Addressing Rural Health Challenges Head On

Abstract

Providing health care to patients and families living in rural America presents significant challenges, but comes with unique rewards. The physician who chooses a rural life typically cares for an underserved and aging population, which is often less healthy and affluent than its urban and suburban counterparts. At the same time, rural clinicians feel deeply connected to their patients and their communities. Physicians cite strong doctor-patient relationships as a primary motivator to practice in a rural setting, in addition to lower cost of living and slower pace of life1. Those who choose primary care specialties also enjoy the challenge of caring for multiple, interrelated aspects of health for their patients and community. During Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences' (KCU) century-long history, we have offered our osteopathic medical students the opportunity to learn in rural areas during the third and fourth years. As our new, state-of-the-art medical school campus opens in Joplin, Missouri, we will build on our commitment to rural health by offering first- and second-year KCU-Joplin students training opportunities in rural settings, and expanding third- and fourth-year rural clinical rotations. The rich experience to learn rural medicine offers the potential to connect medical students, patients and community in new and exciting ways, building on the firm foundation of osteopathic medical training grounded in strong patient-centered primary care.