NRHA's Rural Health Voices blog offers informed commentary on the latest news in rural health care from NRHA staff and editorials from selected contributors.

Diagnosing and managing mild TBI in rural kids

A family hike takes a scary turn when a two-year-old trips and strikes his head on a rock. When he arrives at the closest medical clinic, he is acting disoriented and lethargic. Neuroimaging services are an hour drive away. His parents are pushing for a head CT. Should the attending health care provider conduct in-office observation and see if his symptoms improve or call for emergency transport? Decisions like these are all too common for rural providers caring for a patient with a traumatic...

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AAFP physician happiness survey results

Physicians are happy with their jobs, according to a survey by CompHealth and the American Academy of Family Physicians. But the survey also found that burnout and stress are a reality for many physicians. Workplace friendships are key: The survey found a direct correlation between positive relationships at work and happiness. Having more autonomy and input on decisions that affected them also affected physicians’ happiness. The survey also found that many physicians felt...

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Locum tenens model bridges a gap in psychiatric care

Mental health staffing shortages exist in urban and rural health care settings, but the problems are even more challenging in rural areas. Locum tenens psychiatrists are helping to combat the shortage of mental health providers in rural areas. In some cases, locum tenens physicians face large backlogs of patients in need of quality mental health care. With changing dynamics of health care and mental health care needs, locum tenens providers help fill the need.

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