Minnesota Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP): Engaging healthcare providers in supporting healthy communities

One of the of the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) interventions in Olmsted County, Minnesota is to improve systems support and resources for healthcare professionals to make referrals to healthy eating, physical activity and tobacco cessation programs. As part of the evaluation of this intervention, an initial assessment of existing systems support and resources for referrals was conducted with healthcare professionals in Olmsted County. The survey was sent to 485 healthcare professionals in affiliated hospitals and clinics within Olmsted County, and173 individuals representing various healthcare clinics and institutions responded. Healthcare professionals in Olmsted County found it easy to access patient information on BMI (57%), and fairly easy to access patient information on physical activity levels (49%) and diet (32%). Respondents do not make referrals to community nutrition resources primarily due to lack of awareness of community programs (52%), inadequate referral systems or networks (26%), or a lack of programs or services (24%). Survey participants also indicated a strong desire for support and direction on how to maximize and expand on current referral practices. Respondents cited both resource lists of hospital/clinic programs (68%) and community programs (76%), as resources that would improve their referrals. They would also like training on available hospital/clinic resources, programs or services (50%) and available community evidence-based/best practice programs (57%). These findings will be used to help refine current systems to facilitate patient referrals to appropriate resources and demonstrate important resource needs for engaging healthcare providers in supporting community healthy lifestyle efforts.