The Role of General Surgery in Rural Healthcare: A Look Inside North Iowa’s Surgical Team

July 12, 2024

Rural healthcare plays a vital role in ensuring that people in less populated areas have access to high-quality medical services. One of the pillars of rural healthcare is general surgery, which addresses a wide range of conditions and emergencies. In North Iowa, the Mason City Clinic’s general surgery team exemplifies how dedicated professionals can provide comprehensive care to their community. In this blog, we’ll delve into the crucial role of general surgery in rural healthcare, featuring insights from Dr. Kathryn Schwalbe, DO.

The Scope of General Surgery in North Iowa

General surgery in rural areas like North Iowa encompasses a vast array of procedures and treatments. Dr. Kathryn Schwalbe explains the diversity of cases they handle: “The surgeries that we can offer our patients here in North Iowa are incredibly vast. We treat anything from breast cancer, colon cancer, infections of the colon, appendix, gallbladder. You can have more acute presentations where somebody has a hole in their colon or a hole in their stomach.” This wide range of services is crucial in rural settings where access to specialized care may be limited.

Collaborative Efforts for Optimal Patient Care

One of the standout aspects of rural general surgery is the collaborative approach to patient care. Dr. Schwalbe highlights the importance of teamwork: “Really, it’s multiple teams all working together with the same goal, and that goal is just patient care. It’s very simple. We just all want to do what’s best for our patients.” This multidisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive care tailored to their specific needs.

In North Iowa, the collaboration extends to a multidisciplinary tumor board for cancer cases. Dr. Schwalbe describes the process: “We also discuss all of our cases on a multidisciplinary tumor board. So, we have radiology present, pathology present, the radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist, a bunch of the coordinators from the cancer center as well. So, you can really make a team effort and a team decision to have the best possible cancer care here.”

Advancements in Surgical Techniques

Technological advancements have significantly improved surgical outcomes, even in rural settings. The surgical team employs minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic and robotic surgeries. Schwalbe explains, “There are a lot of things that we do that previously would’ve had to do an open procedure, and now we can do them either laparoscopically or robotically with the tiny little scratches.”

These minimally invasive procedures offer numerous benefits, including shorter recovery times, reduced infection rates, and quicker overall patient recovery. Dr. Schwalbe emphasizes the advantages: “The data out there is that compared to an open procedure, the laparoscopic procedures have less recovery time, less infection. Folks just feel better quicker, and they still have the same post-surgical outcomes.”

Building Trust Through Personalized Care

One of the most important aspects of surgical care, particularly in rural areas, is the relationship between the surgeon and the patient. Dr. Schwalbe believes that trust is foundational: “I think that one of the most important aspects of the surgeon-patient relationship is trust, right? The patients, as soon as you go to sleep, you got to trust your surgeon to do what’s right for you.”

In smaller communities like Mason City, the personalized care patients receive makes a significant difference. Dr. Schwalbe notes, “One of the nice things about Mason City is that we’re a small town, and so here, you’re not just a number, you’re a name, you are your own individual person, and I think that just makes the care here so much more personable.”

Cornerstone of Comprehensive Rural Healthcare

General surgery in rural healthcare settings like North Iowa is a cornerstone of comprehensive medical care. Mason City Clinic’s general surgery team exemplify the dedication, expertise, and collaborative spirit needed to provide exceptional care to their community. From treating a wide range of conditions to employing the latest minimally invasive techniques and building strong patient relationships, their work ensures that even in rural areas, patients receive top-notch medical care.

For more insights into the role of general surgery in rural healthcare and to hear directly from Dr. Kathryn Schwalbe, watch the “Meet the Doc” video below. It offers a closer look at how the surgical team in North Iowa is making a difference, one patient at a time.