why its difficult to give treatment to people in rural areas

With the rise in unemployment and poverty in rural America, individuals are at a higher risk of resorting to drugs and alcohol. Additionally, for those who do struggling with substance abuse in rural areas, access to treatment and therapy is much more difficult as there simply aren’t as many resources available as there are in the city.

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Why is it so difficult to seek mental health treatment in rural communities?

Jan 28, 2020 · Rural hospitals face challenges unique to remote areas . Although rural hospitals provide great benefits to their communities, they are not immune to the numerous challenges in providing health care, such as workforce shortages, aging infrastructure and cybersecurity threats. These obstacles — and others — are felt more acutely in rural ...

Why don’t rural areas have more substance abuse treatment programs?

One of the most significant barriers to consistent, high-quality mental health care in America’s small towns and countryside is a simple lack of access. More than 60% of rural areas suffer from significant mental healthcare shortages, with the vast majority of mental healthcare providers opting to practice in cities and suburban areas.

How can we solve the challenges of providing health care in rural America?

Feb 12, 2020 · The types of healthcare services that are frequently difficult to access in rural areas include: Home health services; Hospice and palliative care; Mental health services; Substance abuse services; Obstetric services; Oral health services; The following are the major barriers to healthcare for people in rural America: Lack of enough healthcare providers

How can we improve treatment outcomes among rural clients?

May 30, 2018 · That is one area of disparity and difference that has been documented several times, is that around mental health literacy, knowing the symptoms and the issues of a behavioral health disorder and where to turn for help. Rural Americans have much less mental health literacy than their urban peers.

Why is there a lack of healthcare in rural areas?

Why is healthcare worse in rural areas?

What are the challenges faced in rural health?

What are 3 barriers to health care for rural areas?

Why are rural areas disadvantaged in terms of health care delivery and related health care services?

What are the challenges faced in rural health quizlet?

What are the challenges of implementing primary health care in rural areas?

Which health care problem is more common in rural areas compared to urban areas?

How can rural areas improve healthcare?

What are the disadvantages of health promotion?

Why is lack of healthcare a problem?

Is substance abuse a public health concern?

Substance abuse in rural and urban areas is a major public health concern. Despite the threat that untreated substance abuse presents to individual health and well-being, as well as the health and well-being of the broader community, there remain significant barriers to substance abuse treatment (Appel, Ellison, Jansky, & Oldak, 2004; Pringle, ...

What are the questions asked in a focus group?

The focus groups were allowed to evolve organically, but were guided by similar prompts. The sessions and prompts were designed to collect detailed qualitative data regarding a variety of topics. The relevant question prompts for this study include: 1 What are the greatest obstacles that counselors have to overcome? 2 What organizational resources do you think improve clients’ treatment outcomes? 3 Do you think there are any differences between rural and urban counselors? Do these impact clients’ substance abuse treatment outcomes?

What are the challenges of rural hospitals?

In AHA’s Rural Report, we outline persistent, recent and emergent challenges facing rural hospitals that can contribute to financial and organizational hardship: 1 Persistent challenges encompass the longstanding realities of rural health care, including low patient volume, a heavy reliance on government payers and an older population with more chronic conditions, among others. 2 Recent challenges reflect changes in the health care field and policy environment, such as shifts from inpatient to outpatient care delivery, growing behavioral health needs, continued regulatory burden and markedly higher drug costs. 3 Emergent challenges include those events and circumstances, such as natural disasters, violence and epidemics, which occur with little warning but require immediate attention.

Why are hospitals important in rural areas?

Rural hospitals are the cornerstones of their communities, serving as key access points of care for nearly 20% of Americans. Beyond their direct impact on health and well-being, they also offer broader community benefits. They are often the largest local employer and help attract other businesses to the area, which can improve economic stability. Having a hospital nearby is a sign of community vitality.

What are rural hospitals?

Rural hospitals are the cornerstones of their communities, serving as key access points of care for nearly 20% of Americans. Beyond their direct impact on health and well-being, they also offer broader community benefits. They are often the largest local employer and help attract other businesses to the area, which can improve economic stability.

