Rural Healthcare

Jim Cox OBE DL MD FRCP Edin FRCGP MICGP is a retired rural GP, Cumbria, UK. Christopher E. Clark PhD FRCP FRCGP is Clinical Senior Lecturer in General Practice, University of Exeter, UK. Tim Sanders MRCGP is Clinical Lecturer in Rural Medicine, University of Central Lancashire, UK.

‘Policy makers may be preoccupied with metropolitan issues but the authors of this book remind us that for so many of the challenges facing general practice - keeping care personal, meeting the needs of local communities, addressing inequalities, fair distribution of resources - the answers lie in rural practices. This is a book for all clinicians, all managers and all system leaders.’ Martin Marshall, Chair, Royal College of General Practitioners ‘Whilst remote and rural medicine might sound idyllic, both doctors and patients can face real and often unexpected challenges. The authors of this immensely impressive guide to rural medicine know the role intimately, and offer real wisdom, support, insight and encouragement. I only wish that this book had been around at the start of my career as a rural GP.’ Sir David Haslam CBE FRCGP FRCP FFPH, Past President, Royal College of General Practitioners; Past President, British Medical Association; Past Chair, NICE ‘This pioneering and comprehensive textbook is essential reading for any generalist or ruralist healthcare practitioner who is practising, or considering to practice, in challenging rural environments where limited medical, socio-economic and cultural resources confound clinical decision making. Multi-pathology and biopsychosocial factors are covered in the context of isolation, inaccessibility and interdependence for clinician, patient and community. Very clearly set out to help you prepare to practice as a generalist and ruralist working in a wide geographic setting with a diverse sociological cohort which requires decisive risk mitigation combined with confident decision making where you may only have your own knowledge, experience, instinct and this textbook to survive.’ Rikard Moen, Chair, Faculty of Remote, Rural and Humanitarian Healthcare, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh ‘Rural Healthcare, which includes the clinical manifestations of pathologies specific to rural communities, is detailed but easy to read. It is essential reading for students of all disciplines who need to understand remote and rural healthcare.’ Natasha Singh, Chair of GP Society, University of Central Lancashire

• Introduction What is rurality? Scotland Republic of Ireland Northern Ireland Wales England Role of the generalist Rural diseases Rural mental health Animal diseases Teamwork Remote healthcare Emergencies Rural pharmacy & dispensing Rural maternity care and family support Rural nursing Safeguarding Technology Public health Rural social exclusion ResearchIndex