Healthcare in rural areas is a complex system that requires the cooperation of numerous actors. These include patients, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals; allied health providers; community pharmacies; and local government agencies. In addition, a healthcare facility depends on funding from private and public payers to provide services to the local population. In rural areas, the availability of funding is more dependent on a variety of factors than in urban areas.
Despite these obstacles, it is possible for rural healthcare facilities to remain viable. To do so, the system must be able to maximize the effectiveness of its healthcare workers. This may mean allowing each healthcare professional to work at the top of their license, combining specialties in one office, or offering clinic time outside of regular working hours. Ultimately, reducing healthcare costs is key for rural communities to remain sustainable.
In the United States, about 20 percent of Americans live in rural areas, and only one-tenth of physicians practice there2. Rural doctors treat patients who are older, sicker, and more vulnerable to a range of social determinants of health. These factors can contribute to a higher incidence of chronic diseases, a lower quality of life, and a greater dependence on healthcare resources.
In addition, a smaller patient volume makes it more difficult for small rural hospitals to maintain profitability. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that many small rural hospitals are gravitating toward emergency room and short-stay models of care, resulting in the transfer of more complex patients to larger medical centers. This also reduces clerkship training opportunities for medical students, impacting the specialty choices they make after graduating. healthcare in rural areas