Document Type
Master's Culminating Experience
Publication Date
2010
Abstract
Background: Safety net providers serve a large proportion of America’s uninsured and low income population. The purpose of this study is to determine if differences in unmet medical needs exist between the provisional and clinic populations, age groups, and sex and race categories. This research study provides information about the population that receives services from Good Neighbor House, a non-profit social service organization in Dayton, Ohio.
Methods: GNH created a survey to assess the unmet medical need of their clients. The instrument contains questions about routine medical care, unmet medical care in the last 12 months, medical bills, and demographic information.
Results: Sixty six percent of the GNH respondents reported having unmet need and thirty three percent did not. There is a statistically significant difference in unmet need by self reported health status, race, and difficulty paying medical bills.
Conclusion: Safety net providers have limited resources to cover all areas of interest; therefore Good Neighbor House should focus their efforts in the areas that can be helped most efficiently. Knowing the cause of the unmet need will also help in the marketing and outreach to GNH clients.
Repository Citation
Clem, L. (2010). Unmet Medical Need of Underserved Population in a Safety-Net Organization. Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
