ABSTRACT
A number of approaches have been used to increase the rural geriatrics and gerontological workforce in the 21st century. In 2008, the latest year that data were made available, approximately 90% of geriatricians were located in urban areas. For rural older persons, the lack of geriatrics specialists has serious implications since they are more likely to have higher rates of chronic disease and disability, lower incomes and education, and greater dependence on government entitlement programs than their urban counterparts. Challenges to health-care practice in rural areas include scarce resources, high patient volume and needs, limited time off, fewer opportunities for professional development and continuing education, insufficient supervision, and lack of professional colleagues. One exemplary program delivering geriatrics Continuing Education (CE) to rural health-care workers has been developed and disseminated by the University of Alabama. The web-based CE interprofessional geriatrics-specific curriculum provides CE to both urban and rural physicians in Alabama and Mississippi.
