Rural Health Systems - Rural Mental Health

OBJECTIVES

1. Understand the unique stressors of rural life and the potential lack of mental health care providers and the rural persons hesitancy to utilize them.
2. Understand mental health stressors are dynamic as is the processes to handle them both as a community and as an individual.

TEACHING STRATEGIES

When on a rural rotation, examine how a physician, by knowing the unique characteristics of the community and family ties, can use their influence to resolve or avoid conflict without violation of patient confidentiality.

QUINCY FAMILY PRACTICE CENTER PERSPECTIVES:

Often patients are reluctant to seek out Mental Health providers or will not have easy access to them. The rural physician's role is expanded to counseling, social services. It is necessary to know how to manage this from a physician viewpoint (i.e. 15 minute treatment, training office personnel to keep, give and explain brochures on social services).

Return to:

educational & teaching strategies * home page

Comments: rfd@adams.net