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[News] UBC Research Confirms: Rural Surgery Isn’t Second Best – It’s High-Quality Care

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New research from the UBC Centre for Rural Health Research is upending assumptions about rural surgical care in British Columbia. Led by Dr. Jude Kornelsen, the study compares patient outcomes from rural hospitals with those from regional referral centres. The results are clear: rural surgery is safe, effective, and holds promise for reducing wait times and boosting rural economies.

Drawing on five years of data from seven hospitals participating in the Rural Surgical and Obstetrics Networks (RSON), the study analyzed over 12,000 cases of common procedures such as colonoscopy, hernia repair, appendectomy, and cesarean delivery. The results showed that outcomes for low-acuity procedures in rural hospitals were equivalent to those in regional facilities.

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  • Date

    Jul 04, 2025

  • By

    BC Rural Health Network

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