Noble, Clarissa Healthcare Workforce Perception of Obstetric Services Centralization and the Impact on the Healthcare Delivery System in Imperial County, California. Doctoral Capstone Project. Radford University Scholars' Repository.
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Abstract
Background: The closure of hospital-based obstetric (OB) services in rural areas is on the rise, leading to decreased access to maternal healthcare and potentially widening disparities. On January 5, 2023, El Centro Regional Medical Center in El Centro, California, closed its obstetrics unit, leaving only one unit to serve the 179,000 residents of Imperial County. The perspectives of healthcare professionals within the Imperial County healthcare ecosystem have not yet been heard, and understanding their insights is crucial for assessing the implications of this obstetric service closure. Objective: The study aims to explore the perceptions and experiences of healthcare professionals in Imperial County, CA, about how the closure of the hospital-based OB unit has impacted the healthcare delivery system and identify potential strategies to improve OB services for women affected by the closure. Methodology: The study utilized a qualitative research design incorporating semi-structured interviews and online surveys to collect data from Imperial County, CA healthcare professionals. A total of 24 participants were recruited for this study. The data analysis employed thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase approach along with both deductive and inductive coding processes. During the deductive coding process, threshold levels from the flexible threshold theory were applied. Results: Out of 24 participants, 18 (75%) stated that the current maternal healthcare model is unsustainable. Both clinical and non-clinical professionals shared concerns about the closure of the OB service. Four key themes emerged: Access Disruptions in the Binational Healthcare System, Efficient Resource Consolidation, Advocacy for Imperial County, and Need for Increased Resources to Sustain or Expand Healthcare Delivery. Conclusion: The findings highlighted significant disparities in access within the binational healthcare system. Participants deemed the current obstetric care model unsustainable, citing challenges such as limited-service access, the financial burden of long-distance travel for patients, and the strain on emergency services. Most participants called for increased advocacy and resources at all government levels to enhance maternal healthcare in Imperial County.
| Item Type: | Doctoral Capstone Project |
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| Subjects: | R Medicine > R Medicine (General) |
| Divisions: | Radford University > Waldron College of Health and Human Services > Department of Public Health and Healthcare Leadership > Health Sciences Program |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Jun 2025 23:57 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Jun 2025 23:57 |
| URI: | http://wagner.radford.edu/id/eprint/1182 |
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