Rural Medicine in 2026: Dr. Lance Hansen’s Life as a Full-Spectrum Family Physician in Idaho | DMD # 79

In this heartfelt episode of Doctors Making a Difference, Dr. Peter Crane welcomes Dr. Lance Hansen, a full-spectrum family physician practicing in rural Idaho. The two friends, who once shared an office and countless challenging cases for nearly a decade, discuss the unique rewards and realities of rural medicine. Dr. Hansen shares his journey from a Southeast Idaho potato farm to medical school at the University of Washington and a rural training track residency. The conversation covers why he chose broad-scope family medicine, the deep relationships formed in small communities, the challenges of being on call 24/7 for obstetrics, balancing inpatient, outpatient, ER, and procedural work, and the critical role full-spectrum physicians play in keeping rural hospitals and communities alive. They reflect on the importance of strong partnerships, the declining interest in rural practice among new graduates, the value of extra rural and OB training, and the financial realities of rural medicine. Dr. Crane also shares a personal update about his health and the difficult decision to stop accepting new OB patients. Episode Highlights: Dr. Lance Hansen’s background: Growing up on a potato farm in Southeast Idaho, University of Washington School of Medicine, rural training track residency, and nearly 11 years practicing alongside Dr. Crane in Bear Lake What “full-spectrum” rural family medicine really looks like in 2026: clinic, hospital rounding, ER call, obstetrics, nursing home care, colonoscopies, and 24/7 OB call The power of deep community relationships. Seeing patients at church, basketball games, and the grocery store Challenges of rural practice: long hours, disrupted sleep, being “on an island” without immediate specialists, and the need for strong partners Why fewer residents are choosing broad-spectrum rural medicine and the importance of rural exposure and extra training The financial side of rural medicine: loan repayment programs, procedure income, and the stability of critical access hospitals The vital role full-spectrum family physicians play in preventing “OB deserts” and keeping services local Dr. Crane’s personal health update and decision to stop taking new obstetrics patients The emotional highs and lows of truly knowing your patients and their families Top 3 Takeaways:  Full-spectrum rural medicine is still alive and deeply rewarding. It allows physicians to use every skill they learned in training while building meaningful, lifelong relationships. Strong partnerships and backup are essential in rural settings; no one can do it alone. Rural communities desperately need more broad-scope family physicians, exposure during training and targeted recruitment of rural-background students are key to solving the growing shortage. About Dr. Lance Hansen Dr. Lance Hansen is a full-spectrum family physician practicing in Preston, Idaho. A native of Southeast Idaho, he completed medical school at the University of Washington and a rural training track residency. He has extensive experience in clinic, inpatient, OB (including C-sections), ER, endoscopy, and nursing home care. Passionate about medical education, Dr. Hansen has served on medical school admissions committees and enjoys mentoring students and residents in rural settings.  LinkedIn: Lance Hansen, MD FAAFP About the Host: Dr. Peter Crane is a board-certified physician, educator, and storyteller with a heart for service and a calling to spotlight doctors who make a difference—in their communities, in medicine, and in the lives they touch. Through Doctors Making a Difference, he brings you into intimate conversations with physicians who have overcome challenges, redefined success, and found purpose in and beyond the clinic. His goal is simple: to help more doctors stay in medicine by showing them what's possible. About the Show: Doctors Making a Difference is more than a podcast—it’s a movement to highlight the good, the gritty, and the deeply human side of medicine. In every episode, Dr. Peter Crane interviews physicians whose stories defy the script. From burnout recovery to bold career pivots, health challenges to quiet leadership, this show honors the truth that healing begins with connection—and doctors, too, deserve to be whole. Visit: doctorsmakingadifference.com LMC Series Note: Living with Metastatic Cancer (LMC) explores the science, decisions, and day-to-day realities of life with advanced disease—through candid physician–patient conversations. The Doctors Making a Difference Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult appropriate experts regarding your unique circumstances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.