Tennessee Rural Partnership’s Rural Success with HRSA Network Development Grant

TRP received the HRSA Network Development grant in 2010.  The goal was to provide 48 rotations for medical residents in 14 rural Tennessee counties and facilitate activities within the communities to promote maximum exposure to rural “life” during the rotations.

Implementation & Lessons Learned

Early into the grant activities, it became apparent that exposure needed to be provided for non-physician primary care providers and future providers.  The program was expanded through the Community Health Educational Experiences for Residents and Students (CHEERS) partnership with the Tennessee Primary Care Association (providing rotation experiences for advance practice nursing, medical and physician assistant students). Additional expansion was accomplished through a partnership with another Workforce Network Grantee (St. Thomas Healthcare) to develop the TRP Star Program for high school students.  TRP is now continuing this program along with the HOSA annual symposium.

The project also relied upon the relationships that already were established among TRP: the four allopathic medical schools in Tennessee (East Tennessee State University, Meharry Medical College, the University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt University), RHAT, THA, TPCA and Tennessee Department of Health to serve as the core network partners. 

Results

The network development activities produced 104 completed rotations. The activities also resulted in additional partnerships, the inclusion of non-physician primary care health providers, and “pipeline” activities involving high school students.

Achievements

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  • TRP now operates as an effective healthcare workforce network. Through partner relationships, TRP connects clinicians to rural rotations opportunities and ultimately to permanent clinical practice in rural and underserved communities.
  • A total of 104 rural rotations have been completed. Sixty-six rural rotations were completed by medical residents and physician assistant students in 37 Tennessee counties. It is projected that an additional 17 CHEERS rotations will be completed by the end of 2014.
  • TRP hosted the first Annual TRP HOSA Symposium at the Vanderbilt University Center for Experiential Learning and Assessment (CELA).  55 high school students attended the symposium.  The 2014 Symposium is scheduled for November 24, 2014, with 52 attendees registered.
  • In September 2013, seven primary care residents and family members attended the TRP Tennessee Rural Perspectives weekend (TRP/TRP). This program, developed with the Tennessee Department of Health, TPCA and Veterans Health Administration, took place in Stewart County. The 2014 TRP/TRP weekend was held on September 25-27, 2014 in Linden, Tennessee. Five participants visited clinical facilities in Decatur, Hickman and Perry Counties and interacted with other local rural physicians through panel discussions and presentations.
  • TRP staff completed 39 visits to primary care residency programs, advanced practitioner nursing and physician assistant schools.  In addition, electronic information was provided to the audience of trainees (the 2013 PIMS report documented 1,064 trainees). Additionally, since January 1, 2014, the TRP staff has participated in 31 conferences or exhibits with physician and non-physician clinicians.

Contact

Cindy Siler
Deputy Director, Tennessee Rural Partnership
Ph: 615-401-7461
Email