American Samoa, an isolated island in the South Pacific with a population of approximately 58,0000 people, is not unique in its quest for quality health care. As we move into the Twenty First Century, every society strives to provide quality health care for its people. However in spite of incredible accessibility to medical care in a system that links ‘progressive’ Western medicine and ‘traditional’ Samoan practices, there is an overall perception voiced by regular customers of the system that the quality of care is inferior to that provided in the United States. This paper will detail areas in which care is perceived to be inferior and it will also lay out the extent of the perceived problems, recognizing that these perceptions are not backed by any documentation and indeed data would indicate that the system has brought about increased longevity and decreased morbidity. Comparisons will be made with the Federated States of Micronesia where a similar perception exists. The paper will conclude by recommending that a detailed review of perceptions of quality should be mounted, using an approach that was recently used in the FSM.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation participants will have a greater understanding of the difficulties in assessing quality of care issues for remote island populations
Keywords: Asian and Pacific Islander, Quality of Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.