A comparison of the perceived health needs of Amish and non-Amish families in Cashton, Wisc.

Cashton area residents were queried on past health care experiences and asked their opinions of services that could be provided at the Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center (SBCHC) in Cashton. A questionnaire addressed to both Amish and non-Amish residents featured five main areas: (1) additional services and health care providers that might supplement existing services at SBCHC; (2) opinions on establishing a birthing center; (3) mothers' past history with the birth and care of children, including immunization use; (4) respondents' past use of health care; and (5) perceived barriers to receiving health care. Both Amish and non-Amish respondents agreed that walk-in care, dental care, and 24-hour telephone access to a provider were important services to be added, and that a dentist, chiropractor, and pharmacist would be valuable. While both Amish and non-Amish favored the idea of a birthing center, their reasons for supporting it differed. It was also found that routine preventive care was used much more by the non-Amish than the Amish population. Common barriers to health care for both groups included cost of care, appointment availability, and waiting time for appointments.