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Lessons Learned in Phase I of the Southern Rural Access Program
Author(s) -
Beachler Michael,
Holloman Curtis,
Pathman Donald E.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
the journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.439
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1748-0361
pISSN - 0890-765X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-0361.2003.tb00659.x
Subject(s) - agency (philosophy) , investment (military) , business , variety (cybernetics) , rural health , rural area , health care , state (computer science) , economic growth , phase (matter) , public relations , political science , public administration , sociology , economics , politics , social science , algorithm , artificial intelligence , computer science , law , chemistry , organic chemistry
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Southern Rural Access Program has been an important investment of philanthropic funds to augment resources and improve health care access in underserved rural communities. The program's first phase has taught important lessons about building capacity in rural health care. This article uses a variety of data to document the program's major accomplishments and most significant challenges to date. The program's revolving loan fund efforts are promising. The program has also played a catalytic role in stimulating rural health network development in the South and has helped stimulate partnerships with Southern philanthropies and multiple local, state, and federal agencies. Challenges have included the broad geographic and programmatic focus of the initiative as well as changing and often difficult state policy environments. Additional challenges include maintaining interagency coordination over time and managing staff and lead agency turnover. Overall, the experience suggests that a concentrated regional approach has merit