NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON!!!

 

More information on the 2024 Rural Recognition List HERE.  Applications must be completed and submitted no later than September 20, 2024.

 

Now accepting UME programs to be participating programs!

Interested UME programs can complete and submit the 2024-2025 application HERE.

 

Registration is open for our 2024 Scholarly Intensive Seminar Series!  Click HERE for more information!

 

Our Participating Programs and Sponsors

Ohio University HCOM
Central Maine Medical Center Family Medicine Residency – Swift River Rural Training Track
Colorado Family Medicine Residencies
Ohio University RUSP
Cahaba Medical Care
Spokane Teaching Health Center
Family Medicine Residency of Idaho
Oregon Health & Science University-Cascades East Family Medicine Residency
Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana
Providence Oregon Family Medicine Hood River Rural Training Program
Hidalgo Medical Services Family Medicine Residency Program
Wayne County Hospital RESST Program
UND Bismarck/Center for Family Medicine-Hettinger RTT & UND Minot/Williston Medical Center-Rural Residency
Wisconsin Rural Physician Residency Assistance Program
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson Family Medicine Residency

Featured News Story

Annual Rural Photo Contest

Posted on:

The Rural Medical Training Collaborative (formerly RTT Collaborative) invites you to participate in our annual rural photo contest.  Each year we hold a “bragging rights” competition for the shutter bugs associated with our organization to showcase their best photos that represent rural healthcare and training.  The deadline for submission is the end of April, but this year, for the first time ever, all entries that are submitted prior to the start of our annual meeting on April 10th, will be featured at the meeting and eligible to win the new “Rural Educators” award, to be selected by the attendees at the annual meeting in Asheville,
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Latest News

News stories via the Rural Health Information Hub News stories of interest to rural health, with information provided via the Rural Health Information Hub

  • National Disaster Recovery Framework Public Comment Period
    on October 7, 2024 at 5:00 am

    Request for public comments on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Disaster Recovery Framework. Notes that the framework shapes the federal government's approach to disaster recovery assistance, with implications for state, local, and territorial governments, Tribal Nations, and nongovernmental partners. Comments are due by October 23, 2024.

  • Field Hospitals Set Up To Treat North Carolina Storm Victims Sit Mostly Empty
    on October 4, 2024 at 5:00 am

    Explores factors contributing to low patient volumes at field hospitals erected in rural North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. Discusses how damaged power and communications systems may have hindered efforts to spread the word about the temporary services, and identifies collaboration with local AM radio stations as a potential workaround. Notes ongoing efforts by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a range of local and national partners to locate missing persons and prepare for a potential surge in patient volumes.

  • USDA Offers Resources, Adds Flexibilities to Disaster Assistance Programs To Help Hurricane Helene-Impacted Farmers, Foresters and...
    on October 4, 2024 at 5:00 am

    Describes efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assist communities and individuals impacted by Hurricane Helene. Highlights resources for farmers, foresters, and communities including expedited crop insurance payments, disaster assistance programs, and nutrition assistance programs.

  • More Restrooms Have Adult-Size Changing Tables To Help People With Disabilities
    on October 3, 2024 at 5:00 am

    Discusses efforts to install more full-size changing tables for people with disabilities in public bathrooms across the country. Highlights the impacts of a new full-size changing table installed at a rest stop in rural Iowa, and notes that the need for such amenities is often greater in rural areas. Explores factors contributing to the recent uptick in full-size changing table installations, including advocacy efforts, state legislation, and funding from state governments.

  • VA Establishes Analytics Team to Improve Acute Care for Rural Veterans
    on October 2, 2024 at 5:00 am

    Announces the Emergency Medicine Analytics Team through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration Office of Rural Health in an effort to improve healthcare for rural veterans. The team will focus on access to acute services and the quality of emergency care with attention to evaluation, innovation, and dissemination of effective practices. Notes the high costs to the VA for veterans that receive emergency care at non-VA emergency departments.

  • NIH Makes Inaugural Awards to Begin Building its CARE for Health™ Primary Care Research Network
    on October 1, 2024 at 5:00 am

    Announces 3 new research network hubs to serve rural communities through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Communities Advancing Research Equity for Health (CARE for Health) program. The hubs will expand NIH-funded studies into primary care settings.

  • Local Radio Stations Become A Lifeline For Rural Appalachian Communities Cut Off By Hurricane Helene
    on October 1, 2024 at 5:00 am

    Highlights the role local radio stations have played in conveying important information for rural North Carolina communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Notes that previous storm-related emergencies prompted local leaders to prepare radio stations as part of their response efforts.

  • Biden-Harris Administration Awards More Than $1.5 Billion in State and Tribal Opioid Response Grants to Advance the President's Unity...
    on September 26, 2024 at 5:00 am

    Announces the distribution of more than $1.5 billion in grant funding through the State Opioid Response (SOR), Tribal Opioid Response (TOR), and SOR/TOR Technical Assistance programs. Highlights funding priorities, including expanded services for individuals aged 16 to 25, expanded MOUD access for incarcerated populations, and services that utilize an integrated, whole-person approach.

