America’s healthcare system is plagued with problems. The most acute of these is the overall cost of healthcare in the world’s wealthiest nation.
According to the OECD Health Statistics database and the CMS National Health Expenditure Accounts data, the US spent 16.9% of its GDP on healthcare, the most in the developed world.
Excessive costs to patients lead to worse health outcomes overall. With financial resources, patients can afford to build long-term relationships with healthcare providers, but without them, many families are unable to access the sort of care children need. Ami Bulsara, a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), believes long-term relationships drive the social determinants of health.
As a healthcare provider, Bulsara has seen how developing better relations with patients and their families impacts health. “Parents in the NICU are the ones in a vulnerable moment. I want to make an impact by answering all of their questions,” explained Bulsara.
As a nurse in the NICU, Bulsara witnesses the toll a sick child has on families and why it is integral to be available to them. When parents take kids home, many healthcare practitioners believe their work is done, but many families still need help. In her experience, Bulsara has seen how access to long-term resources relieves many of the emotional stresses associated with a sick child.
“I may not be able to help parents in every single way, but I can connect them to the right people, who can help with affordability issues,” said Bulsara. Her belief in the social determinants of health has pushed her to think of healthcare holistically. “I want to make sure I’m connecting families to the right resources like nutritionists and dieticians.”
Beyond her day job, Bulsara practices holistic and long-term care through volunteering and philanthropy. Her work with children with developmental issues involves helping youth through social activities. With her help, children on the autism spectrum, those with Down syndrome, and other neuro-atypical issues fostered communities of care that go a long way to impacting their overall well-being.
“Through activities, we were able to have fun that takes them maybe a little outside their comfort zone, but it’s fun and good and healthy for them.”
Bulsara understands how community care impacts health. Early in her career, she worked with United Way, a major charity that runs programming aimed at helping improve social outcomes for those in need. In her time with the United Way, Bulsara organized one-on-one tutoring, health-related activities as well as programs around artistic expression.
“It was my work with the United Way and my other volunteer work that sparked my interest in working with pediatric populations,” explained Bulsara. Unlike her day job, Bulsara can help families who do not have the resources for wrap-around care. Between her role as a nurse and work in the community, Bulsara is practicing a level of community care that should inspire those around the country to think deeply about how we take care of each other.
“Ultimately, I just want to be part of a community I can serve,” said Bulsara. “As a healthcare provider in my community, my goal is to be someone my community feels comfortable turning to.”
Building long-term relationships inside and outside the hospital is instrumental to Bulsara’s goals. If healthcare providers are serious about improving the well-being of children, creating the sort of communities Bulsara is can make a big difference.
