Abstract
Background
Frontera de Salud is a student-run, interprofessional health organization that delivers primary care to underserved populations in South Texas. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of, and longitudinal adherence to, SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time bound) goals created with clients during the Frontera counseling session.
Methods
Prior to a trip, Frontera personnel received training on developing SMART goals. During the counseling session of the health screening, after a client had undergone tests to measure blood sugar and lipids, a Frontera counselor would create a personalized SMART goal with the client. Several months after the initial health screening, the Frontera client was contacted via phone call to discuss adherence to their SMART goal.
Results
Of a sample of 150 client records, 58 (38.7%) of those clients were able to be reached via phone call. Of those 58 clients, 38 (65.5%) reported adherence to the SMART goal created during their Frontera counseling session. For those 38 clients, 18 had a diet-related goal (47.4%), 3 had an exercise-related goal (7.9%) and 13 (34.2%) had a goal that encompassed both diet and exercise.
Conclusions
Among clients contacted for follow-up, almost two-thirds reported adherence to their SMART goal. The most efficacious goals were diet-related. Of concern, only 38.7% of clients were able to be reached for follow-up.