A recent study from Michigan Medicine has revealed a major challenge facing older Americans—especially those in rural areas—when it comes to accessing neurological care.
The study, which focused on Medicare patients, showed that many seniors are forced to travel long distances to see neurologists, and this can significantly affect their ability to get the care they need.
According to the data from 2018, nearly 18% of older adults covered by Medicare had to travel more than 50 miles one way just to visit a neurologist. For these patients, the average trip was around 81 miles, taking approximately 90 minutes. In contrast, those who lived closer to a neurologist traveled just 13 miles on average, a journey that took about 22 minutes.
Dr. Brian C. Callaghan, a neurologist involved in the study, pointed out that these long trips often create barriers to follow-up care.
The study found that people who had to travel further were 26% less likely to return for a second appointment, which is concerning because ongoing follow-up is often crucial in managing neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy.
Even more interesting is that nearly one-third of patients skipped over nearby neurologists to see specialists farther away, and around 7% crossed state borders to get care. This suggests that some patients may feel they get better or more trusted care at larger or more specialized centers, even if they are much farther from home.
The travel burden was especially high for patients with serious neurological illnesses like ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or nervous system cancers. These patients often require frequent and complex care, which makes long travel times an even bigger obstacle.
The study’s findings highlight a need to make neurological care more accessible, especially in rural and underserved regions. One possible solution is telemedicine, which became more widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virtual visits with specialists could help reduce travel and improve access to care for those who live far from medical centers.
Another option is to expand training for local general practitioners so they can manage more routine neurological issues themselves, referring only the most complex cases to specialists. This approach could help reduce pressure on the limited number of neurologists and bring care closer to home.
These travel challenges don’t just mean inconvenience. Earlier studies in areas like cancer care have shown that long travel distances can lead to delayed treatment and a lower quality of life. The Michigan study aims to go further by looking at whether these same problems occur with neurological conditions and whether telemedicine is a reliable way to address them.
Funded by the American Academy of Neurology, the study is part of a larger effort to understand and improve healthcare access for patients with chronic and complex health needs. As the researchers continue their work, they hope to uncover ways to better serve rural populations who currently face major obstacles just to see the right doctor.
In the meantime, the takeaway is clear: for many older adults, especially those living outside of major cities, the journey to see a neurologist isn’t just long—it can be a barrier to better health. Solutions like telemedicine and better local care training may offer a path forward, helping ensure that distance doesn’t determine the quality of medical care someone receives.
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