Volume eleven, Issue 3

Nature versus Nurture is the age old question of rural workforce. How do nations address populations suffering a shortage of physicians? Studies should consider both Nature and Nurture, as well as involving multiple institutions.

Understanding common causes of death can guide those responsible for planning healthcare interventions. This unique retrospective chart review analysed the causes of death in a remote Sub-Sahara African district hospital over 17 years. While the methods are transferrable, the results of this study are specific to ensuring the health needs of this remote population will be considered when public health expenditure is planned.

We all know it does people good - but the health benefits of living in a rural community are hard to define, and even harder to quantify. This small qualitative study of consecutive GP patients in Ireland provides a wealth of information to stimulate reflection.

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease is increasing rapidly in the developing world. This rural-urban comparative study from Pakistan, the world sixth most populous nation, aimed to identify risk factors that might shape targeted public health interventions to reduce burgeoning cardiovascular morbidity.

Before we get complacent about childhood vaccination, consider this: almost one million Indonesian children missed a measles vaccination in 2007. These investigators sought to identify why by analysing a children's dataset of the 2007 Indonesia's Demographic and Health Survey. Three key factors stood out.

Violence is a universal community problem but greater understanding of the factors involved in rural violence is required for this issue to be addressed at community level. These authors approach meaning, causes, consequences, and solutions by comparing male and female youth perceptions.

Decision-making is an important skill for any healthcare provider. Understanding the process of decision-making among novice rural registered nurses is the focus of this study. The findings have application for practice settings, including orientation and ongoing mentoring.

The message for those interested in improved rural health outcomes is "Ask not for your target population to come to you. Go out to meet them." While the object of this outreach was cardiovascular risk factors in a US rural population, the same strategy could be applied to health screening programs for any other specific population.

This article explores the context of rural living and its impact on the choices made by individuals with advanced disease. Their experiences and perceptions provide direction for the development of more appropriate palliative services in rural areas.

This Nigerian year-long study suggests that the multidimensional suffering of rural women affected by obstetric fistula (VVF) can be significantly reversed by successful surgical repair - if the resources are available.

Question: What can geographic methods tell us about rural health? Answer: A surprising amount! This high acuity GIS mapping approach to analysing access to dental care in Western Australia is not only fascinating reading, but also contributes to equity in workforce and service planning for the widely dispersed WA rural population.

Following a nutritional status study on an adult Indian tribal group, these authors suggest an alternative anthropometric measure to the standard BMI when screening for clinical undernourishment.

Babies with good Apgar scores are not in need of resuscitation. The Community Apgar may also indicate small communities that are likely to do well with viable workforce.

What is known about the contribution of nutritional services from dieticians to the health and wellbeing of older rural adults? This study from the Greek Mediterranean built on MEDIS Study data to find out. The results add to our knowledge of healthy ageing in this under-researched area.

The recent H1N1 influenza pandemic presented a challenge to health care providers and public health decision makers alike. This article documents the results of a community-based participatory approach with First Nations communities in isolated areas of Canada and highlights the barriers and recommendations to address future pandemics.

Do rural and remote patients with cancer have the highest level of unmet care needs? Suspend assumptions and read this large comparative study of rural, remote and metropolitan participants in Australia's largest but most sparsely populated state.

Access to obstetric services is fundamental to improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes, but this remains beyond the reach of many women in the developing world. These authors researched birthing practices in a remote area of Tanzania, evaluating the impact of tribal culture, distance to obstetric services and infrastructural issues on the likelihood of skilled birth attendance at delivery.

Older rural carers have different support needs from their urban counterparts. Here, their distinct barriers to obtaining that support are identified with such clarity that this review will be important for government, service planners, and all who conduct support programs for this vulnerable rural group.

One framework for understanding diabetes in developing nations and Indigenous peoples can be provided by a focus on the impact of stress. Prevention and intervention efforts should consider more than just a biomedical model.

Interprofesional education is a key strategy for addressing workforce issues in rural and remote areas of Canada. This article discusses the BRIDGE project which has been implememented in the interior of British Columbia to explore IPE opportunities for students and communities.

How do we effectively manage environmental risks so that the public's health is safeguarded? Traditionally, standardized risk assessments and advisories have been commonplace but these authors argue for a place-baased approach to environmental risk for improved healh outcomes.

Do Australian rural placement programs offer more than strategies to address the rural workforce crisis? This letter adds to the debate.

This letter from Japan suggests that even less formal internet learning opportunities among physicians can contribute to the health of the remote and rural community.

The adjusted diabetes mellitus screening criteria for a rural Japanese population reported in this letter may be transferrable to groups with similar characteristics.