Primary Care and Public Health Activities in Select US Health Centers: Documenting Successes, Barriers, and Lessons Learned

Due to the many different factors contributing to diagnostic and therapeutic deficits concerning depression and the risk of suicidal behaviour, community-based interventions combining different measures are considered the most efficient way to address these important areas of public health. The network of the European Alliance Against Depression has implemented in more than 120 regions within and outside of Europe community-based 4-level-interventions that combine activities at four levels: (i) primary care, (ii) general public, (iii) community facilitators and gatekeepers (e.g., police, journalists, caregivers, pharmacists, and teachers), and (iv) patients, individuals at high risk and their relatives. This review will discuss lessons learned from these broad implementation activities. These include targeting depression and suicidal behaviour within one approach; being simultaneously active on the four different levels; promoting bottom-up initiatives; and avoiding any cooperation with the pharmaceutical industry for reasons of credibility.

Download Full-text

Characteristics of COVID-19-Related Free Telephone Consultations by Public Health Nurses in Japan: A Retrospective Study

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9081022 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1022

Author(s):

Yuka Sumikawa ◽

Chikako Honda ◽

Kyoko Yoshioka-Maeda ◽

Noriko Yamamoto-Mitani

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Primary Care ◽

Retrospective Study ◽

Health Centers ◽

Primary Care Doctor ◽

Public Health Nurses ◽

Telephone Consultation ◽

Community Residents ◽

Resident Group

This study aimed to (1) describe the characteristics of community residents who used coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related telephone consultation systems by public health nurses (PHNs) and (2) analyze the concerns they had during the first wave of COVID-19 in Japan. Among 1126 telephone consultations, PHNs recorded telephone consultations between 25 March, and 30 April, 2020, in City A, Japan. We analyzed 1017 consultations involving 799 (79%) community residents (resident group) and 218 (21%) organizational representatives (organization group) located in City A. Half of the consultations were made during midmorning, and most of the consultations were regarding COVID-19 symptoms. Among the resident group, visiting a primary care doctor was the most common recommendation by the PHNs; there was no difference in provision of consultation by sex. Health- and welfare-related organizations mainly consulted PHNs about “having COVID-19-related symptoms” and “undergoing PCR testing,” and PHNs’ recommended them to visit a primary care doctor and coordinate PCR testing. The results suggest that public health centers should provide more helpful information on COVID-19 that accurately reflects the concerns of the population.

Download Full-text

Erratum

Public Health Reports ◽

10.1177/0033354917754075 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 133 (1) ◽

pp. NP2-NP2

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Primary Care ◽

Community Health ◽

Community Health Centers ◽

Health Centers ◽

Correct Table

Mayer KH, Loo S, Crawford PM, et al. Excess clinical comorbidity among HIV-infected patients accessing primary care in US community health centers. Public Health Rep. 2018;133:109-118. (Original DOI: 10.1177/0033354917748670) In the above referenced article, Table 3 was published with duplicate information in the initial OnlineFirst version. The correct Table 3 is given below. The article, as published in volume 133, issue 1, reflects the corrected table. [Table: see text]

Download Full-text

Primary Care and Public Health Activities in Select U.S. Health Centers

American Journal of Preventive Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.amepre.2012.03.011 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 42 (6) ◽

pp. S191-S202 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Lydie A. Lebrun ◽

Leiyu Shi ◽

Joya Chowdhury ◽

Alek Sripipatana ◽

Jinsheng Zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Primary Care ◽

Health Centers

Download Full-text

What is the Role of Academic Health Centers to Community-based Primary Care Teams in Diabetes Management? Lessons Learned from a Continuing Education Program

Canadian Journal of Diabetes ◽

10.1016/j.jcjd.2012.07.021 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 36 (5) ◽

pp. S3

Author(s):

Rene Wong ◽

Henry Halapy ◽

Catherine Yu

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Continuing Education ◽

Diabetes Management ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Health Centers ◽

Academic Health Centers ◽

Community Based ◽

Academic Health ◽

Primary Care Teams

Download Full-text

pH1N1 - a comparative analysis of public health responses in Ontario to the influenza outbreak, public health and primary care: lessons learned and policy suggestions

