MODELS FOR PRACTICE

FOCUS AREA: ACCESS (PRIMARY CARE)

Program Name: National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network

Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Problem Addressed: Recruitment and Retention of Rural Physicians

Healthy People 2010 Objective: 1

Web Address: http://www.3rnet.org

SNAPSHOT

The National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network (3RNET) is a not-for-profit membership organization that began offering services to member states in August 1995 and was incorporated in Wisconsin in 1999 as a 501(c)(3). The network was developed with the assistance of a national advisory committee and state offices of rural health. The program’s primary focus is recruitment and retention of health professionals to rural and underserved areas by providing a very effective and competitive recruitment service. Most recently, 3RNET contracted with the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy to promote recruitment of dentists, nurses, and mental health professionals, in addition to physicians, as a response to severe shortages of these providers in rural areas.

3RNET conducts seminars in the members’ states to “train” community members, analyze changes in workforce requirements of the membership for program development and expansion, and educate members regarding rural health issues that could affect their programs. The project provides support connectivity between 3RNET and states that employ the “Practice Sights” recruitment management software. This software was created with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and is now underwritten by the National Health Service Corps.

The 3RNET website is imperative to the operation of the program since it provides information to its members about workforce development, recruiting techniques, changes in reimbursement, and other policy changes. The multi-functional website is designed to encourage rural communities to utilize technology to locate compatible candidates. Communities can easily publish opportunities, including photos and links to their communities. Health professionals seeking opportunities can register with 3RNET to allow rural communities to reach them. These and other tools are given to the member states that may otherwise not be able to afford them.

The project is a collaborative effort at several levels. The members are usually single statewide organizations that work with rural communities and practices in their state. In addition, associate network members work to recruit health professionals to rural and underserved areas.

The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy initially provided funding that was dedicated to State Offices of Rural Health. Later, with the support of several other organizations, most importantly the North Carolina Office of Rural Health, 3RNET was awarded a $400,000 grant that helped develop the website. Member states were originally charged small amounts for specific services, but states are now charged annual dues of $3,000 to sustain the program and increase available services. Some members have donated more than $3,000 to support “scholarships” for states that cannot afford membership. In addition to the support of the 37 member states, 3RNET was named the Outstanding Rural Health Program from the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health in 1998.

PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION

Fred Moskol

National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network

2536 Kendall Avenue

Madison, WI 53705-3847

Phone: (608) 233-9560

Fax: (608) 661-9415