The latest medical research on Rural & Remote
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Request AccessPolitics, policy and action: lessons from rural GP advocacy in Ireland.
Rural and Remote HealthIreland has one of the most rural populations in Europe. Rurality presents challenges when accessing health services but should not be perceived as problematic and in need of a structural fix. Structural urbanism where health care is viewed as a commodity for individuals, rather than an infrastructure for populations, innately favours larger urban populations and has detrimental outcomes for rural health. In this article we present a brief account of advocacy led by rural GPs, their communities, and the political and policy implications of their efforts.
In the period 2010-2016, Irish rural general practices were struggling for viability. Two key financial supports, distance coding and the Rural Practice Allowance, were withdrawn. This directly contributed to the founding of the 'No Doctor No Village' public campaign, following which the Rural Practice Allowance took shape as the Rural Support Practice Framework and was expanded to cover a larger number of rural practices. The World Rural Health Conference in June 2022 at the University of Limerick invited over 600 expert delegates who contributed to the authorship of the Limerick Declaration, a blueprint for advancing rural health in Ireland and internationally. This created a new momentum in advocacy for Irish rural general practice, which has drawn financial investments, sparked research interest building capacity for a pipeline to train rural general practitioners.
Local voices have driven monumental change in the Irish healthcare context. For these communities, the policy and politics of rural health are mere tools to maintaining or restoring their way of life. The biggest lesson to be learned is that unrelenting community commitment, when supported by the capacity to advocate, can influence politics and policy to generate sustainable outcomes and thriving communities.
Social determinants and socioeconomic inequalities in adherence to antenatal iron-folic acid supplementation in urban and rural Indonesia.
Rural and Remote HealthAdherence to iron-folic acid supplementation (IFAS) has been linked with maternal anaemia. While findings about determinants of IFAS adherence have been mixed across different research, there is inadequate evidence in relation to socioeconomic inequalities. This study aims to examine social determinants and socioeconomic inequalities of adherence to IFAS in urban and rural Indonesia.
We conducted a secondary analysis of the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey by including a total of 12 455 women aged 15-49 years. The outcome was adherence to IFAS for at least 90 days. We used multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for the survey design to analyse factors associated with IFAS adherence. We estimated socioeconomic inequalities using the Wagstaff normalized concentration index and plotted them using the concentration curve.
About half of women consumed IFAS for at least 90 days, with a higher proportion in urban areas (59.0%) than in rural areas (47.8%). Social determinants of adherence to IFAS were similar for urban and rural women. Overall, being an older woman, having weekly internet access, antenatal care for at least four visits, and residing in Java and Bali were significantly linked to IFAS adherence. Higher maternal education was significantly linked to IFAS adherence in urban settings, but not in rural settings. There were interactions between place of residence and woman's education (p<0.001) and household wealth (p<0.001). Concentration indices by woman's education and household wealth were 0.102 (p<0.001) and 0.133 (p<0.001), respectively, indicating pro-educated and pro-rich inequalities. However, no significant education-related disparity was found among rural women (p=0.126).
Women (age, education, occupation, birth number, internet access, involvement in decision-making), household (husband's education, household wealth), health care (antenatal care visit) and community (place of residence, geographic region) factors are associated with overall adherence to IFAS. These factors influence the adherence to IFAS in a complex web of deep-seated socioeconomic inequalities. Thus, programs and interventions to improve adherence to IFAS should target women of reproductive age and their families, particularly those from socioeconomically disadvantaged groups residing in rural areas.
First Nations Peoples' perspectives on telehealth physiotherapy: a qualitative study focused on the therapeutic relationship.
Rural and Remote HealthRelationships are the core of Indigenous Peoples' spiritual and cultural identities, and therapeutic relationships are an integral part of the physical rehabilitation process, directly influencing health outcomes. However, participating in therapeutic relationships can be difficult for First Nations Peoples, particularly in the virtual landscape. There is limited understanding of First Nations Peoples' perspectives on this issue, and this understanding is crucial to developing culturally safe and effective telehealth physiotherapy programs. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the perspectives of First Nations Peoples from British Columbia, Canada, on telehealth physiotherapy, with an emphasis on the virtual therapeutic relationship.
A narrative qualitative study that utilized one-on-one, semistructured interviews was conducted with 19 First Nations adults from remote and rural First Nations communities in north-central British Columbia, Canada. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using an inductive approach to reflexive thematic analysis.
