Findings from a national survey commissioned by Zyter|TruCare
Rural communities continue to face challenges that directly affect when and how people receive care. Long wait times, limited provider availability, and the burden of traveling long distances for routine appointments shape daily healthcare decisions for individuals and families across these regions.
To better understand these experiences, Zyter|TruCare commissioned a national survey in December 2025 asking rural residents to share the obstacles they face and the changes they believe would make the greatest difference. These findings arrive as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) advances its Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, an initiative focused on improving access, strengthening workforce capacity, and supporting new care delivery models tailored to rural communities.
The results offer a clear picture of growing strain in rural healthcare and highlight where access, coordination, and support are falling short.
“We Need More Doctors”: Rural Residents Voice Growing Frustration with Healthcare Access
Several themes emerged consistently across survey responses:
- 54% say long wait times are one of the biggest challenges affecting healthcare quality in their community
- 44% say it takes longer to get an appointment today than it did two to three years ago
- 53% say their rural community does not have enough healthcare providers
- 49% travel 10 to 25 miles for routine care
- 55% prefer in-person visits over telehealth
- Residents say their communities need more primary care, urgent care, and mental health services
Taken together, these results align closely with the priorities outlined in CMS’ Rural Health Transformation Program. Access to timely care, provider availability, and the burden of distance are central challenges the program aims to address through new funding, flexibility, and updated care delivery approaches.
Long Waits Are Disrupting Timely Care
Delays surfaced as the most common challenge cited by rural residents. More than half of respondents identified long wait times as a primary factor affecting healthcare quality, and nearly 44% said appointment delays have worsened in recent years.
Longer waits can interrupt preventive care, delay follow-up visits, and make it harder to manage chronic conditions effectively. For rural care teams already operating with limited capacity, these delays also increase workload pressure and strain existing resources.
Provider Shortages Continue to Limit Access
A lack of available providers remains a core barrier to care. According to the survey, 53% of respondents say their community does not have enough healthcare providers to meet local needs.
Limited provider availability reduces appointment options, increases wait times, and makes continuity of care harder to maintain. Residents report particular concern about access to primary care and behavioral health services, where shortages have an immediate effect on ongoing support and long-term health outcomes.
Distance Adds Another Layer of Complexity
Geography continues to shape how rural residents experience care. Nearly of survey respondents travel 10 to 25 miles to see a doctor, and for some the distance is even greater.
Travel requirements affect how often people seek care, how easily they can complete follow-up visits, and whether they pursue early intervention. Families, older adults, and individuals with limited transportation options feel this burden most acutely.
In-Person Care Still Matters Most
While telehealth has expanded access in some rural settings, it has not replaced the need for in-person care. More than 55% of respondents say they prefer in-person visits.
This preference reflects practical realities such as inconsistent broadband access, limited device availability, and varying comfort with digital tools. Telehealth can support rural care, but it works best when paired with reliable infrastructure and workflows that are easy for both residents and care teams to use.
Why These Findings Matter and What Healthcare Organizations Should Take Away
These findings arrive at a time when rural access, workforce capacity, and care delivery models are under increased scrutiny. Understanding what residents are experiencing on the ground provides important context for how organizations think about improving access, coordination, and long-term sustainability in rural care.
The survey highlights several areas where healthcare organizations can focus their efforts:
- Address delays that affect daily care: Long wait times disrupt follow-up, increase risk for individuals with complex health needs, and contribute to frustration for both residents and care teams.
- Support care teams facing workforce constraints: Provider shortages place pressure on already limited resources. Improving coordination and reducing administrative burden can help clinicians manage demand more effectively.
- Reduce the impact of distance on access: Care models that simplify follow-up, reduce unnecessary travel, and support continuity can make care more accessible for rural residents.
- Ensure virtual and in-person care work together: Telehealth is most effective when supported by reliable infrastructure and workflows that make care easier to access and manage alongside in-person services.
Together, these focus areas point to opportunities to strengthen rural care delivery in ways that are practical, scalable, and responsive to community needs.
A Path Forward
Rural residents are clear about what they want from their healthcare experience: timely access, reliable support, and care pathways that reflect the realities of distance, limited provider availability, and growing demand.
Programs like CMS’ Rural Health Transformation initiative underscore the importance of translating these insights into care models that reduce friction for patients while helping care teams operate more sustainably. This survey offers a current snapshot of where rural healthcare access is breaking down and where focused improvements can make a meaningful difference.
Understanding these experiences is a critical step toward building stronger, more coordinated care for rural communities.
To learn more about these findings or explore ways organizations can strengthen rural care delivery, connect with our team at https://www.zyter.com/contact
