The local rural hospital in a small community is facing tough times.

Scenario:

The local rural hospital in a small community is facing tough times. The hospital is struggling financially 

and will face certain closures without swift action. Case studies from Ashe County, North Carolina, and 

Leake County, Mississippi, paints a common portrait of the types of struggles that the hospital and 

community are facing. Community members, physicians, other healthcare professionals, patient representatives, hospital staff, and hospital leadership have come together to discuss the impact of the hospital’s closure,  

identify potential strategic solutions and alternatives for healthcare in the community, and decide on 

the best course of action for the community.

1. Discuss the potential impact of hospital closure from the perspective of these groups:

a. community at large (residents, community leaders, businesses, etc.)

b. patients

c. employees of the hospital (nurses, techs, staff, etc.)

d. physicians and other health care providers in the area.

Access to medical services is not the only impact of a hospital closure. Consider this issue from the 

broader perspective including all the health determinants and overall public health!

List the references.