underservedadjective. In regard to health services, refers to populations which are disadvantaged because of ability to pay, ability to access care, ability to access comprehensive healthcare, or other disparities for reasons of race, religion, language group or social status.
What does it mean to work with the underserved?
In caring for the underserved, nurses work in communities where many residents are below the poverty level, have a significant amount of chronic health problems and medical disabilities, reside in geographic isolated areas, and don’t have a sufficient number of health care providers to meet the demands for service.
Why is it important to work with the underserved?
Reaching out to underserved communities gives you an opportunity to learn about an entirely different subgroup of the population. By providing care to underserved communities, you will encounter new areas of need and new methods to deliver care to patients in need.
What do underserved communities need?
These needs include treatment for underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. Those with chronic diseases in the underserved population must continue medical care as they have a higher chance of contracting COVID-19.
Who are the underserved populations in healthcare?
5 Vulnerable Populations in Healthcare
- Chronically ill and disabled.
- Low-income and/or homeless individuals.
- Certain geographical communities.
- LGBTQ+ population.
- The very young and very old.
What is another word for underserved?
underprivileged, unattended, unmet, neglected.
How can doctors serve underserved populations?
A number of physicians care for the underserved by practicing full time in public health systems and community health centers [8]. Other physicians volunteer part-time in local free clinics [9]. Caring for the poor should become a normal part of the physician’s overall service to patients [11].
What’s another word for underserved?
What is another word for underserved?
| inadequately serviced | underserviced |
|---|---|
| deprived | disadvantaged |
| in need | underprivileged |
| destitute | needy |
| poor | impoverished |
How do we encourage public health workers to work in underserved communities?
Federal Policies & Programs
- Open funding opportunities for healthcare workers to support rural and underserved communities.
- Scholarships and loan repayment programs to complete healthcare professions training, offered by the National Health Service Corps to students who agree to complete a service commitment in an HPSA.
How do you serve the underserved better?
5 Ways to Better Serve Traditionally Underserved Youth
- Remove Barriers.
- Individualize and Personalize Learning.
- Use Time and Place Differently.
- Provide Trauma-Informed Practices.
- Build Empathy.
What are underserved patients?
The definition of underserved is not precise but generally includes five populations of patients. Patients with family incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level. This group accounts for the largest number of underserved and tends to have low utilization of dental services and poor oral health.
What are examples of underserved populations?
This can include homeless people, low-income, Medicaid-eligible people, even migrant farmworkers, and Native Americans. These groups can be subject to specific challenges around access to food, paying for healthcare services, and even accessing one of your facilities in ways that other populations aren’t.
