BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Texas A&M’s focus and support from the state Legislature and the federal government is expected to reverse the trend of decreasing access to health care.
Access to health care is essential to thriving communities. National Rural Health Day highlights the work being done to expand access. This is especially true here in Texas.
But since 2010, 26 local hospitals have closed, more than any other state.
“There are more than 4 million Texans who need health care, and it’s important that we don’t forget their needs,” said Dr. Kia Parusi, executive director of Texas A&M’s Institute for Rural and Community Health and Rural Programs in the School of Medicine. insists.
Texas A&M received support in the 88th Congress, allowing its scholars to continue their efforts.
“As we recognize National Rural Health Day, it is important to remember that as a land-grant institution, this is critical to the mission of Texas A&M University,” Dr. Parsi said. He pondered and asked, “How can we help rural communities?”
Dr. Parsi said that by mentoring the next generation of physicians and encouraging them to learn in rural medical settings in the Brazos Valley region, A&M is uniquely positioned to ensure access to health care for all.
Dr. Parsi told KBTX they are considering one section of the curriculum. ? ”
Working on mobile clinics to bridge rural medical disparities for residents of all ages
Legislative funding has allowed mobile clinics to reach the finish line in recent years. It is administered through the Texas A&M College of Nursing and Clinical Associate Professor Dr. Nicole Peters Kroll. Her program takes students to patients across the state, giving Brazos Valley residents access to care they previously didn’t have access to, expanding their knowledge to live healthy lives, and even building trust in medical professionals. She said that it is possible to increase the
“While we are only in each community one day a week, we also provide telehealth services on the days we are away, meaning that even though we are on wheels, we are a full-fledged clinic. It took a while for them to trust us and know they were going to come back and see us every week,” said Dr. Peters Kroll.
This was an inspiration to all future medical professionals, said Dr. Peters Kroll. As children in these communities are exposed to health care workers, more and more of them want to join the health care workforce.
Until then, experts will continue to do what they can to fill in the gaps, many of which still occur today. Just this week, Caprock announced it would close its Bryan hospital and College Station emergency room.
Bryan-College Station health system closure highlights broader challenges in health care access
“We hope that (the health care system) does not shut down, but we also need to recognize what is achievable and the economics of health care are very difficult,” Parsi added.
Dr. Parsi said KBTX A&M will continue to work on the front lines to close the gap with federal and state support.
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