Improving access to healthcare in rural Appalachia
Official title: AHCRA: Access to Health Care in Rural Appalachia
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-10934349 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $196,989 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MD019127-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10934349 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are residents of rural Appalachian communities who face barriers to accessing healthcare services.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living in urban areas or those who already have adequate access to healthcare services may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gillette, Chris — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Gillette, Chris
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.