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Supporting Patient Education on Bladder Cancer and Risk Factors Specific to Vermont
Evan Gaston
Short-term ProjectPhysician 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.
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Safe Sleep for Newborns: An Addition to the Infant Care Guide
Charlotte B. Gemes
Short-term ProjectMany parents at Community Health Center of Burlington have questions about infant care after their baby is born and do not know where to turn to find the answers, An Infant Care Guide is therefore being developed to help new parents on basic topics. The section "Safe Sleep for Newborns" was developed and added to already developed chapters to provide parents the basics on safe sleep.
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Updating Evidence-Based Patient Education Resources for Sleep: Sleep Hygiene and Benzodiazepine Discontinuation
Carolyn Geraci and Madeline Fritz
Short-term ProjectThere 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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Patient Education: Low-Carb Substitutes for Pre-diabetes Management
Keira L. Goodell
Short-term ProjectAt Milton Family Practice in Milton, VT, individuals diagnosed with pre-diabetes are referred to a clinical nutritionist and sent home with patient instructions about blood sugar and carbohydrates. For those who decline a meeting with the clinical nutritionist, the patient instructions are not an adequate substitute. This project focused on the creation of a SmartPhrase to be added to patient instructions outlining common high-carbohydrate foods and options for lower-carb alternatives.
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The Design and Impact of a Rural Community Supported Doula Program
Kalin Jean Gregory-Davis
Short-term ProjectThe 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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Exercise as a Tool for Treating Anxiety and Depression
Lizzi Hahn
Short-term ProjectIn addition to its important role in the maintenance of physical health, exercise has been shown to have numerous benefits for mental health. Recent studies indicate that even brief engagement in physical activity can make a positive impact on the treatment of pre-existing anxiety and depression - as well as the prevention of future symptoms. Despite this relationship between exercise and emotional wellness, regular activity in the United States is still exceedingly low, and exercise remains an underused tool by healthcare providers in the treatment of their patients’ anxiety and depression. The goal of this project was to assess patient engagement in and barriers to exercise, as well as their understanding of its benefits for mental health as perceived by providers at CVPH Family Medicine Center, and to create a patient-centered resource emphasizing the significance of physical activity in reducing the burden of anxiety and depression.
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Improving the Therapeutic Environment in the Crisis Stabilization Unit at Glens Falls Hospital
Emma Hall
Short-term ProjectThe 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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Dietary Health Screening
Luke Hallgarth
Short-term ProjectDietary recall by patients is time consuming & inefficient. This project aims to develop a screening tool to accurately and efficiently track patient's diets over the course of multiple healthcare visits.
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Evaluation of growth in clinical genetics competency among PCPs participating in the UVMHN Genomic DNA Testing Program
Christina Hansen
Short-term ProjectRecently UVM Health Network Family Medicine practices have implemented “The Genomic DNA Test” pilot program to begin a concerted effort toward offering genetically informed primary care to all patients. The program aims to increase the number of participating primary care providers stepwise over time. However, some providers may find integration of genomic testing and discussion of clinical genetics issues with patients to be challenging given the relatively recent change toward emphasis on these topics in medical training curricula. The aim of this project was to develop a pilot survey to gather information from current participating providers about how participation in the genomic testing program has influenced their personal knowledge of and comfort with clinical genetics topics and patient counseling.
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Increasing Patient Access to LGBTQ+ Healthcare through Expanding the Vermont Diversity Health Project
Rachel Harrison
Short-term ProjectNumerous 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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Harm Reduction in Family Medicine
Tess Hickey
Short-term ProjectIn Lewiston, Maine the opioid epidemic is a public health crisis resulting in overdose-related deaths, infectious disease transmission, and public health costs. Harm reduction through resources such as syringe service centers, peer counseling, and Narcan distribution can help negate the negative health impact of substance use disorder. This project focused on creating a list of local harm reduction resources for providers so they can educate patients on how to be as safe as possible when using substances.
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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 -
Exercise and Physical Therapy in the Elderly
William Holden
Short-term ProjectThere are many current barriers to participating in exercise and physical therapy in the elderly. Using reputable online resources, we created a handout containing a list of exercises that can be completed safely at home without equipment. It was designed for elderly individuals, as inactivity tends to increase with age and this population is particularly vulnerable to the deleterious effects of inactivity. The strength and flexibility exercises primarily target the back, hips and core, common problem areas in the elderly. The handout will contain links to further resources for more in-depth physical therapy exercises and will be tailored for administration in a primary care setting.
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Reach Out and Read Awareness and Utilization at the Community Health Centers of Burlington
Catrina Hood and Jacob Shaw M.D.
Short-term ProjectThe 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.
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Smoking Cessation Associated Weight Gain: The Role of Diet and Exercise Counseling in Quitting Smoking
Benjamin D. Kagan
Short-term ProjectWeight 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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Assessing perspectives and targeting education about the COVID-19 Vaccine within the Hudson Headwaters Health Network
Malla K. Keefe
Short-term Project -
Remaining Active in Vermont Winters
Sarah Kendrick
Short-term ProjectThis project explored the challenges of remaining active during Vermont winter for patients with chronic disease. It further complies resources in the community for maintaining activity levels over the winter months.
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Combating Seasonal Affective Disorder in Vermont
Prasanna Kumar
Short-term ProjectSeasonal 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 and into the fall.
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Pediatric Screenings at Wellness Visits
Amberly Lao
Short-term ProjectPrimary and secondary prevention are at the core of primary care and especially emphasized during pediatric wellness visits. The physicians of Newtown Primary Care reviewed preventative screening with parents and children, and often times, the patients with the most efficient visits had updated preventative screenings. Our purpose was to provide basic information about screening procedures that were relevant to the child that would potentially streamline the visit and reduce the patient's anxiety about the procedures that needed to be completed that day. We aimed to help educate patients about preventive health measures.
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Community Resources Addressing Peripartum Depression
Tiffany L. Lao
Short-term ProjectPeripartum mood disorders affect a large proportion of new mothers as well as their families, partners, and support systems. This project aims to provide patients with information about peripartum mood disorders as part of their initial prenatal packet. Also included are a list of local community resources specifically addressing peripartum mood disorders for patients seeking additional support outside of their primary care office.
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The Preventative Healthcare Shortage: A Look at the VT and CT Community Perspectives and Medical Student Interest
Michael J. Lawler
Short-term ProjectWe 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.
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Nutritional Barriers for Patients with Diabetes: A quality improvement project
Emma C. Levine and Taylor D. Marquis
Short-term ProjectThe 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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Assessing Patient Perceptions of Pre-Visit Methods to Reduce Wait Time and Provider Burden
Vinh H. Le
Short-term ProjectDue to multiple factors, patients at ambulatory settings tend to experience long appointment wait times, negatively impacting patient satisfaction and overall well-being. One proposed solution is to use pre-visit data collection to simplify check-in and screening processes at the office. This project surveyed patients at Brookfield Primary Care & Pediatrics regarding quantitative wait time data and qualitative perceptions on the proposed solution. It was found that a majority of patients are open to using pre-visit online forms to reduce wait times.
These projects were completed by students in the University of Vermont Family Medicine Clerkship. Block Clerkship Projects were completed during a five-week period, while Longitudinal Clerkship Projects were completed over the course of a 12-month longitudinal clerkship.
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