This paper aims to discuss the problems, faced by underserved population and its various subgroups in Bayou Region of Louisiana. Although Bayou Region is a real location with its own demographic peculiarities, the analysis is based on a hypothetical scenario which throws light on some problems of the people, living in this place or any other sparsely-populated area of the United States. Yet, these facts, presented in this scenario are not always accurate.
One of the major heath care issues is that a great number of people cannot get instantaneous access to medical services as many of them live in remote villages or reservations while physician medical clinics are located mostly in towns. Consequently, we can presume that very often patients cannot receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner. In this case, we need to speak about the entire community. According to the information, which has been provided, there are more than twenty health-care institutions but they are not organized in a network. Moreover, their number seems to be insufficient.
Furthermore, we need to say that a large portion of the population is only half-employed. Their insurance cannot cover all the expenses, and some of them have practically no financial resources to afford medical services. Another segment of the community which requires close attention is homeless people and their children. Their problems are manifold: first, they are forced to live in insanitary conditions which can give rise to many diseases. Secondly, we can argue that this layer of the society always has to fight against bureaucracy and continuous paper work and it seems that Bayou Region is not an exception from this rule.
Finally, it should be mentioned that the health care professionals of BR experience significance difficulties in screening at-risk groups. Statistical surveys indicate significant rates of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and substance abuse and alcohol dependence among the residents of Bayou Region. This phenomenon may be explained by the fact that there is no specific action plan for monitoring the community and promoting healthy lifestyle. Thus, we can conclude that the delivery of health care services in this region is hindered by underdeveloped infrastructure, low income level and bureaucratic mechanisms which are very cumbersome.
On the whole, these problems are familiar to many residents of remote areas. The case of Bayou Region is just another example. Some scholars confirm our initial hypothesis that one of the most issues is screening and prevention of diseases (Kilpatrick & Johnson, 1999, p 427). Medical workers are unable to monitor all segments of the population. Additionally, several studies report that the members of such communities have a lower utilization of mental health services and this eventually increases the number of patients, suffering from psychological disorders (Kilpatrick & Johnson, 1999, p 171).
Under such circumstances, the role of community nurses becomes crucial but according to the recent statistical data the US health care system experiences acute shortage of these medical workers (Isaacs & Knickman, 2004). Many of them are unwilling to work in rural areas because they have practically no opportunities for promotion. Moreover, their wages are not very high. All of these problems prevent patients from receiving appropriate treatment.
It appears that the US health care officials have not developed any specific policies for helping the residents of rural areas. It is necessary to launch outreach programs in order to give assistance and consultations to the underserved segments of population. Unfortunately, this is not always done. Certainly, we need to take into account scheduling process as many members of the staff cannot possibly leave hospitals and it is utterly impermissible to put them off their duties. Again, we have to emphasize the idea that current financing of such outreach programs is inadequate.
In sharp contrast, urban dwellers have to struggle against different difficulties. For instance, in such as New York, healthcare providers complain that hospitals are clearly overcrowded. Practitioners and nurses cannot deal with the increasing inflow of patients (Ginzberg et al, 1997, p 105). In this regard, we need to remember the number of illegal immigrants in large cities. Undoubtedly, they must not be overlooked or ignored by medical workers.
They do everything within their power but it has to be admitted that at this stage they cannot help everyone. Apart from that, a great number of urban dwellers are only partially insured. Homelessness is another stressing issue in urban areas (Ginzberg et al, 1997). In densely populated cities, housing is even less affordable that in such places as Bayou Region. It should be borne in mind that current economic recession has made many people redundant, and they cannot pay for the insurances. In turn, all of these factors impose a heavy burden on health care organizations.
Judging from this discussion, we can come to the conclusion that the problems of underserved population in the United States are relatively the same. First, there are practically no screening procedures, which can identify the disease at early stages or even prevent it. Secondly, bureaucratic structure of many health care organizations frequently causes unnecessary delays. Finally, many hospitals are understaffed, especially if we are speaking about nurses. These are the major reasons why the percentage of underserved population is so high.
Reference List
Ginzberg E., Berliner, H, S, & Ostow M. (1997). Improving health care of the poor: the New York City experience. New York: Transaction Publishers.
Isaacs. S. L & Knickman J.R. (2004). Generalist Medicine and the U.S. Health Care System. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Kilpatrick, A. O, & Johnson, J.A. (1999) Handbook of health administration and policy. New York: CRC Press.
Louisiana House of Representatives. (2007). State and Local Government in Louisiana: An Overview. Web.
Perry, A, M. (2009) Bayou Region. LED (Louisiana Economic Development). Web.