A weight loss intervention delivered by peer coaches in primary care: Rationale and study design of the PROMISE trial.

Primary care offers a familiar and accessible clinical venue for patients with obesity to receive evidence-based lifestyle interventions for weight management. However, there are numerous barriers to the implementation of such programs in primary care, and previous primary care weight loss interventions demonstrate modest and temporary effects. Weight loss treatment delivered within primary care by peer coaches may offer a viable and effective alternative.

Differences in perspectives regarding diabetes management between health care providers and patients.

Chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes are challenging to manage. This is often due to failure of both the practice of effective diabetes self-care management by the patient and inadequate intervention strategies and follow-up by the health care provider (HCP). The aims of the study are (i) to use a social marketing survey approach to understand the gaps in perceptions between patients with type 2 diabetes and HCPs on diabetes-related topics such as levels of awareness, use and satisfaction with community resources, and perceived barriers to self-management and (ii) to present the results of a public awareness campaign/diabetes management demonstration project (Cities for Life) on change in discordant views between HCPs and patients.

Patient Navigators Connecting Patients to Community Resources to Improve Diabetes Outcomes.

Background: Despite the recognized importance of lifestyle modification in reducing risk of developing type 2 diabetes and in diabetes management, the use of available community resources by both patients and their primary care providers (PCPs) remains low. The patient navigator model, widely used in cancer care, may have the potential to link PCPs and community resources for reduction of risk and control of type 2 diabetes. In this study we tested the feasibility and acceptability of telephone-based nonprofessional patient navigation to promote linkages between the PCP office and community programs for patients with or at risk for diabetes.

Agromedicine focus group: cooperative extension agents and medical school instructors plan farm field trips for medical students.

Background: Current medical education policy seeks to address the health care needs of underserved populations, among whom are individuals associated with agriculture.

Methods: This paper describes a focus group approach to planning farm field trips whereby medical students accompany agricultural extension agents to study the personal, occupational, and environmental health concerns of farmers.

Results: The resulting plan joins a state's cooperative extension system, medical school, and farm community in partnership to provide an experiential approach to agricultural medicine and rural health education.