Michelle Rathman is the founder of Impact Communications, Inc. a healthcare strategy and communications company.  Since 1997 she has worked with rural health clinics, state offices of rural health and rural hospitals.  Michelle helps facilitate transformation in healthcare settings across the US.  She is also the host of the Rural Impact Podcast which tries to connect the dots between policy and rural issues.

Episode overview:

01.00  Why did Michelle start a communications company and choose to work with rural providers?

05.45  What is healthcare strategy and communications?

07.45  What are the insights Michelle has gained through her work?

11.05  What are the challenges for rural communities in the US and how does communication help?

17.00  What made her decide to start the Rural Impact Podcast?

22.15  What topics will the podcast be covering in the future?

26.00  How do we help communities understand policy?

31.00  How to shape messages for the community and how for policymakers?

35.15 Current projects or recommendations

Key messages:

Rural-academic partnership pilot program which helped to keep a rural hospital open.

Any challenge that a healthcare entity faces, the root of it is often communications.

Coumunication is often an afterthought.

Imperative that rural communities understand the value of their healthcare system and that staff members are able to communicate with the people they serve in a way that is meaningful.

Rural health on life-support:  many people never realize the dire situation in rural health in the US.  Rural health is an intricate part of healthcare, if it does not succeed then the US can not succeed in the realm of healthcare.

Workforce shortages - without a pathway, there is no pipeline.  You do not just wake up one morning as a physician and think “I will do rural health”.

Non-clinical positions are also really important, these are usually local people, they need to be aware of these job options.

An increased number of vulnerable rural hospitals are closing their doors.  Finances and reimbursement are challenging.

Policy needs to be at the center of the conversation around rural healthcare.

Over a million children without any health insurance coverage at the moment in the US.

Advocacy is one of the most important tools that we have.

All roads to a quality life are paved with policies.

Where is policy working?  Showcase the promising practices.

It is important to know who represents you and to understand where that person stands on the issues that are important to you.

Write letters to your representatives, tell them why things are important for your community, it is important for them to see and understand.  Telling your stories is important, invite policymakers to your community. Tell them the solutions that you think are most likely to help with the challenges you face.

If people are not understanding you, then you have to find another way to tell them.

It is important to understand who you are talking to.  What information is “need to know" and how will it impact them.

For policymakers: share a story then give data or a stats sheet with information about what it is, how it is going to be used and how it will benefit their constituents.

“The Providers” - a documentary

100% community: ensuring 10 vital services for surviving and thriving (book) - related to work in New Mexico.

Michelle Rathman: https://www.michellerathman.com/

The Rural Impact Podcast: https://www.myimpact.academy/rural-impact-podcast

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