Posted: May 15th, 2023

Review the case study on pages 119-120 of Ethics and Public Health

Review the case study on pages 119-120 of Ethics and Public Health: Model Curriculum PDF.

After reading the case study, answer the following question in your initial post:

How should the board of directors and administration respond to Our Covenant Health Center’s changing patient population and the language assistance needs of the new patients seeking care there? Consider the issue from both the perspective of the original mission and the reality of the current demand.

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The board of directors and administration of Our Covenant Health Center should respond to the changing patient population and the language assistance needs of the new patients seeking care there by:

Hiring more bilingual staff. This would ensure that patients can communicate with their healthcare providers in a language they understand.
Providing translation services for patients who do not speak English. This could be done through a variety of methods, such as hiring interpreters, using video conferencing, or providing written translations.
Making their website and other materials available in multiple languages. This would make it easier for patients to find information about the clinic and its services.
Providing cultural competency training for staff. This would help staff to understand the needs of patients from different cultures.
The board of directors and administration should also consider the original mission of the clinic when making decisions about how to respond to the changing patient population. The clinic’s mission is to provide community-based primary care for area residents. This means that the clinic should be accessible to all members of the community, regardless of their language or cultural background.

The reality of the current demand is that the clinic is seeing a growing number of patients who do not speak English. This is due to the changing demographics of the community, as well as the increasing number of immigrants who are coming to the United States. The board of directors and administration need to make sure that the clinic is able to meet the needs of these patients.

By taking these steps, the board of directors and administration can ensure that Our Covenant Health Center continues to provide quality care to all members of the community.

In addition to the above, the board of directors and administration could also consider the following:

Partnering with community organizations that serve immigrants. These organizations can help to connect patients with the clinic and provide them with information about the services that are available.
Funding research on the health needs of immigrant populations. This research can help the clinic to better understand the needs of its patients and develop programs and services that meet those needs.
Advocating for policies that support the health of immigrants. These policies could include providing access to affordable healthcare, language assistance, and other resources.
By taking these steps, the board of directors and administration can help to ensure that Our Covenant Health Center is a welcoming and inclusive place for all patients.