A recent study has revealed the regional distribution of areas most affected by the presence of primary care physicians from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine. Research has shown that having health insurance is a key factor in determining whether people receive medical care, when and where they receive it, and ultimately their health status. Access to medical care is essential for the well-being and optimal health of the population, yet there are significant disparities in access to medical care between different ethnicities. RhiHub's thematic guide on the use of telehealth in rural healthcare provides an overview of how telehealth is being used to improve access to healthcare in rural communities. However, the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) could lead to a disproportionate decline in coverage among people of color, potentially widening existing coverage gaps and exacerbating wider disparities in health and healthcare. The results of the study suggest that there are significant geographical differences between primary care specialties, as well as significant differences between primary care specialties in terms of diversity.
Specifically, its impact is much greater in eastern Maryland, eastern Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, western Tennessee, Louisiana, eastern Texas and Florida than in other areas of the country. Medicare Advantage plan copays and deductibles are higher in rural areas, and free benefits such as gyms and transportation are offered less often. A previous study on the migration pattern of obstetrician-gynecologists (obstetricians and gynecologists) revealed that approximately one in three obstetricians and gynecologists in the United States moved at least once in the past 10 years to predominantly urban or less poor counties. It was also found that certain racial and ethnic groups were more likely to relocate than others. Doctors from racial and ethnic minorities underrepresented in medicine are more likely to practice in underserved communities, regardless of their specialty. However, the results and variables of this study reflect people's real experience with the healthcare system. In conclusion, access to medical care is essential for optimal health.
Yet there are significant disparities between different ethnicities when it comes to access to medical care. Telehealth is being used to improve access to healthcare in rural communities, yet the end of PHE could lead to a disproportionate decline in coverage among people of color. Doctors from racial and ethnic minorities underrepresented in medicine are more likely to practice in underserved communities.
