Abstract

Interprofessional Health Camps to Improve Health Outcomes in Rural Areas of Himachal Pradesh-A Novel Intervention

Background: There is a lack of proper health care in rural Himachal Pradesh. Our hospital had been organizing medical camps where a team of doctors, nurses, and technicians attended the camp. There was no or minimal involvement of local panchayats, NGOs, and other professionals. Though patients attended the camp the number was less and very few patients visited the hospital for follow-up.

Objectives: To find out whether organizing these camps with interprofessional collaboration improves the camp outcomes and benefits the rural patients in terms of health outcomes.

Methods: These camps were held with interprofessional collaboration in the same villages where medical camps were held earlier. The interprofessional team was formed. During camp along with medical checkups, healthy living and hygiene were emphasized. Post camp follow-up was done and data compared with earlier only medical camps. Statistical data for quantitative analysis was mean, average, range, median, and percentage and for qualitative analysis, information was gathered from interviews and feedbacks. The improvement of health outcomes concerning certain chronic disorders was evaluated.

Results: A total of 18 camps were held and the mean of 571 patients attended which is higher than the mean of 426 patients who attended only medical camps. The percentage of referred patients attending the hospital was also higher. There was greater patient satisfaction. Regarding the disease outcomes, there was significant cure/control of some chronic disorders like Diabetes, Hypertension, Cataract, CSOM, and Allergies.

Conclusion: These camps are more effective in terms of the number of patients attending, percentage of referred patients visiting the hospital, and patient satisfaction. This collaboration benefits the rural population in terms of health outcomes.

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