The shortage of doctors and nurses in rural areas has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, making it even more challenging for hospitals like Keokuk County Hospital in Sigourney, Iowa to staff their emergency rooms adequately. With only two full-time physicians currently working at this 14-bed facility, hospital CEO Matt Ives is seeking to hire a third doctor to help treat patients and manage the ER. The pandemic has not only led to increased workloads for healthcare professionals but also accelerated retirements among older doctors who may have been considering retirement anyway. This trend has further strained rural hospitals that were already struggling with staffing issues before COVID-19 hit.
The situation at Washington County Hospital, another nearby rural hospital facing similar challenges, highlights the broader problem faced by many small healthcare facilities across the United States. CEO Todd Patterson notes that not only did the pandemic intensify existing workloads for medical personnel but it also accelerated an already ongoing trend of physician retirements. This double whammy has left hospitals like Washington County Hospital scrambling to find qualified staff members, particularly in specialties such as emergency medicine where demand is high and supply is low.
In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly worsened the existing shortage of doctors and nurses in rural areas, making it increasingly difficult for small hospitals like Keokuk County Hospital and Washington County Hospital to provide adequate care to their communities. The combination of increased workloads due to the pandemic, coupled with accelerated retirements among older physicians, means that these facilities must now contend with a double-edged challenge when trying to recruit new staff members or replace those who have left during this time.
[Original Article](https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/03/14/nx-s1-5327425/covid-shortages-doctors-nurses-iowa-rural-hospitals-burnout-health-workforce) #covid #made #shortages [Visit GhostAI](https://ghostai.pro/)
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