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/1471-2458-13-687 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Paul Masotti ◽

Michael E Green ◽

Richard Birtwhistle ◽

Ian Gemmill ◽

Kieran Moore ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Primary Care ◽

Comparative Analysis ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Influenza Outbreak ◽

Policy Suggestions

Download Full-text

Integration of Hepatitis C Treatment in a Primary care Federally Qualified Health Center; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2015-2017

Infectious Diseases Research and Treatment ◽

10.1177/1178633719841381 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 117863371984138 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Tyler S Bartholomew ◽

Kaitlin Grosgebauer ◽

Katherine Huynh ◽

Travis Cos

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Primary Care ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Community Health ◽

Health Center ◽

Treatment Program ◽

Community Health Centers ◽

Health Centers ◽

Hcv Treatment ◽

Federally Qualified Health Center

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a pressing public health issue. Identification of long term infection in primary care settings and community health centers can facilitate patients’ access to appropriate care. Given the increase in HCV prevalence in the United States, improving the HCV care continuum and expanding medication access to disproportionately affected populations can help reduce disease burden, health care system costs, and transmission. Innovative treatment programs developed in the primary care setting are needed to deliver quality care to meet the demand of those engaging in treatment. This article describes an HCV treatment program developed within a primary care federally qualified health center (FQHC) using physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) to address the high number of HCV positive patients identified at the clinic. An interdisciplinary care team was established to optimize patient experience around HCV care and treatment, using on-site primary care behavioral health consultants, an HCV treatment coordinator, and a 340B contracted specialty pharmacy. From January 2015 to April 2017, the Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) Care Clinic medical providers referred 189 patients for HCV treatment. Of those referred, 102 patients successfully obtained a sustained virologic response (SVR), representing a 53.7% success rate from referral to cure. This treatment program successfully integrated HCV treatment in a patient population heavily affected by substance use and mental illness. Support and adoption of similar programs in primary care community health centers testing for HCV can help meet the clinical/behavioral needs of these marginalized populations.

Download Full-text

Retaining interest in caring for underserved patients among future medicine subspecialists: Underserved Medicine and Public Health (UMPH) program

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-021-03006-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jillian S. Catalanotti ◽

David K. Popiel ◽

April Barbour

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Internal Medicine ◽

Primary Care ◽

Primary Care Physicians ◽

Underserved Populations ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

University Hospital ◽

Subspecialty Training ◽

Internal Medicine Residents ◽

Underserved Patients

Abstract Background Accessing subspecialty care is hard for underserved patients in the U.S. Published curricula in underserved medicine for Internal Medicine residents target future-primary care physicians, with unknown impact on future medicine subspecialists. Methods The aim was to retain interest in caring for underserved patients among Internal Medicine residents who plan for subspecialist careers at an urban university hospital. The two-year Underserved Medicine and Public Health (UMPH) program features community-based clinics, evening seminars, reflection assignments and practicum projects for 3–7 Internal Medicine residents per year. All may apply regardless of anticipated career plans after residency. Seven years of graduates were surveyed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results According to respondents, UMPH provided a meaningful forum to discuss important issues in underserved medicine, fostered interest in treating underserved populations and provided a sense of belonging to a community of providers committed to underserved medicine. After residency, 48% of UMPH graduates pursued subspecialty training and 34% practiced hospitalist medicine. 65% of respondents disagreed that “UMPH made me more likely to practice primary care” and 59% agreed “UMPH should target residents pursuing subpecialty careers.” Conclusions A curriculum in underserved medicine can retain interest in caring for underserved patients among future-medicine subspecialists. Lessons learned include [1] building relationships with local community health centers and community-practicing physicians was important for success and [2] thoughtful scheduling promoted high resident attendance at program events and avoided detracting from other activities required during residency for subspecialist career paths. We hope Internal Medicine residency programs consider training in underserved medicine for all trainees. Future work should investigate sustainability, whether training results in improved subspecialty access, and whether subspecialists face unique barriers caring for underserved patients. Future curricula should include advocacy skills to target systemic barriers.

Download Full-text