Supporting Mobile Health Clinics: The Children's Health Fund of New York City

This case study is an example of the beginnings and evolution of one idea to help a certain demographic and finding larger implications. I concluded that the need for Mobile Medical Clinics will always be needed at some point. There will always be someone less fortunate and there will always be natural disasters where there will be a need to respond quickly and bring the medical care where it is needed.

Weisman is correct in believing that even better support can be provided from the MMCs. They could expand the focus from children to HIV testing or Breast Examinations for women. They could also start a global initiative to place some MMCs in other countries that have sub-standard healthcare practices. There are communities where those services are still in need especially with the growing AIDS epidemic. Earlier detection of breast cancer is also saving many lives of women.

The evolution of the technological solutions in this case study was interesting. There were several things to consider when thinking about the infrastructure of the MMCs; from the security of patient data to HIPPA guidelines. Since it is mobile the Satellite options seemed most compatible but the mechanical issues were the problem. If it could be miniaturized it would be optimal. The synchronization of data seems to be the best for now since there is not mobile technology that is fast enough to transfer large files and secure enough for the HIPPA guideline about privacy and security.

I do not believe that the adoption of software applications at doctor offices will make him loose staff. I do however believe that his staff will not be steady but a bit like rotational, with student doctors on residency and other medical studies. The adoption of better applications will make it easier for the transfer of patient documents, visit and insurance information.

I think that the HITECH stimulus will definitely lead to better software. The stimulus is for those that can prove