Navigating Unique Challenges in Pediatric Emergency Care: Insights From Rural Settings

Children in rural areas face unique health challenges due to geographic isolation and limited access to specialized services. These disparities often result in delayed treatment and poorer outcomes, making it essential for healthcare providers to understand the specific needs of rural pediatric populations. In this session, we will explore the challenges impacting rural pediatric care, including barriers to pre-hospital and hospital services. We will review relevant case studies and encounters unique to rural communities. Participants will learn about pre-hospital readiness, the importance of communication and logistics in emergency care, and how to address common farm-related injuries and exposures in these settings.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:
  • Understand the unique health challenges and disparities faced by children in rural settings.
  • Analyze the critical factors affecting pre-hospital readiness in rural areas, including communication and logistics.
  • Assess the implications of limited medical and social resources in rural settings for pediatric emergency care.
  • Recognize specific rural and farm-related exposures and traumatic injuries commonly associated with them in pediatric patients.

Presenters:

  • Kathleen Kinney Bryant, MD
  • Kuldip Sunny Kainth, MD
  • Juliana Jaramillo, MD
  • Elizabeth G. Olson, MD
  • Christyn Magill, MD
Authors

  • Kathleen K. Bryant, MD

    ECU Health Medical Center/East Carolina University

    Dr. Kathleen Bryant is an Emergency Medicine physician and Assistant Professor at the Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University (ECU). She earned her medical degree from the Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida. Dr. Bryant completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at ECU, where she also served as chief resident. Following her residency, she pursued a fellowship in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Carolinas Medical Center. After returning to ECU, Dr. Bryant served as the Medical Director of the Children's Emergency Department for five years. She also served as Associate Residency Program Director for Emergency Medicine for five years and is currently Chief of the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Division.

  • Kuldip S. Kainth, MD

    East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine

    Dr. Kuldip Sunny Kainth is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician and Assistant Professor at the Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University (ECU). A Toronto Canada native, he earned his medical degree from the St. George's University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. Dr. Kainth completed his residency in Pediatrics and fellowship in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at SUNY Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, NY. Upon completion of his training, he moved to Greenville, NC to join the ECU Health Medical Center Children's Emergency Department as an Attending Physician. He has been the clinical medical director of the Children's ED since 2023.

  • Juliana Jaramillo, MD

    ECU Health

    Dr. Juliana Jaramillo graduated from SUNY Downstate/Kings County where she completed her Emergency Medicine Residency followed by a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship at Atrium Health / Carolinas Medical Center. Currently she is an Assistant Clinical Professor at ECU Health for Emergency Medicine / Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) Faculty Advisor for the Brody School of Medicine as well as Southeast Region.

    Her interests include diversity and inclusion, mentorship, Hispanic health, education / curriculum development, wellness, pediatrics, and global health. She has served in numerous leadership roles within the Latino Medical Student Association, National Hispanic Medical Association, and previously completed the AAP Women's Wellness through Equity and Leadership program (WEL).

  • Elizabeth G. Olson, MD

    Medical College of Georgia

    Dr. Elizabeth Olson is a dual-trained EM/PEM attending in Augusta, Georgia. She completed medical school at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, before moving to Charlotte, where she completed her EM residency and PEM fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center. She serves a dual role as Assistant Program Director of Medical College of Georgia's EM residency as well as MCG's Director of EM Informatics. Her areas of interest are health equity, clinical informatics, expanding access to medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder, and medical education.

  • Christyn Magill, MD

    Carolinas Medical Center

    Christyn Magill is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Atrium Health's Carolinas Medical Center and Levine Children's Hospital. She completed her medical school training at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, Pediatrics residency at Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, VA, and her Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center and Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, NC. She currently serves as Program Director for the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship. She also enjoys serving in medical education and spending time elevating the knowledge of learners of all levels in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics. Dr. Magill is the Academic Advisor for the Charlotte site as part of the CHaMP (Charlotte, Houston, and Milwaukee Prehospital) node of PECARN. Her research focuses on resource utilization in the prehospital setting and optimizing management of traumatically injured children in the prehospital setting. 

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