NURS FPX 4050 Assessment 1 Preliminary Care Coordination Plan

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX 4050 Coord Patient-Centered Care

Prof. Name

Date

Preliminary Care Coordination Plan

Lack of healthcare access refers to the inability or difficulty for individuals to obtain essential medical services due to individual and systemic barriers. This assessment establishes a preliminary care coordination plan for rural communities in Oklahoma, United States, where limited accessibility to healthcare services and facilities has led to disparities and poor health consequences for residents. 

Health Concern and Evidence-based Best Practices 

Unequal access to healthcare facilities and services is a significant concern in the United States. Rural areas of the country have less than 10% of healthcare services available, which covers approximately 20% of American residents (Coombs et al., 2022). Rural communities in Oklahoma face several healthcare disparities due to lack of healthcare facilities, geographical location, financial constraints, and lack of health insurance coverage. While most Oklahomans have some type of health insurance, 11.9% of the state’s residents remain uninsured (Rural Health Information Hub, 2023).

Several physical, psychosocial, and cultural considerations are essential while addressing these healthcare disparities. Physically, inadequate access can lead to untreated chronic conditions, delayed diagnoses, and worsened health outcomes. These may result from limited transportation options, long wait times for appointments, and lack of insurance coverage. Psychosocial factors like fear of medical procedures and mistrust of healthcare providers, particularly among marginalized communities, can lead to avoidance of the healthcare system (Coombs et al., 2021).

This concern further exacerbates stress, anxiety, and a sense of helplessness as individuals face the constant fear of not receiving timely care. Cultural considerations of healthcare access issues are often compounded by language barriers, stigmatization, and traditional beliefs that may conflict with modern medical practices (Whitaker et al., 2022). Understanding and respecting these cultural considerations is essential for healthcare providers to engage with and treat diverse patient populations effectively.

Evidence-Based Best Practices 

1. Integrating telehealth services is a crucial best practice for improving healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved areas. Haleem et al. (2021) mention that telehealth services enhance patient-provider connection in remote settings, where patients receive high-quality care without the hassle of visiting healthcare facilities and waiting times. Additionally, it offers a more cost-effective option by reducing travel and treatment costs (Haleem et al., 2021). Telehealth can significantly enhance access to care, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the overall burden on healthcare systems.
2. Implementing Mobile Health Clinics: Mobile health clinics are a beneficial method for reducing barriers to healthcare, such as transportation, time, and complex systems (Malone et al., 2020). These clinics bring medical care directly to communities, offering a range of services such as primary care, screenings, vaccinations, and mental health support. Moreover, these clinics allow for culturally sensitive care, as they respect patients’ needs and preferences, tailoring care to ensure that healthcare is accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status (Malone et al., 2020).
3. Enhancing Community Health Education: Community health education is vital for empowering individuals to take control of their health, improve health literacy, and increase healthcare access (Li et al., 2023). These education programs can incorporate cultural competence through tailored messages and adaptive communication strategies to align with the cultural values, beliefs, and languages of diverse communities, fostering better understanding and engagement. This strategy enhances patient education and supports a more inclusive healthcare environment. 

NURS FPX 4050 Assessment 1 Preliminary Care Coordination Plan

This analysis assumes that inadequate healthcare access necessitates a multifaceted approach, such as telehealth services and mobile health clinics, to address geographical and financial barriers. However, it may overlook limitations in technology access and the logistical challenges of mobile clinics. The assumption that increased access will automatically improve health outcomes ignores other factors like healthcare quality and individual needs. Additionally, while community health education is emphasized, the analysis lacks details on measuring its impact and ensuring culturally competent education reaches all targeted populations. Uncertainties include the scalability and long-term sustainability of these interventions.

SMART Goals to Address Lack of Healthcare Accessibility 

The SMART framework is employed to develop realistic goals to address inadequate healthcare access in Oklahoma rural communities. 

Expand Telehealth Access  

Goal: The specific goal is to expand telehealth services in Oklahoma, especially for underserved populations with limited health insurance coverage. The goal aims to increase telehealth usage by 30% within the next 12 months. We strive to measure the goal using health dashboards to track utilization rates. The goal is achievable with the integration of existing technology and funding, which is relevant to addressing the issues of healthcare accessibility and minimizing barriers. By enhancing telehealth infrastructure and promoting its benefits through community outreach, this goal aims to reduce the need for travel, improve timely care, and alleviate financial barriers for rural residents, ultimately making healthcare more accessible (Haleem et al., 2021). 

