At sporting events, businesses and health fairs, a new medical clinic on wheels is making it easier to provide on-the-scene screening and care to people of southern West Virginia.
A project of Marshall University’s Robert C. Byrd Center for Rural Health, the mobile medical unit fills an important niche for the region without duplicating services, says Jennifer Plymale, the center’s director.
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U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., secured federal funding for the project.
"I have long been concerned about the health care of West Virginians, particularly of those in rural communities. Too often, these families must travel long distances to see a physician, and even farther if specialized care is required," said Byrd. "The challenges confronted in the area of rural health are serious, but they can be effectively answered with tools such as the mobile medical unit.
“I hope this new device will help southern West Virginians overcome the roadblocks that have prevented them from receiving the quality medical treatment that they deserve."
Designed as a way to effectively provide health screenings for businesses, students and the general public, the custom-designed van is full-featured. In addition to two exam rooms, it has a reception area, a restroom, and a receiving area where nurses can check vital signs.
“We tried to be as multi-purpose as possible,” said Plymale. “In addition to all the basics you would find in a primary care doctor’s office, we’ve got a microscope for checking samples, supplies needed to start IVs, and everything necessary to handle minor office surgeries like putting in stitches. We’re wired for computers, and we also have a TV and VCR for patient education videos.”
Marshall used input from medical groups in rural communities to help define the van’s role.
“We’ve tried to recognize community needs and offer support,” Plymale said. “The van doesn’t duplicate existing services; the idea is for it to provide screenings or services the community for whatever reason cannot.”
So far the project has offered aid on the sidelines of soccer and football games, done occupational health screenings for businesses and sports physicals for schools, provided demonstrations at the Concord University Summer Academy, and done screenings at the Lincoln County Health Fair.
Physicians and other medical personnel from Marshall’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine staff the van, and the Center for Rural Health provides the driver.
Custom-built for Marshall by Farber Specialty Vehicle of Columbus, Ohio, the mobile clinic is part of a more comprehensive grant to the Center for Rural Health from the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, which is part of the Health Resources and Services Administration.