Biomedical subjects

Susan Hart-Hester

Publications and source records attributed to Susan Hart-Hester.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Access to health care professionals in rural Mississippi.

BACKGROUND: The location and identification of health professionals' practice sites is the first step in enhancing the availability of quality medical care to all regions of the state. Identification of specific areas of need is difficult, as provider data is often collected and housed separately through multiple organizations. This study provides a comparative review of the distribution of physicians, dentists, nurses, and psychologists and examines future provider needs of selected rural counties and regions within the state. METHODS: Data were compiled from multiple state and federal agencies. RESULTS: Twenty percent of Mississippi physicians are at or near retirement age. Several Mississippi counties could lose most or all of their physicians in the next few years. The distribution of health care workers is uneven across the state. CONCLUSION: Maldistribution of health care workers and the aging health care workforce impacts access to care, particularly in rural Mississippi counties.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2003

Elderly suicides: a need for prevention.

Every 18 minutes a life is lost to suicide. Approximately every hour and a half, an elderly adult age 65 and over takes his/her life by suicide. Despite a decline in the rate of suicides over the past several years, suicides by elderly white males remains high. This paper provides a descriptive epidemiology of elderly suicides in a southern rural population and discusses implications for preventive health services that must be implemented to decrease the number of successful elderly suicides.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Factors that influence obstetrical care by Mississippi family physicians.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate factors associated with cause for attrition from obstetrics among family physicians in Mississippi and to identify enhancing factors for those practicing obstetrics. STUDY DESIGN: A twenty-two item self-addressed survey was utilized. POPULATION: All identifiable allopathic and osteopathic family physicians currently practicing in Mississippi. OUTCOMES MEASURED: Factors that contribute to decisions by family physicians to practice or not practice obstetrics. RESULTS: Of the 652 surveys mailed, 235 (36%) were returned. Twenty-seven respondents indicated that they provide prenatal care. Fifteen of these performed non-emergent vaginal deliveries; ten provided the full spectrum of obstetrical care. There was a significant difference in the number of months of OB training between respondents who do non-emergent vaginal deliveries and those who did not. Personal interest and training ranked highest as influences for physicians practicing obstetrics. Factors associated with the decision not to practice included high malpractice premiums and the perception that other local physicians provide obstetrics. CONCLUSIONS: According to study results, most Mississippi family physicians are not practicing obstetrics. The influence of high malpractice premiums and the influence of the length of OB training on the physicians' choice to practice OB require additional investigation.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Utilization of computer technology by family medicine community preceptors in Mississippi.

BACKGROUND: Medical informatics require physicians to synthesize information available from a broad range of sources and identify "best" treatment strategies based upon individual patient's needs. METHODS: An assessment of computer technology utilization and the self-perceived competency of the family medicine preceptors who supervise residents during rotations was completed. A ten item survey was developed which assessed the preceptors' comfort level and use of computer technology within their office practices. Surveys were mailed to 127 family medicine preceptors. RESULTS: Sixty-six respondents completed the survey for a response rate of 52%. The majority of respondents indicated ownership of a desktop computer (88%). Forty-nine respondents (77%) indicated general comfort using the computer. Seventeen respondents (27%) used the computers for patient education and nine (14%) utilized the computers in student/resident teaching. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians are not using computers for patient education nor student/resident training. Community preceptors need further training in medical informatics and advanced computer competency.

Computer Literacy↗