Related Experiment Videos
Rural hospital closures and access to services.
S T Fleming1, H A Williamson, L L Hicks
1Health Services Management, University of Missouri, Columbia, USA.
Hospital & Health Services Administration
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Rural hospital closures in 1990 increased travel distances to care by an average of 25.7 miles and 30.2 minutes. This shift may represent a tradeoff between service breadth and emergency access.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Rural Health Policy
- Healthcare Access
Background:
- 25 rural hospitals closed in 1990, impacting healthcare access.
- Assessing the consequences of these closures is crucial for understanding rural healthcare dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the implications of rural hospital closures.
- To quantify changes in travel distance and time to healthcare facilities.
- To analyze the impact on access to essential hospital services.
Main Methods:
- Estimated travel distance and time to the nearest open hospital post-closure.
- Measured the types of services offered by closed and remaining hospitals.
Main Results:
- Average travel distance increased to 25.7 miles.
- Average travel time increased to 30.2 minutes.
- Remaining hospitals generally offered a wider range of services.
Conclusions:
- Rural hospital closures can lead to increased travel burdens for patients.
- A potential tradeoff exists between the breadth of services and rapid access for emergencies.
- These findings highlight critical considerations for rural healthcare planning and sustainability.