About the Book

This volume presents a comprehensive overview of the current rural health environment by sorting topics into coverage of the demand for rural health, the supply of resources (facilities and personnel), the broad application of technology, and the roles of government policies and rural sociology. A major purpose is to guide those involved in decision making and planning to insure continued provision of health care for rural residents. A unique feature is the integration of innovative approaches throughout the work; there is a recognition that several rural institutions are undergoing transition and that fresh approaches are critical.

This work will be of interest to scholars, policy-makers, and practitioners in rural health care, health care facilities, and health care management.

Book Synopsis

This volume presents a comprehensive overview of the current rural health environment by sorting topics into coverage of the demand for rural health, the supply of resources (facilities and personnel), the broad application of technology, and the roles of government policies and rural sociology. A major purpose is to guide those involved in decision making and planning to insure continued provision of health care for rural residents. A unique feature is the integration of innovative approaches throughout the work; there is a recognition that several rural institutions are undergoing transition and that fresh approaches are critical.

This work will be of interest to scholars, policy-makers, and practitioners in rural health care, health care facilities, and health care management.

Review Quotes

?This volume is an excellent collection of articles covering rural health care. The authors reflect a blend of perspectives from academe, consultants, and government. . . . This is an excellent book. The chapters on technology are particularly well done, and the attention directed to this topic is significant given its potential impact on rural health care. In addition, this book does an excellent job in discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the development and use of alternative rural hospital models. The chapter, The Case for Keeping the Rural Hospital, '' is particularly well done. It is also refreshing to see an article on nurses in rural health care, since they fulfill such a critical role in rural health care delivery. The chapters are as current as any book can be on the changing environment of rural health care. . . . Rural Health Care would make a solid text for a course on rural health care delivery.?-Inquiry

?Useful explorations of the issues faced by rural health care institutions and caregivers. Faculty; professional.?-Choice

"Useful explorations of the issues faced by rural health care institutions and caregivers. Faculty; professional."-Choice

"This volume is an excellent collection of articles covering rural health care. The authors reflect a blend of perspectives from academe, consultants, and government. . . . This is an excellent book. The chapters on technology are particularly well done, and the attention directed to this topic is significant given its potential impact on rural health care. In addition, this book does an excellent job in discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the development and use of alternative rural hospital models. The chapter, The Case for Keeping the Rural Hospital, '' is particularly well done. It is also refreshing to see an article on nurses in rural health care, since they fulfill such a critical role in rural health care delivery. The chapters are as current as any book can be on the changing environment of rural health care. . . . Rural Health Care would make a solid text for a course on rural health care delivery."-Inquiry

About the Author

LAVONNE A. STRAUB is Associate Professor of Economics at Western Illinois University. She is the co-editor (with Norman Walzer) of Financing Rural Health Care (Praeger, 1988).

NORMAN WALZER is Director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. He is editor of Rural Community Economic Development (Praeger, 1992).