Class of 2017 Abstract / Objectives: To assess access to and quality of primary health care services by individuals receiving meals at a food bank in a rural location using the Primary Care Assessment Tool- Short Form (PCAT-S). Also, to investigate whether individuals with a mental health condition at a rural community food bank receive different care compared to those without a mental health condition. Methods: The PCAT-S, a survey developed by John Hopkins University, was administered to evaluate care at first contact, ongoing care, coordination of care, and comprehensiveness of care. Demographics data (age, gender, health conditions, insurance status, etc.) was also collected. Results: The majority of our participants surveyed lived within an urban zip code (84.8%), had government insurance (81.4%), were male (61.9%), or were Native American (45%). The groups with the highest mean PCAT-S scores were participants with diabetes (mean score= 96.8), participants with no insurance (94.63), and participants who were female (91). The patient populations with the lowest scores were those with less than a high school education (63.11) with serious mental illness (64), or who had bipolar disorder (69). Groups with higher mean PCAT-S scores indicated more involvement with a primary care provider or overall better care within that section of the PCAT-S. Conclusions: Participants with a mental health condition may be receiving less healthcare than those without a mental health condition, especially in the coordination of care between healthcare services, as indicated by lower mean PCAT-S scores. Those living in a rural community, among our population, do not appear to be receiving less healthcare than those in an urban setting.

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Using data gathered over the course of two months through participant observation and semi-structured interviews with health providers (n=19) and community members (n=20), this research analyzes patient access to health care resources and describes community members' and health care providers' perceptions of pressing health concerns in their area. The results of this research show the types of health care resources in the county, the similarities and differences between health providers' and community members' perceptions, and how the unique characteristics of this community influence health care access and health disparity.

An ever-growing body of evidence supports the efficacy of integrated care as a treatment approach; however, less is known about what specific components of integrated care are most effective. This is especially true of warm handoffs, which are an often discussed but understudied process in integrated care. A total of 246 patient charts were reviewed to determine if type of referral (warm handoff or traditional) increased the likelihood of follow-up with behavioral health services as well as factors that might impact this relationship. There were no significant differences between type of referral and likelihood of follow-up with behavioral health services. Only previous number of visits with referring provider significantly increased the likelihood of patients attending a subsequent behavioral health appointment. More research is needed to better understand the efficacy, if any, of the warm handoff as a component of integrated care.

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Magister Public Health - MPH / Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prescribing practices and availability of antimalarial drugs to children under five years of age in primary health care facilities in Bondo district.

Telehealth in rural and underserved areas are increasing rapidly due to centralization and cutbacks in healthcare. Since many telehealth studies has a patient-centered focus or organizational perspectives, we find a gap in research regarding practitioners' view in the unique contexts of rural areas. The question we seek to answer is how rural care providers experience telehealth solutions and what factors influence the adoption of its use. A mixed method case study with an interpretative approach is employed, examining a sample of rural cottage hospitals and their healthcare personnel in Northern Sweden. Data is collected through interviews, observations, and an online survey. Our thematic analysis reveals crucial connections between urban and rural settings causing sociocultural barriers. Education and tailored telehealth solutions considering the uniqueness of rural areas are thus recommended. Flaws in routines and interface design also contribute to the lack of interaction, thus the importance of user-centeredness with consideration of the urban-rural-divide and digital literacy disparities is highlighted. By offering insights into the practitioners' perceived experiences and the challenges they face, this study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of telehealth implementation and utilization in rural areas and provides insights for improving user experience and adoption.

Problems of the Russian rural healthcare are considered in the master’s dissertation in light of the conducted reforms and transformations for the relationship health workers and patients. The dissertation presents the modern approach of the system of rural healthcare, which identified the several subsystems: interaction of the social communalities, medical service, medical institutions, management of the healthcare, norms and sanctions. Dissertation’s author described the results of the survey conducted in the villages of Dalmatovo district of Kurgan region. The study is based on the methodology of American philosopher R. Veatch, who classified the relations of health workers and patients on the four models: engineering, paternalistic, collegial and contract. The research identified the problems and contradictions in the system of rural healthcare. The dissertation can be used as a textbook for a university’s students training on the course and specialty “Sociology”. It’s interest for graduate students, university’s teachers, academics of the field of social sciences and humanities. / В магистерской диссертации рассматриваются проблемы сельского здравоохранения России в свете проводившихся реформ и преобразований на предмет взаимоотношений медицинских работников и пациентов. Представлена современная трактовка системы сельского здравоохранения, в которой выделено несколько подсистем: взаимодействия социальных общностей, медицинского обслуживания, медицинских учреждений, управления в сфере здравоохранения, норм и санкций. Автор диссертации описал результаты социологического исследования, проводившегося в селах Далматовского района Курганской области. Исследование методологически основано на концепции американского философа Р. Витча, который классифицирует взаимоотношения медицинских работников и пациентов на четыре модели: инженерная, патерналистская, коллегиальная, контрактная. В ходе исследования были выявлены проблемы и противоречия, возникшие в системе сельского здравоохранения. Магистерская диссертация может быть использована в качестве учебного пособия для студентов высших учебных заведений, обучающихся по направлению и специальности «Социология». Она представляет интерес для аспирантов, преподавателей, ученых в области социально-гуманитарных наук.