https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/health-care-workforce Rural Healthcare Workforce resources related to rural health, with information provided by the Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://vtdigger.org/2026/08/30/vermonts-population-of-primary-care-doctors-is-declining/ Discusses a new survey showing a continued decline in primary care providers in Vermont. Describes how Vermont's shortage compares with national trends, challenges with primary care distribution in a small population state, a rise in specialization, and physician demographic trends. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38938 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 09:35:42 -0500 https://www.ovid.com/jnls/jaanp/fulltext/10.1097/jxx.0000000000001330~analyzing-trends-of-medicare-participating-nurse Results of a study describing how the geographic distribution of nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates (PAs) has changed. Features statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban areas and state-level maps showing increases or decreases in the numbers of NPs and PAs from 2017 to 2025. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28643 Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:56:51 -0500 https://rupri.org/wp-content/uploads/Panel-Rural-Workforce-Brief-FINAL.pdf Summarizes key findings from conversations with health system leaders regarding workforce strategy and operations challenges. Describes initiatives used in rural healthcare settings to offset clinical, administrative, and technical support staffing constraints; accommodate evolving care needs; and address limitations unique to rural settings. -- Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28623 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:34:27 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/25/2026-17324/fee-for-certain-h-1b-petitions Notice of proposed rulemaking from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposing to establish a $103,265 fee, payable at the time of filing, for all H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption. The proposed fee would be in addition to all other applicable fees or payments. This fee would serve as a dedicated revenue mechanism to help recover a portion of the federal government's costs of administering the lawful immigration system. Comments are due by September 24, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38913 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:37:49 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/20/2026-17005/privacy-act-of-1974-system-of-records Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establishing a new system of records titled "Nurses for Nursing Homes Program (NNHP)," which will cover records on individuals who apply for, participate in, or otherwise support the NNHP. CMS will use these records to support the administration of Nursing Home Staffing Campaign/Nursing Incentive Program (NHSC/NIP), a nursing workforce incentive program designed to strengthen the workforce serving Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing homes with a focus on underserved and rural communities. This system of records is effective August 20, 2026. Comments are due September 21, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38901 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 08:43:38 -0500 https://news.arizona.edu/news/u-and-gila-river-health-care-entity-gila-river-indian-community-launch-nations-first-md Announces a partnership between the University of Arizona and Gila River Health Care, a tribally operated healthcare system, to establish the first medical school branch on sovereign tribal lands. The goal of the partnership is to train future physicians in tribal communities while expanding access to care for tribal residents. It's an accelerated 3-year program and includes a full scholarship. Discusses rural and tribal physician workforce shortages. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38897 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:12:26 -0500 https://atlas.heartlandprotocol.org/#atlas Offers a county level map of cardiology providers to demonstrate areas with limited access to cardiology care. Map is interactive and can show rural counties, counties with Critical Access Hospitals, and Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28561 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:11:23 -0500 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jmwh.70104 Examines how certified nurse midwife (CNM) demographics, career pathways, and job experiences changed from 2018-2022 and in comparison with other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Uses data from the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses. Features demographics and statistics including percentages of CNMs working in rural areas and Health Professional Shortage Areas. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28437 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 09:26:32 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6651 A national certification program designed to help rural healthcare organizations strengthen recruitment, retention, and workforce stability. -- National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6651 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:48:00 -0500 https://familymedicine.uw.edu/rhrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/06/RHRC_PRJUN2026_MFT_Graves.pdf Describes how Medicare reimbursement expanded to cover marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) in January 2024. Examines the change in Medicare-enrolled MFTs and MHCs between the third quarter (Q3) of 2023 and fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024. Presents findings from semi-structured interviews with rural health system and mental health organization leaders regarding practice arrangements, the perceived impacts of MFT and MHC reimbursement, barriers to serving rural Medicare beneficiaries, and considerations for future policies. -- WWAMI Rural Health Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28093 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:28:59 -0500 https://telehealthresourcecenter.org/resources/webinars/rural-health-transformation-fund-workforce-trends-and-implications-for-rural-care/ Webinar presenting findings from a review of all 50 state Rural Health Transformation Fund plans, examining how workforce issues are framed, strategies that states are prioritizing, and how telehealth and digital health are reflected in workforce planning. Also explores the challenge of maintaining the workforce needed to support technology-enabled care in rural settings. -- National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27979 Fri, 22 May 2026 13:42:27 -0500 https://journals.stfm.org/familymedicine/2026/may/burmeister-0498/ Commentary describing the importance of continuity in rural healthcare, leading to better outcomes and increased patient trust. Discusses the advantages of clinicians knowing their patients well. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27962 Tue, 19 May 2026 14:16:37 -0500 https://www.nga.org/publications/governors-policy-actions-in-rural-health-workforce/ Describes policy actions taken by governors to advance healthcare career pathways, education and training, and recruitment and retention, as well as policies related to licensure and scope of practice. Includes examples from state Rural Health Transformation Program project narratives. -- National Governors Association https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27947 Fri, 15 May 2026 13:51:51 -0500 https://familymedicine.uw.edu/rhrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/05/RHRC_PBMAY2026_YBHSUM_Graves.pdf Compiles findings from 9 reports on youth behavioral health in the rural U.S. Describes prevalence of behavioral health conditions, the youth behavioral health workforce, behavioral health licensure and reimbursement policy, and provision of youth behavioral health services. Features statistics with breakdowns by 7 levels of population density. -- WWAMI Rural Health Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27942 Thu, 14 May 2026 11:18:28 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/public-health-workforce-may-2026 An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Casey Balio, research assistant professor at the East Tennessee State University Center for Rural Health and Research, and Betty Bekemeier, director of the Northwest Center for Public Health Practice. Focuses on new