16 Removing Barriers to Care for Patients in Rural Areas By Shannon Carroll “Life is like a roller coaster. It has its ups and downs, but it’s all worth the ride.” We’ve all heard or read quotes like that. While seemingly bland, there is some real truth in those simple sentiments. With every downturn in life, there is an inevitable rise. The beauty is in recognizing the rise when it happens. “That is what I felt like when I heard the word cancer,” said oncology patient Bill Hall. “My stomach just dropped. It was like gravity hit me tenfold.” Bill is a 68-year-old man who lives on the outskirts of Orofino, Idaho— nearly three hours south of Coeur d’Alene. He knew his aggressive course of cancer treatment would be an uphill climb for him in more ways than simply hoping to beat this cancer. “I didn’t know how I was going to manage this,” he said. “When you get a cancer diagnosis, everything completely stops. On top of that, I live in logging and farm country—I didn’t have easy access to my treatment. I had to drive three hours each way to Kootenai Clinic.” For countless cancer patients like Bill, who live far from metropolitan areas where they can receive specialized treatment, there are mountains of barriers to care. “I had to have treatment five days a week for seven weeks straight— that included 33 radiation and three chemotherapy sessions,” he said. “My wife, Denise, had to take time off from work. We had to ask our son or granddaughter to watch our house and pets and had extra expenses to pay for gas, food and a hotel—it was a situation that had just gotten to be too much. The radiation made me sick and weak. It was hard to focus on just getting better.” Access to care is something that is difficult for many in rural areas. Bill’s story highlights how one diagnosis can upend families—not only emotionally but financially as well. A multidisciplinary team from Kootenai Health joined forces with St. Mary’s and Clearwater Valley Health, which are part of the Kootenai Health system, to outline strategies to help remove barriers for patients in the rural areas they serve. The team identified important resources, including discounted lodging, virtual (telehealth) visits with physicians and in-person appointments with Kootenai Health specialists who travel from Coeur d’Alene several times a month. Bill has been one of the grateful recipients of the team’s efforts and has been a vocal champion of Kootenai Health as a whole. “It’s been quite a ride, but the care I’ve gotten here has given me hope,” Bill said. “For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel like gravity is pulling me down as much as it used to. My doctors, nurses, social services reps and amazing staff at the Davidson Family Hospitality Center have really helped me a lot. It’s never easy, but it will get better.” “Special thanks to Bill’s primary provider at Clearwater Valley Health; Dr. Clayton Bunt, for referring him to Dr. Todd Hoopman at Kootenai Health; and the rest of the team there, including Drs. Gay, Jacobs and Burnett and the amazing nursing team. We are proud and thankful to have this excellent level of care here in Idaho.” —Bill and Denise Hall, in appreciation for Bill’s care team Easing worries and offering support The Kootenai Health Foundation offers financial assistance to eligible patients through its Cancer Patient Support fund. For more information about how to receive services or donate to the fund, visit kootenaihealthfoundation.org, call (208) 625-4438 or email foundation@kh.org. Cancer patient Bill Hall and his wife, Denise.
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