ABSTRACT
More specifically, inquiry can address the manner in which rural contextual factors can influence ethical situations that a health-care provider may encounter in serving patients generally, and older patients in particular, such as (geographic) remoteness, low population density, cultural preferences, informal social networks, economic structures, and available resources. Anecdotally, some rural clinicians report informal interpersonal exchanges enable them to better understand a patient's lifestyle and belief systems, which, in turn, allows for personalizing the care plan. Diffuse, overlapping boundaries with professional-patient relationships can lead to advertent and inadvertent threats to a patient's anonymity, confidentiality, and privacy. For instance, in the rural context, the lack of a geriatrics service(s) or specialist(s) may demand that a general practitioner or primary care provider perform specialized interventions that are beyond one's expertise and skill level. Socioeconomic factors influence an individual's and family's choice and use of health-care services.
