How can we Bridge Gaps in Rural Healthcare for Diabetic Management?
Work Type
Poster
Abstract
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that is one of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. Given its significant impact on public health, efforts to better manage diabetes have continued to evolve. However, not all patients have access, even more so in rural and underserved areas. Studies conducted by the NIHCM in 2023 showed that 80% of rural America is medically underserved, which is approximately 36 million people. Several factors contribute to this lack of access, including lack of primary care clinicians, hospitals and clinics closing, financial barriers, and low health literacy. The objective of this project is to increase awareness of available resources on how to better manage diabetic patients in rural communities.
This starts with home health and telehealth. According to the World Health Organizations (WHO), home health is defined as “any form of care given to ill people in their homes, including physical, psychosocial and palliative activities.” This includes, but is not limited to, post-discharge care, 24-hour in-home support for elderly or disabled patients, and chronic disease management. Medical providers can conduct home visits, perform comprehensive physical examinations, and obtain blood samples — delivering all essential components of patient care. Telehealth has given medical professionals another approach to provide care for acute and chronic diseases. Its utilization has increased in recent years, mainly in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, 37% of adults made use of these services. Additionally, it provided support to individuals with physical disabilities or ones with increased risk of health exposures.
Combining these two resources creates an impactful, collaborative model of care in which the Home Health provider collects essential clinical data: including vital signs, blood work, and physical assessments such as diabetic foot exams. These are then shared with the medical provider conducting the telehealth visit. This integration not only enhances diagnostic accuracy and continuity of care but also expands access for patients who may face transportation barriers, live far from medical facilities or simply unable to leave the home and seek care. By optimizing the exchange of clinical information, this model saves time for both patients and providers while offering a more convenient, efficient, and patient-centered approach to managing chronic conditions like diabetes in underserved rural areas.
Publication Date
5-20-2025
Citation Information
Sagbo, Rodrigue, "How can we Bridge Gaps in Rural Healthcare for Diabetic Management?" (2025). Student Works Physician Associate. 1.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/stu_pa/1
