Rural healthcare providers report that the ethical problems that develop in rural settings are embedded in the care processes that determine who gets healthcare, how much, what kind, and under what conditions. The case studies, developed in collaboration with rural healthcare providers who partiicpated in our studies, offer a way to discuss care processes from a variety of perspectives. The ethical issues that emerge are multi-faceted and colored by personal, professional, and organizational features.
Healthcare providers have reported that it can be difficult to know how best to approach these issues. In our studies, we have been experimenting with different formats for case analysis. Our findings suggest that a format that outlines areas of concern including: the Topic, Issues, Learning Points, Guides, and Room for Improvement helps overcome barriers that sometimes limit conversations. It is important to note that the cases are not meant to provide any medical advice; they are designed to facilitate discussion. Although the cases are based on the kinds of events that can occur in rural settings, the names and identities of all characters are fictional. We have divided the cases into 2 main focus areas: