21 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | October 2024 “Virtual and telehealth cannot replace the physical exam. If we wanted to expand the number of tests – labs, investigations, et cetera – then virtual and telehealth would do just that, which of course increases utilization of the ERs and healthcare spending. “Virtual and telehealth are important patient safety tools for very remote areas, but there should be near zero use in cities and towns that should have a sustainable patient medical home.” According to the CIHI, to attract and retain healthcare professionals in rural areas, financial incentives and support are crucial. Programs such as the Rural, Remote, and Northern Recruitment and Retention Strategy offer financial support to healthcare providers who work in underserved regions. Additionally, increasing funding for rural health programs and providing financial support to rural hospitals can help sustain essential services and improve care availability. Ram also explains the importance of “adequately funding equipment and healthcare personnel for the work that they have been doing so that we can retain our healthcare workforce.” He says “there need to be rural modifiers as a start for everything provided. When a physician is looking for a job, the financial incentives and overall salary of rural positions must be high enough so that there is a draw of workers from urban to rural.” Improving rural health requires addressing broader social determinants such as education, transportation, and housing. Investments in community development, transportation infrastructure, and educational opportunities can contribute to better health outcomes. Collaborative efforts between healthcare providers, community organizations, and policymakers are vital in creating a holistic approach to rural health, the CIHI says. Many steps still need to be taken. Enhancing public health education and outreach can empower rural residents to manage their health proactively. Tailored health education programs, preventive screenings, and community health initiatives can improve health literacy and encourage early intervention. Programs such as the Canadian Public Health Agency’s Rural Health Strategy aim to increase awareness and understanding of health issues in rural communities. Ram advises rural Canadians to speak up about healthcare issues. “Be loud and repetitive. Force involvement by your municipal governments and provincial politicians. If they do not hear the message repeatedly, nothing will happen.” BF RURAL HEALTHCARE ...when the best in corn gets even better • Continued improvement in yield potential • Two new corn traits that offer yield, protection and flexibility: PowerCore® Enlist™ and Vorceed™ Enlist™ • A wide offering of hybrids with resistance to tar spot • The most extensive testing for gibberella ear rot in Eastern Canada • Local breeding programs and rigorous on-farm testing Visit Pioneer.com/Canada to see how we’re innovating the future of farming. ™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2024 Corteva. MARY LOGGAN Mary is a graduate of the University of Guelph. She was raised on a dairy farm and currently operates an equestrian facility in Oxford County.
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