Abstract:
Problems faced by uninsured residents of a north Texas county in obtaining medical care were investigated. The Behavior Model for Vulnerable Populations (Gelberg, Anderson, & Leake, 2000) uses predisposing, enabling, and need variables, to predict use of health care services. A random sample of 50 residents of Grayson County who had problems getting health care in the past year was interviewed by phone in August 2004. Twenty percent reported not being able to get needed medical or surgical care in the past year. Those most likely to report problems were respondents aged 18 to 44, unmarried, in poor health, and with competing needs of food, clothing, and housing. Results support the need for an indigent health care clinic in Grayson County.

1 Rumana Rahman was supported on a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for undergraduates (Grant No. 0243714), Department of Anthropology, University of North Texas , Summer 2005.

2 Research was funded by Grant No. 69035 from the University of North Texas Faculty Research Funds to faculty mentor Susan Brown Eve, 2004–2005.

Full Text Article

• Introduction
• Theoretical Framework
• Literature Review
• Research Design
• Results
• Summary and Conclusions
• References
• Figure 1 - Behavior Model for Vulnerable Populations
• Table 1 - Effect of Age on Difficlty Getting Medical Care
• Table 2 - Effect of Currently Married or Living with a Spouse on Difficulty Getting Medical Care
• Table 3 - Effect of Healthy and Full of Energy on Difficulty Getting Medical Care
• Table 4 - Effect of Health Status on Difficulty Getting Medical Care
• Table 5 - Not Receiving Care in Order to Buy Food, Clothing, or Housing on Difficulty Getting Medical Care