scholarly journals Federally Qualified Health Centers Minimize the Impact of Loss of Frequency and Independence of Movement in Older Adult Patients through Access to Transportation Services

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystal Elaine Knight

Loss of mobility in older adults (65 and older) is associated with falling, loss of independence, and mortality. This paper, which to the author's knowledge is the first of its kind, summarizes findings of Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) case reports and how FQHCs minimize the impacts of mobility loss in older adult patients (who would not receive primary services without these transportation programs) by providing access to primary care services through transportation programs. This paper features the transportation programs of four FQHCs located in both urban and rural United States areas: LifeLong Medical Care (Oakland, CA); Hudson Headwaters Health Network (Queensbury, NY); North End Community Health Center (Boston, MA); Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center, Inc. (Clarksdale, MS). This paper is beneficial to primary care providers and public health officials in outlining how transportation may be used to minimize the effects of mobility loss in older adult patients.

BMC Obesity ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca C. Woodruff ◽  
Gillian L. Schauer ◽  
Ann R. Addison ◽  
Ajay Gehlot ◽  
Michelle C. Kegler

Pain Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1840-1846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly C Bourgeois ◽  
Rachel C Proteau ◽  
Cassandra V Vielma ◽  
Daniel M Hartung ◽  
Adriane N Irwin

Abstract Objective To describe recommendations made by an interdisciplinary controlled substance committee and acceptance by primary care providers. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Multisite federally qualified health center using an interdisciplinary committee to provide patient-specific recommendations to prescribers with patients using prescription opioids and other controlled substances. Subjects Patients prescribed long-term opioids. Methods We identified and characterized committee recommendations to prescribers between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2016. We manually reviewed electronic medical records to determine if recommendations were accepted at eight months. The primary outcome was the overall acceptance rate of recommendations. Secondary outcomes were the acceptance of recommendations to reduce opioid doses and change in opioid dose from baseline. Results The committee made 337 recommendations for 94 patients. Of those, 169 recommendations (50.1%) were accepted within eight months. The most common recommendation was to change opioid prescribing (N = 53, 56.4%), but recommendations varied. For patients with a recommendation to change opioid prescribing, this was accepted in 31 of 53 patients (58.5%). Overall, opioid doses decreased from 60 morphine equivalents per day (interquartile range [IQR] = 27.5–135, range = 5–1,260) at baseline to 40 morphine equivalents per day (IQR = 15–105, range = 0–1,260) at eight months (P < 0.001). Conclusions An interdisciplinary committee was well positioned to offer primary care providers with nonopioid options to manage chronic nonmalignant pain and provide support in reducing opioid doses. About half of recommendations were accepted by primary care providers. Future research should focus on strategies to improve the utility of this approach and its impact on clinical outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S337-S338
Author(s):  
Kenneth H Mayer ◽  
Kenneth Levine ◽  
Chris Grasso ◽  
Ami Multani ◽  
Alex Gonzalez ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many health care activities. The impact of the pandemic on HIV primary care in a Boston community health center (CHC) that has specialized HIV, sexual and gender minority care is analyzed here. Methods The CHC has used the Centricity Practice SolutionTM electronic medical record (EMR) system since 1997. The current analyses used data abstracted from the EMR, testing for significant differences in HIV care utilization using the Student t-test for means and chi-square tests for proportions. Results There were 2,016 HIV+ patients among 25,606 patients (7.9%) engaged in primary care in 2019. In 2019, HIV+ patients had between 563 and 689 in-person visits per month. On average, monthly visits for HIV care increased (p< 0.0001) in the first two months of 2020 (mean=626, sd=60.1) compared to 2019 (mean=617, sd=40.6), but dropped to 370 and 36 in person visits by HIV+ patients in March and April 2020 respectively (mean=203, sd=236.2; p< 0.0001), when statewide stay-at-home policies were recommended. There were 263 telemedicine visits by HIV+ patients in March and 751 in April, 2020. When telemedicine and in-person visits were combined, mean number of visits per month by HIV+ patients were higher compared to the same two-month period in 2019 (p< .0001). The mean number of plasma HIV RNA viral load (VL) tests performed each month was 279 in 2019 (range 257–312, sd=18.3), versus 219 in March and 274 in April 2020 (mean=246.5, sd=38.9; p< 0.0001). Among those tested, monthly rates of virological suppression ranged from 71–81% in 2019, with 11–20% having VL < 100 copies/ml. Eighty percent had an undetectable VL as their last measurement in 2019; an additional 14% had last VL detectable but < 100 copies/ml. In March and April, 2020, the rates of VL suppression were 77% and 74% and 14% and 18% had VL detectable but < 100 copies/ml, respectively (p=0.209). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant decrease in in-person visits by HIV+ and other patients at a Boston CHC, but with a rapid migration to the use of telemedicine, patient engagement, as expressed by visits and VL suppression does not appear to be adversely affected Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


