Definitions of allied health services in urban community contexts: consumer perspectives.
This study, as part of a larger project designed to increase allied health services to underserved urban community agencies, focussed on understanding how consumers defined the services provided in community agencies. Consumers were asked to describe what they defined as service and what constituted good service provision. Qualitative methods were used to conduct key-informant interviews and focus groups with consumers and staff at six community agencies representing different underserved populations, including ethnic and racial minority groups, the homeless, and individuals with disabilities living in the community. Four major themes emerged across the data: 1) the struggle to maintain a stable life with a chronic illness or disability; 2) services need to help solve life challenges; 3) the challenge of accessing and maintaining services; and 4) the need for a peer community. Data analysis revealed that services are difficult to access within and outside community agencies, services need to address short-term as well as long-term issues, and services in the community are still driven by a professional or expert model despite the availability of peer models. Recommendations for health professionals working in community settings are provided.
Helfrich
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Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Development Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago 60612, USA. helfrich@uic.edu
Fisher
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Kielhofner
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D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002641:Chicago; D004045:Dietary Services; D017144:Focus Groups; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D010379:Peer Group; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D019037:Urban Health Services; D014505:Urban Population