NURS FPX 6616 Assessment 2 Summary Report on Rural Health Care And Affordable Solutions

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Capella university

NURS-FPX 6616 Ethical and Legal Considerations in Care Coordination

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Summary Report on Rural Health Care and Affordable Solutions

Population Needs and Community

Access to mental health services in rural areas remains a pressing concern, particularly due to logistical constraints and limited resources. In the context of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, a rural area served by Ascension St. Michael’s Hospital (ASMH), these challenges are pronounced among vulnerable populations, notably the Hispanic community. Geographic isolation, provider shortages, and persistent stigma toward mental illness limit the availability and effectiveness of psychological health services in such regions (Kirby & Yabroff, 2020).

The city of Stevens Point, with an estimated population of around 25,000, includes diverse socioeconomic groups such as agricultural workers, small business employees, laborers, and retired individuals (NICHE, 2024). Despite the demographic variety, a common issue prevails—restricted access to timely and culturally relevant mental health care. Factors like language barriers, immigration-related stress, and cultural stigma significantly influence the willingness of Hispanic residents to seek care, further deepening health disparities (NICHE, 2024).

ASMH must take a proactive role by collaborating with local organizations, mental health agencies, and digital health innovators to close these service gaps. Telehealth initiatives, particularly those that prioritize cultural awareness and linguistic inclusivity, can be instrumental in extending the hospital’s reach. Through strategic partnerships and interprofessional teamwork, the institution can deliver more effective, accessible, and culturally attuned mental health services across Stevens Point and its neighboring rural areas (Taylor et al., 2020; Ramos & Chavira, 2022).

Current Available Interprofessional Team Providers and Resources

ASMH in Stevens Point benefits from a network of interprofessional collaborators to address rural psychological health challenges. Among its key allies is the Aspirus Behavioral Health Clinic, a facility offering a comprehensive range of services including counseling, group therapy, addiction recovery, and targeted treatment for conditions such as anxiety and depression (ASPIRUS Health, 2024). This partnership allows for a multidisciplinary approach where physicians, social workers, and counselors work in tandem to provide tailored care.

Further supporting rural mental health needs, the Aspirus Behavioral Health Residential Treatment Center offers intensive residential programs for individuals experiencing complex psychological disorders. These services are critical for patients needing continuous supervision and structured therapeutic environments (ASPIRUS Health, n.d.).

Provider/Resource	Service Offered	Professional Team
Aspirus Behavioral Health Clinic	Outpatient therapy, addiction recovery, psychiatric care	Physicians, counselors, social workers
Aspirus Behavioral Health Residential Treatment	24/7 residential treatment for complex mental health issues	Mental health nurses, psychiatrists, therapists

Studies indicate that such interprofessional models lead to enhanced patient engagement, adherence to treatment, and better clinical outcomes. Rugkåsa et al. (2020) emphasize that when different disciplines collaborate closely, care is not only more holistic but also more responsive to the multifaceted needs of rural populations. By continuing to support and expand these partnerships, ASMH can ensure that rural communities receive quality, patient-focused mental health care (Noel et al., 2022).

Areas of Cultural Competency

The success of mental health interventions in rural Stevens Point depends significantly on the cultural competence of care providers. ASMH must ensure its interprofessional teams are adequately trained in understanding and respecting cultural differences, particularly as they relate to perceptions of mental health. For Hispanic residents, cultural views and stigma often serve as barriers to seeking help, making sensitivity to these factors essential in any therapeutic engagement (Lau & Rodgers, 2021).

Culturally competent care involves more than just language translation—it requires providers to appreciate different belief systems, communicate with empathy, and avoid assumptions based on cultural stereotypes. Coombs et al. (2022) suggest that mental health professionals trained in culturally responsive practices are more likely to build trust and facilitate effective treatment plans. Additionally, organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) underscore that equitable access to mental health care depends largely on how well providers understand the sociocultural landscape of their patients.

To meet these demands, ASMH should implement strategies such as interpreter services, culturally adapted treatment models, and ongoing training for all staff. These efforts ensure that Hispanic and other underserved populations receive appropriate care that honors their values and traditions (NICHE, 2024).

Technology-Based Outreach Strategies

To mitigate access issues in rural areas, ASMH can embrace technology-driven approaches, including telepsychiatry, remote counseling, and digital behavioral health platforms. These innovations allow mental health services to reach individuals who may otherwise face geographic or social barriers to in-person care (Hand, 2021).

Studies highlight the effectiveness of virtual care platforms in diagnosing, treating, and managing psychiatric conditions. For instance, Shaker et al. (2023) demonstrate the practicality of telepsychiatry in delivering mental health interventions in rural settings. Furthermore, digital resources such as mobile mental health apps and peer support forums have shown promise in increasing participation and reducing stigma around mental health treatment (Taylor et al., 2020).

By integrating these technological solutions into its outreach model, ASMH can enhance its service delivery, making it more inclusive and flexible for patients in remote areas.

