Challenges of Providing Patient Care in Rural Communities

Chapter 32 Case Study
Abigail is a public health/community nurse who serves a large rural area. The area’s sustainability comes largely from a national paper mill that employs loggers in the area. Therefore, Abigail serves migrant workers, as well as the county residents. In addition to caring for clients with chronic illnesses, Abigail takes care of many clients who have sustained on-the-job injuries from working with heavy and dangerous equipment.
Abigail knows that the loggers have dangerous jobs because they work around heavy equipment that can easily cause injuries. What other conditions may put the loggers at risk for injury? Discuss.
With each passing year, Abigail notes a rise in the number of agricultural-related job injuries in her community. Those that are left with a chronic condition as the result of injury, such as the loss of a limb, require on-going care. Abigail’s community has recently lost its only orthopedic surgeon. How will this affect Abigail’s work? Discuss.
One of Abigail’s rural clients who works as a logger recently sustained a blunt force trauma to his genitals that necessitated reconstructive surgery. Abigail visits the client in his home and notices that the client minimizes the extent of his injury and related pain and seems to mistrust Abigail. What can Abigail do to improve communication with this client? Discuss.