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Miles to Go and Nowhere to Sleep
Article Number: SIS952180AI210525
21st May, 2025
Author(s):
Heather Kovich, M.D.
Abstract:
Rural patients often face significant barriers in accessing specialized medical care, particularly in regions where tertiary medical centers are scarce. This perspective highlights the challenges of patients like Ms. C., who endured prolonged pain from kidney stones due to the limited availability of surgical specialists. Despite repeated attempts to expedite care, she had to travel long distances and navigate complex healthcare logistics to receive treatment. The article examines disparities between urban and rural healthcare access, contrasting the abundance of medical resources in cities with the struggles of rural hospitals and their reliance on urban centers for specialized care. The author also explores potential solutions, such as community-based lodging programs like HOSTS for HOSPITALS, which support traveling patients. The narrative underscores the need for systemic changes to improve healthcare accessibility for rural populations while recognizing the efforts of individuals who facilitate medical care for those in need.