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Article
Effectiveness of Short-term Medical Missions on Chronic Disease in Underserved Communities
Western Journal of Nursing Research
  • Sherylyn Watson, Sacred Heart University
  • Heather Ferrillo, Sacred Heart University
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
1-1-2021
Abstract

A retrospective chart review study was conducted to evaluate health outcomes after a nurse-led short-term medical mission group provided free health care in four communities in Kingston, Jamaica over a four-year period. Participants were adult patients who had visited short-term medical mission clinics at least twice and were diagnosed with hypertension and/or diabetes. Blood pressure (BP) and blood sugar (BS) results along with factors including adherence and control per guidelines were analyzed using descriptive, t-tests and chi-square analysis. The data revealed that overall BP and BS measurements trended down, and there was a significant decrease in BP in patients with uncontrolled hypertension at the first visit. Medication adherence between the visits and gender had a statistically significant impact on BP and BS control. Outcomes suggest short-term medical missions are an effective model to address hypertension and diabetes in developing countries when using a sustainable approach.

Comments

Published online ahead of print 2020 July 22.

This work was supported by the Sacred Heart University Research/Creative Grant.

DOI
10.1177/0193945920944809
PMID
32698699
Publisher
SAGE Journals
Pages
323-329
Citation Information

Watson S. M., & Ferrillo H. (2021). Effectiveness of short-term medical missions on chronic disease in underserved communities. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 43(4), 323-329. Doi:10.1177/0193945920944809