what counts as underserved?

[heartshaped box]

Does AAMC have a definition of what counts as underserved? I've searched the site but couldn't find it.

This is from HRSA:
"Population groups requested for MUP designation should be those with economic barriers (low-income or Medicaid-eligible populations), or cultural and/or linguistic access barriers to primary medical care services."
(http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/shortage/muaps/index.html)

I'm not quite sure what the HRSA definition means by cultural barriers. Any input, examples, etc would be appreciated.

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[MedPR]

Does AAMC have a definition of what counts as underserved? I've searched the site but couldn't find it.

This is from HRSA:
"Population groups requested for MUP designation should be those with economic barriers (low-income or Medicaid-eligible populations), or cultural and/or linguistic access barriers to primary medical care services."
(http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/shortage/muaps/index.html)

I'm not quite sure what the HRSA definition means by cultural barriers. Any input, examples, etc would be appreciated.

Did you have health insurance growing up?
Were you able to see a physician regularly?

If yes, then you aren't underserved.

 

[punkedoutriffs]

Does AAMC have a definition of what counts as underserved? I've searched the site but couldn't find it.

This is from HRSA:
"Population groups requested for MUP designation should be those with economic barriers (low-income or Medicaid-eligible populations), or cultural and/or linguistic access barriers to primary medical care services."
(http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/shortage/muaps/index.html)

I'm not quite sure what the HRSA definition means by cultural barriers. Any input, examples, etc would be appreciated.

Cultural barriers might include anything from a language barrier, as in the case of immigrants who cannot communicate with the doctors in their community, or barriers in beliefs, such as the Hmong's lack of faith in "Western Medicine," or barriers in class/race, such as the African American community's distrust of the "White establishment," which is how they view white doctors.

 

[heartshaped box]

Did you have health insurance growing up?
Were you able to see a physician regularly?

If yes, then you aren't underserved.

God you people are so annoying. This thread has nothing to do with whether I consider myself underserved.

 

[heartshaped box]

Cultural barriers might include anything from a language barrier, as in the case of immigrants who cannot communicate with the doctors in their community, or barriers in beliefs, such as the Hmong's lack of faith in "Western Medicine," or barriers in class/race, such as the African American community's distrust of the "White establishment," which is how they view white doctors.

Thank you! This is very helpful. 🙂

 

[Quicksilver005]

The Inland Empire in California.

 

[BigBlueBear]

AMCAS automatically determines if the area you lived in is underserved or not if that's what you're referring to. Just look at the .pdf of your application and it'll have a "U?" or something next to it. Same with Rural (R).

 

[Ismet]

AMCAS automatically determines if the area you lived in is underserved or not if that's what you're referring to. Just look at the .pdf of your application and it'll have a "U?" or something next to it. Same with Rural (R).

This is a very general classification, though. Isn't there a part in AMCAS where you have to indicate whether or not you (personally) were underserved? My hometown has the (U) designation because much of it is medically underserved, but I came from an area that was not underserved.

 

[BigBlueBear]

This is a very general classification, though. Isn't there a part in AMCAS where you have to indicate whether or not you (personally) were underserved? My hometown has the (U) designation because much of it is medically underserved, but I came from an area that was not underserved.

Psh, they'll never know! 😉

 

[SamyLSF]

My general rule of thumb with this questions is this:

If a person is asking whether or not they are under-served, then they probably are not.

 

[Ismet]

My general rule of thumb with this questions is this:

If a person is asking whether or not they are under-served, then they probably are not.

OP is not asking if he's underserved or not. He's asking a valid question, if there is an official definition of it or if you just say you're underserved because you personally believe you were underserved.

 

[SamyLSF]

OP is not asking if he's underserved or not. He's asking a valid question, if there is an official definition of it or if you just say you're underserved because you personally believe you were underserved.

Ok I see what you mean. I also was not refering to the OP with my rule. But yeah. Does it matter if you were only underserved for a portion of your life?

 

[McPhee]

Does AAMC have a definition of what counts as underserved? I've searched the site but couldn't find it.

This is from HRSA:
"Population groups requested for MUP designation should be those with economic barriers (low-income or Medicaid-eligible populations), or cultural and/or linguistic access barriers to primary medical care services."
(http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/shortage/muaps/index.html)

I'm not quite sure what the HRSA definition means by cultural barriers. Any input, examples, etc would be appreciated.

Using the MUA/P database, look up the county where you grow up. Where applicable, the underserved areas and populations will be listed.

Be honest, though. I grew up in a county that is considered medically underserved because it has a medically underserved population (the low-income population). BUT I am not part of that population. Thus on the AMCAS primary:

"Childhood area medically underserved: No"

 

[Ismet]

Ok I see what you mean. I also was not refering to the OP with my rule. But yeah. Does it matter if you were only underserved for a portion of your life?

I believe the rule of thumb is being underserved for >50% of your childhood (age 0-18)

 

[darkjedi]

AMCAS automatically determines if the area you lived in is underserved or not if that's what you're referring to. Just look at the .pdf of your application and it'll have a "U?" or something next to it. Same with Rural (R).

AMCAS's underserved designation is horrifically inaccurate and mostly just considers counties instead of individual communities. It counts NYC as underserved for crying out loud. I Iived like 10 blocks from a big city hospital.

 

[SamyLSF]

AMCAS's underserved designation is horrifically inaccurate and mostly just considers counties instead of individual communities. It counts NYC as underserved for crying out loud. I Iived like 10 blocks from a big city hospital.

lol, yeah but did you have the means to get there? Taxis so expensive..

 

[ScutmonkeyNJ]

African Americans
Hispanics and Latinos
Native Americans

 

[Arbor Vitae]

God you people are so annoying. This thread has nothing to do with whether I consider myself underserved.

this made me chuckle

Underserve