Primary Care Expectations in an Underserved Population

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between insurance status, primary care utilization and expectations of an underserved population. Two hundred thirty men and women participated. Having Medicaid increased the use of primary care services in a population that would otherwise be uninsured (p=0.01). Health status was not related to utilization of care. New practice models, such as nurse-managed health clinics, are well suited to fill the gaps of the primary care infrastructure in underserved urban areas. Nurse practitioners are in unique positions to lead and manage these new emerging practice models.