laparoscopic surgery is now an integral part of the operative repertoire. single-incision laparoscopic surgery (sils) is a new technique developed for performing operations without a visible scar. pneumoperitoneum, as a necessary precondition of laparoscopic procedures, represents the restriction of the surgeon's freedom of movement and can lead to rare but typical complications. the single inc...

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To redefine the practice of rural nurses and describe a model that conceptualises the capabilities and characteristics required in the rural environment. BACKGROUND The way in which the practice of rural nurses has been conceptualised is problematic. Definitions of rural nursing have been identified primarily through the functional context of rural health service delivery....

This brief describes Medicaid’s role for 52 million nonelderly children and adults living in the most rural areas in the United States and discusses how expansions or reductions in Medicaid could affect rural areas. It shows:  Rural populations face significant challenges to their health care coverage and access. People who live in the most rural counties of America are spread across almost 2,...

BACKGROUND The demand for total hip and total knee arthroplasties is increasing as are the waiting times for these procedures. Because of the differences between rural and urban areas in terms of the provision of arthroplasty services and between the 2 patient groups, patient perspectives of waiting times may also be different. METHODS To compare waiting times for initial orthopedic consultat...

Rural areas, where 47.6% of the Croatian population lives are not generally the focus of research; yet there are challenges which affect the rural population that often go unreported. These communities often exhibit disadvantages in many areas of health. The aim of this study is to examine the specific health needs and related determinants of rural populations influenced by transition that were...

T he slow and steady erosion of rural maternity and surgical services over the past 2 decades has been met with a determined push back from care providers, administrators, and those living in rural areas, underscored by efforts to create an evidence base to inform policy and planning.1 The loss of rural maternity care programs in particular has resonated deeply with stakeholders and has attract...

OBJECTIVE To establish a telerobotic surgical service between a teaching hospital and a rural hospital for provision of telerobotic surgery and assistance to aid rural surgeons in providing a variety of advanced laparoscopic surgery to their community patients. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA The above service was established between St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton and North Bay General Hospital 40...

This study examines the effect of 13 strategic management activities on the financial performance of a national sample of 797 U.S. rural hospitals during the period of 1983-1988. Controlled for environment-market, geographic-region, and hospital-related variables, the results show almost no measurable effect of strategic adoption on rural hospital profitability and liquidity. Where statisticall...

Perinatal mortality is high in rural hospitals in South Africa. In part this is due to less than optimal care. This study determined the perinatal mortality experienced by a rural hospital and its clinics. Avoidable causes of death are described and various intervention strategies that effectively and rapidly prevented such deaths, reducing perinatal mortality by one-third, are outlined.

Recruitment of general surgeons to practice in rural environments is challenging. We believe that innovative training programs focusing on the specific needs and experiences of rural surgical practice can play an important role in addressing this clinical workforce issue. For practical reasons, our program will start out small, but if 50 centers around the nation were to establish a similar rur...