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What Challenges Do Nonprofit Hospitals Face in Taking on Community Health Needs Assessments? A Qualitative Study From Appalachian Ohio
Author(s) -
Skinner Daniel,
Franz Berkeley,
Kelleher Kelly
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.439
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1748-0361
pISSN - 0890-765X
DOI - 10.1111/jrh.12246
Subject(s) - appalachia , appalachian region , qualitative research , nursing , public relations , public health , needs assessment , health care , grounded theory , community health , medicine , psychology , political science , sociology , geography , paleontology , social science , physical geography , law , biology
Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences of Appalachian hospitals in undertaking Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs). Of particular interest is whether new requirements to undertake regular evaluation and public health programming pose challenges for rural, Appalachian hospitals. Methods Using a sample of nonprofit hospitals in Appalachian Ohio, we conducted in‐depth qualitative interviews with hospital administrators overseeing community benefit activities and external consultants hired to complete assessments. Following a grounded theory approach, we coded interviews to ascertain major themes. Findings Our findings suggest that there are several challenges faced by nonprofit hospitals that may relate to their status as rural hospitals. In particular, we found that these hospitals struggle to hire staff to oversee CHNAs, often lack the material resources to address needs identified in reports, and seek more concrete guidelines from the IRS on carrying out these new activities in their communities. Conclusions The results from these interviews suggest that there is significant support for new CHNA activities in Appalachian Ohio, but challenges remain to translate these efforts into improved health outcomes in this region. Because rural Appalachia, in particular, faces significant health disparities and a relative lack of health care providers, there is a potential for hospitals to take on an important role in public and preventive health if initial challenges are addressed.