Annals of family medicine
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
The role of Canadian family physicians in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Context: In Canada, most medical care is delivered through front line, first contact primary care. As nations traverse the most significant health event in a century, it is important to understand how primary care has been engaged in the challenge. Objective: Assess the patterns of direct clinical patient care involvement of Canadian family physicians (FPs) in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic by province, age, remuneration model, and practice setting. ⋯ Conclusions: While most family physicians have been involved in the COVID-19 response, discrepancies exist across jurisdiction, ages, remuneration types, and practice models. These results suggest that there were obstacles to the full involvement of Canada's primary care system in the response to the pandemic. Evidence generated by this study points to factors that could enable a more responsive future primary health care system.
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
Transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare: exploring the practices and experiences of care providers.
Context: Youth with complex care needs (CCN) experience complex health conditions, many of which were once seen as fatal and are now increasingly associated with survival into adulthood. As a result, more youth are transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare as they approach adulthood. Current transition practices, when present, are disorganized, resulting in health status deterioration and complications due to unmet needs. ⋯ Specifically, due to the significant amount of primary care pediatricians provide youth during childhood, improved access to PCPs was a recommendation. Moreover, participants indicated that a designated transition coordinator can enhance the transition process for the youth and stakeholders involved in their care. Conclusion: The results of this study can potentially improve transition practices and policies for primary care practice, and guide future research in this area.
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
The new back-to-school basics: COVID-19 hygiene education for elementary students.
Context: In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic- with undulating statistics of new cases and deaths and with schools set to reopen in the fall of 2020 after a long hiatus- the objective was to address the needs and methods of preparing children for a safe return to school. Objective: To educate 1st - 5th grade elementary school children about proper health and safety precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study Design and Setting: Three monthly virtual sessions via zoom were implemented with focuses on hygiene, physical activity, and healthy coping mechanisms during a pandemic. ⋯ Conclusions: These educational sessions were organized to teach children safe practices for their return to school, develop coping skills, and also help them adapt to physical activity while maintaining social distancing. Participant 1st - 5th graders answered most questions correctly and displayed the basics of COVID-19 safety knowledge. The children surveyed are experiencing mixed emotions during the pandemic due to feelings of social isolation.
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
Community-engaged fRAP: a mixed method approach for policy change and advocacy to reduce cancer disparities in Hispanic women.
Context: Cervical cancer is preventable and curable, yet Hispanic populations in certain areas of the United States have higher mortality rates from invasive cervical cancer than non-Hispanic white women. Objective: Our study aimed to develop community-engaged on-the-ground partnerships between our research team and local stakeholders to identify policy change targets for advocacy and action that could impact cervical cancer disparities in geographic areas of high need. Study Design: This mixed methods study utilized a community-engaged fRAP (focused Rapid Assessment Process) methodology to uncover modifiable differences in cervical cancer survivorship contributing to mortality differences at the county level. ⋯ Results: Through the use of multi-level cross-comparative investigation of community, medical and policy elements in different counties, we identified important contextual/policy differences impacting cervical cancer disparities in certain highest need locales. An online teach-out on immigrant health, a Facebook live "Platicas" workshop on women's health, and a county level disparities taskforce are one county's action steps to improve cervical cancer outcomes. Conclusions: Community-engaged fRAP effectively identifies local policy change targets for advocacy, with the goal for sustained community-engaged action aimed at decreasing cervical cancer disparities.
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Annals of family medicine · Apr 2022
Outcomes of searching for online health and parenting information on behalf of others: A mixed methods research study.
Context: Use of trustworthy online consumer health information (OCHI) is generally associated with benefits, yet barriers such as low health literacy may reduce these benefits. One of the largest groups of OCHI consumers is parents of young children. In addition to OCHI, parents reach out to their social circle for tailored advice, emotional support, and culturally relevant parenting information. ⋯ Sharing information led to improved decision making, improved relationships, less worry and better health outcomes, or in some cases led to tensions. Conclusion: By better understanding how people use information together, health information can be adapted to meet both individual and group needs. Public health interventions aimed at supporting parents can do so by facilitating shared decision making.