This presentation was given at the conferenced entitled, "15th Annual Rural Multiracial and Multicultural Health Conference" in Memphis, Tennessee on December 9-11, 2009.

Faculty

Needs Statement

About 3 million Veterans enrolled in the VA Health Care System live in rural areas. These rural Veterans sometimes cannot find a way to travel to see a doctor or other health care workers. Rural Veterans might not live near a VA hospital or a VA doctor's office. Some rural Veterans need help to schedule visits to see a doctor or to schedule medical tests or to get medicine from their local drugstore.

The Office of Rural Health (ORH) is a part of the Veterans Health Administration, in the Office of the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Policy & Planning (ADUSH). The people in the Office of Rural Health work to improve health care for enrolled rural Veterans by developing practices that have proven to help rural Veterans. The people in the Office of Rural Health are always looking for new ways to help rural Veterans.

Target Audience

Designed to benefit those who are dedicated to bringing quality health care and health care services to this underserved and often under-represented portion of the rural population.

Objectives

1. Describe the Mission and role of the ORH
2. Discuss the future direction of the ORH
3. Give an overview of the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) and other VA Outreach programs

Accreditation

CME
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine presents this activity for educational purposes only. Participants are expected to utilize their own expertise and judgment while engaged in the practice of medicine. The content of the presentations is provided solely by presenters who have been selected for presentations because of recognized expertise in their field.

CPE
The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

This knowledge-based activity has been assigned ACPE # 022-000-10-028-H04-P and will award 1.25 contact hours (0.125 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education credit in states that recognize ACPE providers.

Statements of credit will indicate hours and CEUs based on participation and will be issued online at the conclusion of the activity. Successful completion includes completing the activity, its accompanying evaluation and/or posttest (score 70% or higher) and requesting credit online at the conclusion of the activity. The College complies with the Accreditation Standards for Continuing Pharmacy Education.

CNE

The University of Kentucky, College of Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation (ANCC).

This educational activity is offered for a maximum of 1.25 ANCC contact hours.

The Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) approves The University of Kentucky, College of Nursing (UKCON) as a provider as well. ANCC and KBN approval of a continuing nursing education provider does not constitute endorsement of program content nor commercial sponsors. The University of Kentucky does not approve commercial products. This educational activity is offered for a maximum of 1.5 KBN contact hours. Provider #: 3-0008-01-13- 220. In order to receive credit, participants complete CNE activity, complete the evaluation form and submit a credit application online. Certificates may be printed once the evaluation is completed.

Faculty Disclosure

Anslem Beach has nothing to disclose.