Strategies to Improve Provision of Health Care Services to Underserved Populations
Overview
This paper examines strategies for improving healthcare service provision to underserved and vulnerable populations in the United States, including homeless individuals, rural dwellers, immigrants, low-income earners, and communities of color. The author argues that understanding patient populations and implementing full care team approaches are critical to reducing healthcare disparities and improving access to care.
What this essay covers
- Introduction - establishes the problem of inadequate universal healthcare coverage and identifies vulnerable populations
- Understanding Population of Patients - discusses population-based approaches to identify community health needs and cultural factors
- Use of Full Care Team to Meet Patient Needs - explores interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated care models to address access barriers
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Strategies to Improve Provision of Health Care Services
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Strategies to Improve Provision of Health Care Services
Introduction
Even developed countries like the United States do not have adequate universal health care coverage. According to the Health and Human Services (HHS), the underserved are special needs and vulnerable communities experiencing disparities in access to care (VanderWielen et al., 2015). Such populations encounter multiple barriers when seeking services. Several strategies can be adopted to improve access and service delivery among these groups that include homeless, rural dwellers, immigrants, low-income earners, and people of color.
Understanding Population of Patients
Studies suggest that understanding the background of the population from which patients come from is critical in improving care services and access. Also referred to as a population-based approach, understanding society helps determined unique community needs and, therefore, provides a basis for planning and allocation of resources (Shahzad et al., 2019). Further, understanding the population can help professionals and researchers unravel essential patterns and trends in the community's health. Such information is key for predicting future public health threats and, therefore, planning for mitigation and recovery measures to reduce or prevent such threats.
Understanding the population also implies recognizing the environment in which they live. Some environments, especially in low-income areas, expose dwellers to multiple health risk factors. Mapping such populations can help professionals provide services efficiently.