What are the consequences of hospital closures?

The consequences of closure are significant. A recent study by researchers at the University of Washington found that rural hospital closures are associated with higher mortality rates, and previous research has suggested such closures negatively affect economic measures, including per capita income and unemployment.

What are emerging challenges?

Emergent challenges include those events and circumstances, such as natural disasters, violence and epidemics, which occur with little warning but require immediate attention . The cumulative burden of these challenges can threaten a hospital’s ability to maintain access to services.

Is rural living a lifestyle?

Rural living is a special kind of lifestyle. But barriers to mental healthcare in rural areas can all too often deprive you of the opportunity to enjoy small-town living to its fullest. Though these obstacles are significant, they can be overcome and you can live the healthy, happy life you deserve.

Is it bad to live in a small town?

But when you are facing a mental health concern, the very same attributes that make rural life so special can also make it dangerous. The reality is that, while mental illnesses are no more prevalent in small towns ...

Is there such a thing as privacy in a small town?

Anyone who has ever lived in a small town knows there’s really no such thing as privacy. Your business, sooner or later, becomes everyone’s business. But when you’re facing a mental health concern, the fear of becoming the talk of the town can be a significant deterrent to getting care.

What are the barriers to accessing healthcare in rural areas?

Hospice and palliative care. Mental health services. Substance abuse services. Obstetric services. Oral health services. The following are the major barriers to healthcare for people in rural America:

What percentage of people in rural areas don't have health insurance?

Sadly, many rural residents don’t have this crucial coverage. A 2018 U.S. Census Bureau report revealed that about 9.1 percent of people living outside metropolitan statistical areas do not have health insurance coverage.

What is rural medicine?

Rural medicine, also referred to as rural health, is the interdisciplinary study and delivery of healthcare in rural areas. It offers a more personalized approach to healthcare for patients living in rural America. Since most rural communities are close-knit, healthcare providers get to know their patients more easily.

How many hospitals have closed in rural areas?

A UNC report indicates that at least 160 rural hospitals have closed between 2005 and 2019.

Why do rural people have to travel long distances to get healthcare?

As a result of geographic distance, lack of public transportation, challenging roads, and extreme weather conditions, patients in rural areas have a hard time accessing healthcare services.

How much do rural doctors make?

Studies indicate that the median income for rural doctors is over $200,000, while the median income for urban doctors is $176,000.

Why are geographic barriers important?

Geographic barriers not only prevent patients from accessing healthcare, but they also prevent emergency medical personnel from reaching patients living in rural areas. Response times by emergency medical personnel are notably higher in rural areas compared to those in urban areas.

What is the mental health shortage in rural areas?

Access to mental health providers and services is a challenge in rural areas. As a result, primary care physicians often fill the gap and provide mental health services while facing their own barriers, such as lack of time with patients or adequate financial reimbursement. As of December 2019, 60.98% of Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas were located in rural areas. For the most current figures, see HRSA's Designated Health Professional Shortage Areas Statistics .

What are the barriers to access to mental health care in rural areas?

In rural areas, there is little anonymity; social stigma and privacy concerns are more likely to act as barriers to healthcare access. Rural residents can have concerns about seeking care for mental health, substance abuse, sexual health, pregnancy, or even common chronic illnesses due to unease or privacy concerns. Patients' feelings may be caused by personal relationships with their healthcare provider or others working in the healthcare facility. Additionally, patients can feel fear or concerns about other residents, who are often friends, family members, or co-workers, who may notice them utilizing services for health conditions that are typically not openly discussed, such as counseling or HIV testing services. Co-location or the integration of behavioral health services with primary care healthcare services in the same building can help ease patient concerns. Understanding Rural Communities, a 2018 podcast from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, features an interview with Dennis Mohatt, the Vice President for Behavioral Health at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), discussing rural health and the stigma surrounding mental healthcare in rural communities.

How does health literacy affect rural communities?

