Topics: Physician assistants

Rural Health Clinic Program at 45 Years: Created for Access and Still Delivering Care

After a 1965 public law created the Medicare and Medicaid programs, many rural residents insured by these government health programs were unable to access care. This challenge was remedied by another public law: the Rural Health Clinic Services Act of 1977. Using a historical framework, rural health policy experts, researchers, and clinicians reviewed the Act’s impact on outpatient healthcare delivery in rural America.

Over 5,200 rural organizations participate in the Rural Health Clinics program, a reimbursement model dedicated to rural low-volume healthcare delivery and now in its 45th year. The National Association of Rural Health Clinics — in its 30th year — is a membership organization that emerged as the program increased its participants. Bill Finerfrock, association cofounder and its recently retired executive director, shared the group’s origin story as well as touchpoints from his own career.

Advance care planning — planning for decision-making in times of medical crisis — has always been intended for all people, all ages, with or without a chronic disease. Clinicians talk about the challenges of these conversations now that COVID-19 has nudged planning from the realm of the theoretical future to current reality.

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.

Highlights three university programs that are embracing distance education to allow professionals to stay in their rural communities while earning a degree.

A profile of Brittany Anundson, a student in the University of North Dakota Physician Assistant Program, which allows students to complete much of the degree requirements at a distance.

The Rural Monitor

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

Topics: Physician assistants

Rural Health Clinic Program at 45 Years: Created for Access and Still Delivering Care

A Career of Influencing Rural Healthcare Delivery: Bill Finerfrock and the NARHC Origin Story

Advance Care Planning: New Realities in Times of COVID-19

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

Education at a Distance: Virtual Classrooms Bring Healthcare Classes to Rural Areas

North Dakota Student Earning PA Degree Through Distance Program