3. Meeting social needs: Healthcare professionals can also support their patients by addressing the social determinants of poor health such as low health literacy, risky behaviors, and high rates of poverty. At Hudson Headwaters Health Network, care managers have been instrumental in helping patients navigate their healthcare from insurance benefits, managing appointments, providing social services, accessing food and even assisting with employment options. Community outreach and partnerships are critical. Supporting the social needs of a rural population will help prevent the need for higher levels of medical intervention by creating a culture of wellness and well-being.
While rural health systems have their own unique set of challenges, they also have unique advantages. By reassessing and thinking differently about staffing, leveraging technology, tapping into community resources, and addressing social determinants, rural healthcare providers will be able to sustain high-quality and affordable healthcare services to its diverse and ever-changing population.
About the author: Linda Spokane is vice president of Population Health at Hudson Headwaters Health NetworkBack to HCB News
