移動醫療保健的未來

浙江 胡君祥

鑒于當前大流行病的嚴重程度，人們迫切需要有針對性的健康干預措施來解決醫療資源

分配不均的問題。 措施之一就是建立流動初級保健站，它有哪些好處呢？

題材醫療體裁說明文文章詞數 難度 建議用時352 ★★★★ 7 分鐘

In light of the severity of the current pandemic (大流行病), targeted health interventions (干預)are urgently needed to address inequalities in health services. This intervention is the establishment of mobile primary health posts.

The case for mobile healthcare is compelling. Mobile care saves medical costs. A systematic review of mobile health clinics highlights the value and cost savings associated with providing readily accessible care to underserved communities. The convenience and reduced logistics(后勤) provided by mobile health have removed barriers to access for many low-income patients. Furthermore, data show mobile healthcare improves health outcomes, reduces avoidable emergency room use and bridges trust between patients and the healthcare system.

The pandemic has forced further examination of value-based care delivery models. Virtual care is on the rise but face-to-face healthcare delivery remains valued and necessary. The combination of place-based care, which is the nature of using mobile units, and virtual care can revolutionize care delivery for underserved populations, particularly seniors insured by medicare. The convenience of mobile care combined with care provided by trusted providers can provide both cost-saving and patient-centered care.

For example, last summer while making a home visit for a patient who lived in a high rise building, I waited 20 minutes for one of three working elevators. Upon apologizing for my being late, my patient responded, “Oh, those elevators make me miss my appointments all the time. By the time I wait for those elevators, my ride has left and I end up taking the bus to the emergency room.”

Patients want this service. Over 80% of patients I have seen during the pandemic preferred virtual and home-based care over making the journey to a provider's office and not simply due to

COVID-19 fears.Further,given a choice between virtual and mobile care they most preferred an in-person visit.

Nurse practitioner Erin Athey sees mobile care as a fairer way to provide care, and she has applied care to underserved Washington, D.C., communities during the pandemic. “So far,” she says,“the power of mobile health, whether or not people like primary care, lies in its convenience.”

Reading Check

Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What can be inferred from the first paragraph?

A. The current pandemic is easy to intervene in.

B. The current pandemic is under effective control.

C. The current pandemic is seriously out of control.

D. In some places the level of medical care is relatively low.

2. What can replace the underlined word “compelling” in paragraph 2?

A. Convincing. B. Disappointing. C. Entertaining. D. Everlasting.

3. What is the most important feature of the mobile primary health post?

A. Free service. B. Place-based.

C. Round-the-clock service. D. Wide coverage.

4. What is the purpose of giving an example in paragraph 4?

A. To introduce a special patient.

B. To show that elevators are not reliable.

C. To show the convenience of mobile healthcare.

D. To show how inconvenient it's for the old to go to the emergency room.

5. What is Erin Athey's attitude towards mobile health?

A. Optimistic. B. Skeptical. C. Pessimistic. D. Cautious.

Language Study

Text-based chunks

in light of 鑒于

combined with... 與……結合

upon/on doing... 一……就……

end up doing... 最終……

prefer...over... 比起……更喜歡……

due to 因為；由于

see...as... 把……視作……

so far 迄今為止

apply...to... 把……應用到……

lie in 在于……