Importance of Sustainability Planning for Rural Mobile Healthcare Programs

To achieve sustainability, rural mobile healthcare programs will need to consider how to maintain their resources, staff, and partnerships. Sustainability can be best achieved by demonstrating value to potential funders, which might be partner organizations, government agencies, healthcare payers, or even residents who use the services. Similarly, creating an operational and financial plan will support the foundation of building a long-lasting sustainability plan. Evaluation will provide meaningful data that can demonstrate the program's value and impact on the community.

Tailoring mobile healthcare programs to meet identified community needs and complementing the goals of other organizations can help bring partners into sustainability planning processes. Working with the local community to identify what is most valuable about the mobile program will help ensure that the program's design and aims are sustainable and relevant. Mobile healthcare programs can increase access to primary and preventive services, lower hospital readmissions, and improve reach and access to specialty care.

Along with identifying the needs of the community, it’s important to assess and plan for potential challenges. Sustainability planning may include identifying potential challenges that can arise due to regulatory compliance, logistic hurdles, and funding. Securing funding to cover all ongoing operational costs and future expenses is crucial in ensuring long-term sustainability. For example, programs that use mobile units to deliver services should consider factors such as vehicle maintenance and adhering to state and regional licensing requirements when planning for sustainability.

Resources to Learn More

The Case for Mobile: Mobile Healthcare is Good for Communities and Good for Business
Document
Provides information on making the case for mobile healthcare programs and strategies that can be used to improve health outcomes while reducing costs.
Organization(s): Mobile Healthcare Association, Mobile Health Map
Date: 11/2022

Implementing and Sustaining Rural Community Paramedicine
Document
Provides strategies for implementation and sustainability of mobile integrated health and community paramedicine programs in rural areas.
Organization(s): Center for Health Care Strategies
Date: 6/2021