Possible Telehealth Legal Issues

While telehealth is an effective tool, it presents a variety of legal and regulatory challenges that ASMH must address. Licensing laws differ from state to state, requiring health professionals to hold appropriate credentials in the states where their patients reside. This is especially relevant for remote service delivery in rural Wisconsin. According to Freske and Malczyk (2021), non-compliance with state licensing regulations can result in legal penalties and compromised patient care.

Another crucial consideration is data privacy, particularly under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Telehealth systems must ensure secure data transmission and protect patient information from cyber threats. Casoy et al. (2022) emphasize the need for strong encryption, password protection, and secure video platforms.

For nurses and other frontline providers involved in telehealth outreach, navigating these legal landscapes involves not only maintaining licensure but also understanding liability issues, ensuring documentation integrity, and strictly adhering to privacy standards.

Continuation of Ethical Care in the System

Ensuring ethical care in a technology-based outreach system means balancing innovation with foundational values such as autonomy, beneficence, and justice. ASMH can uphold these principles by ensuring all patients—regardless of geographic location—receive equal access to high-quality mental health services.

Respecting patient confidentiality is vital, especially in digital settings where sensitive information can be easily compromised. Ensuring HIPAA compliance not only protects patients legally but also sustains trust in provider-patient relationships (Evangelatos et al., 2022). Additionally, the hospital must address concerns related to limited physical assessments and weakened therapeutic connections in virtual environments.

Ethical dilemmas may arise in situations where remote consultations blur professional boundaries or complicate interdisciplinary coordination. For example, Liu et al. (2020) note that balancing patient autonomy with the need for collaborative care can lead to conflict if not carefully managed. Ongoing ethics training and access to ethical decision-making frameworks can help providers navigate these complexities while remaining aligned with best practices in telehealth (Wies et al., 2021).

Conclusion

The mental health care system in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is evolving in response to the unique needs of its rural residents. Through strategic integration of telehealth, interprofessional collaboration, and culturally competent care, ASMH can address access disparities and improve mental health outcomes. Legal and ethical considerations, while challenging, are navigable through proactive compliance and training. By continually evaluating its systems and adapting to the needs of its diverse population, ASMH is poised to lead rural mental health innovation and equity.

References

ASPIRUS Health. (n.d.). Mental health treatment & counseling, Aspirus Health Care. https://www.aspirus.org/find-a-location?taxonomy=mental-health-treatment-counseling

ASPIRUS Health. (2024). Aspirus behavioral health clinic – Stevens Point. https://www.aspirus.org/find-a-location/aspirus-behavioral-health-clinic-stevens-point-pre-569

Casoy, F., Cuyler, R. N., & Fishkind, A. B. (2022). Telehealth and technology. In Springer eBooks (pp. 753–764). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10239-4_54

NURS FPX 6616 Assessment 2 Summary Report on Rural Health Care And Affordable Solutions

Coombs, N. C., Campbell, D. G., & Caringi, J. (2022). A qualitative study of rural healthcare providers’ views of social, cultural, and programmatic barriers to healthcare access. BioMed Central Health Services Research, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07829-2

Evangelatos, G., Le, C., Sosa, J., Thackaberry, J., & Hilty, D. M. (2022). Telepsychiatry to rural populations. In Springer eBooks (pp. 105–138). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85401-0_6

Freske, E., & Malczyk, B. R. (2021). COVID-19, rural communities, and implications of telebehavioral health services: Addressing the benefits and challenges of behavioral health services via telehealth in Nebraska. Societies, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/soc11040127

Hand, T. (2021). Utilizing telehealth technologies to deliver mental health services in rural communities. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 27(2), 89–94.

Kirby, J. B., & Yabroff, K. R. (2020). Rural–urban disparities in health care access. The Milbank Quarterly, 98(3), 706–741.

Lau, M. K., & Rodgers, R. F. (2021). Cultural perceptions of mental illness in underserved populations. Community Mental Health Journal, 57(4), 656–662.

Liu, L., Turvey, C., & Zhou, A. (2020). Ethical considerations in telepsychiatry. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 43(4), 567–576.

NICHE. (2024). Living in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/stevens-point-portage-wi/

Noel, P. H., Lanham, H. J., Palmer, R. F., & Leykum, L. K. (2022). The impact of team-based care on rural mental health outcomes. Health Services Research, 57(1), 87–97.

NURS FPX 6616 Assessment 2 Summary Report on Rural Health Care And Affordable Solutions

Ramos, G., & Chavira, D. A. (2022). Culturally adapted mental health services. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 24(1), 134–142.

Rugkåsa, J., Canvin, K., Sinclair, J., & Burns, T. (2020). Interprofessional teamwork in mental health services. Social Science & Medicine, 253, 112963.

Shaker, R., Volkin, A., & Ashraf, M. (2023). Telepsychiatry in rural communities. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 47(1), 45–56.

Taylor, J., Falconer, J., & Richmond, L. (2020). Digital mental health tools: Bridging access gaps in underserved populations. JMIR Mental Health, 7(8), e17215.

Wies, B., Bianchi, F., & Labbé, F. (2021). Ethical decision-making in telemedicine. Journal of Medical Ethics, 47(6), 393–398.