NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 3

In some places, even getting a simple doctor’s appointment feels out of reach. McAllen, Texas, is one of those places.

I chose McAllen, Texas, because the healthcare situation there feels uneven. Some people get what they need, but a lot of others fall through the cracks. I saw in reports that many folks don’t have insurance, and even if they do, getting to a clinic isn’t always possible. Transportation’s an issue. So is language. Some just don’t know what services are available.

I thought about how something simple, like video appointments, could make it easier for people to at least talk to a provider. That’s why I’m using this project to lay out a plan for a telehealth program. Not a huge system, just something practical that could help McAllen families get care without needing to drive across town or wait weeks for an opening, much like what’s outlined in this NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 3 solution.

The rest of this paper goes through the details. What the problem looks like in the community. What telehealth could actually do. What might get in the way? And how to roll it out in a way that people trust and use.

Benefits of Telehealth 

I started reading about McAllen and didn’t expect the health system to be so limited. I knew rural areas had issues, but here it felt like it’s just kind of hard to get basic care. And then I saw how many people don’t have insurance or can’t get to clinics. It made me think, maybe telehealth isn’t just for convenience. Maybe here it’s necessary.

A lot of people don’t go to appointments, not because they don’t care about themselves, but because of limited facilities for mobility. Like a lack of transport, or maybe there is no one to look after their kids. But when they skip on time care, things can go even worse. So, if they had the facility of talking to a nurse from home, even just for 10 minutes, it might help prevent worsening to a certain degree. 

I know some visits need to happen in person. But not all. Some are just questions or a quick check on meds. So for a short meeting like this, why not a phone or video call? It can help in fewer missed opportunities, less burden on staff in clinics, etc. 

I don’t think it fixes everything, but it feels like it could take some weight off people who are already struggling.

Barriers to Telehealth in McAllen, Texas

While telehealth offers practical benefits, several barriers in McAllen could limit its success. Through proper research, it is found that many households in the area face challenges; despite that, it is one of the feasible options in the area. 

1. Limited Internet Access

According to recent surveys, many areas of McAllen, especially in lower-income neighborhoods, still don’t have stable internet at home or are not guaranteed. Although mobile data is almost everywhere, and even then, the connection may not be strong enough to support video calls. In cases where multiple people are using one device or hotspot, it becomes even harder to schedule or attend a virtual health appointment. Without basic internet access, telehealth becomes less of an option and more of a barrier itself.

2. Lack of Digital Skills

Even if the internet is available, understanding and using the telehealth platforms can still be a big hurdle, especially for older adults. Because many older adults are not familiar with and used to such platforms as apps. It might not always be due to unfamiliarity, but some do not prefer them because they feel confusing, maybe due to not being 100% sure about it. 

In McAllen, although some patients may or may not have used such tools before, but still the idea of a virtual medical visit through a screen can still feel intimidating. So, they may not even try if the process does not seem easy to follow. 

3. Language Barriers

A lot of people in McAllen speak Spanish at home and so they don’t know how to use platforms in English. English is not their first language. When the telehealth system is only in English, it’s an obvious barrier. 

Let’s say someone gets a text from the clinic. Or they try to book an appointment online. If they don’t understand the words, they might just stop. It’s not because they don’t care, it’s not about they do not caring, or not wanting to use telehealth, but it’s because the system doesn’t work in their favor in terms of the language gap.

Even basic things like logging in or following steps after the call can be confusing. And no one wants to mess up their health because of a language mistake. If telehealth is going to work here, it has to speak the language people use. Not just English.

4. Lack of Trust in Remote Care

Some people just don’t trust talking to a doctor through a screen. They’re used to going in person. That’s what feels real to them. In a clinic, they can look the doctor in the eye. Ask questions. Get answers right there. But with telehealth, it’s different. It is a short period, and some people may explain things in a hurry and miss important points. Also, in McAllen, trust matters a lot. Families here build relationships with their providers over time. Switching to video calls can feel cold or rushed.

5. Clinic Readiness Issues

All the clinics in McAllen may not be ready to implement telehealth due to a lack of resources, like installing expensive equipment or setting up the systems. For some clinics, having extra staff to handle something new is an additional issue. 

Even if the clinic wants to try it, it’s not easy. The workers are already doing a lot. Asking them to learn a new system, help patients use it, and keep everything running — that’s a big ask.

Also, small clinics don’t always have tech support. Since it is a virtual visit, if something goes wrong during the appointment, it would of course be hard to address it on the spot. This causes the clinics to be hesitant.

6. Insurance and Policy Gaps

Even if a clinic has the tools for telehealth, payment is still a big issue. Not every insurance plan covers virtual visits. Some only pay for certain types, or only if the patient lives far from the clinic. This is perhaps the most important aspect of clinics to consider. If they don’t know whether they will get paid or not. So, if there is no certainty, they will not even try. For more detailed examples of how such complexities impact telehealth planning, see NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 2 insights. 

Patients deal with this too. Some don’t know if their plan covers it. Others don’t have insurance at all. If they think they might get a bill they can’t afford, they’ll avoid the service completely.

Until the rules are clearer, a lot of places won’t feel safe rolling it out.

Strategies to Overcome Barriers in McAllen

To make telehealth work in McAllen, it should be according to people’s geographical location and psychographics; in short, it has to fit the people. That means solving the common issues that stop families from using it in the first place.

1. Simple Tech Help in the Community
   Set up basic digital help desks in schools or libraries where people can learn how to join a video call or use the clinic’s app. These types of programs have already worked in parts of Texas (Texas State Library Commission, 2021).
2. Spanish Support at Every Step
   Make sure instructions, reminders, and support are offered in both English and Spanish. That includes live help during the call whenever possible.
3. Build Trust Locally
   Host short info sessions at community centers or churches to explain how telehealth works. People need to hear it from someone they know — not just a screen.
4. Start Small with Clinics People Know
   Begin with one or two trusted clinics. Get feedback. Fix issues. Then grow from there.
5. Clear Up Insurance Confusion
   Add a simple step — a quick phone call or online tool — so people can check if their visit is covered before booking.

Timeline and Expected Outcomes

To make this work, it needs to start small. Rolling it out all at once probably wouldn’t go well. It’s something new, and if you rush it, clinics might get overwhelmed. Patients could get confused too. So instead, here’s a month-by-month plan that shows how it could grow, and what we would want to see along the way.

Expected Results

If each step is followed, here’s what should start to change by the end.”

That sounds more human and natural.

• More people are keeping their appointments instead of missing them
• Less travel stress, especially for families without rides
• Patients feel more supported and less left out
• Clinics are managing time better, with fewer no-shows
• Stronger connection between community groups and healthcare teams

This plan doesn’t try to fix everything all at once. It just takes a small, steady path — starting with trust and keeping it simple.

Plans like this have already worked in parts of South Texas and California, where small telehealth pilots helped bring care to people who needed it most (California Health Care Foundation, 2020).

Conclusion

From the sample, it is clear that telehealth is not the solution to every problem in McAllen. But it can help care easier to reach people 

Telehealth won’t solve every problem in McAllen. But it can help make care easier to reach for people who have difficulty with distance, cost, or language. By starting small, listening to what works, and staying focused on real needs, this plan gives both clinics and families a better chance to connect. If it’s done right, with support, trust, and patience, telehealth could become a regular part of care that fits the community.