CP5 - Focus Group Model for Collaborative Health Education with Refugees in King County, WA

Poster Type: Research

Category: A. T. Still University

Research Objectives: With the use of health-related presentations and focus groups, the goal of this project is to empower both Meskhetian Turkish refugees, and female Afghani refugees to play a more active role in improving their own health and to reduce some of the barriers they face within the U.S. healthcare system.

Study Design/Methods: Two presentations were held per population, with a total of 7 Turkish participants and 35 Afgani participants. Topics were chosen based on expressed interests and analysis of common diagnoses using data from HealthPoint community health center. Sessions followed a didactic structure, utilizing a Powerpoint lecture followed by a focus group in which participants shared opinions of the presentation and its pertinence to their lives. A certified translator was utilized to overcome language barriers. The qualitative findings consisted of general opinions, quotes, and findings from employing the teach-back method. These findings were used to measure the efficacy of the presentations.

Principal Findings and Quantitative/Qualitative Results: A range of 3 - 20 individuals attended each presentation. During the presentations, participants demonstrated engagement by asking questions. During focus groups that followed the presentations, participants shared personal experiences related to the health topic and explained what they learned from the presentation. Participants stated they would feel more comfortable speaking to their medical providers about the topics after the presentations. During the focus group, participants discussed plans to integrate information from the presentations into their daily lives. Participants from both refugee populations agreed that the presentations were impactful.

Conclusions on Impact on Health Centers: The fact participants reported that they would take what they learned and share it with their communities, emphasizes that the potential impact of this project may extend beyond those who attend. The personalized, interactive nature of the education provided an environment where the participants felt comfortable asking questions and engaging in teach-back. Because this project was successful in two unique populations, we believe this model can be replicated at other CHCs to the different target populations they serve.

Author(s):

Amy Lee, OMS-II, A.T. Still University

Benjamin Marks, OMS Student, A.T. Still University

Sara Kirkpatrick, OMS-II, A.T. Still University

Janae Rasmussen, OMS-II, A.T. Still University

Sydney Wilkerson, OMS-II, A.T. Still University

Tenaya Kothari, OMS-II, A.T. Still University

Nobel Nguyen, OMS-II, A.T. Still University

Helen Jue, OMS-II, A.T. Still University

Shivani Kamal, OMS-II, A.T. Still University

Dreese Marrakchi, OMS-II, A.T. Still University

Joy H. Lewis, DO, PhD, FACP, Professor, Medicine and Public Health Chair, SOMA Dept. of Public Health, A T Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine