Modules by Healthcare Topic
Health Systems
Access to rural healthcare depends on the presence and distribution of the necessary workforce and facilities. The modules in this area explore these aspects plus the various definitions of rural, how rural needs can be assessed, and how quality is measured.
Behavioral Health Integration
Behavioral health is integral to overall health and is more accessible when available at the same times and in the same places as other health services.
Rural communities are often short of behavioral health professionals. This increases the need for all healthcare professionals to recognize and address behavioral health conditions.
Ethics
Rural healthcare workers have multi-level relationships with their co-workers, patients and a wide range of community members. These modules address ethical considerations of complex interpersonal relationships, confidentiality and legal obligations.
Healthcare Delivery
Healthcare is delivered in rural areas by many means and by many professions who must work together to provide accessible, cost-effective care that is high quality. These modules address licensure, scope of care, team-based care, and telehealth.
Clinical Care with Rural Focus
A variety of health care issues are more commonly encountered in rural areas than in urban areas such as agricultural injuries, exposures and zoonoses. For issues common to both rural and urban areas, approaches and solutions may differ in rural areas. Such issues include cancer screening, firearm safety, opioid use disorder, sexually transmitted infections, and other conditions.
Public Health
Rural healthcare workers must address the health needs of their larger communities, not just the individual patient in front of them. Practical knowledge of and continuous linkage with Public Health is required to address both individual and community needs.
Special Rural Populations
A variety of health care issues are more commonly encountered in rural areas than in urban areas, such as agricultural injuries, exposures, and zoonoses. For issues common to both rural and urban areas, approaches and solutions may differ in rural areas. Such issues include cancer screening, firearm safety, opioid use disorder, sexually transmitted infections, and other conditions.
Oral Health
Topics surrounding considerations for providing dental care in rural areas. While important for dentistry students, non-dental students may find these modules helpful to further their knowledge around oral health and its impact to other aspects of health and healthcare.