The Changing

Landscape of Rural

Healthcare

Emergency Staffing Solutions

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Rural Americans make

up roughly 20 percent of

the population, and yet

very few rural towns

have complete access to

health care facilities

that the rest of the

country enjoys. There

have been many

developments in health

care delivery in the U.S. over the past few years. And just recently, more

emphasis is placed on delivery sites in rural communities.

Barriers and Disparities

Rural communities face many challenges with respect to modern conveniences

and necessities. Quality health care is a major disadvantage. Rural residents

rely on a patchwork of small public hospitals, private clinics, and independent

care facilities.

These care units often lack advanced medical equipment, which forces

residents to seek providers in a nearby city. Rural residents in low-income

brackets don’t have such luxury, which leaves them at the mercy of whatever’s

available to them.

The geographical barrier appears to be the root cause of such disparity. And

it directly affects the state of rural health. Apart from inadequate equipment

and facilities, rural providers struggle to fill the workforce as well.

New Delivery Models for Medical Emergencies

On a positive note, the healthcare sector is making significant progress in

addressing these challenges. The last decade has introduced countless

innovations in healthcare delivery. Several delivery models now exist and are

specifically designed to meet the needs of rural communities.

Digital technologies, such as telemedicine, enable rural residents to connect

with a physician and get medical advice without having to leave the house.

Primary care providers are also receiving adequate support and financial help

to extend their services and send their workforce to rural communities.

Efforts are well under way to improve the existing health infrastructure and

the quality of health care, as well as provide employment and training

opportunities for the rural workforce. Local governments are working to

improve the state of the local hospital, but at the same time, strengthen

linkages with institutions and provider groups to give rural residents a

diversified set of services.

Rural communities are scattered everywhere across the United States. They

often struggle to overcome troubled local economies, which directly affects

health care delivery. But there is an existing long-term plan to make essential

services available to all.

SOURCES:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12061514

https://www.nap.edu/read/11140/chapter/11

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12061514