Crisis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 397-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Vannoy ◽  
Mijung Park ◽  
Meredith R. Maroney ◽  
Jürgen Unützer ◽  
Ester Carolina Apesoa-Varano ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: Suicide rates in older men are higher than in the general population, yet their utilization of mental health services is lower. Aims: This study aimed to describe: (a) what primary care providers (PCPs) can do to prevent late-life suicide, and (b) older men's attitudes toward discussing suicide with a PCP. Method: Thematic analysis of interviews focused on depression and suicide with 77 depressed, low-socioeconomic status, older men of Mexican origin, or US-born non-Hispanic whites recruited from primary care. Results: Several themes inhibiting suicide emerged: it is a problematic solution, due to religious prohibition, conflicts with self-image, the impact on others; and, lack of means/capacity. Three approaches to preventing suicide emerged: talking with them about depression, talking about the impact of their suicide on others, and encouraging them to be active. The vast majority, 98%, were open to such conversations. An unexpected theme spontaneously arose: "What prevents men from acting on suicidal thoughts?" Conclusion: Suicide is rarely discussed in primary care encounters in the context of depression treatment. Our study suggests that older men are likely to be open to discussing suicide with their PCP. We have identified several pragmatic approaches to assist clinicians in reducing older men's distress and preventing suicide.


Author(s):  
Ann Neville Miller ◽  
Ajay Bharathan ◽  
Venkata Naga Sreelalitapriya Duvuuri ◽  
Vanessa Navas ◽  
Lisvet Luceno ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110660
Author(s):  
Shuying Sha ◽  
Mollie Aleshire

Primary care providers’ (PCPs) implicit and explicit bias can adversely affect health outcomes of lesbian women including their mental health. Practice guidelines recommend universal screening for depression in primary care settings, yet the guidelines often are not followed. The intersection of PCPs’ implicit and explicit bias toward lesbian women may lead to even lower screening and diagnosis of depression in the lesbian population than in the general population. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to examine the relationship between PCPs’ implicit and explicit bias toward lesbian women and their recommendations for depression screening in this population. PCPs ( n = 195) in Kentucky completed a survey that included bias measures and screening recommendations for a simulated lesbian patient. Bivariate inferential statistical tests were conducted to compare the implicit and explicit bias scores of PCPs who recommended depression screening and those who did not. PCPs who recommended depression screening demonstrated more positive explicit attitudes toward lesbian women ( p < .05) and their implicit bias scores were marginally lower than the providers who did not recommend depression screening (p = .068). Implications for practice: Depression screening rates may be even lower for lesbian women due to implicit and explicit bias toward this population. Training to increase providers’ awareness of bias and its harm is the first step to improve primary care for lesbian women. Policies must protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 843-856
Author(s):  
Constance Gundacker ◽  
Tyler W. Barreto ◽  
Julie P. Phillips

Background and Objectives: Traumatic experiences such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction have a lifetime prevalence of 62%-75% and can negatively impact health outcomes. However, many primary care providers (PCPs) are inadequately prepared to treat patients with trauma due to a lack of training. Our objective was to identify trauma-informed approach curricula for PCPs, review their effectiveness, and identify gaps. Methods: We systematically identified articles from Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Academic Search Premier, Cochrane, PsycINFO, MedEd Portal, and the STFM Resource Library. Search term headings “trauma-informed care (TIC),” “resilience,” “patient-centered care,” “primary care,” and “education.” Inclusion criteria were PCP, pediatric and adult patients, and training evaluation. Exclusion criteria were outside the United States, non-English articles, non-PCPs, and inpatient settings. We used the TIC pyramid to extract topics. We analyzed evaluation methods using the Kirkpatrick Model. Results: Researchers reviewed 6,825 articles and identified 17 different curricula. Understanding health effects of trauma was the most common topic (94%). Evaluation data revealed overall positive reactions and improved knowledge, attitudes, and confidence. Half (53%) reported Kirkpatrick level 3 behavior change evaluation outcomes with increased trauma screening and communication, but no change in referrals. Only 12% (2/17) evaluated Kirkpatrick level 4 patient satisfaction (significant results) and health outcomes (not significant). Conclusions: Pilot findings from studies in our review show trauma-informed curricula for PCPs reveal positive reactions, an increase in knowledge, screening, communication, and patient satisfaction, but no change in referrals or health outcomes. Further research is needed to examine the impact of trainings on quality of care and health outcomes.


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