Abilene, TX: Innovation in Rural Health Care
Access to rural health care is a key issue that Abilene, TX, and the rest of the state are working to address. According to the Texas Rural Health Association, 43% of rural hospitals in Texas are operating on a negative margin. The state’s rural population of 3 million is larger than the populations of 18 states, according to Texas 2036, a nonprofit public policy organization. Additionally, the nonprofit says more than 100,000 Texans live in one of 32 counties with no primary care doctor.
Ahead, hear from health care professionals at West Texas Health and Hendrick Health in Abilene, TX, who share how their facilities are working to expand health care to rural areas.
Dr. Jason Acevedo
President of West Texas Health
Managing Partner at Elm Place Ambulatory Surgery Center
What has your Abilene, TX, facility done to increase health care options for those who live in rural areas?
We’ve been intentional about increasing access for our patients in rural areas. While we don’t have a dedicated rural access program, we care for patients from all areas of the Big Country. Our clinic also has options for virtual visits (aka telemedicine) for patients in rural communities.
Tell us about the virtual visits and why those are advantageous for people of all ages?
Virtual visits are advantageous for patients who live far away from their health care providers. They also can be beneficial for patients who have a hard time taking off work or have transportation issues. They can typically be conducted via a smartphone, tablet or desktop. There’s no age limitation, and we have seen both pediatric and geriatric patients via these visits.
How do patients work virtual visits into their regularly scheduled care?
Your health care provider can determine whether the medical issue you have is appropriate for a virtual visit. Virtual visits can also be a great option for acute issues, and we’ve recently collaborated with Privia to offer on-demand virtual visits.
What tips do you have for people using virtual visits?
Prepare for your visit by doing a pre-visit questionnaire. Make sure that your health care provider knows what medications you’re taking. Also, if there are test results that you want your provider to be aware of, it’s helpful if you can obtain these prior to your visit. Be sure to log in early and make sure you have good Wi-Fi or cellular signal.
How have rural patients responded to virtual visits and any other helpful services you provide?
Patients seem to be very happy to have this option. Some would prefer to come to Abilene for shopping or other activities, but many times, a virtual visit is a nice way to see your provider without having to drive into Abilene.
What plans does your Abilene, TX, facility have to further increase health care accessibility for rural populations?
We plan to continue to expand our partnerships with our rural partners to increase access and find ways to get our providers into rural communities. Also, we’re excited by the rural health initiative brought forth by Texas Tech University Health Science Center. They’ve taken ownership to provide health care to rural communities throughout West Texas, and we plan to work together with them to make this vision a reality.
Craig Hunnicutt
Director of Regional Services at Hendrick Health
What has your Abilene, TX, facility done to increase health care options for those who live in rural areas?
Beyond increasing capacity and access to services at Hendrick Health facilities, many providers maintain a regular schedule of specialty outreach clinics in surrounding rural communities. These specialty outreach clinics allow patients to stay in their home community and receive specialty care that isn’t otherwise locally available.
Tell us about the virtual visits offered and why those are advantageous for people of all ages?
In addition to conducting a robust schedule of in-person specialty outreach clinics in the region, many Hendrick medical providers utilize virtual (or telemedicine) visits to accommodate patient needs in their care plan.
Telemedicine can also be helpful for pediatric patients, as traditional medical visits present a host of challenges for little ones. With virtual visits, parents can avoid waiting rooms and associated germs and distractions.
What tips do you have for people using virtual visits?
There are a number of things patients can do to make the most out of the opportunity for virtual visits. First of all, patients should ask their medical provider or office staff if telemedicine is an option for an upcoming visit or their next follow-up.
How have rural patients responded to virtual visits and any other helpful services you provide?
Rural patients served by Hendrick Health always appreciate and respond well to care delivery that minimizes the challenges of traveling to receive medical care. That’s why our specialty outreach clinics have been so well received over the years at every site.
Efforts are currently underway to provide greater access through virtual specialty clinic sites throughout the region. Virtual specialty care has the potential to help close the recognized health care gap between rural and urban citizens by increasing access to early and timely specialty care intervention – the result being better medical outcomes for rural patients.
This article was sponsored by the Abilene Regional Growth Alliance, a division of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. The Abilene Chamber is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian organization that advocates for pro-business policies that create jobs and grow the economy.