Human resource issues in rural mental health services

Human resource issues related to the provision of mental health care in rural areas under the proposed health care reform are addressed. Rural areas continue to utilize more non-specialty providers in the provision of mental health care. First, issues surrounding the training, recruitment, and retention of specialty mental health providers differ between urban and rural areas. Next, innovative strategies currently being used to attract and retain specialty providers to rural practice are presented. Finally, implications for expanding the knowledge base related to rural providers are explored.