Topics: Leadership

Keeping the Doors Open: Vulnerable Rural Hospitals Benefit from Federally Funded Technical Assistance

It’s a crisis: rural hospital closures. Helping at-risk hospitals thrive in order to continue to serve their communities, Texas A&M’s Center for Optimizing Rural Health (CORH) offers technical assistance through a federally funded program for vulnerable hospitals. The CORH team and an Oklahoma program participant share specifics on just how the program’s assistance can help keep doors open.

COVID-19 physical distancing measures impact vulnerable populations, including rural children experiencing maltreatment and those living in situations of intimate partner violence. Clinicians and other experts said community awareness, frank discussions, and changing service delivery approaches can make a difference.

Recent research has found that not only are nearly 40% of surveyed physicians burned out, but 40% are also experiencing depression. For many reasons — stigma among them — these professionals are not getting mental health support. Physician health programs, in collaboration with professional societies, are trying to change that by working with state licensure boards and other groups.

National research has revealed it and rural research suggests it: over 40% of today’s physicians are burned out. This in-depth story reviews information about burnout in healthcare professions and for physicians in particular. Along with reviewing causes and impact, a medical school wellness-advocate, a researcher, and a large healthcare organization with a rural footprint shared interventions and solutions.

Over 40% of today’s physicians are burned out. A closer look at research indicates that not only is this a system problem rather than an individual problem, but that burnout impacts a system’s revenue streams, healthcare quality, and patient safety and satisfaction. Experts suggest the problem may even be of more concern in rural areas.

Healthcare workers are four times more likely to be seriously injured on the job than other professionals. Research, tools, and campaigns are equipping rural hospital leaders to better protect their employees and develop a culture of safety.

In addition to providing advice for those with potential interest in rural healthcare executive positions, four Critical Access Hospitals leaders – all under age 40 – share stories of innovation and impact on their organizations and communities.

Benjamin Anderson, CEO of a 25-bed CAH in Kansas, discloses his relational style of healthcare leadership and his success attracting committed medical providers and engaging the area’s growing refugee population.

Melissa Kelly, CEO and CFO of a 21-bed CAH in Nebraska, discusses adding child care and restoring retail pharmacy to her community and encourages others to take advantage of rural healthcare resources.

Stephanie Orr, the CNO of an 18-bed CAH in Idaho, shares what it’s like to become a leader much sooner than planned and emphasizes the importance of working the front lines.

The Rural Monitor

Articles and resources on key rural health issues, from the Rural Health Information Hub

Topics: Leadership

Keeping the Doors Open: Vulnerable Rural Hospitals Benefit from Federally Funded Technical Assistance

Mitigating COVID-19’s Rural Impact on Families At-Risk for Violence and Child Maltreatment and Neglect

Healthcare Professionals’ Mental Health Needs: Where Can They Go?

Physician Burnout: Definition(s), Cause(s), Impact(s), Solution(s)

Burnout: Measurement Tool(s), Cause(s) and Impact(s)

Violence Against Hospital Workers: Growing Awareness, Rural Interventions, and Why It Still Goes Unreported

Young Rural Healthcare Leaders Share Experiences and Insights

Young Rural Healthcare Leaders Series: Q&A with Benjamin Anderson

Young Rural Healthcare Leaders Series: Q&A with Melissa Kelly

Young Rural Healthcare Leaders Series: Q&A with Stephanie Orr