2. Health Workforce Recommendations Establish VA Rural Health Workforce Council Provide retention incentives for providers to remain in rural communities Explore health care training models and alternatives for rural areas More aggressively engage the VA Community College system
3. Health Workforce Recommendations Increase communication among training programs Engage academic centers in strategies to improve workforce in rural areas Research dual certification programs Develop/support educational opportunities for integrating primary care with behavioral health
4. Establish VA Rural Health Workforce Council Rural Health Workforce Taskforce became Workforce Council in 2008 Represents Rural Workforce Needs for VA 27 Members representation across organizations and geographic areas of VA Members participated in development of VA Healthcare Workforce Authority Legislation Members provide input as requested by VA Joint Commission on Health
5. Provide retention incentives for providers to remain in rural communities Active participation of AHEC, VCHA, VDH members on Workforce Council 2009 Employer Survey inquired about recruitment and retention of health workforce 2009-10 Survey of Best Practices identified issues 2010 Rural Workforce Summit presentations 2010 Rural Workforce Organization Award recognized efforts to increase rural physician workforce- Southwest Virginia Graduate Medical Education Consortium
6. Explore health care training models and alternatives for rural areas 2009-10 Survey of Best Practices identified educational models for primary care, mental health and dental health 2009 Employer Survey inquired about clinical education opportunities at rural agencies 2010 Rural Workforce Summit presentations focused on models for educating rural workforce at secondary schools, community colleges, and universities
7. More aggressively engage the VA Community College system Representation and active participation on Workforce Council 2010 Rural Workforce Summit presentations focused on exemplary models for educating rural workforce at community colleges 2010 Rural Workforce Organization Award recognized creative, collaborative time community college program - Virginia Appalachian Tricollege Nursing Program Part-Time Evening/Weekend Program
8. Increase communication among training programs Focus of 2009--Collaboration between educational agencies--Academic health centers, community colleges, high schools Increased representation of educational programs on Workforce Council 2010 Rural Workforce Summit presentations focused on exemplary models for educating health workers across continuum of education
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11. Develop/support educational opportunities for integrating primary care with behavioral health To be accomplished 2009 Access Council Behavioral Health Summit focused on integrating behavioral health into primary care 2009-10 Survey of Best Practices identified programs Future step to collect information about educational approaches for integration and identify educational opportunities
12. To Do List—2010-11 & Beyond Survey academic institutions—rural focus Collect data on dual certification programs—opportunities/barriers Education to integrate primary and behavioral health care Continue to provide “rural voice” on workforce issues in VA
