Resident Engagement & Training for Underserved and Rural Needs
Our Mission
Resident Engagement & Training for Underserved and Rural Needs (RETURN) program aims to enhance the experiences and exposure of GME trainees to rural and underserved healthcare needs in Utah. We work to develop and expand partnerships between residency programs and community partner sites to provide 2-6 week rural/underserved rotations for trainees. RETURN is striving to have 50 residents on 50 rotations in the next few years.
Our Vision
- We improve access to quality healthcare for rural and underserved populations.
- We co-create sustainable physician access through clinical and cultural exposure of GME trainees and position University of Utah Health as a national leader in community partnerships and rural GME.
- We discover and enhance factors that increase the viability and diversity of rural physician practice models.
- We accomplish this through rural awareness, clinical rotation experiences, rural residency program development, and grant support.
Application support
Programs interested in sending trainees on rural/underserved rotations must submit a RETURN application. Your RETURN application will also serve as the GMEC application for a new rotation(s). Our team is available to help walk you through the application process start to finish. We can also help connect you with rural clinical sites or with resources for the Program letters of Agreement (PLA) process. as well as reimburses for the cost of travel.
Funding
RETURN funds GME residents and fellow's salary & benefits, housing and travel during their approved rural/underserved rotation. The RETURN team will provide housing accommodations for trainees during their rural rotations as well as reimburses for the cost of travel.
Wellness
Our GME wellness team supports our trainees by offering wellness check-ins to prepare for and understand the expectations of upcoming rotations, assess burnout and provide wellness resources.
Participating GME Programs
Community Partner Sites
- Ashley Regional Medical Center
- Mountain West Medical Center
- Uintah Basin Medical Center
- Utah Navajo Health System
- Blanding Family Practice
- Montezuma Creek Community Health Center
- Monument Valley Community Health Center
- St. George Regional Medical Center
Our Initiatives
Concept to Community (C2C) a contest sponsored by GME Resident Engagement & Training for Underserved & Rural Needs (RETURN).
The C2C contest enables GME trainees to address the health needs of rural and underserved Utah communities guided by the community stakeholders and experienced faculty.
Interprofessional teams (GME Trainees, Health Sciences students from SOM/Public Health/Nursing, etc.) will submit proposals to design and implement rural and underserved health programs with community input. The proposals will address one or more of the following C2C contest goals:
- Increase awareness of rural health needs/challenges among current and future providers
- Provide public health education for rural communities
- Enhance U health trainees/faculty/staff involvement in addressing rural needs/challenges
- Design public health intervention/rural practice innovations
Teams may be awarded up to $5000 to bring their projects to life. The award categories are:
- rural awareness and education,
- rural practice innovation,
- public health intervention, and
- community choice.
To qualify for any final funding, each team must have a GME trainee (resident or fellow). However, the application can be submitted without a GME Trainee. Once we receive an application lacking that piece, we will reach out to individuals to help form their team.
AY25 C2C submissions are now being accepted through May 15, 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
The due date is May 15, 2024.
Create a proposal and budget and email documents to GME.RETURN@hsc.utah.edu by May 15th.
The guidelines are intentionally vague and freeform so that we can encourage participation from as many groups as possible. Since this is our first year of the contest, we are trying to gauge what kind of funds might be needed for a group or project. We encourage you to submit your project and budget in as much detail as you can. We will then work with you to iron out any specific details or issues.
We will be utilizing Utah definitions of urban and rural. In regard to "underserved" we are asking for you to define how the audience/recipients of your project are indeed underserved. Refer to the state definitions at the following link: https://ruralhealth.health.utah.gov/portal.
Yes! You are welcome to join in on multiple projects. However, we ask that you please include in each entry a list of the other projects you have entered. In addition, when submitting reimbursements for travel, we may request additional documentation to show the separation of your time and energy on each of those projects.
