Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #104331

Paige H. Smith, PhD¹, Nancy Phifer, MD², Donna Duffy, MS¹, and Treva Curtis, MS¹. (1) Center for Women's Health and Wellness, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 401 HHP Building, PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, 336.334.4735, phsmith@uncg.edu, (2) Internal Medicine Residency Program, Moses Cone Memorial Hospital, 1200 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 2740`

The US Preventive Task Force (USPTF) makes specific recommendations for preventive care among women of reproductive age (18-45). Many women seek care from both primary care providers (internists) and from gynecologists, which often results in separation of reproductive and non-reproductive health care for women. This, in turn, has resulted in many women not receiving appropriate preventive health care. This study uses multiple methods to first determine if women, aged 18-45, who are seeking care in an internal medicine residency program affiliated with a 450 bed community teaching hospital are receiving appropriate “well women” care: (1) a one-year retrospective medical records review (N=200), (2) a patient survey (N=100), and (3) focus groups with the residents and nurses affiliated with the clinic. Results from Phase I indicate that: 65% of the population is African-American, 55% is single, 59% have been pregnant, 26% are HIV positive, and 10% have contracted an STD. About half (52%) of the records contained no information on the women's last pap smear, and 83% contained no information on contraceptive counseling. Only 3% of women were counseled about calcium and none of the women were counseled about folic acid and rubella. Preliminary data suggests that an intervention strategy in internal medicine clinics may need to be developed for women of reproductive age (18-45) so that they received the necessary care for overall health. The final step in our study will be to develop and evaluate a clinical intervention.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the extent to which women patients aged 18-45 seeking care in internal medicine clinics may not be receiving appropriate preventive heatlh care screenings.
• Identify the need for appropriate counseling about contraception, the use of calcium and folic acid and cervical cancer screening in internal medicine practices.

Keywords: Health Care Delivery, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.