Affiliations: Family Medicine Residency Program, Southern Illinois
University School of Medicine, Decatur, IL, USA | Department of Health Care Management, Southern
Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA | Family and Community Medicine, Southern Illinois
University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Joel Willis, MS, PA-C, 250 W.
Kenwood Avenue, Decatur, IL 62526, USA. Tel.: +1 217 872 3804; Fax: +1 217 872
0849; E-mail: jwillis@siumed.edu
Abstract: Objective: Millions of Americans fail to receive proper preventative
care and/or have poorly managed chronic conditions. The purpose of this study
was to determine if local student volunteers could be utilized to assess
hypertension in an underserved community. The two primary objectives included
first determining if student volunteers could be effectively trained to perform
blood pressure screening and if they could then successfully provide such
screening door-to-door in a targeted community. Results: Volunteers were
recruited from local universities, trained and skill tested in basic medical
techniques and simulated door-to-door interactions. Of 43 initial students, 37
successfully completed written and competency exams. During the two-weekend
community engagement, 220 individuals answered door knocks and 80~agreed to
screening. Of those without a previous diagnosis of hypertension, 70.9% had
an abnormal reading as did 87% of those who had been previously diagnosed
with hypertension. This methodology was implemented at minimal cost and was
perceived as a benefit by both students and community members. Conclusions: The study scope did not allow longer-term follow up for those
with abnormal readings, but did serve as a reminder for those diagnosed with
hypertension to monitor their status and as an indication for those undiagnosed
that they may need to seek further care. Our findings are important because
they show that undergraduate students are a viable source of volunteers for
performing medically-related community outreach.
Keywords: Community outreach, blood pressure, volunteers, preventive care
