Page 14 - 2021 MHA Start-up Guide

There are an estimated 2,000 mobile healthcare programs across North America, delivering solu-
tions to communities in every state and many provinces, as well as Washington, D .C . and Puerto
Rico. They serve as many as 7.2 million North Americans, and while each program is different,
one aspect often unites them: many address the health needs of the vulnerable or underserved .
2
In some communities, mobile healthcare programs are the only option
a mobile healthcare for even the most basic care . In many others, mobile healthcare is the
only viable option outside emergency department (ED) visits, which
program has no chance place a heavy financial burden on the healthcare system in general
of being effective if it’s and EDs in particular .
unknown or underutilized. And it
won’t be utilized unless you’ve first Mobile healthcare programs run on a combination of passion,
unflagging energy and meticulous planning. And it’s that last
identified and understood one that matters most. The nonprofit and health sectors are filled
the unique needs of the with energetic, passionate people . But unless you can make a
community strong business case and present a solid business plan to your par-
ent organization, government entity, partners and funders, your quest
to create a mobile program may be over before you’ve started .

Your business case is your value proposition, the reason for your program to exist and a ticket
to long-term funding and strategic partnerships . It’s both your mission and your yardstick . And it
boils down to the following four questions:

• What is the health need you’re trying to fulfill?
• What is the care or service model you plan to deploy to fulfill that health need?
• Who are the community members you plan to serve?
• How will you deploy your Program solution efficiently and effectively?

Of course, each of those questions carries with it a slew of sub-questions. But if you can answer
these four, you’re well on your way to making a business case for your mobile healthcare program .

Answering the What: Identifying the Gaps in Care

Imagine that you’ve just spent $400,000 — the U. S. national average — on your first mobile
health vehicle. You have outfitted and, at additional cost, staffed it. You’re ready to hit the road,
delivering, say, asthma screenings, to your community. On your first day, you park on a well-trav-
eled street, open your doors and wait for the rush of clients .

Except they don’t come .

It could be for any number of reasons . Maybe asthma isn’t a prevalent issue in this community,
or it’s well handled by a local asthma and allergy center . Or maybe there’s a mobile healthcare
program already addressing this problem .

The point is a mobile healthcare program has no chance of being effective if it’s unknown or un-
derutilized. And it won’t be utilized unless you’ve first identified and understood the unique needs
of the community .

2 Mobile Health Map . Impact Report . (2017) . https://www .mobilehealthmap .org/impact-report

12 MOBILE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM STAR T-UP GUIDE