Conference Theme

The theme of this conference, suggests the quality of rural health is dependent on communities maintaining access to medications and systems of care that facilitate optimal medication outcomes.  Rural communities have populations that are growing, diversifying and aging. Rural communities are finding ways to maintain and improve the quality and availability of health care services, but are struggling with maintaining local access to medications and the expertise of the pharmacist due to a variety of policy and workforce issues. This conference provides an opportunity to further understand these challenges while showcasing forward-thinking solutions addressing the health care needs of rural citizens and practitioners.

The conference planning committee is seeking proposals from individuals or groups for concurrent breakout sessions and poster exhibits that address one or more of the following topics related to “Maintaining Access to Medication and Improving Medication Use and Safety in Rural Communities” conference theme. 

1. Rural Pharmacy Workforce

The rural pharmacy workforce is aging and fewer new pharmacy graduates are entering practice in rural areas. Research has suggested that in certain areas of the nation, the percent of young professionals in rural areas is greater for other health professions compared to pharmacy.  Suggested topics include: trends in the rural pharmacy workforce; challenges facing the rural pharmacy workforce; perceptions of the rural workforce regarding practice issues; strategies to address rural workforce challenges.

2. Rural Policy Issues

Policy impacting the use and compensation of pharmacy services has had a profound impact on rural pharmacy practice.  Notably, Medicare Part D has put stress on rural pharmacies, threatening to force some to close -- which could create access problems..  Additionally, issues such as medication safety and access to medications in rural areas are being explored.  Suggested topics include: economic state of rural pharmacies; impact of Medicare Part D on medication access; patient perceptions of policy implementation; rural pharmacy issues warranting policy considerations; potential benefits of proposed policy to medication and pharmacist access based on the Critical Access Hospital and Rural Health Clinic model, and medication safety in rural America.

3. Rural Medication Use Systems  Innovations

Rural communities have proactively addressed the needs of their communities and professional desires of young practitioners through innovative practice development.  Innovations in practice development have led to more safe and effective use of drug therapy.  Suggested topics include: models of pharmacy practice that address needs in rural communities; impact of innovative pharmacy services on health care delivery in rural communities; justification of non-distributive pharmacist roles; the process of proposing innovative practice development opportunities in rural areas; leveraging technology to improve patient care..

4. Rural Healthcare Education Models

Experience has shown that educating health care students in rural areas results in greater retention of these practitioners in rural practice.  Suggested topics include: recruitment and retention models for pharmacist; community and school-based approaches to pharmacy workforce development; the role of AHECs in rural pharmacy education; interprofessional education in rural areas; experiential education in rural areas; didactic curriculums that explore rural practice issues.