242146 Analysis of transportation systems in rural areas

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Ryung Suh, MD MPP MBA MPH , Atlas Research LLC, Washington, DC
Jeff Baetz, PMP , Atlas Research LLC, Washington, DC
Wendy Opsahl, MA , Atlas Research, Washington, DC
Ellen Badger , Atlas Research LLC, Washington, DC
Brent R. Gibson, MD, MPH , Atlas Research LLC, Washington, DC
Rural residents of the U.S. experience, on average, worse health care outcomes than urban residents. A primary driver of these health disparities between rural and urban Americans is the significant barrier to efficient transportation. This project evaluates current transportation options available to rural Veterans of the Capitol Health Care Network (VISN 5) and elucidates the transportation barriers that impede rural Veteran access to care. The analysis identifies solutions to improve the transportation options available to rural Veterans seeking care. The project established a baseline assessment that reviewed unmet transportation needs by focus area, identified demographics and characteristics of likely ridership, and compiled research on all available public and private transit operators in VISN 5. The project discerned that the ability to provide Non-Emergency Medical Transport to rural Veterans already exists in some capacity throughout VISN 5. However, local transportation providers are often unaware of each other's existence. Therefore, a key finding from the project is that there is an underlying need to identify existing capacity and better coordinate local transportation providers. In addition, findings suggest that successful transportation solutions will necessarily be local and customized to meet the needs of small groups of rural Veterans. The project has proposed specific recommendations to improve transportation options including: assigning a rural transportation champion to better facilitate transportation within VISN 5; establishing novel payment mechanisms, feeder systems, and concerted transportation outreach programs with public providers; developing efforts aimed at expanding existing Veterans Service Organization transportation programs; and as appropriate, expanding VA-owned transportation capacity.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Provision of health care to the public

Learning Objectives:
1. Evaluate current transportation options accessible to rural Veterans seeking access to VA health care facilities. 2. Describe the transportation barriers that impede rural Veteran access to care. 3. Identify and implement solutions to improve the transportation options available to rural Veterans seeking care.

Keywords: Rural Communities, Access to Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Principal investigator
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Atlas Research Management Consulting Employment (includes retainer) and Stock Ownership

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.