BACKGROUND The effectiveness of health interventions can be impaired by low socio-economic status and poor living conditions of the target population. However, the specifics of this problem in rural China are still unclear, and appropriate strategies should be explored. METHODS In 2013, we conducted a questionnaire-based investigation among 410 participants from a population-based esophageal ...

INTRODUCTION Rural radiographers require, over and above traditional radiographic expertise, additional competencies which to a certain degree are unique however not limited to rural practice. Previous studies, however, have focused more attention primarily on other rural health professionals such as doctors and nurses leaving a research need in this field. This article focuses on the additiona...

At the end of the year 1940, the total number of rural hospitals and dispensaries stood at 1,681; of these, 16 were state public, 41 state special, 1,242 local and municipal fund (including the village and union board dispensaries), 123 private aided, 71 railway, and 10 subsidized by district boards. I focus my attention to the 1,365 local, municipal and private dispensaries, most of which are ...

Rural emergency nurses face unique obstacles to providing quality end-of-life (EOL) care. Stories provided by emergency nurses embody their most difficult EOL care obstacles. METHODS A questionnaire was sent to 53 rural hospitals. Respondents were asked to share stories that epitomized the obstacles faced while providing EOL care in the rural emergency setting. RESULTS The lack of an ideal ...

There is a paucity of research demonstrating how best to address inequalities in health and access to specialist care faced by rural disadvantaged populations in high HIV-prevalent settings in Sub Saharan Africa. Delivering equitable and cost-effective specialist clinical services in many parts of Africa is challenging, given human resource shortages, poor transport infrastructure and competing...

OBJECTIVE This study explored the relationship between perceived barriers to research use and the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) among rural hospital nurses. BACKGROUND The Institute of Medicine recommends that 90% of clinical decisions be evidence based by 2020. METHODS This descriptive, quality improvement study used a convenience sampling of registered nurses (RNs). Part...

OBJECTIVE To explore the reasons why individuals recurrently present with asthma to hospital emergency departments. DESIGN A predominantly qualitative study in which participants were interviewed in-depth about their asthma. Data on medication use, respiratory health and asthma knowledge were also collected, and asthma severity was determined from medical records. SETTING A tertiary teachin...

OBJECTIVE This study presents a set of concepts underpinning rural practice that could assist teaching health and medical students. OUTCOME Five concepts, important in distinguishing rural health practice, are presented and discussed. These are rural-urban health differentials, access, confidentiality, cultural safety and team practice. Together these concepts impact the ways in which rural h...