcare access for LGBTQ+ individuals. One major way to combat this is to increase access to healthcare for LGBTQ+ patients and increase provider knowledge of how to best care for them. Through expanding the Vermont Diversity Health Project database of providers and having providers participate in LGBTQ+ Best Practices trainings (both hosted by Pride Center of Vermont), we may reduce LGBTQ+ health disparities in our local community.

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  Follow-Up with New SGA Prescriptions in Burlington, VT

  obhijit d. hazarika

  Short-term Project
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  Tailored Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Education: Assessing Network Needs Through a Survey of Knowledge and Attitudes

  Luke M. Higgins

  Short-term Project
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  Smoking Cessation Associated Weight Gain: The Role of Diet and Exercise Counseling in Quitting Smoking

  Benjamin D. Kagan

  Short-term Project

  Weight gain is a common unintended consequence of quitting smoking due to a combination of physiologic and behavioral factors. Counseling focused on diet and exercise reduces weight gain associated with smoking cessation. Reduction of weight gain related to smoking cessation maximizes the health benefit of quitting tobacco.

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  Promoting Measles Prevention and Awareness

  Elizabeth P. Lanata

  Short-term Project
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  Nutritional Barriers for Patients with Diabetes: A quality improvement project

  Emma C. Levine and Taylor D. Marquis

  Short-term Project

  The goal of this study was to look at health care providers perspectives on what the nutritional barriers patients with diabetes faced and compare that with the patient's perspectives. We also assessed patients knowledge on certain foods and if they have carbohydrates. We used this information to create a Notecard that could be given to patients.

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  Transgender Healthcare Resources for Clinicians in Vermont

  Jeanie Lin

  Short-term Project

  Transgender individuals face disproportionate levels of discrimination in healthcare settings and have worse health than their cisgender peers. One major barrier to healthcare reported by transgender individuals is a lack of providers who are sufficiently knowledgeable on the topic. The 2011 National Transgender Discrimination Survey found that half of respondents reported having to teach their providers about their own healthcare. To address this problem in Vermont, transgender healthcare resources were compiled into a single document to be distributed to primary care practices around Vermont.

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  COVID-19 Vaccination: Educating Patients on Vaccine Availability and Distribution Plans in Lewiston, ME

  Erick MacLean

  Short-term Project

  In December 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorizations for two COVID-19 vaccines. Many patients at the Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency clinic had questions related to the vaccines and the plans for vaccine distribution in Maine. With the prevalence of misinformation related to the COVID-19 vaccines on the internet, there existed a need for accurate, easily understandable information to assist with patient education about the vaccines.

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  Attitudes Towards the COVID Vaccine

  Micheal Mikheal

  Short-term Project

  This project was done to assess the attitudes towards COVID vaccination in Berlin, Vermont. A survey was utilized to inquire if participants have received or were willing to receive the COVID vaccine. It also gathered details regarding which sources participants received their information regarding the vaccine.

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  Inclusive Local and Online Resources to Stay Active During the COVID-19 Pandemic

  Collin B. Montgomery

  Short-term Project

  The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted daily life in an innumerable amount of ways. Through gym closures and overcrowded, unsafe public spaces, maintaining exercise routines and reaching physical activity recommendations is increasingly difficult for many people. As a result of this, there has been an increasing emphasis on at home exercise and routines people can do at home. However, many of these resources are not inclusive of populations such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and the otherwise deconditioned as the exercises can be too strenuous or require specific equipment. The goal of this project was to compile a list of online and local resources in the Greater Burlington Area to help facilitate physical activity for all populations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to include a short, intuitive walkthrough of a few exercises that can be done from the home in a chair.

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  Addressing Exercise and Physical Therapy in Older Patients in Colchester, VT

  Adam Morehead

  Short-term Project

  Participation in physical activities remains low among much of the older adult population, particularly during the winter months. Many individuals who are active during warmer times of the year become more sedentary during the winter, and this physical inactivity can contribute to declining health. This project sought to develop a simple brochure outlining several simple exercises that can be performed safely at home without equipment to be distributed to patients at wellness visits to encourage indoor exercise.

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  Challenges with Diet during the COVID Pandemic

  Cinduja Nathan

  Short-term Project

  The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on many individual's lives and their families. It has caused many people to change their lifestyles and daily routines. This project focuses on how diet has changed during the COVID pandemic and explores the reasons for these diet changes. 23 patients from the Central Vermont Medical Center were given surveys and their responses were analyzed and recorded. Out of the 23 patients, 20 patients reported that they noticed a change in their diet as a result of COVID 19. Of the 20 patients who noticed a change in their diet, 5 reported that their diet was more healthy, 11 reported that their diet was less healthy and 4 noted a balance of healthy and unhealthy changes during the pandemic. The two most frequently cited reasons for diet changes included going to the grocery store less often and engaging in compulsive eating. Understanding how diet is being affected during this pandemic is extremely important. The impact of temporary changes in diet due to the pandemic can result in permanent lifestyle changes that can result in health consequences and a number of chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers.

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  Community Attitudes Towards Covid-19 Vaccination

  John P. O'Keefe

  Short-term Project

  Vaccination is a very valuable tool in combating the public health crisis of COVID-19 and will be essential in reducing transmission rates and deaths due to the pandemic. Public willingness to receive the vaccination in large polls has stayed well below the ~95% of the population needed to achieve herd immunity against the virus. Here were survey Vermonters to determine their attitudes towards receiving the vaccine and what sources of information patients use to inform themselves about the different vaccines available.

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  Assessing and Improving Awareness of Safe Prescription Drug Disposal in Hinesburg, Vermont

  Kaitlyn Peper

  Short-term Project

  Millions of Americans misuse prescription drugs each year and over half of these people obtained a prescription from friends or family. Additionally, medications that are disposed of improperly lead to contamination of the environment. This project aimed to assess awareness of proper medication disposal amongst patients at Hinesburg Family Practice and to increase communication with patients regarding options for prescription drug disposal in Hinesburg, Vermont.

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  Low-cost At-home Cardio Solutions for Patients During the Covid-19 Pandemic

  Anna G. Quinlan

  Short-term Project
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  Patient Perceptions on the COVID-19 Vaccine

  Claudia E. Russell

  Short-term Project

  With COVID-19 cases and deaths on the rise in Vermont and nationally, it will be important for as many people who are able to receive the COVID-19 vaccines when available. The WHO considers vaccine hesitancy to be a major threat to public health. This study aims to examine patient attitudes and concerns regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. An informational brochure about the recently approved Pfizer and Moderna vaccines was then distributed to all participants.