Recorded presentation

Amber Schickedanz, MPH, Community Health Development Program, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, School of Rural Public Health, 1103 University Drive, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840, 979-458-8057, schickedanz@srph.tamushsc.edu, Angie L. Alaniz, Community Health Development Program, School of Rural Public Health, 1103 University Drive East, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840, Matt N. Rogers, School of Rural Public Health, Community Health Development Program, Texas A&M University, 1103 University Dr, Suite 200, College Station, TX 77840, and James N. Burdine, Dr PH, Community Health Development Program, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University, 1103 University Drive, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840.

Nationally transportation is a barrier for many rural residents attempting to access health care. Within the Brazos Valley (BV), a seven-county region of Central Texas, rural residents travel an average of 25.6 miles for medical services, one-third (30.5%) of which travel forty-five minutes or more. The BV region consists of semi-urban Brazos County surrounded by six rural counties – all six of which are classified as HPSA and MUA.

The Brazos Valley Health Partnership (BVHP) is working to create a “hub-and-spoke” transportation model targeted at underserved populations to remove barriers in access to care. Initially, BVHP will purchase three vans to implement the transportation model. Two of the vans will provide transportation in the rural counties to and from health care services within their respective areas, with the third van supplying service from the rural counties into Brazos County. Within the first year of implementation, BVHP anticipates the transportation system will provide services to over 500 individuals residing in the six rural counties.

This transportation model will be based on existing best practice models, however, its development entails overcoming numerous challenges including sustainability and local ownership. A detailed evaluation will assist in supporting the feasibility of the system to local partners and potential funders. This program provides a model whose strategies can be adapted to many impact areas of rural health and whose structure can be replicated in various regions to overcome the issues concerning the lack of transportation.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

• Describe issues related to health care barriers in rural areas, particularly access to care;
• Identify the process used to create a transportation system in a rural area;
• List some of the potential challenges when implementing a transportation system in a rural area.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Recorded presentation