Shortages of rural mental health professionals☆☆☆★
Abstract
This study presents a conceptual model of the supply and demand for mental health professionals. It uses national data to profile differences in the supply of mental health professionals in different types of rural and urban areas. It contrasts the availability of general health and mental health professionals. It examines shortage areas identified in 2000 and their related community characteristics. Because of the absence of data on a national level to describe many types of mental health professionals state licensure data for one state were used to show the volume and distribution of these practitioners. To improve rural mental health service delivery it will be necessary to implement system changes to promote the increased availability, competency, and support of rural health professionals. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
☆ Supported in part by the Virginia Primary Care Association (VPCA) with funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration's Bureau of Primary Health care. A report developed for VPCA is available at: http://www.vpca.com/ and was prepared for the use of Virginia Community Health Centers. Also supported by the National Institute of Mental Health MH49173 through the Southeastern Rural Mental Health Research Center.
☆☆ Address reprint requests to Elizabeth Merwin, PhD, RN, FAAN, University of Virginia, Southeastern Rural Mental Health Research Center, VA
★ 0883-9417/03/1701-0007$30.00/0
PII: S0883-9417(03)00006-2
doi:10.1053/apnu.2003.1
© 2003 Published by Elsevier Inc.
