Medicine on the Frontier: Why Rural Health Care Is Essential

Send us Fan MailThere are challenges to practicing medicine and receiving medical treatment in rural areas, but there are benefits as well. According to National Rural Health Day, rural America is a great place for mission-minded health professionals to provide individualized care. According to this episode's guest, rural patients will approach their doctor in public. Adrian Billings, M.D., is associate academic dean for rural and community engagement with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and with Texas Tech Physicians of Odessa. Dr. Billings shared what it is like to practice medicine in such a large rural area and how it's led him to build deep relationships with his patients. He also shares how telehealth and modern technology are transforming care in remote areas but stresses why personal connection between patients and clients still matters most.