Many residents in South Queens face difficulty booking timely medical appointments due to high demand, long wait times, or challenges navigating the healthcare system. Patients may not know where to go for certain services or struggle with complex paperwork. Solution: Jamaica Hospital’s Patient Navigators work directly with individuals to schedule and coordinate appointments, assist with paperwork, and connect patients with appropriate specialists or services. We aim to reduce delays in care and guide patients through the system seamlessly.

While South Queens has access to public transportation, many residents, particularly seniors, disabled individuals, and low-income families, struggle to afford MTA fares or have difficulty accessing healthcare facilities that may not be near subway or bus routes. Solution: Jamaica Hospital provides MetroCards to eligible patients to help with transportation costs. Additionally, we work with our patient navigators to assist with submitting for transportation services for qualifying individuals.

Many residents of South Queens work multiple jobs, long shifts, or irregular hours in industries such as hospitality, transportation, construction, and retail. Standard 9-to-5 medical appointments often conflict with work schedules, preventing people from seeking preventive care. Solution: Jamaica Hospital offers extended clinic hours, including evenings and Saturdays, to accommodate working individuals. This allows patients to receive medical care without taking time off from work, reducing the likelihood of missed screenings, delayed treatment, and worsening health conditions.

South Queens is one of the most linguistically diverse areas in New York City, with a high number of residents speaking Spanish, Haitian Creole, Bengali, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, and other languages. Many patients struggle to communicate their symptoms, understand medical instructions, or navigate the healthcare system. Solution: Jamaica Hospital provides professional interpretation services through Voyce, QMI Interpreters, and ASL interpreters to ensure that every patient receives care in their preferred language. Our multilingual staff and culturally competent providers help bridge communication gaps, improving patient understanding and outcomes.

Many residents—particularly seniors and those from lower-income backgrounds—may struggle with using telehealth services, patient portals, or online appointment scheduling. Solution: Jamaica Hospital provides assistance in using telehealth, teaches patients how to access their medical records via MyChart, and offers in-person support through our patient navigators for those who need help navigating technology.

Many patients may lack knowledge about their health conditions, treatment options, or the importance of preventive care. Solution: Jamaica Hospital works to simplify medical information, ensuring patients fully understand their diagnoses, medications, and lifestyle changes needed for better health. With information presented at the end of the visit in the AVS (After Visit Summary), patients can be empowered to take charge of their health with the information provided and resources to a healthier life.