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.

1. The Changing
Landscape of Rural
Healthcare
Emergency Staffing Solutions
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2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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