Living in rural areas usually means that access to primary healthcare is limited. Doctor’s offices are often far away, which poses a challenge for coordinating schedules and mobility limitations with long commute times. Thankfully, Xpress Wellness provides primary care in some locations and offers telehealth appointments that can be done from the comfort of your home. At Xpress Wellness, we believe quality healthcare should be available to everyone, which is why we’ve made access to primary care in rural Oklahoma and Kansas a reality.

The Importance of Primary Care in Rural Areas 

Country living comes with its own unique set of challenges when it comes to healthcare. Lengthy drives to the doctor, increased risk for certain types of injuries, and fewer primary care facilities are all common concerns for those living in rural Oklahoma. This is especially true for patients that don’t have reliable transportation, or who have decreased mobility. Chronic health conditions are also more difficult to manage in rural settings compared to urban communities, due to the lack of resources and facilities. 

Why is Healthcare Scarce in Rural Communities? 

Cities are full of healthcare facilities. From primary care offices, to specialists and hospitals, urban communities are not usually lacking in options for healthcare. But in less populated areas, there are fewer healthcare facilities and a scarcity for healthcare providers. Because of this, those living in rural areas find themselves having to drive upwards of an hour to access healthcare. For annual checkups this might be a feasible option, but for unexpected visits or to manage chronic conditions, these barriers are significant.