Deploy Mobile Health Clinics

Goal: The specific goal is to deploy three mobile health clinics in underserved areas of Oklahoma within the next 18 months, focusing on providing essential healthcare services such as primary care, screenings, and vaccinations. We will measure progress by tracking the number of clinics established and the services provided using health service reports. The goal is achievable through careful planning and securing necessary funding relevant to addressing transportation barriers and improving healthcare access. By delivering medical care directly to rural communities, this initiative aims to reduce the obstacles, enhance service delivery, and address healthcare disparities (Malone et al., 2020).

Enhance Community Health Education

Goal: The specific goal is to implement a community health education program that reaches 5,000 residents in rural Oklahoma within the next 12 months. By enhancing health education, this program aims to empower residents to make informed health decisions and improve overall health outcomes (Li et al., 2023). This program will include culturally competent educational materials and outreach. Progress will be measured by the number of residents engaged and the effectiveness of educational interventions using participant feedback and engagement metrics. The goal is achievable with targeted outreach efforts and resource allocation, which are relevant to addressing both psychosocial and cultural barriers to healthcare. 

Community Resources and Care Coordination

In the United States, particularly Oklahoma, there are significant community resources that play a crucial role in a safe and effective continuum of care in expanding healthcare access. Firstly, a national organization, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), supports health centers across the U.S. with funding and resources, enhancing care for underserved populations (HRSA, n.d.). Their headquarters is located at 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857 USA, and for health center support, this helpline is available at 1-877-464-4772. Other state-based community resources include the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), which provides comprehensive public health services, including disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and health education.

This organization is located at 123 Robert S. Kerr Ave. Oklahoma City, OK (Oklahoma State Department of Health, n.d.). Another crucial resource is the Community Health Centers of Oklahoma (CHCO). This is a nationally acknowledged health center that offers primary healthcare options to marginalized populations throughout the state, with locations in various counties. They can be reached at (405) 769-3301 (Community Health Centers of Oklahoma, n.d.). Finally, the United Way of Central Oklahoma supports community health initiatives and offers various programs to improve access to care and address health disparities. They are located at Oklahoma 1444 NW 28th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73106, and can be contacted at (405) 236-8441 (United Way of Central Oklahoma, n.d.). Altogether, these resources collectively contribute to improving community health by addressing access barriers and providing essential services.

Conclusion

In conclusion, addressing inadequate healthcare access in Oklahoma requires a strategic approach, leveraging strategies like telehealth services, mobile health clinics, and community health education. By expanding these services and utilizing essential community resources, this preliminary care coordination plan can enhance healthcare accessibility, reduce disparities, and improve overall health outcomes. Continued focus on implementing and scaling these interventions will be crucial for ensuring a safe and effective continuum of care.

References

  Community Health Centers of Oklahoma. (n.d.). Our story. Communityhealthok.org. https://www.communityhealthok.org/about 

NURS FPX 4050 Assessment 1 Preliminary Care Coordination Plan

Coombs, N. C., Campbell, D. G., & Caringi, J. (2022). A qualitative study of rural healthcare providers’ views of social, cultural, and programmatic barriers to healthcare access. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1).  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8976509/ 

Coombs, N. C., Meriwether, W. E., Caringi, J., & Newcomer, S. R. (2021). Barriers to healthcare access among U.S. adults with mental health challenges: A population-based study. SSM – Population Health, 15(PMC8214217), 100847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100847 

Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Singh, R. P., & Suman, R. (2021). Telemedicine for healthcare: Capabilities, features, barriers, and applications. Sensors International, 2(2). NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8590973/ 

HRSA. (n.d.). Official website of the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration. Hrsa.gov. https://www.hrsa.gov 

Li, B., Huang, Y., Ling, C., Jiao, F., Fu, H., & Deng, R. (2023). The effect of community-based health education programs on health literacy in severely impoverished counties in Southwestern China: Results from a quasi-experimental design. Front Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1088934 

Malone, N. C., Williams, M. M., Fawzi, M. C. S., Bennet, J., Hill, C., Katz, J. N., & Oriol, N. E. (2020). Mobile health clinics in the United States. International Journal for Equity in Health, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-020-1135-7 

NURS FPX 4050 Assessment 1 Preliminary Care Coordination Plan

Oklahoma State Department of Health. (n.d.). About us. https://oklahoma.gov/health/about-us.html 

Rural Health Information Hub. (2023, August 17). Rural health for Oklahoma introduction. Www.ruralhealthinfo.org. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/states/oklahoma 

United Way of Central Oklahoma. (n.d.). About. https://unitedwayokc.org/about/ 

Whitaker, K. L., Krystallidou, D., Williams, E. D., Black, G., Vindrola-Padros, C., Braun, S., & Gill, P. (2022). Addressing language as a barrier to healthcare access and quality. British Journal of General Practice, 72(714), 4–5. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp22X718013