Over 70% of rural areas are designated as medical deserts, meaning 40 million+ individuals live in areas facing a dire shortage of healthcare providers. Due to capital funding struggles, some patients in rural areas even have to drive over 100 miles to access certain needed services that may not be available from rural hospitals, including hip replacements, maternity services, shoulder surgeries and orthopedic surgeries.
Our rural health safety net is in crisis as high-need individuals face high costs of care or go without necessary care entirely. During this National Rural Health Day on Nov. 21, we’re highlighting current challenges and opportunities to improve rural health access, bolster the rural health safety net and ultimately expand critical access to care during pivotal moments.
Rural Health Challenges
Increase in suicide rates in non-metro areas compared to 27.3% in metro areas
Rural areas are designated as medical deserts
More rural residents traveled 30 minutes or more for medical or dental care than they had to in 2001.
Rural adults went to the ED compared to 13% of urban adults.
What can we do to help overcome these challenges and support our rural healthcare workforce?
Leverage Real-Time Insights for Improved Rural Health Access
Healthcare providers in rural communities face unique challenges in meeting their populations’ complex physical and behavioral health needs. By using real-time, nationwide technology to translate raw data into actionable insights, providers can better serve their rural communities. One key element of this collaboration continuum is the ability to connect and share data with other hospitals and post-acute care clinics, which is critical for rural individuals who may need to travel to various healthcare settings to receive care for both physical and behavioral health needs.
Create Sustainable Sources of Funding
Federal grants often support rural health providers and state health departments, but consistent funding sources are essential for maintaining critical services like crisis call centers and downstream providers. Amid uncertain funding during the change in federal administration, providers may need to seek additional funding sources or cost-saving measures to stay open.
Technology can play a crucial role in reducing care costs, especially for high-need, high-cost patients with behavioral health needs, who use emergency departments more frequently and have higher treatment costs. By enhancing care coordination and focusing on prevention, we can build a more sustainable model of rural healthcare that proactively addresses patient needs.
Reduce Strain on Overworked Workforce
To avoid exacerbating already high levels of burnout and exiting the workforce, providers need more streamlined processes to focus on getting individuals the proper care during pivotal moments. With real-time data on patients’ care histories, medications and available treatment options, providers across various clinics and facilities can make more informed decisions, improving care continuity and reducing administrative burden.
Rural health providers deserve our standing ovation. They are often overworked, underpaid and overwhelmed, yet they show up for work every day ready to help the most vulnerable members of their community. We can celebrate them on National Rural Health Day by ensuring they have the support, tools and resources they need to continue making a critical difference in the health of our rural communities.
To learn more about solutions supporting rural healthcare providers, contact us.
