ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS' CAPACITY TO DELIVER SERVICES TO MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS IN EAST TENNESSEE.
Contributors: University Of Tennessee.
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 146
Subjects: Education, Health.; Health Sciences, Public Health.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Given the fact that migrant farmworkers' health status is below that of the average American, and that availability of and accessibility to health care is limited by financial, cultural and social barriers, the purpose of this study was to assess the capacity of health care providers, in selected counties in East Tennessee, to provide primary care to this population. The attitudes of these providers toward migrants was also examined.

A two-part survey instrument was developed by the researcher. The first half, a 25-item attitude scale, assessed the providers' opinion in three areas: Awareness of migrants' health needs, Options for delivering care, and Desirability of migrants as patients. The second part requested information regarding the type of provider (physician or nurse practitioner/physician assistant), type of agency (private or community/public health), type of practice (primary care, ob/gyn. or pediatric), number of encounters with migrants, and ability to speak Spanish. Also, the respondents were given a list of primary care services and asked to identify those provided directly, formally referred or not provided. A MANOVA and single factor ANOVAs were carried out to analyze differences in attitudes between providers.

Both groups of providers admitted not being very knowledgeable about migrants' health needs, but expressed a willingness to learn more and to support local initiatives toward the amelioration of migrants' conditions. Also, providers were in favor of extending TennCare (Medicaid) to migrants, and to accept referrals or contractual agreements to provide the care. Physicians, generally. were less inclined to approve of the federal government subsidizing the care. Although both groups would treat migrants as any other patients, and irregardless of legal status, the nurse practitioners/physician assistants were more willing to accomodate their schedule to fit that of migrants.

The majority of providers were found to deliver basic health care services, though deficiencies were noted in some health education areas, dental health and pesticide exposure. There was a need for major improvements in establishing linkages and cooperative agreements at the inter-agency level, and between agencies and institutions of higher learning.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-08, Section: A, page: 3011.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, 1995.

School code: 0226.