Three themes emerged from data analysis. 'Therapist's attitude and rapport' captures participants' perceptions of what matters the most in how physiotherapists relate to First Nations Peoples and carry out their work. 'Remote nature of virtual care' encompasses the main challenges of virtual care visits, particularly how these were perceived to impact establishing and maintaining solid therapeutic relationships. 'Fostering culturally appropriate and safe telehealth physiotherapy' focuses on what is needed to advance telehealth physiotherapy in a manner that respects and reflects First Nations cultures, equipping all involved parties to provide comprehensive and sensitive services. Our findings advocate a hybrid model that combines in-person and telehealth visits to address communication barriers and the absence of physical interaction. Bridging the digital health literacy gap through training and collaboration with local support staff is crucial (as it is to bridge the possible cultural literary gap of therapists), and the incorporation of cultural elements holds promise for enhancing the engagement and effectiveness of telehealth services in these communities.
The pursuit of equitable health care for First Nations communities demands not only increased access but also a thoughtful, culturally safe, trauma-informed, and holistic approach. This approach must be tailored to the unique needs of First Nations Peoples, emphasizing the integration of cultural elements and community support. A hybrid model combining in-person and telehealth visits is recommended to address logistical challenges and enhance the therapeutic relationship, ensuring that care is both effective and respectful of cultural values and practices.
Preparing general surgery residents for rural practice in British Columbia: Competencies, privileging and geography.
Can J RuralPour les chirurgiens généraux exerçant en zone rurale, de multiples facteurs influencent les soins, et ce au-delà des compétences acquises en résidence. Le British Columbia Privileging Dictionary (BCPD) définit les procédures essentielles et non essentielles qui déterminent le champ d'action des chirurgiens généraux. En outre, le Collège royal a adopté un programme d'études intitulé « La compétence par conception » (CPC) qui utilise des activités professionnelles confiables (APC) qui énumèrent les compétences chirurgicales que les résidents doivent maîtriser avant d'obtenir leur diplôme. Notre objectif est de comprendre les modes de pratique actuels des chirurgiens généralistes ruraux en Colombie-Britannique en fonction de ces politiques et des facteurs locaux.
Medical service plan (MSP) data were collected from 2011 to 2021 based on general surgeons working in rural subsidiary agreement (RSA) communities. The MSP fee codes were organised into core or non-core procedures, as outlined by the BCPD. EPAs were assessed and compared to the non-core procedures.
From 2011 to 2021, 223,103 procedures were performed in rural sites in BC. On average, 90.97% (standard deviation = 20.78) of procedures done in all communities were BCPD core procedures. The most common non-core surgical care performed by general surgeons was in plastic surgery (n = 8035). Over 8% of procedures performed were not general surgery EPAs. Notably, none of the EPAs are considered non-core privileges and all EPAs have been performed in rural settings.
Les chirurgiens généraux travaillant en milieu rural pratiquent de nombreuses procédures en dehors de l'APC, représentant plus de 8% de leur charge de travail et environ 6% des procédures pratiquées sont des privilèges non essentiels. Cela donne une idée des limites potentielles du BCPD pour les diplômés qui espèrent exercer dans les communautés rurales. Étant donné que le programme d'études CPC est réputé offrir une approche plus souple de l'apprentissage, il peut être adapté aux objectifs d'apprentissage et de carrière des résidents, notamment en leur permettant d'acquérir des compétences chirurgicales variées pour répondre aux besoins des zones rurales.
Les données du Medical Service Plan (MSP, Plan de service médical) ont été recueillies entre 2011 et 2021 auprès des chirurgiens généralistes travaillant dans les communautés du « Rural Subsidiary Agreement » (RSA). Les codes d'honoraires du MSP ont été organisés en procédures essentielles ou non essentielles, comme indiqué par le BCPD. Les APC ont été évalués et comparés aux procédures non essentielles.
Entre 2011 et 2021, 223 103 procédures ont été réalisées dans des sites ruraux en Colombie-Britannique. En moyenne, 90,97% (écart-type = 20,78) des procédures effectuées dans toutes les communautés étaient des procédures de base du BCPD. Les soins chirurgicaux non essentiels les plus courants effectués par les chirurgiens généraux étaient la chirurgie plastique (n = 8035). Plus de 8% des procédures réalisées n'étaient pas des APC de chirurgie générale. Il est à noter qu'aucune des APC n'est considérée comme un privilège non essentiel et que toutes ont été réalisées en milieu rural.
Canadian CT head rule adherence in a rural hospital without in-house computed tomography.
