Access to Care on Hawai‘i Island Visit www.communityfirsthawaii.org/access-to-care to read the Hawai‘i Island report
59 %
45 % HAWAI‘I ISLAND RESIDENTS
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
* OV E R T H E PA S T Y E A R , H AWA I ‘ I I S L A N D H E A LT H C A R E P R OV I D E R S H AV E C O N S I D E R E D :
* B E L I E V E T H E I R I S L A N D I S “ U N H E A LT H Y ”
MORE THAN 3/4 OF THE COMMUNITY B E L I E V E S “ L AC K O F P H Y S I C I A N S ” I S T H E B I G G E S T B A R R I E R T O AC C E S S I N G H E A LT H C A R E S E RV I C E S
21 %
of respondents could see a provider “when wanted”
www.communityfirsthawaii.org/access-to-care | March 2022
47 %
44 %
REDUCING HOURS
LEAVING MEDICINE
MOVING TO THE MAINLAND
Add to this a shortage of nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), and Community Health Workers (CHWs) along with a mental health crisis straining an overburdened system, not to mention a slew of residents who have postponed exams and tests due to COVID-19. •
Psychiatry and mental health counseling are, far and away, the two professional areas needed most, according to providers.
•
The wish list for medical specialists is long due to widespread shortages.
•
Increased social service capacity, including addiction and recovery and assistance to the houseless is another pressing need, along with more cultural fluency.
•
Mental health was also the area where prevention and early intervention was mentioned the most often, starting in the schools.
76 % OF THE COMMUNITY
49 %
2
*participants were asked to select all that apply.
About the project: Access to Care Access to Care is a project by Community First with a simple goal: to better understand what Hawai‘i needs to improve timely access to healthcare services. Convened by Community First, partners from across health care, public policy, and social services have come together to lead this initiative. The project team started with research on Hawai‘i Island, convening focus groups to get in-depth qualitative data, while Hawai‘i Island residents were asked to share their experiences related to Hawai‘i Island’s healthcare and social services via an online survey.
Methodology and Process
What’s next The Hawai‘i Island Access to Care Committee is in the process of finalizing the data from its surveys and focus groups so that it can complete the Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Improvement Action Plan report. The work of this Hawai‘i Island effort will inform similar work statewide in Spring 2022. The final consolidated report for the state will highlight recommendations and needed policy changes identified by the community.
For more information about Access to Care, visit communityfirsthawaii.org/access-to-care or email info@communityfirsthawaii.org.
2,248 SURVEY RESPONSES In November 2021, an online survey was completed by 2,248 community members and healthcare providers from Hawai‘i Island.
10 FOCUS GROUPS Convened via Zoom, ten groups met to discuss healthcare issues from the perspectives of the healthcare systems, the Independent Physician Associations; the medical, behavioral health, social services providers; and community members. www.communityfirsthawaii.org/access-to-care | March 2022
*participants were asked to select all that apply.