Post-Katrina provision of health care to veterans in a mobile clinic: providers' perspectives.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the challenges faced by healthcare providers in the aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters in the United States.


METHODS
Eight healthcare providers describe their perceptions of the care they provided to veterans at a mobile clinic in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. This informal report used Giorgi's phenomenological approach to gathering and analyzing information provided in written response to eight specific questions.


CONCLUSIONS
Four broad categories of challenges and concerns are discussed in this article: (a) What was important in the provision of care for the veterans, (b) the hindrances encountered, (c) factors that facilitated the care given, and (d) the perceived effects of the care they provided. Three key themes characterized the lived experience of the eight participants: uncertainty, deprivation, and stabilization. Although this was not a formal research study, the authors and participants were able to use their research backgrounds and understandings to organize and make sense of their experiences during this chaotic period.


CONCLUSIONS
As hurricane season in the United States and the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina (August 2005) approach, it is hoped that this report on the experiences and recommendations of healthcare providers will benefit other providers in similar situations.
Lafuente
Corazon R
CR
Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA. lafuente@yahoo.com
Eichaker
Veronica
V
Chee
Vernon E
VE
Chapital
Eleanor
E
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D004190:Disasters; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008145:Louisiana; D008503:Medical Staff / Q000523:psychology; D008603:Mental Health; D008952:Mobile Health Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology; D024382:Professional Role; D012934:Social Isolation; D012947:Social Work; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D035501:Uncertainty; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data