Benefits of Telemedicine in Rural Populations Kansas is considered a rural state in the United States. Merriam-Webster (2012) theoretically defines rural as “open land” or “relating to country, country people, life, or agriculture.” The U.S. Census Bureau considers rural to be “open country and settlements with fewer than 2,500 residents” (Cromartie, 2007). Nearly 17% of the US population lives in rural areas, which represents approximately 80% of the entire US territory (Cromartie, 2009). This means that there is more land mass than there are people inhabiting the earth; rural communities have fewer people living in larger, more remote areas. Individuals living in rural communities have different cultures and experiences than those living in urban communities, which can become problematic when it comes to healthcare. Many factors such as sociocultural, financial, and structural issues create barriers to accessing healthcare for individuals living in rural America. Sociocultural factors include self-sufficiency, education, language, and beliefs; financial factors include inadequate health insurance, income, and resources; structural issues include the physical distance to travel, the ability to travel, and the time needed to reach healthcare facilities or healthcare providers (Graves, 2008). For decades, people living in rural areas have been considered medically disadvantaged. Access to healthcare is a growing problem for individuals in rural America due to aging populations, declining economies, closing rural hospitals, rising healthcare costs, shortages of health workers and the difficulties in attracting and retaining health personnel and doctors (Bauer, 2002). This population experiences more health disparities than half of paper cities: Toward eliminating rural health disparities. Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care, 10(1), 4-6. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2004). Retrieved June 16, 2004, from http://mw.com/dictionary/ruralMoffatt, J., & Eley, D. (2010). The reported benefits of telemedicine for rural Australians. Australian Health Review. 34. 276-281.Saqui, O., Chang, A., McGonigle, S., Purdy, B., Fairholm, L., Baun, M., Yeung, M., Rossos, P., Allard, J. , (2007). Telemedicine videoconferencing: Improving home care for parenteral nutrition patients in rural Ontario, Canada. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 31(3). 234-239.Sevean, P., Dampier, S., Spadoni, M., Strickland, S., Pilatzke, S., (2008). Patient and family experiences with video telehealth in rural/remote communities in Northern Canada. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18. 2573-2579.