Mabel Ezeonwu
Specialty-care access for community health clinic patients: processes and barriers
University of Washington Bothell
introduction community health clinicscenters chcs comprise uss core healthsafety net provide primary care anyone walks doors however access specialty care chc patients big challenge materials methods descriptive qualitative study semistructured interviews 37 referral coordinators chcs used describe perspectives processes barriers patients access specialty care analysis data done using content analysis results process coordinating care referrals chc patients complex begins providers order consultation ends referring provider receives specialists note poverty specialist referral coordinator shortages lack insurance insurance acceptability providers transport cliniclocation factors lack clinichospital affiliations poor communication primary specialty providers constitute critical barriers specialtycare access patients conclusion understanding complexities specialtycare coordination processes access helps determine need comprehensive uninterrupted access quality health care vulnerable populations guaranteed access primary care chcs translated improved access specialty care critical effective policies pursued address barriers minimize interruptions care ensure continuity care patients needing specialty care keywords community health clinics centers access healthcare barriers health care access specialtycare referral process care coordination safetynet undeserved populations health care system vulnerable populations affordable comprehensive health insurance