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Rural physicians are a rare breed. One fifth of
Americans live in rural areas, but only about
one tenth, or 9 percent, of physicians practice
there, and the number of specialists per 100,000
residents in rural areas is half that of urban areas.
Since rural physicians are so few and far between,
they are entrusted to act as the family physician,
the emergency physician, the obstetrician and the
gastroenterologist, often all in one day's work.
In honor of our community hospitals issue, which
highlights small, often rural hospitals, we tracked
down a few physicians who practice in some of
America's tiniest towns, providing patients with
a range of care. The following three family
physicians are from towns with populations of
4,000 or less, and here they share how healthcare
is different — and not so different — practicing
in a rural community.
Note: Responses have been lightly edited for brevity and clarity
Participants include:
3 Physicians From
America's Tiniest
Towns Talk Patient
Relationships, Rural
Practice and the
State of Healthcare
John H. Haynes Jr., MD.
Practicing in Vivian, La.,
with North Caddo Medical Center.
George Franklin, DO.
Practicing in Parker, Ariz.,
with La Paz Regional Hospital.
Robert Bosl, MD.
Practicing in Starbuck, Minn.,
with Stevens Community
Medical Center.
P H Y S I C I A N
ROUNDTABLE
70
Physician Affairs
By Emily Rappleye
