Preventative health, diversity, and inclusion: a qualitative study of client experience aboard a mobile health clinic in Boston, Massachusetts

Abstract Background There are approximately 2000 mobile health clinics operating in the United States. While researchers have established that mobile health clinics can be cost effective and improve outcomes, there is scant research examining the healthcare experience on a mobile health clinic from...

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Main Authors: Zoe Bouchelle, Yasmin Rawlins, Caterina Hill, Jennifer Bennet, Leonor Xochitl Perez, Nancy Oriol
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2017-11-01
Series:International Journal for Equity in Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12939-017-0688-6
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author Zoe Bouchelle
Yasmin Rawlins
Caterina Hill
Jennifer Bennet
Leonor Xochitl Perez
Nancy Oriol
author_facet Zoe Bouchelle
Yasmin Rawlins
Caterina Hill
Jennifer Bennet
Leonor Xochitl Perez
Nancy Oriol
author_sort Zoe Bouchelle
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background There are approximately 2000 mobile health clinics operating in the United States. While researchers have established that mobile health clinics can be cost effective and improve outcomes, there is scant research examining the healthcare experience on a mobile health clinic from patients’ perspectives. Methods Data were gathered from interviews with 25 clients receiving care on a Boston-based mobile health clinic and analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Results Emerging patterns in the data revealed three relational and three structural factors most significant to participants’ experience of care on The Family Van. Relational factors include providers who 1) Communicate understandably, 2) Create a culture of respect and inclusivity, and 3) Are diverse with knowledge of the community. Structural factors include 1) A focus on preventative health and managing chronic disease, 2) Expeditious, free, and multiple services, and 3) Location. Conclusions The participant accounts in this report serve to expand on prior research exploring mobile health clinics’ role in patients’ healthcare, to more clearly define the most salient aspects of the mobile health clinic model for the patients they serve, and to give voice to patients too seldom heard in the academic literature.
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spelling doaj.art-596a21a224e84217a19e5556d2e8a3212022-12-22T01:37:24ZengBMCInternational Journal for Equity in Health1475-92762017-11-0116111010.1186/s12939-017-0688-6Preventative health, diversity, and inclusion: a qualitative study of client experience aboard a mobile health clinic in Boston, MassachusettsZoe Bouchelle0Yasmin Rawlins1Caterina Hill2Jennifer Bennet3Leonor Xochitl Perez4Nancy Oriol5The Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaColumbia University College of Physicians and SurgeonsHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical SchoolSouthwestern CollegeHarvard Medical SchoolAbstract Background There are approximately 2000 mobile health clinics operating in the United States. While researchers have established that mobile health clinics can be cost effective and improve outcomes, there is scant research examining the healthcare experience on a mobile health clinic from patients’ perspectives. Methods Data were gathered from interviews with 25 clients receiving care on a Boston-based mobile health clinic and analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Results Emerging patterns in the data revealed three relational and three structural factors most significant to participants’ experience of care on The Family Van. Relational factors include providers who 1) Communicate understandably, 2) Create a culture of respect and inclusivity, and 3) Are diverse with knowledge of the community. Structural factors include 1) A focus on preventative health and managing chronic disease, 2) Expeditious, free, and multiple services, and 3) Location. Conclusions The participant accounts in this report serve to expand on prior research exploring mobile health clinics’ role in patients’ healthcare, to more clearly define the most salient aspects of the mobile health clinic model for the patients they serve, and to give voice to patients too seldom heard in the academic literature.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12939-017-0688-6Mobile healthMobile health clinicHealth disparitiesQualitative researchThe family van
spellingShingle Zoe Bouchelle
Yasmin Rawlins
Caterina Hill
Jennifer Bennet
Leonor Xochitl Perez
Nancy Oriol
Preventative health, diversity, and inclusion: a qualitative study of client experience aboard a mobile health clinic in Boston, Massachusetts
International Journal for Equity in Health
Mobile health
Mobile health clinic
Health disparities
Qualitative research
The family van
title Preventative health, diversity, and inclusion: a qualitative study of client experience aboard a mobile health clinic in Boston, Massachusetts
title_full Preventative health, diversity, and inclusion: a qualitative study of client experience aboard a mobile health clinic in Boston, Massachusetts
title_fullStr Preventative health, diversity, and inclusion: a qualitative study of client experience aboard a mobile health clinic in Boston, Massachusetts
title_full_unstemmed Preventative health, diversity, and inclusion: a qualitative study of client experience aboard a mobile health clinic in Boston, Massachusetts
title_short Preventative health, diversity, and inclusion: a qualitative study of client experience aboard a mobile health clinic in Boston, Massachusetts
title_sort preventative health diversity and inclusion a qualitative study of client experience aboard a mobile health clinic in boston massachusetts
topic Mobile health
Mobile health clinic
Health disparities
Qualitative research
The family van
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12939-017-0688-6
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