Care of Vulnerable Populations
Vulnerable populations are segments of the population with significant barriers to health care. Vulnerable populations often lack one or more of the following: resources, income, education, transportation, and cultural norms that are considered vital to maintaining healthy lifestyles. Location, income, social expectations, cultural expectations, and education level are factors in the resources to which an individual patient has access. Vulnerable patients include racial, immigrant, or ethnic minorities; children; pregnant women; elderly persons; people who identify with the LGBT+ community; socioeconomically disadvantaged persons; underinsured or uninsured persons, homeless individuals; persons with a substance use disorder; individuals in unsafe relationships; mentally ill persons; or those with certain chronic medical conditions such as HIV.[1] Vulnerable populations are disproportionately from minority populations, are more likely to lack resources and have greater difficulty obtaining health care due to multifactorial structural components, and often receive lower-quality care.[2] Poverty, and its common consequences such as malnutrition, homelessness, poor housing, and destitution, is a major contributor to vulnerability according to the World Health Organization. Structural racism against Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) further impacts the vulnerable patient’s access to care, the quality of that care, and resulting health disparities. OB/GYN hospitalists have a unique opportunity to promote health equity for their BIPOC patients. High-functioning Ob/Gyn hospitalist teams promote health equity and identify and provide care that meets the needs of the individual vulnerable patient.
There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.
Ob/Gyn Hospitalists' Core Competencies

