Overview
This assignment is intended to challenge healthcare professional learners’ critical thinking skills. Learners will examine the similarities and/or differences and think critically about the health assets and resources available in a rural versus a suburban community. Learners will evaluate the impact of the availability of assets and resources on health among the populations. Learners will analyze how the healthcare member’s role might differ while delivering care and serving groups in rural and suburban communities.
Pre-Brief
1. Review: Schnake-Mahl, A. S. & Sommers, B. D. (2017). Health Care In The Suburbs: An Analysis Of Suburban Poverty And Health Care Access. Health Affairs 36:10, 1777-1785. Article
* Health Care In The Suburbs: An Analysis Of Suburban Poverty And Health Care Access | Health Affairs
2. Review the Rural Health Information Hub’s Rural Community Health Toolkit (https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/rural-toolkit).
Assignment Instructions
1. Tour both Sentinel City® and Sentinel Town®
2. What are some of the challenges a healthcare member might encounter when practicing in a rural community compared to practice in suburban communities?
3. How might vulnerable and underserved populations be different in a suburban versus rural community?
4. As you tour both communities, write down observations pertaining to the strengths (assets) and limitations that align with three (3) of the following subsystems:
* Communication
* Economics
* Education
* Health & Social Services
* Recreation
* Safety & Transportation
3. Compare and contrast two communities regarding specific community subsystems.
4. Identify two assets and available resources in each community.
5. Identify how each of the selected subsystems impacts the health of a community.
6. What resources are lacking (in each community) that can have an impact on your selected subsystems?
7. State key similarities and differences between suburban and rural communities.
8. Compare and contrast the healthcare members’ role in suburban and rural communities.
9. Use correct APA format when citing your references that support your rationale.
10. A minimum of 2 references is needed.
11. Submit your summary of the above points to Canvas to receive credit for this lab activity