Your health destiny is decided by a wide range of determinants that include your genes, lifestyle habits as well as the social and economic conditions of your environment. Scientists have begun to focus on these social and economic components known as social determinants of health (SDOH). The factors under SDOH are housing, racism, exposure to pollution, healthcare etc.
Today’s healthcare system is not enough with clinical care alone. It aims to provide an overall service to the patients. Studies show that clinical care accounts for only 20% of the outcome, and 80% are influenced by economic and social factors and the environment one lives in.
The transportation system is an essential factor in the healthcare system. Lack of the right kind of transport has led to adverse health effects and has also increased the cost of healthcare.
Non-emergency transportation services make up an essential part of the healthcare system. Let us see how it can improve the system of any community.
Vehicle Access
Vehicle access becomes a primary predicament for people with disabilities and sickness when visiting a doctor or for recreational purposes. People who rely on public transport to fulfill their appointments may sometimes miss out on them. Everyone can’t have private cars. And even if they do, driving becomes a problem for most people.
Transportation Affordability
People who live off pensions or allowances can find it extremely difficult to meet transportation costs. On the other hand, medical patient transport services are affordable for most people. Since they need not maintain a car and a driver only to occasionally step out of the house, they can save on that money.
Safety
NEMT comes with safety measures installed in the vehicle. This feature ensures that people who are disabled or recovering from surgery or other illness need not rely on unsafe modes of transportation to visit the doctor. It works as excellent post-surgery transportation. Right after a person is released from the hospital after an operation, he must take extra precautions when returning home. Ambulances take you to the hospital. But while returning home after your treatment, you cannot afford to risk yourself with an unsafe vehicle.
Most decent NEMT services such as Comfort Care transportation provide fully equipped vehicles with safety tools. Such vehicles are designed keeping in mind the needs of a patient. In some cases, these services also come with a caretaker who is assigned the task of helping passengers and taking care of their needs. They are trained professionals who have knowledge in the medical field. With such an arrangement, one need not worry about the safety of patients at all.
Recreation
Older people and patients with disabilities often suffer from depression. Lack of recreational activities and distance from family members and friends is one of the major causes. With non-emergency transportation services, one can visit family gatherings or even take a trip in a safe environment.
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Occasional trips can help such people cope with their situation better. They feel less discriminated against and more inclusive in the community. Mental health plays a vital role in the overall well-being of a person. Recent studies show that depression can worsen a person’s physical symptoms and elevate pain. With such services, one can attempt to live a better life by coping with either illnesses or disabilities.
Place, Time and Distance
Studies have established a direct connection between the health conditions of a community and how long it takes for a patient to reach their healthcare facilities. With the right transport service, you can reach your doctor’s clinic in no time. This makes NEMT one of the essentials for a doctor’s appointment when it comes to old, ill or disabled people.
Patients who undergo chemotherapy or dialysis have a regular need to visit the healthcare facility. And if they live too far off or lack a mode of transportation, it can worsen their health to a significant degree. However, make sure that you have booked the services well ahead of time.
Betters the Community Infrastructure ‘
It has been proven time and again that transit-oriented communities have produced better healthcare results than those that are not so. It helps a community build a better present and future for its people and does not neglect the needs of the old, ill and disabled.
Each community has its share of people who need aid. The idea is not to outcast them but create a community infrastructure that would make them feel more inclusive and safe. There should be services like non-medical transport services that help these people get the right kind of treatment at the right time without having to throw away a lot of money.