Health Care Issues in Rural Areas - Essay Example

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I have read the University’s Academic and Scientific Misconduct Policy and understand its implications.* http://www.cdu.edu.au/governance/documents/3.3academicandscientificmisconduct.pdf I agree  I do not agree  Health Care Issues Still Impair Rural Areas The residents of rural areas are prone to higher levels of infections as compared to the ones in the cities. It is evident that on average people in rural areas do not have equal opportunities in terms of access of health facilities as compared to the city dwellers. Medical care is therefore a concern to the poor in the rural areas. Their income is low which reflects on the type of Health Care System available in these places. It is a major coincidence that it is in these areas that chronic illnesses are in a great percentage. The output of the villagers is low and most of them result into being bedridden which provides an obvious suggestion of the type of income these people have. Though many governments have undertaken various programs to curb this challenge like frequent supply of services, improving the current health facilities, improving on their economy by reducing the income barriers, the poor in the villages are still struggling to come out of this dreadful problem (Bailey 2009). They have fewer health practitioners and some specialists are not available at all. Due to their economic activities like farming, they are exposed to quite a number of chemicals which in due course affect their health status. It is evident that rural residents and communities are faced with myriad of issues in relation to their Health Care System. Though the rest of the nation face these challenges like the issues of underinsurance, the ones in the rural areas are intense and end up consuming a lot of a lot of money in trying to curb the diverse effects of their improper Health Care Systems. The list of these challenges is however not exhaustive which brings us to the need of describing some of these challenges in details to have a clear picture of the situation. Economy variation The rural economy comprises of self employed people who own small businesses to suit only day- to- day needs like food unlike in the modern areas where people own large businesses which bring about large amounts of profits which are shifted to other activities ranging from leisure activities to acquisition of proper Health Care services. Their jobs are simply unskilled and are characterized by low rates or rather no provision of health care insurance covers. This lack of health sponsorships as a result of low income is one factor that is deterioration in the Rural Heath Care System. The number of the unemployed in the rural areas keeps increasing by day. Bailey (2009) argues that since 1969 the self employed people in rural areas have increased by 240% as compared the 61% of the salary and wage workers. This study explains that an economy subjugated by small businesses, their people are less insured health-wise and entirely depend on the few cents that remain after the other needs have been slotted in the scale of preferences. This also translates that there are twice uninsured people in the rural areas unlike in the metropolitan areas (Stephan, 2008). Can we therefore compare the Health care systems in these two areas? It will be an underestimation trying to compare the two because the rural system has a bundle of steps to tackle in order to at least reduce a bit of the gap between the two. The rural people are liable for their health care costs nearly 22% more than the urban dwellers. The insurance level of the urban occupants is 70% higher than the rural areas residents. This clearly suggests that the actuarial rate of heath policies by rural residents is far much inferior to that of the urban inhabitants. This also interprets that any health care provision that is based on present employer sponsored health insurance system will not apply to the rural areas residents become of the composition of their economy. This issue can be solved by creating a uniform insurance health coverage system to both the rural and urban dwellers (Bailey 2009). The issue of rising premiums should be addressed because it discourages the few in the rural areas and some in the urban areas who are undertaking the insurance program. There are too many deductions reflected on the service delivery plus less coverage. The unfortunate in the society who own small businesses in the rural areas should be considered to avoid a replica of the same problems year after year. Much of the subsidies are received in the urban areas and this is a great issue that affects the health department in the country. Dependency and need in relation to the Public Health Insurance Plans The Public Health Insurance plans are dependent on donations and aids from various sources. It is worse in the rural areas where the population comprises of poor and the weak people who contribute very little in the society. The public health care system is not keen to provide efficient services to them but rather shift their attention to the able and rich in the urban areas. Studies have indicated that since 1987 to date, (24years later) the elderly in the society covered by public health insurers has only increased by only 122% (Worley, Prideaux, Strasser, et al. 2000). On the other hand the ones in the urban areas exceed this three times. The health insurers apply the use the idea of taxes to cover people’s health. This is not effective enough especially in terms of cost because the cost of expanding health care facilities is three times higher than the tax the taxes being paid. Legislations should be put in place to reform the public programs which the poor people depend on. The poor people cannot afford the private health care plans and entirely depend on the Public Health Insurance. This public sector should ensure that it engages in a healthy competition in order to provide quality services even to the rich. If they don’t provide quality services the rich, who apparently are the main contributors to this industry will shift their attention to the private sector to get value for their money leaving the poor and old with no alternatives but be on the mercy of service providers who do not feel worthy providing services to the low income earners but simple volunteers who report on duty when they feel like. The Health Care Delivery System The existing Health Care System in the rural areas can simply be described as strained and hassled. It is simply a chain of small dispensaries, nursing homes and clinics that are challenged by financial constraints (Worley, Prideaux, Strasser, et