THE RURAL PIPELINE: Increasing the Number of Healthcare Providers Practicing in Rural Areas

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THE RURAL PIPELINE Increasing the Number of
Healthcare Providers Practicing in Rural Areas

• LCDR Karen Beckham, M.A. CHES
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Health Resources and Services Administration
• Office of Rural Health Policy
• June 3, 2009

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Role of the Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)

• Created in 1987 by Congress to address the
  problems that arose from the implementation of
  the inpatient Prospective Payment System (PPS),
  which led to the closure of an estimated 400
  rural hospitals.
• Voice for Rural within HHS
• Administer rural health grant programs
• Makes policy recommendations
• Facilitates rural health research

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ORHP 2008 Priorities

• Workforce
• Quality Improvement
• Health Information Technology (HIT)

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Addressing Workforce Priorities

• Planning for a 2009 National Rural and
  Underserved Workforce Summit
• Rural Medical Educators
• National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL)
  Workforce Meeting
• Continued partnership with 3RNet
• (The National Rural Retention Recruitment
  Network)

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What is 3RNet?

• Serves as a web-based clearinghouse
• (i.e. dating/matching service) for over
• 5,000 communities across the country where
  medical professionals connect
• with federal, state, local and other
• medical staff recruiters.
• Web site gets over 9,000 hits/day.

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The National Rural Recruitment and Retention
Network 3RNet

• Members are state based non-profit agencies in 49
  states, CNMI and the Cherokee Nation
• (Rhode Island is not a member)
• Supported by a contract from the Office of Rural
  Health Policy

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How does the 3RNet work?

• Members are non-profit state agencies recruiting
  health professionals for their entire state.
• 3R Net provides a national presence where states
  place information and job postings.
• Candidates register and learn about rural and
  underserved communities.
• Members respond rapidly to candidates.
• Members also access the resource library and a
  comprehensive recruitment and retention manual.

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3RNet Diverse Membership (Every Member is
Different)

• State Offices of Rural Health (SORH)
• Primary Care Organizations (PCO)
• Primary Care Associations (PCA)
• Area Health Education Centers (AHEC)
• University based SORHs
• Other Non-profit state based agencies

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Members Recruit for a Variety of Facilities

• Rural Health Clinics (RHC)
• Community Health Centers (CHC)
• Critical Access Hospitals (CAH)
• Rural Hospitals
• Private Practice Clinics
• Tribal Health
• Integrated Delivery Systems
• Prison systems

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Who Accesses 3RNet?

• Physicians FP, IM, Peds, GS, Others
• Dentists and Hygienists
• Physician Assistants
• Nurse Practitioners
• Pharmacists
• Registered Nurses
• Psychologists
• Social Workers

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Candidate Database

• As of May 17, 2009
• 31,927 Active candidates in database
• 17,507 Physicians
• 6,062 NPs and PAs
• 1,210 Dentists
• 7,148 Other medical and health professionals
• Visits to the 3RNet website doubled from almost
  36,000 in 2007 to over 72,000 in 2008

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Physician Placements of 3RNet Members (2004
2008)

• Family Practice 1,084
• Internal Medicine 352
• Pediatrics 226
• Other physicians 583

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Non-Physician Placements of3RNet Members (2004
2007)

• Dentists 190
• PA/NP 351
• All other professionals total 1,664
• Others social workers, managers, techs, oral
  health professionals, dietitians, certified nurse
  midwives, counselors, etc.

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3RNet Cost Savings

• Physician recruitment fees alone often cost up to
  28,000 and non-physician recruitment costs are
  generally 30 of the first years salary.  
• In FY 2008, it is estimated that the 3RNet will
  have saved rural hospitals and clinics over
  13,563,040 in physician recruitment fees.

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Recruitment and Retention

• RECRUITENTION

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Contact Information

• LCDR Karen Beckham
• kbeckham_at_hrsa.gov
• Main line 301-443-0835
• Fax [phone]
• http//ruralhealth.hrsa.gov