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Rural Health
Resources by State: Washington

Identifying Challenges and Solutions for Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Rural Youth: Insights from Adult Community Members
Presents a study on the barriers to accessing mental healthcare for rural youth in Washington State. Bases finding on interviews with community members, parents, teachers, and healthcare providers and discusses ways to overcome perceived barriers.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Demetrius A. Abshire, Elissa Koontz, Jessica L. Mackelprang
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(6), 725
Date: 06/2024
Type: Document
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Characteristics of the Current Dental Assistant and Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Workforces in Washington State
Results of a survey of 1,240 dental assistants (DAs) and 113 expanded function dental auxiliaries (EFDAs), to describe the supply, distribution, and characteristics of DAs and EFDAs in Washington. Features demographics, a county-level map showing numbers of registered DAs with Washington addresses per 100,000 population, and statistics on residence with breakdowns by urban or rural location.
Author(s): Samantha W. Pollack, Grace A. Guenther, Benjamin A. Stubbs, et al.
Date: 05/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies, Washington Oral Health Workforce
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Washington State Data Snapshot: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
Highlights data and characteristics, such as age, sex, and number of licenses, for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in rural and urban Washington State.
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Washington Center for Nursing
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Addressing the Spectrum of Opioid Misuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery in Rural Washington State Communities: Provider Identified Barriers and Needs
Highlights a study on provider-identified barriers to opioid use disorder treatment, recovery, and prevention in rural Washington State. Draws conclusions from survey data taken from July-September 2020 and features some discussion of COVID-19 on top of other pre-existing barriers. Breaks down data by role in healthcare workforce, work setting, and substance focus, among other factors.
Author(s): Liat S. Kriegel, Katherine Hampilos, Elizabeth Weybright, et al.
Citation: Community Mental Health Journal, 60(3), 600-607
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
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Meeting Essential Health Services And Reimagining Obstetrics In A Rural Community
Case study profiling Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH) in rural Washington. Describes how KVH implemented a new staffing model to maintain essential obstetrics and gynecological care.
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Grow Your Own Toolkit: A Guide to Implementing Workforce Strategies in Washington State's Rural Health Systems
A toolkit for creating grow your own workforce programs for addressing rural healthcare workforce shortages in Washington. Discusses strategies, collaboration opportunities, and implementation tips. Includes case studies from around Washington.
Author(s): Talia Horacek, Sarah Gambrill
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Department of Health
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Racial, Ethnic, and Rural Disparities in Distance to Physicians among Decedents with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in Washington State
Evaluates travel distance to the nearest neurologist and primary care physician among people whose cause of death was related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) in the state of Washington. Utilizes 2011-2021 mortality data. Includes breakdowns of distance to care by race, ethnicity, and level of rurality. Highlights geographic access disparities experienced by American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic people.
Author(s): Solmaz Amiri, Jonae I. Keffeler, Dennis R. Crain, Justin T. Denney, Dedra Buchwald
Citation: Alzheimer's & Dementia, 20(5), 3671–3678
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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Lessons Learned from Efforts to Support Vulnerable Critical Access and Other Rural Hospitals
Provides an overview of state and federal programs, demonstrations, and models designed to support Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and other rural hospitals. Describes challenges facing CAHs and rural hospitals, including chronic workforce shortages, high operating and staffing costs, inadequate reimbursement, operational and regulatory issues, and the diverse demographics of rural communities. Discusses lessons learned, the new for a new rural hospital model, and next steps.
Author(s): John Gale, Celia Jewell, Karen Pearson
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Washington State Data Snapshot: Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs)
Highlights data and characteristics, such as age, sex, and number of licenses, for advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) in rural and urban Washington State.
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Washington Center for Nursing
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Washington State Data Snapshot: Registered Nurses (RNs)
Highlights data and characteristics, such as age, sex, and number of licenses, for registered nurses (RNs) in rural and urban Washington State.
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Washington Center for Nursing
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