Education and Training of the Rural Healthcare Workforce – Models and Innovations

These stories feature model programs and successful rural projects that can serve as a source of ideas and provide lessons others have learned. Some of the projects or programs may no longer be active. Read about the criteria and evidence-base for programs included.

Other Project Examples

Rural Experiences for Health Professions Students (REHPS)
Updated/reviewed March 2020

• Need: An ongoing shortage of healthcare providers in rural areas of South Dakota
• Intervention: A 4-week summer program placing health professions students in rural communities.
• Results: Of graduating participants, 71% practice in South Dakota with 30% of those graduates practicing in rural communities with populations fewer than 10,000, or veteran facilities.

Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE)
Updated/reviewed February 2020

• Need: Address oral health disparities in Washington's rural and underserved communities.
• Intervention: The University of Washington School of Dentistry developed the Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program preparing dentists for practice in rural and underserved areas.
• Results: As of 2019, 77% of all RIDE graduates are practicing in Washington state. Of those, 82% are practicing in rural and underserved communities.

EMS Live@Nite
Updated/reviewed September 2019

• Need: Distance, time, and cost make it difficult for EMS volunteers to attend continuing education and maintain certification.
• Intervention: Inland Northwest Health Services delivers free online training to rural EMS providers via video teleconferencing.
• Results: The EMS Live@Nite program provides free, monthly training to rural EMS providers in the northwestern part of the United States. The program is available through live video conferencing from certified locations in rural communities.

Items per page: 10 100 All