Interview Questions and Findings
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On a scale of 1 to 10 how can you rate the delivery of care in Palm Springs?
The health care provider rated the performance as 8/10. He noted that the region has been performing quite. He supported his claim by noting that the prevalence of the most common conditions in the region, that is, asthma and Chronic Obstructive Disorder (COPD) has declined steadily in recent times. He attributed this to the increased health care education, prompt diagnosis, and multidisciplinary practice of practitioners in Palm Springs.
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Palm Springs is located in a desert region, the temperatures here are high. What is the impact of this environment on the health of the residents?
The respondent acknowledged that the desert conditions is one of the leading health risk factor in the region. The hot climate makes the residents to be confined indoors most of the time. Therefore, few engage in physical activity, this has led to child obesity and other related conditions. He also reported that the region is dusty and windy. This has increased the prevalence of respiratory allergic conditions such as asthma and COPD. He however highlighted that the residents have been enlightened about using sun screens when they go out. They have also been educated about the presentation of the common diseases so that they can quickly visit health centers whenever they experience the symptoms.
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Do you think health care providers are doing enough to maintain the high quality patient outcomes?
He confidently noted that clinicians have had a significant impact of improving patient care. The practitioner responded that in Palm Springs, clinicians are not charge with the responsibility of helping patients to overcome an illness or disability but also to support them so that they can adopt lifestyles that improve their health and aid them to avoid future health problems. He also noted that clinicians perceive every encounter with patients and their families as an opportunity for spreading positive health messages aimed at helping the residents to properly understand the impact of small changes which they can practice and bring positive health benefits. The respondent gave an example of an encounter with a patient with a diabetic foot and needs dressing. Clinicians ensure that they educate such patients about diet, adherence to prescribed medications, and lifestyle changes.
He emphasized that health promotion is not about lecturing the public or pushing individuals to make huge changes which they do not understand. In Palm Springs, the practitioners adopt a multidisciplinary model of practice to make agreed changes and deliver holistic care to the residents. He pointed out that one of the challenges that seems to hinder effective delivery of patient care is the increasing number of population in the region which does not match the number of health care providers who join practice.
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Is there any worrying health concern in Palm Springs that you think needs urgent attention?
Based on the recent clinical trends, the respondent noted sadly that there has been an increase in the rate of teenage pregnancy. A significant number of teenagers are not heeding to warnings about under-age sex, leading to unplanned pregnancies. Teenage pregnancy rate has risen by about 30 percent. He recommends that various initiatives such as sensitizing the youth about use of contraceptives, protection, and abstinence during sex can help in curbing this growing health concern.
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Is the government doing enough to improve the health of the residents?
According to the respondent, the government has taken a strong leadership stand of developing and implementing health literacy promotion policies. This has been achieved through establishment of funds, coordination of action across different health sectors and stakeholders, and facilitating health literacy surveillance regularly. However, more needs to be done to increase the number of insured residents in Palm Springs.
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What do you think would be the health status of Palm Springs 5 years from now?
The responded by noting that with the increasing participatory decision-making about health promotion in Palm Springs, health promotion will be achieved both at the individual and community level.
