PORT ANGELES — The public health officer for Clallam and Jefferson counties wants their communities to pull together to create a local, effective system of health care.
Dr. Tom Locke told a Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce audience Monday that rural health systems are going through a crisis similar to one 20 years ago when a lack of physicians forced rethinking of those systems.
“About 20 percent of the American population lives in rural areas and is served by 9 percent of the physician work force,” Locke said.
Three goals
The trend is mirrored in other professions such as pharmacists, dentists and advanced mental health professionals, he said.
Locke said he and his counterparts in other jurisdictions have three goals for the local health care systems.
“They should be community-focused, patient-centered and prevention-oriented,” he said.
“The good thing about rural communities is that we are notorious for being able to get things done.
“We don’t need years of committees — a group of 14 dedicated people can really make a difference quickly.”
He said rural public health is now focused on providers.
“We need to focus on self-care and the medical home model,” he told the chamber audience at the Port Angeles CrabHouse Restaurant.
All in same place
The medical home model is when patients receive acute, chronic and preventive services all in the same place.
He also said that prevention-oriented medicine would cut down on overall health care costs because of it would reduce causes of premature death: smoking, excess alcohol consumption, substance abuse, poor diet, lack of exercise and lack of health care access.
“I want to start some innovative thinking on how we can solve the problem.”
One of the keys to solving the problem is developing community leadership, he said.
“It is absolutely crucial that the plan puts the patient at the top and that strong communities are at the heart of the strong health care system,” Locke said.
“This isn’t just about commissioners, not doctors and nurses, it takes leadership to a different kind of engagement.
“It takes active involvement of the community.”
Locke went on to say a “grass-roots effort” was needed to determine how and where to make changes in local health care.
________
Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
