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Critical issues in reforming rural mental health service delivery

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Abstract

Critical issues in reforming rural mental health service delivery systems under health care reform are outlined. It is argued that the exclusive focus on health care financing reform fails to include obstacles to effective mental health service delivery in rural areas, which should focus on issues of availability, accessibility, and acceptability, as well as financing and accountability. Characteristics of rural areas are delineated and three assumptions about the structure of rural communities which are shaping the dialogue on rural health and mental health service delivery are examined. These assumptions include the notion that rural communities are more closely knit than urban ones, that rural services can be effectively delivered through urban hubs, and that rural dwellers represent a low risk population which can be effectively served through existing facilities and by extending existing services.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical and Community Research at the University of Virginia, Virginia, USA

    Michael B. Blank Ph.D. (Director)

  2. SRMHRC, University of Virginia, Madison House, 170 Rugby Road, 22903, Charlottesville, Virginia

    Jeanne C. Fox Ph.D. (Director)

  3. Department of Psychology at the University of Mississippi, Mississippi, USA

    David S. Hargrove Ph.D. (Professor and Chair)

  4. Southeastern Rural Mental Health Research Center and Virginia Health Policy Research Center, Virginia, USA

    Jean T. Turner Ph.D. (Faculty Associate)

  5. School of Nursing, University of Virginia, Virginia, USA

    Jean T. Turner Ph.D. (Faculty Associate)

Authors
  1. Michael B. Blank Ph.D.
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  2. Jeanne C. Fox Ph.D.
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  3. David S. Hargrove Ph.D.
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  4. Jean T. Turner Ph.D.
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Additional information

This work was supported in part by NIMH Grant #MH 49173-02.

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Blank, M.B., Fox, J.C., Hargrove, D.S. et al. Critical issues in reforming rural mental health service delivery. Community Ment Health J 31, 511–524 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02189436

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