Physician Assistant

My responsibility as a future masters prepared nurse begins within the community. The best way to obtain this information is directly from the populace we serve. Knowing what the needs are and devising ways to overcome barriers in key. There are many avenues to obtain information from the community: internet, flyers, surveys, questionnaires, television and radio broadcasting just to name a few. I feel the best way I can reach the community is through personal appearances. Speaking at their town meetings and door to door surveys makes for a more personal appeal. Collecting information on the public's ability to access care, socioeconomic status, communication barriers, lack of transportation and time constraint will help to create or improve programs that are useful and affordable to the masses. (Stanhope and Lancaster, 2012, p. 105).

For example, my clinic presented the community with a questionnaire in reference to the high number of missed appointments. We mailed some, took others door to door and paid for the return postage. It was brought to our attention that many adolescents were missing their appointment because neither parent could take off from work during clinic hours. Opening an evening clinic, as painful as it is, was the solution. This decreased the number of missed appointments significantly. The nursing profession can significantly improve the lives of the community through this type of interaction. It shows that we do care but do need their assistance and change will come.

The use of telehealth was also a program that was proved to make the community happy. When the provider was unable to keep an appointment, or the patient had transportation issues, telehealth was used so the patient did not have to reschedule. Transportation to referral clinics in other areas has always caused a strain to patients. (Stanhope and Lancaster, 2012, p. 642). Producing these programs for the community based on their needs was very satisfying. We must although remain aware of the overuse, fragmentation of treatment, and possible miscommunication that can occur using this system. (Stanhope and Lancaster, 2012, p. 487). It is not meant to replace good face to face care and relationship building; but to supplement care only when needed.

Having mobile clinics that would come to the neighborhoods and administer school age and seasonal vaccinations was also a huge success. This program was requested directly by the community