A University of Missouri study found rural healthcare organizations effectively address social determinants of health (SDOH) despite access barriers. Research on hospitals in rural Missouri revealed initiatives to combat SDOH like transportation, mental health, food, housing, and dental care. Challenges in rural healthcare include distance and workforce shortages. Tailored interventions, innovative COVID-19 responses, and improved care coordination were emphasized. The study underscores the need for comprehensive rural healthcare that considers both medical and social aspects.
A recent study conducted by the University of Missouri has highlighted the impressive ability of rural healthcare organizations to tackle social determinants of health (SDOH), despite the challenges hindering patient care accessibility.
The study focused on hospitals and health systems serving rural areas of Missouri and their efforts in addressing various SDOH such as transportation access, mental healthcare access, food security, housing security, and dental access.
While rural regions often struggle with limited healthcare access due to factors like geographical distances and workforce shortages, this research revealed that rural healthcare organizations are actively addressing these obstacles and SDOH that can impede medical care for individuals living in such areas.
The investigation specifically examined the strategies employed by care coordinators in Missouri’s rural healthcare organizations to meet patients’ social and healthcare needs. The results indicated that these needs were reasonably well catered to:
– Every organization studied had initiatives aimed at addressing transportation challenges.
– Approximately 86 percent of organizations provided referrals for mental healthcare.
– Roughly 79 percent offered food assistance.
– Around 71 percent offered housing assistance.
– Approximately 50 percent provided dental assistance.
The significance of transportation aid in overcoming a major barrier to healthcare access in rural settings was emphasized by Julie Kapp, an associate professor in the MU College of Health Sciences and a lead author of the study. She highlighted that in rural areas, where distances are greater and physician shortages are prominent, transportation assistance plays a crucial role.
Kapp also stressed the importance of tailoring interventions to patient needs, especially for issues like food security and access to healthcare beyond telehealth services. She noted that while telehealth is promoted as a solution for rural areas, lack of reliable broadband internet access can hinder its effectiveness.
The study revealed innovative strategies inspired by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations adapted by partnering with local food banks for contactless food delivery, creating transportation systems, and proactively communicating with patients to reduce missed appointments.
Apart from identifying which SDOH care coordinators addressed, the research evaluated organizations’ adherence to care coordination best practices using the American Medical Association’s guidelines. The study highlighted room for improvement in utilizing electronic health information systems to enhance communication during care coordination.
Fundamentally, the study highlighted the multidimensional nature of rural healthcare, emphasizing the need to consider complex social needs alongside medical care. Beau Underwood, a doctoral student from the MU College of Arts and Science’s Truman School of Government and Public Affairs, emphasized that healthcare today extends beyond medical treatments and encompasses essential social services. He urged a broader perspective that takes into account factors like transportation and physician availability within patients’ areas.
