Rural areas in Canada face unique and significant challenges in accessing healthcare. Patient advocacy groups have been instrumental in addressing these challenges, implementing innovative solutions and advocating for systemic changes to improve healthcare access and outcomes for rural populations. In this article, we will discuss some of the obstacles faced by patients in rural areas and how patient advocacy groups in Canada have begun to address them.
Challenges in Rural Areas
Geographic barriers, such as long distances to healthcare facilities, make it difficult for rural residents to access timely medical care, especially if they are in need of highly specialized services. Additionally, rural areas have historically struggled with recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare specialists. According to a report out of the University of Calgary, barriers to recruiting and retaining physicians in rural areas include negative perception of rural life and medicine, inability for spouses to find work, isolation from loved ones, and poor compensation for the work. This shortage can be seen across Canada and has led to long wait times, hospital closures, and inadequate care in rural areas.
Socioeconomic factors further complicate healthcare for patients in rural areas, especially when seeking specialized care. For example, one study found that patients in rural BC who needed to travel for care paid an average of $2044 CAD in out-of-pocket expenses. That amount does not include the costs incurred by for loved ones who accompany them nor lost wages.
Cultural and social barriers also play a significant role. For instance, according to Statistics Canada, over a third (35.9%) of Indigenous peoples live in rural areas, while only 16.1% of the overall population resides outside of a census metropolitan area/census agglomeration. As noted by Loppie and Wien, the previously mentioned challenges are aggregated by racism and culturally-insensitive care, further reducing these individuals’ access to and trust in the healthcare system, which is concerning as Indigenous communities often have increased rates of diabetes, obesity, and poor cardiovascular and renal health.
How Patient Advocacy Groups Are Addressing These Challenges
Fortunately, patient advocacy groups have been working to address these challenges. By implementing innovative solutions and advocating for systemic changes, these groups have made significant strides in improving healthcare access and outcomes.
To address the limited access to healthcare services, patient advocacy groups have championed the establishment of mobile health clinics. These clinics bring essential healthcare services directly to rural communities, reducing the need for long travel distances. The BC Rural Health Network, for instance, has been instrumental in deploying mobile clinics across British Columbia.
Addressing socioeconomic barriers has also been a focus for many patient advocacy groups. The Canadian Association of Community Health Centres (CACHC), for example, has worked to develop a financial assistance program for community health centres that aims to improve accessibility to care and address knowledge and clinical practice gaps within the healthcare system. Additionally, the Canadian Cancer Society offers affordable accommodation options, driving services, and financial assistance that covers some travel costs.
Enhancing cultural competency among healthcare providers has been another priority. The Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC), for instances, offers cultural sensitivity training for healthcare providers with the aim of reducing anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare and improve culturally-appropriate practices.
Conclusion
Rural areas in Canada face numerous challenges in accessing healthcare, from geographic and socioeconomic barriers to cultural and social obstacles. Patient advocacy groups play a crucial role in addressing these challenges. By establishing mobile clinics, offering financial assistance programs, and promoting cultural competency, these groups are making significant strides in improving healthcare access and outcomes for rural populations. Nevertheless, continued efforts and support for these advocacy initiatives are essential to ensure equitable healthcare for all Canadians, regardless of their geographic location.