  • Kansas Is Covered in Farms but Isn't Growing Enough Local Produce for School Lunches
    on September 26, 2024 at 5:00 am

    Describes efforts by the Kansas Department of Education to source local food for school meals in rural western Kansas. Discusses how the predominance of commodity crops has led to a lack of options for purchasing local fruits and vegetables. Highlights barriers faced by specialty crop growers and notes the health and economic benefits of more diversified local food systems.

  • Growing Divide: Rural Men Are Living Shorter, Less Healthy Lives Than Their Urban Counterparts
    on September 25, 2024 at 5:00 am

    Provides an overview of recent research showing widening disparities in life expectancy and health quality for rural and urban men near retirement age. Discusses possible contributing factors including higher rates of smoking, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions among rural men. Notes expected challenges for rural communities as residents age and provider shortages persist.

Helpful Resources

Rural resources via the Rural Health Information Hub Resources, reports, and other documents on rural health topics from a variety of sources, with information provided via the Rural Health Information Hub

  • Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot Study of an Online Weight Loss Program in Rural, Underserved Communities
    on October 8, 2024 at 1:36 pm

    Examines the feasibility and impact of implementing an online weight loss program in rural, underserved communities. Follows results of the 1-year intervention, analyzing 16 recruited individuals and their ability to attend nutrition and lifestyle education sessions, complete diet and weight monitoring, and achieve weight loss.

  • State of Rural Preview: Nonemployer Statistics
    on October 7, 2024 at 6:23 pm

    Presents the growth changes in nonemployer Minnesota businesses by entirely rural, town/rural mix, urban/town/rural mix, or entirely urban county. Discusses the impact of nonemployer businesses on the state. -- Center for Rural Policy and Development

  • Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollment Map
    on October 7, 2024 at 4:51 pm

    Interactive map showing household participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) over time. Provides data on total enrollment and percent of eligible households enrolled by ZIP code. -- Center on Rural Innovation, Rural LISC

  • Transitioning to Rural Practice Together: A Rural Fellowship Model (In 6 Ps)
    on October 7, 2024 at 4:21 pm

    Examines the effectiveness of the Mountain Area Health Education Center's Rural Fellowship program, a 12-month residency program supporting placement and professional development of family medicine physicians and pharmacists in rural communities in western North Carolina. Provides an overview of the Rural Fellowship program and the 6 Ps framework, and evaluates short and long-term retention and program experiences among eight Rural Fellowship participants.

  • Indian Health Service: Director's Year 2 Accomplishments Report - 2024
    on October 7, 2024 at 4:19 pm

    Provides an overview of the Indian Health Service's initiatives and accomplishments during fiscal year 2024. Discusses investments, access to healthcare, civil rights, partnerships and collaboration with tribes, and more. -- Indian Health Service

  • The Impact of Internet Connectivity When Conducting a Virtual Clinical Trial with Participants Living in Rural Areas
    on October 7, 2024 at 1:52 pm

    Evaluates the effectiveness of virtual randomized clinical trials for research involving rural family caregivers. Analyzes notes across 1,003 visits with research participants in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin to identify internet reliability issues and impact on the research. Discusses internet access a social determinant of health.

  • Science by the Slice: Rural Community Health Science, Policy, and the Future: Episode 2
    on October 7, 2024 at 1:35 pm

    Video podcast episode highlighting the 2024 State of the Science Meeting from the Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety featuring 2 speakers at the meeting. Discusses disparities in healthcare access for rural and urban residents including facility closures, access to specialty care, and local leadership. Transcript available in the video description. -- Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety

  • Examining Use of Telehealth in Jails: Linking Women to Community OUD Services
    on October 4, 2024 at 9:44 pm

    Evaluates the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network's (JCOIN) use of telehealth for opioid use disorder (OUD) assessment and linkage to medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) services at community re-entry for 600 women incarcerated in Kentucky jails. Examines participants' access to treatment, participants' and providers' perceptions of telehealth, and other aspects of program implementation. Discusses barriers to care in a predominantly rural population.

  • Designing Survey-Based Mobile Interfaces for Rural Patients With Cancer Using Apple's ResearchKit and CareKit: Usability Study
    on October 4, 2024 at 9:34 pm

    Examines the usability of mobile health (mHealth) interfaces for patients with cancer in rural settings, utilizing a survey of 30 current or postsurgery patients. Provides data on app use habits, familiarity with mHealth, and responses to specific mobile user interfaces. Discusses approaches to facilitating mHealth access among patients with limited digital literacy.

  • 2023 Florida Physician Workforce Annual Report
    on October 4, 2024 at 9:30 pm

    Presents a summary of results from Florida physician workforce surveys completed between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2023. Features statistics on demographics and practice characteristics, and includes a section on the Florida Office of Rural Health. Appendices D-1 and D-2 feature tables showing number of practicing physicians and the percent increase or decrease by county by year from 2014-2023, with breakdowns by rural or nonrural county. -- Florida Health