Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Scope of practice
Impact of Scope of Practice Laws for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists on the Utilization of Anesthesia Services
Examines scope of practice laws (SOPLs) for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on SOPLs. Utilizes 2018-2022 national administrative claims data to examine anesthesia providers by rurality, utilization rate of anesthesia procedures, and utilization of anesthesia procedures by SOPL changes and county underserved status, defined by density of available anesthesia providers. Discusses the impact of SOPLs on access to anesthesia services.
Author(s): Projesh P. Ghosh, Wafa W. Tarazi, Nwanneamaka Ume, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research
Date: 10/2025
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Examines scope of practice laws (SOPLs) for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on SOPLs. Utilizes 2018-2022 national administrative claims data to examine anesthesia providers by rurality, utilization rate of anesthesia procedures, and utilization of anesthesia procedures by SOPL changes and county underserved status, defined by density of available anesthesia providers. Discusses the impact of SOPLs on access to anesthesia services.
Author(s): Projesh P. Ghosh, Wafa W. Tarazi, Nwanneamaka Ume, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research
Date: 10/2025
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Investing in Primary Care: The Nurse Practitioner Will See You Now
Describes opportunities to support advancement of preparation and growth for nurse practitioners (NPs) to meet the population's primary care needs. Explores the importance of NPs in rural and underserved communities, and Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Author(s): Jessica McCann, Margaret Flinter
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Describes opportunities to support advancement of preparation and growth for nurse practitioners (NPs) to meet the population's primary care needs. Explores the importance of NPs in rural and underserved communities, and Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Author(s): Jessica McCann, Margaret Flinter
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Washington State's Anesthesia Workforce
Provides an overview of the anesthesia care workforce in Washington State as well as a literature review related to anesthesia workforce quality and gaps. Focuses on training, career pathways, scope of practice, licensure, and employment data. Examines county-level and rural versus urban data on healthcare sites, services, and healthcare professionals providing anesthesia care. Includes workforce analyses of a variety of healthcare professionals working in anesthesia, such as nurses, oral healthcare workers, physicians, and physician assistants.
Additional links: Anesthesiologist Assistants Occupational Brief, Anesthesiologists Occupational Brief, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Occupational Brief, Dental Anesthesia Assistants Occupational Brief, Dentists Occupational Brief, Physician Assistants Occupational Brief
Author(s): Paula M. Kett, Kyla F. Woodward, Samantha W. Pollack, et al.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Provides an overview of the anesthesia care workforce in Washington State as well as a literature review related to anesthesia workforce quality and gaps. Focuses on training, career pathways, scope of practice, licensure, and employment data. Examines county-level and rural versus urban data on healthcare sites, services, and healthcare professionals providing anesthesia care. Includes workforce analyses of a variety of healthcare professionals working in anesthesia, such as nurses, oral healthcare workers, physicians, and physician assistants.
Additional links: Anesthesiologist Assistants Occupational Brief, Anesthesiologists Occupational Brief, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Occupational Brief, Dental Anesthesia Assistants Occupational Brief, Dentists Occupational Brief, Physician Assistants Occupational Brief
Author(s): Paula M. Kett, Kyla F. Woodward, Samantha W. Pollack, et al.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Recruitment and Retention of Rural Health Professionals in Minnesota
Discusses barriers and facilitators to rural health recruitment and retention. Analyzes interview and focus group data from rural health professionals in Minnesota related to themes such as scope of practice, patient and community connections, access to housing and child care, loan forgiveness programs, and more.
Author(s): Hannah MacDougall, Selam Woldegerima, Carrie Henning-Smith, Teri Fritsma, Andrew P.J. Olson
Citation: Health Services Research
Date: 02/2025
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Discusses barriers and facilitators to rural health recruitment and retention. Analyzes interview and focus group data from rural health professionals in Minnesota related to themes such as scope of practice, patient and community connections, access to housing and child care, loan forgiveness programs, and more.
Author(s): Hannah MacDougall, Selam Woldegerima, Carrie Henning-Smith, Teri Fritsma, Andrew P.J. Olson
Citation: Health Services Research
Date: 02/2025
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Nurse Practitioner Race and Ethnicity and Interest in Independent Primary Care Practice and Serving Medicaid Enrollees
Surveyed California nurse practitioners (NPs) to determine the current practice and practice intentions following scope of practice regulation changes in California. Presents 2023 data showing rurality of NPs by amount of primary care offered and Medicaid patient caseload currently and those considering independent primary care practice, among other characteristics.
