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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health workforce supply and demand

Mental Health Systems Solutions Explorer
Interactive tool offering evidence-based solutions to increase mental healthcare utilization, increase access to care, and establish a continuum of care. Contains examples of each solution in practice. Solutions can be filtered to view those specifically of interest to rural communities.
Date: 01/2021
Type: Tool
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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How to Transform the U.S. Mental Health System: Evidence-based Recommendations
Discusses evidence-based strategies to promote mental healthcare utilization, improve access to care, and establish a continuum of care. Offers 15 recommendations to improve mental healthcare, including policies regarding reimbursement, workforce growth, and digital and telehealth services, among other topics. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Full Report, Research Brief: Transforming Mental Health Care in the United States
Author(s): Ryan K. McBain, Nicole K. Eberhart, Joshua Breslau, et al.
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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The State of the Nurse Practitioner Profession, 2020: Results from the National Nurse Practitioner Sample Survey
Analyzes data from the 2020 National Sample Survey of Nurse Practitioners to describe the nurse practitioner (NP) workforce in the U.S. Covers education, certification, practice patterns, and compensation, including statistics on NPs who practice in Rural Health Clinics.
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Association of Nurse Practitioners
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National Health Service Corps Report to Congress for the Year 2020
Details program accomplishments of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), provides updates on Health Professional Shortage Area designations, explains recruitment efforts for NHSC Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs, provides estimates on number of patients seen by NHSC clinicians, and details short- and long-term retention rates. Features state-by-state data with breakdowns by urban and rural locations.
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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The Future of Wisconsin's Healthcare Workforce
Examines number of healthcare professionals and their distribution across Wisconsin. Forecasts potential issues in the healthcare workforce and projected workforce supply. Includes rural versus urban percentage distribution of nurse professionals, physician assistants, pharmacists, and physicians.
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Council on Medical Education and Workforce
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2016-2020 South Dakota Primary Care Needs Assessment
Findings of a comprehensive analysis and needs assessment of South Dakota counties and their potential areas of need in primary healthcare. Includes sections on tribal populations, Medicaid, telehealth, Health Professional Shortage Areas, Rural Health Clinics, Critical Access Hospitals, behavioral health, substance abuse, and educational opportunities for the primary care workforce. Features county-by-county statistics for various health indicators.
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: South Dakota Office of Rural Health
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Missouri Primary Care Needs Assessment (PCNA) 2020
Analyzes Missouri's unmet healthcare needs and lack of access to healthcare services, and evaluates resources and services necessary to overcome health disparities in Missouri. Features statistics on Health Professional Shortage Areas, various incentive programs, and 33 primary care health indicators, with breakdowns by urban and rural locations.
Author(s): Sara Davenport, Laura Hart, Aleesha Jones, et al.
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Missouri Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
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Rural Snapshot: Pennsylvania Health Care Providers and Facilities
Provides statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas on numbers of Pennsylvania medical doctors, healthcare professionals, and mental health professionals; percent of healthcare and social service workers ages 55 or older; and hospital beds per 1,000 residents. Includes a county-level map showing locations and numbers of various types of Pennsylvania health care facilities, with shadings indicating rural or urban counties.
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Kansas Primary Care Needs Assessment
Reports the results of a statewide needs assessment conducted in 2021 that focuses on the primary care needs of rural and underserved populations in Kansas. Includes discussion on provider shortages, access issues related to quality preventive and primary care services, telehealth services, and more. Shares maps providing county-level data on Primary Care, Dental, and Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Kansas Office of Primary Care and Rural Health
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Voices From the Field: A Qualitative Study of the Challenges and Promising Practices of Rural Public Health in Addressing HIV and Hepatitis C
Examines rural vulnerability to HIV and hepatitis C for people who inject drugs. Presents findings from interviews with 36 public health professionals from rural states, addressing funding limitations, staffing, public health infrastructure challenges, public health initiatives, and community education programs.
Author(s): Martha Elbaum Williamson, Karen B. Pearson, Amanda R. Burgess, Jennifer D. Lenardson, Erika C. Ziller
Citation: Journal of Health and Human Services Administration, 44(2), 114-136
Date: 2021
Type: Document
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