Advanced practice nurses (APNs) occupy a prominent position in addressing health disparities in underserved rural areas. These areas often lack access to healthcare resources and providers, leading to poorer health outcomes for residents. However, there are several steps that APNs can take to begin to eliminate these disparities. Firstly, APNs can work to promote access to care in rural areas by arranging the work of telehealth services. Telehealth enables patients to receive medical care distantly through the use of technology, such as remote monitoring and video conferencing (Schweickert et al., 2018). This can help to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients in rural areas, allowing residents to receive the care they need in time.
Secondly, APNs can work to increase the diversity of the healthcare workforce in rural underserved areas. Having a diverse workforce that is representative of the population they serve can help promote trust and communication between patients and providers, as well as improve health outcomes (Holland et al., 2020). Thirdly, APNs can work to balance the coordination of care in rural underserved areas. By cooperating with other healthcare providers, such as primary care physicians and community health workers, APNs will ensure that patients obtain the care they need in a timely and coordinated manner (Hansen-Turton & Rothman, 2022). This can help both to enhance health outcomes and decrease healthcare costs.
Fourthly, APNs can work to endorse education and awareness about health issues in rural, underserved areas. By providing education and resources to residents, APNs can help empower them to take control of their health and make knowledgeable decisions about their care. Finally, APNs can advocate for policy changes that address health disparities in rural underserved areas. By working with legislators and other policymakers, APNs can help to ensure that the needs of rural residents are being met and that suitable resources are being aimed at where they are needed most.
In summary, advanced practice nurses can effectively work to eliminate disparities in rural areas by increasing access to care through telehealth, promoting the diversity of the healthcare workforce, and enhancing coordination of care. APNs can also enhance education and awareness and advocate for policy changes. By taking these steps, nurses will ensure that all citizens, regardless of where they live, obtain access to the care they need to lead quality, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
References
Hansen-Turton, T., & Rothman, N. L. (2022). Health policy for advanced practice nurses: The nurse-led care evolution and policy implications for improving services for populations experiencing disproportionate health disparities. In D. Seibert et al. (Eds.), Shaping nursing healthcare policy: A view from the inside (pp. 181-195). Academic Press.
Holland, D. E., Vanderboom, C. E., Mandrekar, J., Borah, B. J., Dose, A. M., Ingram, C. J., & Griffin, J. M. (2020). A technology-enhanced model of care for transitional palliative care versus attention control for adult family caregivers in rural or medically underserved areas: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 21. Web.
Schweickert, P., Rheuban, K. S., Cattell-Gordon, D., Rosell, R. L., Wiles, L. L., Reed, K. E., Ballenger Reid, K., Nesbitt Fowler, C., Haney, T., & Rutledge, C. (2018). The APN-PLACE telehealth education network: Legal and regulatory considerations. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 9(1), 47-51. Web.