Nov. 17 marks the sixth annual National Rural Health Day. We at Weatherby Healthcare would like to honor America’s rural citizens and communities and the dedicated providers who work to ensure their health.
One in five Americans — nearly 62 million people — live and work in rural areas. These farming communities, small towns, and frontier areas often boast communities where neighbors know and respect each other and work together for the greater good.
Healthcare challenges rural communities face
These rural communities also pose unique healthcare needs. They often face accessibility obstacles, aging populations dealing with various chronic conditions, and larger percentages of underinsured and uninsured citizens. The vast majority of rural areas grapple continuously with a shortage of healthcare providers.
Here are a few statistics from the National Rural Health Association:
- Only about 10 percent of physicians practice in rural America, despite the fact that nearly one-fourth of the population lives in these areas
- Rural residents are less likely to have employer-provided healthcare coverage or prescription drug coverage
- Poor residents who live in rural areas are less likely to be covered by Medicaid benefits than those in urban areas.
- More than a quarter — 28 percent— of rural citizens describe their health as fair/poor
- Rural residents are more likely to have difficulty reaching healthcare providers, often traveling great distances to reach a doctor or hospital
- There are only 40 specialists for every 100,000 rural citizens, as compared with 134 specialists per every 100,000 urban citizens
Due to these factors, patients in rural areas often wait longer to seek medical care. They then ultimately present with a greater need and more advanced conditions.
Benefits of working locum tenens in rural areas
These numbers may sound grim, but locum tenens providers can have a positive impact in rural communities across the country. And in many cases, the rural patients and communities return the favor. They welcome providers with open arms, leaving their own positive impact on those who serve them.
Rural locum tenens jobs offer several unique opportunities:
- Invaluable treatment experience. At facilities off the beaten path, away from the major metropolitan areas, physicians are able to wear many hats and gain experience in various specialties while treating a varied patient population
- A low cost of living. While your housing is provided, you’ll be paying for meals and other daily expenses yourself. Fortunately, these costs are typically lower in rural areas, which equals more money in your pocket at the end of the assignment.
- The chance to help people in great need. Your biggest advantage to serving remote areas may be treating patients who have little access to healthcare. Short-staffed facilities and practices in underserved, rural communities across the country are desperate for your skills and experience.
Working in rural areas may be more challenging than other assignments, but helping people who might otherwise go without care is part of the reward.
For a closer look at a few of our rural locum tenens providers’ experiences, read our past blog posts about Dr. John Gray and Dr. Justin Allen.
