Access to Healthcare Model
A Model Developed and Implemented by Eastern Area Health Education Center
The Access to Health Care Model (click here to view the full size model) has three major components to promote health and health care access: (1) Promotores Network of Family and Community Health, (2) Collegiate Health Service Corps, and (3) Community Partners and Resources. Promotores are indigenous to the population they serve and bridge the gap between the community and the formal health care system; health professions students receive practical experience working with immigrant and otherwise medically underserved populations, and community organizations increase their capacity in preventative and supplemental care, while isolated populations receive education and care they would otherwise not access.
- The Access to Health Care Model based in Willimantic, Connecticut has resulted in a positive impact on health profession students’
The Promotores Network of Family and Community Health were recruited in a community where 30% of the population has limited English proficiency and predominately speak Spanish. Most of the Hispanic community is from Puerto Rico, with a growing number of immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala. Eastern AHEC currently has a small network of nine Latina and one Latino promotores who completed 40 hours of class room training and 40 hours of practical experience under the guidance and supervision of the Lead Promotora. The Promotores meet as a network monthly for continual training and support while they share their professional experiences and what they have learned about their communities.
As an indigenous member of the target population, the primary role is to bridge the gap between formal social and heath care systems and their people who are not familiar with North American systems of care and beliefs regarding health. Promotores approve of all materials for cultural and linguistic appropriateness before distribution. Concurrently, promotores are continually educating the community on the concepts of wellness and disease prevention and management, while explaining cultural and linguistic difference between South and North American populations for the participants, students and providers.
Health professions students rotate through established programs voluntarily or for credit through the Collegiate Health Service Corps. The Coordinator for the Corps interviews and selects Student Site Coordinators who receive three to six credits for the organization and coordination of health promotion events and screenings or other special projects. They are responsible for recruitment of student volunteers, approval of content before materials are distributed, collection of student information and evaluation, and participant evaluation and follow-up activities. The health professions represented in the Access to Health Care Model include medicine, nursing, and pharmacy, as well as sociology, women’s studies, and management. Coordinated events and clinics are generally interdisciplinary and promote student initiative, creativity and leadership.
The supervisor of the Access to Health Care Model is the Director of Community Development. The director guides the process of students and promotores working collectively as a team with varying strengths and accountabilities being brought into the planning and implementation process. Established sites include health promotion activities with Prides Corner and Bass Farms (both open all year), Student Interdisciplinary Medical Clinics and the Welcome Center. In 2006, more than 3,000 hours of service was provided to Windham by health profession students, promotores and local health care providers through these established programs.
The Access to Health Care Model is currently being expanded to Norwich and Danielson.
