Improving Rural Community Health Through Specialty Care with Chris Pusey

InOn Health Podcast

In this episode of the InOn Health podcast, Chris Pusey, chief operating officer at Rural Partners in Medicine, joins KP to discuss the current challenges of rural healthcare in the United States. Before joining Rural Partners in Medicine (RPM)—an organization dedicated to developing sustainable models for providing specialty care to rural populations across the United States—he served eight years in private equity investing in healthcare services businesses and later pursued entrepreneurial endeavors focused on health and fitness.

Chris addresses how critical access in rural communities has evolved and the gaps in rural healthcare, particularly specialty medicine. The issue is often rooted in the lack of consistent work/demand in rural areas for full-time surgeons. He further shares the two typical models in rural areas:

• Model #1: Outreach - Specialty surgeons and doctors commute to rural areas and provide a free clinic to the hospital and its patients

• Model #2: Full-time employed doctor - More challenging to recruit in rural areas, a difficult financial decision if work does not equate to a full-time basis

Chris outlines the pros and cons of each model, explaining how these models do not contribute financial benefits for rural hospitals, lacking long-term sustainable growth, revenue stream, and additional opportunities. To steer away from this dynamic, Chris explains RPM’s approach—build programs to the demand of the community. This model reflects via a permanent, part-time basis with a consistent schedule. RPM typically recruits private-practice surgeons, moving from home base to rural communities on a recurring basis.

Chris describes how RPM contracts with rural hospitals on a production-style basis, creating economic alignment in the community. He discusses how providing local services improve overall health for the community, enabling more equitable access. Ultimately, providing quality, specialty care to rural communities also improves economic wellbeing.

Connect with Chris Pusey:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherpusey/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/rural-partners-in-medicine/

Connect with KP:

linkedin.com/in/kaakpema-kp-yelpaala-379b269/

https://twitter.com/inonhealth

inonhealth.com/podcast

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