The Benefits of Telehealth in Rural Populations Essay -- Healthcare

Benefits of Telehealth in Rural Populations Kansas is considered a rural state in the United States. Merriam-Webster (2012) defines rural theoretically as â€Å"open land† or â€Å"relating to the country, country people or life, or agriculture†. The U.S. Census Bureau considers rural to be â€Å"open country and settlements with fewer than 2,500 residents† (Cromartie, 2007). Nearly 17% of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, which is about 80% of all U.S. territory (Cromartie, 2009). What this means that there is more land mass compared to the people inhabiting the land; rural communities have fewer people living in larger, more remote areas. Individuals living in rural communities have different cultures and experiences than those living in urban communities, which can become problematic in regards to healthcare. Many factors such as sociocultural, financial and structural issues create barriers to healthcare access for individuals living in rural America. Sociocultural factors include self-reliance, education, language and beliefs; financial factors include inadequate health insurance, income and resources; structural issues include the physical distance to travel, ability to travel and time to travel to healthcare facilities or healthcare professionals (Graves, 2008). For decades, individuals living in rural areas have been considered medically underserved. Access to healthcare is a problem that has been increasing for individuals in rural America due to aging populations, declining economies, rural hospital closures, rising healthcare costs, healthcare provider shortages and difficulties attracting and retaining healthcare personnel and physicians (Bauer, 2002). This population experience more health disparities than t... ...nities: toward eliminating rural health disparities. Online Journal Of Rural Nursing & Health Care, 10(1), 4-6. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2004). Retrieved June 16, 2004 from http://m-w.com/dictionary/rural Moffatt, J. and Eley, D. (2010). The reported benefits of telehealth for rural Australians. Australian Health Review. 34. 276-281. Saqui, O., Chang, A., McGonigle, S., Purdy, B., Fairholm, L., Baun, M., Yeung, M., Rossos, P., Allard, J., (2007). Telehealth videoconferencing: Improving home parenteral nutrition patient care to rural areas of ontario, canada. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 31(3). 234-239. Sevean, P., Dampier, S., Spadoni, M., Strickland, S., Pilatzke, S., (2008). Patients and families experiences with video telehelath in rural/remote communities in northern canada. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18. 2573-2579.