Goals
The Rural Health
Care Track (RHCT) at UTMB exists to provide an expanded learning
experience focused on needs specific to medically underserved rural
communities. The Track provides a comprehensive range of
experiences to support development of student competencies in these
areas. The practice of rural medicine requires adaptation to
multiple roles, knowledge about resource utilization specific to the rural setting, and
an explicit ability to integrate a public health perspective into a
rural practice. The learner will therefore complete track requirements
involving issues specific to a rural community (e.g. cultural issues,
characteristics of the medical infrastructure) and develop specialty
skills required to provide health care within a rural community.
Objectives
In order to
successfully complete all RHCT certificate requirements, the student
will:
► Learn clinical
competencies to effectively serve as a physician within a rural
community.
► Participate in a
lecture series and training events designed to provide insight and
experience in areas specific to rural medicine.
► Develop knowledge
and understanding through coursework, preceptorships, and community
service focused on the physician’s unique civic role in a rural
community (e.g. leadership, public health advocacy, education, social
group interaction)
► Dedicate an
extended portion of off-campus clerkship enrollment at a single
community site to foster continuity of clinical care, office
management/health care provider insight, and community culture
experience.
► Complete a
long-term scholarly project aimed at providing an intervention to serve
the health care needs of a target rural community.
The following links include detailed
information about:
Frequently Asked Questions
Scholarly Project Description
Lecture Series Information
Lecture
Evaluation / Attendance Form - 11/10/09
UTMB Electives Approved for RHCT Credit
Rural
Medicine Programs at Other U.S. Medical Schools
Additional Rural Medicine Links:
UTMB Family Medicine Residency
- Rural Training Track - Dr. Nash's
blogspot with details about the new format of the track. A link to
the Rural Training Track Facebook account is also on the blog.
Making the Links
– A video on YouTube,
http://www.youtube.com/user/MakingtheLinks. Since 2005 Making the Links has exposed students to the
determinants of health and the importance of community in three unique
locations: Northern Saskatchewan,
Massinga, Mozambique and the Saskatoon West Side Community Clinic - home
of the SWITCH clinic (Student Wellness Initiative Toward Community
Health). For details about this program, visit
www.makingthelinks.usask.ca
National
Rural Health Association - It is the only
organization that brings together rural health care professionals from
around the country who are working toward a common goal of improving the
health of rural Americans. To become a member of NHRA contact the Member
Services Department at One West Armour Blvd., Suite 301, Kansas City, MO
64111; (816) 756-3140; e-mail: <members@nrharural.org>
Texas Rural Health Association - The Texas Rural Health Association is
a nonprofit organization whose primary goal is to improve the health of
rural Texans. The TRHA is composed of individuals and organizations
dedicated to providing leadership on rural health care issues through
advocacy, communication, and education.
American Academy of Family Practice - Topics in rural medicine; links
to education rural healthcare supported by AAFP.
The World of Rural Medical Education – site author Robert C. Bowman,
M.D., Professor in Family Medicine at ATSU School of Osteopathic Medicine
in Arizona; links to many rural health care related websites.
Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) - As the state agency
dedicated solely to rural Texas, ORCA makes the broad resources of state
government more accessible to rural communities. The agency ensures a
continuing focus on rural issues, monitors governmental actions,
recommends solutions to problems affecting rural Texas, and is a provider
of rural-focused state and federal resources. ORCA’s goal is to strengthen
rural communities so that they remain contributors to the prosperity of
the state and to the rich cultural identity that is distinctly Texan.
Samples of links found on the ORCA site include:
Outstanding Rural Scholar Recognition Program -
The Outstanding Rural Scholar Recognition Program is a competitive
forgiveness loan program, which assists rural communities in “growing
their own” health care professionals. The program matches state funds with
rural community funds to sponsor individuals pursuing health care
professions that are needed in the sponsoring rural community. Upon
licensure, the health care professional returns to the sponsoring rural
community to practice health care.
Rural Physician Relief Program - The Rural Physician Relief Program
offers affordable relief services to physicians who provide primary care
in rural Texas communities by facilitating the ability of those physicians
to take time away from their practice.
