Comparing patient and provider perspectives on a rural, multilevel, community-engaged Food is Medicine intervention

Top Things to Know

FIM interventions must go beyond education to tackle access, affordability, and transportation barriers that shape dietary behaviors.

Weight loss through nutrition is a key mechanism for metabolic improvement.

Factors like delivery convenience, culturally appropriate food selection, and household-level tailoring are critical to maximizing participation and long-term success of FIM interventions.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

This qualitative study examined differences and alignment between patient and healthcare provider perspectives to inform the design of a rural, community-engaged Food is Medicine (FIM) intervention (Delta GREENS) in the Mississippi Delta. Using focus groups with 29 patients and 19 providers, the study found strong agreement that providing free produce boxes could improve fruit and vegetable intake and support chronic disease management among low-income populations. However, key differences emerged: patients emphasized structural benefits such as improving food access, reducing transportation barriers, increasing household purchasing power, and supporting the local economy, whereas providers focused more on individual-level benefits like improving nutrition knowledge and diet quality. Both groups identified logistical challenges to implementation, including the importance of convenient distribution, appropriate food quantities for household size, and maintaining produce quality. Providers additionally expressed concerns about patient adherence and engagement, while patients highlighted systemic barriers (e.g., limited access to affordable, high-quality food) as the primary drivers of poor dietary behaviors. Overall, the findings indicate that aligning program design with both community needs and clinical priorities is essential for effective and sustainable FIM interventions, particularly in underserved rural settings.