Primary Submission Category: Health equity
Integrating Food Insecurity Interventions into Primary Care: Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of Integrating an Online Food Delivery Service for Diabetes Management
Authors: Yvette Castañeda, Jessica Yunez, Kristin Schneider, Melissa Chen, Amanda Simanek,
Presenting Author: Yvette Castañeda*
There is a growing effort to address social needs within healthcare delivery via collaborations with community-based organizations instead of only via referral to services. This pilot study explores the potential for integrating enrollment of patients into a free online food delivery service (Post Pantry) operated by a community partner, Adelante Center, within healthcare visits at the Interprofessional Community Clinic (ICC), a student-led free primary care clinic at Rosalind Franklin University to improve diabetes care management among patients experiencing food insecurity.
The study objectives are to assess the (1) acceptability of Post Pantry among food-insecure patients with diabetes and (2) feasibility of integrating enrollment into this service into ICC patient visits among ICC and Adelante Center staff. We are conducting focus groups with ICC patients (~N= 22) aimed at identifying their experiences with food insecurity screening, challenges with accessing healthy food and food preparation, and acceptability of using Post Pantry. Interviews with ICC (~N =10) and Adelante Center (N=3) staff are assessing the current food insecurity screening processes, feasibility of integrating enrollment in the food delivery service into clinic and Adelante Center workflow, and Post Pantry functionality for augmenting patient behavioral nutritional counseling.
We will utilize Nvivo to identify themes from the focus group and key informant interviews, and patterns across patient demographic characteristics and ICC and Adelante Center staff roles will be examined. A community advisory board for the project will aid interpretation of our findings and assist us with development of an intervention protocol for implementation.
Insights gained from this pilot study will not only inform implementation of a food delivery intervention within the ICC but also a plan for assessment of its impact on improving diabetes-related health outcomes among patients experiencing food insecurity over time.