The problem of rural health shortages and what communities in rural America can do to increase the number of health professionals was the topic of the Nashville-based RFD-TV’s “Rural America Live” show on Monday.
UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., appeared on the live broadcast to discuss how to build a pipeline of health care professionals to rural America. He was joined by Ted Epperly, M.D., president and CEO of the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, which provides training for resident physicians and fellows in rural Idaho. His programs in rural Idaho are recognized as some of the best in the country for recruiting and retaining health professionals.
Drs. Gold and Epperly spoke remotely from Omaha for the hourlong broadcast.
About 20% of the U.S. population lives in rural areas but only about 9% of the physician workforce is there, and only about 5% of medical school graduates are going to rural America.
Rural communities are disproportionately underserved when it comes to physicians, pharmacists, dentists and specialists. These professionals tend to be aging out in place, and there’s no one in the wings waiting to replace them.
Dr. Gold talked about what communities can do to attract and retain health professionals.
“In my experience, individuals who grew up in a rural community or who did a rural clinical rotation or who have family and friends in a rural community — those are highest predictors that they will return to a rural community to practice,” Dr. Gold said. “There’s nothing magical about getting them to come back. At the end of the day, they don’t want their children to be four hours away from grandma and grandpa. Proximity really does makes a difference.”
“Rural America Live” — formerly titled “RFD-TV Live” — is the longest-running show produced by RFD-TV. You can find RFD-TV on local television providers.