Author(s): Ulrike Muench, Amy Quan, Rosalind de Lisser, Timothy Bates, Joanne Spetz
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 2(12)
Date: 11/2024
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Surveyed California nurse practitioners (NPs) to determine the current practice and practice intentions following scope of practice regulation changes in California. Presents 2023 data showing rurality of NPs by amount of primary care offered and Medicaid patient caseload currently and those considering independent primary care practice, among other characteristics.
Author(s): Ulrike Muench, Amy Quan, Rosalind de Lisser, Timothy Bates, Joanne Spetz
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 2(12)
Date: 11/2024
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Resources for Dental Care Workforce in Health Centers
Discusses access to oral health in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and disparities experienced by underserved populations in rural and low-income communities. Provides examples and strategies from communities to effectively train, secure, and maximize the oral health workforce.
Additional links: 11 Shining Star Case Examples, State Policies & Strategies Brief Table, State Policies & Strategies Brief: Strengthen and Expand the Dental Workforce in Health Centers, State Policies & Strategies Guide: Strengthen and Expand The Dental Workforce In Health Centers
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
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Discusses access to oral health in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and disparities experienced by underserved populations in rural and low-income communities. Provides examples and strategies from communities to effectively train, secure, and maximize the oral health workforce.
Additional links: 11 Shining Star Case Examples, State Policies & Strategies Brief Table, State Policies & Strategies Brief: Strengthen and Expand the Dental Workforce in Health Centers, State Policies & Strategies Guide: Strengthen and Expand The Dental Workforce In Health Centers
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
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Gender Differences in Factors Associated with Rural Health Care Practice in Minnesota
Examines the sex-related factors in choosing to practice in a rural area. Analyzes 2021-2022 Minnesota Department of Health data according to healthcare profession, sex, race/ethnicity, and factors for choosing a rural location to practice, such as scope of practice, lifestyle, educational or internship options, and more.
Author(s): Selam Woldegerima, Teri Fritsma, Carrie Henning-Smith, Mark Rosenberg, Andrew P.J. Olson
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 09/2024
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Examines the sex-related factors in choosing to practice in a rural area. Analyzes 2021-2022 Minnesota Department of Health data according to healthcare profession, sex, race/ethnicity, and factors for choosing a rural location to practice, such as scope of practice, lifestyle, educational or internship options, and more.
Author(s): Selam Woldegerima, Teri Fritsma, Carrie Henning-Smith, Mark Rosenberg, Andrew P.J. Olson
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 09/2024
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Building a Sustainable Rural Health Workforce for the 21st Century: A Report of the 2024 Rural Health Workforce Summit
Summarizes a May 2024 summit of national rural health workforce experts to discuss strategies for increasing the supply of rural health workforce. Presents 3 principles related to rural community culture, innovation, and payment structure to inform 4 core strategies for building and maintaining the workforce. Strategies cover workforce roles, partnerships and networking, technology to improve access to care, and educational pathways.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Summarizes a May 2024 summit of national rural health workforce experts to discuss strategies for increasing the supply of rural health workforce. Presents 3 principles related to rural community culture, innovation, and payment structure to inform 4 core strategies for building and maintaining the workforce. Strategies cover workforce roles, partnerships and networking, technology to improve access to care, and educational pathways.
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Transforming Oral Health Care in North Carolina
Makes recommendations for improving oral health access, supporting oral care workforce and providers, and promoting oral health quality and equity in North Carolina. Discusses oral health in rural and underserved areas throughout, including coverage of workforce distribution, dental safety net, and access barriers.
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Institute of Medicine
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Makes recommendations for improving oral health access, supporting oral care workforce and providers, and promoting oral health quality and equity in North Carolina. Discusses oral health in rural and underserved areas throughout, including coverage of workforce distribution, dental safety net, and access barriers.
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Institute of Medicine
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Dental Therapy Resource Guide
Describes the role of dental therapists in expanding access to dental health care in rural communities. Outlines the status of state laws and regulations regarding dental therapy education and practice as of August 2021. Compares the scope of practice of dental therapists to other dental care providers.
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
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Describes the role of dental therapists in expanding access to dental health care in rural communities. Outlines the status of state laws and regulations regarding dental therapy education and practice as of August 2021. Compares the scope of practice of dental therapists to other dental care providers.
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
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