VCU Medical Student Presents on Satisfaction with Brigade Care at CUGH Annual Conference

Kate Pearson, presenting at the Consortium
of Universities for Global Health's Annual
Conference, Washington, DC, March 14, 2013

Congratulations are in order to Kate Pearson, a third year VCU medical school student who presented her research on satisfaction with short-term medical brigade care at the Consortium of Universities for Global Health's annual conference in Washington, DC, yesterday.

Kate surveyed patients who received care at the Honduras Outreach Medical Brigada Relief Effort (HOMBRE)/ VCU Global Health and Health Disparities Program (GH2DP) clinics in the Department of Yoro, Honduras, in 2011. Her survey was a pilot project designed to identify key areas where we can improve the care we provide on our annual medical relief trips, as well as identify areas where we can bolster our health education efforts.

Twenty-three surveys were collected. Although the majority of patients noted satisfaction with the care provided, the survey helped to identify some key areas for future improvement. The majority of patients (70%, 16/23) desired more frequent clinics (2-3 times/ year), and the following were noted as areas to provide more health education: water purification (68%, 15/23), dental care (61%, 14/23), mental and emotional health (52%, 12/23) and nutrition (52%, 12/23).

Kate's data will help us target our health education messages on our upcoming May-June 2013 brigade, and will serve as a platform for a larger survey that will help us improve the care we provide.

Great work Kate!