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The Rural Monitor
Articles by Topic: Service delivery models

The Sky's the Limit: Potential of Drone Usage in Rural Healthcare

April 5, 2017
In July 17, 2015, a drone delivered medicine to the RAM – Wise Health Expedition, an outreach event in Wise County, VA. This historic flight may lead to other applications of drones in rural health, such as search and rescue, mosquito spraying, and more deliveries of needed supplies.

Freestanding Emergency Departments: An Alternative Model for Rural Communities

November 30, 2016
First conceptualized in the 1970s, but not widely adopted in rural communities, freestanding emergency departments (FSEDs) have been getting another look as a sustainable rural option. This article discusses hospital-based versus independent FSEDs, the model's financial viability, and highlights two FSEDs meeting their communities' healthcare needs in Arizona and Illinois.

Expecting More Services for Less Compensation

September 7, 2016
Diane Calmus, Government Affairs and Policy Manager at the National Rural Health Association, explores the need for a new hospital model to help rural communities gain and maintain access to emergency medical services.