Mobile health clinics have helped address healthcare access issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic by bringing care to underserved communities. The pandemic has overwhelmed brick-and-mortar clinics, so mobile clinics provide an alternative that allows for social distancing. They also help bridge existing disparities in access to care for populations struggling due to factors like distance from providers, financial constraints, housing instability, or immigration status. Mobile clinics aim to build trust by partnering with local organizations and providing culturally competent care, though implicit biases still present challenges to overcome.

1. HEALTH
EQUITY AND
MOBILE
HEALTH
CLINICS
TODD BERNER

2. Mobile
Clinics
and
COVID-19
Some time ago, I wrote an article on mobile health clinics and their benefits. Over the
course of the year since then, little has changed regarding healthcare disparity—
populations in isolated areas often struggle with access to care, and MHCs can help
bridge the gap. What has changed is the necessity of delivering flexible care to
account for the COVID-19 crisis. Often, brick-and-mortar clinics are too
overburdened to be safe or effective centers of care. Social distancing guidelines and
other safety measures have placed a strain on the number of patients that traditional
facilities can take in, leading to some adopting mobile clinics as a solution to address
the greater volume.

3. The care disparity that accompanies the
COVID-19 pandemic is an unfortunate
exaggeration of the challenges already faced
by many when it comes to healthcare.
Factors such as distance, financial status,
housing instability, and immigration status
can all place a strain on a person’s ability to
receive safe and effective treatment. What
we’re seeing during this pandemic is the
failures of the healthcare system magnified
and these shortcomings reflected in a public
health crisis. Given the far-reaching
consequences of not delivering timely care,
mobile health clinics are one of many
methods that organizations are using to
meet emergency demand.

4. Mobile units come in different forms, such as popup
tents and roving vans that can deploy in any high-
capacity facility. Many of these clinics, such as
Philadelphia’s vybe, are extensions of existing urgent
care facilities.
“One of our founding statements is everyone deserves
great care, but as COVID-19 hit obviously we are
limited by the capacity of our physical centers,” said
Peter Hotz, President and CEO of vybe Urgent Care.

5. Clinics
Provide
Equity
Given the equity that these clinics provide, I believe that they should outlast the
COVID pandemic. Expanded use can provide pathways to healthcare to underserved
areas and improve patient health outcomes in these communities. The challenge of
patient access is already apparent for these populations. A September 2020 Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control indicated that
black patients represent 18.7 percent of COVID deaths and Latinx patients represent
24.2 percent. Individuals without insurance coverage were also found to be more
likely to contract the disease as well.

6. Mobile health clinics have
sought to build trust in their
communities by partnering
with local organizations. Food
co-ops, churches, and
charitable organizations all
represent existing points of
contact that improve the
visibility and credibility of a
clinic and encourage their
usage. Cultural competence is
also a must for MHCs, with
multiple language options and
training for employees.
However, it is difficult for
providers to both acknowledge
and overcome their implicit
biases, a challenge that can
vary depending on the
circumstances of their
operations. Even so, dealing
with biases is the only way
that mobile health outreach
succeeds and leads to better
outcomes in the future.

7. THANK YOU
FOR
READING.
For more visit toddberner.com