Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Restricted Access Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Physician Assistant Studies (PA)

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Doug Brock

Abstract

Costa Rica is described as an upper middle-income country rich in tourism, ecological preservtion and political stability. In 2016 the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 4,857,000 people reside in Costa Rica.1 A 2013 WHO census estimated that 25% live in rural settings. This suggests approximately 1,214,250 rural citizens require access to emergency services. The tropical and mountainous terrain of Costa Rica makes some areas difficult to access via emergency transport. Some of these rural villages are very poor, have difficulty finding jobs or affording to pay into the Costarricense de Seguro Social also known as the CAJA. This paper investigates the complexities of accessing emergency services in rural Costa Rica and provides recommendations for improving the delivery of emergency services to these communities.

Identifier

SC11.PAS.2018.Merck.KK

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