Improving access to healthcare in rural Appalachia

AHCRA: Access to Health Care in Rural Appalachia

NIH-funded research Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-10934349

This study is looking into why it's hard for people in rural Appalachia to get healthcare and what might encourage doctors and nurses to work in those areas, so we can find better ways to make sure everyone has access to the care they need.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Winston-Salem, United States)
Project IDNIH-10934349 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the challenges faced by rural communities in Appalachia regarding access to healthcare services. It aims to understand why healthcare providers are less likely to practice in these areas despite the high demand for care. By using a discrete choice experiment, the study will gather insights from medical residents, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners about the factors influencing their decisions to work in rural settings. The findings could help develop policies to improve healthcare access in these underserved regions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are residents of rural Appalachian communities who face barriers to accessing healthcare services.

Not a fit: Patients living in urban areas or those who already have adequate access to healthcare services may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved healthcare access and outcomes for patients living in rural Appalachia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding clinician preferences can lead to successful strategies for improving healthcare access in underserved areas.

Where this research is happening

Winston-Salem, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.