BY NANCY SKINNER, RN, CCM, CMGT-BC, ACM-RN, CMCN, FCM
Regardless of governmental data and descriptions, it is my belief that the term rural cannot be quantified by a single descriptor, zip code, town or area. Instead, it is important to realize that for our patients a rural residence represents a symphony of challenges and barriers that might impact their ability to achieve the highest level of health and function through and across the healthcare continuum.