Connecting and Collaborating with our Community Leaders and Individuals: Understanding Changes in Healthcare After Pandemics
Abstract
Background: Serving our community requires listening, understanding, and responding to the needs. As seen with primary care providers since the beginning of the pandemic, health departments have had decrease in appointments. To better understand healthcare changes since the pandemic and improve the quality of care in local communities, engaging with community individuals and leaders is critical to move forward. Thus, the purpose of this project was to conduct information session and focus groups to determine the needs of local communities.
Methods: Information session and focus groups with local community individuals and leaders were used to examine and explore the needs and barriers encountered by the communities. Participants completed demographic surveys and anchored lines to explore trust and access in healthcare and providers. The information session and focus groups were transcribed utilizing NVivo transcription and reviewed by the research team for accuracy. Content analysis was chosen to analyze the data guided by the specific research questions. Basic summary statistics were used to describe participant demographics and trust and access lines.
Results: A total of 62 community leaders and individuals participated in the information session and 6 focus groups across 6 counties (rural and metro). Key themes identified were in all counties regardless of being metro or rural within our district. Comprehensive primary care and mental health services are the most needed healthcare services. Transportation to healthcare services, even within the local community, is a leading barrier to access care. Lack of knowledge about services, resources and financial aid are barriers to seeking care.
Conclusion: Primary care and mental health services are critical needs within our community. Transportation and lack of knowledge are key barriers to seeking and accessing care. Collaborating with community partners and engaging new partners is essential to meeting the needs of our communities.
Keywords: community partnerships, focus groups, primary care, rural health, primary care, mental health
Keywords
community partnerships, focus groups, primary care, rural health, primary care, mental health
Connecting and Collaborating with our Community Leaders and Individuals: Understanding Changes in Healthcare After Pandemics
Background: Serving our community requires listening, understanding, and responding to the needs. As seen with primary care providers since the beginning of the pandemic, health departments have had decrease in appointments. To better understand healthcare changes since the pandemic and improve the quality of care in local communities, engaging with community individuals and leaders is critical to move forward. Thus, the purpose of this project was to conduct information session and focus groups to determine the needs of local communities.
Methods: Information session and focus groups with local community individuals and leaders were used to examine and explore the needs and barriers encountered by the communities. Participants completed demographic surveys and anchored lines to explore trust and access in healthcare and providers. The information session and focus groups were transcribed utilizing NVivo transcription and reviewed by the research team for accuracy. Content analysis was chosen to analyze the data guided by the specific research questions. Basic summary statistics were used to describe participant demographics and trust and access lines.
Results: A total of 62 community leaders and individuals participated in the information session and 6 focus groups across 6 counties (rural and metro). Key themes identified were in all counties regardless of being metro or rural within our district. Comprehensive primary care and mental health services are the most needed healthcare services. Transportation to healthcare services, even within the local community, is a leading barrier to access care. Lack of knowledge about services, resources and financial aid are barriers to seeking care.
Conclusion: Primary care and mental health services are critical needs within our community. Transportation and lack of knowledge are key barriers to seeking and accessing care. Collaborating with community partners and engaging new partners is essential to meeting the needs of our communities.
Keywords: community partnerships, focus groups, primary care, rural health, primary care, mental health
