Volume nine, Issue 3

What does history tell us about the shift in health status in rural places? And what are the links to the current economic recession? Read this editorial to find out...

This highly accessible editorial examines the impact of the current economic recession on the health of those who live in the rural north-west USA.

Medication error is very common and can be life threatening for frail aged patients transferred within Australia's increasingly complex healthcare system. This rural pilot study identifies some of the issues and also importantly offers solutions that are unique to the rural context.

This rural ecological study into the respiratory effects of industrial pollutants on kibbutzim children in Israel responded to a specific public concern. However, it has a wider relevance to the disposal of hazardous chemical waste, a common concern of many rural populations.

Spontaneous onset of labour followed by a normal delivery is becoming a rarity in 2009 obstetric practice, whether in an urban private hospital or in a rural area. Do women really want intervention? This interesting qualitative study gives an insight into what women really feel about this important topic.

Changes to Japan's health system have implications for the treatment of rural patients with haematological malignancies. This pilot study looks for solutions.

This comparative study of the practice location of graduates from two medical schools in the Democratic Republic of the Congo adds some unique elements to the rural workforce literature

Intimate partner violence is a worldwide public health issue, with consequences ranging from psychological and physical injury to death. This rural Rwandan study identifies some associated factors that may inform local interventions.

Telehealth aims to provide remote practitioners with another set of eyes - and patients an expert opinion without expensive and time-consuming travel. It sounds so easy. These authors, however, show us there are pitfalls to be wary of when setting up a telehealth service.

Are you interested in the nutritional status of your community? This article describes a rigorous process for determining a reliable tool for investigating malnutrition in rural areas.

Rural youth drug and alcohol use - what are the issues (according to parents in Ireland)? This qualitative study will be thought-provoking, for parents, community, clinicians and policy-makers in any country.

When this large Indian study asked why rural women were not using public healthcare facilities some fundamental issues were identified.

A prolonged illness and death from lung cancer poses enough challenges for families and health care providers. The high media profile of asbestos-related cancers put extra stresses on sufferers, those potentially at risk and the larger community. These issues are explored in this case study of an affected region in Australia.

Is there a difference between rural and urban adults' contraceptive choices? Read this cross-sectional study to find out.

Arguments surrounding point of care testing in general practice are often based on problems in maintaining and credentialing staff. This important national study offers an education solution that is relevant to both rural and urban general practice in Australia.

For over 100 years osteopathic physicians have made significant contributions to the US rural workforce, with the highest percentage of graduates found in rural practice. However their impact on improving health access in rural areas may be reduced with changes to admission, training, and a continued trend to less choice of rural practice and family practice with each class year - even with a doubling of osteopathic graduates by 2017. This study surveys osteopathic medical students and residents about their rural practice interest, and explores financial and other factors important to securing the future rural workforce.

This article provides a snapshot of the accommodation issues faced by adults with intellectual disability living at home with parents or in supported accommodation in an Australian regional setting. What are the hopes and dreams of this ageing and vulnerable population and their carers - and what is the reality?

In a remote, rural region of Brazil where women face complex healthcare access issues, this project brought the barriers down to breast and cervical screening participation. The authors reflect on their successful outreach strategies.

Australia has been significantly affected by the H1N1 pandemic. This article argues that rural and remote areas would have been better served by maintaining the containment phase of the response after it was lifted in cities.

Read about the swine influenza (H1N1) pandemic from the perspective of rural populations in developing countries.

This short communication reviews the state of cancer services in rural Australia and points to the most promising opportunities for eliminating the urban - rural disparities in cancer survival rates. Rural and Remote Health urges readers from all regions to tell us about successful rural cancer programs that work where they live.

Telehealth is becoming an indispensible adjunct to rural health services; however, its introduction is rarely problem-free. Knowing the telehealth priorities of rural hospital administrators and physicians can only assist the successful expansion of telehealth services.

Aboriginal people in Australian have been disproportionately affected by the novel influenza strain H1N109. As anticipated in an article published in this journal earlier in the year, the official approaches to engaging public support for reducing transmission have proved largely irrelevant for Aboriginal communities. This article is a start to documenting the ways in which pandemic strategies must be altered if they are to protect Indigenous and other distinct social groups.

The rural clinical schools in Australia have led the way to developing alternative models of medical education in small rural communities. These medical educators have used RCS principles to develop a community based medical education program in the medium sized city of Darwin, in Australia's remote 'Top End'.