Impact of Community Health Assessment Project on Learner

Impact of Community Health Assessment Project on Learner and Community Gwen W. Halaas, M. D. , M. B. A. May 1, 2008

RPAP n Third year medical students spend nine months in a community n Community preceptors are family physicians n RPAP graduates in practice – 67% in family medicine – 78. 5% in primary care – 50% in rural practice

Community Health n More than thirty years of community service projects – Teaching in public schools – Sports medicine – Public health education n 2004 Community Health Assessment project based on Cibula, Novick, Morrow, and Sutphen, Am J Prev Med 2003; 24(4 S)

CHA Online Module

Online Discussion Community Health n “Mesothelioma in miners on the Iron Range has had a large amount of press lately. Based on my experience in the clinic, however, smoking cessation is much more pressing issue in this community. An astonishingly large proportion of the population smokes… more socially acceptable. National news… Iron Range bars skirt the smoking ban by putting on ‘Theatrical Performances’. Bar goers pretended to be actors in order to profit from an exception in state law for smoking on stage. ” n “This large population of young smokers will put a large burden on the healthcare system in Northern Minnesota for generations to come. ”

Online Discussion Community Health n In addition to the unique Hispanic population in town, we also have a large population of farmers which have their own risk factors… many do not have insurance and wait as long as possible before seeking medical care… eat large meals, but with advancements in the farming industry are doing less manual labor resulting in obesity issues. n Farming accidents require rapid emergency medical services and a fluid ER to adequately treat and/or quickly transport injured persons. Interestingly, many of the nonfarming injuries we see are from the packing plant.

CHA Project n Identify the priority health indicator(s) you want to use in your assessment and explain your choice. n Include community health data/information for the selected indicator(s). n Create a plan to address the chosen indicator, including resources you will need to implement your plan, such as funding, people, technology, and physical space. n Describe how the plan can or will be implemented. n Select outcomes measures related to the health indicators your select and/or to the plan you develop in order to evaluate the impact of your project.

Project Topics Access to Care Accidents Adolescent Health Advance Directives Child Physical and Sexual Abuse n Drug use/ abuse n Geriatrics n Heart Disease n n n n HIV/AIDS Education Immunizations Obesity Parenting Physical Activity Prevention Tobacco Cessation Women’s Health

Project Outcomes 2008 n Educate coaches, students and families about concussion care n Establish a SMART team for sexual assault n Develop a SHAPEDOWN Recall program with monthly lessons n Falls prevention screening tool and referral form and protocol n 111 employees lost over 1500 pounds and over 6% of their body weight in 8 weeks

Reports - New Ulm n Shape. Down - NUMC Foundation – (Kraft Foods) a weight loss program with children and parents to improve nutrition, build selfesteem, and increase daily physical activity. n DAAN - New Ulm public school (New Ulm Optimist club) program for kids in grades 2 -4, teaches about healthy lifestyles and making healthy choices about food and exercise. n New Ulm public school changed bussing routes and no longer includes bus stops within 1 -2 miles of the school to encourage kids to walk to school. n “Not only are there many different approaches to addressing childhood obesity being implemented, but many different constituents of the community are joining forces. It’s obvious that New Ulm has taken the approach that it takes a village to raise a HEALTHY child. ”

Reports - Paynesville n Many of the patients are year round or seasonal lake residents… water related accidents are a common occurrence and the source of a good number of ER visits and deaths. Rates are higher in the summertime, but also occur in the winter due to ice fishing and driving vehicles or snowmobiles on thin ice. n In Minnesota in 2006, there were 14 fatal boating accidents, 102 non-fatal boating accidents, and 49 drownings. The Paynesville area saw 3 of these fatalities. ALL of them were preventable. n I plan to work with ER staff, Stearns County Water Patrol, and Paynesville EMS… to raise community awareness of safe boating and water precautions with pamphlets or information sheets for the over 10 area marinas and boat dealers for dispersal to customers.

Minnesota AHEC n Campus-community engagement, health improvement and interprofessional education since 2004 – 13 Community Interprofessional projects – Interprofessional care teams addressing specific health issues – Incorporating interprofessional students

AHEC Community Projects n Alzheimer’s Care n Diabetes n Geriatric Preventive Care, Risk and Falls Prevention – 4 n Medication Management – 2 n Obesity – 4 n Palliative Care n Prenatal Care and Education

AHEC Community Health Outcomes n Communities collaborating – Workshops – Grants n Interprofessional teams n Recognizing value from students