The shortage of doctors in rural areas of Ohio is a significant concern.
As Northeast Ohio Medical University President Dr. John Langell explained, "You don't tend to have large health centers with specialists present in those areas, and this has become an even more dramatic issue since the pandemic when so many providers have left the healthcare workforce."
What You Need To Know
- The continuing nationwide shortage of rural doctors is also a serious challenge facing Ohio
- The number of physicians serving rural areas is significantly lower than it is in other areas of the state
- Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) seeks to attract students who will stay in the state to practice medicine
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) has a Rural Medical Education Pathway Program designed to address this targeted need for doctors.
According to the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), 20% of the U.S. population are rural residents, but only 12% of primary care physicians practice in these areas.
Dr. Langell spoke with Spectrum News 1, sharing an overview of the challenges and efforts regarding the future of rural medicine in Ohio.