|
More immediate solutions are needed to stem the tide of provider retirements. A recently published Collaborative Scopes of Care Study, developed by CHI and funded in part by The Colorado Trust, identified opportunities to improve access to care through greater utilization of allied health professionals. For example, Colorado is addressing policy and regulations to expand the ability of advanced practice nurses to write prescriptions, and also looking to expand the direct reimbursement of dental hygienists to provide preventive oral health services, especially in rural communities where provider shortages are most prevalent. Special attention also needs to be given to the unique challenges faced by rural residents. In addition to the limited health care delivery sites, Colorado Rural Health Center data show that 15 rural counties have two or fewer physicians, and 25 counties have two or fewer dentists. Through research, we know that expanding students' exposure to health care needs in rural communities increases the likelihood they will decide to practice there. With this in mind, The Trust supported the development of a multidisciplinary rural track for students at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. The rural track recruits qualified students from rural communities in Colorado, and across the nation, and offers them education and clinical opportunities to explore and plan for a career in rural health care. Additionally, The Trust's three-year Health Professions initiative made grants to 22 organizations, including hospitals, clinics, universities and community colleges to support and expand existing health professions training programs and to develop new programs that increase education, training and advancement opportunities, especially for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and from rural areas. A continued commitment is needed to meet the immediate challenges of the insufficient availability of health care services across Colorado, as well as longer-term efforts to re-shape our health care system to deliver responsive, quality, affordable and timely health care services. |
|
| See full listing of grantees receiving support from The Colorado Trust to Increase Availability of Care. |
 |
 |