Top Ten Tips Palliative Clinicians Should Know About Rural Palliative Care in the United States

J Palliat Med. 2024 Mar 15. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2024.0032. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Palliative care improves outcomes, yet rural residents often lack adequate and equitable access. This study provides practical tips to address palliative care (PC)-related challenges in rural communities. Strategies include engaging trusted community partners, addressing cultural factors, improving pediatric care, utilizing telehealth, networking with rural teams including caregivers, and expanding roles for nurses and advanced practice providers. Despite complex barriers to access, providers can tailor PC to be patient-centered, respect local values, and bridge gaps. The "Top 10" format emphasizes the relevant issues to enable clinicians to provide optimal care for people from rural areas.

Keywords: access to services; cultural practices; health disparities; reimbursement issues; rural communities; specialty palliative care.