Over the past 30 years, Advanced Practitioners (APs), including Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs), have played an increasingly critical role in delivering health services to rural America. With healthcare provider shortages in many underserved areas, APs have become an indispensable part of the healthcare landscape. Today, APs are found in virtually every specialty and healthcare setting, helping to bridge the gap in access to care for rural populations. Their impact is especially profound in underserved regions, where up to 25% of rural healthcare providers are Nurse Practitioners .
Increasing Health Services in Rural America
One of the most significant contributions of Advanced Practitioners is increasing access to healthcare in medically underserved areas. In rural regions, APs account for up to 41% of Medicare beneficiaries' primary care appointments . By making themselves available for more appointments, APs ensure that patients in remote locations receive timely medical care, which otherwise might have been inaccessible due to physician shortages.
Reducing the Cost of Care
Advanced Practitioners are also playing a major role in reducing healthcare costs for rural patients. APs provide cost-effective care that is on par with services provided by physicians, but at a lower cost. Studies have shown that the services provided by APs in rural settings can be as much as 30% less expensive per visit compared to those provided by physicians . This reduction in cost encourages greater utilization of healthcare services in areas where patients may have been deterred by financial barriers.
Providing Expanded Services
In recent years, progressive legislation changes in many states have granted Advanced Practitioners greater autonomy, allowing them to provide an expanded range of healthcare services. One area where this autonomy is particularly beneficial is telemedicine, which is transforming healthcare access in rural America. Telemedicine enables APs to offer remote consultations and care in various medical specialties, such as mental health and stroke care, to patients who otherwise would not have access to these services locally. This technology is critical for connecting underserved populations with the care they need.
Expertise in Primary Care
APs, especially Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, are experts in primary care, a vital service in rural settings. In fact, the Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant roles were created to address the shortage of physicians in rural areas. APs undergo training and continuing education with a focus on primary care medicine, ensuring they are equipped to provide comprehensive healthcare in remote locations. The ability of APs to deliver high-quality primary care has a positive and lasting impact on the health outcomes of rural communities.
Providing High Quality Care
One of the major advantages of employing Advanced Practitioners in rural healthcare is their efficiency in education and deployment. The time it takes to train an AP is about half that of a physician, which means more APs can enter the workforce quickly to meet rural healthcare needs. Despite the shorter educational timeline, studies show that quality of care and patient satisfaction provided by APs are comparable to that of physicians . This is a key benefit for rural areas struggling with healthcare staffing shortages.
Find Rural Health Care Jobs
As the demand for healthcare services grows in rural America, Advanced Practitioners are stepping up to fill the gap, ensuring that even the most remote populations receive quality care. By increasing access to care, lowering costs, expanding services, and providing expert primary care, APs are transforming the healthcare landscape in rural areas.
If you're an Advanced Practitioner ready to make a difference in rural healthcare, explore job opportunities through PracticeMatch. Browse by specialty and location to find the perfect role where your skills are needed most.
*Originally posted on 5/26/2020. Last updated on 9/11/2024.
Ashley Poshard is the Manager of Program Relations and Data Quality. She joined PracticeMatch in 2021 and brings over a decade of database management experience. Formerly an in-house physician recruiter and PracticeMatch client, she excels in engaging physicians with the platform. Ashley collaborates with program coordinators nationally, offering educational opportunities and gathering feedback. Her role involves implementing innovative features and services, fostering long-term physician engagement with PracticeMatch. Additionally, Ashley leads the data team, working to maximize data collection efforts and enhance the PinPoint Database's size, value, and quality, solidifying PracticeMatch's position as a leader in healthcare recruitment and data management.