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Ticketed Event
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Interactive Poster Session

(IP117) A Qualitative Study of Participants Undergoing Cardiovascular Screening in Vascular Deserts

Thursday, June 5, 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM CT

    Submitting & Presenting Author(s)

  • Maria Denalene Tiu, MS, BS

    Medical Student
    University of California, San Francisco
    Fresno, California

    • Co-Author(s)

  • GT

    Guistinna Tun

    Medical Student
    University of California, San Francisco

  • MD

    Manreet Dosanjh

    Medical Student
    University of California, San Francisco

  • NK

    Neytali Kanwar

    Medical Student
    University of California, San Francisco

  • JD

    Jagjot Dosanjh

    Medical Student
    University of California, San Francisco

  • MS

    Mina Sarofim

    Medical Student
    University of California, San Francisco
    Mountain House, California

  • PV

    Phuong Vu

    Resident
    University of California, San Francisco, Fresno

  • CG

    Clara M. Gomez-Sanchez

    Assistant Professor of Surgery
    University of California San Francisco
    San Francisco, California

  • Michael S. Conte, MD

    Professor and Chief
    Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
    San Francisco, California

    • Senior Author Discussant(s)

  • Leigh Ann O'Banion, MD

    Associate Professor of Surgery
    UCSF-Fresno
    Fresno, California

Objectives: Vascular deserts, communities with limited access to vascular care, face challenges in obtaining timely and specialized healthcare due to geographic isolation, limited healthcare infrastructure, and socio-economic factors. The Comprehensive Heart and Multidisciplinary Limb Preservation Outreach Network (CHAMPIONS) was established to bridge this gap by providing onsite screenings and education on hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral artery disease. This study aims to analyze outcomes of health screening events in vascular deserts utilizing participant feedback to assess CHAMPIONS as a patient-facing tool. The hypothesis is that health screenings lead to increased disease awareness, healthier behavior, and improved access to care in underserved populations.

Methods: In 2024, 5 health screening events across Central and Northern California screened 166 individuals. 30 participants volunteered to undergo telephone follow-up interviews 1-3 months post-event via semi-structured interview guides, conducted in participants’ native language and recorded. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis via Dedoose by two independent reviewers to identify emerging themes and provide example quotes.

Results: Of the 30 participants interviewed, 2 are White, 20 are Latino(a), 2 are African American, and 5 are Asian. English was the preferred language in 14, and Spanish in 16. 8 participants were below California poverty level and 9 participants only completed grade school. Many did not have a primary care physician (47%) or health insurance (27%) (Table I). 27 participants (90%) described positive experiences with the health screening event, emphasizing the value of education, engagement with volunteers, and its comprehensiveness. Several reported improved understanding of the conditions screened, including diabetes (70%), hypertension (77%), and peripheral artery disease (67%). 10 participants met with their provider following the screening, with 7 explicitly discussing their health screening results. This led to 5 participants receiving new lab orders and 2 undergoing medication changes. Lifestyle modifications were a dominant observed outcome, with 26 participants (87%) adopting healthier behaviors, such as increased physical activity and improved diets. Among uninsured individuals, 2 obtained health insurance after the event. Suggestions for improvement focused on expediting and increasing screening frequency in underserved communities (Table II).

Conclusions: Health screenings in vascular deserts are well-received by community members and contribute to enhanced disease awareness, improved access to care, and healthier lifestyle choices. Participant feedback highlights the need for more frequent events and expedited screening processes. These insights will guide improvement to maximize impact in addressing health inequities among high-risk populations.