Urology Care Impact in Nebraska's Urban-Rural Divide
GrantID: 14462
Grant Funding Amount Low: $200,000
Deadline: Ongoing
Grant Amount High: $200,000
Summary
Grant Overview
Urban-Rural Divide in Urology Care Coordination in Nebraska
Nebraska showcases a significant urban-rural divide in healthcare accessibility, particularly in specialized areas such as urology. With a population distribution where nearly 24% of residents live in rural communities, these areas often lack adequate healthcare facilities and specialists. Recent reports indicate that rural counties in Nebraska face a severe shortage of urologists, impacting the delivery of timely care and leading to avoidable health complications for residents.
The residents of rural Nebraska, including communities like Chadron and Minden, often confront logistical and financial barriers when seeking urological care. Travel distances can be substantial, often requiring hours of travel to reach the nearest urban hospitals equipped with urology departments. This situation not only heightens the risk of patients delaying care but also increases the likelihood of presenting with advanced stages of urological conditions at the time of diagnosis.
To address these issues, this grant proposes the development of an Enhanced Urology Care Coordination model in Nebraska. This initiative seeks to streamline urological care across multiple providers by creating integrated services that facilitate collaboration between specialists and primary care providers. A focus will be placed on establishing referral pathways that ensure patients receive timely access to necessary diagnostic and treatment services.
The care coordination model will prioritize the implementation of electronic health records (EHR) that allow seamless information sharing among providers. Through this integrated system, patients will experience improved continuity of care, reducing the chances of duplicated services and enhancing overall patient experiences. Additionally, educational modules will be developed to train healthcare professionals statewide on the specific nuances and challenges of urological care, thereby fostering a workforce that is well-equipped to manage and coordinate treatments effectively.
Unlike many neighboring states that may have robust urban healthcare systems, Nebraska’s unique geographic and demographic context necessitates a locally-tailored solution addressing both urban and rural disparities in urological healthcare. This grant recognizes the critical need for a coordinated approach to enhance service accessibility, ensuring that all Nebraskans can benefit from timely urological care, irrespective of their location.
Eligible Regions
Interests
Eligible Requirements
