"You Guys Really Care About Me...": a Qualitative Exploration of a Produce Prescription Program in Safety Net Clinics

Top Things to Know

The program fostered positive interactions between patients and providers, enhancing the sense of care.

Participants reported increased fruit and vegetable consumption during the program.

Economic hardships limited the sustainability of behavior changes post-program, highlighting the importance of addressing nutritional and economic needs in FIM programs.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

The study explored the experiences of participants in a produce prescription (PRx) program for hypertensive adults at three safety net clinics in Cleveland, OH. Participants reported positive interactions with providers, increased fruit and vegetable intake, and greater knowledge of farmers’ markets. However, providers faced challenges integrating the program into their workflow, and economic hardships limited participants’ ability to maintain behavior changes after the program ended.