Can J RuralNous avons cherché à déterminer la différence entre les taux d'imagerie indiqués par le Canadian CT Head Rule (CCHR, règlement canadien relatif à la tomodensitométrie de la tête) et les taux d'imagerie réels pour les patients souffrant de traumatismes craniocérébraux légers (TCCL) dans un service d'urgence rural ne disposant pas d'une tomographie par ordinateur interne. En outre, nous avons comparé l'adhésion au CCHR dans un hôpital sans tomographie par ordinateur à des publications antérieures provenant de centres avec tomographie par ordinateur afin de déterminer si les populations rurales reçoivent moins d'imagerie par tomodensitométrie pour les traumatismes crâniens mineurs lorsque le CCHR l'indique.
This retrospective chart review explored individuals who presented to a rural ED (no in-house CT scanner) with a primary diagnosis of mild head injury or concussion between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021. Information regarding CCHR criteria, transfer status and patient demographics was collected. Descriptive analyses were completed to determine the percentage of patients who received appropriate transfer for imaging, did not receive transfer for imaging when indicated and received unnecessary transfer.
A total of 124 charts met our inclusion criteria (17 [12.1%] charts excluded), with 25.8% transferred to the nearest hospital for CT imaging. After applying the CCHR criteria to our charts, 62.1% were indicated for CT. Of the 62.1%, only 35.1% were transferred for imaging (51.2% of high-risk and 16.7% of medium-risk).
En explorant les taux de tomodensitométrie pour les TCCL dans un service d'urgence rural canadien, nous avons constaté de faibles taux de transfert (35,1%) des patients recommandés par le CCRH pour une imagerie nécessaire dans le but de guider les décisions de soins de santé ultérieures. Ce travail met en évidence un écart dans le système de santé canadien entre les centres ruraux et urbains et offre des opportunités pour aider à réduire l'écart dans les soins de santé.
Cette étude rétrospective des dossiers a exploré les personnes qui SE sont présentées à une urgence rurale (sans tomodensitomètre interne) avec un diagnostic primaire de traumatisme crânien léger ou de commotion cérébrale entre le 1er janvier 2017 et le 31 décembre 2021. Les informations concernant les critères du CCHR, l'état de transfert et les données démographiques des patients ont été recueillies. Des analyses descriptives ont été réalisées pour déterminer le pourcentage de patients ayant reçu un transfert approprié pour l'imagerie, n'ayant pas reçu de transfert pour l'imagerie quand c'était indiqué et ayant reçu un transfert inutile.
Au total, 124 dossiers répondaient à nos critères d'inclusion [17 (12,1%) dossiers exclus], dont 25,8% ont été transférés à l'hôpital le plus proche pour une imagerie par tomodensitométrie. Après avoir appliqué les critères du CCHR à nos dossiers, 62,1% d'entre eux étaient indiqués pour une tomodensitométrie. Sur ces 62,1%, seuls 35,1% ont été transférés pour imagerie (51,2% de haut risque, 16,7% de risque moyen).
Advantages of eliminating the cataract surgery post-operative day 1 appointment in a rural practice.
Can J RuralNous avons cherché à rationaliser les soins postopératoires de la chirurgie de la cataracte lors de l'arrivée de la Covid en supprimant la visite postopératoire d'un jour. Nous voulions savoir si ce changement était sécuritaire et bénéfique pour nos patients en réduisant le temps et la charge de transport des patients, en ouvrant des créneaux de rendez-vous permettant aux prestataires de voir plus de patients et en réduisant les émissions de gaz à effet de serre. En minimisant l'utilisation peropératoire de viscoélastique dispersif, en augmentant le temps d'irrigation/aspiration à la fin de l'opération et en utilisant systématiquement des médicaments abaissant la PIO, tels que le carbachol, la brimonidine et l'acétazolamide, nous pensons que les PIO postopératoire du premier jour peuvent être évitées, éliminant ainsi la nécessité d'une première visite de jour postopératoire. Nous avons également cherché à démontrer l'impact environnemental positif de l'élimination de ce premier jour.
We retrospectively reviewed cataract surgeries performed before COVID-19 to determine the incidence of serious pathology discovered at the post-operative day 1 visit. Subsequently, we examined all the cataract surgeries performed in 2023 by our practice.
One hundred and ninety-three cataract surgeries performed before COVID-19 and 832 performed in 2023 were reviewed. We found that the post-operative day 1 visit after cataract surgery is unnecessary in most routine uncomplicated cases.
