Comparing Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography Machine Accessibility Among Urban and Rural County...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare access
• Radiology
• Rural health disparities

Background:

• Rural America faces higher disease incidence and worse health outcomes compared to urban areas.
• Wisconsin's rural population (32.9%) highlights the significance of this issue.
• Financial instability threatens rural hospitals, with radiology services being a substantial cost.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate disparities in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) machine availability.
• To compare MRI and CT machine distribution between urban and rural Wisconsin county hospitals.

Main Methods:

• Surveyed Wisconsin hospitals regarding their MRI and CT machine inventory.
• Compiled data with county-level information: population, urban-rural classification, and land area.
• Analyzed machine availability per capita and per square mile.

Main Results:

• Wisconsin's overall MRI and CT machine availability favorably compares to national averages.
• A significant disparity exists in rural Wisconsin counties regarding square mileage per CT and MRI machine.
• Rural areas exhibit lower machine density when compared to urban areas.

Conclusions:

• Increased in-hospital MRI and CT machines in rural counties can improve radiologic resource accessibility.
• Distance to services is a barrier for rural residents.
• Further research is needed to assess other rural populations' access to radiology.