Closing the Provider Gap in Rural and Underserved Communities

Abstract

Background: Health care disparities in rural and underserved areas necessitate quality primary care, especially in behavioral health management. Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are critical in these regions, which often lack psychiatric specialists. Problem: Rural communities face unique challenges exacerbated by primary care and mental health provider shortages. The deficit in behavioral health specialists highlights the need to optimize FNP education programs. Approach: The Collaborative Academic Practice (CAP) program prepares FNP students for entry-to-practice through hybrid learning, immersive training, and comprehensive behavioral health integration, effectively training them to meet the health care needs of underserved populations. Outcomes: The CAP program prepares FNPs, resulting in increased practice in underserved areas and enhanced preceptor satisfaction. Key measures contribute to its effectiveness, including immersive training, telehealth education, and preceptor enhancement. Conclusions: Despite financial and communication challenges, the CAP program transforms FNP education, addressing mental health needs and bridging critical gaps in health care delivery.