Beyond the horizon: the role of academic health centers in improving the health of rural communities.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2006-08-28
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Academic health centers AHCs face increasing pressures from federal state and community stakeholders to fulfill their social missions to the communities they serve Yet in the 21st century rural communities in the United States face an array of health care problems including a shortage of physicians health problems that disproportionately affect rural populations a need to improve quality of care and health disparities related to disproportionate levels of poverty and shifting demographics AHCs have a key role to play in addressing these issues AHCs can increase physician supply by targeting their admissions policies and educational programs Specific health concerns of rural populations can be further addressed through increased use of telemedicine consultations By partnering with providers in rural areas and through the use of innovative technologies AHCs can help rural providers increase the quality of care Partnerships with rural communities provide opportunities for participatory research to address health disparities In addition collaboration between AHCs regional planning agencies and rural communities can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes At a time when many AHCs are operating in an environment with dwindling resources it is even more critical for AHCs to build creative partnerships to help meet the needs of their regional communities