Bridging the Gap: Assessing Transportation Barriers to Enhance Healthcare Access with Unhoused and Insecurely Housed Populations
Abstract/Description/Artist Statement
Background
Transportation disadvantages, or difficulty accessing and maintaining adequate and reliable transportation impacts individuals worldwide, particularly among vulnerable populations and those experiencing insecure housing. Transportation is crucial for health management, housing, employment, and social services connections. Known barriers include cost, limited public transit routes, and refusals by Medicaid transportation to serve clinics dedicated to this population.
Method/ Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lived experience related to transportation barriers of individuals who are insecurely housed or unhoused living in an urban southeastern beach community. The researchers aimed to evaluate city, state, and personal transportation barriers faced by this population with the goal of addressing these ongoing issues at the local and state level. A convenience sample was drawn from clients served at two local shelters with embedded free and charitable clinics with them. These clinics are unique in that they are faculty-run, student-lead interprofessional clinics. A researcher-developed tool, created with content experts, a tool developer, and individuals served at the clinic was used to assess transportation barriers and their correlation with missed healthcare and social service appointments. Quantitative and qualitative data is being collected and will be presented.
Outcome
Data analysis will assess whether transportation barriers in this urban southeastern beach community correlate with missed healthcare and social service appointments, potentially leading to poor outcomes.
Conclusion
The study may underscore the fundamental role of transportation in accessing basic social and healthcare needs. The data derived from this study will be reported to policymakers at both the city and state level. The goal is to advocate for the expansion of public transportation services and to highlight and address the issue of missed Medicaid transportation, with data and stories. These efforts aim to inform policy development that prioritizes equitable access and improved transit infrastructure. We will present data from this study as well as actions that have been effectively taken to local and state representatives.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Tina Gustin, DNP, APRN, CNS, FAAN
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Email
tgustin@odu.edu
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Nursing
College/School Affiliation
Ellmer School of Nursing
Student Level Group
Graduate/Professional
Presentation Type
Poster
Bridging the Gap: Assessing Transportation Barriers to Enhance Healthcare Access with Unhoused and Insecurely Housed Populations
Background
Transportation disadvantages, or difficulty accessing and maintaining adequate and reliable transportation impacts individuals worldwide, particularly among vulnerable populations and those experiencing insecure housing. Transportation is crucial for health management, housing, employment, and social services connections. Known barriers include cost, limited public transit routes, and refusals by Medicaid transportation to serve clinics dedicated to this population.
Method/ Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lived experience related to transportation barriers of individuals who are insecurely housed or unhoused living in an urban southeastern beach community. The researchers aimed to evaluate city, state, and personal transportation barriers faced by this population with the goal of addressing these ongoing issues at the local and state level. A convenience sample was drawn from clients served at two local shelters with embedded free and charitable clinics with them. These clinics are unique in that they are faculty-run, student-lead interprofessional clinics. A researcher-developed tool, created with content experts, a tool developer, and individuals served at the clinic was used to assess transportation barriers and their correlation with missed healthcare and social service appointments. Quantitative and qualitative data is being collected and will be presented.
Outcome
Data analysis will assess whether transportation barriers in this urban southeastern beach community correlate with missed healthcare and social service appointments, potentially leading to poor outcomes.
Conclusion
The study may underscore the fundamental role of transportation in accessing basic social and healthcare needs. The data derived from this study will be reported to policymakers at both the city and state level. The goal is to advocate for the expansion of public transportation services and to highlight and address the issue of missed Medicaid transportation, with data and stories. These efforts aim to inform policy development that prioritizes equitable access and improved transit infrastructure. We will present data from this study as well as actions that have been effectively taken to local and state representatives.