Want to deliver healthcare right to your patients’ doorstep?

Across the country millions of people lack access to basic medical services. Rural towns, low-income neighborhoods, and aging seniors are being left behind.

But there’s a solution.

Mobile medical services are arriving to fill the gap. These specially outfitted vehicles travel into communities providing care that traditional clinics can’t.

Here’s how it works…

What you’ll pick up:

• Why Mobile Medical Services Are Booming
• The Role of Healthcare Vehicle Accessibility Design
• 5x Key Benefits of Mobile Medical Units
• How Mobile Healthcare Is Closing the Accessibility Gap

Why Mobile Medical Services Are Booming

There’s a serious problem with healthcare access in America.

Rural residents make up more than 60 million Americans. They tend to be older, sicker, and there are fewer doctors to treat them.

The issue is this:

Between 2013 and 2020 over 100 rural hospitals shut their doors. That forced patients to drive an extra 20 miles to receive basic inpatient care. Need specialized services? That distance doubles.

Things aren’t much better if you live with a provider shortage. According to the Joint Economic Committee, 91% of rural counties don’t have enough primary care physicians.

Yikes.

Mobile medical vehicles are helping to solve these problems. If patients can’t go to the clinic, send the clinic to them. When it comes to designing a mobile medical vehicle, crafting thoughtful vehicle layouts that utilize healthcare vehicle accessibility design principles is a huge part of creating a unit that fits your needs. Medical vehicles are being purpose built to travel into these communities complete with exam rooms, diagnostics, and telemedicine.

Mobile medical units are more than just a vehicle with medical supplies. They are fully equipped facilities ready to provide care.

The Role of Healthcare Vehicle Accessibility Design

Not every medical vehicle is created equal.

Mobile clinics need to be designed with the patient in mind. That starts with proper healthcare vehicle accessibility design.

Here’s the thing:

You can literally take any van and turn it into a mobile clinic. Slide in some exam tables, haul a few monitors inside, and call it a day.

But that’s not good enough.

Healthcare vehicle accessibility design ensures every patient can use your mobile medical unit. That means wheelchair accessibility. Wide door frames. Exterior equipment that’s easy to access. Plus things like insulation to keep patients cool during exams and soundproofing for private consultations.

Top mobile medical vehicles will have:

• ADA compliant entryway. Think ramps, lifts, and wide openings for wheelchairs and walkers.
• Modular exam rooms. Need to reconfigure the space? Move some walls to expand your footprint. Want different rooms for dentistry, vision, and mental health services? These vehicles can accommodate.
• Integrated technology. Built-in telemedicine stations, diagnostic tools, and patient software.
• Climate control. Nobody wants to sit in a stuffy mobile clinic. Patients and caregivers alike deserve temperature controlled environments.

Remember… if you don’t design your mobile vehicle with the patient in mind, you’ll fail to reach the people who need your services most.

5x Key Benefits of Mobile Medical Units

Mobile medical units can do incredible good. Here are just a few ways they benefit the populations they serve.

Reach Underserved Communities

This is the biggest advantage of mobile medical units.

Traditional healthcare is great… if you live near a clinic. Mobile units can drive absolutely everywhere. That means rural towns. Low income urban areas. Even natural disaster zones can benefit from mobile medical units.

The result?

Patients that would otherwise go without care can get preventive screenings, chronic disease management, and access emergency services.

Decrease Costs

Mobile medical units are incredibly affordable.

There’s no leased facility, minimal overhead, and construction costs are basically non-existent. Providers can bring healthcare services to communities at a fraction of the cost.

And patients can save money too. After all, if they don’t have to drive to the clinic as frequently they’ll pay less on transportation. Not to mention lost wages from taking time off work.

Focus on Prevention

It’s always better (and cheaper) to prevent than treat.

Mobile clinics allow healthcare providers to focus on preventive care. Team up with mobile dentistry services and offer screenings. Staff up with pediatric providers and focus on vaccinations.

Before you know it, you’re catching minor health issues before they become serious emergencies.

Earn Trust Within the Community

This one’s simple.

Mobile clinics that regularly visit an area are going to build trust. The more your staff shows up to care for people. The more trust they will build with the community.

Pro Tip: Partner with local leaders to spread the word. People trust people they know.

Flexible + Scalable

The sheer versatility of mobile medical vehicles is underrated.

Need to offer different services on different days? Mobile vehicles can do that. Monday is dental screenings. Wednesday is behavioral health. Throw in a lab on Friday for chronic disease management and you got yourself a clinic.

5 days later you can switch it up and focus on vision services.

Healthcare organizations can scale services to real world needs without breaking the bank on construction.

How Mobile Healthcare Is Closing the Accessibility Gap

Mobile medical is serious business.

Countless communities across the country are being served by mobile clinics. Patients that had no access to specialists are regularly visiting mobile clinics with doctors.

And with telemedicine integration patients can see the specialist they need… without them having to be on the vehicle.

Take note:

Mobile clinics that succeed typically focus on multiple areas. Sure they use healthcare vehicle accessibility design to reach as many patients as possible. But they also integrate technology for remote testing and diagnostics.

They also focus on building relationships with their patients.

Accessible mobile medical vehicles are the future of healthcare.

Bringing It All Together

Millions of Americans are being served by mobile medical units.

Clinic shut down in rural town? Mobile to the rescue. Need to expand an organization but don’t have the funds? Mobile units again!

This model works because mobile provides:

• Accessibility — Patients are going to have healthcare coming to them.
• Affordability — Mobile medical reduces expenses for providers and patients.
• Preventative Care — Focus on keeping patients healthy instead of constantly treating them.
• Trust — Regular visits earn trust from the community.
• Versatile — Mobile clinics can be tailored to your community’s specific needs.

Remember… every great mobile medical vehicle starts with the blueprint. If you don’t have accessibility, technology, and your patients in mind during the design process you’re doing it wrong.

Need to make a real impact with mobile medical services? Focus on the vehicle you’ll be travelling with patients in.

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