Mobile Outreach nurse led clinic, USA
Without this program, I’m sure there are people who wouldn’t get care at all, or who would wait until they were so sick, emergency care was their only option.
In rural and low income parts of Southern Arizona, few or no health care services are available. Many people in the region are uninsured and lack access to care.
Elisabeth Knight a nurse practitioner, accompanied by a medical assistant and a driver travel through the region in a specially outfitted truck with two examination rooms and a laboratory. The mobile clinic provides a variety of services such as preventative care, basic wellness advice as well as the management of chronic conditions. They also provide vaccination, pre-natal and birth care to expectant mothers. The mobile clinic is also equipped with a camera designed to detect retinopathies found in diabetic patients.
Through the use of telemedicine, the mobile clinic also aims to inform, advocate and educate the population about various health issues and develop methods and procedures that support community and individual health efforts. Employees of the mobile clinic also help to bridge gaps between local communities and health or social services.
This mobile clinic brings health care services to a segment of the population which otherwise would not be able to afford such services. Every year, around 2,400 people receive services through the mobile clinic and everyone is accepted, regardless of their income and ability to pay.
“Part of what we’re able to do is teach people to manage their chronic conditions by providing the tools, information and knowledge they need to take care of themselves, which helps us keep them out of the emergency room,” says Elizabeth.