En éliminant des centaines de visites postopératoires du premier jour dans une région rural, les patients, leurs amis et leurs proches n'ont pas à SE rendre au cabinet (ce qui peut représenter des centaines de kilomètres aller-retour). L'emploi du temps du cabinet est libéré pour accueillir davantage de patients et l'empreinte carbone des patients liée à leur déplacement au cabinet est réduite.
Nous avons examiné rétrospectivement opérations de la cataracte réalisées avant la Covid afin de déterminer l'incidence des pathologies graves découvertes lors de la visite postopératoire du premier jour. Par la suite, nous avons examiné toutes les opérations de la cataracte réalisées en 2023 par notre cabinet.
193 opérations de la cataracte réalisées avant la Covid et 832 réalisées en 2023 ont été examinées. Nous avons constaté que la visite postopératoire du premier jour après la chirurgie de la cataracte n'est pas nécessaire dans la plupart des cas de routine sans complications.
Therapeutic resources used by traditional communities of the Brazilian Amazon: a scoping review.
Rural and Remote HealthThe traditional communities of the Brazilian Amazon possess significant knowledge regarding the huge therapeutic arsenal available from natural sources that can be used to care for their health problems. This study aimed to identify, map and synthesize the scientific evidence on the use of traditional medicine as a therapeutic resource when used by traditional communities of the Brazilian Amazon.
This is a scoping review, which is a method used to map the main concepts of a research area, the available evidence and its sources. It is developed in five steps: (1) identification of the research question; (2) identification of relevant studies; (3) selection of studies; (4) data analysis; and (5) grouping, synthesis and presentation of data.
Medicinal plants, vertebrates and invertebrates, among other medicinal products, are elements that are widely used by traditional populations. Plant stems, bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers and even the whole plant are prepared in various forms, such as teas, infusions, smoke for rituals, baths, macerations, oils, ointments, concoctions, dressings, incenses and exfoliants, among others. The main structures and forms used from animals are lards, fats, viscera, horns, cocoons, nests, feathers and beaks of birds, eggs and roes. These therapeutic practices are often carried out using endogenous, wild and domesticated natural resources present in the biodiverse environments of traditional populations. They involve magical-religious beliefs to treat all types of illnesses, including cultural syndromes that affect children, young people, adults and the elderly.
This scoping review has an important role to disseminate and expand the discussion of traditional medicine practices, inviting readers - whether they are health professionals, community members, managers or decision-makers - to a continuing debate using an intercultural dialogue necessary to improve approaches. From this perspective, it is essential to consider the comprehensive legal and legal framework that guides the public policies of national health systems.
'Imagine if we had an actual service ...': a qualitative exploration of abortion access challenges in Australian rural primary care.
Rural and Remote HealthRural populations in Australia rely upon local primary health care for medication abortion access. Yet little is known about how individual primary healthcare providers themselves negotiate the unique complexities of the rural health system to provide local abortion services.
To address this gap, we conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with primary healthcare providers in rural New South Wales (NSW). Recruitment strategies included sending invitations to all GP clinics in Western NSW, distribution of flyers via professional networks and social media posts as well as snowballing. The Framework Method was used to conduct an inductive thematic analysis.
We interviewed 16 rural GPs, nurses, midwives and women's health clinic operational staff. Four themes were identified: (1) scarce abortion services place overreliance on availability and goodwill of local prescribers; (2) lack of back-up support, financial incentives and training deters providers; (3) there is interprofessional stigma, secrecy and obstruction; and (4) local abortion access requires workarounds through informal rural networks. Participants described abortion exceptionalism within Australia's health system and chronic rural workforce shortages in rural settings as unique and compounding challenges to local provision. Conversely, strong rural community networks were identified as important enablers of informal pathways to abortion within or around systemic barriers.
Improving rural abortion access in Australia requires attention to the numerous intersecting barriers that local primary care providers themselves face when providing services at the periphery of an unaccommodating health system.
Simulated GP clinic closure: effects on patient access in the Irish Mid-West.
Rural and Remote HealthRural communities can experience more barriers to accessing health care than their urban counterparts, largely due to fewer healthcare staff and services, and geographical isolation. The purpose of this study is to examine the availability of GP practices in rural communities across the Mid-West of Ireland and the potential impact of practice closure on patient access.