al 2000). This is different from the prestigious, fully equipped health facilities in the urban areas that rarely experience financial difficulties but rather have excess profits which are shifted to re-equipping the hospitals. The facilities here are no match to the ones in the rural areas that rely on the mercy of donations from well wishers. Technological upgrades are not possible in these areas as a result of the little funds available for the same. The creation of qualified rural health care system is yet to be achieved by the service providers. If the plans underway materialize it would be a better scenario though not in comparison with the ones in urban areas. The existing health care systems in the rural areas are on the verge of closing down and the question is left to the open, who shall care for the unemployed, elderly and the low income earners in terms of health provision? This financial stress is tearing down the health system in the rural areas and if something is not done; many lives will be lost as a result of no heath care to the sick and the weak. Work Force shortage This is a major difference between the health care systems in rural and urban areas. Studies indicate that more than a third of rural dwellers face a shortage of health professionals (Rabinowitz, James, Diamond, Fred, and Jeremy 2008).Some scholars have termed these areas medically underserved. For instance in America, only 9% of practicing physicians are in the rural areas. The trends have however not improved in the latter years but kept ascending. Practicing students are also not willing to carry out their practical in rural areas. The ones in the rural areas are the aged as compared to the young and the energetic in the urban centers. This clearly explains the cycle of problems that the rural areas undergo. Everyone is on the rush to a brilliant lifestyle which majority believe it can only be found in the urban areas. The young physicians are out to find stylish and “up to date” lifestyles and the call to work in the rural areas falls on deaf ears. The fresh skills are in turn nowhere near the unskilled laborers in the villages. How can they therefore survive the menace of continued problems? It seems quite impossible to solve all these problems without collective responsibility. This workforce shortage is indeed a major discrepancy in the health sector in relation to the urban and rural areas. It is evident that the population in the rural areas needs to catered to. As discussed earlier, the rural area inhabitants are more prone to infections than the urban residents. Few or even at times no health workforce in the rural areas is devastating. More incentives should be given to all the medical practitioners that dedicate their time and efforts in the rural areas. Since the elderly are expected to double it is the high time that the Government puts in place mechanisms that will tackle this problem before it gets out of hand. Technology The adoption of technology in the rural health care centers is very slow unlike in the urban areas that all forms of technology have a space. The Health Care facilities are at par with recent technology in relation to medical care. On the other hand the rural areas are still backward and hope that at one time, luck may come their way. This is one major factor that keeps broadening the gap between the rural and urban areas in terms of the health care service provision. While the medical providers are employing technology to improve their patients safety, the few in rural areas are trying to cope with their backward equipment. Computerization is alien in the villages which explain that all work is done manually leading to wastage of time and energy. Commitment has to be emphasized by the concerned stakeholders to improve the technological systems in the rural areas. If the health facilities are put on crossroads on whether to choose improved facilities, construct better hospitals or embrace technology, they will obviously first construct better hospitals and technology comes last. They are consequently a few steps behind technologically and as years pass by, it is a gap that no one wants to shift energies to fill. The physicians in the rural areas also need to be educated on the need to embrace technology. Some of them are still backward and want nothing to do with change. Majority believe that technology will destabilize them as well as their patients. They consider technology as a hindrance that is not friendly to efficiency and work flow. Their backwardly nature leads to their thinking that their small offices will be financially constrained and that the young may replace them from their offices because of their better expertise. This is dissimilar in the urban areas where change is welcomed with utmost appreciation. The gap between the rural and urban health care systems will for that reason not reduce but increase by the day. Emergency services The Emergency services in the rural areas differ greatly with those in the urban areas. These services are key in any health facility mainly aimed to save lives which would rather have been lost (Jonathan and Washington 2005). The rural areas are deficit of ambulances unlike the urban centers which have excess and ready in case of emergencies. The existing emergency services in the rural areas are underfunded and rely on volunteers for aid. The communication facilities are few leading to a poorly integrated health care system. Patient referrals are not efficient and as a result many lives are lost in the process. In the urban centers, this is no job as a simple call makes all the difference. It is essential that Emergency Medical Services be encouraged as an important part in medical care. The Literacy concept Education is a health determinant that interprets the kind of medical services provided in an area. The rural population comprises of the illiterate who cannot differentiate between the need to embrace change and the effects of the same. A great percentage of the populace in the rural areas recorded poor achievement of secondary education. For instance in Australia 30% of adults in rural areas have attained Secondary education as compared to 48% in the urban areas (Humphreys, J, Hegney D, Lipscombe J, 2002). According to Jamestown (2008 pp 23), the young in the rural areas were also less likely to attend Secondary schools. This study explains the type of health care system will be provided in these areas. The simple basics of hygiene are not adhered to leading to many illnesses which would rather be prevented by following hygienic measures. Since they do not have the skills, it becomes an uphill task trying to change these personalities unlike the urban learned