 These strategies can help rural health facilities recruit physicians, including locum tenens providers, to rural areas.

<div class="text">

	<h2>Recruiting Locum Tenens Physicians for Your Rural Facility</h2>
<p> Wide open spaces, slower paces, traffic-free commutes, quality time with 
	patients, and a deep sense of community – rural health leaders recognize 
	the benefits of working in remote areas. However, it’s not always easy to 
	convey the message to providers. 
</p>
<p> Rural health facilities may struggle to attract providers and fill vacancies. 
	<a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/does-my-facility-need-locums?" target="_blank">Locum tenens support</a> can help, but how 
	can rural hospitals attract them? 
</p>
<p>Here, we’ll cover:</p>
<ul>
	 <li>Challenges rural areas face</li>
	<li>Reasons providers may avoid practicing in rural areas</li>
	<li> Strategies to attract physicians, including locums providers, to rural facilities </li>
	<li>Resources to help rural facilities attract physicians
	 </li>
</ul>
<h2>Rural Healthcare Challenges</h2>
<p>Many rural residents face challenges accessing healthcare. 
	They may live far away from the nearest hospital or healthcare facility or 
	lack transportation. Traveling may require them to take time off work. Further, 
	they may have reduced access to specialists. 
	Additionally, individuals living in rural areas have shown a higher 
	incidence of chronic health issues 
	(<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p0112-rural-death-risk.html" target="_blank">CDC</a>), including:</p>
<ul>
	<li> Cancer </li>
    <li> Heart </li>
    <li> Injuries</li>
    <li> Respiratory disease</li>
    <li> Stroke</li>
</ul>
<h2>Reasons Providers May Avoid Practicing in Rural Areas</h2>
<p>These challenges make the <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/short-term-providers-long-term-solution?" target="_blank">need for providers</a>
 even greater. However, 
	providers may avoid practicing in rural regions for several reasons 
	(<a href="https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/attracting-next-generation-physicians-rural-medicine" target="_blank">AAMC</a>):
</p>
<ul>
	<li> Fewer work opportunities for spouses </li>
    <li> Schools with fewer resources </li>
    <li> Concerns they may earn less </li>
    <li> Undervaluation of the importance of rural practice</li>
</ul>
<h2>Strategies to Recruit Physicians to Rural Areas</h2>
<p>Rural health leaders who make workforce decisions for their facilities
	can implement strategies to attract providers. 
	Here are a few steps to consider when advertising and discussing 
	available positions:</p>

	<ol>
		<li><strong> Focus on the benefits of rural health.</strong> Mention that rural doctors 
		can enjoy greater autonomy, a more relaxed pace, less stress, and a lighter patient 
		load. They can <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/explore-the-ways-locum-tenens-providers-make-a-difference?term=rural" target="_blank">
		make a difference</a>, become part of a community, get to know patients 
		better, spend more time on treatment, and provide a deeper level of care. Rural 
		physicians can spend their off hours exploring new areas, enjoying expansive scenery, 
		and being close to nature. They’ll 
		have a more flexible schedule, less traffic, more income, and lower 
		living expenses.  </li>

		<li><strong> Highlight your facility’s best features.</strong> Does your hospital have a warm 
			and welcoming culture? Are you a mainstay for your community? Do you focus 
			on personalized care? Do you have initiatives to expand access for underserved 
			patients? Do you offer telehealth? Are you the sole source of care for those 
			in your area? Do you value work-life balance? Do you have community events? 
			Do you have any innovative providers, techniques, or equipment? What does 
			the position and location offer that most providers will find attractive? 
			Can you offer higher pay, unique benefits, bonus opportunities, and great 
			hours? Are there places in town for providers’ spouses to work? How are 
			the schools? 
		</li>
	    <li><strong> Connect with medical schools that have rural provider programs.</strong> 
			Some schools have designated programs, while others have required rural 
			rotations, rural scholars programs, immersion experiences, clubs, communities, 
			and special events focused on rural health. For example:
			<ul>
				<li>The University of Minnesota has a 
					<a href="https://med.umn.edu/rpap" target="_blank">Rural Physician Associate Program</a>
				</li>
                <li> Florida State University has a 
					<a href="https://med.fsu.edu/ruralhealth/home" target="_blank">Rural Health Medical Program</a>
				</li>
                <li> The University of Minnesota has a 
					<a href="https://rhrc.umn.edu/" target="_blank">Rural Health Research Center</a> 
				</li>
			</ul>

		</li>
	

	<li> <strong>Develop relationships with med schools with a high output of physicians who choose rural settings.</strong> 
	To find them, see U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of 
	<a href="https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/graduates-practicing-rural-rankings" target="_blank">
	Medical Schools with Graduates Practicing Patient Care in Rural Areas.</a> 
	Here are the top 5, along with the percentage of their graduating physicians 
	who were practicing in rural areas:
	<ul>
		<li> 28.0% of William Carey University physicians </li>
        <li> 25.6% of University of Pikeville physicians  </li>
        <li> 22.1% of University of Mississippi physicians  </li>
        <li> 20.7% of University of South Dakota physicians </li>
        <li> 19.1% of Oklahoma State University physicians </li>
	</ul>
   </li>
   <li>
	<strong>Work with a locum tenens staffing agency.</strong> 
	To save time and resources, consider partnering with a trusted 
	locums agency with experience recruiting for rural hospitals. 
	An established agency will have a pipeline of candidates and 
	nationwide connections they can rely on to deploy locums providers for your facility. 
	Plus, a company with a suite of solutions can help you find part-time, full-time, 
	locums, per diem, travel and permanent providers to cover all of your needs.
   </li>
</ol>

<h2>Resources for Rural Health Facilities</h2>
<p>For more information about rural health and novel ideas for attracting providers to your area, browse these resources:</p>
<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/rural-health-recruitment-retention" target="_blank">
	Rural Health Information Hub</a> – This site is funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy 
		under the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human 
		Services (HHS). It is a national clearinghouse with information to help rural 
		hospitals build, maintain and improve health services in communities. Here, you’ll 
		find maps, statistics, funding opportunities, news, key reports, events, organizations,
		 networking opportunities, updates, alerts, and more.
	</li>
    <li><a href="https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/organizations/state-office-of-rural-health" target="_blank"> 
	State Offices of Rural Health</a> – Visit your state’s rural health office for more specific 
		information. State programs offer an array of resources, including rural healthcare data, 
		health personnel recruitment and retention programs, grants for healthcare 
		workforce programs, technical assistance for rural providers and hospitals, 
		local resources, programs and services, community initiatives, scholarships, 
		advocacy, outreach, education and information, and more.
    </li>

    <li> <a href="https://www.ruralhealth.us/" target="_blank">National Rural Health Association</a> 
	– The NRHA is a nonprofit organization 
		focusing on rural health advocacy, communications, education and research. 
		You’ll find links to summits, conferences, webinars, continuing education 
		opportunities, leadership training, policy information, innovations, best 
		practices, models, workforce development resources, challenges, issues, 
		opportunities, and more.
    </li>
</ul>
</br>
<p>Thanks for reading our resource on attracting providers to rural areas. 
	<a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/staffing-advisory-request" target="_blank">
	Connect with a Cross Country representative</a> 
	to get locums support for your rural health facility.
</p>

</div>

Attracting Locums to Rural Areas