Dr. Rina Caprarella Discusses How Rural Practices Are Ideal for Some Doctors

Creating a healthy work-life balance is difficult when working in the healthcare industry. Dr. Rina Caprarella explained that working long hours in crowded hospitals and private practices can take its toll on healthcare workers.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about numerous changes in the industry, causing many doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers to seek new job opportunities. Caprarella explained that some sought a superior work-life balance by moving away from cities into more rural areas.

“Many individuals in our industry moved to more rural areas and entered or opened practices there,” Dr. Caprarella said. “They found numerous benefits to working in rural practices, and now encourage other healthcare workers looking for a superior work-life balance to do the same.”

What Is a Rural Practice?

Many people hear the word rural and assume the destination is remote, with an extremely low population and few amenities. However, that’s not always the case.

A rural area is considered any place not within a city center.

Rural practices are throughout the country in towns of varying sizes. They’re generally smaller healthcare facilities, and many times, rural practices have difficulty competing with larger urban facilities. Those difficulties can result in benefits for healthcare workers who choose to live and work in rural areas.

Benefits of Working in Rural Practices

Dr. Rina Caprarella explained the numerous benefits of being a physician in a rural practice.

Better Pay

Roughly 10 percent of physicians work in rural areas. That’s a small fraction of the industry, which is often why rural practices struggle to maintain staff.

Shortages can result in better pay for those who decide to work there. Studies show that starting salaries for healthcare workers in rural areas are 5 to 10 percent higher than those in urban areas.

Superior Work-Life Balance

Physicians in rural areas generally have more flexible schedules. They can more easily adjust their appointments to accommodate their families, hobbies, or other interests.

Many rural practices do not need physicians with certain specialties every day of the week. They may be able to earn substantial salaries for part-time work. That means more freedom to do what they love away from work.

Affordability

Most rural communities are drastically more affordable than urban centers. The lower cost of living gives physicians more financial freedom to pursue their goals. A higher salary combined with a lower cost of living makes paying off school loans, saving for a home, or preparing for retirement drastically easier.