The
NIAHEC supports and co-sponsors a number of health career initiatives.
These activities support the following program objective:
Three-Develop and
implement methods for retention of health professionals in rural areas.
Collaborative
Partners for Primary Care Research—A Primary Care Practice-Based
Research Network (CPPCR) – A partnership has been established
with the Northern IL AHEC and the CPPCR to enhance research knowledge,
skills and experience of primary care providers (PCPs) in rural and
other medically underserved communities. The CPPCR Network will increase
the retention of the involved PCPs and other health care professionals
who work with them in their rural/underserved practice communities.
The support of the CPPCR is the first collaboration of its kind in
the partnership building that will lead to the development and support
of multiple rural health professions networks. Accomplishments to
date include the initial membership activities that have attracted
nearly thirty rural primary care clinicians and ambulatory practices.
A board of directors has been established with representation for
rural primary care clinicians including physicians, nurse practitioners
and physician assistants. Other contributors are being recruited from
rural, northern Illinois to include: dentists; pharmacists; physical
therapists, nutritionists; and social workers. The Northern IL AHEC
is supporting the CPPCR Network’s Faculty Development Program.
A research educational needs assessment is being implemented among
newly and previously recruited members of the network. Working groups
of network members are being organized. Results of the needs assessment
will guide the development of a practicum for each working group of
the CPPCR network. Each working group will develop a pilot research
project. The Northern Illinois AHEC in partnership with the University
of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford will assist in the development
of appropriate curricular components as part of the practicum. A medium
term goal of the CPPCR Network is to receive recognition and funding
from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), an agency
with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Support from
AHRQ will enhance the network’s position to receive competitive
grant funds.
Burdick
Rural Interdisciplinary Fellowship - This program involves
the second year of a three year collaboration between the NIAHEC and
the WIAHEC with funding from HRSA.
Practicing health professionals in rural areas are recruited for a
six month fellowship that provides continuing educational opportunities
and a community-based project in rural communities. (NOTE: This is
a co-sponsored program with the WIAHEC and the National Center for
Rural Health Professions).
Summer
Research Fellowship - This project provided an opportunity
for a 10 week summer research fellowship for an incoming second year
medical student to conduct research with the CPPCR. The research topic
involved conducting interviews with physicians and the physician's
patients on their compliance with medication. The physicians are all
members of the CPPCR and they were surveyed using the Schwartz Professional
Values Assessment Survey. The research project was supervised by NIAHEC
staff and results will be shared with the CPPCR as a product of the
NIAHEC.
