Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
12:08
Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Barriers and Facilitators to Obstetric Care in Rural Wisconsin Communities
Madeline Edgerly1, Leslie Ruffalo, Marin Burkle
1Author Affiliations: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI (Dr Edgerly, Dr Burkle); and Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI (Dr Ruffalo).
Family & Community Health
|August 7, 2026
Summary
Rural obstetric care faces challenges in staffing and training. Enhancing physician involvement and implementing support networks are crucial for sustaining obstetrics in rural Wisconsin.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Rural Health
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Rural hospitals are closing labor and delivery units.
- A growing gap exists between the demand for and supply of obstetric physicians.
- This study addresses obstetric care delivery in rural Wisconsin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand barriers and facilitators to delivering obstetric care in rural Wisconsin.
- To identify challenges and opportunities for rural obstetric providers.
- To inform strategies for sustaining rural obstetric services.
Main Methods:
- Conducted interviews with rural-based family medicine and OB-GYN physicians.
- Utilized thematic analysis to interpret physician perspectives.
- Interviewed 21 physicians practicing obstetrics in rural Wisconsin.
Main Results:
- Key themes identified: Patient Safety Programs and Training, Staffing, and Physician Involvement in Hospital Changes.
- Physicians highlighted the importance of robust training and adequate staffing.
- Physician engagement in hospital decision-making emerged as a critical factor.
Conclusions:
- Future rural obstetric care requires hands-on education and strong community-committed teams.
- Collaboration with larger hospitals and robust training programs are essential.
- Developing support networks among colleagues and health systems is imperative for sustainability.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Barriers to Effective Communication II
The barriers to effective communication also include cultural barriers, semantic barriers, gender barriers, and time constraints.
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural Health Centers
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
01:18Introduction To Health Care Delivery System
The healthcare system is constantly changing and complex. Various services are available from different healthcare providers, but gaining access to these services has become challenging for people with limited healthcare insurance. Uninsured people present a challenge to healthcare because they frequently postpone or forego treatment.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) advocates for a patient-centered, effective, safe, timely, equitable, and effective healthcare system. The National Priorities...
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) advocates for a patient-centered, effective, safe, timely, equitable, and effective healthcare system. The National Priorities...
01:25Physiological Barriers
Physiological barriers are semi-permeable cellular structures restricting drug diffusion into intracellular compartments and tissues. There are six types of physiological barriers: blood endothelial, cell membrane, blood-brain, blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood-placenta, and blood-testis barriers.
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
01:15Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
The case management model is a multidisciplinary approach that involves healthcare professionals from diverse disciplines, such as physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and pharmacists, working collaboratively to address the various needs of patients. Each healthcare professional brings unique expertise and perspectives, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition and tailoring treatment plans accordingly.
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...