Are Healthcare Providers Asking about Environmental Exposures? A Community-Based Mixed Methods Study
Joint Authors
Zierold, Kristina M.
Sears, Clara G.
Source
Journal of Environmental and Public Health
Issue
Vol. 2015, Issue 2015 (31 Dec. 2015), pp.1-7, 7 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2015-10-08
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
7
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
People living near environmental hazards may develop symptoms and health conditions that require specialized monitoring and treatment by healthcare providers.
One emerging environmental hazard is coal ash.
Coal ash is comprised of small particles containing heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and radioactive elements.
The overall purpose of this study was to explore whether healthcare providers ask patients if they live near an environmental hazard like coal ash storage sites and to assess what health conditions prompt a provider inquiry.
Focus groups were conducted in 2012 and a cross-sectional survey was administered in 2013.
Overall, 61% of survey respondents reported that their healthcare providers never asked if they lived near an environmental hazard.
One focus group member stated “No, they don’t ask that.
They just always blame stuff on you….” Respondents with asthma and other lung conditions were significantly more likely to be asked by a healthcare provider if they lived near an environmental hazard.
Due to the unique exposures from environmental hazards and the low prevalence of patients being asked about environmental hazards, we recommend that healthcare providers take environmental health histories in order to understand patients’ exposures, to monitor symptoms of exposure, and to assist with education about reducing exposure.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Zierold, Kristina M.& Sears, Clara G.. 2015. Are Healthcare Providers Asking about Environmental Exposures? A Community-Based Mixed Methods Study. Journal of Environmental and Public Health،Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1068177
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Zierold, Kristina M.& Sears, Clara G.. Are Healthcare Providers Asking about Environmental Exposures? A Community-Based Mixed Methods Study. Journal of Environmental and Public Health No. 2015 (2015), pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1068177
American Medical Association (AMA)
Zierold, Kristina M.& Sears, Clara G.. Are Healthcare Providers Asking about Environmental Exposures? A Community-Based Mixed Methods Study. Journal of Environmental and Public Health. 2015. Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1068177
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1068177