Page 8 - 2021 MHA Start-up Guide

We encourage you to use this Guide as a starting point . Then, as your Program grows and
evolves, we hope you return to it, to brush up on key elements and train your growing staff. We
also encourage you to explore Mobile Health Association’s website, where you’ll find a variety of
resources and tools designed to help you run an effective, sustainable service. Consider joining
the Association if you are not yet a Member organization . Also consider attending the pre-con-
ference Intensive Training Course devoted to new and newish Programs and how to start and
sustain a program . For more membership information, click here .

We’ve organized information into three sections . The First Section, “Developing a Business Case
for Mobile Healthcare,” will guide you through the questions all mobile healthcare program found-
ers — regardless of whether their program is vehicle-based or not — must answer before they
establish their program:

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

In the Second Section, “Developing an Implementation Plan,” we’ll review the critical procedures
and policies you should have in place prior to executing your services in the community .

And while we recognize that not every mobile healthcare program operates a vehicle, we’ve
included a Third Section, titled “Vehicle Design and Procurement,” for those who are looking to
incorporate one into their model of service . In that section, we’ll take a high-level look at some
common — and important — considerations for vehicle design .

Each section contains special break-out sub-sections, which tackle specific challenges, such
as budgeting and communications. We encourage you to keep a running list of your questions
— the ones we present, as well as any specific to your particular program — in the Notes Section
at the back of the guide . And don’t worry if you can’t answer them all right away . We’ll provide
suggestions for helpful resources, including, of course, the Mobile Healthcare Association itself
or Members we can refer you to .

It’s time to embark on your mobile healthcare journey . It will be a challenging, transformative and
rewarding experience — one that will not only change individual lives, but alter the entire health-
care landscape .

Let’s get started .

6 MOBILE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM STAR T-UP GUIDE