Leaders of rural healthcare organizations confront unique challenges. Payment systems, power dynamics, labor availability, and accessible resources differ considerably between rural and urban areas.

 

Healthcare Leadership and Rural Communities outlines what it takes to manage care in a rural community and provides advice on overcoming the common challenges that healthcare executives confront. The authors provide candid insights gained from their experience as rural healthcare managers and their work with leaders in the field.

 

Covered topics include the following:

 

Measuring and managing rural care quality Developing strong relationships with physicians Financing and funding rural healthcare Meeting demand for mental and behavioral health services

 

Case studies provide an excellent starting point for discussions with healthcare teams, boards, providers, and local leaders on how to solve real-life difficulties and enhance cooperation.

 

All healthcare organizations are linked to their communities, but rural providers have particularly strong ties. This book emphasizes the need for collaboration to safeguard the futures of organizations and their communities.

Bill Auxier, PhD, develops rural health leaders through consulting, coaching, training, and research. Dr. Auxier is an adjunct associate professor of leadership at the University of Maryland Global Campus, as well as the program director of the National Rural Healthcare Association's C-suite executive certification programs. He is the author of various books and articles, as well as the creator and cohost of the Rural Health Leadership Radio podcast. Nikki King, DHA, serves on the National Rural Health Association’ s Policy Congress and Government Affairs Committee, and as chair of the Rural Health Leadership Radio’ s Board of Directors. Previously, Dr. King worked in population health, clinical statistics, and health administration, developing models of care for high-acuity individuals. She worked at the Center of Business and Economic Research before entering the healthcare field. Tim Putnam, DHA, MBA, FACHE, is a faculty member of the Medical University of South Carolina. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Putnam was the CEO of critical access hospitals in Illinois and Indiana for over 20 years. He served as president of the National Rural Health Association and the Indiana Rural Health Association and speaks nationwide on the improvement of rural healthcare, transition from volume to value, rural graduate medical education, emergency medical services, and health equity.

Chapter 1 - Introduction to Rural Healthcare Leadership Chapter 2 - Being a Rural Health Leader Chapter 3 - Rural Health Quality Chapter 4 - Finance and Funding Rural Healthcare Chapter 5 - Recruiting, Retaining, and Developing Talent Chapter 6 - Collaborating with Local Healthcare Providers Chapter 7 - working with Tertiary Health Systems Chapter 8 - Marketing, Communications, Publicity, and Public Policy Chapter 9 - Medical and Clinical Staff Chapter 10 - Being a Rural CEO Chapter 11 - Community Hospital Boards Chapter 12 - Behavioral Health and Addictions Chapter 13 - Crisis Response Chapter 14 - FQHC and RHC Chapter 15 - Rural Health Equity Chapter 16 - Thing that get Rural Leaders Fired Chapter 17 - Study Cases