Rural Health Learning Collaborative

In 2020-2021, the Rural Health Learning Collaborative supported “Perspective Groups” for rural citizens, rural providers, and linked sectors. The Groups focused on the initial four topics of cultural safety, team-based care, virtually-enabled care, and patient transport.

The Rural Citizens Perspective Group is jointly convened by the BC Patient Safety and Quality Council and the BC Rural Health Network, and is comprised of patients from rural areas around the province. They have met consistently throughout the year, and have created a safe space for mutual discussion of healthcare priorities.

The Rural Providers Group is jointly convened by RCCbc and the Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC. A strategic group, including provincial health care perspectives, met initially, and an operational group was developed for frontline rural health providers to share their perspectives.

The Linked Sectors Group is jointly convened by the BC Rural Centre and the Institute for Health Systems Transformation and Sustainability. Comprised of participants from municipalities, industry, and non-profits, this group had robust discussions on key topics, including presentations on the Community Paramedicine Program and virtual care.

In 2020–2021, the RCCbc Scientific Directors engaged with rural physicians and researchers to lend their expertise, help provide the rural lens, and build research capacity. Dr. Taylor additionally supported research around virtual care, while Dr. Oelke supported research into rural patient transport. The Scientific Directors are also building networks with an eye to supporting a comprehensive rural research strategy.

Throughout the year, the Collaborative also supported a pilot of the BC Rural Health Hub in two communities: The Kaslo and North Kootenay Lake Communications Hub, and the Mount Waddington Health Network. Led by the BC Rural Centre, the BC Rural Health Hub aims to provide a source of timely, accurate health-related information of relevance to rural, remote, and First Nations British Columbians and the healthcare professionals and organizations who provide their care, through the provision of easy-to-use, safe civic engagement platforms, in the process creating a network of locally-controlled rural healthcare Learning Communities.

In the coming year, the Rural Health Learning Collaborative will continue to strengthen the voice and reach of the perspective groups, including the development of a Rural Academia Group. The RCCbc Scientific Directors will work on the development of a comprehensive rural research strategy. The Collaborative will continue to develop partnerships and the vision of the rural learning health ecosystem.