A team of researchers has launched a new study that brings together the perspectives of rural British Columbia residents on the state’s often-criticized healthcare system.
According to the UBC Rural Health Research Center and the BC Rural Health Network, thousands of rural residents “often feel their health care needs are overshadowed by urban health policies.”
The new project, called ‘Bridging the Gap’, aims to explore the role of rural communities in policy-making, identify gaps and develop strategies for ‘more effective engagement’.
“We are in a health crisis, and I think everyone from the Minister down knows it, but really rural British Columbia has been in a health crisis for decades,” said the executive director. Paul Adam said. BC Rural Health Network told Global News.
“Often there is only one point of access for medical appointments and primary care or emergency care. It’s the same as having to go.”
This research was funded by the British Columbia Social Planning Research Council. The researchers will interview policymakers and local leaders and distribute a statewide survey on the topic.
The group hopes the findings will lead to better health outcomes and contribute to the creation of an online platform to solicit public opinion on health policy, the group said in a news release on Tuesday.
Lead co-investigator Dr. Jude Cornelson said part of the problem can be traced back to the abolition of the hospital board in the early 2000s, a well-meaning move.
“The idea behind it was that Oliver and Atlin would go to specific geographic areas to better serve disparate medical needs,” she explained.
“But it didn’t really work for the smaller communities, because what really happened was a version of regional centralization, and still all decision-making was done in the larger community. Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince George, etc.”
Health Minister Adrian Dix said the state was making a much-needed investment in the launch of the project and some of its claims on rural health care.he pointed out recently Expansion of regional oncology networks Focused on recruiting nurses and doctors in Kamloops, Nanaimo, Surrey and more.
“Without a doubt, we are committed to providing more and better service in rural British Columbia,” he said at an unrelated press conference on Tuesday.
“There is nothing like having people in the community, which is why the development of primary care networks, especially in rural areas, is central to our efforts.”
Dix also noted the increased capacity of air ambulances in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic and the construction of hospitals at Fort St. James, Terrace and Dawson Creek. also emphasized.
Research to fill the gap is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