GP clinic locations were identified in Ireland's Mid-West, specifically counties Limerick and Clare. Administrative subdivisions of both counties, Small Areas (SAs), were identified and their XY geographic centre coordinates recorded. SAs were indexed into six levels of rurality according to Irish Central Statistics Office urban/rural classifications (1, cities; 2, satellite urban towns; 3, independent urban towns; 4, rural areas with high urban influence; 5, rural areas with moderate urban influence; 6, highly rural/remote areas). The direct linear distance from the centre of each SA to its respective closest GP clinic was calculated. Simulated closure of each GP clinic was assessed programmatically by removing practices from the overall dataset and calculating the new direct linear distance from each SA to the next closest GP clinic.
The majority of the SAs in County Clare (63%) and County Limerick (66%) are classified as rural (rurality index ≥4), with the exception of Limerick City, where all SAs were defined as urban. Rural SAs have longer travel distances to GP clinics than their urban counterparts, and these distances are greater with increasing rurality of a population. Simulated closure of GP clinics revealed increasing travel distances to the next closest clinic with increasing level of rurality in a stepwise fashion (r2=0.31).
Rural community dwellers across the Mid-West of Ireland face longer travel distances to GP clinics than their urban counterparts. Thus rural communities will be, on average, more adversely affected should their local GP clinic close. While these findings are unsurprising, our methodology calculates a discrete number that can be used to rank vulnerability of local communities. Rural areas are particularly vulnerable to GP clinic closure, and maintaining a solid foundation of primary care in these areas will require careful service and workforce planning.
Community paramedicine program and outcomes of referred coronary artery bypass grafting patients.
Rural and Remote HealthCommunity paramedicine is a field in its infancy. The use of community paramedics has expanded in recent years as an alternative or adjunct to home health in the continued drive to decrease health disparities and complications. In current practice, they function in a position like a home healthcare nurse with an expanded scope of practice, such as providing specialized follow-up care, for example with postoperative care for patients who have undergone major surgery or recent hospitalization. This study assesses if community paramedics are a valid option in reducing rehospitalization of patients who underwent a coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure.
A retrospective chart review between 2021 and 2022 was performed on all patients who underwent CABG in Bismarck, North Dakota, along with obtaining a referral for the community paramedics spanning urban and rural areas. A comparison was made between individuals who saw the community paramedics in their post-care versus those who continued with the standard of care.
There were 80 participants and 38 location-matched controls. All variables were found to be statistically insignificant except for the number of walk-in visits (urgent care), in which 7 out of 38 sought medical attention in the controls and 4 out of 80 sought medical attention in the participants. The proportions of inpatient readmission rates and emergency department (ED) visits were similar.
This study provided a novel look into the effect that community paramedics can have on patients in urban and rural areas in regard to reducing postoperative complications and minimizing unnecessary advanced healthcare utilization.
The Friends and Family for Mental Health Program: a pilot study of a cognitive behavioral therapy skills intervention for rural adults.
Rural and Remote HealthLimited access to psychological treatment is a pressing problem in the US, especially in more rural areas. One potentially underutilized resource is informal care from friends and family members. Although those in rural areas rely on informal care more than those in urban areas, there is little to guide interested caregivers in how they can be most effective.
In this study, we conducted a pilot test of the Friends and Family for Mental Health Program, a mental health skills program we developed to enhance informal care and reduce psychological symptoms among informal caregivers. To provide an initial test of the potential benefits of this program, we evaluated the impact of the program on informal care skills, hope, psychological symptoms, and mental health skills.
Informal care skills and hope improved. Participants also reported reduced anxiety. We considered intervention feedback to inform intervention development.
Though further research is needed, initial evidence suggests mental health skills programs directed at informal caregivers are both desired and beneficial in rural areas.
Understanding the professional factors that impact the retention of pathology workers in regional, rural and remote Australia.
Australian Journal of Rural HealthThe objective of this study was to determine what professional factors impact the retention of pathology workers in regional, rural and remote Australia.
There were a total of 95 participants, including 24 phlebotomists/laboratory assistants, 34 medical laboratory scientists and 29 supervisors/managers, with the majority of participants being from New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.
Significant positive associations were found between satisfaction with career advancement opportunities, workplace culture and maintaining professional skills with the retention of regional, rural and remote pathology workers. Open-ended responses indicated that personal factors also played an important role in pathology worker retention in regional, rural and remote communities.
This study provides important insights into the professional factors that impact the retention of pathology workers in regional, rural and remote Australia. Personal factors were also found to play an important role in retention. These findings have highlighted the need for further research to be conducted to explore the relationship between professional and personal factors and how this impacts the retention of pathology workers in regional, rural and remote Australia.
