Issue:

Poverty is a culture within itself and can affect the way patients and their families communicate with medical professionals. It also affects their desire or ability to maintain healthy behaviors, their ability to comply with medical recommendations, and their vulnerability to engaging in risky health behaviors.

Project:

Offer a one-day session of education to interested medical professionals who provide services to children, adolescents and families who live in poverty. Set-up at least 20 of these sessions.

Result:

380 Georgia medical professionals who provide services to children, adolescents, and families who live in poverty were trained to better understand the effects of poverty and how to use that understanding to increase medical compliance along with identify and help patients utilize sources of support.

Following training, participants were asked to submit training evaluations. Of those who did,

• 98% either rated the workshop they attended as “good” or “excellent”

• 91% intended to use the information in their professional settings

A six-month follow-up is assessing the value of the training to participants over time.