Health literacy impacts a patient's ability to understand health information and instructions from their healthcare providers. This can be especially concerning in rural communities, where lower educational levels and higher incidence of poverty often impact residents . Low health literacy can make residents reluctant to seek healthcare due to fear of or frustration related to communicating with a healthcare professional. Additionally, navigating the healthcare systems can be difficult without health literacy skills. To learn more about low health literacy in rural America, see What are the roles of literacy, health literacy, and educational attainment in the health of rural residents? on RHIhub's Social Determinants of Health for Rural People topic guide. The Rural Monitor 's two-part series on rural health literacy, Understanding Skills and Demands is Key to Improvement and Who's Delivering Health Information?, provides insights, connections between health and health literacy, and discusses how health information is being delivered to rural populations.

Why do rural hospitals join networks?

Local rural healthcare facilities may choose to join healthcare networks or affiliate themselves with larger healthcare systems as a strategic move to maintain or improve healthcare access in their communities. These affiliations or joining of healthcare networks may improve the financial viability of the rural facility; provide additional resources and infrastructure for the facility; and allow the rural healthcare facility to offer new or expanded healthcare services they could not otherwise provide. However, the benefits of an affiliation with a larger healthcare network may come at the expense of local control.

What is the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy?

The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) focuses on rural healthcare issues and is part of HRSA. Rural Health Research Centers are funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy to produce policy-relevant research and analysis on healthcare and issues impacting healthcare in rural areas.

Is access to healthcare good?

While access to medical care does not guarantee good health, access to healthcare is critical for a population's well-being and optimal health. The challenges that rural residents face in accessing healthcare services contribute to health disparities.

What is primary care?

Primary care is the most basic and, along with emergency and public health services, the most vital service needed in rural communities. Primary care providers offer a broad range of services and treat a wide spectrum of medical issues.

Limited Access to Mental Health Support

Access to mental health services is a major obstacle for people in rural areas, even though the “ prevalence of mental illness in rural and metropolitan areas is similar,” according to the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science. Specifically, 65% of nonmetropolitan counties do not have psychiatrists.

Difficulty Finding Physician Care

Though 20% of the population in the United States inhabit rural spaces, only 10% of the country’s physicians practice in these areas, according to the article “ Addressing Rural Health Challenges Head On .” It’s a much greater challenge with much greater consequences for rural residents to find routine care when they need it.

Higher Levels of Poverty

Poverty exists everywhere in the United States, but there are currently more people in rural areas that face poverty than in urban or metropolitan communities. From research conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2018, the poverty rate in rural areas was nearly 4% higher than in metro counterparts.

Greater Risk of Overdose

Substance abuse, and specifically the opioid epidemic that began in the early 2000s, has hit rural communities especially hard. The CDC recently reported that deadly drug overdoses since 1999 have been higher in rural areas than urban spaces.

Telehealth Adaption Disparities

According to the CDC, those who reside in rural spaces are at greater risk of dying from these issues than their urban counterparts:

Reaching Children across Great Distances

One vulnerable group that requires greater attention from social workers in rural spaces is children. In the Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), researchers found child abuse rates were 1.7 times higher in rural areas than in major urban places.

What are the sad facts about rural life?

One of the sad facts of rural life is domestic violence. This form of violence is certainly common in urban areas, but the defining feature of rural areas—a relatively low number of people living in a relatively broad area—creates several problems for victims of domestic violence, most of them women (DeKeseredy & Schwartz, 2009).

Is rural life better than urban life?

Life in rural areas is thought to be slower paced, resulting in lower levels of anxiety and a greater sense of relaxation. For these and other reasons, rural residents exhibit better mental health on the average than do urban residents. On the negative side, rural areas are often poor and lack the services, employment opportunities, ...

What is the chapter 11 discussion of education?

The discussion of education in Chapter 11 “Schools and Education” focused mostly on urban schools. Many of the problems discussed there also apply to rural schools. However, rural schools often face hurdles that urban and suburban schools are much less likely to encounter (Center for Rural Policy and Development, 2009).

What is Chapter 11 about?

Rural Schools and Education. The discussion of education in Chapter 11 “Schools and Education” focused mostly on urban schools. Many of the problems discussed there also apply to rural schools.