individuals. The personal health practices and adaptation skills of the rural dwellers is wanting. Higher smoking rates are recorded in the rural areas, obesity along with poor intake of vegetables and fruits are apparent in these rural areas. The mortality rates are high as compared to the urban inhabitants who check the composition of their diets and struggle to eat right. This explains that some of the differences between the health care systems are also from within the community and among the individuals. Most are stressed out trying to look for means of survival and forget their health. Shortage of physicians One more factor affecting the health care systems in the rural areas is the shortage of medical doctors. Pomeroy (2006) states that this problem is as a result of funding problem. Having health facilities with no workforce, is like having a head without a neck. This problem is therefore very acute and should be given utmost consideration. For instance in North Dakota, there was inadequate personnel yet the number of the clients who needed their services increased.( Wakefield, M. director of the North Dakota Center for Rural Health).Three quarters of the residents here have been termed as a health professions shortage area by the Government. This is just one example which covers only a minute part of the rural areas in the world. How about a study of the whole world villages? The results would be devastating. This is a complete contrast of the urban areas that have excess workforce who even exchange work shifts. They also have the necessary expertise which leads to provision of quality services in a stress free environment. This problem needs an immediate attention if revolution is to be seen in the Health Care System. The rural elders aware and still the founders of our states and should be given utmost respect in their old age by providing them with the best health care. Access to providers Lastly, another of the critical issues in health care provision in the rural areas is the access to service providers. The health facilities are only in a small number. They are the same facilities used by a large group of people in the rural areas. Most of them are forced to travel over long distances to access these facilities. Maintaining the proximate services is not easy. A lot of pressure is put on the few community health facilities which with time become exhausted. More hospitals should be built to avoid the frequent long distance movements by community members which is very strenuous especially to the vulnerable pregnant women and young children. Conclusion Rural health is an area that needs a lot of focus. It warrants a lot of attention for the reason that the gap between it and the urban areas is quickly widening. Various factors determine the provision of medical services in the rural areas. These factors range from the individual factors, cultural, social as well as economical factors. These aspects determine the health status of the residents of a particular place. Rural health care should be given a lot of focus because the great difference between it and the urban areas. High mortality rates have been recorded in the rural areas unlike in the urban areas. Studies have indicated that most people in the rural areas are prone to chronic illnesses owed to their day to day lifestyles. They live a care-free life not caring the components of the food they eat. Ironically, these people who register many illnesses are not able to access proper health care due to the inaccessibility of these areas by investors as well as the poor implementation of health policies by the governments in question. This problem will however remain a fundamental concern that needs to be urgently addressed. Rural health care improvement is essential to rural development and also a reflection to regional development. Without adequate policies put in place, it will be the same story day in day out of lives lost in the rural areas as a result of poor health facilities. This process of change should start from the grassroots by encouraging the rural dwellers the importance of embracing change especially technologic changes which are out to boost the existing health care facilities and not bring misfortunes into their lives as perceived by many elderly members of the society. The tyranny of distance of distance of the health facilities, inadequate resources, few personnel and facilities is a collective responsibility to all the stakeholders in the Health care system and should not directed to the government alone. Nurses should be encouraged to volunteer in these rural health care facilities and rather not only thinking about how they shall acquire classy lifestyles in the urban areas leaving the elderly unattended (Worley, Prideaux, Strasser, et al. 2000). Rural health care is a very long process that requires innovation and a lot of sacrifice. If all these are put into check, the rural health care system will be changed foe the better altogether. References Australian Health Ministers' Conference. 1999–2003. Healthy horizons a framework for improving the health of rural, regional and remote Australians. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. Bailey, J. M. 2009. Center for Rural Affairs Center for Rural Affairs. Humphreys, J, Hegney D, Lipscombe J, et al. 2002. Whither rural health? Reviewing a decade of progress in rural health. Aust J Rural Health: 10: 2-14. Humphreys J, Lyle D, Wakerman J, et al. 2000 Roles and activities of the Commonwealth Government University Departments of Rural Health. Aust J Rural Health 120-133 Jamestown, T. 2008. Health Care Issues Still Impair Rural Areas. Center for Rural Health: New York. Jonathan, G. and Washington, E. 2005. “Subsidies to Employee Health Insurance Premiums and the Health Insurance Market”. Journal of Health Economics, Vol. 24 (2, Mar.), 253-276. National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services. The 2008 Report to the Secretary: Rural Health and Human Services Issues. 2008. Pomeroy, E. 2006. Affordable Health Care for America Act . Associated Press. U.S.A Rabinowitz, H.K., James J. Diamond, Fred W. Markham, and Jeremy R. Wortman. 2008. Medical School Programs to Increase the Rural Physician Supply: A Systematic Review and Projected Impact of Widespread Replication. Academic Medicine. Vol. 83, No. 3, 235-243, March 2008. Stephan, G. J. 2008. “Self-Employment in Rural America: The New Economic Reality.” Rural Realities, Vol. 2, Issue 3, 2008 Wakefield, M. 2011. NewsHealthcare Finance News. MedTech Media. U.S.A. Worley PS, Prideaux DJ, Strasser RP, et al. 2000 Why we should teach undergraduate medical students in rural communities. Med J: Australia; 172: 615-617. Read More

