Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health workforce
Rural Background, Training Exposure, and Rural Practice Location Among US Physicians
Research letter exploring the interdependence between recruiting students from rural backgrounds and providing exposure to rural settings during undergraduate and graduate medical education training. Uses data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) 2022 National Sample Survey of Physicians.
Author(s): Xiaochu Hu, Davis G. Patterson, Sarah S. Conrad, Qian Luo, Michael J. Dill
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(8), e2625481
Date: 08/2026
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Research letter exploring the interdependence between recruiting students from rural backgrounds and providing exposure to rural settings during undergraduate and graduate medical education training. Uses data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) 2022 National Sample Survey of Physicians.
Author(s): Xiaochu Hu, Davis G. Patterson, Sarah S. Conrad, Qian Luo, Michael J. Dill
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(8), e2625481
Date: 08/2026
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2026 CCBHC Impact Report
Discusses the impact certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) have had on expanding access to mental and substance use healthcare, supporting the well-being of children and families, and coordinating with primary care providers, among other measures. Explores national CCBHC implementation status, utilization of services, collaboration with other providers, and workforce support. Includes a breakdown of clientele expansions in rural CCBHCs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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Discusses the impact certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) have had on expanding access to mental and substance use healthcare, supporting the well-being of children and families, and coordinating with primary care providers, among other measures. Explores national CCBHC implementation status, utilization of services, collaboration with other providers, and workforce support. Includes a breakdown of clientele expansions in rural CCBHCs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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Rural Health Curriculum in Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs: A Narrative Review
Evaluates 93 Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses and initiatives to determine how rural health is integrated into course curricula. Includes analysis of course or initiative length, population focus, and states where courses are located. Discusses rural in larger population health training contexts, training methods, and implications for training the rural nursing workforce.
Author(s): Kyanna Harris, Hilary N. Touchett, Alexandra Caloudas, Kelley Arredondo
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3)
Date: 08/2026
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Evaluates 93 Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses and initiatives to determine how rural health is integrated into course curricula. Includes analysis of course or initiative length, population focus, and states where courses are located. Discusses rural in larger population health training contexts, training methods, and implications for training the rural nursing workforce.
Author(s): Kyanna Harris, Hilary N. Touchett, Alexandra Caloudas, Kelley Arredondo
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3)
Date: 08/2026
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Interstate Licensing Compacts (2026 Overview)
Provides a brief overview of major interstate licensing compacts as of July 2026. Includes a chart on the status of licensure compacts in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Additional links: Licensure Compact Chart 2026
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Great Plains Telehealth Resource and Assistance Center
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Provides a brief overview of major interstate licensing compacts as of July 2026. Includes a chart on the status of licensure compacts in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Additional links: Licensure Compact Chart 2026
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Great Plains Telehealth Resource and Assistance Center
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Indiana Kidney Program Improves Outcomes Through Proactive Care and Education
Profiles the Kidney Care Options (KCO) Program developed by Major Health Partners (MHP) in rural Shelby County, Indiana. Shares how the nurse-led, interdisciplinary KCO program provides patient education, care coordination, patient advocacy, and other supports early in the treatment process so patients can make informed decisions about their kidney care.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Profiles the Kidney Care Options (KCO) Program developed by Major Health Partners (MHP) in rural Shelby County, Indiana. Shares how the nurse-led, interdisciplinary KCO program provides patient education, care coordination, patient advocacy, and other supports early in the treatment process so patients can make informed decisions about their kidney care.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Federal Policy Priorities to Strengthen Rural Health and Maximize Rural Health Transformation Program Investments
Presents policy recommendations for Congressional and CMS actions to bolster rural health and ensure Rural Health Transformation Program investments are transparent, durable, and effective. Covers recommendations related to telehealth and health information technology investments, the rural healthcare workforce, and rural hospital programs and eligibility.
Author(s): Daisy Kim, Maya Sandalow
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Presents policy recommendations for Congressional and CMS actions to bolster rural health and ensure Rural Health Transformation Program investments are transparent, durable, and effective. Covers recommendations related to telehealth and health information technology investments, the rural healthcare workforce, and rural hospital programs and eligibility.
Author(s): Daisy Kim, Maya Sandalow
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Safe Minimum Nurse Staffing Requirements for Hospitals: Evidence from Pennsylvania
Explores the variation in nurse staffing ratios at 132 Pennsylvania hospitals in 2023. Examines whether medical-surgical nurse staffing ratios are associated with nurse job outcomes, patient clinical outcomes, and hospital costs. Compares findings by rural and urban hospital location. Describes the potential implications of minimum nurse staffing policies in Pennsylvania on nurses, patient care, and costs.
Author(s): K. Jane Muir, Linda H. Aiken, Heather Brom, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(7), 447-455
Date: 07/2026
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Explores the variation in nurse staffing ratios at 132 Pennsylvania hospitals in 2023. Examines whether medical-surgical nurse staffing ratios are associated with nurse job outcomes, patient clinical outcomes, and hospital costs. Compares findings by rural and urban hospital location. Describes the potential implications of minimum nurse staffing policies in Pennsylvania on nurses, patient care, and costs.
Author(s): K. Jane Muir, Linda H. Aiken, Heather Brom, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 64(7), 447-455
Date: 07/2026
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Expanding Access to Care in Rural Communities: Strategies to Better Serve People with Complex Health and Social Needs
A recorded webinar that discusses strategies to improve access to care in rural areas for people with complex physical and behavioral health needs. Features examples from various states focused on establishing care coordination entities, strengthening provider capacity, and expanding accessible transportation options. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Gretchen Bell, Molly Knowles, Nancy Maier, Chris Soukup, Mitch Elliot
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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A recorded webinar that discusses strategies to improve access to care in rural areas for people with complex physical and behavioral health needs. Features examples from various states focused on establishing care coordination entities, strengthening provider capacity, and expanding accessible transportation options. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Gretchen Bell, Molly Knowles, Nancy Maier, Chris Soukup, Mitch Elliot
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Rural Health Workforce Challenges and the Role of Networks
Describes the national rural health workforce shortage and challenges related to the recruitment and retention of healthcare providers in rural areas. Discusses strategies rural health networks can take to address workforce shortages, including health professions pipelines and a recruitment and retention framework.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Health Policy Center
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Describes the national rural health workforce shortage and challenges related to the recruitment and retention of healthcare providers in rural areas. Discusses strategies rural health networks can take to address workforce shortages, including health professions pipelines and a recruitment and retention framework.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Health Policy Center
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State Midwifery Full Practice Authority Policies and Midwife-Attended Births among Rural and Urban U.S. Residents
Analyzes how the implementation of state policies providing full practice authority to midwives was associated with the percentage of midwife-attended births in rural and urban areas between 2007 and 2023, using CDC WONDER data. Compares rates of midwife-attended births among states with and without full practice authority and those that passed policies during the study period.
Author(s): Clara E. Busse, Emily C. Sheffield, Caitlin Carroll, et al.
Citation: Women's Health Issues, 36(5), 436-443
Date: 07/2026
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Analyzes how the implementation of state policies providing full practice authority to midwives was associated with the percentage of midwife-attended births in rural and urban areas between 2007 and 2023, using CDC WONDER data. Compares rates of midwife-attended births among states with and without full practice authority and those that passed policies during the study period.
Author(s): Clara E. Busse, Emily C. Sheffield, Caitlin Carroll, et al.
Citation: Women's Health Issues, 36(5), 436-443
Date: 07/2026
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