Research Alert: March 12, 2015

Perspectives of Rural Hospice Directors

Rural hospice care, as it is currently configured, is under pressure by a variety of factors (e.g., policy and regulation, economic and financial, and organizational and structural) which are reviewed in this document. However, a central core element of rural hospice remains the strong sense of community that is embodied in the system (i.e., typically a small non-profit arrangement) and design (i.e., a delivery system reliant on community connections and personal relationships) of care.

This policy brief is the result of a national phone survey of rural hospice directors or key staff in 47 states. Fifty-three directors or key staff members were interviewed during a three month period in 2013.

Additional Resources of Interest:

• More information about the North Dakota and NORC Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
• More information from the Rural Health Information Hub's topic guide: Hospice and Palliative Care