(PatriotPostNews.com) – Roughly 50% of all counties in the United States lack a practicing cardiologist. Rural residents are less likely to have access to medical facilities overall, which can force rural patients to drive hours to the closest doctor. Even if a patient has access to a medical specialist like a cardiologist, that doctor is likely the patient’s only option. By contrast, in more populated or metropolitan areas patients may have access to expansive medical campuses that host numerous specialists and cutting edge treatments.
If a patient has a cardiologist in their county, they can expect to drive an average of eight miles each way to receive cardiologic care. Patients who lack a cardiologist in their county may have to drive over 43 miles each way, or 87 miles total on average. Dr. John Wagener, medical director and cardiologist for the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, said that the shortage is so severe that 87 miles is actually “pretty good.”
Urban America has roughly 260 doctors for every 100,000 patients. Rural America has roughly 30 doctors for every 100,000 patients. In response to the shortage, some rural medical schools are offering incentives to encourage medical students to stay local. Experts say a major contributor to the shortage is doctor salary. One rural hospital has been about ten cardiologists short since 2020.
Mayo clinic researcher Dr. Ommen said he is hopeful that telemedicine will be the “great equalizer.” Ommen said that for patients with mobility issues it can already be a challenge getting to a doctor. Chief Executive Officer for the National Rural Health Association, Alan Morgan, mirrored Dr. Ommen’s sentiment and said that telemedicine and remote care are a “workable solution moving forward.”
Roughly 25% of rural Americans say locating a quality doctor is a challenge. Roughly four out of five rural communities lack essential medical staff. Since 2010, rural America has seen 142 hospitals permanently close.
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