Access to clear, culturally inclusive healthcare information is crucial for improving patient outcomes. As the recipient of the Ronald M. Obenzinger '61 Memorial Pre-Medical Scholarship, I have been engaged in a year-long internship at Hometown Health Centers (HHC) in Schenectady, NY. HHC is a Federally Qualified Health Center with a mission to provide primary care for underserved, low-income, and uninsured residents. This presentation will provide an overview of projects conducted that were aimed at improving patient education resources for individuals receiving care through the OB/GYN department. Projects included the creation of mixed-media materials designed to support patients during pregnancy and early parenthood. These resources included videos, infographics, and written materials addressing topics such as gestational diabetes, breastfeeding, environmental toxins, labor and delivery preparation, and transportation resources. Materials were designed to be accessible both in the clinic and at home through digital platforms and translations reflecting the primary languages of the patient population. In addition to describing these materials, this presentation will discuss challenges encountered including considerations related to health literacy, language accessibility, and sourcing reliable medical information. Problem-solving approaches and solutions identified throughout the internship will also be discussed.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to the Ronald M. Obenzinger '61 Memorial Pre-Medical Scholarship and Hometown Health Centers