Current Attitudes and Barriers Among Appalachian Patients Towards Orthopaedic Surgery.

Introduction: This study explores the challenges faced by residents of rural West Virginia in accessing orthopaedic care due to geographic and socioeconomic barriers. Purpose: This study seeks to survey rural West Virginia residents about their attitudes and experiences regarding access to orthopaedic care in southern West Virginia. Methods: A total of 132 electronic surveys were collected from rural West Virginia residents during an appointment with their primary care provider located at an affiliated outreach clinic. The survey was designed to investigate various factors influencing their access to orthopaedic care. Results: Delays in seeking orthpaedic care are common in rural West Virginia. A shortage of orthopaedic specialists and the long distances required to travel to treatment centers significantly exacerbates health issues and complicates the management of orthopaedic conditions. Although participants express high levels of satisfaction with their orthopaedic treatment, they consistently identify the remote location of specialized services as the primary barrier. Implications: The study highlights the need for further research to evaluate the feasibility of expanding orthopaedic services into more isolated regions of West Virginia. This approach could improve healthcare access and potentially lead to better orthopaedic outcomes for these underserved populations.