Biological and psychological factors of dealing with a disease in a Rural area

Biological
Access would be a factor in the care of Janet. As said in the PCL the only medical care available is that of a GP, a paediatrician requires a visit to a larger town. Due to this lack of specialist treatment, Janet could possibly not receive the ongoing treatment she requires. As found in a report by Strong et al, the number of specialists per capita decreases markedly in rural areas compared to metropolitan areas.
Psychological
Living in a rural town could influence Janet’s psychological needs. As it is a small town there is unlikely to be any other children or adults who have Spina Bifida, this could affect both Janet and her mother, as there could be a lack of support groups. Also mental health in rural areas can be sadly lacking, for adults let alone children. In a US survey, 65% of adults were provided with mental health care treatment, by their primary provider, so getting no specialised services. Often

Sarah

Refernces
Mental Healthcare in Rural Communities:
The Once and Future Role of Primary Care
www.arhen.org.au/docs/gphmhci-rsa-summary.pdf