Can we therefore compare the Health care systems in these two areas? It will be an underestimation trying to compare the two because the rural system has a bundle of steps to tackle in order to at least reduce a bit of the gap between the two. The rural people are liable for their health care costs nearly 22% more than the urban dwellers. The insurance level of the urban occupants is 70% higher than the rural areas residents. This clearly suggests that the actuarial rate of heath policies by rural residents is far much inferior to that of the urban inhabitants.

This also interprets that any health care provision that is based on present employer sponsored health insurance system will not apply to the rural areas residents become of the composition of their economy. This issue can be solved by creating a uniform insurance health coverage system to both the rural and urban dwellers (Bailey 2009). The issue of rising premiums should be addressed because it discourages the few in the rural areas and some in the urban areas who are undertaking the insurance program.

There are too many deductions reflected on the service delivery plus less coverage. The unfortunate in the society who own small businesses in the rural areas should be considered to avoid a replica of the same problems year after year. Much of the subsidies are received in the urban areas and this is a great issue that affects the health department in the country. Dependency and need in relation to the Public Health Insurance Plans The Public Health Insurance plans are dependent on donations and aids from various sources.

It is worse in the rural areas where the population comprises of poor and the weak people who contribute very little in the society. The public health care system is not keen to provide efficient services to them but rather shift their attention to the able and rich in the urban areas. Studies have indicated that since 1987 to date, (24years later) the elderly in the society covered by public health insurers has only increased by only 122% (Worley, Prideaux, Strasser, et al. 2000). On the other hand the ones in the urban areas exceed this three times.

The health insurers apply the use the idea of taxes to cover people’s health. This is not effective enough especially in terms of cost because the cost of expanding health care facilities is three times higher than the tax the taxes being paid. Legislations should be put in place to reform the public programs which the poor people depend on. The poor people cannot afford the private health care plans and entirely depend on the Public Health Insurance. This public sector should ensure that it engages in a healthy competition in order to provide quality services even to the rich.

If they don’t provide quality services the rich, who apparently are the main contributors to this industry will shift their attention to the private sector to get value for their money leaving the poor and old with no alternatives but be on the mercy of service providers who do not feel worthy providing services to the low income earners but simple volunteers who report on duty when they feel like. The Health Care Delivery System The existing Health Care System in the rural areas can simply be described as strained and hassled.

It is simply a chain of small dispensaries, nursing homes and clinics that are challenged by financial constraints (Worley, Prideaux, Strasser, et al 2000). This is different from the prestigious, fully equipped health facilities in the urban areas that rarely experience financial difficulties but rather have excess profits which are shifted to re-equipping the hospitals. The facilities here are no match to the ones in the rural areas that rely on the mercy of donations from well wishers. Technological upgrades are not possible in these areas as a result of the little funds available for the same.

The creation of qualified rural health care system is yet to be achieved by the service providers.

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