Publications by authors named "Derek Hersch"
Racism shapes the distribution of the social determinants of health (SDoH) along racial lines. Racism determines the environments in which people live, the quality of housing, and access to healthcare. Extensive research shows racism in its various forms negatively impacts health status, yet few studies and interventions seriously interrogate the role of racism in impacting health.
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- Studies show that family/shared meal frequency is linked to better health and well-being in children, but less is known about its effects on adults or across different countries.
- A 2022 study surveyed adults from the U.S., Italy, and Germany to analyze family meals and emotional well-being, revealing most participants engage in six or more shared meals weekly, particularly on weekends.
- Results indicated that more frequent family meals correlate with reduced depressive symptoms, increased connectedness, and greater happiness, suggesting positive impacts for all household members involved in family meals.
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- Continuity of care (COC) in primary care leads to better patient satisfaction, health outcomes, and reduced healthcare costs, but patients often see their primary care provider (PCP) less than half the time, especially in outpatient settings.* -
- There are over 32 different ways to measure COC, influenced by factors like data source, measurement purpose (research vs. clinical), and patient visit patterns, making it essential for primary care to find the best metrics for quality improvement.* -
- No single formula perfectly represents COC; however, understanding the variations in measurement can help analyze how consistently patients visit the same provider, which is crucial for improving primary care practices.*
Article Synopsis
- Continuity of care between patients and primary care providers is linked to better outcomes, lower costs, and improved provider satisfaction; the study evaluated the effects of a set-day clinic (SDC) model on continuity in a family medicine residency.
- In July 2019, Bethesda Clinic transitioned from a rotation-driven scheduling model to the SDC model, collecting visit data from two different six-month periods to compare continuity rates before and after the implementation.
- Results showed heightened continuity for PGY3 residents and general satisfaction among faculty and residents regarding the SDC model, indicating that predictable scheduling can enhance continuity and well-being in residency programs.*
This mixed-methods study endeavored to expand the current understanding of how early pandemic related disruptions impacted the home food environment and parent feeding practices of families with young children. Data for this study are taken from the Kids EAT! Study, a racially/ethnically diverse cohort of families with 2-5 year old children. Individual interviews were conducted by phone and video conference with mothers (n = 25) during August/September of 2020 and were coded using a hybrid deductive/inductive analysis approach.
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- The study explored the experiences of economically and ethnically diverse mothers with young children as they navigated public health recommendations during COVID-19, focusing on the challenges of adherence to guidelines like masking and social distancing.
- Two main themes emerged: selective adherence to recommendations, where social distancing proved tougher due to family-focused concerns, and the impact of personal experiences and relationships on perceptions of the virus's severity and the need for community support.
- The findings highlight the importance of trusted communication and community collaboration in shaping effective public health messaging and policies for future health crises.
Article Synopsis
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed the home food environment, impacting child eating habits and dietary choices, including an increase in high-calorie snack consumption.
- A study focused on mothers of young children explored how the pandemic affected their feeding practices and routines, revealing themes such as increased directiveness in food choices, fewer mealtime rules, and greater meal preparation responsibilities.
- The findings suggest that during stressful periods like the pandemic, parents may need guidance on maintaining effective feeding practices, emphasizing the importance of structure, routine, and healthy snack options for children.
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- Family medicine faculty and residents found continuity clinic unsatisfactory due to inconsistent patient interactions and erratic schedules, which prioritize hospital services.
- In 2019, the University of Minnesota Medical School initiated a 3-year project called Clinic as Curriculum (CaC) across its family medicine residencies to improve clinic performance using dashboard data and collaborative goal-setting.
- Initial results showed variability in clinic performance, particularly in faculty scheduling and resident continuity rates, prompting changes in scheduling strategies and the introduction of microteams to enhance continuity and efficiency.
Background: Primary care physicians (PCPs) are in a critical position for identifying, preventing and treating childhood obesity. However, a one-size-fits-all approach does not exist for having conversations about weight with families. A better understanding of how PCPs can address paediatric patients' weight concerns is needed in order to develop effective guidelines and trainings.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Cooking programs have been used to promote healthful eating among people of all ages. This review assesses the evidence on childhood cooking programs and their association with changes in food-related preferences, attitudes, and behaviors of school-aged children.
Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Ovid-Medline, and CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) databases.