Rural Medicine Interest Group Spring Break ‘09 Laura Goodman, Kevin Kralik, Lindsay Tawa, Mirat Shah, Jon Halevy, Jessica Lee, Lindsay Hintz, Eliana Bonifacino, Ben Meza

Why? Service – See need – Collaborate – RMIG, GHIG … Learning – Improve H & P skills Non-threatening, unhurried, Motivational interviewing – Practice awkward conversations – Learn about different cultures “the sugar” A non-tertiary care environment

Sat. Burgettstown Sun. Cecil & Washington Mon. Perryopolis & Charleroi Tues. Avella/Cross Creek

Washington 15,268 people 81.88% WhiteWhite 14.60% African AmericanAfrican American 0.15% Native AmericanNative American 0.45% AsianAsian 0.02% Pacific IslanderPacific Islander Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94% HispanicLatino The median income for a household in the city was $25,764median income for a household and the median income for a family was $34, % of families were below the poverty linepoverty

Perryopolis Estimated median household income in 2007: $37,785

Charleroi Males: 2,048 (44.9%) Females: 2,517 (55.1%) Estimated median household income in 2007 $29,673 Pennsylvania: $48,576 White (94.9%) Black (3.2%) Hispanic (0.7%)

Avella (Cross Creek) The population = 1,685. White 1,654 Median household income 38,226

THERE’S A HEALTH FAIR COMING TO YOUR TOWN!!! When: Sunday, March 15 th from Noon-4:00pm Where: Burgettstown Community Library Medical students from the University of Pittsburgh will be taking  blood pressure  measuring body mass indexes (BMI)  giving eye examinations PLUS providing information on:  smoking cessation  high blood pressure  diabetes  mental health  exercise and diet ALL FOR FREE! Adults and children welcome

Patient Demographics Saw 64 Patients through 3 Community Sites Mean Age = 71 yrs old Mostly came from local towns, mostly caucasian

Majority of patients were women: More proactive about health More likely to go to library/senior center Top health concerns included: 1.Blood Pressure 2.Cholesterol 3.Diabetes 4.Arthritis 5.Watching weight

Health Care Concerns: Many were happy with their health services Quality of physicians, proximity to physicians Lack of specialty health care- i.e. Dentists, Optometrists Lack of emergency services

Most of the patients went to a doctor’s office at least once a year and had health insurance.

How can we reach the people who need our services the most? Local Contacts to identify potential target populations e.g. teenage mothers without prenatal care, house- bound seniors Advance Planning/Advertising Local paper, flyering, church announcements Accessibility Location, arranging car pools?

Lessons Learned  Access to doctors in rural areas is variable  Services available  Convenience  Quality  Small towns may have multiple potential target groups which require different strategies to reach  Elderly (particularly those with limited mobility)  Parents with young children  Teens  Logistical issues

Future Plans  Additional trips:  Participate in health fair in the fall  Repeat health screenings; add additional services such as flu shots  Perform needs assessments to better target offerings  Plan programs addressing community-specific needs such as teen pregnancy  Work with community contacts to publicize events and better reach underserved groups