Thankfully, many individuals and organizations passionately support MIH-CP’s work. A few of these common supporters include local EMS agencies, hospital systems looking to reduce readmissions, law enforcement agencies, mental health professionals, social workers, rehab centers, homeless shelters, and many more.
The number of people who could support MIH-CP is almost limitless. It all comes down to the team’s creativity and motivation in bringing the vision to life.
How To Build Support for Mobile Integrated Healthcare-Community Paramedicine (And Where to Look)
Building support for any endeavor can be daunting. For something like Mobile Integrated Healthcare, the task offers its own set of challenges. While most people support the goals that MIH-CP sets out to achieve, the fact is that much of the everyday public is still unaware that these programs exist.
The challenge, then, is to introduce people to MIH while simultaneously working to secure tangible support.
Before we discuss the people and organizations that support MIH, let’s take a quick moment to talk about what we actually mean by support.
The most obvious one is financial support. No doubt, having the money to do the things you need to do is important and cannot be overlooked. With that said, many other types of support make a big difference (and, as we’ll discuss, when building support, leading with something other than “we need money” can be effective).
A few other types of support include medical expertise, such as mental health or rehab professionals, who are willing to be part of your program. And then there’s medical oversight: these are physicians who can help train and support care providers in the field.
Finally, building partnerships with community organizations – such as the local YMCA, faith-based organizations, and even libraries – that are not directly financial in nature can help spread the word about what you’re doing.
Money is an important aspect of support; however, money by itself won’t accomplish anything. To build a program that’s stable in the long term, think about building a warm fire. Yes, you need matches to light the flame, but you also need good air flow, long-term fuel, and the right environment to keep it going.
Here are a few of the organizations and people who support MIH-CP:
- EMS Services Support Mobile Integrated Health-Community Paramedicine
- Hospital Systems Support MIH-CP
- Law Enforcement Agencies Support MIH-CP
- Members of the Community (Outreach Centers, Rehab Facilities)
- Mental Health Professionals
- State Governments Support Mobile Integrated Healthcare (Grants, etc.)
In the next few sections, you’ll find more information about how these places support MIH-CP, and some of the best ways to reach out.
EMS Services Support Mobile Integrated Health-Community Paramedicine
One of the most common supporters (and indeed one of the places where MIH was born) is the Emergency Medical Services sector. These organizations include county-based EMS agencies, city fire departments, and even private ambulance services.
The reason EMS is such a strong anchor for MIH-CP revolves around the inherent need for a “mobile” care provider. EMTs and paramedics are already trained to work in a system in which they respond to a person’s home, assess them, and then decide on transport.
As you can see, there isn’t a big jump from traditional EMS to Mobile Integrated Healthcare (Community Paramedicine). Instead of responding as though it’s an emergency, MIH calls are usually prescheduled. And instead of providing emergency care, the medics perform more holistic assessments and spend more time examining the patient’s home environment.
Hospital Systems Support MIH-CP: Finding Support for Mobile Integrated Healthcare
Hospital systems are another key supporter of MIH-CP. The reasons for their support are many, but a few of the most common are related to the emergency room and hospital re-admissions.
On the emergency room side, hospitals have an interest in reducing the number of people who repeatedly return to the ER. While the ER is always open and welcomes everyone, when someone keeps coming back again and again (within just a few weeks), it means they’re not getting the care they need. Not only that, it strains staff, further reducing the care provided to people with serious emergencies.
On the readmission side, when a patient returns after discharge, the hospital can incur penalties from insurers that negatively affect reimbursement. While readmissions cannot be completely prevented, hospitals can collaborate with MIH-CP to reduce the number of people with recurring issues related to chronic disease.
All in all, the local hospital system can be integral to the success of an MIH-CP program. Not only does the hospital have a vested interest in the program’s outcomes, but it also has resources (such as physicians and social workers) who can play a pivotal role.
Law Enforcement Agencies Support MIH-CP
Police departments are common supporters of MIH-CP programs. In fact, many law enforcement agencies take a step further and are actively involved in the program. What does this look like?
Typically, when PD partners with MIH-CP teams, they have a few goals. First, they want to offer more resources to the people they encounter on the street. This means that, if they meet someone who is struggling with substance abuse or mental health, they can offer direct referrals to professionals who can help.
Second, police officers want to reduce the number of hours they spend responding to non-law-enforcement-related calls. Many times, a police officer is dispatched to someone who is having a mental health crisis. Now, in some cases, the police officer has a role to play on that scene; however, most of the time, these people would be better served by a trained mental health professional.
The aside to this is that sometimes a police response can inadvertently escalate a situation, even when the officer assures the person they need not worry about legal repercussions for honesty or seeking help. MIH-CP programs partner with PD to reduce negative police interactions and provide the best care for the community.
Members of the Community (Outreach Centers, Rehab Facilities, Mental Health Professionals) Support MIH-CP
A few other common supporters of MIH-CP include organizations with an interest in the community’s overall well-being. Various social outreach programs fit this description, including those that provide support to people experiencing homelessness or who are food-insecure.
A few other organizations would include churches, which often have an interest in the well-being of the community, particularly those who struggle with drug or alcohol addiction. You might also find similar interest among community centers, including those that specialize in seniors or veterans.
When partnering with these organizations, the important thing is to remember that even if there is no financial partnership, establishing an open line of communication or an agreement to exchange mutual referrals can still be in your MIH-CP program’s interest.
For one thing, it increases the number of people who know about your program, ensuring that anyone who might benefit from your services is aware of them. Second, it builds a broader community trust in what you do, which can lead to stronger partnerships and a healthier program.
State Governments Support Mobile Integrated Healthcare (Grants, etc.)
For MIH-CP programs looking to get off the ground, a good first source of funding is the state. Often, states offer grants or incentives to encourage EMS services to expand into community paramedicine and mobile integrated healthcare.
The idea is that this initial burst of funding is what can lift your program off the ground (the spark that lights the flame), but for long-term growth, MIH-CP programs must seek to form other long-term partnerships (the long-term fuel and oxygen that keep the fire going).
Alright, we’ve discussed many different people and organizations that support MIH-CP. Now let’s highlight a few key points.
Conclusion: How to Better Support Mobile Integrated Healthcare-Community Paramedicine (MIH-CP)
When it comes to starting or sustaining a Mobile Integrated Healthcare-Community Paramedicine Program, finding support is vital to its survival. While there are improvements in some areas in the ability to fund their programs through insurance, most MIH-CP teams still rely on community partnerships and support.
Common places to look for support include hospital systems, fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and social and mental health services. However, these are not the only places you can find like-minded partners, as you may also have luck with community centers, faith-based organizations, and homeless shelters or food pantries.
When you find those key supporters for your program, you must have a communication platform that allows for seamless integration. Contact Julota to see how their cutting-edge software tools make organizing your MIH program that much easier.