A "team" means one or more individuals. A project must have at least one GME trainee (resident or fellow) to qualify for the final award. However, you can still submit an application without one and indicate you would like to be paired with a trainee. If we get a submission without a trainee, we will reach out to you and help you put together your team.
There are several individuals and teams looking for collaborators. In addition, many are seeking GME trainee partners on their projects. If you wish to join an existing team or project, please reach out for assistance.
Although a GME trainee is required to be on a team, they needn't lead the team. You can join in on a project and contribute in other ways like: collaboration, networking, scheduling, project communications, budget, etc. We are also here to help you! In addition, if you have course projects or need to do a rotation, we may be able help you combine your efforts for multiple spheres into one project.
The budget proposal document is a guideline to assist you in developing a preliminary budget to submit with your project. However, we know that most students are not finance experts. Because of that, we ask that you make your best attempt at expense details and submit. We can work with you on any final budget details for your project.
If you have other questions, please reach out to us for more assistance.
This is not a stand-alone monetary award. Nor do these funds reimburse for time spent. All funds and reimbursements are processed after documentation of a necessary expense is sent to our team. In some cases, we will make necessary purchases for a project.
RaT is an elective experience for residents and students on RETURN rotations who are interested in improving their teaching skills. The ability to effectively teach is important for physicians to practice and master as every clinical encounter is an educational encounter.
The ability to effectively teach is important for physicians to practice and master. Physicians are not only responsible for educating their peers, the next generation of health care providers, and community members, but are responsible first and foremost for teaching their patients. Every clinical encounter is an educational encounter.
We are committed to supporting Resident-as-Teacher (RaT) curricula through the Graduate Medical Education Committee in the following ways:
- High-quality resources to support your program's RaT efforts. On this page, you will find relevant articles, videos, and podcast episodes to integrate into your curriculum.
- Consultations regarding development and assessment of RaT curricula.
- Centralized opportunities for trainees interested in education. We will be offering RaT workshops throughout the year for interested trainees.
The GRHSP is designed specifically for GME trainees interested in gaining exposure to and experience with global and rural health practices. This program will be delivered over a 2-year cycle that will consist of 12 modules - starting January 2021.
Similar principles exist in the care of patients living in rural areas of the United States and in underserved areas abroad. Residents and fellows are increasingly interested in having exposure and experience with global and rural health during their training. The GRHSP will provide a unified, coordinate curriculm to trainees, help organize rural and global rotations for residents and is designed with the goals to:
- To better serve patients of all ethnicities and backgrounds in high-income countries, including those living in rural areas, refugees, immigrants and those living in poverty;
- To improve the health of patients and populations worldwide by training physicians to engage in partnerships and capacity development;
- To better understand structural and historical causes of health inequity amongst populations;
- To meet GME trainee demand for global, rural and underserved education and training experiences during residency;
- To foster a culture of globally minded physicians who are trained to recognize health inequities, human rights issues, and advocacy opportunities in both high- and low-income settings;
- To foster an interdisciplinary approach to global health.
Trainee Experiences
"I was given a lot of autonomy, which helped me build confidence in my clinical decision-making, and I got to see some unique presentations of illnesses that also taught me a lot. It was a fun and rewarding experience, and I enjoyed working with both physicians and mid level providers at multiple sites."
"I enjoyed the challenge and opportunity of leading resuscitations of neonates in a more independent way. I also had the opportunity to perform several in office procedures I had not been exposed to previously (ex. nexplanon placement and removal, Botox injections for migraine headache, IUD insertion/removal). I felt very much appreciated by both patients and colleagues which was motivating. Finally, our clinic hosted a “teddy bear clinic” for children to learn about in office vaccines, procedures, and tools in a fun setting with toys and Disney characters in an effort to assuage fears about coming to see the doctor. It was so cute!"
We are proud to share with you, our annual RETURN report summarizing our efforts and results.
![[field.image-button-alternative-text]](/sites/g/files/zrelqx296/files/migration/media/rural-utah-barn.png)
Please contact the RETURN with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
Email: gme.return@hsc.utah.edu