Access to Care

Access to pediatric specialty care remains a significant challenge in medically underserved communities, particularly in the Rio Grande Valley. This session explores healthcare provider perspectives on the barriers that prevent families from obtaining specialty services, including poverty, provider shortages, transportation limitations, and broader social and policy factors. Using the Levesque Health Access Model as a framework, the presentation identifies common obstacles affecting care coordination and continuity of care. Participants will gain insight into how these barriers impact children with complex health conditions and consider strategies for improving access to specialty services in underserved regions.