insights about the rural public health workforce from their recently published research study. -- Rural Health Information Hub https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27883 Tue, 05 May 2026 09:48:58 -0500 https://familymedicine.uw.edu/rhrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/RHRC_PBAPR2026_NPI_Graves.pdf Examines the distribution of school counselors; youth, family, or school psychologists; youth or family mental health nurses; school social workers; and pediatric psychiatrists or behavioral pediatricians across rural and urban areas of the U.S. Features statistics with breakdowns by provider type and location by 6 levels of population density, and a county-level map with shadings showing rural counties with and without youth behavioral health clinicians. -- WWAMI Rural Health Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27834 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:10:06 -0500 https://www.milbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RoadMap_Issuebriefs_4.9.26_final.pdf Offers an evidence-based framework that organizes a graduate medical education (GME) growth strategy into 5 stages. Can be used as part of federal Rural Health Transformation Program activities to strengthen workforce recruitment and retention and to improve healthcare access in rural areas. Table 1 shows state GME models and technical assistance initiatives. -- Milbank Memorial Fund https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27772 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:44:25 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/workplace-violence-apr-2026 An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Kathy Griffis, Chief Operating Officer of Titus Regional Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, Texas. Focuses on her facility's recent efforts to reduce violence and ensure safe healthcare environments for their staff and patients. Part 3 in a 3-part series from the December 2025 Health Innovation Potluck held in Hutchinson, Kansas. -- Rural Health Information Hub https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27716 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:17:57 -0500 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/75/wr/mm7512a2.htm Reports on influenza and COVID-19 vaccination coverage during the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season among healthcare personnel working in hospitals, ambulatory care, long-term care/home health, and other clinical settings. Includes data by workplace location for rural and urban areas. -- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27706 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:14:06 -0500 https://www.ncsl.org/health/strengthening-the-rural-health-workforce Discusses legislation passed by state legislatures to address rural healthcare workforce challenges. Describes policies related to measuring the health workforce, encouraging rural practice, enhancing access to specialty care, and retaining rural healthcare professionals. -- National Conference of State Legislatures https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27673 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:56:53 -0500 https://familymedicine.uw.edu/rhrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/03/RHRC_PRMAR2026_Andrilla.pdf Describes the supply of general and specialist dentists in rural and urban counties in 2022. Explores dental care utilization and outcomes in 2019 by degree of rurality and patient characteristics. Discusses the implication of these findings on policies and interventions related to the supply of dentists in rural areas. -- WWAMI Rural Health Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27635 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:09:13 -0500 https://www.etsu.edu/cph/rhrc/documents/rhrc_032026.pdf Chartbook examines the characteristics of populations living within Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) across the U.S. Explores geographic, population, and facility-based HPSAs in Primary Care and Dental and Mental Health. Highlights population-to-provider ratios, travel time and distance, and several other category-specific measurements for each HPSA. -- ETSU/NORC Rural Health Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27605 Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:01:39 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/podcast/allied-health-mar-2026 An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Chris Laman, Vice President of Strategy at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria, Oregon. Focuses on the hospital's work developing and maintaining the rural allied health workforce. Part 2 in a 3-part series from the December 2025 Health Innovation Potluck held in Hutchinson, Kansas. -- Rural Health Information Hub https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27577 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:26:56 -0500 https://education.okstate.edu/site-files/documents/heare/rural-healthcare-landscape-curvey25c.pdf Analyzes survey data from 437 behavioral health professionals to identify areas of opportunity for support and increasing access to behavioral healthcare providers and patients in rural areas. Data analyzed include survey participant demographics, rurality of clients and providers, amount of provider consultations, and professional well-being. Discusses areas of future research related to provider training, distribution of providers, burnout, and provider demographics. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27568 Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:03:48 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/rural-monitor/workforce-innovation Highlights the second annual Rural Workforce Innovation Potluck, which brought together healthcare professionals from around the country to share experiences in rural recruitment, retention, and bridging workforce gaps. -- Rural Health Information Hub https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27540 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:29:53 -0500 https://journals.stfm.org/familymedicine/2026/march/longenecker-0075/ Opinion piece exploring competency-based approaches to physician education and training. Examines the concept of competence in terms of performance at the time of graduation and habit in life. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27530 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:41:18 -0500 https://www.jpedhc.org/article/S0891-5245(25)00405-5/fulltext Examines the impact of full practice authority (FPA) for pediatric nurse practitioners (NPs) on pediatric primary healthcare access. Utilizes 2010–2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data to analyze policy changes related to FPA implementation according to patient access, experiences, and rurality. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27520 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:48:20 -0500 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jrh.70129 Examines the cardiovascular services provided by rural-serving primary care practitioners and cardiologists. Utilizes interview feedback from 20 healthcare professionals and discusses rural cardiovascular services as related to interprofessional collaboration, expanded scope of practice, altered care, care adaptations, and more. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27360 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:58:16 -0600 https://www.ncsl.org/scope-of-practice-policy Website designed to provide state policymakers with information on scope of practice topics related to nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dental hygienists, dental therapists, and behavioral health providers. Includes interactive state policy maps and a legislation database. -- Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, National Conference of State Legislatures https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/8471 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:53:59 -0600 https://www.aacom.org/docs/default-source/impact-report-documents/2025-osteopathic-medical-education-impact-report.pdf Assesses how osteopathic colleges contribute to the physician workforce, focusing on geographic distribution and medical specialties of alumni. Evaluates the extent to which graduates serve rural and underserved areas, and fill specialty needs. Mentions rural throughout. -- American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27289 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:48:52 -0600