UWEC CERCA 2026

Rural communities may experience barriers to healthcare access, such as provider shortages, long travel distances, and challenges with technology or internet connections, which have a negative effect on overall patient outcomes. The purpose of this project was to examine patient perspectives on rural healthcare access in the Eau Claire region. Older adults living in rural communities around Eau Claire were interviewed about their perspectives and experiences in accessing healthcare services. These interviews included questions related to telehealth and artificial intelligence, as these have emerged as potential solutions for addressing healthcare needs in rural communities. The participants’ responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Themes, categories, and exemplars from the participant interviews will be presented.