Rural Health Course – A Cross-disciplinary Approach -
Page County, Virginia
Course faculty:
David Cockley cocklede@jmu.edu
Emily Akerson akersoek@jmu.edu
Healthcare Administration IIHHS, Nursing
James Madison University
(540) 568-2834 (540) 568-6120
Course Description
Students observe and participate in interdisciplinary health care teams in assessment and planning of community-based primary health care in partnership with health and human service professionals and residents of Page County, Virginia. Learning activities will emphasize the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of rural health services in the context of interdisciplinary practice, rural culture and the goals of Healthy People 2010.
Students will:
- Observe and participate in interdisciplinary health care planning and service delivery, collaborating with nursing, social work, health care administration, and other disciplines.
- Apply knowledge from health and human service disciplines to the planning, coordination and delivery of comprehensive health services for individuals, families, and groups in a rural setting.
- Partner with rural community residents and health professionals to determine and respond to identified health needs.
- Examine the structure, function, and impact of political, cultural, social, and economic factors on rural health and the health of individuals, families, and the community.
- Apply concepts and behaviors to build multicultural competency.
- Describe the roles of various health care professionals in rural, underserved areas.
- Analyze research findings that guide the planning, delivery, and evaluation of rural health care.
- Understand rural health planning, delivery and evaluation in the context of Healthy People 2010.
Future plans:
The Rural Health Course will be a required course for the new RN to BSN program. Students will participate in the May 2006 offering of the RHC.
An inter professional rural mental health course is being developed to begin in spring 2006 and will involve components of the Rural Health Course.
For more information, please contact Dr. David Cockley, cocklede@jmu.edu (540) 568-2834 or Emily Akerson akersoek@jmu.edu or (540) 568-6120
