Rural health care networks in South Dakota

To address health care access concerns, a Regional Coordinated Care Network (RCCN) program, through Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Practice Sights Initiative funding, is being developed by the South Dakota Office of Rural Health. The intent of the initiative is to expand primary and preventive care and, hopefully, permanently reduce the number of Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in the state by linking and enhancing providers and services. In rural areas such networking will be crucial for the delivery of health care. Surely, the impact on family physicians will be significant and salutary.