Author Interviews, Health Care Systems, University of Pittsburgh / 10.12.2019
Physicians Leave Area Before and After Rural Hospitals Close
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
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Dr. Hayley Drew Germack[/caption]
Hayley Drew Germack PhD
Assistant Professor of Acute and Tertiary Care
University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: The rate of rural hospital closures has been increasing over the last ten years. Rural hospitals close for a number of reasons including poor hospital economic health tied to uncompensated care and community factors, like a local aging population.
Rural hospital and unit closures have been tied to decreased access to emergency and specialty care for patients including decreased access to obstetric-gynecological services and increase travel time for appointments. A recent paper also found a 6% increase in mortality in conditions needing emergent attention after rural hospital closures. We examined the impact of hospital closures in rural counties on the counties’ supply of physicians.
Dr. Hayley Drew Germack[/caption]
Hayley Drew Germack PhD
Assistant Professor of Acute and Tertiary Care
University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: The rate of rural hospital closures has been increasing over the last ten years. Rural hospitals close for a number of reasons including poor hospital economic health tied to uncompensated care and community factors, like a local aging population.
Rural hospital and unit closures have been tied to decreased access to emergency and specialty care for patients including decreased access to obstetric-gynecological services and increase travel time for appointments. A recent paper also found a 6% increase in mortality in conditions needing emergent attention after rural hospital closures. We examined the impact of hospital closures in rural counties on the counties’ supply of physicians.