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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health occupations

Supply and Distribution of the Primary Care Workforce in Rural America: 2019
Details the supply of primary care providers in rural and urban areas in the U.S. Compares rates of physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants per 100,000 people by county across the country. Features a state-level analysis.
Additional links: State-level Analysis
Author(s): Eric H. Larson, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Lisa A. Garberson, et al.
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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The Supply and Rural-Urban Distribution of the Obstetrical Care Workforce in the U.S
Highlights the supply of obstetrical care workers in rural and urban areas in the U.S. Compares rates of midwives, advanced practice midwives, obstetricians, and family practice physicians who deliver babies per 100,000 women of childbearing age in rural counties. Features a state-by state analysis and state-level profiles.
Additional links: State-level Reports
Author(s): Davis Patterson, Holly Andrilla, Lisa Garberson
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Tennessee Federal Health Professional Shortage Areas: Dental
County-level map with shadings showing low-income population or geographic Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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Tennessee Federal Health Professional Shortage Areas: Mental Health
County-level map with shadings showing low-income population or geographic Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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Arizona Health Workforce Profile: Physician Assistants
Brief reporting on the physician assistant (PA) workforce in Arizona, including a county map with information on PAs per 100,000 residents and distribution in rural and urban areas.
Author(s): B. Koch, S. Coates, B. Coplan, et al.
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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Maternal and Obstetric Care Challenges in Rural America
Provides an overview of the clinical factors and social determinants of health that may increase the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality in rural communities. Discusses the impact of insurance coverage status, hospital and obstetric unit closures, and workforce shortages on rural maternal health. Describes the role of the Department of Health and Human Services in addressing maternal health outcomes. Offers policy recommendations to reduce rural maternal health disparities.
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Washington State's 2019 Licensed Practical Nurse Workforce
Highlights the licensed practical nurse (LPN) workforce supply in the state of Washington in 2019. Explores the demographics, distribution, education, and work setting of LPNs using data collected from a survey conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and from state license renewals.
Additional links: Supplemental Report
Author(s): Benjamin A. Stubbs, Susan M. Skillman
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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What Commute Patterns Can Tell Us About the Supply of Allied Health Workers and Registered Nurses
Analyzes commuting patterns among people in 11 allied health occupations and 2 categories of registered nurses. Intended to help workforce planners understand the local supply of workers, measure productivity and the gain or loss in earnings due to increased commuting, and identify opportunities for benefits such as transportation subsidies. Discusses incentives that could be offered to rural nurses that might encourage them to seek work in their own communities. Features statistics on work characteristics, average wages, and average commute times among people in the occupations studied.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Arati Dahal, Susan M. Skillman, Davis G. Patterson, Bianca K. Frogner
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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What Is the Impact on Rural Area Residents When the Local Physician Leaves?
Results of a pilot study exploring challenges in access to care that result when rural communities lose a family physician. Based on interviews with 18 participants from 3 geographically distinct rural areas of Virginia who had experienced the loss of a family physician within the past 5 years.
Author(s): Paulius Mui , Martha M. Gonzalez, Rebecca Etz
Citation: Family Medicine, 52(5), 352-356
Date: 05/2020
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Idaho Rural Health Care Access Program (RHCAP) FY21 Dental Health Eligible Areas
County-level map with shadings showing dental geographic Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), population group HPSAs, and ineligible areas.
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
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