Which strategy can nurses employ to improve access to care?

Community outreach and mobile health units are effective strategies that nurses can employ to improve access to care. These approaches allow healthcare providers to extend their services beyond traditional healthcare facilities, making it easier for underserved populations to access medical services.

By utilizing community outreach, nurses and healthcare teams can engage with various populations directly in their neighborhoods, addressing barriers such as transportation, cost, and lack of awareness about available services. Mobile health units provide a practical solution by bringing healthcare directly to individuals, offering services in convenient locations and at times that fit the community's needs. This proactive approach not only increases access to healthcare but also enhances the overall health and well-being of the community by making preventative care and follow-up services more accessible.

Focusing on hospital-based care or reducing the number of healthcare facilities would likely limit access to care by concentrating resources in fewer locations, which can create barriers for individuals who may have difficulty reaching these facilities. Increasing healthcare costs can deter individuals from seeking care altogether, further exacerbating access issues. Hence, the strategy of community outreach and mobile health units stands out as a proactive and impactful means to improve healthcare accessibility.